this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2026
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A frog was hopping along the shore of a river looking for a place to cross. He came upon a scorpion sitting on the shore. “Hello, friend frog,” said the scorpion. “It appears you are looking to cross the river. I too want to cross. Would you mind carrying me?”

The frog was taken aback. “Why, if I let you on my back to cross the river, you’d sting me and I would die. I don’t think I’ll do that.”

The scorpion immediately replied, “There is no logic to your concern. If I sting you and you die, I will surely die as well, since I can’t swim. I wouldn’t need a ride if I could swim.”

The frog thought a moment and then said, “Your logic makes sense. Why would you kill me if it would result in your death? Come along and climb on my back and we’ll cross this river.”

The scorpion climbed on the frog’s back and off they went to cross the river.

About halfway across the river, the scorpion raised its tail and stung the frog. The frog was both astounded and disconsolate. “Why did you sting me? Now I will die and you will surely drown and die also.”

The scorpion replied, “I can’t help it. It’s who I am. It’s in my nature.”

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[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 55 points 1 day ago (8 children)

That story is ridiculous.

Scorpions don't have lungs so they can't talk.

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

It was a telepathic scorpion

[–] musubibreakfast@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

You're overthinking it, the scorpion likely had psychic abilities.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

and laser eyes. it just didn't use them because it wasn't central to the plot

also scorpions can both swim, fly, and phase through matter and choose which stellar object's gravity applies to them. i saw it in a dream so it is true

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Oh I get it now. Scorpion venom must be hallucinatory to frogs and what really happened is the scorpion stung the frog before the story even started, causing the frog to hallucinate the entire story as the scorpion was eating it.

And OP is a reincarnation of the frog.

Whew was worried for a second that someone was making up lies on the internet, which would open quite the Pandora's box, so I'm glad it hasn't happened yet.

[–] DannyMac@sh.itjust.works 16 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Also, I'm fairly certain both lack higher reasoning skills to come up with these logical assessments.

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Yeah, has a scorpion ever passed a Turing test!?

The most instructions I've ever seen a scorpion follow are "Fight!" and "Finish him!" And I bet that's what the scorpion wanted to do anyways, so I don't think we should count that.

[–] ICastFist@programming.dev 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I know one that dresses like a ninja and can breathe fire, tho

[–] naticus@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Who? Where? Get them over here, right now.

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

It's most likely just a flame thrower hidden in its clothing. As mentioned earlier, scorpions don't have lungs. Not air lungs and not fire lungs either.

[–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

All scorpions study morse code and ASL

[–] Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago

Very progressive of them

[–] NostraDavid@programming.dev 3 points 1 day ago

That story is ridiculous.

All classic stories are, which makes them great IMO.

[–] Diurnambule@jlai.lu 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Where did you get this educated in the ways of wisdom ?

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I dissect scorpions as a hobby to make sure they haven't developed lungs yet.

[–] MrShankles@reddthat.com 4 points 1 day ago

They can also survive underwater for a while, from what I remember