Students follow tradition with 'stone soup'

A rich aroma of homemade turkey stock and seasonings emanated from the Kalispell Montessori Elementary kitchen Tuesday.

Two pots of soup were simmering on the stove, but this wasn’t any ordinary soup.

Parent and volunteer cook Dawn Cummings pulled the lid off one of the pots and sixth-year student Hailey Hendrickson dropped in a stone as the finishing touch.

The “stone soup” was complete.

Making the soup before Thanksgiving break is an annual tradition at Kalispell Montessori based on the folk tale “Stone Soup.” There are many variations of the folk tale depending on the country where it’s being told. In common versions hungry travelers — sometimes soldiers — arrive at a village with just a cooking pot. The villagers refuse to give them anything to eat, so the travelers fill their pot with water and put it over a fire.

“They put a stone in it,” Hendrickson said, which pique’s the villagers’ interest. “The people are interested in it and [the traveler’s] say ‘if only I had a carrot it would make it so much better,’ so the villagers start opening up.”

By the end of the tale everyone has contributed ingredients to the pot, creating a hearty soup and the stone is removed.

“Then eventually they all enjoy a big feast at the end of the making of the stone soup,” Hendrickson said.

In creating the school’s version of a stone soup meal every student was asked to bring an ingredient.

“We cut up the vegetables yesterday, and we’re just cooking today and getting it all prepared,” said fifth-year student Grace Steindorf who brought in a potato.

Sixth-year students have busied themselves making pumpkin, apple and cherry pies.

“I like helping prepare it. It makes the meal more special to everybody,” Steindorf said.

Students also wrote essays or poems about what they are thankful for.

Fourth-year students Maia Dodge, Marlo Carpenter and Lennon Welder had a variety of thoughts on what they were thankful for as they gathered at a table where Steindorf was sitting.

“Cocoa beans,” Dodge said smiling.

“I’m thankful for food because I’m always hungry,” Carpenter said with a laugh.

“Waffles,” Dodge whispered to Carpenter.

“And waffles,” Dodge said to the whole group. “Waffles is our favorite thing in the world.”

Steindorf said she wrote a poem giving thanks for her house, parents and pets.

“I’m thankful for cars because you get to drive around in them,” Welder said.

By noon the library has been turned into a dining room. Two sixth-year students poured cider that was pressed at the school in October. Cummings wheeled in the food on a serving cart.

Kalispell Montessori Administrator Heather Wyrick shared her gratitude for students and staff before the meal began.

“Right now I want you to be thinking about all the things in your life that you are thankful for — the people in this room; the people who are not in this room; the memories we get to make together; and for all the things we’re so fortunate to have,” Wyrick said.

While students line up to get food others read their essays or poems. The students were thankful for a variety of things. There were the usual thanks for family, friends and food, but a few students also gave thanks for life and learning; sports and the arts; the weather and sun; trees and mountains down to every day items such as shoes and duct tape.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.