The Scorpion and the Frog
Traditional | Russia
In a quest to cross a river, a scorpion stings the helpful frog, revealing nature's unpredictable truths.
Once upon a time, near a big blue river, there was a scorpion who needed to get to the other side. However, the scorpion couldn’t swim!
Near the riverbank, a friendly frog was sitting. The scorpion asked the frog, “Please, could you carry me across the river on your back?”
The frog, who was careful and smart, said, “What if you sting me while we’re crossing? I would drown!”
The scorpion quickly replied, “Why would I do that? If I sting you, we both would drown! That wouldn’t make sense.”
The frog thought about it for a while and realized the scorpion was right. “Okay,” the frog agreed. “Climb on my back, and I’ll take you across.”
Halfway across the river, the frog suddenly felt a sharp pain. The scorpion had stung him!
“Why did you sting me?” the frog cried out, feeling weak. “Now, we will both drown!”
The scorpion looked sorry and said, “I didn’t want to do it, but it’s just my nature.”
Sadly, as the water got deeper, they both sank.
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