River North News
Single and Savvy
By Heather Stern
April 11, 1998
Stone Soup Fable Inspires Many:
Late last year, my daughter, Victoria, 6, enthusiastically proclaimed she
knew the recipe for Stone Soup, a concoction whose unlikely moniker
immediately piqued my curiosity.
At first, I thought she was referring to Silly Soup, a rather
vile-sounding mixture of spaghetti, vegetables and hot dogs featured
on one of our favorite Richard Scarry children's videotapes. But when
I pressed her for details about this new dish, she related a sketchy
tale she heard in English class about a poor traveler in a strange land
who made a delicious soup out of nothing but water and a stone. At the
time, I thought that must be some amazing stone.
Not having grown up in this country, I had no knowledge of the
Stone Soup fable, which I am told is widely taught in the American
school curriculum. But from time to time, Victoria again would mention
the recipe, and I would make a mental note to find out more when I had
a spare moment. Naturally. such a moment never came.
So imagine my surprise when I recently happened upon a new book, "Stone
Soup for the World: Life-Changing Stories of Kindness & Courageous Acts
of Service" (Conari, $15.95). This remarkable little volume was inspired
by the 16th century: folktale and includes the original story in its
preface.
At last, I was able to read firsthand about the traveler who asked
the locals tor a bit of food and was repeatedly denied. When one
villager offered him water, he set about making "stone soup" by adding
a "magic stone" from his knapsack to the boiling liquid. His efforts
inspired a few of the villagers to contribute various ingredients to
the mix, resulting in a tasty soup, enough to feed everybody.
Hailed as a "handbook for humanitarians," "Stone Soup for the World"
reminds us of the wisdom in the fable of the traveler and his stone
soup: When we each give something, we can feed both the hungry of the
world and the hunger in our souls. Through a powerful collection of
100 inspirational true stories, the book reminds us that, with a little
imagination, cooperation and goodwill, we can all help make the world a
better place. The stores feature "ordinary people doing extraordinary
things and extraordinary people doing ordinary things," thereby showing
us the greatness that grows from the simple act of giving and sharing.
Consider, for example, Tampa Bay, Fla., schoolboy David Levitt, who, at
the age of 11,' persuaded his school board to donate leftover cafeteria
food to area soup kitchens. Or 12-year-old Isis Johnson, who now has her
own foundation to help the needy as a result of spearheading a food drive
in New Orleans, La., when she was only 4.
Or more recently, the 27 -year-old businessman who raised more than $3.5
million ~dollars for the children of the victims of the Oklahoma City
bombing. And, as a group, teachers and students from 42 schools in the
Portland, Ore., area, some of whom entered a winning recipe for
"Stone Soup" in Newman's Own Recipe contest, are organizing a Stone
Soup volunteer project during National Volunteer Week, April 19- 25.
The book is being launched nationally on April 17, to coincide with
National Volunteer Week. On that day, bookstores in more than 35
communities around the country will host what is expected to be
"The World's Largest Book Signing." At these events, designated
individuals will read excerpts from "Stone Soup for the World"
and invite attendees to "sign up for service" to motivate thousands
of people to get involved in helping their communities. The events are
being facilitated by Volunteer Centers, non-profit organizations that
help connect people to local volunteer service opportunities and
mobilize people and resources to deliver creative solutions to
community problems.
Additionally, the tremendous interest in the message of the Stone
Soup Fable has given rise to the Stone Soup Foundation, based in
Vineyard Haven, Mass. Th.is educational organization is committed
to empowering our youth to become leaders ID building a better world.
Proceeds from "Stone Soup for the World" will help support the
foundation and its educational projects. The first Stone Soup project,
a curriculum based on the lessons learned from Stone Soup community
heroes, is being developed in partnership with students and teachers in
various educational settings.
After reading the collected stories in "Stone Soup for the World," you
will certainly discover many new ways to make a difference in your
own neighborhood, your community and the world. So pick up the telephone,
put pen to paper or jump on the Internet and get involved today.
You're in for a wonderful treat!
If you would like to see a particular topic covered, write to Heather
Stern, c/o Single & Savvy," 2501 N. Lincoln Ave., Suite 190. Chicago,
IL 60614.
Copyright Heather Stern 1998
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