Fable : the scorpion and the tortoise

The scorpion was hamstrung his tail all acquiver
how   would he just manage to get across the river ...


"The water is so deep " observed he with a sigh 
which pricked  at the ears of a tortoise nearby. 


"Well, why don't you swim? " asked the slow-moving fellow
"unless you afraid ...what's up are you yellow ? "


"It is not a matter of fear or whim  " replied the scorpion
" I am just not able to swim " 


"oh, forgive me . I didn't intend to be mean 
I said that as I figured our you were an amphibian. "


"No offence taken .." the scorpion replied , 
"but it's up to you now..Would to help me reach the other side ? 
You swim like a dream and you have what I lack
Let's say you'll take me across on your back ?! " 


"I'm really not sure  if that 's the best thing to do " , 
said the tortoise " now  as I see that it's you . 
You've got  less than ideal reputation preceding : 
There 's  talk of your victims all poisoned and bleeding . 
You're the scorpion- and how can I say it - but , well , 
I just don't feel safe with you riding my shell . " 


The scorpion replied "What would killing you prove ?! 
We'd both drown , so tell me  how would that behoove ? 
me to basically die  at my very own hand 
while all I desire is to be on dry  land ?! " 


The tortoise considered the scorpion's defence 
When he gave it some thought, it made  perfect sense. 
The niggling voice in his mind he ignored
and he swam to the bank and called out : "Climb aboard ! "
But just a few moments since they've started   the sail 
the scorpion lashed out with venomous tail. 
The tortoise too late understood that he'd blundered
When he felt his flesh stabbed and his carapace sundered. 
As he fought for his life he said : "Tell me why 
you have done this ? Now both of us will surely die ! " 

"I don't know ! " cried the scorpion "You should never trust
A creature like me because  poison I must ! 
I'd claim some remorse or at lerast some compunction, 
But I just can't help it; my form is my function . 
You thought  I'd behave like my cousin , the crab, 
But unlike him it is my nature to stab ... " 


The tortoise expired with one final quiver
And then both of them sank swallowed up by the river.