Stone Soup

Once there were three tired soldiers. They had walked far, over fields and through forests. Their shoes were worn and their stomachs rumbled. When the sun began to set, they saw a village. "Maybe there's some food there," said the first soldier. "And a warm corner to rest in," said the second. "We'll ask nicely," said the third.

In the village it was quiet. When the soldiers knocked on doors, people peeked out but shook their heads. "We have nothing to give," said an old woman and pulled the door shut. "The harvest was small," mumbled an uncle. The children hid behind the curtains. The truth was that the villagers had a little of everything, but they were afraid it wouldn't be enough. They hid bread in chests, potatoes under the bed, and a small piece of cheese on the shelf.

The soldiers looked at each other. They were still polite. "Then we'll make stone soup," said the first soldier cheerfully. "Stone soup?" whispered the villagers behind the doors. "Can you make soup from stone?" They sneaked closer to the square to look.

"We just need a large pot, water, and a fire," said the second soldier. Soon a large pot was rolled forward. Someone fetched water from the well. Another lit a fire. The third soldier washed three smooth stones and carefully placed them in the water. They stirred and stirred. The water bubbled. The scent was only warm and empty, but the soldiers smiled.

"Oh, what fine stone soup this will be," said the first soldier and tasted. "Almost perfect! Just a pinch of salt would make it even better." A little girl ran home and came back with a small bag of salt. She poured in a little, and everyone watched as the soldier stirred around.

"Imagine," said the second soldier, "if there were a carrot or two. Carrots make the soup sweet and beautiful in color." A woman emptied her pockets. "I have some carrots," she said. They were cut into pieces and slid down into the pot. It began to smell good.

"Cabbage makes a soup strong," said the third soldier. "And potatoes make the stomach happy and full." Then came a boy with a small cabbage head, and an old man felt a bit ashamed but brought out some potatoes. Everything ended up in the pot. Someone called: "I have an onion!" and another said: "Here are some pieces of meat that were left over!" In with that too. Now a warm, good scent spread over the whole square. The villagers smiled cautiously. They almost forgot they had been afraid to share.

The soldiers stirred, tasted, and nodded. "What festive stone soup!" they said. "It would be even more festive with some bread on the side." Then children rushed off and fetched small bread slices. "And maybe some cheese?" whispered someone. An aunt came with her little piece of cheese. Soon bowls, spoons, and benches were out.

When the soup was ready, they placed the pot in the middle of the square. Everyone got a spoonful. "Here you are," said the soldiers. "Stone soup for everyone!" First they tasted carefully. Then they smiled widely. The soup was warm, hearty, and good. They sat together, ate, and laughed. The children slurped and the village's oldest told stories. Those who had just said "we have nothing" noticed there was plenty when everyone shared a little.

When night came the villagers thanked the soldiers. "What wonderful soup you made from stones!" they said. The first soldier washed the three smooth stones and tucked them in his pocket again. "These stones are good to have," he said and winked. The second soldier smiled. "But the best thing in the soup was everything you shared." The third nodded. "When everyone gives a little, it's enough for all."

The next morning the village waved goodbye. The soldiers walked onward, full in the stomach and warm in the heart. And in the village everyone remembered how a soup from stones became a feast, just because everyone helped each other.