A MULETEER set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and a Mule, both well laden. The Ass, as long as he traveled along the plain, carried his load with ease, but when he began to ascend the steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more than he could bear. He entreated his companion to relieve him of a small portion, that he might carry home the rest; but the Mule paid no attention to the request. The Ass shortly afterwards fell down dead under his burden. Not knowing what else to do in so wild a region, the Muleteer placed upon the Mule the load carried by the Ass in addition to his own, and at the top of all placed the hide of the Ass, after he had skinned him. The Mule, groaning beneath his heavy burden, said to himself: “I am treated according to my deserts. If I had only been willing to assist the Ass a little in his need, I should not now be bearing, together with his burden, himself as well.”
ラバ追いが、荷物をたっぷり積んだロバとラバを前に追い立てながら、旅に出発した。ロバは平地を進んでいるあいだは楽に荷物を運んでいたが、けわしい山道を登りはじめると、荷物が重くてとても運びきれないと感じた。ロバは、残りは家まで運ぶから、ほんの少しだけ荷物を引き受けてくれないかと仲間のラバに頼んだ。だが、ラバはその頼みに耳を貸さなかった。それからまもなく、ロバは荷物の重みにたおれて死んでしまった。こんなにさびしい土地では、ほかにどうしようもなかったので、ラバ追いは、ロバが運んでいた荷物をラバ自身の荷物に加えて積み、さらにいちばん上に、はぎとったロバの皮までのせた。重い荷物の下でうめきながら、ラバはひとりごとを言った。「こうなったのも自分のせいだ。困っていたロバをほんの少しでも助けてやっていれば、今ごろ、ロバの荷物といっしょにロバそのものまで背負わされずにすんだのに」