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Do you know how to make stone soup? Three hungry soldiers came to a village where they asked for food. The villagers claimed to have no food. One of the soldiers said, "We'll have to make some 'stone soup'." The soldiers got a huge kettle, filled it with water, and built a fire under the kettle. The curious villagers gathered around and watched, as a soldier selected a flat, smooth stone and dropped it into the bubbling water. After a minute, he took a spoon and tasted the stone soup. "Wonderful." he said, "but it needs some salt." Two children disappeared and soon returned with salt and pepper. "It sure smells good," said another soldier, "but a little cabbage would make it better." A woman ran home and returned with a cabbage. Item by item, the soldiers told the villagers what would make the Stone Soup better: a few carrots, celery, turnips, potatoes, some onion. One by one, the items were brought. Finally, the soldiers announced that a piece of roast beef would add a delicious final touch. A family donated the roast beef. Tables and chairs were set up in the center of the village, torches lit, and the people ate amidst music, laughter, and the joyous shouts of children.

Do you see what the soldiers did? They acted with optimism and enthusiasm. They gave those villagers an opportunity to share what they had. Individually, those people didn't have enough to do the job. But, when they had a chance to work together, they generously shared their provisions. As Burton Hillis wrote: "If there's a stranger in your neighborhood today, better check up on him; he may need a friend. If he's still a stranger tomorrow, better check up on your neighborhood."