\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Era odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat puternic \u015fi mare \u015fi avea pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 palaturile sale o gr\u0103din\u0103 frumoas\u0103, bogat\u0103 de flori \u015fi me\u015fte\u015fugit\u0103 nevoie mare! A\u015fa gr\u0103din\u0103 nu se mai v\u0103zuse p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci, p-acolo. \u00cen fundul gr\u0103dinei avea \u015fi un m\u0103r care f\u0103cea mere de aur \u015fi, de c\u00e2nd \u00eel avea el, nu putuse s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce din pom mere coapte, c\u0103ci, dup\u0103 ce le vedea \u00eenflorind, cresc\u00e2nd \u015fi p\u00e2rguindu-se, venea oarecine noaptea \u015fi le fura, tocmai c\u00e2nd erau s\u0103 se coac\u0103. To\u0163i paznicii din toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia \u015fi cei mai ale\u015fi osta\u015fi, pe care \u00eei pusese \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103 p\u00e2ndeasc\u0103, n-au putut s\u0103 prinz\u0103 pe ho\u0163i. \u00cen cele mai de pe urm\u0103, veni fiul cel mai mare al \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, am crescut \u00een palaturile tale, m-am plimbat prin ast\u0103 gr\u0103din\u0103 de at\u00e2tea ori \u015fi am v\u0103zut roade foarte frumoase \u00een pomul din fundul gr\u0103dinei, dar n-am putut gusta niciodat\u0103 din ele; acum a dat \u00een copt, d\u0103-mi voie ca nop\u0163ile astea s\u0103 p\u0103zesc \u00eensumi, \u015fi m\u0103 prinz c\u0103 voi pune m\u00e2na pe acel t\u00e2lhar care ne jefuie\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dragul meu, zise tat\u0103-s\u0103u, at\u00e2\u0163ia oameni voinici au p\u0103zit \u015fi n-au f\u0103cut nici o isprav\u0103. Doresc prea mult s\u0103 v\u0103z la masa mea m\u0103car un m\u0103r din acest pom care m-a \u0163inut at\u00e2ta sum\u0103 de bani \u015fi de aceea, iat\u0103, m\u0103 \u00eenduplec \u015fi te las ca s\u0103 p\u00e2nde\u015fti, m\u0103car c\u0103 nu-mi vine a crede c\u0103 o s\u0103 izbute\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului se puse la p\u00e2nd\u0103 o s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eentreag\u0103: noaptea p\u00e2ndea \u015fi ziua se odihnea; iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd fu \u00eentr-o diminea\u0163\u0103, se \u00eentoarse trist la tat\u0103-s\u0103u \u015fi-i spuse cum priveghease p\u00e2n\u0103 la miezul nop\u0163ii, cum mai pe urm\u0103 \u00eel apucase o piroteal\u0103 de nu se mai putea \u0163inea pe picioare, cum, mai t\u00e2rziu, somnul \u00eel cople\u015fi \u015fi c\u0103zu ca un mort, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se poat\u0103 de\u015ftepta dec\u00e2t tocmai c\u00e2nd soarele era r\u0103dicat de dou\u0103 suli\u0163e, \u015fi atuncea v\u0103zu c\u0103 merele lipsesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nepoftit\u0103 fu m\u00e2hnirea tat\u0103lui s\u0103u, c\u00e2nd auzi spuindu-i-se ast\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De sil\u0103 de mil\u0103, fu nevoit a mai a\u015ftepta \u00eenc\u0103 un an, ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi voia fiului s\u0103u celui mijlociu, care cerea cu st\u0103ruin\u0163\u0103 de la tat\u0103-s\u0103u ca s\u0103-l lase \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul s\u0103 p\u00e2ndeasc\u0103, \u015fi se lega c\u0103 el va prinde pe ho\u0163ii care \u00eei f\u0103cea at\u00e2ta \u00eentristare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Timpul veni, merele \u00eencepur\u0103 a se p\u00e2rgui; atunci fiul s\u0103u cel mijlociu p\u0103zi \u015fi el; dar\u0103 p\u0103\u0163i ca \u015fi frate-s\u0103u cel mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tat\u0103-s\u0103u, dezn\u0103d\u0103jduit, pusese \u00een g\u00e2nd s\u0103-l taie; dar fiul s\u0103u cel mic, Pr\u00e2slea, veni cu rug\u0103ciune c\u0103tre tat\u0103-s\u0103u, \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, at\u00e2\u0163ia ani l-ai \u0163inut, ai suferit at\u00e2tea necazuri dup\u0103 urma acestui pom, mai las\u0103-l, rogu-te, \u015fi anul acesta, s\u0103-mi \u00eencerc \u015fi eu norocul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fugi d-aci, nesocotitule, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Fra\u0163ii t\u0103i cei mai mari, at\u00e2\u0163i \u015fi at\u00e2\u0163i oameni voinici \u015fi deprin\u015fi cu nevoile n-au putut face nimic, \u015fi tocmai tu, un mucos ca tine, o s\u0103 izbuteasc\u0103? N-auzi tu ce pr\u0103p\u0103stii spun fra\u0163ii t\u0103i? Aici trebuie s\u0103 fie ceva vr\u0103ji.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu nu m\u0103 \u00eencumet, zise Pr\u00e2slea, a prinde pe ho\u0163i, ci zic c\u0103 o \u00eencercare de voi face \u015fi eu, nu poate s\u0103-\u0163i aduc\u0103 nici un r\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi mai l\u0103s\u0103 pomul net\u0103iat \u00eenc\u0103 un an.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sosi prim\u0103vara: pomul \u00eenflori mai frumos \u015fi leg\u0103 mai mult dec\u00e2t alt\u0103dat\u0103. \u00cemp\u0103ratul se veseli de frumuse\u0163ea florilor \u015fi de mul\u0163imea roadelor sale, dar\u0103 c\u00e2nd se g\u00e2ndea c\u0103 nici \u00een anul acesta n-o s\u0103 aib\u0103 parte de merele lui cele aurite, se c\u0103ia c\u0103 l-a l\u0103sat net\u0103iat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pr\u00e2slea se ducea adesea prin gr\u0103din\u0103, da ocol m\u0103rului \u015fi tot pl\u0103nuia. