The Scorpion and the Frog

"One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised,"
--Chinua Achebe

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The lesson of the scorpion and the frog teaches us to always do what we know is right. It reminds us what is inherently bad always results in something bad, no matter how one tries to deceive you.

One day, a scorpion wandered the banks of wide, swift moving river. He came upon a frog that was sitting on the bank of the river. The scorpion greeted the frog with, “Hello Mr. Frog, it certainly is a nice day.” Somewhat suspicious of the scorpion’s amicable greeting, the frog responded with a cautious, “Hello.” The frog thought about what his parents had taught him about scorpions: frogs should always distance themselves from a scorpion. It is a scorpion’s nature to sting and a scorpion can kill a frog almost instantly with its sting.

The frog, possessing an inquisitive nature, could not help but wonder why the scorpion was wandering the banks of the river and making conversation with a frog. The frog asked, “What are you doing wandering the banks of this river? Aren’t you afraid you might get swept into the river and drown?” The scorpion replied, “Oh, I’ve been to the other side of the river and life is so much better on the other side. Therefore, I wander these banks, because I so desperately want to get to the other side once again. Since I can’t swim, I search for someone who can assist me with getting to the other side.”

Now, the frog’s parents had told the frog him that he must never swim to the other side of the river. The frog told the scorpion that he been told that the river’s current was much too treacherous and life on the other side was savage and dangerous. The scorpion retorted, “I told you that I’ve been to the other side of the river and there is nothing quite like it. The scorpion continued, “your parents tell you such things because they are afraid; they are afraid that once you make it to the other side you’ll never want to leave and they will have lost you forever. Capturing the frog's attention, the scorpion continued to speak about all the wonderful things on the other side of the river. When finished, the scorpion politely asked the frog, “How about if you and I go to the other side just for a little bit? That way you can get a little glimpse of the other side and we can come back anytime you like.” The scorpion with a convincing tone said, “We can make it easily. I can climb on your back and help to navigate the rough waters.”

Now the frog, remembering the lesson from his parents said, “No way, I’m not giving you a ride on my back you’ll sting me.” The scorpion quickly responded, “Not so, for if I sting you, we both would surely drown and I’m not really interested in dying.” The frog thought to himself, I really do want to see the other side and I won't be gone that long. Besides, that would be foolish of the scorpion to sting me for he would surely die too. The frog told the scorpion, "hop on my back – we’ll both go to the other side."

The frog, with the scorpion on his back, began the venture to the other side of the river. Things appeared to be going well until about half way through the trip when the frog felt a paralyzing sting in his back. The sting caused the frog to quickly lose feeling in his legs and he began to helplessly sink. The frog gasping for air struggled to reach the top. With the scorpion still on his back, the frog, with his last breath, said, “Why did you deceive me, you stung me?” The scorpion said, “you knew that I am scorpion and you knew it was my nature to sting.” With that, both the frog and scorpion slowly descended to the bottom of the river.

The story of the scorpion and the frog has a simple lesson: What you know to be good is good; what you know to be evil is evil; what you know to be right is right; and what you know to be wrong is wrong.

Temptation will always be a part of your life. You will be tempted with things that you know are wrong or just do not seem right. Remember, they are wrong or do not seem right for a reason. The philosophy, “I’ll try it just once or a little bit won’t hurt – can and will hurt. Remember the frog was just going to the other side for just a little bit.

So the next time you are tempted, I hope you stop and think about the Lesson of the Scorpion and the Frog. Remember, the things that you have been taught that can hurt you, will hurt you, no matter how cleverly disguised they might be.

If you are ever in a situation where you are little confused between what is right or what is wrong, what is good or what is bad, and you really do not know where to turn; you can always find the answers you seek. Just turn to the one who said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” For he will surely guide your way, reveal you the truth and renew your life.

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It's your life: live it, love it & celebrate it!
MJD