The Donkey and the Merchant
A salt merchant set out for the market with his donkey loaded with heavy bags of salt. Slipping into the water while crossing a river, the donkey noticed his load lightened as the salt dissolved. Delighted with this outcome, the cunning donkey began intentionally lying down in the river on subsequent trips. Realizing the donkey's trickery, the merchant decided to teach him an unforgettable lesson.
Next time, instead of salt, the merchant loaded the donkey's back with light sponges and led him to the river. When the donkey performed his trick again and lay in the river, the sponges absorbed water and grew immensely heavy. Barely managing to climb out of the water, the donkey paid for his trickery by carrying a far heavier load. Those seeking ease through deceit and cunning end up crushed under their own tricks.
Cunning does not always work. The deceitful fall into their own trap. Taking the easy way out leads to hardship. Excessive cunning brings disaster.
Uncalculated tricks turn against you. Sponges absorb water, the clever learns a lesson. Over-cleverness hurts the trickster.