Federigo’s Falcon

Long ago in Florence there lived a young man named Federigo, renowned
both for his prowess with weapons and his courtliness. As in the common
gentlemen, Federigo fell in love with a married woman, Monna Giovanna, one of
the most beautiful and charming women in Florence. To gain her attention, he
spends his money exorbitantly to court her. She, however, doesn't take any
notice, and Federigo is forced into poverty in the country with only his prized
falcon for company.
Monna Giovanna's husband dies, for her mourning period she moves to
one of the estates of her country with her son, which lay very near to that of
Federigo. And so it befall that her son began to make friends with Federigo and
to show fondness with his hawk. One day, unfortunately the boy falls ill and
asks for Federigo's falcon to cure him. The mother is troubled at the thought of
taking Federigo's only source of income, but she decides to try for the sake of
her son.
Monna Giovanna, went with another lady to Federigo’s little house. As
soon as she saw him, the lady told him that, she came to have breakfast with
him this morning as to make up for what he has lost by loving her more than
himself.
Federigo welcomes Monna Giovanna into his house, but soon he becomes
anxious when he realizes that he has nothing to feed her. In this desperate straits
his glance happened to fall on his falcon, so to make a good impression, he killed
the falcon without thinking twice, and roasted it. After breakfast, Monna
Giovanna begs Federigo to give her the falcon, whereupon he becomes
inconsolable and bursts into tears because he cannot comply with her request.
Sadly, the son passes away, and Monna Giovanna is required to remarry.
Remembering Federigo’s high desert, and the magnificent generosity with which
he had killed his falcon to do her honor, she made a decision. She declares that
she will have no one but Federigo, and together with her riches and Federigo's
newfound sense, they live happily for the rest of their days.