This short story is from <Heartwarming Collection of Short Stories for Seniors: 2 Books in 1> by Bradley Windrow. It is perfect for seniors, even for dementia patients. Be sure to read until the end, as there’s a special gift waiting for you! hope you enjoy it!
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. –Neale Donald Walsch
Stan wasn’t thrilled about trying the new trendy restaurant in town. He liked routines, rules, and knowing exactly what to expect. So when his friends, Doris and Bill, dragged him out of his comfort zone, he wasn’t happy. They dared him to last a meal. As they approached the restaurant, Stan eyed the modern, minimalist décor with suspicion.
“Where’s the menu?” he muttered, glancing around.
“Stan, relax,” Doris said, patting him on the back. “It’s supposed to be an experience.” They were seated, and Stan immediately scanned the table for a menu. Nothing. The waiter arrived with a smile and explained, “
Tonight’s menu is the chef’s choice. You’ll be served a series of surprise courses based on what’s fresh.”
“No menu? How do I know what I’m ordering?” Stan blinked. The waiter smiled again, clearly used to this reaction.
“Trust the chef. It’ll be a culinary adventure.” Stan was not one for adventures—culinary or otherwise. He looked at Doris and Bill, who were barely containing their laughter.
“I’m not sure I like the sound of this,” he whispered to Bill.
“You’ll be fine,” Bill grinned. “Think of it as expanding your horizons.”
Stan wasn’t convinced. The first course arrived— an exotic salad with ingredients he couldn’t identify. Doris and Bill dove in while Stan poked at his plate as it might bite him.
“What is this? And where’s the dressing?” he whispered.
“No idea, but it’s great!” Bill chuckled. Each dish that followed was more puzzling than the last. Fusion tacos with mystery toppings, pasta that looked more like a painting than a meal, and a dessert that resembled abstract art. Stan, bewildered, tried to stay composed but couldn’t help himself.
“Do they serve anything normal here? Like a burger?”
By the time the sushi arrived—an avant-garde version Stan couldn’t even recognize—he reached his limit.
“Waiter!” he called, nervously glancing at the plate. “Do you have, I don’t know, something simple? A steak, maybe?”
“Chef’s choice tonight, sir.” The waiter, barely holding back a smile, gently reminded him. Doris and Bill couldn’t hold it in anymore. They burst out laughing at Stan’s growing confusion. Even Stan had to admit it was ridiculous.
“This isn’t a restaurant,” he chuckled, “it’s an art gallery for food!”
By the end of the meal, Stan had managed to try everything, even if he didn’t love it all.
“You survived,” Doris teased as they left. “See? Trying new things isn’t the end of the world.” Stan rolled his eyes but couldn’t help grinning.
“I’ll admit it was… interesting. But tomorrow, I’m getting real food. At my diner. With a menu.”
As they walked to the car, Stan reflected on the night. Maybe stepping outside his routine wasn’t so bad after all—especially when it gave him and his friends something to laugh about. Still, he made a mental note to stick to diners for the foreseeable future.
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