Once upon a time, two asses were walking along laboriously, very tired under their burdens. One was carrying salt and the other; cotton.

When they were crossing a river, the ass laden with salt stumbled and fell into the water. When it got up, it started walking more smoothly than earlier. Seeing this, the ass carrying the cotton sat down in the river and then got up, hoping that its burden would be lighter.

The salt got dissolved in the water but the cotton soaked up the water, and became heavier. The poor as nearly drowned under the added weight.