Okay, I've now met the umpteenth person who's never heard of stone soup. It's the parable for our networked, collaborative times, people - get with the program! ;)
The Japanese version:
There exists a tale, handed down from times long ago, of two travelers on a pilgrimage. Hungry and tired from a long days journey, they come to a small, impoverished, medieval village, where they decide to rest by the side of the road. One of the travelers builds a small fire, upon which he places a large pot, while the other, having drawn water from the town well, fills the pot and places into the vessel a simple stone. As the two men sit by the fire, bringing their "stone soup" to a boil, the local villagers become inquisitive of the curious antics of these strangers. Eventually, several townsfolk decide to investigate the matter and approach the two travelers to engage them in conversation.
Shortly thereafter, there is heard the sound of merriment, as the visitors, who turn out to be quite friendly, share their tales of the lands and people they have met throughout their journey and pilgrimage with the local villagers.
Finally, a young boy asks the travelers "But why, pray thee, are you boiling a stone?"
One of the pilgrims replies, "So we may eat stone soup."
"It must be terribly bland!" says an old woman. "But I have a cabbage, which will add some flavor!"
"And I, some carrots, which will add color!" says another villager.
"Some potatoes!", offers another, until, shortly, by the contribution of a little by many, a hearty stew was made, upon which the entire village and the weary pilgrims dined... and while doing so, shared their tales, talents, and camaraderie throughout the night.
The very next day, the travelers (who by now could be called "strangers" no more), continued their journey, leaving the little town, and its people, behind. But the villagers never forgot them, and the lesson they had learned. In fact, during the hardest of times, in such a time as this tale, that little village thrived, because the townsfolk never forgot how to make "stone soup".
Such is the legend of the "Stone Soup Story".