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, merele \u00eencepur\u0103 a se p\u00e2rgui. Atunci fiul cel mai mic al \u00eemp\u0103ratului zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, iat\u0103 a sosit timpul; m\u0103 duc s\u0103 p\u00e2ndesc \u015fi eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Du-te, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul; dar\u0103 negre\u015fit c\u0103 \u015fi tu ai s\u0103 te \u00eentorci ru\u015finat ca \u015fi fra\u0163ii t\u0103i cei mai mari.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru mine n-are s\u0103 fie a\u015fa mare ru\u015fine, zise el; fiindc\u0103 nu numai c\u0103 sunt mai mic, dar\u0103 nici nu m\u0103 leg ca s\u0103 prinz pe t\u00e2lhari, ci numai o cercare s\u0103 fac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum veni seara, se duse, \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 c\u0103r\u0163i de cetit, dou\u0103 \u0163epu\u015fe, arcul \u015fi tolba cu s\u0103ge\u0163ile. \u00ce\u015fi alese un loc de p\u00e2nd\u0103 \u00eentr-un col\u0163 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 pom, b\u0103tu \u0163epu\u015fele \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi se puse \u00eentre ele, a\u015fa cum s\u0103-i vin\u0103 unul dinainte \u015fi altul la spate ca, dac\u0103 \u00eei va veni somn \u015fi ar mo\u0163\u0103i, s\u0103 se loveasc\u0103 cu barba \u00een cel de dinaintea lui \u015fi dac\u0103 ar da capul pe spate, s\u0103 se loveasc\u0103 cu ceafa \u00een cel de dinapoi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Astfel p\u00e2ndi p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd, \u00eentr-una din nop\u0163i, cam dup\u0103 miezul nop\u0163ii, sim\u0163i c\u0103-l atinge \u00eenceti\u015for boarea ziorilor care \u00eel \u00eemb\u0103ta cu mirosul s\u0103u cel pl\u0103cut, o piroteal\u0103 mole\u015fitoare se aleg\u0103 de ochii lui; dar\u0103 loviturile ce suferi vr\u00e2nd s\u0103 mo\u0163\u0103iasc\u0103 \u00eel de\u015fteptar\u0103, \u015fi r\u0103mase priveghind p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd, pe la rev\u0103rsat de ziori, un u\u015for f\u00e2\u015f\u00e2it se auzi prin gr\u0103din\u0103. Atunci, cu ochii \u0163int\u0103 la pom, lu\u0103 arcul \u015fi sta gata; f\u00e2\u015f\u00e2itul se auzi mai tare \u015fi un oarecine se apropie de pom \u015fi se apuc\u0103 de ramurile lui; atunci el dete o s\u0103geat\u0103, dete dou\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd dete cu a treia, un geam\u0103t ie\u015fi de l\u00e2ng\u0103 pom \u015fi apoi o t\u0103cere de moarte se f\u0103cu; iar\u0103 el, cum se lumin\u0103 pu\u0163in, culese c\u00e2teva mere din pom, le puse pe o tipsie de aur \u015fi le duse la tat\u0103l s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Niciodat\u0103 n-a sim\u0163it \u00eemp\u0103ratul mai mare bucurie dec\u00e2t c\u00e2nd a v\u0103zut la masa sa merele de aur din care nu gustase niciodat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum, zise Pr\u00e2slea, s\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103m \u015fi pe ho\u0163.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul, mul\u0163umit c\u0103 pip\u0103ise merele cele aurite, nu mai voia s\u0103 \u015ftie de ho\u0163i. Fiul s\u0103u \u00eens\u0103 nu se l\u0103sa cu una cu dou\u0103, ci, ar\u0103t\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103ratului d\u00e2ra de s\u00e2nge ce l\u0103sase pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt rana ce f\u0103cuse ho\u0163ului, \u00eei spuse c\u0103 se duse s\u0103-l caute \u015fi s\u0103-l aduc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului chiar din gaur\u0103 de \u015farpe. \u015ei chiar de a doua zi vorbi cu fra\u0163ii lui ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u00eempreun\u0103 pe urma ho\u0163ului \u015fi s\u0103-l prinz\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fra\u0163ii s\u0103i prinser\u0103 pizm\u0103 pe el pentru c\u0103 fusese mai vrednic dec\u00e2t d\u00e2n\u015fii \u015fi c\u0103utau prilej ca s\u0103-l piarz\u0103; de aceea \u015fi voir\u0103 bucuros s\u0103 mearg\u0103. Ei se preg\u0103tir\u0103 \u015fi pornir\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se luar\u0103, deci, dup\u0103 d\u00e2ra s\u00e2ngelui \u015fi merse, merse, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ie\u015fir\u0103 la pustietate, de acolo mai merse oleac\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce dete de o pr\u0103pastie, unde se \u015fi pierdu d\u00e2ra. Ocolir\u0103 \u00eempregiurul pr\u0103pastiei \u015fi v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 d\u00e2ra de s\u00e2nge nu mai \u00eenainta. Atunci pricepur\u0103 ei c\u0103 \u00een pr\u0103pastia aceea trebuie s\u0103 locuiasc\u0103 furul merelor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103 cum s\u0103 se lase \u00een\u0103untru? Poruncir\u0103 numaidec\u00e2t v\u00e2rteje \u015fi funii groase, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 se \u015fi g\u0103tir\u0103. Le a\u015fezar\u0103, \u015fi se l\u0103s\u0103 fratele cel mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar\u0103, zise el, c\u00e2nd voi scutura fr\u00e2nghia, s\u0103 m\u0103 scoate\u0163i afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa \u015fi f\u0103cur\u0103. Dup\u0103 fratele cel mare se cobor\u00ee cel mijlociu \u015fi f\u0103cu \u015fi el ca cel dint\u00e2i, at\u00e2ta numai c\u0103 se l\u0103s\u0103 ceva mai \u00een jos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum e r\u00e2ndul meu s\u0103 m\u0103 