Volume Four: The Township of Treasured Terms

Stone Soup

Name: Stone Soup - A Recipe for Fellowship
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 8-10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 clean, smooth stones (for tradition and remembering); 2 tbsp olive oil (from the traveler's flask); Salt and pepper (from the traveler's weathered wooden box); 1 large onion, diced (from Mr. Sanguine); 3 stalks celery, sliced (from Mrs. Melancholy); 4 cloves garlic, minced (from The Pensive Scholar); 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cubed (from Uncle Jovial); 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (from Old Phlegmatic); 3 carrots, peeled and sliced (from Young Ebullient); 2 cups cabbage, shredded (from Aunt Querulous); 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (from Mr. Taciturn); 2 large tomatoes, diced (from Mrs. Vivacious); 1 cup fresh or frozen peas (from Miss Effervescent); 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (from Mr. Morose); 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (from Little Wistful); 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth; Sparkling cider for toasting (brought by Miss Effervescent for celebration)

A Recipe for Fellowship

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings 8-10 people

This soup, like the story it comes from, works best when shared. Each ingredient represents a gift from a neighbor. The wonder lies not in any single addition, but in the coming together of many hearts.

Ingredients

3 clean, smooth stones (for tradition and remembering)
2 tbsp olive oil (from the traveler's flask)
Salt and pepper (from the traveler's weathered wooden box)
1 large onion, diced (from Mr. Sanguine)
3 stalks celery, sliced (from Mrs. Melancholy)
4 cloves garlic, minced (from The Pensive Scholar)
1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cubed (from Uncle Jovial)
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (from Old Phlegmatic)
3 carrots, peeled and sliced (from Young Ebullient)
2 cups cabbage, shredded (from Aunt Querulous)
8 oz mushrooms, sliced (from Mr. Taciturn)
2 large tomatoes, diced (from Mrs. Vivacious)
1 cup fresh or frozen peas (from Miss Effervescent)
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (from Mr. Morose)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (from Little Wistful)
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Sparkling cider for toasting (brought by Miss Effervescent for celebration)

Instructions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then brown on all sides until golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add the onion, celery, and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add the three stones to the pot along with the broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
Add the potatoes and carrots. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the cabbage, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Simmer for another 15 minutes.
Return the chicken to the pot along with the peas and thyme. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh parsley just before serving.
Remove the three stones (they've done their work of bringing everyone together).
Ladle into deep bowls. Serve with warm bread and butter. Toast with sparkling cider to celebrate the fellowship.

The wonder was never in the stones. It was in the gathering... in the shared gifts, the patient waiting, and the discovery that what we bring together becomes more than the sum of its parts. This is how we were made to live.

The wonder was never in the stones...