The text kept in the collection Nino Pozzo in Verona is a typewritten copy of a manuscript belonging to puppeteer Maria Signorelli, typed by Rinaldo Striuli in October 1980. The manuscript came from Bolognese puppeteer A. Frattini, who had copied it in February 1965. The swapping of identities between Florindo and Fasolino also has linguistic consequences, since Florindo, as Fasolino, begins to speak Emilian, while Fasolino suddenly speaks in Italian. As for Brighella, he speaks Venetian.

A play bearing the same title exists in the repertory of the Bolognese puppeteer Angelo Cuccoli. It is attributed to Alberto Massone, alias “Marchese Cagnara” (1862-1935) and Oreste Trebbi, alias “Ettore Bresbi” (1872-1944). It was published in Bologna in 1910, in the collection “Teatro per Burattini Angelo Cuccoli”.

Florindo wants to marry Isabella, the daughter of a pork’s butcher. His father Balanzone opposes their union and wants Florindo to marry a baroness. Since his son refuses, Balanzone sends him to Venice for his studies, so that he will be far from Isabella. Florindo is hopeless and asks Brighella for help, and the latter takes him to the magician Arcaleus. The magician hands him two magic rings. Those who wear them will swap identities. The second ring falls into the hands of Fasolino, who owes a lot of debts in town. Florindo becomes Fasolino, and Fasolino, Florindo. After several misunderstandings and twists and turns, Fasolino, with the appearance of Florindo, ends up in jail, but people believe he is mad, and he is freed. Out of anger, he throws the ring on to the ground and thus regains his true appearance, which breaks the spell. Brighella reveals the plot. The story ends with a happy ending – Florindo is permitted to marry Isabella, and Fasolino expresses his joy because, while they swapped identities, Florindo repaid most of his debts.