TWO MONKS AND A SCORPION

Unable to download pictures today, but here is a link to a story about two monks and a scorpion from Whiskey River.

I had just heard a story of a frog attempting to help a scorpion by carrying it across a river after the scorpion promised not to sting the frog. As they cross the river, the scorpion stings the frog and they both drown in the river. Before they go under, the frog asks the scorpion, "Why would you cause so much suffering? The scorpion says, "It is my nature."

Synchronicity.

"Take what you have gathered from coincidence" (Bob Dylan, 1965, from the song "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue")

And another version from an article by Doris Lessing with a Sufi story:

A tortoise carries a stranded scorpion across a river. The scorpion stings the tortoise who demands indignantly: "My nature is to be helpful. I have helped you and now you sting me." "My friend," says the scorpion, "your nature is to be helpful. Mine is to sting. Why do you seek to transform your nature into a virtue and mine into villainy?"