Location: Merchant’s house

Characters: The salt merchant and the donkey

Items: House, trees, and cotton sacks

Action: Merchant loading the donkey with cotton sacks

The next morning, the merchant loaded the donkey with sacks of cotton instead of salt.

The donkey didn’t notice the difference.

They began their journey as usual.

Location: Riverbank

Characters: The salt merchant and the donkey

Items: Water, mountains, a bridge, stones, and cotton sacks

Action: A salt merchant watching a tripped donkey

When they got to the river, the donkey pretended that he had slipped and fallen again.

He thought his trick would work just like before.

This time, however, something unexpected happened!

Location: Riverbank

Characters: The salt merchant and the donkey

Items: Water, mountains, a bridge, stones, and cotton sacks

Action: Donkey struggling with the soaked cotton sacks

When the donkey stood up, the cotton sacks were soaked with water.

Instead of getting lighter, the load became much heavier.

The donkey struggled to walk.

Location: Riverbank

Characters: The salt merchant and the donkey

Items: Water, mountains, a bridge, stones, and cotton sacks

Action: Donkey feeling guilty for tricking the merchant

The donkey realized his plan had backfired.

He felt bad for being lazy and tricking the merchant.

He knew he had made a big mistake.