Most everyone knows the fable
of the frog and the scorpion.
A scorpion wishing to cross a
river approaches a frog on the bank.
‘Please help me Mr. Frog – I
must get across the river – let me ride on your back.’
The frog replies, ‘If I let
you on my back you will sting and kill me.”
‘Never,’ the scorpion says
‘for I can not swim and if I were to sting you I also would die.’
‘What would stop you from
killing me once we reach the other side?’
The scorpion says, ‘I could
kill you now; but if you help me I will be forever indebted to you.’
The frog agrees to carry the
scorpion, but half way across the river the scorpion stings the frog.
‘Why have you done this?’ the
frog asks. ‘Now we shall both die.’
‘I cannot help myself,’ the
scorpion replies. ‘It is my nature.”
We live on a small blue
planet: one of a billion-billion planets circling a billion-billion stars in
one of a billion-billion galaxies. We
are the product of chance – the results of chaos. Our species has been on this earth a
relatively short time. We evolved as a
basic animal, and our animal instincts allowed us to procure the food, shelter
and sex we needed for the survival of our species. The ability and willingness of the male to
kill, rape, murder and seek vengeance determined his pecking order and his
success in the primitive pack.
These same instincts are
ingrained in our DNA even today, but are antithetic to modern society and the
rule of law and the ethos of civilization.
These same ingrained male primitive instincts are the reason for our
wars, our violence, our inability to live peacefully and the callous divides
between the have and the have not’s.
To see the real unvarnished
human nature you only have to watch middle-school children on a play
ground.
The real violence and mayhem we
are capable of as adults rears it head during war time – in a combat zone.
I personally am aware of the
violence and atrocities I am capable of committing.
I make no apologies (though I
have regrets) for this is my nature.
the Ol’Buzzard
Once again I stand in awe and admiration of your writing skill and subject matter. If I could express it this well, I wouldn't be so angry with myself for some of the posts I write. If it is ok with you I would like to compliment you on my blog and give everyone a head's up and link. You deserve an audience my friend. the rat
ReplyDeleteNo perhaps about it.
ReplyDeleteSuccinct and soo true. I also have debts to pay .....
ReplyDeleteOB,
ReplyDeleteWar is like the monsoons in Asia, the famine in Africa, AIDS, greed, gluttony, and pride.
I agree with Rat - You write some damned good stuff.
Thanks,
Ron
that was the most impressive writing I'm come upon on the internet since I got on in the late 90's...you rock.
ReplyDeleteI followed Mr Rat's link & here I am.
ReplyDeleteIt's in the DNA, a very solid truth....
Our society has spent a great deal of time & money changing (well trying) mankind's age old practice of "if you can take it and keep it it's yours".
I used the Frog and Scorpion story last year to try to explain the Tea Party...I beieve you commented on it, but lately, I have expanded my mythological theories...In fact now, I am embracing a Unified Theory of Philosophy that unites Star Wars and Jean-Paul Sartre! Nothingness! I Embrace You!
ReplyDelete