las \u00een pr\u0103pastie, zise Pr\u00e2slea, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 fra\u0163ii cei mari se codesc; c\u00e2nd voi mi\u015fca fr\u00e2nghia, voi mai mult s\u0103 m\u0103 l\u0103sa\u0163i \u00een jos; \u015fi dup\u0103 ce ve\u0163i vedea c\u0103 fr\u00e2nghia nu se mai duce la vale, s\u0103 pune\u0163i paznici, s\u0103 p\u0103zeasc\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd va vedea c\u0103 fr\u00e2nghia se mi\u015fc\u0103 de love\u015fte marginile groapei, s\u0103 o trage\u0163i afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se l\u0103s\u0103 \u015fi cel mai mic din fra\u0163i \u015fi, de ce mi\u015fca fr\u00e2nghia d-aia \u00eel l\u0103sa mai jos, \u015fi-l l\u0103sar\u0103, \u015fi-l l\u0103sar\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 fr\u00e2nghia nu mai sta \u00eentins\u0103, cum este c\u00e2nd are ceva at\u00e2rnat de cap\u0103tul ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci fra\u0163ii \u0163inur\u0103 sfat \u015fi ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 a\u015ftept\u0103m p\u00e2n\u0103 ce vom vedea dac\u0103 face vreo izb\u00e2nd\u0103, \u015fi atunci ori bine ori r\u0103u de va face, s\u0103-l pierdem, ca s\u0103 ne cur\u0103\u0163im de unul ca d\u00e2nsul care ne face de ru\u015fine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pr\u00e2slea ajunse pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul cellalt, se uit\u0103 cu sfial\u0103 \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, \u015fi cu mare mirare v\u0103zu toate lucrurile schimbate; p\u0103m\u00e2ntul, florile, copacii, lighioni altfel f\u0103ptuite erau p-acolo. Deocamdat\u0103 \u00eei cam fu fric\u0103, dar\u0103, \u00eemb\u0103rb\u0103t\u00e2ndu-se, apuc\u0103 pe un drum \u015fi merse p\u00e2n\u0103 dete de ni\u015fte palaturi cu totul \u015fi cu totul de aram\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nev\u0103z\u00e2nd nici pui de om pe care s\u0103-l \u00eentrebe c\u00e2te ceva, intr\u0103 \u00een palat, ca s\u0103 vaz\u0103 cine locuia acolo. \u00cen pragul u\u015fei \u00eel \u00eent\u00e2mpin\u0103 o fat\u0103 frumu\u015fic\u0103, care zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mul\u0163umesc lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 ajunsei s\u0103 mai v\u0103z om de pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul nostru. Cum ai ajuns aice, frate, \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 ea; aici este mo\u015fia a trei fra\u0163i zmei, care ne-a r\u0103pit de la p\u0103rin\u0163ii no\u015ftri, \u015fi suntem trei surori \u015fi fete de \u00eemp\u0103rat de pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul de unde e\u015fti tu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci el povesti \u00een scurt toat\u0103 istoria cu merele, cum a r\u0103nit pe ho\u0163 \u015fi cum a venit dup\u0103 d\u00e2ra s\u00e2ngelui p\u00e2n\u0103 la groapa pe unde s-a l\u0103sat \u00een jos la ea. \u015fi o \u00eentreb\u0103 ce fel de oameni sunt zmeii aceia \u015fi dac\u0103 sunt voinici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea \u00eei spuse apoi c\u0103 fiecare din zmei \u015fi-a ales c\u00e2te una din ele \u015fi le tot sile\u015fte s\u0103-i ia de b\u0103rba\u0163i, iar\u0103 ele se tot \u00eempotrivesc cu fel de fel de vorbe, cer\u00e2ndu-le c\u00e2te \u00een lun\u0103 \u015fi \u00een soare, \u015fi ei se fac luntre \u015fi punte de le \u00eemplinesc toate voile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei sunt \u00een adev\u0103r voinici, ad\u0103og\u0103 ea, \u00eens\u0103 cu vrerea lui Dumnezeu poate \u00eei vei birui. Dar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 una alta ascunde-te, vai de mine! undeva, s\u0103 nu dea zmeul peste tine \u00een casa lui, c\u0103 e n\u0103b\u0103d\u0103ios \u015fi se face leu-paraleu. Acum e timpul c\u00e2nd are s\u0103 vin\u0103 la pr\u00e2nz, \u015fi are obicei de arunc\u0103 buzduganul cale de un conac \u015fi love\u015fte \u00een u\u015f\u0103, \u00een mas\u0103 \u015fi se pune \u00een cui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-apuc\u0103 s\u0103 ispr\u0103veasc\u0103 vorba, \u015fi se auzi ceva c\u0103 \u015fuier\u0103, c\u0103 love\u015fte \u00een u\u015f\u0103, \u00een mas\u0103, \u015fi buzduganul se ar\u0103t\u0103 \u015fi se a\u015fez\u0103 \u00een cui. Dar\u0103 Pr\u00e2slea lu\u0103 buzduganul, \u00eel azv\u00e2rli \u00eenapoi mai departe dec\u00e2t \u00eel azv\u00e2rlise zmeul; \u015fi, c\u00e2nd era prin dreptul lui, \u00eel atinse pe umere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zmeul, speriat, st\u0103tu \u00een loc, se uit\u0103 dup\u0103 buzdugan, se duse de-l lu\u0103 \u015fi se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103. C\u00e2nd era la poart\u0103, \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 H\u00e2m! h\u00e2m! aici miroase a carne de om de pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul cellalt; \u015fi, v\u0103z\u00e2nd pe fiul de \u00eemp\u0103rat ce-i ie\u015fise \u00eenainte, \u00eei zise: Ce v\u00e2nt te-a adus pe aici, omule, ca s\u0103-\u0163i r\u0103m\u00e2ie oasele pe alt t\u0103r\u00e2m?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am venit ca s\u0103 prinz pe furii merelor de aur ale tat\u0103lui meu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Noi suntem, \u00eei zise zmeul; cum vrei s\u0103 ne batem? \u00cen buzdugane s\u0103 ne lovim, \u00een s\u0103bii s\u0103 ne t\u0103iem, ori \u00een lupt\u0103 s\u0103 ne lupt\u0103m?