So, when the parents were gone, the pair set forth again, till they came to a place not far from where the mother of Antonuccio lived.
“I will go and see my mother,” he said.
“Do not go, for she will kiss thee, and thou wilt forget me,” replied Marietta.
“But I will take good care that she does not kiss me,” answered Antonuccio. “Only wait a day.”
He went and saw his mother, and both were in great joy at meeting again, but he implored her not to kiss him. And being weary, he went to sleep, and his mother, unheeding his request, kissed him while he slept. And when he awoke, Marietta was completely forgotten.
So the curse of the witch came to pass. And he lived with his mother, and in time fell in love with another girl. Then they appointed a day for their wedding.
Meanwhile, Marietta lived where she had been left, and made a fairy friend who knew all that was going on far and near. One day she told Marietta that Antonuccio was to be married.
Marietta begged her to go and steal some dough (from the house of the bride). The friend did so, and Marietta made of the dough two cakes in the form of puppets, or children, and one she called Antonuccio and the other Marietta.
Then, on the day of the feast, the first day of the wedding, she begged her friend to go and put the two puppets on the bridal table.
She did so, and when all were assembled, the puppet Marietta began to speak: