Frog and Scorpion

Story

Frog takes a big risk when he agrees to carry Scorpion across the river.

Why we chose it

Frog and Scorpion was part of The Story Museum’s original audio collection. These stories are particularly suitable for learning to retell. The idea that characters do what they do because it is their nature is an interesting topic for discussion.

Where it came from

Although the story became very popular in the 20th century its precise origins are difficult to find. Animal fables are common in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Where it went next

The story continues to fascinate writers and film makers. It was included in Jura, a 1940 novel by Georgii Tushkan set in the Pamir mountains of Central Asia. It is often referenced in film and television. It is told by the main character in Orson Welles 1955 film Mr Arkadin and by Jody, Forest Whittaker’s character in The Crying Game. An episode of The Simpsons is also based on it

Associated stories

A Persian story The Scorpion and the Turtle, which tells the same story, dates back to a collection of fables from the 16^th century. The turtle carries the scorpion across the river but in this case survives the sting because of his shell. An Aesop fable, The Farmer and the Viper has a similar moral – the farmer finds a frozen snake and warms it under his coat but the revived snake bites him because that is what snakes do. In another of Aesop’s fables, Frog and Mouse a frog carries a mouse across a stream but drowns the mouse halfway across. However a passing kite plucks both from the water and eats them both.