An elderly couple go to their doctor to ask what they can do to improve their short term memory.
“Forgetfulness is common at your age. Just get into the habit of writing down the things you need to do and then it won’t be so easy to forget.”
Later that evening, the couple settles down to watch some TV when the husband gets up from his chair and starts to leave the room.
“Where are you going?”, his wife asks.
“I’m just going to get a bowl of ice cream from the kitchen. Would you like some?”
“Oh that would be nice.”, the wife replies, “But, remember what the doctor said? Maybe you should write it down so you won’t forget.”
The husband becomes slightly irritated at her comment and says, “I think I can remember 2 bowls of ice cream.”
“OK.”, she says, but adds, “Do you think you could add some chocolate syrup to the top of mine? Maybe you should write it down.”
“I think I can remember 2 bowls of ice cream and to put chocolate syrup on top of one.”
“OK.”, she answers, “Then do you think maybe you could add some nuts, too? I love peanuts on my ice cream. Maybe you should write it down.”
The husband starts getting irritated. “I think I can remember 2 bowls of ice cream and to put chocolate syrup and nuts on the top of one of them.”
“OK. OK. No need to get upset. I was just trying to help.”, she says, then adds, “Oh. do you know what sounds REALLY good? To add some whipped cream and a cherry to the top. Now, that is a lot to remember. You really should write it down.”
“I think I can remember 2 bowls of ice cream with chocolate syrup, nuts, a cherry, and some whipped cream on top of one of them!”, the husband responds angrily and storms off into the kitchen.
Twenty minutes go by and the wife starts becoming anxious, wondering what is taking her husband so long in the kitchen when he suddenly enters the room with 2 plates of bacon and eggs.
“See! I told you you should have written it down!”, she shouts, “You forgot the toast!”
