Chapter 25
There was once a huckster* who kept an ass, and when he heard that some cheap salt was being sold at the seaside, he drove his ass there to buy some. After having loaded the ass with as much salt as it could carry, the huckster drove him home alongside a slippery ledge of rock, until the ass accidentally fell into the river below. When the salt dissolved, the ass was relieved of his burden so that he reached the bank with ease. Then he continued his journey, light in body and spirit. Some time later, the huckster set off for the seashore for some more salt and loaded the ass, if possible, with even more quantity than before. On their way home, they crossed the river into which the ass had previously fallen, and this time he slipped into the water on purpose. Once again the salt dissolved, and the ass was relieved of his load. Disturbed by the loss of the salt, the huckster tried to think of a way to cure his ass from performing this trick. So, on his next journey to the coast, he placed a load of sponges on the beast. When they arrived at the same river as before, the ass was up to his old tricks and rolled himself into the water. But the sponges became soaking wet, and the ass discovered to his dismay that his burden had doubled its weight instead of getting lighter.
The same ploy when repeated indiscreetly, invariably boomerangs.
