Scene: A park in Manchester on a chilly Saturday morning. Two friends, Sarah (the superstitious one) and James (the rational thinker), are sitting on a bench sipping takeaway coffee. A lone magpie hops across the path.
Sarah: (nudges James and whispers urgently) Oh no—look! Just one magpie. That’s bad luck. Quick, say, “Hello, Mr. Magpie, how’s your wife?”
James: (raises an eyebrow) You want me to greet a bird about his marital status? Sarah, it’s literally pecking at a crisp packet.
Sarah: Don’t mock it! Everyone knows—one magpie is sorrow, two is joy. You’ve got to acknowledge them to ward off bad luck.
James: (laughs) And what if the magpie’s single? Should I apologise for bringing up his non-existent wife?
Sarah: (swats his arm) You’re impossible. It’s a tradition, James. My nan always saluted magpies. She swore it kept her safe.
James: Safe from what—bird-related crime? Look, magpies are just birds. Clever ones, sure, but birds. Seeing one doesn’t magically alter your life’s trajectory.
Sarah: But think about it—last month, I saw a lone magpie on my way to work, and later that day I spilled coffee all over my new white blouse. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
James: Or maybe… just maybe… you’re a bit clumsy before caffeine kicks in?
Sarah: (laughing) Rude! But what about when I saw two magpies together before my driving test? I passed that day.
James: Confirmation bias, my friend. You remember the times it “worked” and ignore the hundreds of times you saw magpies and nothing happened.
Sarah: (sips coffee, frowning) So you’re saying my entire system of luck management is nonsense?
James: Pretty much. Though, I’ll admit, there’s something charming about it. Humans love patterns, and magpies are everywhere, so it’s easy to connect the dots.
Sarah: Maybe. But humour me—if a single magpie flies past right before your job interview, you’ll salute, won’t you?
James: Only if you promise to salute the next pigeon we see too. Equal rights for all birds.
Sarah: (bursts out laughing) Fine. But pigeons don’t hold the key to my destiny.
James: Neither do magpies. But if saying “Hello, Mr. Magpie” makes you feel braver, I’ll play along. Just don’t expect me to invite the whole bird kingdom to my next performance review.
Sarah: Deal. But if you get promoted after greeting a magpie, I’m taking full credit.
James: (grins) And if I don’t, I’m blaming you and the magpie’s wife.
Science Vs Superstition 
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