Stone Soup

On one day, three wise men walking across a small village.
Village looked poor. Visible from the surrounding paddy fields which have not produce anything anymore. Yes, indeed there has been a war in that country - and as the commoners - they were the subject effects. Breakdown of the distribution of fertilizer, seeds, and other difficulties make their fields could not produce anything anymore. Just a few dozen people who are still faithful to live in the village.
Suddenly several people swarm over the three wise men. By massaging the hands and backs of three men, village people pleading and begging, bread, rice, or something to eat.
One of the three wise men were then asked the villagers, "Do not you have anything, until you beg like this?"
"We do not have anything to eat, only scattered stones that we have." Said one villager.
"Will you teach to make soup from stones?" Ask a wise man once more.
With half do not believe, residents said, "Want to .."
"Well follow my instructions." The wise man explained, "First of all, take three big stones, then rinse until clean!" Command, pointing to the three wise men of stone fruit size of a fist. People started to follow his orders.
After the stone was washed with clean up without the slightest sand on its surface. The wise man had then told residents to prepare for the biggest pots and pans had to be filled with water. Third clean stone rose then inserted into the pot - and according to instructions, the wise man - the stones rose from boiled.
"Someone of you know, cooking spices? The stones will not taste good if cooked without seasoning. "Ask the wise.
"I know!" Exclaimed a mother, then he took some of her kitchen supplies spices, then mixes it, and stuffed it into a large saucepan.
"Any of you who have the materials other soup?" Ask the wise man. "This soup would be better if you add some other ingredients, do not just rock it."
Some residents began looking for other food materials around the village. Some time later two men arrived with three bags of potatoes. "We found him near the time, there were lots of wild potatoes grow there." He said. Then people were peeling, washing, and chopping the potatoes and put into the pot.
Less than a minute, a mother came with beans and mustard greens. "I still have a lot of gardens in the back yard of my house." Said the mother, then mother mixes and put into the pot.
For a moment, came also a father with three rabbits in his hand. "I managed to hunt down three rabbits, if there's a lot of time, maybe I can bring more, because I've just found a lot of rabbit herd behind that hill." With the help of several people, three rabbits were slaughtered and processed and then inserted into in the pan.
Feeling've seen some people managed to contribute something. Other populations who do not want to lose, they began searching for something that can be inserted into the pot as a complement to the stone soup.
Less than an hour, some residents began to carry cabbages, beans, corn, and various other vegetables. Not only that, the kids also brought a variety of fruits from the forest. They think it would be nice if the fruit can be eaten dessert after the soup. There is also a father who brings milk from pet goat, and some are carrying honey from wild bees nesting in a tree in the village.
Several hours later the stone soup has been cooked. A very large pot that is now filled with various vegetables and ready to eat. With joy, residents were eating together with greedily. They've been very satisfied, until they forget to 'eat' the stone which lies at the bottom of the pot.
Three wise men just smiled to see the resident's behavior. And they are aware, it's time to continue their journey. They excused himself to leave the village. Before leaving, a father suddenly hugging and kissing three men, saying, "Thank you for teaching us to make soup from the stones .."
Source: The Inspirational Book
Retold by: KAZ F. Li