The Amazing Rock Soup

A tired young hiker was striding through the thick, dark forest / when he came upon a gnarled old crone / standing before a small stone hut in a sunny little clearing. / "My poor old stomach is really very empty," he thought, / " I hope the old landlady can spare a little food." / Sensing what he was about to say, she snapped, / "No! I have barely enough for myself!" / "My good woman," he said, / "On the contrary! / I'd like to cook you a sumptuously rich dinner ... / of rock soup!" / She was naturally very suspicious, but she let him in. / He boiled some clear, fresh water, / added three clean rocks, / and hung the dented old kettle in the old fireplace. / He tasted the mysterious liquid concoction. / "This is truely very delicious," he declared, / "but it would be so much better with just one little vegetable." / She begrudgingly gave him a small limp carrot and two dry onions. / "Yum," he said happily, / "But if only ..." / Bit by bit, / he cajoled the lonely housewife into making a savory stewpot. / The two of them sat down, / smiled at each other, / and enjoyed a fabulous dinner together.