# The Scorpion and the Mirror
In a sun-baked desert lived a scorpion, feared by all for its deadly sting. One day, while seeking shelter from the scorching heat, it stumbled upon a small oasis. At the center stood an ornate mirror, left behind by travelers long ago.
Curious, the scorpion approached its reflection. "Who dares to challenge me?" it hissed, raising its stinger. The reflection mimicked its every move.
Enraged by this perceived threat, the scorpion struck at the mirror repeatedly. With each strike, its stinger chipped and dulled against the hard surface.
A wise old tortoise, watching nearby, spoke up. "Why do you attack your own image?"
The scorpion, breathing heavily, replied, "This impostor mocks me. I must defeat it!"
The tortoise shook his head. "What you fight is not an enemy, but a reflection of yourself. Your aggression has only caused you harm."
The scorpion, now unable to sting, realized the truth of the tortoise's words. It had been so quick to perceive threat and lash out that it had damaged its only means of defense.
From that day forward, the scorpion learned to pause and reflect before striking, understanding that sometimes, the greatest threat we face is our own hasty judgment.
