- "Doing good is my nature. Why should I abandon my nature just because you refuse to abandon yours?"
- Delakar Shambhavi Vipulsinh
A scorpion was once trapped in the thick mud of a riverbank. A young duckling named Nandi saw the creature struggling and felt a deep sense of pity. Nandi approached the scorpion and said gently, "Pardon me, friend," before carefully stepping into the mud to lift the scorpion and place it on dry ground.
Immediately, the scorpion's true nature surfaced, and it stung the duckling's leg. Nandi writhed in pain and cried out, "Brother, why would you sting me after I saved you?"
The scorpion replied nonchalantly, "What can I do? Stinging is simply my nature."
Nandi shook her head and warned, "You must give up this habit, for if you don't, no one will ever come to your aid when you are in trouble." The scorpion ignored her and scurried away.
Later, Nandi went to her mother. "Mother," she said, "I found a scorpion stuck in the mud and saved its life."
Her mother smiled warmly. "That was a very noble deed, my daughter. However, you must realize that a scorpion will often return kindness with a sting. No matter how many times you save it, it may try to hurt you again."
"I will help him change his ways, Mother," Nandi replied firmly.
Some days later, the scorpion found itself in grave danger again, caught in a swirling current and on the verge of drowning. Seeing Nandi nearby, the scorpion cried out for help. At first, Nandi hesitated, thinking, Why should I save such an ill-natured creature?
But the scorpion began to plead, "Sister, have mercy on me! Please, save me!"
Nandi's heart softened once more. She thought, Perhaps he has learned his lesson. She reached out and pulled the scorpion from the water. As soon as it was safe, the scorpion lunged forward to sting her again.
Nandi was ready this time and stepped back. She smiled and asked, "Brother, tell me: I have always acted with trust and kindness toward you, yet you always respond with a sting. Why is that?"
The scorpion froze, suddenly struck by a sense of shame.
Nandi continued, "Doing good is my nature. Why should I abandon my nature just because you refuse to abandon yours? My purpose is to help those in need; your habit is to sting. Let us see whose nature is stronger."
Overcome with remorse, the scorpion lowered its stinger. "Sister, I have lost today," it confessed. "Your kindness is stronger than my malice. I promise that from this day forward, I will never sting an innocent creature again."
Nandi returned home happily and told her mother what had happened. Her mother hugged her and said, "My dear, wise girl. By staying true to your goodness, you have shown an eagle-hearted way to change the world. Sometimes, repeating an act of kindness is the only way to guide a lost soul toward the path of virtue."
