The story is about a Rishi, who was well
known for his knowledge and kindness. Once when the Rishi
was performing his morning prayers near the pond, he saw
a scorpion fall into the pond from the nearby tree. To
save the scorpion from sinking, the Rishi toted it in
his hand. Before he could get the scorpion to the bank,
the scorpion would sting the Rishi and unable to bear
the pain of the sting the Rishi would drop the scorpion
into the pond. The Rishi kept reaching for the scorpion
every time he dropped it and the scorpion kept stinging
the Rishi every time he picked it.
After the Rishi finally brought the scorpion
to the bank, the disciple who was watching all along asked
the Rishi, why he kept reaching for the scorpion though
it stung him every time.
Well, as the Rishi
explained, it is the nature of the scorpion to sting and
it is the nature of a kind human to help the suffering.
The Rishi can’t ask the scorpion not to sting him because
indeed he is saving it. Nor would the Rishi's conscience
allow it to sink.
We come across so many different people
in life. Sometimes someone’s behavior annoys us. Avoiding
them may not be the best solution. The person may be in
desperate need of help. Understanding others' nature and
character helps improve relationships. Differences are
aplenty among us. Accepting that differences are part
of our life helps us work towards the common good.
We won’t ask others to change. And we won’t
let situations influence us to compromise our good qualities.
We, in unity would strive to make it a better world.
Happy living!
I
only remember the story and not its source. I've heard
this story about a relentless Rishi in my childhood. At
the end of the story, there was a moral as always with
any story well told. Did I care about the moral then?
I am inclined to say a big no.