Stone Soup

[Lindy]

I am aware that there are some who don't know what Stone Soup is... my head hangs in shame that this story has not been passed on through each family

So, from my family to yours... here is a short version of Stone Soup:

The Story of Stone Soup

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Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.

"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on."

"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.

By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.

"Ahh," the soldier said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."

Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the soldier. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."

The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and traveled on the next day. The moral is that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.

[puterguy01]

A good story, thanks Lindy!

[pushka]

Haha...I like it!

[Tammy]

Great story and a favorite amongst children's librarians involved in storytelling. It takes on a life of its own with a good story teller and it is often used in the school systems as a piece to help incorporate the moral you described so well.

[begood2]

Lindy,

I enjoyed your stone soup story. Thank you for sharing!

[CharlieDesRosiers]

Mmmmm... soup.

[tngu]

I actually heard that story on an episode of Little House on the Prairie!

[Winnie G]

I’ve recently used that in a FHE moment.

I love that story.

There is a analogy about sin as described as a ice-cream sundae were the cherry tastes soooo good and as you eat the cold my sting your teeth but you keep going until at the bottom you feel sick to your stomach and wish you never ate that sundae.

I feed my early morning seminary students sundaes it was a grate teaching moment.

[Justlooking]

I always loved this story as well. :)

[Josie]

Beautiful story with beatiful meaning. We need to keep its meaning in our lives and use it, and not just tell it. We can accomplish so much through working together and each contributing his or her part, and most of the time, accomplish very little on our own.

[Laureltree]

I remember this story..I loved it as a kid, I thought it was great how he got everyone to share what they had.

[Guest Crazy Horse]

Words to live by. Sounds better than the mashed potatoes my mom used to make. I think she heard that story because I swear there were stones in them.

What wonderful thing it is to have everyone chip in to make it all good. B)