Japanese crossword «Scorpion»
| Size: 25x30 | Picture: | Difficulty: | Added: | 15.07.18 | Author: Prikichi |
COMMENTS
spoiler
Wonderfully challenging with delicate beauty. The tale of the scorpion: A pastor saw that a scorpion was going to be washed off the rocks by the ocean. He reached to save the scorpion, which stung him. Nevertheless, he moved the scorpion to safety. "Why did you do that after he stung you?" his companion asked. "Because I cannot let his nature change my nature," the pastor said.
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spoiler
What an oddly anachronistic version of an allegory which predates Christianity by centuries and "pastor" as religious figure by millennia. Particularly as the oldest versions didn't involve the scorpion stinging the animal (not human) who is trying to help it, while in later versions both animals drown when the scorpion stings it halfway across river it asked for help crossing; the message being, if you ignore the nature of a predatory creature it's likely to get you both killed.
Then there's the fact that nearly every species of scorpion in the world lives in arid climates and deserts, and while finding one near a river is feasible, you'd be very unlikely to ever find a scorpion about to be washed away by the ocean.
Next someone will turn “Red Riding Hood” into a morality play about adopting rescue animals as pets for the elderly, ignoring that early versions of that story involve cannibalism, a naked “Red” in bed with the wolf, and him insisting she take a dump while in said bed.
Then there's the fact that nearly every species of scorpion in the world lives in arid climates and deserts, and while finding one near a river is feasible, you'd be very unlikely to ever find a scorpion about to be washed away by the ocean.
Next someone will turn “Red Riding Hood” into a morality play about adopting rescue animals as pets for the elderly, ignoring that early versions of that story involve cannibalism, a naked “Red” in bed with the wolf, and him insisting she take a dump while in said bed.
show: 1 🗨
spoiler
Old stories and allegories get retold and changed according to what one wishes to convey - sometimes to the point were they are barely recognisable. But this instance is particularly interesting as the morals are so contradictory (though not all of the older ones have the same meaning). One emphasising the nobel nature of the pastor, who maintains his morals and kindness, despite the unkind respons of the scorpion; and the other emphasising the tragic results of helping and trusting someone you know will hurt you.
One could argue that while the details of Sheryl's version are geographically improbable, it plays on the other tale, and thus creates an interesting counter argument. A kind and healthy approach to life might very well lie somewhere in between.
And given the vastness of internet and human imagination, I don't doubt someone has created such a version of Little Red Riding Hood.
Old stories and allegories get retold and changed according to what one wishes to convey - sometimes to the point were they are barely recognisable. But this instance is particularly interesting as the morals are so contradictory (though not all of the older ones have the same meaning). One emphasising the nobel nature of the pastor, who maintains his morals and kindness, despite the unkind respons of the scorpion; and the other emphasising the tragic results of helping and trusting someone you know will hurt you.
One could argue that while the details of Sheryl's version are geographically improbable, it plays on the other tale, and thus creates an interesting counter argument. A kind and healthy approach to life might very well lie somewhere in between.
And given the vastness of internet and human imagination, I don't doubt someone has created such a version of Little Red Riding Hood.
It's a good image overall, but does have one flaw - scorpions have 8 legs PLUS the "arms" with pinchers on the end, for a total of 10 appendages.
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Sorry about that. I accidentally hit some combinations of buttons before I could add the spoiler tag. A shame we can't at least delete our own posts, even if editing is out.
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A good challenge. Thank you. The comments have been interesting too. Plus, I just learned about the "spoiler" button, after doing over 775 puzzles. hahaha :)
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