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba \u00een lupt\u0103, c\u0103 e mai dreapt\u0103, r\u0103spunse Pr\u00e2slea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci se apucar\u0103 la tr\u00e2nt\u0103, \u015fi se luptar\u0103 \u015fi se luptar\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd zmeul b\u0103g\u0103 pe Pr\u00e2slea \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt p\u00e2n\u0103 la glezne; iar Pr\u00e2slea se opinti o dat\u0103, aduse pe zmeu \u015fi, tr\u00e2ntindu-l, \u00eel b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een genunchi \u015fi-i \u015fi t\u0103ie capul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata, cu ochii plini de lacr\u0103mi, \u00eei mul\u0163umi c\u0103 a sc\u0103pat-o de zmeu, \u015fi-l rug\u0103 s\u0103-i fie mil\u0103 \u015fi de surorile ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se odihni vreo dou\u0103 zile, porni, dup\u0103 pova\u0163a fetei, la sor\u0103-sa cea mijlocie care avea palaturile de argint.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acolo, ca \u015fi la cea mare, fu priimit cu bucurie; fata \u00eel rug\u0103 s\u0103 se ascunz\u0103; iar el nu voi; ci, c\u00e2nd veni buzduganul s\u0103 se a\u015feze \u00een cui, pe care \u00eel aruncase zmeul ei cale de dou\u0103 conace, el \u00eel arunc\u0103 mult mai \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t, izbind \u015fi pe zmeu \u00een cap; iar\u0103 zmeul veni turburat, se lupt\u0103 cu Pr\u00e2slea ca \u015fi frate-s\u0103u cel mare, \u015fi r\u0103mase \u015fi el mort.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata, dup\u0103 ce \u00eei mul\u0163umi, \u00eel pov\u0103\u0163ui cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 ca s\u0103 scape din robie \u015fi pe sora lor cea mai mic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De\u015fi e mai puternic, zise fata, dec\u00e2t fra\u0163ii lui pe care i-ai omor\u00e2t, dar cu ajutorul lui Dumnezeu \u015fi mai ales c\u0103 e \u015fi cam bolnav din lovitura ce i-ai dat cu s\u0103geata c\u00e2nd a vrut s\u0103 fure merele, n\u0103d\u0103jduiesc c\u0103-i vei veni de hac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eentreag\u0103 se desf\u0103tar\u0103 \u00eempreun\u0103 cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 fetele, \u015fi Pr\u00e2slea odihnindu-se de ostenelile ce \u00eencercase, porni \u015fi c\u0103tre zmeul de al treilea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd palaturile de aur \u00een care locuia zmeul cel mic, r\u0103mase cam pe g\u00e2nduri, dar\u0103, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi inima \u00een din\u0163i, intr\u0103 \u00een\u0103untru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum \u00eel v\u0103zu, fata \u00eel rug\u0103 ca pe Dumnezeu s\u0103 o scape de zmeu, care, zicea ea, e ot\u0103r\u00e2t ca, \u00eendat\u0103 ce se va face s\u0103n\u0103tos bine, s\u0103 o sileasc\u0103 oricum s\u0103 se \u00eenso\u0163easc\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia ispr\u0103vise vorba \u015fi buzduganul, izbind \u00een u\u015f\u0103 \u015fi \u00een mas\u0103, se puse \u00een cui. Pr\u00e2slea \u00eentreb\u0103 ce putere are zmeul \u015fi \u00eei spuse c\u0103 arunc\u0103 buzduganul cale de trei conace; atunci el arunc\u0103 \u015fi mai departe, lovindu-l \u00een piept.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zmeul, turbat de m\u00e2nie, se \u00eentoarse numaidec\u00e2t acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine este acela care-a cutezat s\u0103 calce hotarele mele \u015fi s\u0103 intre \u00een casa mea?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt, zise Pr\u00e2slea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 e\u015fti tu, \u00eei r\u0103spunse zmeul, am s\u0103 te pedepsesc amar pentru nesocotin\u0163a ta. Cum ai vrut, venit-ai; dar\u0103 nu te vei mai duce cum vei voi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cu ajutorul lui Dumnezeu, \u00eei r\u0103spunse Pr\u00e2slea, am eu ac \u015fi de cojocul t\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci se \u00eenvoir\u0103 s\u0103 se ia la lupt\u0103 dreapt\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015fi se luptar\u0103<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015fi se luptar\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0zi de var\u0103<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0p\u00e2n\u0103 seara;<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd fu pe la n\u0103miez, se f\u0103cur\u0103 am\u00e2ndoi dou\u0103 focuri \u015fi a\u015fa se b\u0103teau; un corb \u00eens\u0103 le tot da ocol, cronc\u0103nind.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2ndu-l, zmeul \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Corbule, corbule! ia seu \u00een unghiile tale \u015fi pune peste mine, c\u0103-\u0163i voi da st\u00e2rvul \u0103sta \u0163ie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Corbule, corbule! \u00eei zise \u015fi Pr\u00e2slea, dac\u0103 vei pune peste mine seu, eu \u00ee\u0163i voi da trei st\u00e2rvuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde d\u0103 Dumnezeu s\u0103 caz\u0103 o asemenea tifl\u0103 peste mine! Mi-a\u015f s\u0103tura s\u0103la\u015ful \u00eentreg.