The Frog and The Scorpion
ONE
an old American Indian tale adapted from 'The Indian and The Snake'.
frog and scorpion
One day a frog was sitting by the bank of the river enjoying the warm sun and cool breeze. It so happened that a scorpion approached him rather quickly as to inquire about crossing the river. "Frog", said the scorpion, "I am in need of passage across the river upon your back. I am prepared to pay you with this mealworm that I have not eaten."
The frog thought about it for a moment, then replied "Scorpion, I know that if I grant you a ride across the river upon my back, you will poison me on the other side. For that alone I shall say 'no thanks'."
"Frog", again said the scorpion, "Please, I have no wish to harm you, treasure chestI promise. I just need to go across the river to find more food. There is nothing left on this side for me to eat."
The frog thought about it again for a moment and then agreed to help the scorpion get across the river.
Half way across, the frog felt a rather sharp, stinging sensation in his back. The scorpion had stuck him with his venom. "SCORPION!", cried the frog, "You have killed me and you as well. Why have you done this?"
"Because I am a scorpion...and that is my nature."
TWO
A frog and scorpion are standing next to a river. The scorpion wants a ride across the big water.
The frog says, "No dice. We’ll get halfway across, you’ll sting me, and I’ll die."
Brother scorpion debates the point. "If I do, and you do, we both drown. Bad move on my part."
Sister frog concedes the logic and agrees to provide transportation.
Halfway across and the scorpion just can’t resist. Scorpion zaps frog.
"But, but, but," says the now dying and sinking frog.
"Couldn’t help it," says the now also sinking scorpion. "I’m a scorpion; it’s what I do."
THREE
This may be a short story that some people have heard before, but one I find interesting. It involves a frog and a scorpion, both who lived in the African savannah, along the side of a large river. Near the end of a particularly dry season the savannah brush caught fire, driving all the animals and creatures towards the river, seeking safety from the flames.
At the river's edge the frog ran into a deadly and feared scorpion, blocking his way. Turning to the frog the scorpion said " I know that we are two creatures who ordinarily would be hunter and hunted, but today I ask that you put that aside and help me to cross the river. In return I will be forever indebted to you, should our paths cross again in the future." "I ask that you allow me to ride on your back as you swim across the river." Still cautious the frog replied "How do I know that this is not a trick you are using to lure me to a certain death?" The scorpion replied "If I stay on this side of the river I will die in the fire. If I sting you then how will I cross the river? If I sting you while I am on your back then I will drown and also die. My life is now in your control."
As the flames neared the frog allowed the scorpion to climb upon his back and they both began their journey across the river, away from the flames. Halfway across the river the frog felt a sharp jab in his back and then the paralysis and pain associated with a deadly scorpion sting.
As both the frog and scorpion started to sink in the water the frog looked at the scorpion and said "Why? Why did you sting me? You said that you would not and now that you have you have sealed a certain death for yourself as you drown? It doesn't make sense!" "I know", replied the scorpion, "and I am deeply sorry, but I cannot help it. I am a scorpion and to sting my prey is my nature. A nature that I cannot change."
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please note that I didn't write any of this, I swiped them off the net, but I like the illustration it make when they are set side by side, it exemplifies the importance and influence of writing on a story, for this is all the same story, just written out in different words, by different people
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cups o joe: 3
listening to: still mike skinner
mood: a little tired, actually
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