Stone Soup | Folklore of the Ridgeway

How to make soup from nothing but water and a stone?

Find out in this traditional Wiltshire folktale, "The Tinker and the Magic Stone" whereby a crafty gypsy tricks a village into feeding him for the night, and brings the community together as a result.

A common tale found across Europe from Russia to Spain, and in this instance the Village of Liddington, England.

This is part of my "Folklore of the Ridgeway" series, where I explore the history, myths and legends associated with Britain's ancient road.

If you have been watching my video on the "Songline of the Ridgeway" then I will put a link back to that video.... when I've made it.

Stay to the end of the video to discover potential hints of Bronze and Iron Age Myth lurking in this simple traveller tale, with axe heads of fertility and cauldrons of plenty.

My name is Oliver Lavery, I'm the Story Crow. To follow support my work as a folklorist, Mythologist and storyteller, do consider making a donation on ye olde Patreon:

[brandyjean]

I've heard this story, and love it. I'm an old woman, but thankfully not as old as this tale. I do believe it takes a village. On the West Coast of America, I've brought travelling folk home with me in my teen years, and offered a safe harbor to a couple of homeless acquaintances in my senior years.
The last time someone journeyed down my long drive, it wasn't travelers, but tweakers looking to steal metal well after midnight. I loosed the hounds on them. In these modern times: an old woman should keep, a large rescued doggo, or two.

[jtizzle]

Great storytelling. I've tried to tell this story to others, but it never comes out as good as you tell it. So many variations of it, but I really like this version.😊

[mooseymoose]

Cooperation made humanity successful. Competition may just kill us all. This story is more important than ever. Mutual aid and solidarity with all people!

[Wyattinous]

Listening to this story not only makes me want soup, but compels me to plop a smooth stone in the stove pot as I’m making it 🍲🪨 makes me wonder how many mothers through the tales history tricked they’re children with her rare “kitchen soup stone” just because of this bedtime story. Or if the family really doesn’t have much and it’s a loving way for a mom to make light of her lack of ingredients, they’re having stone soup tonight, many harsh times like those in Europe back then. Thank you for the story ❤

[norkieuppercrusty]

Thanks for the tales, it's good to hear them. I been pitched up on the Ridgeway for 7 years now and should probably know these stories

[joandrummond]

Thank you so much. I love this story, bringing all the community together with a beautiful bowl of soup. We do so need this today with all that is going on in the world. I so enjoy listening to your voice and seeing your smile .enjoy your time along the ridgeway x

[-tc]

I think you're on to something with your axe head theory.

During the neolithic, all over Europe, people were making stone axe hammers out of river stones by grinding and polishing them in to shape. Later when the copper and bronze technology arrived they switched to these new materials but keept the form and design.
When Bronze Age farmers were plowing their fields, they keep finding the neolithic stone axe heads that came to the surface. They could recognize their shape but couldn't explain how they got buried in the soil. So they start calling them thunderstones because they thought wherever Thor's lightnight struck, one thunderstone would appear.
They also believed these thunderstones were magical and had protective abilities, that's why they also got used as charms and amulets. So maybe the tinker didn't used a simple pebble or metal axe head but rather one of these polished neolithic thunderstones.

[Anton-Soloviev]

❤ There are similar stories in eastern Europe. One of them that I've heard in my family is about cooking a leather boot when a family had nothing else.
Also stories regarding the importance of feeding a stranger one meets.

[michelewhite]

I’ve read many versions of this story to my students over the years. As villagers each contribute one small ingredient to the soup they realize the value of sharing and cooperation. It’s a beautiful way to teach these values. We always made a stone soup as a class for lunch as a culminating activity. The Jewish version is called Bone Button Broth. Thank you for your wonderful version.

[dwightsparanormalsupernatural]

I remember well this beautiful story from my childhood, and I'm 69 now!

[charliemansonUK]

In SW Scotland in the 70's we were told of the Trow or Wood Troll who appeared at dusk looking for a nights rest and this story was one of them.
A clever trickster who did no real harm to anyone or anything.

[firimituri]

Such beautiful storytelling! I much better enjoy listening to you and your fascinating stories than watching a series! Thank you!!

[husbandsonfollowerleader]

I remember this story from my childhood. I think it was told to my kindergarten class by the teacher, and we actually made stone soup the following day with bits of food all the kids brought in. I grew up in a small town in South Florida, and this would have been back in the mid 80's.

Thank you for sharing all these wonderful stories. You have a real talent for it.

[DesmondsDonders]

My Gran used to tell that tale from the NE of England. I used to listen rapt to the tale.

[B.Willowheart]

My mother used to tell me this story! We're from the Netherlands and its a famous story here, never knew it was folklore from the ridgeway! Amazing!

[marshalrommel]

Such a great story. I’m gonna have to use that with my little one. Thank you

[MrPhilsfilms]

a good story..one i used to tell my daughter when she was young..i was told it by my infant school at a story time lesson and have remembered it ever since..xxx
.

[FreeYourMind-eh]

Lovely details that help bring the story to life, even though I too am familiar with it.
Definitely for children because in the adult version someone follows the tinker, kills him and steals the stone. Then the killer doesn't understand why the stone is not working.
Not cynical.
A good reminder that when times are tough it is better to pull together than apart.

[EdrickBluebeard]

A version of this tale I'd not heard since childhood!
My thanks, friend.

[girlinagale]

I saw sopa de pedro on the menu in a portuguese restaurant and looked into the story. Thanks for this tale.