Not long ago, I wrote of my mother’s soup. It was a soup that could get you through all manner of weather and uncertain economic conditions, a stable something upon which a family could rely.
But the particular version I described was unique — there was a stone in that soup, one introduced by a 3-year-old wanting to be of some assistance.
After reading the column, my friend, Vernie Nethercut, inquired if I had heard the story of The Stone Soup. I told her I hadn’t and asked her to share; she did.
Then I recalled the tale, one appropriate to the holidays. It goes like this:
Once upon a time, in a village somewhere, times were hard. The people had to guard jealously the little food they had.
Into this village came a traveler — a stranger from away. He was weary and needed a place to stop for the night and food sufficient to allow him to continue on his way.
But, when he inquired about accommodations, he was informed there was no place to stay and no food to share. He was advised to move on.
But he was tired and hungry.
So, he asked if he could spend the night in the village square. He said he had all he needed and would leave the next day. The villagers agreed.
The traveler then unloaded an iron cauldron from the wagon his horse pulled, filled it with water from the village pump, and built a fire under it.
The people in the village watched.
As they did, the traveler drew out three stones from a burlap bag, each a different size and color, then introduced them to the warming water.
As the water was heating, and after adding a dash of salt and pepper, the traveler sampled the broth and licked his lips in satisfaction.
The villagers were intrigued. They gathered around; the prospect of a tasty soup outweighing their skepticism.
Though the soup was progressing to the evident satisfaction of the traveler, he was heard to remark — to himself — that an onion would enhance its flavor.
A closely observing villager heard his wish and volunteered that he could perhaps spare a small onion; another villager thought he could, as well. Later, the traveler mentioned that the sweetness of a carrot would be a welcome addition. It, too, was obtained.
Likewise, some potatoes and celery were secured, and, as the prospects of the soup’s materialization increased, additional items were mentioned, volunteered, then introduced to the simmering broth — even some beef!
In this way, the Stone Soup slowly evolved to a creation. That constituted a delicious meal for all. Some villagers remarked it was the most satisfying soup they had ever had.
I suspect many readers find this a fanciful story.
They should think again.
No less a no-nonsense presence than Gen. George Patton made Stone Soup.
In World War II, after the D-Day invasion, the allied armies mounted an offensive led in the north by Gen. Bernard Montgomery, but Monty’s effort stalled — a delay that displeased Gen. Patton; his 3rd Army had been ordered to wait for Montgomery.
So Patton, unable to move, made Stone Soup.
He sent out “scouts.” These scouts engaged the enemy, requiring other troops to come to their assistance.
Those assisting troops likewise found themselves engaged such that more supporting troops were required until — after several responses to the continuing need for supportive assistance — a substantial portion of Patton’s 3rd army was on the move “assisting.”
Some would refer to this as an offensive.
Gen. Montgomery was not pleased.
One of those “assistances” was the lead-up to the battle of Metz, France, in which my Uncle Bill fought. Little did Bill know he and his armored division were ingredients in a Stone Soup.
Gen. Patton knew that, with initiative, leadership, and people working together, combining their resources, they could accomplish — even over delaying obstructions — what needed to be achieved: progress in liberation from a pervasive evil.
That traveler?
He rests in us and in the village square that is all of us, seeking ingredients for Stone Soup.
May you and yours have a pleasant, safe, sharing Christmas season.
Doug Pugh’s “Vignettes” runs weekly on Saturdays. He can be reached at pughda@gmail.com.
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