Stone Soup Fairy Tale

Three tired travellers came to a village after a long journey. They were very hungry and knocked on every door, but nobody would give them food. "We don't have enough for ourselves," people said, and they shut their doors.

So the travellers built a fire in the middle of the village and filled a big pot with water. Then they carefully washed a round stone and dropped it into the pot. The puzzled villagers began to gather round.

"What are you cooking?" asked an old woman. "Stone soup," said the travellers. "It is very tasty. Though with a couple of carrots it would be truly delicious." The old woman ran home and brought some carrots.

"Ah, if only we had a handful of potatoes..." sighed the travellers. A farmer brought potatoes. Someone brought onions, someone a piece of meat, someone salt and pepper and someone fresh herbs. The pot bubbled, and a wonderful smell spread through the whole village.

When the soup was ready, the travellers invited the whole village to eat. Everyone ate their fill and marvelled. "Just think what a delicious soup can be made from a stone!"

The travellers only smiled. They knew it was not the stone that made the soup so good, but the little bit everyone had added. When we all share, there is enough for everyone.