60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey: If You Can’t Get Blood Out of a Turnip, How Can You Get Soup Out of a Stone?

Hello to you listening in Chandler, Arizona!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Maybe it’s true and maybe it isn’t but the old ones say that once there was a village of people so stingy and tight-fisted that they hid whatever they had so that their friends and neighbors wouldn’t know who had what and want it for themselves. They even hid their food from one another even though there was plenty to go around.

One day a traveler pulling a small wagon wanders into the village. He’s been on the road for many days and has no food left to eat. He goes from door to door asking for a bit of bread, of cheese, maybe an apple; but at each door he’s turned away: We have nothing here! Stop begging! Leave us alone!

The traveler returns to his wagon, takes out a large kettle, sets it down in the village square and builds a fire under the kettle. He adds water from the well and a large stone taken from a pocket in his coat.

Of course the villagers are curious, peering out of their windows, what’s this fellow up to anyway? A child sent out to ask what the traveler is doing is told, "I’m making stone soup.” and this he repeats to the villagers who are edging closer to the traveler and his kettle

He’s smacking his lips in anticipation. "It’s almost ready, he says, but to make a really good stone soup it could use some cabbage." A villager returns with a cabbage for the kettle. The butcher, not to be outdone by his neighbor adds some choice cuts of meat. Other villagers rush home and return with food from their own gardens--potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, and spices.

Soon the soup in the big kettle was bubbling and fragrant. The traveler scooped the stone out of the kettle, tucked it back in his coat pocket, and served the soup to one and all.

In time the traveler went on his way pulling his wagon with his kettle and the stone back in his pocket; but he left behind a story and the recipe for stone soup that’s made and shared to this very day.

Thank you for listening!

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack. 

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

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