石頭湯

A tired traveller once arrived in a small village. He had been walking all day, and he was very hungry. He knocked on door after door, asking for something to eat, but everyone told him the same thing: "Sorry, we've got nothing to spare. It's been a hard year." The traveller didn't argue. Instead, he went to the village square, lit a fire and set a large pot of water on it to boil. Then he took a smooth, round stone out of his bag and dropped it carefully into the water. A curious villager came over. "What are you making?" "Stone soup," said the traveller. "It's delicious. Of course, it would taste even better with a bit of cabbage, but never mind." "I think I've got a cabbage," said the villager, and she hurried home to fetch it. Soon another villager wandered over to see what was going on. "Stone soup," the traveller explained. "Wonderful stuff. Though last time I made it, I added a few carrots, and it was even better." "I can find you some carrots," said the man, and off he went. One by one, more people came to watch. Each of them brought something for the pot – a few potatoes, an onion, some salt, a handful of beans, a little piece of meat. The traveller stirred the pot and smiled. "This is going to be the best stone soup this village has ever tasted." At last the soup was ready. The traveller ladled it into bowls, and everyone sat down together in the square to eat. It was rich, hot and delicious, and there was plenty for everyone. "Imagine," said one old woman, shaking her head. "Soup from a stone!" The next morning, the traveller thanked the villagers and set off on his way. Before he left, he gave the stone to the children, so that the village could make stone soup whenever it liked. When everyone gives a little, there's enough for all.