One day a scorpion asked a turtle to take him across the river. The turtle refused, but the scorpion begged her.
“Well, okay,” agreed the turtle, “just give me your word that you won’t sting me.”
Scorpio gave his word. Then the turtle put him on his back and swam across the river. The scorpion sat quietly all the way, but right at the shore it stung the turtle very, very painfully.
“Aren’t you ashamed, Scorpio?” After all, you gave your word! - screamed the turtle.
- So what? — the scorpion asked the turtle calmly. “Tell me, why did you, knowing my character, agree to take me across the river?”
“I always strive to help everyone, that’s my nature,” answered the turtle.
“My friend,” the scorpion answered her, “your nature is to help everyone, and mine is to sting everyone.” So, will you now turn your nature into a great virtue, and call mine meanness?
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru