The Scorpion and the Frog
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.
Audio available for B1 version
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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Reflection Questions
- Why did the frog decide to help the scorpion, even though it could be dangerous?
- The scorpion said, "I couldn't help it. It's just who I am." What do you think this means about behavior and nature?
- Do you think the scorpion wanted to sting the frog? Why or why not?
- What lesson can we learn about trust and caution from this story?
- Can you think of a situation where it's important to be cautious even if someone promises not to do something wrong?
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