Barolo_ was faigne to lie on a little straw, in a small stable, close adjoyning by his owne Mule and the Asse. The woman understanding, what good and honest welcome, Gossip _John_ afforded her husband, when he came to _Barletta_, was often very willing to goe lodge with an honest neighbour of hers, called _Carapresa di Giudice Leo_, because the two Gossips might both lie together in one bed; wherewith divers times she acquainted her Husband, but by no meanes he would admit it. At one time among the rest, as she was making the same motion againe to her Husband, that his friend might be lodged in better manner: Gossip _John_ thus spake to her. Good _Zita Carapresa_, never molest your selfe for me, because I lodge to mine owne contentment, and so much the rather, in regard that whensoever I list: I can convert my Mule into a faire young woman, to give mee much delight in the night-season, and afterward make her a Mule againe: thus am I never without her company. The young woman wondring at these words, and beleeving he did not fable in them: she told them to her Husband, with this addition beside, _Pietro_ (quoth she) if he be such a deare friend to thee, as thou hast often avouched to me; with him to instruct thee in so rare a cunning, that thou maist make a Mule of me; then shalt thou have both an Asse and a Mule to travell withall about thy businesse, whereby thy benefit will be double: and when we returne home to our house; then thou maist make mee thy wife againe, in the same condition as I was before. Gossip _Pietro_, who was (indeed) but a very Coxecombe; beleeved also the words to be true, yeelding therefore the more gladly to her advise; and moving the matter to his Gossip _John_, to teach him such a wonderfull secret, which would redound so greatly to his benefit: but _John_ began to disswade him from it, as having spoken it in merriment, yet perceiving, that no contradiction would serve to prevaile, thus he began. Seeing you will needs have it so, let us rise to morrow morning before day, as in our travell we use to doe, and then I will shew you how it is to be done: onely I must and doe confesse, that the most difficult thing of all the rest, is, to fasten on the taile, as thou shalt see.