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Adev\u0103r gr\u0103ie\u015fte gura mea, \u00eei r\u0103spunse Pr\u00e2slea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Corbul, f\u0103r\u0103 a mai \u00eent\u00e2rzia, aduse \u00een unghiile sale seu, puse peste viteazul Pr\u00e2slea, \u015fi prinse mai mult\u0103 putere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103tre sear\u0103 zise zmeul c\u0103tre fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat, care privea la d\u00e2n\u015fii cum se luptau, dup\u0103 ce se f\u0103cuser\u0103 iar\u0103 oameni:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumu\u015fica mea, d\u0103-mi ni\u0163ic\u0103 ap\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 r\u0103coresc, \u015fi-\u0163i f\u0103g\u0103duiesc s\u0103 ne cunun\u0103m chiar m\u00e2ine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumu\u015fica mea, \u00eei zise \u015fi Pr\u00e2slea, d\u0103-mi mie ap\u0103, \u015fi-\u0163i f\u0103g\u0103duiesc s\u0103 te duc pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul nostru \u015fi acolo s\u0103 ne cunun\u0103m.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-\u0163i auz\u0103 Dumnezeu vorba, voinice, \u015fi s\u0103-\u0163i \u00eemplineasc\u0103 g\u00e2ndul! \u00eei r\u0103spunse ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat dete ap\u0103 lui Pr\u00e2slea de b\u0103u \u015fi prinse mai mult\u0103 putere; atunci str\u00e2nse pe zmeu \u00een bra\u0163e, \u00eel ridic\u0103 \u00een sus \u015fi, c\u00e2nd \u00eel l\u0103s\u0103 jos, \u00eel b\u0103g\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een genunchi \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt; se opinti \u015fi zmeul, ridic\u0103 \u015fi el \u00een sus pe Pr\u00e2slea \u015fi, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-l jos, \u00eel b\u0103g\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een br\u00e2u; puindu-\u015fi toate puterile, Pr\u00e2slea mai str\u00e2nse o dat\u0103 pe zmeu de-i p\u00e2r\u00e2i oasele \u015fi, aduc\u00e2ndu-l, \u00eel tr\u00e2nti a\u015fa de grozav, de \u00eel b\u0103g\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2t \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi-i \u015fi t\u0103ie capul; iar\u0103 fetele, de bucurie, se adunar\u0103 \u00eempregiurul lui, \u00eel luau \u00een bra\u0163e, \u00eel s\u0103rutau \u015fi \u00eei ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De azi \u00eenainte frate s\u0103 ne fii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei spuser\u0103 apoi c\u0103 fiecare din palaturile zmeilor are c\u00e2te un bici, cu care love\u015fte \u00een cele patru col\u0163uri ale lor \u015fi se fac ni\u015fte mere. A\u015fa f\u0103cur\u0103, \u015fi fiecare din fete avur\u0103 c\u00e2te un m\u0103r. Se preg\u0103tir\u0103, deci, s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul nostru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd la groap\u0103, cleten\u0103 fr\u00e2nghia de se lovi de toate m\u0103rginile groapei. Paznicii de sus pricepur\u0103 c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 trag\u0103 fr\u00e2nghia. Se puser\u0103 la v\u00e2rtejuri \u015fi scoaser\u0103 pe fata cea mare cu m\u0103rul ei de aram\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea, cum ajunse sus, ar\u0103t\u0103 un r\u0103v\u0103\u015fel ce-i dase Pr\u00e2slea, \u00een care scria c\u0103 are s\u0103 ia de b\u0103rbat pe frate-s\u0103u cel mai mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bucuria fetei fu nespus\u0103 c\u00e2nd se v\u0103zu iar\u0103 pe lumea unde se n\u0103scuse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0L\u0103sar\u0103 din nou fr\u00e2nghia \u015fi scoase \u015fi pe fata cea mijlocie, cu m\u0103rul ei cel de argint \u015fi cu o alt\u0103 scrisoare, \u00een care o hot\u0103ra Pr\u00e2slea de so\u0163ie fratelui celui mijlociu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai l\u0103sar\u0103 fr\u00e2nghia \u015fi scoase \u015fi pe fata cea mic\u0103: aceasta era logodnica lui Pr\u00e2slea; \u00eens\u0103 m\u0103rul ei cel de aur nu-l dete, ci \u00eel \u0163inu la sine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El sim\u0163ise de mai-nainte c\u0103 fra\u0163ii s\u0103i \u00eei poart\u0103 s\u00e2mbetele \u015fi, c\u00e2nd se mai l\u0103s\u0103 fr\u00e2nghia ca s\u0103-l ridice \u015fi pe el, d\u00e2nsul leg\u0103 o piatr\u0103 \u015fi puse c\u0103ciula deasupra ei, ca s\u0103-i cerce; iar\u0103 fra\u0163ii dac\u0103 v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103ciula, socotind c\u0103 este fratele loc cel mic, sl\u0103bir\u0103 v\u00e2rtejile \u015fi dete drumul fr\u00e2nghiei, care se l\u0103s\u0103 \u00een jos cu mare iu\u0163eal\u0103, ceea ce f\u0103cu pe fra\u0163i s\u0103 creaz\u0103 c\u0103 Pr\u00e2slea s-a pr\u0103p\u0103dit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Luar\u0103, deci, fetele, le duser\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eei spuser\u0103 cu pref\u0103cut\u0103 m\u00e2hnire c\u0103 fratele lor s-a pr\u0103p\u0103dit, \u015fi se cununar\u0103 cu fetele, dup\u0103 cum r\u00e2nduise Pr\u00e2slea. Iar\u0103 cea mic\u0103 nu voia cu nici un chip s\u0103 se m\u0103rite, nici s\u0103 ia pe altul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pr\u00e2slea, care \u015fedea doparte, v\u0103zu piatra care c\u0103zuse cu zgomot, mul\u0163umi lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 i-a sc\u0103pat zilele \u015fi se g\u00e2ndea ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 ca s\u0103 ias\u0103 afar\u0103. Pre c\u00e2nd se g\u00e2ndea \u015fi se pl\u00e2ngea d\u00e2nsul, auzi un \u0163ip\u0103t \u015fi o v\u0103ietare care \u00eei \u00eemplu inima de jale; se uit\u0103 \u00eempregiur \u015fi v\u0103zu un balaur care se \u00eencol\u0103cise pe un copaci \u015fi se urca s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce