A Peddler drove his Ass to the seashore to buy salt. His road home lay
across a stream into which his Ass, making a false step, fell by accident and
rose up again with his load considerably lighter, as the water melted the
sack. The Peddler retraced his steps and refilled his panniers with a larger
quantity of salt than before. When he came again to the stream, the Ass fell
down on purpose in the same spot, and, regaining his feet with the weight
of his load much diminished, brayed triumphantly as if he had obtained
what he desired. The Peddler saw through his trick and drove him for the
third time to the coast, where he bought a cargo of sponges instead of salt.
The Ass, again playing the fool, fell down on purpose when he reached the
stream, but the sponges became swollen with water, greatly increasing his
load. And thus his trick recoiled on him, for he now carried on his back a
double burden.
