Koan #347

Once a yogi, sitting on the banks of the Ganges, saw a scorpion fall into the water. He scooped it out, only to be bitten by the scorpion. It happened again, and again, with the same result. A bystander asked the yogi: "Why do you keep rescuing that scorpion, only to have it bite you?"

"It is the nature of scorpions to bite," replied the yogi. "And it is the nature of yogis to help others when they can."

Hindu Mondo