The Scorpion and the Frog

Story Summary
In the captivating moral story "The Scorpion and the Frog," a scorpion persuades a frog to carry him across a stream by promising not to sting him, claiming it would lead to both their deaths. However, midway across, the scorpion stings the frog, leading to their mutual demise, as he explains, "It's my nature." This meaningful story with a moral serves as a reminder of the inherent traits that can lead to tragic consequences, making it one of the short stories to learn morals from.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that inherent nature can drive individuals to act against their own best interests, even when it leads to mutual destruction.
Historical Context
The fable of the scorpion and the frog is often attributed to Aesop, a storyteller from ancient Greece known for his moral tales featuring anthropomorphic animals. This story has been retold in various cultures, illustrating themes of inherent nature and betrayal, and serves as a cautionary tale about trusting those whose instincts are contrary to one's own well-being. Its enduring relevance highlights the complexities of character and the often tragic consequences of innate tendencies.
Our Editors Opinion
This story serves as a cautionary tale about trusting others despite their inherent nature, reminding us that some individuals may act against their own interests due to deep-seated instincts. For instance, in a workplace scenario, an employee might take a risk by collaborating with a colleague known for unethical behavior, only to find their trust misplaced when the colleague undermines the project for personal gain, echoing the moral that one should be wary of inherent traits that can lead to self-sabotage.
You May Also Like

The Partridge and the Fowler
In "The Partridge and the Fowler," a fowler captures a partridge and contemplates killing it. The partridge pleads for its life, promising to lure more partridges to the fowler, but the fowler decides against mercy, deeming the partridge untrustworthy for its willingness to betray its fellow birds. This culturally significant moral story serves as a meaningful fable with a lesson about loyalty and trust.

The Farmer and the Snake
In "The Farmer and the Snake," a classic moral story, a farmer's act of kindness in rescuing a frozen snake leads to his mortal injury when the snake bites him after being revived. This thought-provoking tale illustrates that not all creatures deserve compassion, highlighting a powerful lesson found in many childhood stories with moral undertones: the greatest kindness can sometimes be met with ungratefulness. Ultimately, the farmer's fate serves as a reminder that compassion directed towards the undeserving can lead to harm.

The Kite, the Pigeons, and the Hawk
In the fable "The Kite, the Pigeons, and the Hawk," a group of Pigeons turns to a Hawk for help against a Kite's relentless attacks. After the Hawk defeats the Kite, he becomes overindulgent and vulnerable, leading the grateful Pigeons to blind him in a twist of fate. This life-changing story serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of excess and ingratitude in folklore and moral stories.
Other names for this story
The Sting of Nature, Trust and Betrayal, The Frog's Fatal Choice, Nature's True Instincts, The Perilous Crossing, A Lesson in Trust, When Nature Strikes, The Scorpion's Dilemma
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the concept of inherent nature, suggesting that certain traits or behaviors are deeply ingrained and can override self-preservation instincts, highlighting the complexities of trust and betrayal in relationships.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.