The Fish, the Scorpion, and Our Everyday Choices

The prompt by Poets and Storytellers for this week is “Why Bother?”

And indeed, with everything happening around us, it is tempting to ask—why do we even bother? What difference can an individual like me, you, or anyone else really make to this world?

This question took me back to an old reflection of mine, and I thought I would share it here in response to this week’s prompt. [ Friday Writings #223: Why Bother?] 

Last weekend, we were at the beach. It was rather empty. Perhaps most people chose to stay home during the holy month of fasting, or simply felt it was too harsh an afternoon to step out.

While our daughter was being gently introduced to the majestic sea—watchful, hesitant, and not entirely amused by its vastness—I decided to take a solitary walk along the shore.

As I walked, I noticed a dead fish lying on the sand. And suddenly, I was reminded of two stories that have stayed with me over the years—the fish and the scorpion. Both, in their own way, have shaped how I look at life.

The Fish Story

A young boy was walking along the beach when he noticed something unsettling. With every crashing wave, hundreds of small fish were being thrown onto the sand—left there, gasping, with little chance of survival.

A little further ahead, he saw a man. Calmly, almost rhythmically, the man would bend down, pick up a hand full of those fishes, and toss back into the sea.

Puzzled, the boy walked up to him and asked,

“Sir, there are hundreds of fish being washed ashore. You’re saving only a few. Most of them will die anyway. What difference does it make?”

The man didn’t answer immediately. He picked up another fish, held it for a moment, and threw it back into the water.

Then he looked at the boy and said,

“It made a difference to this one. It is alive.”

And something about that stayed with the boy-made a big difference.

The Scorpion

The second story is about a scorpion who lived by a pond.

One day, heavy rains caused the water to overflow, flooding the surrounding land. The animals needed to get across to higher ground. The scorpion, unable to swim, approached a frog.

“Please carry me across,” it said.
“I can’t,” replied the frog. “You’ll sting me.”
“If I sting you, I will drown too,” the scorpion reasoned.

Reassured, the frog agreed.
Midway across, the scorpion stung the frog.
As the poison spread and they both began to sink, the frog asked,

“Why did you do this? Now we will both die.”
The scorpion replied,
“What can I do, my friend… it is my nature.”

Two simple stories. Two very different reflections.

One reminds us that even the smallest act can matter—perhaps not to the world, but deeply to someone.
The other reminds us that not everyone we help will act against their nature.

So why bother?

Because the choice to act is ours.
Because even if it changes just one moment, one outcome, one life—it matters.
And because, in the end, what defines us is not how the world responds, but how we choose to show up.

But yes—choose your partners with care, my friends.