One day a scorpion and a frog met at the edge of a river. Both wanted to cross. The frog, being wary but friendly, didn’t immediately bolt across the river, but did maintain a safe distance from the scorpion, with its deadly sting.
“I have a proposal,” the scorpion said.
The frog eyed the scorpion carefully. “What would that be?” he asked.
“You can swim and I can’t,” stated the scorpion. “We both want to cross the river. Carry me across the river on your back.”
The frog, being friendly but wary, answered, “If I do that, how do I know you won’t sting me?”
The scorpion smiled. “If I sting you we’ll both die, for, as I said before, I can’t swim.”
The frog considered this. Finally, he agreed, “Fair enough. Hop on my back and we’ll cross.”
The frog moved closer. The scorpion climbed on his back. Together, they set out across the river.
Halfway across, in mid-kick, the frog felt the painful sting of the scorpion. As paralysis set in the frog managed to croak out his last word. “Why?” he cried.
The scorpion answered simply. “I couldn’t help myself. It’s my nature.”
- Bandit
P.S. Fables rock! Aesop and his buddies knew how to teach Management. Also check out my review of the case study titled “The Fox and the Grapes”.
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