ni\u015fte pui de zgripsor. Scoase palo\u015ful Pr\u00e2slea, se repezi la balaur \u015fi numaidec\u00e2t \u00eel f\u0103cu \u00een buc\u0103\u0163ele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Puii, cum v\u0103zur\u0103, \u00eei mul\u0163umir\u0103 \u015fi-i ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vino \u00eencoa, omule viteaz, s\u0103 te ascundem aici, c\u0103, de te va vedea mama noastr\u0103, te \u00eenghite de bucurie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Traser\u0103 o pan\u0103 de la unul din pui \u015fi-l ascunser\u0103 \u00een ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd veni zgripsoroaica \u015fi v\u0103zu gr\u0103mada aia mare de buc\u0103\u0163ele de balaur, \u00eentreb\u0103 pe pui, cine le-a f\u0103cut \u0103st bine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mam\u0103, ziser\u0103 ei, este un om de pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul cel\u0103lalt \u015fi a apucat \u00eencoa spre r\u0103s\u0103rit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 duc, le zise ea, s\u0103-i mul\u0163umesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea porni ca v\u00e2ntul \u00eenspre partea \u00eencotro \u00eei spusese puii c\u0103 a apucat omul. Dup\u0103 c\u00e2teva minute, se \u00eentoarse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Spune\u0163i-mi drept, le zise, \u00eencotro s-a dus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Spre apus, mam\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eentr-o bucat\u0103 de vreme, ca de c\u00e2nd \u00eencepui s\u0103 v\u0103 povestesc, str\u0103b\u0103tu cele patru p\u0103r\u0163i ale t\u0103r\u00e2mului de jos \u015fi se \u00eentoarse cu de\u015fert. Ea ceru ca numaidec\u00e2t s\u0103-i spuie. \u00cen cele mai de pe urm\u0103, \u00eei ziser\u0103 puii:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 \u0163i l-om ar\u0103ta, mam\u0103, ne f\u0103g\u0103duie\u015fti c\u0103 nu-i vei face nimic?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 V\u0103 f\u0103g\u0103duiesc, dragii mei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci ei \u00eel scoaser\u0103 din pan\u0103 \u015fi \u00eel ar\u0103tar\u0103; iar\u0103 ea, de bucurie, \u00eel str\u00e2nse \u00een bra\u0163e \u015fi c\u00e2t p-aci era s\u0103-l \u00eenghi\u0163\u0103, dac\u0103 nu l-ar fi acoperit puii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce bine vrei s\u0103-\u0163i fac \u015fi eu, pentru c\u0103 mi-ai sc\u0103pat puii de moarte?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 m\u0103 sco\u0163i pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul cel\u0103lalt, r\u0103spunse Pr\u00e2slea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Greu lucru mi-ai cerut, \u00eei zise zgripsoroaica; dar\u0103 pentru c\u0103 \u0163ie \u00ee\u0163i sunt datoare m\u00e2ntuirea puilor mei, m\u0103 \u00eenvoiesc la asta. Preg\u0103te\u015fte 100 oca de carne f\u0103cut\u0103 buc\u0103\u0163ele de c\u00e2te o oca una, \u015fi 100 p\u00e2ini.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u0103cu ce f\u0103cu Pr\u00e2slea, g\u0103ti p\u00e2inile \u015fi carnea \u015fi le duse la gura groapei. Zgripsoroaica zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pune-te deasupra mea cu merinde cu tot \u015fi, de c\u00e2te ori oi \u00eentoarce capul, s\u0103-mi dai c\u00e2te o p\u00e2ine \u015fi c\u00e2te o bucat\u0103 de carne.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se a\u015fezar\u0103 \u015fi pornir\u0103, d\u00e2ndu-i, de c\u00e2te ori cerea, p\u00e2ine \u015fi carne. C\u00e2nd era aproape, aproape s\u0103 ias\u0103 deasupra, pas\u0103rea uria\u015f\u0103 mai \u00eentoarse capul s\u0103-i mai dea dem\u00e2ncare; dar\u0103 carnea se sf\u00e2r\u015fise. Atunci Pr\u00e2slea, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi piard\u0103 cump\u0103tul, trase palo\u015ful \u015fi-\u015fi t\u0103ie o bucat\u0103 de carne moale din coapsa piciorului de sus \u015fi o dete zgripsoroaicei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce ajunser\u0103 deasupra \u015fi v\u0103zu c\u0103 Pr\u00e2slea nu putea s\u0103 \u00eemble, \u00eei zise zgripsoroaica:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 nu era binele ce mi-ai f\u0103cut \u015fi rug\u0103ciunea puilor mei, mai c\u0103 te m\u00e2ncam. Eu am sim\u0163it c\u0103 carnea care mi-ai dat \u00een urm\u0103 era mai dulce dec\u00e2t cea de mai \u00eenainte, \u015fi n-am \u00eenghi\u0163it-o; r\u0103u ai f\u0103cut de mi-ai dat-o.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi o dete afar\u0103 dintr-\u00eensa, i-o puse la loc, o unse cu scuipat de al s\u0103u, \u015fi se lipi. Atunci se \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015far\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi mul\u0163umir\u0103 unul alteia, \u015fi se desp\u0103r\u0163ir\u0103; ea se duse \u00een pr\u0103pastia de unde ie\u015fiser\u0103 \u015fi Pr\u00e2slea plec\u0103 c\u0103tre \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia tat\u0103lui s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Plec\u00e2nd c\u0103tre ora\u015ful \u00een care locuia p\u0103rin\u0163ii \u015fi fra\u0163ii s\u0103i, \u00eembr\u0103cat fiind \u00een haine proaste \u0163\u0103r\u0103ne\u015fti, \u00eent\u00e2lni ni\u015fte drume\u0163i \u015fi afl\u0103 de la d\u00e2n\u015fii c\u0103 fra\u0163ii lui au luat de so\u0163ii pe fetele care le-a trimis el, dup\u0103 cum le hot\u0103r\u00e2se \u00eensu\u015fi, c\u0103 p\u0103rin\u0163ii lui erau foarte m\u00e2hni\u0163i de pieirea fiului lor celui mai