There was a pastor who was
taking a long journey to climb to the top of Mt. Sinai. As he was about to begin
his ascent, a scorpion approached him and said that he also was going to the top
of Mt. Sinai. “Would it be possible for me to ride on your shoulder and go with
you on this journey, “asked the scorpion? At first, the pastor was adamant, “NO!
You will sting me and leave me to die on the path!” However, the scorpion was
very persuasive and he finally convinced the pastor that it would be stupid to
sting and kill his ride to the top, because then the scorpion wouldn’t get to
the destination, either. Finally, the pastor consented and put the scorpion on
his shoulder, and together they started to the top of Mt. Sinai. When they had
almost reached the summit, the scorpion suddenly stung the pastor in the jugular
vein, causing him to crumple to his knees, and start the painful death throes
that accompany the scorpion’s venom. The pastor gasped, “Why? How could you do
this? Why did you trick me?’” The scorpion replied, “I didn’t trick you-you knew
what I was when you picked me up!”
