The Ass And The Load Of Salt

by Aesop

　　A Merchant, driving his Ass homeward from the seashore with aheavy load of salt, came to a river crossed by a shallow ford.They had crossed this river many times before without accident,but this time the Ass slipped and fell when halfway over. Andwhen the Merchant at last got him to his feet, much of the salthad melted away. Delighted to find how much lighter his burdenhad become, the Ass finished the journey very gayly.

　　Next day the Merchant went for another load of salt. On the wayhome the Ass, remembering what had happened at the ford,purposely let himself fall into the water, and again got rid ofmost of his burden.

　　The angry Merchant immediately turned about and drove the Assback to the seashore, where he loaded him with two great basketsof sponges. At the ford the Ass again tumbled over; but when hehad scrambled to his feet, it was a very disconsolate Ass thatdragged himself homeward under a load ten times heavier thanbefore.

　　The same measures will not suit all circumstances.