mic, c\u0103 fata cea mic\u0103 e \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 \u00een negru \u015fi-l jele\u015fte \u015fi c\u0103 nu voie\u015fte a se m\u0103rita nici \u00een ruptul capului, m\u0103car c\u0103 a pe\u0163it-o mai mul\u0163i fii de \u00eemp\u0103rat; c\u0103 acum, \u00een cele din urm\u0103, fra\u0163ii lui i-a adus un ginere prea frumos \u015fi c\u0103 o silesc cu to\u0163ii s\u0103-l ia \u015fi c\u0103 nu se \u015ftie de va putea sc\u0103pa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pr\u00e2slea, auzind de toate acestea, nu pu\u0163in s-a \u00eentristat \u00een sufletul lui \u015fi, cu inima \u00eenfr\u00e2nt\u0103, a intrat \u00een ora\u015f. Mai cercet\u00e2nd \u00een sus \u015fi \u00een jos, afl\u0103 c\u0103 fata a zis \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u0103, dac\u0103 voie\u015fte s\u0103 o m\u0103rite cu t\u00e2n\u0103rul care i-l aduser\u0103, s\u0103 porunceasc\u0103 a-i face \u015fi a-i aduce la odoare o furc\u0103 cu caierul \u015fi fusul cu totul de aur \u015fi s\u0103 toarc\u0103 singur\u0103, fiindc\u0103 a\u015fa \u00eei f\u0103cuse \u015fi zmeul \u015fi asta \u00eel pl\u0103cea mult. Mai afl\u0103 c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul chemase pe starostea de argintari \u015fi-i poruncise zic\u00e2ndu-i:”Iat\u0103, de azi \u00een trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni s\u0103-mi dai gata furca care o cere fata mea cea mic\u0103; c\u0103 de unde nu, unde-\u0163i stau picioarele, \u00ee\u0163i va sta \u015fi capul”; \u015fi bietul argintar se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103 trist \u015fi pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Pr\u00e2slea se duse de se b\u0103g\u0103 ucenic la argintar.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pr\u00e2slea, tot v\u0103z\u00e2nd pe st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u v\u0103it\u00e2ndu-se fiindc\u0103 nu izbutise a face furca dup\u0103 porunceal\u0103, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, te v\u0103z trist c\u0103 nu po\u0163i s\u0103 faci furca ce \u0163i-a poruncit \u00eemp\u0103ratul, iat\u0103, mai sunt trei zile p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 se \u00eemplineasc\u0103 sorocul ce \u0163i-a dat; las\u0103-m\u0103 pe mine s\u0103 o fac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argintarul \u00eel goni, zic\u00e2ndu-i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 At\u00e2\u0163i me\u015fteri mari n-au putut s\u0103 o fac\u0103, \u015fi tocmai un tren\u0163eros ca tine s\u0103 o fac\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 nu-\u0163i voi da furca de azi \u00een trei zile, r\u0103spunse Pr\u00e2slea, s\u0103-mi faci ce vei voi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci se \u00eenvoir\u0103 a-i da o odaie s\u0103 lucreze numai Pr\u00e2slea singur, \u015fi pe fiecare noapte s\u0103-i dea c\u00e2te o tr\u0103istu\u0163\u0103 de alune \u015fi c\u00e2te un pahar de vin bun.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argintarul \u00eei ducea grija, fiindc\u0103, ascult\u00e2nd pe la u\u015fe, n-auzea alt dec\u00e2t cum sp\u0103rgea la alune pe nicoval\u0103! Iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd fu a treia zi, el ie\u015fi dis-de-diminea\u0163\u0103 din odaie cu furca pe tav\u0103, pe care o scosese din m\u0103rul zmeului, ce era la d\u00e2nsul, \u015fi o dete argintarului ca s\u0103 o duc\u0103 fetei \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argintarul nu mai putea de bucurie, \u015fi-i f\u0103cu un r\u00e2nd de haine; iar pe la n\u0103miez, c\u00e2nd venise slujitorii \u00eemp\u0103ratului ca s\u0103-l chele la palat, el se duse \u015fi \u00eei dete furca care torcea singur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce \u00eemp\u0103ratul se minun\u0103 de frumuse\u0163ea ei, dete argintarului doi saci de bani.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata, cum v\u0103zu furca, \u00eei trecu un fier ars prin inim\u0103; ea cunoscu furca \u015fi pricepu c\u0103 Pr\u00e2slea cel viteaz trebuie s\u0103 fi ie\u015fit deasupra p\u0103m\u00e2ntului. Atunci zise \u00eemp\u0103ratului:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, cine a f\u0103cut furca poate s\u0103-mi fac\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 un lucru pe care mi l-a adus la odoare zmeul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul chem\u0103 \u00eendat\u0103 pe argintar \u015fi-i porunci s\u0103-i fac\u0103 o clo\u015fc\u0103 cu pui cu totul \u015fi cu totul de aur, \u015fi-i dete soroc de trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni, \u015fi dac\u0103 nu i-o face-o, unde \u00eei st\u0103 picioarele \u00eei va sta \u015fi capul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argintarul, ca \u015fi de-lalt r\u00e2nd, se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103 trist; despre\u0163ui ca \u015fi \u00eent\u00e2ia oar\u0103 pe Pr\u00e2slea, care \u00eel \u00eentrebase \u015fi de ast\u0103 dat\u0103; iar\u0103 dac\u0103 se \u00een\u0163eleser\u0103 la cuvinte, se \u00eenvoir\u0103 \u015fi lucrul se \u015fi s\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fi cu bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd v\u0103zu argintarul clo\u015fca clonc\u0103nind \u015fi puii piuind, cu totul \u015fi cu totul de aur \u015fi ciugulind mei tot de aur, \u00een\u0163elese c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie lucru m\u0103iestru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argintarul