A Zen Master saw a scorpion drowning and decided to pull it out of the water.
When he did so, the scorpion stung him.
Through pain, the Master let go of the animal and it fell into the water again.
The Master tried to pull it out again, and the animal stung it again.
A young disciple who was observing came up to the Master and said, “Sorry, Master, but why do you insist? Don’t you understand that every time you try to pull it out of the water it will sting you?”
The Master replied, “The nature of the scorpion is to sting, and it’s not going to change my nature to help.”
So, the Master reflected, and with the help of a leaf, he pulled the scorpion out of the water, saving his life.
Then, speaking to his young disciple, he continued:
“Don’t change your nature if someone hurts you, just take precautions. For men are often ungrateful for the benefits you bring them. This is no reason to stop doing good, to give up the love that lives in you.
Some pursue happiness, others create it.
Worry more about your conscience than about your reputation, because your conscience is, what you are, and your reputation is only what others think of you.
When life gives you a thousand reasons to cry, show it that you have a thousand reasons to smile.”
