We all know the concept of building something brick by brick, but what if it only took one stone?
One of my favorite European folk stories is Stone Soup.
If you don’t know the story, let me tell you the version I remember from when I was little. I’ll try to keep it brief:
A hungry traveler comes to a village, carrying just an empty cooking pot. The villagers are unwilling to share any food with a stranger. So the traveler puts a stone in the pot, places it over a fire in the town square, and starts to cook.
One of the villagers becomes curious and asks what they are doing. The traveler answers that they are making delicious “stone soup” and they would be delighted to share with the villager, although it still needs a little bit of garnish.
The villager, who anticipates enjoying a share of the soup, offers a few carrots for the soup. More and more villagers walk by, each adding another ingredient, like potatoes, onions, cabbages, peas, celery, tomatoes, sweetcorn, meat, and so on. Due to the contributions of the villagers, a delicious pot of soup is enjoyed by everyone at the end of the day. A village fed.
I think about this story ALL OF THE TIME and…..
how if we each contribute just a little, we can come together and feed a community.
Every little bit that someone has to give matters.
To me the stone is a metaphor for the strength of community.
And the heart.
Stones can build community.
Much love
~Melanie, Community Manager