A Couple in their eighties were both having problems remembering things. During a medical check-up, the doctor tells them that mentally, they’re just fine. He advises them that if they’re having trouble remembering things, they might want to start writing things down.
Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair.
‘Want anything while I’m in the kitchen?’ he asks.
“Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?”
“Sure.”
“Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?” she asks.
“No, I can remember it.”
“Well, I’d like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so as not to forget it?”
He says, “I can remember that. You want a bowl of vanilla ice cream with strawberries.”
“I’d also like whipped cream. I don’t want you to forget that, so write it down.” she says.
Irritated, he replies, “Dang it, woman, I don’t need to write it down! I can remember that simple thing: Vanilla ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream – I got it, for goodness sake!”
Then he ambles into the kitchen and she hears him getting out bowls and flatware. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate in disbelief.
“I told you, you should have written it down,” she quipped, “You forgot the toast.”