Summary of Night of the Scorpion by Nissim Ezekiel

        "Night of the Scorpion" is a beautiful poem written by Nissim Ezekiel. Nissim Ezekiel was a renowned (famous/noteworthy) Indian poet. "Night of the Scorpion: talks about mother's love. It is night time. There is rain for ten hours. A scorpion stings the speaker's mother. After that, the scorpion goes out into the rain. The mother suffers in pain. The neighbours come like a swarm of flies. They search for the scorpion. But the scorpion is not found. The neighbours are superstitious. According to them, if the scorpion moves, the poison in the mother's blood will also move. However, their efforts to find the scorpion go in vain.

          A monk arrives. He performs rituals. He performs his incantations (prayer). However (But/Yet), the mother's sufferings continue. The speaker's father is a rationalist. He is a sceptic. He applies powder and herb on the bitten toe. He applies paraffin. But the mother still suffers in pain. Therefore, the father's efforts are useless. After twenty hours, the poison loses its sting. The mother becomes normal. She thanks God that the scorpion has stung her and spared her children. This shows her true love. She is happy that her children are safe. Thus, "Night of the Scorpion" is a beautiful poem. It presents the life of villages. People are very affectionate. However, people are superstitious. It beautifully presents the mother's love.