The Impact of Generosity: A Modern Retelling of the Stone Soup Tale

The modern day stone soup story

Everyone has heard the story of stone soup. With everything we hear about our future, they say there will be famines due to farmers inability to produce enough food. Anyways, in one variation of stone soup, soldiers were heading home from war. In the time period this story was written, there were no cars. These soldiers were walking home. There were chariots, horses, wagons, or anything which would make their trip easier. Along their walk, they grew hungry and decided to ask citizens if they had a bite. Everyone told them no and close the door on them.

Being very creative, the soldiers made the decision to concoct a soup consisting solely of stones! Ha! Ha! They requested a large pot from someone, and thus began the stone soup. Placing a pot over an open flame, they added stones and water. This peculiar soup piqued the citizens’ curiosity, as they couldn’t fathom its purpose.

Seeing that the community’s interest growing, they began to offer a taste of the soup. As each tasted they would say that it was missing one ingredient. The soldiers would ask if they had a particular ingredient. Eventually the community was sharing in stone soup and was enjoying each other’s company.

Now we will change the story to see how it can be applied today.

John Brooks and his small struggling family found themselves in a challenging situation as their car broke down on the side of the road. With work scarce and the cost of living rising due to inflation, John was desperate to find new employment to provide for his family of six. Susie, the mom, and their two boys and two girls were all relying on him. When he turned to the community for help, he was met with rejection, as each person felt they had little to spare. Growing increasingly hungry, the family, much like during the Depression, decided to take an unconventional approach.

Armed with nothing but a large, empty pot and a smooth, round stone, they decided to create a space to start a fire in the middle of the town. He placed the pot over an open fire and asked his family to help fill it with water. As eager group of community members gathered and asked questions, John told them, “Today, we will share in a special meal, and I will need a little to help to make it perfect!”

People were confused and interested, not understanding how what was going on, their faces etched with concern. “What are they making? It looks like soup” someone said.

“It’s a simple recipe,” John replied. “Come have a taste and let me know what it is missing. ” He tasted and said, “It seems to be missing salt. I think I will go and get a little to help with the flavor.” Another tasted and thought it was missing cabbage and it was added.

Next, a weary mother with her three small tugging at her shirt offered fresh carrots from her garden after she tasted the meal. John was overwhelmed by her generosity because she looked as if she could barely afford her next meal, too.

A retiree gave what little cabbage from his kitchen, and a local chef tossed in a few herbs like parsley, rosemary and thyme. After each person tasted they all added something that they felt would make it a bit better. They added ingredients like tomatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, onions, and fresh peas. Each gave what they felt they could. Each working to make it a little better.

The aroma of the soup filled the air drawing more and more people. Everyone began to realize that this was something special. Some in the crowd brought chairs so that everyone would have a chance to spend time with their neighbor. Others brought tables, and still others dishes and silverware. .

When the soup was ready, John and his family sat down with the people to give thanks and eat. People started chatting, sharing stories, and finding comfort in each other’s company. They finally realized what it meant to be a community and to care for each other as they should. This left an incredible mark on everyone. There were no strangers after that because they had learned how to share and to find common interest with each other.

Once everyone had their fill, a local store owner realized that John didn’t job so offered him a position and told him he could stay in local boarding house until he could get on his feet. A local mechanic hearing that his station wagon was broken down offered to fix it for cost of the parts. And because of the generosity of community he gave thanks to good Lord for such wonderful people in the world.