Potlucks are from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. Currently scheduled dates are:
Sept. 25th
October 9th
October 30th

Stone Soup: the story behind the open gatherings

It was a time of hunger and cold. The village huddled in their misery, each by their own dark fireplace people shivered and worried. 

When a rattle and a scrape caught their ear. One by one people came to look out on the square. Two neighbours were dragging a giant pot over to fill at the well. Most strikingly they were laughing. Come! they called as they caught their neighbour’s eyes, we have found a magic stone and are making stone soup! It will be so delicious. So warm and comforting. Come and join us! 

One by one the village gathered. Soon some had offered to sweep out the fire pit and help hang the pot. Once the heavy pot was hung the magic stone drifted gently to rest on the bottom. Looking down into the clear liquid one Villager thoughtfully said – I might have something to add, for flavour. Next thing you know, everyone peeled away to see what they could find. Vegetables wizened and dry were pulled from cupboards. Herbs hanging in their rafters were shaken clear of dust. All were chopped up and added to help flavour the magic soup. One man dropped in a button carved of bone cut from his worn out Army coat. Others gave a stick for fuel to help bring it to a boil or a spark to start the fire. Some offered a song, a story or a game, others rocked a neighbour’s child to sleep, as all waited for the meal to cook. 

By the time the soup was ready to serve, cheeks were red, worries shrugged off like blankets in the heat. Laughter stirred the group together like wind playing in a field of ripe grain. 

And of course, there was plenty of soup for all.

———-

This is my version of an old, old story told many ways in many languages and countries. The first version I heard is Jewish and called Button soup. — Heather