The Scorpion and the Frog

I wrote and submitted this to a competition about a year ago, and it remains one of the things I'm most proud of writing.

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One summer day, a frog came across a scorpion on the bank of a river. β€œHello, stranger. I know this is a lot to ask,” the scorpion began, β€œbut could you help me cross the river here?”

The frog contemplated this for a moment. β€œI would be happy to help, but how do I know that you won’t sting me?”

The scorpion shrugged. β€œIf I stung you while we were crossing the river, I would surely drown.”

Convinced, the frog allowed the scorpion to climb upon his back and began ferrying him across the river.

Halfway across, the frog asked β€œWhy do you need to cross the river?”

The scorpion replied β€œI’m an engineer. We are going to build a bridge so that it’ll be easier to cross for everyone.”

The frog nodded and carried on. They crossed the river together with no incident.

β€œThank you.” the scorpion said, and left.

A day later, the scorpion returned to the river and shouted for the frog. The frog diligently appeared, and again the scorpion asked for a lift.

As they crossed the river again, the scorpion said β€œI hope that I’m not taking up too much of your time.”

The frog laughed. β€œIt is no trouble at all.”

Days passed, then weeks, and the bridge was slowly but surely built. On the day of the grand opening, the scorpion lauded the frog, explaining that none of it would have been possible without his generosity.

Even after the bridge was completed though, the scorpion still came to the frog to be ferried across.

On one of these trips, the frog finally asked β€œWhy do you still ask for lifts across? Are you not proud of the bridge you built?”

β€œI am very proud of the bridge we built,” the scorpion replied. β€œBut I care for your company too much.”

The frog smiled and swam across the river. β€œI enjoy your company, too.”

Months passed, then years. The scorpion was by now a well-known and respected architect, and the frog saw him less and less. One autumn day, the scorpion called for the frog, and the frog diligently came to the bank of the river.

β€œFrog,” the scorpion said, his voice shaky, β€œI need you to take me across the river, please.”

The frog sensed something was wrong, but trusted his friend and allowed him to climb upon his back to be ferried across.

Halfway across, however, the frog felt a sharp pinch at the back of his neck, and reflexively dumped the scorpion off one side and into the river.

The frog, shocked and horrified, swam after his friend and desperately dragged him back to the shore.

The scorpion, when he came to, was furious. β€œYou should have let me drown,” he said, coughing and retching. β€œI have done nothing but burden you.”

The frog, shocked by this, replied β€œYou have done nothing of the sort. I was, I am, happy to help you however I can.”

The scorpion scowled. β€œYou are a fool, then. There are always those who would seek to take advantage of your generosity.”

β€œScorpion,” the frog began, β€œI have known you for many years. I have never had any reason to doubt or distrust you.”

β€œI am not worthy of that trust. Just now, I have harmed you, my greatest friend.”

β€œYou are not in your right mind, Scorpion.” The frog replied. β€œI think you need-”

β€œI am in love with you!” the scorpion shouted, cutting off his friend’s reply. β€œI have always been in love with you.”

β€œWhy, then,” the frog asked, β€œwould you attempt to drown yourself?”

β€œBecause we are too different,” the scorpion replied. β€œAnd I would rather die than live in a world without you.”

β€œOur differences have never bothered you before,” the frog asked. β€œWhat’s the real reason?”

β€œMy family has disowned me,” admitted the scorpion. β€œFor I have brought shame to them. I have nowhere to go, nobody to turn to.”

β€œYou have me.” declared the frog.

β€œI could not ask anything more of you.” said the scorpion.

β€œI will drag you to a warm bed if it takes me all day and all night,” said the frog. β€œYou will not die. I will not let you die.”

The scorpion relented, and followed his friend down the bank of the river to the frog’s burrow, where he promptly fell asleep.

The frog, hopeful for the future, also fell asleep.

The scorpion and the frog spent many months together. In the mud of the burrow, the scorpion drew grand plans for new projects he wanted to construct, and the frog assisted him in any way he could.

One night, the two of them stayed up late together to watch the stars.

β€œScorpion,” the frog whispered. β€œI love you too.”

The wedding was tasteful. Many of the frog’s extended family attended, but none of the scorpion’s. The scorpion tried to put on a brave face, but the frog could tell he was disappointed.

β€œI just wish they understood me,” said the scorpion.

As the ceremony continued, however, one of the scorpion’s brothers burst into the chapel, shouting profanities and destroying ornaments.

As quickly as he had come though, he was dragged out by security. The frog picked up a piece of shattered plate and set it back on a table. The scorpion sighed.

β€œI know it’s hard to lose your family,” began the frog, β€œeven if they aren’t truly gone. But even though the pain is hard and it may never truly go away, it doesn’t make life not worth living.”

The scorpion thought about this for a moment. β€œThe thing that I have always loved about you,” he replied, β€œIs that it’s not in your nature to sting.”