Prevod

A petty merchant who owned a little donkey bought a large quantity of salt. He loaded the donkey heavily and drove it along the highway. The animal slipped and fell into the water, where the salt dissolved at once; it rose and went on its way with an easy step. After returning and taking on another load of salt, the donkey again fell into a river, and when the salt dissolved once more, it promptly got to its feet. Its master, vexed by this, saw through its tricks. He went to a perfume seller and bought a great quantity of sponges, which he piled onto the donkey’s back. As the donkey went along, it fell into the water again; but the sponges immediately soaked it up, and the donkey was driven onward carrying twice the weight.

The fable shows that the very means by which someone has prospered may often bring about their downfall.