Three hungry soldiers on their way home from war convince a crowd of stingy villagers that soup can be made from stones. The villagers fetch a giant pot, and the soldiers throw in three stones. The villagers are so excited to taste this miraculous soup made from stones that they continue to add more and more ingredients as the soldiers suggest them. At last, the soldiers and the villagers feast on stone soup and celebrate late into the night. The soldiers sleep in comfortable beds that night and continue on their way the next morning, leaving behind the villagers who are grateful to have learned the wonderful recipe for stone soup.