The enterprising peddler set up a large pot over a fire
and filled it with water. All the while, he talked loudly about the
wonderful "stone soup" he was going to make. He took from his peddler's
cart a velvet bag and withdrew from it a medium sized stone. He put the
stone into the water. As he stirred the water, he sniffed it and said
"Mmmm, Stone Soup! What a delight! How wonderful!" The townsfolk peered
cautiously out their windows at this strange fellow. "There is almost
nothing in the world I like more than Stone Soup" he continued. "That
is, unless it is Stone Soup with Cabbage! Now there is a really
wonderful meal!" 
Well, one townsperson crept from of one of the houses, and
said "I have a small cabbage. If I add it to the soup, will you share
with me?" "Certainly!" said the peddler, and dropped the cabbage in!
The two of them stood in the town square smelling the soup as it began
to boil. "You know," said the peddler, "Stone soup with cabbage is a
delight, but Stone Soup with cabbage and Carrots! - now there is a
REALLY wonderful meal".
Out came another townsman with some carrots that were
added to the pot. This continued with the peddler and his new friends
sniffing the pot and thinking of other things to add. More townsfolk
came out with their hoarded ingredients and dumped them into the
steaming pot.
Soon there was a wonderful stew cooking and there was enough food for everyone. Musicians appeared and there was dancing in the street. The townsfolk and the peddler had a grand time cooking and eating the soup, dancing and celebrating.
In setting up this Enterprise Integration Web Site, we have provided "a pot to put things in". We hope that others will add ingredients to flavor the mix.