Dragon Soup introduces children to the essential skills of conflict resolution and cooperation through the story of a brave girl named Tonlu and her encounter with the cloud dragons. Tonlu's father, a poor mountain farmer, owes the village merchant a great deal of money. The merchant comes to collect his debt and gives the family two weeks to pay or he will claim Tonlu as his bride. Tonlu cannot bear the thought of leaving here home and marrying the cruel merchant. She resolves to pay the debt by climbing the treacherous dragon steps to the home of the cloud dragons--where she intends to steal some of their vast treasure. Through the night she climbs the misty path until she encounters the cave of the dragons. While they sleep, Tonlu tries to steal a single pearl from a necklace, only to break the strand and wake the vengeful dragons. They imprison Tonlu and face her with a dangerous choice. She knows that unless everyone wins, no one will be happy. How Tonlu solves her dilemma shows that in any situation where conflict arises, there is a solution that can meet each person's needs.