Once upon a time, in a remote forest near a large river, there lived a scorpion, known for its dangerous sting and predatory instincts.
The scorpion, like all creatures of the wild, had to survive, and for that, it often relied on its venomous tail.
However, despite its deadly nature, the scorpion was not immune to danger. One such peril appeared in the form of a wide river that separated the scorpion from the rich hunting grounds on the other side.
The scorpion had been searching for food in the surrounding forest for days.
Its usual hunting ground had become barren, and finding enough to eat was becoming increasingly difficult. The grass was yellow, and the trees were beginning to shed their leaves; the signs of drought were everywhere.
The river, swollen from distant rains, was the only barrier between the scorpion and a much more abundant land.
One warm afternoon, the scorpion wandered to the riverbank, observing the steady, powerful current. There was no way it could swim across; its body was not built for the water.
As it paced back and forth, contemplating its options, the scorpion spotted a frog sitting on a nearby lily pad, basking in the sun.
An idea sparked in the scorpion’s mind.
The frog could swim, and if the scorpion could convince the frog to take it across, the journey to the other side would be much easier.
The scorpion approached the frog carefully, trying not to alarm it. It called out,
« Hello there, friend frog! I see you are a great swimmer. I have a favor to ask of you. »
The frog turned its head slowly, eyeing the scorpion with suspicion.
« And what is it that you want, scorpion? » the frog asked cautiously. « I know of your reputation. You are known for your sting. What could I possibly help you with? »
The scorpion, aware of the frog’s concerns, replied, « Ah, yes, I understand your hesitation. My sting has indeed caused fear in many, but this time I ask for your assistance. I need to cross this river, and I cannot swim. If you carry me on your back, I will be forever grateful. »
The frog, still wary, pondered the request. « How do I know you won’t sting me? If I let you ride on my back, what is to stop you from stinging me once we’re in the middle of the river? »
The scorpion quickly responded with what seemed like a reasonable argument. « Why would I sting you, friend frog? If I were to sting you, we would both drown. I cannot swim, as I mentioned, and stinging you would mean certain death for us both. It would be against my own interest to harm you. »
The frog, though still uncertain, considered the scorpion’s words. They made sense.
Why would the scorpion sabotage itself?
Surely, the scorpion would not act against its own survival. After a moment of silence, the frog said, « Very well, scorpion. I will help you cross the river. Climb onto my back, and I will take you across. »
The scorpion climbed onto the frog’s back, careful not to harm it, and the two began their journey across the river. The frog paddled steadily, keeping both itself and its passenger above the water’s surface. As they moved farther from the shore, the frog couldn’t help but feel nervous.
It was unnatural to carry such a dangerous creature so close to its body, and despite the scorpion’s promises, the frog remained anxious. The river current was strong, but the frog was an adept swimmer. Halfway across, they could see the far bank coming into view. The frog began to feel relief, knowing that it would soon be rid of its risky companion.
But just as they reached the deepest part of the river, something unexpected happened.
The frog felt a sudden sharp pain in its back. It was a searing, stinging sensation that spread rapidly through its body. It gasped and struggled to stay afloat, but the pain was overwhelming. In shock and confusion, the frog turned its head as best as it could, crying out, « Why? Why did you sting me, scorpion? Now we will both drown! »
The scorpion, clinging to the frog as the river water began to pull them under, replied with a tone of resignation,
« I am sorry, frog. I couldn’t help it. It’s in my nature. »
And with those final words, the frog, paralyzed by the venom, sank beneath the water, dragging the scorpion with it. The river’s current carried both of their lifeless bodies away, their fates sealed by a tragic combination of trust and instinct.
The Moral of the Story
The tale of the frog and the scorpion is a timeless fable, passed down through generations to illustrate a simple, yet profound truth about human nature and behavior : people often act according to their inherent traits, even when those actions are self-destructive or contrary to reason.
The scorpion’s sting is symbolic of the unchangeable aspects of one’s nature. No matter how much the scorpion promised to behave differently, it ultimately couldn’t resist its instinct. Even though it understood that stinging the frog would lead to its own demise, it was unable to overcome what was natural to it.
This story serves as a cautionary reminder to be wary of promises made by individuals whose character or nature may not align with their words. Trust, while a valuable virtue, must also be tempered with wisdom and awareness of the true nature of others.
The frog believed the scorpion’s reasoning, but in doing so, it ignored the fact that the scorpion’s nature was to sting, even if it led to its own destruction.
Beyond the simple moral, the fable of the frog and the scorpion can be interpreted in several ways :
Human Nature and Instinct : The story illustrates that certain aspects of our nature are difficult, if not impossible, to change. Just as the scorpion couldn’t resist stinging the frog, people may find it hard to change fundamental behaviors, even when they are aware of the consequences.
Trust and Betrayal : The frog’s willingness to trust the scorpion, despite knowing its reputation, reflects how trust can be manipulated. The frog believed in the logic presented by the scorpion, but it was betrayed by an act that it should have seen coming.
Self-Sabotage : The scorpion’s sting leads to its own death, showing how destructive tendencies can not only harm others but also backfire on the one who initiates them. This can be seen as a metaphor for people who, knowingly or unknowingly, sabotage their own success or well-being due to their inability to control certain impulses.
Fate and Free Will : The scorpion’s declaration, « It’s in my nature, » suggests a deterministic view of life, where individuals are bound by their intrinsic characteristics. The story raises the question of whether people can truly change, or if they are bound to repeat the same mistakes.
The story of the frog and the scorpion continues to resonate because it taps into these universal truths about behavior, trust, and the challenge of overcoming one’s own nature. It remains a poignant reminder that, while we can hope for the best in others, we must also remain aware of their true nature, and in doing so, protect ourselves from potential harm.
🇫🇷Voici l’histoire du scorpion et de la grenouille,
Conte sur l’importance de croire en son instinct
Un jour, un scorpion se trouvait au bord d’une rivière, incapable de la traverser.
Il vit une grenouille près de la rive et lui demanda de l’aider à traverser en le portant sur son dos.
La grenouille hésita et répondit :
« Tu es un scorpion, et tu pourrais me piquer pendant que je te transporte. »
Le scorpion répliqua :
« Si je te piquais, nous nous noierions tous les deux. Il serait insensé pour moi de te piquer. »
La grenouille réfléchit un instant et finit par accepter de l’aider, convaincue par l’argument du scorpion. Elle laissa le scorpion monter sur son dos et commença à nager à travers la rivière. À mi-chemin, elle ressentit une douleur aiguë dans son dos : le scorpion l’avait piquée.
Tandis qu’ils commençaient tous deux à sombrer dans l’eau, la grenouille demanda avec ses dernières forces :
« Pourquoi as-tu fait cela ? Maintenant, nous allons mourir tous les deux ! »
Le scorpion répondit simplement :
« Je suis désolé, mais c’est dans ma nature. »
Cette fable du scorpion et de la grenouille montre que certaines personnes ne changeront pas leur nature, même si cela va à l’encontre de leur propre intérêt.
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