A scorpion wanted to cross a river but couldn’t because he can’t swim. He found a frog, then asked him to carry the scorpion across the river. Knowing the destructive nature of the scorpion, the frog hesitated. He asked, “how do I know you are not going to sting and kill me while I take you to the other side?” The scorpion is smart and skillful with his words. He said “I would be too grateful to kill you, it wouldn’t be fair at all for me to harm you in anyway. Besides, I will die if I do that”. The frog believed the scorpion, so he carried him on his back trusting that the scorpion will keep his promise. Midway through, the frog felt a stabbing pain on his back. In the corner of his eyes he saw the scorpion pulling his stinger out of his back. “You fool! Why did you do that? Now we’re both going to die!” The scorpion responded as they started to sink. “i can’t help it, it is in my nature.”
This story may have an older origin in African folklore – the tale of a “generous” frog on the shore of the Niger river. The concept is applied in all sorts of ways to analyses of history, or of recent events, on the “dark” side of human behavior.
There are countless variations. In a Lebanese version, the scorpion’s final words are «My dear, this is the Middle East». And, of course, this could apply to several other places.
There are infinite ways in which someone can be placed in the role of the scorpion – or the frog. In this irritating tale there is a disturbing truth: it really happens that people behave in incomprehensible manners with no other reason than, nobody knows why, “that is their nature”.
There is no aesopian “moral” of this fable. Its strongest meaning is that it can’t be explained. It’s the essence of stupidity (harming others at one’s own disadvantage) taken to its extreme consequences. A disease that lies deep in human nature. There are many examples, practically every day. We can laugh when they are just funny. But some are dismally tragic.
The scorpion is like a lot of people . . . lazy, deceitful and selfish. He is either unable or unwilling to figure out how to cross the stream on his own.
The frog is inclined to give the scorpion the benefit of the doubt because he wants to see to good in others. Even though he knows deep down in his heart of amphibious hearts that he should turn his slimy little butt around and leap away as fast as his hoppy legs can carry him.
So, the frog agreed to ferry the scorpion across the stream, even though he knew the scorpion would probably screw him over anyway. He was right. Some scorpions are just assholes.
Now, think of the Philippines. Think of the Philippine politics. Think of the politicians… Make sure you don’t have a scorpion on your back.
Just sayin’.
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