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Literary
April 2, 1828
The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser
Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
A Persian apologue tells of a tortoise carrying a scorpion across a stream out of friendship, only for the scorpion to attempt to sting it, explaining that stinging is its inherent nature, highlighting themes of innate behavior and ingratitude.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Persian Apologue. A tortoise and a scorpion travelled the same road for a considerable distance, in good fellowship. The latter, on the ground of this friendship, asked the former to carry him over a deep stream. The tortoise complied; but what was his surprise to find his companion endeavoring with all his might to sting him! When he had placed him safe on the opposite shore, he turned to him and said, "Are not you the most wicked and ungrateful of reptiles? But for me you must either have given up your journey or have been drowned in that stream, and what is my reward? If it had not been for the armour which God has given me, I should have been stung to death." "Blame me not," said the scorpion, in a supplicatory tone, "it is not my fault; it is that of my nature: it is a constitutional habit I have of stinging!"
What sub-type of article is it?
Fable
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Fable
Tortoise
Scorpion
Ingratitude
Innate Nature
Literary Details
Title
Persian Apologue
Key Lines
"Blame Me Not," Said The Scorpion, In A Supplicatory Tone, "It Is Not My Fault; It Is That Of My Nature: It Is A Constitutional Habit I Have Of Stinging!"