The Scorpion*

Two monks were kneeling by a river,

Washing their bowls in its gentle flow.

One rescued a drowning scorpion,

Which stung him in the hand before he let it go.

Finishing their daily ritual,

They were about to depart when

They noticed that the very same scorpion

Had fallen into the water again.

Once more the monk reached down,

Scooped up the scorpion with his hand,

And once more the scorpion stung him

Before he placed it on the dry sand.

The other monk questioned him:

"I know the scorpion's a living thing,

But why do you keep saving it when

You know its NATURE is to sting?

"I don't think I could give it

The kind attention that you gave it."

The first monk calmly looked at the other

And replied, "It's MY nature to save it."

-by Bob B (4-4-18)

*An old story retold here in verse