. .Enjoy! See you, perhaps, in 2009! R.Y. -- Life's too short, dream big and go get them!
December 31, 2008 *STONE SOUP* There are many variations to this simple story, which has been told by many people, in numerous places, across countless cultures and boundaries. This is a version that had been told by generations of elders in the Yimsut's clan. I am proudly sharing this version with you in hopes that that you, too, can share in a "Stone Soup" in 2009. There was a time when darkness falls upon a once prosperous and powerful society of the great Ankgorian (Khmer) Empire. Chaos ensued and people were facing the most severe famine known to man kind—not unlike the one during Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge era. Countless people of all age died of extreme starvation. Every man and woman was for himself or herself and horded what little morsel of food available. None was ever shared. This chaotic society fed on its own selfishness. It was doomed. One day, an emaciated orphan boy named "Laive" carried with him his skeletal frame and a large soup pot, his worldly possession. He staggered across the main street and came to a rest under the shade of a large Chankiri tree in the town main square. He sets to boil the water and place a neat-round river washed stone inside the pot. The town police sergeant was the first to come by to harass the orphan. "What are you up to, boy?" said the stern looking policeman. Laive smiled politely and then softly replied, "I am cooking Stone Soup for lunch, would you care to join me?" "However, it would be nicer if we have some meat in it. This is all I have got and you are most welcome!" Laive continued. Disgusted, the policeman simply walked off the scene. He came back a moment later with some beef bone and some beef fat from a local butcher. He placed the beef directly into the boiling pot of water himself and waited patiently. Soon other curious creatures were passing by and asked, "What are we up to today?" "Oh, we are making some Stone Soup, please join us! We got plenty here. Of course, it would be nice if we have some potato and carrot. A couple onions would make this soup even more fabulous," said the policeman. "You are in luck! I have some onions here and that's all I've got." One young lady said. "And I have carrot, a ton of it, Stone Soup sounds good!" said the young lady's friend. "Well, well…I have all these fresh herbs and seasonings that would have gone to waste, if not use," an elderly lady beamed excitedly for the prospect of a tasty soup. Soon, a piping hot and most heavenly aromatic soup was served by Laive's coconut ladle to all those around him. More and more people huddle around, both young and old, and they all "PITCH" in with what they could to make even more Stone Soup for everyone. And so, many centuries later, this same old Stone Soup story is still repeated in and throughout Cambodia, even in the most remote villages. Laive alone can only move an ant's hill (the policeman). Laive and an entire community of people can move a mountain (and control a chaotic and selfish society). Pitch into a Stone Soup at: www.bakongtechcollege.org . HAPPY 2009 !!! -- . -- "There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." ~ Aldous Huxley --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/camdisc Learn more - http://www.cambodia.org -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
