As fate would have it, Maitre Hauchecorne's search becomes the talk of the town, with other market-goers mocking and ridiculizing him for attaching so much importance to such a trivial item. They see his preoccupation as comical, and their laughter only intensifies when Maitre Hauchecorne offers a reward of twenty sous to anyone who finds the string.
Unbeknownst to him, a shrewd innkeeper named Maitre Malandain discreetly retrieves the piece of string and discreetly returns it to Maitre Hauchecorne, who is overjoyed to have it back in his possession. However, Maitre Malandain takes advantage of Maitre Hauchecorne's desperation by demanding a two-franc reward, far exceeding its worth.
Despite the financial burden, Maitre Hauchecorne reluctantly pays Maitre Malandain the demanded sum, as he values the return of the string more than the cost. Feeling both frustrated and somewhat foolish, he eventually makes his way home.
As the story concludes, the narrator reflects on the human tendency to attach significance to seemingly insignificant objects, often leading to comical or absurd situations. "The Piece of String" serves as a humorous exploration of the human pursuit of perceived value and the potential for trivial matters to take on an inflated importance in our lives.