The Million Dollar Question

Sally, 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 leave with only the $25,000 milestone money.

As she suspected, 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?' Sally was on the spot. She didn't know the answer. She had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. She hoped she wouldn't have to use it because her friend, Jeni, was a blonde. But she had no alternative. She called Jeni and read the question and the choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly: 'That's easy. The answer is C: The cuckoo.' Sally had to make a fast decision. She considered employing a reverse strategy, but Jeni had sounded so confident. Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, 'C: The cuckoo.' 'Is that your final answer?' 'Yes.' 'That answer is... absolutely correct! You are now a millionaire!' Three days later, Sally hosted a party for her family and friends, including Jeni. 'Jeni, I just don't know how to thank you,' said Sally. 'How did you happen to know the right answer?' 'Oh, come on,' said Jeni. 'Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks.'