Decameron Ninth Day, Fourth Story Summary

The Two Ceccos

Storyteller: Neifile
Everyone roared with laughter at Calandrino's explanation for how he got pregnant. Just goes to show you, says Neifile, that it's pointless to ask some people to think before they open their mouth.

So let's get this straight: we have two guys born in Siena, both named Cecco (say "check-oh"). One's surnamed Angiulieri and the other Fortarrigo.
They both really hate their dads.
Cecco A. decides to try his luck at the court of a high-ranking clergyman, so he asks for money from his hated father.
Cecco F. asks if he can go along as a servant. But Cecco A. knows that Cecco F. is a drunkard and gambler, so he says no.
Cecco F. whines enough that Cecco A. gives in. Cecco F. promises to be good.
But he can't, because he's a drunkard and a gambler.
On the first day out, he loses all of his clothes and money at the gambling tables.
Then he loses all of Cecco A's clothes and money.
When Cecco A. can't find his companion, he decides to pack up and leave without him.
But his purse is gone. He can't settle his bill at the inn.
When Cecco F. finally appears (wearing only a shirt), Cecco A. is ready to kill him.
Cecco F. pretends like his friend is talking about someone else and continues to ask him for money to get his "doublet" out of the pawn shop.
He follows Cecco A. on the road out of town and pretends that Cecco A. robbed him of his money and clothes.
Some local farmers block Cecco A. on the road and beat him up. They give his belongings to Cecco F.
Cecco A. has to slink off to another town and get help again from the father he despises.
Don't worry, says Neifile: Cecco A. gets the opportunity for revenge on Cecco F. at a later date.