Bird Question

[Amy P]

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; the buzzard; C) the cuckoo; or 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, and the woman

had hoped against hope that she would not have to use it. Mainly because the

only friend that she knew would be home happened to be a blonde.

But the contestant 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 Regis 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. On the other hand--the blonde had

responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could

not help but be persuaded. "I need an answer," said Regis.

Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo." "Is that your

final answer?" asked Regis. "Yes, that is my final answer." Two minutes

later, Regis said, "I regret to inform you that 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.

"Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "Because

of your knowing the answer to that final question, I am now a millionaire.

And do you want to know something? It was the assuredness with which you

answered the question that convinced me to go with your choice. By the

way... 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.