Three elderly friends—Harold, Gerald, and Edward—had known each other for decades. From their childhood days in the same neighborhood to their shared experiences of raising families and retiring, they had seen it all together. Now, as the years advanced and their hair grew grayer, their visits to the doctor had become more frequent. Today, however, was no ordinary check-up. The doctor had arranged for a memory test, and although the trio wasn’t quite sure what to expect, they were more than happy to oblige. After all, it was just another day in their long, shared history.

As the three men entered the sterile examination room, they noticed a few changes in their doctor’s office: a new coat of paint, a fresh plant in the corner, and an impressive array of medical equipment. Dr. Stevens, a kind but efficient man who had been treating them for years, stood at the ready with a clipboard in hand.

“Gentlemen,” he began, smiling warmly, “today, I’ll be conducting a brief memory test. Nothing to worry about—just a few simple questions to check in on your cognitive function.”

Harold, the oldest of the three, adjusted his glasses and sat down first. He had a tendency to get a little nervous at doctor’s appointments, but he was confident that his mind was still sharp. Gerald, a jovial man with a knack for telling stories, took a seat next to Harold. Edward, the quiet one with a sharp wit, settled into the third chair, his posture relaxed.

Dr. Stevens cleared his throat. “Let’s start with a simple question, gentlemen. What is three times three?”

Harold’s brow furrowed as he gazed into space. He scratched his head and glanced around the room, clearly thinking hard. For a few moments, there was nothing but silence. The doctor waited patiently as Harold seemed lost in thought. Finally, Harold snapped his fingers as if he had a sudden realization.

“Ah, I’ve got it! Three times three is… 274,” he declared confidently.

The doctor blinked, then quickly wrote something down on his clipboard without commenting. Harold looked around, pleased with himself, while Gerald and Edward exchanged confused glances. The answer certainly wasn’t right, but they didn’t want to embarrass their friend.

Next, Dr. Stevens turned to Gerald, who had already started chuckling to himself. “Gerald, same question. What is three times three?”

Gerald chuckled some more, as if the question was an inside joke. He looked at Dr. Stevens with a big grin on his face and said, “Tuesday.”

The doctor’s pen paused in midair. “Tuesday?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Gerald replied, nodding sagely. “It’s always Tuesday when you ask these sorts of questions.”

Edward stifled a laugh, and Harold let out a loud guffaw. Dr. Stevens, although slightly perplexed, made a note of Gerald’s answer without comment.

Finally, it was Edward’s turn. Edward had always been the sharp one of the group, quick with a witty remark or a clever observation. He’d remained remarkably mentally sharp even as the years wore on. He leaned forward in his chair, looked Dr. Stevens in the eye, and answered immediately.

“Nine,” Edward said, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “It’s three times three, right?”

Dr. Stevens smiled, relieved. “Correct, Edward. Nine.”

Harold and Gerald exchanged wide-eyed glances. “How did you get that so fast?” Harold asked, genuinely curious. “You didn’t even pause!”

Edward shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, it’s simple. Three times three equals nine. Always has, always will. Nothing tricky about it.”

Dr. Stevens chuckled softly at the banter between the friends. “Well, it’s clear that Edward’s memory is as sharp as ever. As for the rest of you, we might want to try a few activities to help keep your minds active.”

Gerald shrugged, grinning. “I can hardly remember what I had for breakfast this morning, doc. But I can tell you all about the time we went fishing in 1984.”

Harold, too, nodded. “Memory or no memory, I still have my good friends, and that’s what really counts.”

Dr. Stevens smiled warmly. “Exactly. But a little memory boost can’t hurt, right? I’d recommend some activities to keep your minds stimulated. How about crossword puzzles, reading, or even learning a new hobby?”

Gerald’s eyes lit up. “I’ve been meaning to take up knitting. You know, something relaxing.”

Harold raised an eyebrow. “Knitting? Well, I suppose that’s a step up from your fishing rod.”

“Hey, don’t knock it until you try it,” Gerald replied, grinning from ear to ear. “You could join me, Harold. We’ll start a knitting club.”

Edward shook his head, laughing. “As long as no one asks me to knit, I’m fine with that.”

The trio left the doctor’s office, laughing and chatting all the way down the hallway. Despite the odd memory test results, they knew that their friendship and sense of humor were as intact as ever. And maybe, just maybe, they’d consider trying out some of those mind exercises, though they were more likely to end up telling stories and cracking jokes than working on puzzles.