started to rise, but to his surprise he could hardly get up.

"What can be the matter?" he thought.

His master, laughing, said, "Have you learned your lesson, old
fellow? We shall see."

He drove the groaning donkey slowly back to the city, took the
sponges from his back, and loaded him again with salt.

When the donkey came again to the stream, he picked his way
carefully, for he did not wish to fall. This time he got across
safely, and the grocer arrived at home with his entire load of
salt.





THE THREE FISH


Three large fish lived very happily in a pond which few people
ever passed.

One of these fish was always wise, the second was wise sometimes,
but the third was never wise.

One day two men who were passing by the pond saw the fish.