One day, Nnamdi, a Medical Doctor serving with the General Hospital, Okpoga was taking his bath in Ideme river while Owoicho, his younger friend and loyalist, from the neighboring Idobe village, sat on the bank, watching over Nnamdi’s belongings. From the day Owoicho met Nnamdi at the hospital, when he had typhoid fever, they had become friends because of how nicely Nnamdi treated him.
While in the river, Nnamdi noticed a scorpion struggling in the current. Filled with pity, he took the bedraggled scorpion in his palm and began wading towards the shore.
No sooner had the scorpion recovered, than it stung the Nnamdi on the palm. Though he felt an unbearable pain shoot up his arm, he did not drop the scorpion! Instead, he gently shook his hand to encourage the scorpion to move away from the wound.
Watching from the shore, Owoicho grew alarmed but didn’t say anything! In his thoughts, he wondered why a Medical Doctor would play with a scorpion 🦂, knowing fully well that it’s sting is dangerous?
Nnamdi had only taken a few steps when the scorpion stung him again. The pain this time was even worse and the he staggered, nearly pitching forward into the river.
This time, his friend cried out, “Drop the scorpion, Doc! Leave him to his fate! He will only sting you again! Your kindness means nothing to that vile creature.”
Nnamdi ignored him and continued wading towards the shore with the scorpion on his throbbing palm. He had nearly reached the riverbank when the scorpion stung him for the third time. The searing pain of the third sting exploded into his lungs and his heart. Nevertheless, his face bore a blissful smile even as his knees buckled and he collapsed into the river.
Have sensed danger, Owoicho jumped into the river to rescue his friend, Nnamdi. As he dragged the unconscious Doctor to the shore, he saw that Nnamdi still cradled the scorpion in his palm! As soon as the reached shore, he forced his hand open and the scorpion scurried away.
Once Nnamdi had regained consciousness, Owoicho said “Doc..Doc.., How can you smile after all that just happened to you? That wretched creature nearly killed you!”
“You are right my good friend,” Nnamdi responded. “But the scorpion was only acting according to his nature. It is his nature to sting and it my nature to save lives. He is acting according to his nature and I, according to mine. All is as it should be. That is why I still feel happy, despite the pains I had to endure.”
Don’t stop showing love to people who may never do same to you. Never give up your kindness and goodness, even if people around you sting.
Comrade Omaga Elachi Daniel writes from Okpoga.