三個和尚來到一個村子，由於歷經許多災難，使得村子裡的人們彼此不信任。
最有智慧的和尚想出一個方法，要讓人們明白什麼是「快樂」。
他們在一個鍋子裡放三個石頭，煮起了「石頭湯」。
奇特的石頭湯引來村人的好奇與注意，
他們不自覺地拿出家裡有的東西，加入湯鍋中，
使得石頭湯變得越來越香，越來越美味……
這個故事取材自歐洲家喻戶曉的民間傳說，將故事背景移到東方，
以流暢優美的水墨畫法呈現，讓孩子們可在平時接觸的眾多的西方繪畫外，
欣賞到水墨畫技法的獨特美感。
-----From中文版書介
Award-winning artist Jon J Muth retells the favorite tale of a selfish community who is tricked into creating a delicious soup from stones. Set in China in Muth's hauntingly beautiful watercolors.
Three strangers, hungry and tired, pass through a war-torn village. Embittered and suspicious from the war, the people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until-- together, they have made a feast fit for a king! In this inspiring story about the strength people possess when they work together, Muth takes a simple, beloved tale and adds his own fresh twist.(FOR SCHOOL ONLY)
