The Scorpion and the Tortoise
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| The Scorpion and the Tortoise |
The
Scorpion and the Tortoise
A
scorpion and a tortoise became such fast friends that they took a vow that they
would never separate. So when it happened that one of them was obliged to leave
his native land, the other promised to go with him. They had traveled only a
short distance when they came to a wide river. The scorpion was now greatly
troubled.
"Alas,"
he said, "you, my friend, can easily swim, but how can a poor scorpion
like me ever get across this stream?"
"Never
fear," replied the tortoise; "only place yourself squarely on my
broad back and I will carry you safely over."
No
sooner was the scorpion settled on the tortoise's broad back, than the tortoise
crawled into the water and began to swim. Halfway across he was startled by a
strange rapping on his back, which made him ask the scorpion what he was doing.
"Doing?"
answered the scorpion. "I am whetting my sting to see if it is possible to
pierce your hard shell."
"Ungrateful
friend," responded the tortoise, "it is well that I have it in my
power both to save myself and to punish you as you deserve." And
straightway he sank his back below the surface and shook off the scorpion into
the water.