A Noble Hermit

Long, long ago, there lived a hermit on the bank of the river Tons. He was very kind. He loved everybody men animals and birds.

One morning the hermit was bathing in the river. He saw a scorpion. It was trying to float. It was helpless.

The hermit felt pity. He took it in his hand. The scorpion stung the hermit in his finger. He felt acute pain. He dropped it in the water. The scorpion started feeling helpless. Again the hermit took it in his hand. Again it stung him. He dropped it again in the water. This time it was in greater trouble. The hermit was deeply moved. He decided to save it anyhow. He took it in in his hand and put it on the bank of the river.

A stranger was watching this incident.  He came near the hermit and said, "Why did you help and save a wicked scorpion ? It stung you again and again. "The hermit said, "I know that it can never change its habit. It is its nature to give pain to others. If it cannot change, then way should I ? I feel I should be good and kind even to the bad."

The hermit did not believe in the principle of Tit for Tat. He was really a noble hermit.