Monday 11 November 2013

They live in clocks!

A contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? had
reached the final plateau. If she answered the next
question correctly, she would win the million
dollars. 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; 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?"

"Yes, that is my final answer," she said, breaking into
a sweat.

"I have to inform you that that answer is ... absolutely
correct. You are a millionaire!"

Shortly afterward, the contestant hosted a party for her
family and friends, including the blonde who had helped
her win the million dollar answer.

"I just do not know how to thank you. 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."

"You're welcome!"

"But tell me ... how did you happen to know the right
answer?"

"Oh, come on! Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build
nests. They live in clocks."

Courtesy: ArcaMax.com

No comments:

Post a Comment