The below story happened in the Allen Community College cafeteria. The names of the students have been changed for anonymity.
Cindy stood in her small kitchen at ACC, frowning at the unexpected delivery. A can of garbanzo beans? That wasn’t on her list. She had planned for apple, cherry, and blueberry cobblers for the college’s annual spring festival. But there it was, gleaming like a mystery in her cupboard.
“Why not?” she thought. “It’s April Fools’ Day. I might as well make a garbanzo bean cobbler.”
Cindy chuckled at the thought. This could either be a hit or a grand disaster. She mixed the beans with sugar, cinnamon, and a few spices, layering them between flaky crusts. To her surprise, she found it oddly satisfying. The cobbler came out looking like any other, golden and inviting.
Later that day, four eager college students, Jeffrey, John, Susan, and Alex, crowded into the cafeteria. They filled their plates with lavish portions of the famous cobblers. The air was thick with excitement. Each carefully selected slice of apple, cherry, and blueberry offered a promise of sweetness. But Cindy’s garbanzo creation sat quietly at the end of the line. Most didn’t give it a second glance.
Suddenly, Jeffrey, known for his adventurous palate, exclaimed, “Hey! What’s that cobbler? I’ve never seen beans in a dessert before!” The rest of the group looked skeptically at the oddly named dish.
Steve, Cindy’s husband, watching from the sidelines, chuckled. “You guys should try it. You might be surprised!”
One by one, the students took a slice. Initial grimaces twisted into smiles. They couldn’t believe it. Garbanzo bean cobbler wasn’t just edible; it was delicious. Laughter erupted as they gobbled down the unexpected treat.
“I’m going tell my friends about this!” Susan shouted, offering another helping to Jeffrey, who was already reaching out for seconds.
But then, the laughter paused.
John looked around nervously “Wait, what if it’s all gone before we can get more?”
Panic spread. Soon, the whole cafeteria was buzzing. People chased after the cobbler like it was the last piece of cake on Earth.
Steve couldn’t contain his amusement and remarked, “I think this might become the new signature dish of ACC!”
As the last piece of was served, a warm glow filled the room. The cobbler brought everyone together. Cindy smiled and joined her husband. They stood side by side, watching the students enjoy the oddity of it all. The day ended with full bellies and plenty of conversations about cobblers. The unexpected choice sparked new friendships and laughter.
Later, as they cleaned up, Cindy reflected on the day. “I never thought this would work, but it actually did.”
Steve grinned, “Sometimes it just takes a bean to make life a bit sweeter.”
They shared a laugh, knowing they’d never forget the day Garbanzo Bean Cobbler became an ACC classic.
About the author:
Art graduated from Iola High School 1962 and ESU 1966. Art taught grades 4-6 at Shawnee Mission from 1966-1984. After retiring in 1985, Art decided to begin creative writing. He enjoys writing poetry, short stories, and acrostics. He later moved back to Iola, KS in 2020. Since then, Art has become a big fan of ACC sports. Additionally, he’s written several acrostics and other poetry for many ACC students and faculty. Art and his wife, B. J., enjoy their interactions with all of the ACC staff and students.