European Folktale

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Retold by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00183

Once upon a time, a tired soldier was making his way home after a long journey. He had traveled far, his clothes were worn, and his stomach was empty. All he wanted was a warm meal and a place to rest. So, he headed toward the nearest village, hoping the people there would be kind enough to share their food.

But when the soldier arrived, the villagers were wary. They didn’t have much to spare and were used to keeping what little they had to themselves. When he asked for a bit of food and a place to stay, they shook their heads.

“Oh, we have no food to share,” they told him.

The soldier smiled kindly. “That’s all right. If you have no food, then I’ll share mine with you,” he said. The villagers looked at one another, puzzled. How could this weary soldier have food?

“Everyone, come to the town square!” he called. “I’ll make us a big pot of stone soup, and everyone can have some!”

The villagers were more curious than ever. “Stone soup?” they murmured. “What kind of soup is that?”

But soon, they gathered in the square to watch. The soldier found a large pot and filled it with water from the village well. He set it over a fire in the middle of the square. Then, he carefully took a smooth, round stone from his pocket and placed it in the pot.

As the water began to warm, the soldier looked around and said with a thoughtful smile, “Ah, what a delicious soup this will be. But it would be even better with a bit of seasoning.”

One villager, who had been watching from her window, stepped forward with a small pinch of salt. “Will this help?” she asked.

“Oh, perfect! Thank you!” said the soldier, adding the salt to the pot.

He sniffed the bubbling water and said, “Ah, yes. Now, a couple of carrots would really bring out the flavor.”

A man from the back of the crowd cleared his throat and held up a few small carrots he’d hidden away. “I suppose I could spare these,” he said shyly.

The soldier took the carrots with a warm smile. “Thank you, my friend! This is going to be one fine soup!”

He stirred the pot again and let out a big, contented sigh. “Now, this soup would be perfect if only we had an onion or two…”

A woman nearby quickly ran back to her home and returned with a handful of wild onions. “These might do the trick!” she said, handing them over.

As each new ingredient went into the pot, the villagers grew more and more curious. The soldier tasted the broth and said, “It’s nearly there! Some potatoes, maybe a few herbs, and oh—a bit of meat would make it truly wonderful.”

One by one, the villagers brought out a few potatoes, some fresh herbs, and even a bit of meat they’d saved. The soldier added each gift with gratitude, stirring the pot carefully. Soon, a wonderful aroma filled the square, and the villagers’ stomachs rumbled.

At last, the soldier said, “The stone soup is ready!”

He ladled the warm, hearty soup into bowls and passed them around. The villagers tasted it, and their eyes lit up. “This is the best soup we’ve ever had!” they exclaimed. They laughed and ate together, sharing stories and enjoying the meal as a community.

When everyone was full and happy, the soldier quietly took the stone from the pot, wiped it clean, and slipped it back into his pocket. He smiled at the villagers and thanked them for their generosity.

As he prepared to leave, the villagers realized something important: they had enough to share all along. It just took a little kindness and cooperation to make a meal that everyone could enjoy.

From that day on, they never forgot the clever soldier or his magical “stone soup.”

Original source: “Stone Soup.” Wikipedia, 21 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Soup.