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.

一个小贩赶着他的驴子去海边买盐。【爱好文学】要跨过小溪的时候，驴子不小心迈错了步子，摔倒在河里。由于河水溶化了一部分盐，因此驴子感到轻松多了。发现了这一点的驴子暗自高兴。又一次，他假装跌倒，背上的负担果然减轻了不少。小贩明白了他的小计谋后决心给他一个教训。他们再次出发去海边，可是这次小贩买的是遇水膨胀的海绵，而不是会溶化的盐。到了小溪边，自作聪明的驴子故技重施。结果，背上的海绵浸了水，重量是原来的两倍，可怜的驴子只能自食苦果。

一个人不可能永远被蒙在鼓里。