Have you ever heard the European fable “Stone Soup”? The tale begins as a stranger enters a village during difficult times. When the locals realize that he is thinking of staying for a while, they do their best to encourage him to leave, fearing that he will take what’s left of their food reserves.
In response, the newcomer announces loudly that he is there to make stone soup for them. While the villagers watch, he builds a fire and places a large cauldron filled with water on it. When the water begins to boil, he drops a very ordinary-looking stone into the pot with great ceremony. After a few minutes, the self-appointed chef leans over and sniffs the “soup.” Standing to his full height, he announces with delight, “Mmmm! That smells wonderful!”
Curious townspeople draw nearer to observe—and hopefully smell—this marvel. Some within earshot hear the stranger sigh and say to himself, almost as an afterthought, “Ah, it would taste so much better with a bit of cabbage.”
Within a short time, a small child threads her way through the growing crowd, carrying a small cabbage. She steps up to the chef and silently offers him her contribution. Others slowly follow her example, and soon, the pot is filled with a variety of vegetables. The stranger thanks each contributor, simmers the soup to perfection and then proceeds to feed the entire village.
During difficult times, it is easy to horde our own resources, storing them safely for our future use. Unfortunately, this practice effectively shuts down our connections with the people around us, ensuring our own—and their—isolation. However, when we share, we open ourselves to others, to their resources, and to a richness known only in community. Despite the gloomy financial forecast, it is possible to feast together by pooling our supplies, and thereby enjoying shared assets, new ideas and each other.
CHAMPS include people.
