The Winning Question
A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had reached the final
plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would win
$1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $32,000
milestone money. And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar
question was no pushover. It was, "Which of the following species of birds
does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other
birds? Is it:
A) the condor
B) the buzzard
C) the cuckoo
D) the vulture
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And she was doubly
on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Audience Poll
Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. The woman hoped
she would not have to use it because ... Her friend was, well--blonde. She
had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the
four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly: "That's easy. The answer
is C: the cuckoo." The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast.
She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Merideth any answer
except the one that her friend had given her. And considering that her
friend was a blonde, that would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her
friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the
contestant could not help but be persuaded.
"I need an answer," said Merideth. Crossing her fingers, the contestant
said, "C: The cuckoo."
"Is that your final answer?" "Yes, that is my final answer." Two minutes
later, Merideth said, "That answer is .... Absolutely correct! You are now
a millionaire!
Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends,
including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars. "Jeni, I
just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "How did you
happen to know the right answer?"
"Oh, come on," said the blonde... "Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build
nests. They live in clocks." |
