Stone Soup

Three soldiers came marching towards a French village. The peasants suddenly became very busy, for soldiers are often hungry. They hid the food under mattresses or in barns. There followed a battle of wits. The soldiers cleverly suggest that there is nothing left to eat but Stone Soup. So, the villagers, intrigued, help them with ingredients. Why, of course, they could make a wonderful soup of stones...but, of course, one must add a carrot or tow...some meat...so it went. So, the villagers are tricked out of their greed and fear into sharing with their neighbors. And it's all thanks to soup that doesn't exist!