Lesson #5: Stone soup can feed a village.

The world is different from what we knew it to be just a month ago. As a result, I am doing my best to recall all the great lessons I have learned throughout my life that are timeless. The ones that help you navigate difficult times. In times like these, I am reminded of a story I learned many years ago in grade school. The Stone Soup fable offers a great lesson we can all use right now. Here is Lesson #5

Lesson 5: Stone soup can feed a village.

The teacher: Stone Soup, a fable from my 4th grade Christmas Concert

Thank you for teaching me this lesson that I have contemplated for the last 20+ years. I am always searching for the pinch of salt I have to offer in every situation. In case you haven’t heard it before, it goes something like this.

Many years ago, there was a poor village.

Times were scary.

Food was scarce.

People kept to themselves.

Shelters were tattered and worn.

One day, a passerby came through the village asking if anyone had food to spare. Most ignored him, others abruptly said, “No!”, and many replied, “I’m sorry but we have nothing, so we have nothing to share.”

Later that evening, most of the villagers were gathering around a fire in the middle of town to stay warm. The passerby walked up with a large pot of water, placed it over the fire and then added a stone to it.

 He started stirring the water and when it was warm, he tasted it. He looked delighted by the flavor.

Some villagers noticed and asked, “What are you doing?”

He replied, “Making stone soup! It’s good. Would you like some when it’s done? In fact, there’s plenty for all of us.”

 Some villagers replied, “Well, sure.” Other villagers took notice.

 The passerby stirred and tasted again, telling the others “It’s getting closer, you know what would make it a little better? A bit of carrots.”

 A villager spoke up, “I have a carrot I could share.”

The passerby replied, “That’s great! Thank you.”

 The passerby added the carrot, continuing to stir and taste. “It’s getting closer,” he continued, “a little onion would make it even better.”

 “I have half an onion,” another villager eagerly volunteered.

 The passerby added the onion, continuing to stir and taste. “It’s getting closer” he continued.

 Unprompted, other villagers chimed in.

“I have some salt, would that help?” said one.

“I have a potato I would be happy to share,” said another.

 The passerby replied, “Yes, those would be great for stone soup. Thank you!” After the final ingredients were added, the stone soup was ready.

 Another villager, standing on the fringe, said, “It’s not much, but we could each have a small piece of this loaf of bread.”

 The passerby replied, “Thank you for your generosity” and the village ate together.

All were fed.

At some point during this time, I’m sure each of us can all see ourselves in the villagers. We have been scared, wanting to hole up and focused on what we don’t have. We all have something to offer in this time. Find what it is.

 Give it freely.

Give it with no expectation of return.

Give it with love.

Give it from your heart, not from excess.

If we all give, we all have plenty.

What is your pinch of salt, carrot, or onion you can offer to the village?

We should all be able to see ourselves in the passerby. Optimistically, helping the villagers see how much they have to offer. In a simple gesture of generosity, they spawned the generosity of a village. The passerby brought the village closer that evening.

 It is easy to have our optimism and hope swallowed by the warnings of today. Resist it. Do all that you can to help yourself and others realize that we have much to offer.

 Demonstrate it.

Live by example.

Show gratitude when you observe the generosity of others.

Bring the village closer with each of your words and actions. It will take the village to get through this. It always has taken a village.

Stay strong and lead well!