The donkey went through the water, splash! splash! splash! In the middle of the stream was a large stone which he did not see.
He stumbled and fell, and the water ran over the bags of salt.
Soon the donkey was glad that he had fallen, for he found his load much lighter.
They came to another stream, but the donkey did not stumble this time. He lay down in the middle of the brook.
He was a wise donkey.
This time he lost so much salt that his master was angry, for he was obliged to go back to the seashore for another load.
As they were walking along, the merchant laughed to himself.
He thought he knew a way to cure the donkey of this trick.
When they came to the seashore, he filled the bags with sponges, and started for home.
The donkey thought, “What a light load I have,” and trotted gaily along over the rough road.