The Inspiration for the Stone Soup Gallery

The Stone Soup Folktale
(Although there are many versions of this popular tale, I have written my own)

Once upon a time famine hit a small midwestern village. Families had very little to eat for themselves and hid what they did have from their neighbors and friends. One day a little old lady had the idea to bring everyone together at this time of great need. She decided to make large kettle of "Stone Soup" that would feed the entire village. She set out knocking on doors and announcing to everyone she ran into that she would be making "Stone Soup" in the village square.

Soon villagers began to arrive, young and old alike. The little old lady already had the kettle of water boiling over the fire she had built. With great ceremony she pulled a shiny stone from her purse and placed it in the kettle. The villagers watched with amazement and anticipation has the little old lady took a sip of the broth. "Mmmmmm, this is very tasty stone soup," she said. "Of course it would taste even better with a little cabbage".

Shortly after one of the villagers returned with the a small head of cabbage and tossed it in the kettle. "Marvelous" she said. " Why this would taste even better with some carrots." Soon carrots appeared and on it went, with potatoes, corn, mushrooms, and onions.

"Ahhh", said the little old lady as she tasted the soup again. "If we only had a little chunk of meat this Stone Soup would be complete". The hunters of the village returned with several little chunks of meat and tossed them in the kettle.

The villagers brought tables, chairs and bowls to enjoy this great feast. The village baker provided a small loaf of bread to be broken and shared.

Everyone in the village had plenty to eat and they thanked the little old lady for making the "Stone Soup".

Moral: By working together, with everyone contributing what they have, no matter how seemingly insignificant, a greater good is achieved by all.

Jane Nicol