Never forget the lessons from ‘The Scorpion and the Frog’

We try our best to live our lives based on our values. Sometimes we are betrayed, yet sometimes we give our trust again. Although everyone deserves a second chance, this is not an excuse to be gullible.

In today’s article, I wish to narrate the fable of “The Scorpion and the Frog”. It is short and vivid, and is loaded with lessons that we should all apply in our lives today more than ever – in the way we deal with others, be it about money, work, or our future. 

‘The Scorpion and the Frog’

One day, a scorpion wanted to cross the river but could not because he’s not a swimmer. He saw a frog who knows how to swim. 

Scorpion: Hi frog, I want to cross the river. Can you carry me?
Frog: I’m afraid I should not because you might sting me?
Scorpion: That doesn’t make any sense. If I sting you, then we will both drown. I promise, I won’t.
Frog: What if you sting me as soon as we get to the other side of the river? 
Scorpion: No, I won’t do that because if you get me across the river, I will be very grateful to you. I promise, I won’t sting you. 
Frog: Yes, you’re right. It doesn’t make sense for you to sting me. Okay, hop on my back and I will help you cross the river.

While they were in the middle of the river, the frog felt a sharp pain.

Frog: What’s happening? I can’t feel my legs anymore. I can’t swim! Why did you sting me? We’re both going to drown.
Scorpion: I am sorry. I could not resist the urge. I’m a Scorpion. It’s in my nature.

And because I wish to really make this story felt by everyone, let me narrate it in our own language.

‘Ang Alakdan at ang Palaka’

Isang araw, gusto ng alakdan na tumawid ng ilog ngunit hindi siya marunong lumangoy. Nakita nya ang palaka na mahusay lumangoy. 

Alakdan: Palaka, gusto kong tumawid ng ilog. Puede mo ba akong isakay sa likod mo?
Palaka: Pasensya na, pero takot ako dahil baka tusukin mo ako ng kamandag mo at mamatay. pa ako.
Alakdan: Bakit ko gagawin yon? Hindi yata makatwiran yon. E di pareho tayong mamamatay. Pangako, hindi kita sasaktan.
Palaka: Paano kung patayin mo ako pag naitawid na kita ng ilog?   
Alakdan: Hindi ko rin gagawin yon dahil kung naitawid mo na ako ng ilog, magkakaroon na ako ng utang na loob sa yo, di ba? Pangako, hindi kita sasaktan.
Palaka: Oo, tama ka nga naman. Hindi makatwiran na saktan o patayin mo ako. Sige, sakay ka na sa likod ko.

Habang nasa gitna na sila ng ilog, may naramdamang masakit na tusok ang palaka.

Palaka: Aray ko! Anong ginawa mo? Namamanhid na ang mga paa ko! Hindi na ako makalangoy! Bakit mo ginawa yon? Mamamatay tayong dalawa!
Alakdan: Pasensya na, hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko. Ako’y isang alakdan, natural sa akin yong ginawa ko.

The sad ending of the story is that both the frog and the scorpion died. 

In your own life, have you met and dealt with scorpions? How many chances have you given to them? 

In choosing the people you work with, the people you hire in your company, your home, especially those with young children, or the people who manage your money or the companies you invest in, the financial institutions you entrust your money with, the products that you buy, the leaders you choose, always remember the story of the scorpion and the frog. 

What is the nature of these people you are putting your trust on? 

Don’t put your hopes too high on the scorpions in your midst. Huwag kang maging palaka! 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. We have a very interesting conversation on Thursday May 19, 2022. It’s the story of riches to rags to riches! We will have the founder and CEO of North Star Meat Merchants Inc., Anthony Ng, together with the CFO and Director Jed Tan. North Star is the country’s largest pork and beef vendor in the country. The company will soon have its initial public offering (IPO).

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To know more about “FQ Book 2”, watch this short video.

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4. Most of the time, what we lack is not motivation but career clarity. To know more about it visit https://www.brandem.ph/. 

5. How good are you with money? Do you want to know your FQ score? Take the FQ Test and get hold of your finances now. Scan the QR code or click the link http://fqmom.com/dev-fqtest/app/#/questionnaire. 

This article is also published in FQMom.com.

Attribution: Images from Flickr, Cara Zara