It opened at once , and displayed such costly treasures that the landlord made up his mind on the spot to steal it . When Antonio awoke next morning , the host handed him over a table-cloth exactly like his own , and carrying it carefully over his arm , the foolish youth went straight to his mother 's house , and said : ` Now we shall be rich beyond the dreams of avarice , and need never go about in rags again , or lack the best of food . ' With these words he spread the table-cloth on the ground and said , ` Table-cloth , open . ' But he might repeat the injunction as often as he pleased , it was only waste of breath , for nothing happened . When Antonio saw this he turned to his mother and said : ` That old scoundrel of a landlord has done me once more ; but he will live to repent it , for if I ever enter his inn again , I will make him suffer for the loss of my donkey and the other treasures he has robbed me of . ' Masella was in such a rage over her fresh disappointment that she could not restrain her impatience , and , turning on Antonio , she abused him soundly , and told him to get out of her sight at once , for she would never acknowledge him as a son of hers again . The poor boy was very depressed by her words , and slunk back to his master like a dog with his tail between his legs . When the ogre saw him , he guessed at once what had happened . He gave Antonio a good scolding , and said , ' I do n't know what prevents me smashing your head in , you useless ne'er - do-well ! You blurt everything out , and your long tongue never ceases wagging for a moment . If you had remained silent in the inn this misfortune would never have overtaken you , so you have only yourself to blame for your present suffering . ' Antonio listened to his master 's words in silence , looking for all the world like a whipped dog . When he had been three more years in the ogre 's service he had another bad fit of home-sickness , and longed very much to see his mother and sisters again . So he asked for permission to go home on a visit , and it was at once granted to him . Before he set out on his journey the ogre presented him with a beautifully carved stick and said , ` Take this stick as a remembrance of me ; but beware of saying , `` Rise up , Stick , '' and `` Lie down , Stick , '' for if you do , I can only say I would n't be in your shoes for something . ' Antonio took the stick and said , ` Do n't be in the least alarmed , I 'm not such a fool as you think , and know better than most people what two and two make . ' ` I 'm glad to hear it , ' replied the ogre , ` but words are women , deeds are men . You have heard what I said , and forewarned is forearmed . ' This time Antonio thanked his master warmly for all his kindness , and started on his homeward journey in great spirits ; but he had not gone half a mile when he said ` Rise up , Stick . ' The words were hardly out of his mouth when the stick rose and began to rain down blows on poor Antonio 's back with such lightning-like rapidity that he had hardly strength to call out , ` Lie down , Stick ' ; but as soon as he uttered the words the stick lay down , and ceased beating his back black and blue .
Although he had learnt a lesson XXXXX some cost to himself , Antonio was full of joy , for he saw a way now of revenging himself on the wicked landlord .
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