The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NAIL SOUP

A RICH OLD LADY WAS SITTING IN HER HOUSE, WHEN A POOR
SOLDIER CAME TO THE DOOR. HE ASKED FOR SOMETHING TO EAT
BUT THE GREEDY OLD LADY WOULDN'T GIVE HIM ANYTHING. SO
HE TOLD HER THAT HE COULD MAKE THE MOST DELICIOUS SOUP
IN THE WORLD WITH ONLY A POT OF BOILING WATER AND A
NAIL. SO THE GREEDY OLD LADY WANTED TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE
IT AND SHE SAID THEY WOULD EVEN SPLIT IT AFTER IT WAS
ALL COOKED. SHE GOT HIM A BIG POT OF WATER AND WHEN IT
WAS BOILING HE THREW THE NAIL IN AND STIRRED IT.
THE OLD LADY SAID, "LET ME TASTE IT." HE SAID THAT HE
WOULD NEED JUST A TOUCH OF CARROT IN IT TO BRING OUT THE
FLAVOR. THE OLD LADY QUICKLY GOT HIM SOME CARROTS AND
HE THREW THEM INTO THE POT. WANTING TO TASTE IT AGAIN,
SHE WAS TOLD IT NEEDED JUST A LITTLE MORE FLAVOR--PERHAPS
A POTATO. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL MORE VEGETABLES,
UNTIL FINALLY, HE TOLD HER THAT IT NEEDED JUST A LITTLE
MEAT TO BRING OUT THE TRUE FLAVOR OF THE NAIL.
FINALLY, HE TOOK THE NAIL OUT OF THE SOUP AND THEY
BOTH ATE WHAT WAS IN THE POT. THE WOMAN SAID IT TRULY
WAS THE BEST SOUP SHE HAD EVER TASTED AND THE SOLDIER
WENT ON HIS WAY WITH A FULL STOMACH.

Submitter comment: MISS DAMIN LEARNED THIS TALE FROM HER HUNGARIAN
GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-00-1964