An 80-year-old couple were having problems remembering things, so they decided¹ to go to their doctor to get checked out to make sure nothing was wrong with them. After checking the couple out, the doctor told them that they were physically² okay but might want to start writing things down and make notes to help them remember things. The couple thanked the doctor and left.

Later that night while watching TV, the old man got up from his chair and his wife asked, “Where are you going?” He replied, “To the kitchen.” She asked, “Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?” He replied, “Sure.” She then asked him, “Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?” He said, “No, I can remember that.” She then said, “Well, I also would like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down because I know you'll forget that.” He said, “I can remember that, you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.” She replied, “Well, I also would like whip cream on top. I know you will forget that so you'd better write it down.” With irritation³ in his voice, he said, “I don't need to write that down. I can remember that.” He then fumed⁴ into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes he returned from the kitchen and handed her a plate of bacon and eggs. She stared at the plate for a moment and said, “You forgot my toast.”

一对80岁的老夫妇记性不好，所以他们决定到医生那去作一次检查，看看有什么问题没有。医生给他们作了全面检查，告诉他们身体并没有什么问题。不过，建议他们以后用笔把事情写下来，以帮助他们记忆。他们谢了医生就回家了。

这天晚上看电视的时候，丈夫从他的椅子里站起来。妻子问他：“你到哪里去?”他说：“去厨房。”妻子问：“你能不能给我拿一碗冰淇淋?”他说：“当然可以。”妻子问他：“你是不是觉得应该写下来，免得忘记?”丈夫说：“不用，我能记得住。”妻子接着说：“不过，我还想放一些草莓在上面。你最好还是写下来。我知道你会忘记的。”丈夫说：“我能记得住。你是要一碗冰淇淋加草莓。”妻子接着说：“不过，我还想在上面放一些奶油。我知道你会忘记的。你最好是写下来。”丈夫不悦地说：“我不需要写下来。我能记得住。”他气呼呼地进了厨房。20分钟以后，丈夫从厨房回来了，递给妻子一盘煎腌肉和鸡蛋。妻子盯着盘子看了一会儿，说：“你忘了我的烤面包了。”