The Egg and the Scorpion

Canterbury Tales Style

Once there was an egg that a young child cared for night and day.  It kept it warm and safe so that it would hatch.  The child’s excitement grew as the egg started moving about and then the shell started to crack.  The child thought of the bird that would come out of the egg.  The child smiled with anticipation as the egg cracked open and out came a . . . Scorpion!  The scorpion stung the child and the child died.

***

The moral of this story?  There is none.  Scorpions don’t come from eggs.

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion?

Uh . . . no.

In this week’s Bible reading from Luke 11:1-13, there’s a part where Jesus asks that nonsensical, seemingly good for nothing question.

And then the followup either makes things more confusing or adds clarity.  How Jesus-y.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Evil?

Maybe that’s not what Jesus said. The Greek poneros can be translated as evil, but it can also carry with it a sense of calling someone a “good for nothing” with a wink.

And that makes more sense.

“All right then – if you good-for-nothings (wink) know how not to give scorpions to your children, how much more will God give the spirit to those who ask!"



OK -- a little clearer, and a little more confusing.

I have a taste for some eggs. Hold the scorpion.