other, and seized each other by the hair. At the end of the struggle Master Antonio found in his hands the wig of Geppetto, and Geppetto noticed that he had the speckled wig of the woodcutter in his mouth! “Give me my wig!” cried Master Antonio.
“Then give me mine, and let us make peace.”
The old men, after having returned their wigs, shook hands and swore to remain good friends all their lives.
Peace having been restored, the woodcutter said, “What then, brother Geppetto, can I do for you?”
“I should like a piece of wood to make a marionette. Will you give it to me?”
Master Antonio gladly took up the piece of wood that had frightened him so. But when he was about to hand it to Geppetto the piece of wood gave a spring, and, slipping violently from his hands, fell and struck the shins of poor Geppetto.
“Ah! you are very polite when you give presents! Truly, Master Antonio, you have nearly lamed me.”
“I swear to you that I did not do it.”
“Then I did it.”
“The fault is all in this piece of wood.”
“I know that, but it was you who threw it at my legs.”
