kaana taajirun yaḥmilu akyaasa milḥin ʿalaa ḥimaarihiA merchant was carrying bags of salt on his donkey.
ʿabara al-ḥimaaru nahran fasaqaṭa fii al-maa’i wadhaaba baʿḍu al-milḥiThe donkey crossed a river and fell into the water, and some of the salt dissolved.
ṣaarati al-akyaasu akhaffa fafariḥa al-ḥimaaruThe bags became lighter, and the donkey was happy.
fii al-yawmi at-taalii ḥamala al-ḥimaaru akyaasa isfanjinThe next day the donkey carried bags of sponge.
taʿammada an yasquṭa fii an-nahri faamtaṣṣa al-isfanju al-maa’a waṣaara thaqiilan jiddanHe fell into the river on purpose, and the sponge soaked up the water and became very heavy.
taʿiba al-ḥimaaru walam yastaṭiʿ an yaquumaThe donkey grew tired and could not get up.
al-ḥiilatu qad tarjiʿu ʿalaa ṣaaḥibihaaA trick may come back on the one who plays it.