My astrological sign is Scorpio. I have always identified with the archetype of this personality and the mascot that is used to represent it. I don't remember the first time I ever heard the following story, but it has long since been a favorite. When I am frustrated or down, I think of the moral. I am reminded that we will always be exactly what we are, that our true natures cannot be denied.
Once upon a time a fox was trying to cross a river. The river was deep, and the current was strong, but the fox desperately needed to get to the other side. As he pondered his plight, a scorpion approached him. The fox was fearful and backed away in apprehension, but the scorpion spoke to him in reassuring words. “There is no need to be frightened of me, for we both face the same predicament. I too want to cross the river; but if I try, I will drown. I have come to make a deal with you. If I take you to a place that is shallow enough for you to cross, will you carry me on your back, so that I too may cross?” The fox was still suspicious of the scorpion, but he really wanted to cross the river. “What guarantee can you give me that you won’t sting me if I carry you across?”, the fox asked. “On my life I promise that I won’t sting you”, the scorpion replied. “Besides, if I sting you, we both will drown”. The fox mulled the proposal over and over, and despite being one of the smartest creatures in the land, could find no flaw in the scorpion’s reasoning. “Alright, you have a deal”, the fox said. “Take me to the shallow spot, and I will carry you across.” So off the two traveled, side by side until they reached a bend in the river where the water slowed and shallowed considerably. “Climb on my back, and I’ll carry you across”, the fox spoke cheerfully. The scorpion hopped on the fox’s back, and they ventured out into the river. The scorpion had been right. The water was shallow enough to cross, and the fox happily hummed to himself as he easily swam the distance. But right as he reached the deepest point of the river, he felt a sharp pang in the back of his neck.. The scorpion had stung him. He struggled against the poison and the current, but it was too late. He knew he was going to drown. With his last breaths, he cried” “Why did you sting me? now we will both drown!” “Because I am a scorpion”, his rider replied matter of factly, “It is my nature”.
Fresh log, crisp $5, and a really cool relevant keychain goes to the FTF. Good luck and happy caching.