I am the Traveler in the story of Stone Soup

Hello Friend,

I am ready to report again and regret that it has been so long since my last report.  Today I've been in Ethiopia for 662 days and have only 137 to go.  I have accommodated to life here and found the experience rewarding, still when I think about you and life back home I miss you. 

 

I'll post some photos here to help you get something of my experience.  Photos help tell the story but there is more of course.  In my mind I experience myself as the Traveler in the story of Stone Soup.

The Story of Stone Soup

a story about making something from nothing

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Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a traveler came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.

"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on."

"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.

By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the traveler sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.

"Ahh," the traveler said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."

Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the traveler. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."

The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the traveler a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and went on the next day. The moral is that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.

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In my small town of Iteya, Ethiopia I have been given a certain amount of trust, credibility and respect.  I have used those tools like an entrepreneur, catalyzing opportunities into reality.

 

Here I am making a speech to a crowd gathered at Iteya's Health Center - something short and sweet.

Participants of our Permagarden training. 

Students setting potting tubes for what will become our tree nursery.

 

 

 



 Students and teachers at Iteya High School greeting Mark Gelfand who donated a 100 station computer system to them.

 

  Elsabet and three of her five children outside of her laundry business.  Two were adopted by a US couple. I was able to reconnect them all through Facebook! 

 My metaphor for Ethiopia.  A very old culture sprouting new growth.

These men wanted help to find a way to raise money to support vulnerable children, the elderly and "bar ladies" (sex workers). 

Here I am congratulating a women's organization.  They completed a training, learning to manufacture and sell fuel efficient cooking stoves.

With less than five months I expect to make one or two more entries on this blog site but that is it for this blog entry. 

Being in Iteya has been a privilege - not always easy but in the end, worth it!


Counting the days and hoping to make them count.  Blessings and Cheers to you,
Dex

Peace Corps Volunteer
Ethiopia 2011-2013