As they crossed a stream, the donkey laden with salt lost his footing and fell into the water. To the donkey's surprise and delight, the salt dissolved and he stood up with no burden to bear at all.
The other donkey decided to do the same, falling into the water on purpose. The sponges swelled with water, becoming so heavy that the donkey could not get up, and he drowned.
Imitate others at your peril.
Inspired by: Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists by Roger L'Estrange, 408.
Notes: This is Perry 180. This version is unusual by having two donkeys, one trying to imitate the other. Usually the story is told about a donkey who crosses the stream twice: the first time carrying salt, and the second time with the sponges.
Here is an illustration by Billinghurst:
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