|
(The Story)
There were three weary travelers in a land far from their homes. They
lost their way and after many days, came upon a small village. The villagers, not being
accustomed to strangers, watched cautiously from their homes. The Strangers did not let
this discourage them. Although they were tired and in spite of being far away from their
comforts, the strangers wanted to honor this village and its people.

"But wait!" one of them exclaimed, "We are far away from
home and we have no provisions!" "Just get me that giant kettle and
make a
big fire, we will prepare a great feast." said another. When the fire was made and the kettle was placed upon
it, the third stranger placed three huge stones in the giant pot. As the villagers looked
on they became curious, they wanted to know what was going on. One of them became brave
and approached the strangers. "What are you doing?" queried the villager.
"We are preparing a great feast", said the stranger, " will you not join
us?" The villager laughed and said, "What kind of a feast is this, there are no
vegetables in your soup. The stranger replied, "Of course you are right. It would truly
be a shame to spoil the feast because we have no vegetables". After a moment the
villager went away and returned with carrots, potatoes and all sorts of garden
goods and began to prepare them for the feast.
Before long, another curious onlooker came out and asked
"What are you
doing?" and again the travelers replied. "We are preparing a great feast, will
you not join us?" The second villager also laughed and said, "How do you expect to
feast with no bread?" To which the travelers replied, "Of course you are right.
It would truly be a shame to spoil the feast because we have no bread". And again the
villager went away and returned with grain to prepare bread for the feast.

As the day went on, several more, and eventually everyone in the village
had inquired, and in accord set forth their wares. As the evening came on the village,
there indeed was the greatest feast the land had ever seen where family friends and
merchants alike shared in the abundance.
|