Current flow in a specific scenario
Current doesn't choose the shortest path - it chooses all paths in (inverse) proportion to the resistance of those paths.

The resistance of all the lamps is shown - the resistance of the wires is not, but it's conventional (wrong but close enough) to assume it is zero.

So with a choice of 2 100 ohm lamps the current divides equally between each. With the same choice plus a zero ohm alternative, virtually all will take the short circuit, and not much ( 0 / 100, i.e. none) will choose the path of either lamp.

(Beyond this brief overview, see Olin's excellent answer, and Ohm's Law.)