ONCE upon a time a Frog wanted to cross a stream, but was frightened of a Stork on the other side. On the bank of that stream, the Frog met a Scorpion who also wanted to cross the stream. The Scorpion asked the Frog to carry him across on its back. Since the Scorpion was capable of scaring away the Stork, the Frog considered the request, but asked, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The Scorpion replied, "Don't worry. I wouldn't do that. If I stung you, I would drown and die too."

So the Frog was satisfied, and they set out. Naturally the Scorpion stung the Frog when they reached midstream. The Frog felt paralysis, started to sink, and knew they would soon be dead. He was surprised by the failure of his strategy of mutually assured destruction, and puzzled by this act of self destruction, and so asked: "Why did you sting me?"

The Scorpion replied: "I couldn't help it. I am a Scorpion."

Moral of the story: Nature trumps logic.

The Wolf and the Lamb

ONCE upon a time a Wolf came upon a Lamb straying from the flock, and felt some compunction about taking the life of so helpless a creature without some plausible excuse; so he tried to find a grievance.

"Little lamb, you muddled my waters by drinking from my spring" and the lamb replied "Nay, master, but I am downstream from you, and besides I only drink my mother's milk"

"Well, then," said the Wolf, "why did you call me bad names this time last year?"

"That cannot be," said the Lamb; "I am only six months old." "I don't care," snarled the Wolf; "I am not going without dinner" and with that he rushed upon the poor little Lamb and ate her all up.

The moral of the story: Any excuse will serve a tyrant.

The Lion, Fox, and Beasts

THE LION once gave notice that he was sick unto death and summoned the animals to come and hear his last will and Testament. So the Goat came to the Lion's cave, and stopped there listening for a long time. Then a Sheep went in, and before she came out a Calf came up to receive the last wishes of the Lord of the Beasts. But soon the Lion seemed to recover, and came to the mouth of his cave, and saw the Fox, who had been waiting outside for some time. "Why do you not come to pay your respects to me?" said the Lion to the Fox.

"I beg your Majesty's pardon," said the Fox, "but I noticed the track of the animals that have already come to you; and while I see many hoof-marks going in, I see none coming out. Till the animals that have entered your cave come out again I prefer to remain in the open air."

The moral of the story: It is easier to get into the enemy's clutches than out again.