Once, two monks were washing their bowls in the river. Just then, they noticed a scorpion drowning in the river. A monk carefully took the scorpion up in his hands and set it upon the bank. In the process, he was stung. The monk had to stay in bed for some days because of the poison. After a few days, the monk went back to wash his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. This time, the poison was not so dangerous, as the monk was careful. The other monk asked him, “Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know it is its nature to sting?” “I am not concerned with its nature. My nature is to save, hence, I save it every time it drowns,” said the monk.
Moral: Perform your duties sincerely, without being fearful.
