Scorpion A: The arena’s on the other side of the river. The Frog: Well . . . watching that would give me a few seconds of joy. Scorpion B: Hmm, now I’m not sure.

In the story, as the frog was carrying the scorpion across the river, the Scorpion stung the frog, drowning both of them. “It’s my nature” , the scorpion explained.

In the story, a scorpion calls out to a frog, asking for help crossing a river. “You’re not on,” says the frog, from the safety of the water, “if I let you climb on my back, you’ll sting ...

A scorpion, too, wants to get to the other side and so, since it cannot swim, asks the frog to carry it across on its back. The frog hesitates, knowing the scorpion’s history and reputation.