A stingy fisherman always makes his three young helpers do all his work. One day he scolds the alazy boysa for forgetting to provide lunch. aDonat worry,a they say. aWe can make stone soup.a The boys dig a hole and fill it with water and aflavoreda stones. They trick the fisherman into making bowls and chopsticks, and fetching salt and sesame oil. While heas busy, they stir in bird eggs, add wild vegetables, and slip fish into the soup. By the time the old man returns, they have a feast fit for a king. To this day, aEgg Drop Stone Soupa is a traditional dish in southeast China. A recipe is included.