<SPAN name="THE_ASS_AND_HIS_BURDENS"></SPAN>
<h2>THE ASS AND HIS BURDENS</h2>
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<p>A Pedlar who owned an Ass one day bought a quantity of salt, and
loaded up his beast with as much as he could bear. On the way home
the Ass stumbled as he was crossing a stream and fell into the
water. The salt got thoroughly wetted and much of it melted and
drained away, so that, when he got on his legs again, the Ass found
his load had become much less heavy. His master, however, drove him
back to town and bought more salt, which he added to what remained
in the panniers, and started out again. No sooner had they reached
a stream than the Ass lay down in it, and rose, as before, with a
much lighter load. But his master detected the trick, and turning
back once more, bought a large number of sponges, and piled them on
the back of the Ass. When they came to the stream the Ass again lay
down: but this time, as the sponges soaked up large quantities of
water, he found, when he got up on his legs, that he had a bigger
burden to carry than ever.</p>
<p class="adage">You may play a good card once too often.</p>
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