The clinic waiting room felt calm and welcoming, filled with soft lighting and the faint scent of peppermint tea. Three elderly gentlemen sat side by side, their coats folded neatly on their laps and walking canes resting within reach. They chatted quietly while waiting to see Dr. Halpern for a routine memory check.
It wasn’t a serious exam—just a simple assessment to make sure their minds were staying sharp.
The First Question
Dr. Halpern called in the first patient, Mr. Arthur.
Arthur walked in confidently, determined to prove he was doing just fine.
The doctor smiled and asked gently,
“What is three times three?”
Arthur furrowed his brow, concentrating deeply. After a long pause, he answered proudly:
“Two hundred and seventy-four.”
The doctor blinked but kindly wrote it down. Arthur looked completely satisfied with himself.
The Second Attempt
Next came Mr. Bernard, who entered with a cheerful grin.
Dr. Halpern repeated the question:
“What is three times three?”
Bernard didn’t hesitate.
“Tuesday!” he replied enthusiastically.
The doctor struggled to keep a straight face. Bernard chuckled at his own answer, clearly amused.
The mood in the clinic grew lighter.
The Final Turn
Finally, Mr. Clarence stepped in. He had quietly observed everything from the waiting room.
Dr. Halpern asked again,
“What is three times three?”
Clarence thought briefly and replied calmly:
“Nine.”
The doctor smiled. “That’s correct! Excellent work. How did you figure that out?”
Clarence leaned in slightly and said with a wink,
“Well, I just subtracted Tuesday from two hundred and seventy-four.”
The room erupted in laughter.
The Real Takeaway
Dr. Halpern made a final note in the file:
“Memory may sometimes falter—but a sharp wit and a good sense of humor never age.”
Because sometimes, the best sign of a healthy mind isn’t perfect math—
It’s being able to laugh about it.
