Two monks were kneeling by a river,
Washing their bowls in its gentle flow.
One rescued a drowning scorpion,
Which stung his hand before he let it go.

Finishing their daily ritual,
They were about to depart when
They noticed that the very same scorpion
Had fallen into the water again.

Once more the monk reached down,
Scooped up the scorpion with his hand,
And once more the scorpion stung him
Before he placed it on the dry sand.

The other monk questioned him:
"I know the scorpion's a living thing,
But why do you keep saving it when
You know its NATURE is to sting?

"I don't think I could give it
The kind attention that you gave it."
The first monk calmly looked at the other
And replied, "It's MY nature to save it."

-by Bob B (4-4-18)

°An old story retold here in verse