The scorpion and the frog - a parable

The parable of the scorpion and the frog is a classic fable illustrating the nature of certain individuals and their behaviour, often used to emphasize the importance of recognizing inherent traits and tendencies.

Once upon a time, a frog and a scorpion stood on the bank of a river. The scorpion, being unable to swim, asked the frog to help it cross the river. The frog was hesitant at first, fearing that the scorpion might sting him. The scorpion assured the frog that it would not do so, as it understood that if it stung the frog, they would both drown.

Convinced by the scorpion's argument, the frog allowed the scorpion to climb onto its back, and they began to swim across the river. However, midway through the journey, the scorpion stung the frog. As they both started to sink, the frog, in disbelief and pain, asked the scorpion why it had stung him, knowing it meant their demise.

The scorpion sorrowfully replied, "I couldn't help it. It's in my nature."

This parable is often used to illustrate the idea that some individuals may act against their own interests or others' interests due to their inherent nature or predispositions, and one should be cautious and aware of these traits when dealing with certain personalities.

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model