The Scorpion and the Fox

The scorpion was halted at the river's shore. It needed to get to the other side but could go no more. The scorpion stopped a fox who happened to pass by and asked the fox if he could hitch a ride on its back to the other side. "You're not fooling me," the wise fox said. "You will sting me and then render me dead." The scorpion replied," If I did that to you I would drown in the river and become dead too." The fox agreed and allowed the scorpion onto its back. Halfway across the river the scorpion launched its stinging attack. "Why did you do that?" the poor fox did cry, "Now you too will die swept by the river's strong tide" The scorpion replied with the following answer. "I couldn't help myself. It's my nature."