lu\u0103 clo\u015fca, o duse la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, iar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul, dup\u0103 ce se minun\u0103 \u00eendestul de frumuse\u0163ea \u015fi ging\u0103\u015fia lor, o duse fetei \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103, \u0163i s-au \u00eemplinit toate voile; acum, fata mea, s\u0103 te g\u0103te\u015fti de nunt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, \u00eei mai zise fata, cine a f\u0103cut aste dou\u0103 lucruri trebuie s\u0103 aib\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103rul de aur al zmeului; porunce\u015fte, rogu-te, argintarului s\u0103 aduc\u0103 pe me\u015fterul care le-a f\u0103cut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Primiind porunca asta, argintarul se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului rug\u00e2ndu-l s\u0103-l ierte \u015fi zic\u00e2ndu-i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum o s\u0103 aduc \u00eenaintea m\u0103riei-tale pe me\u015fter, fiindc\u0103 este un om prost \u015fi tren\u0163\u0103ros \u015fi nu este vrednic s\u0103 vaz\u0103 luminata fa\u0163\u0103 a m\u0103riei tale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul porunci s\u0103-l aduc\u0103 oricum ar fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci argintarul, dup\u0103 ce puse de sp\u0103l\u0103 pe Pr\u00e2slea \u015fi-l cur\u0103\u0163i, \u00eel \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 \u00een ni\u015fte haine noi \u015fi-l duse la \u00eemp\u0103ratul; iar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00eel \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 fetei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum \u00eel v\u0103zu fata, \u00eel \u015fi cunoscu. Ea nu putu s\u0103-\u015fi \u0163ie lacr\u0103mile care o podidiser\u0103, de bucurie mare ce avu, \u015fi zise \u00eemp\u0103ratului:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, acesta este viteazul care ne-a sc\u0103pat din m\u00e2na zmeilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, d\u00e2nd \u00een genunche, \u00eei s\u0103rut\u0103 m\u00e2inile \u015fi pe fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi pe dos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lu\u00e2ndu-i seama bine \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eel cunoscu \u015fi d\u00e2nsul, m\u0103car c\u0103 foarte mult se schimbase. \u00cel \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 \u015fi-l s\u0103rut\u0103 de sute de ori. Dar el t\u0103g\u0103duia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cele mai din urm\u0103, inima lui \u00eenduio\u015fit\u0103 de rug\u0103ciunile tat\u0103lui s\u0103u, ale mamei sale \u015fi ale fetei care r\u0103m\u0103sese \u00een genunche rug\u00e2ndu-l m\u0103rturisi c\u0103 \u00een adev\u0103r el este fiul lor cel mai mic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pr\u00e2slea le povesti apoi toat\u0103 istoria sa, le spuse \u015fi cum a ie\u015fit deasupra p\u0103m\u00e2ntului \u015fi le ar\u0103t\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103rul de aur al zmeului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul, sup\u0103rat, chem\u0103 pe feciorii lui cei mai mari; dar ei, cum v\u0103zur\u0103 pe Pr\u00e2slea, o sfeclir\u0103. Iar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00eentreb\u0103 pe Pr\u00e2slea cum s\u0103-i pedepseasc\u0103. Viteazul nostru zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, eu \u00eei iert \u015fi pedeapsa s\u0103 o ia de la Dumnezeu. Noi vom ie\u015fi la scara palatului \u015fi vom arunca fiecare c\u00e2te o s\u0103geat\u0103 \u00een sus \u015fi Dumnezeu, dac\u0103 vom fi cineva gre\u015fi\u0163i, ne va pedepsi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa f\u0103cur\u0103. Ie\u015fir\u0103 c\u00e2te trei fra\u0163ii \u00een curte, dinaintea palatului, aruncar\u0103 s\u0103ge\u0163ile \u00een sus \u015fi, c\u00e2nd c\u0103zur\u0103, ale fra\u0163ilor celor mai mari le c\u0103zur\u0103 drept \u00een cre\u015ftetul capului \u015fi-i omor\u00e2r\u0103, dar a celui mai mic \u00eei c\u0103zu dinainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 dac\u0103 \u00eengropar\u0103 pe fra\u0163ii cei mai mari, f\u0103cur\u0103 nunt\u0103 mare \u015fi Pr\u00e2slea lu\u0103 pe fata cea mic\u0103. Toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia s-a bucurat c\u0103 le-a adus Dumnezeu s\u0103n\u0103tos pe fiul cel mai mic al \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi se m\u00e2ndrea, f\u0103lindu-se, de vitejiile ce f\u0103cuse el; iar\u0103 dup\u0103 moartea t\u0103t\u00e2ne-s\u0103u se sui el \u00een scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei, \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163i \u00een pace de atunci \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een ziua de ast\u0103zi, de or fi tr\u0103ind.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecui \u015fi eu pe acolo \u015fi st\u0103tui de m\u0103 veselii la nunt\u0103, de unde luai<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O bucat\u0103 de batoc,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-un picior de iepure \u015fchiop,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015fi \u00eenc\u0103lecai p-o \u015fea, \u015fi v-o spusei dumneavoastr\u0103 a\u015fa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Era odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat puternic \u015fi mare \u015fi avea pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 palaturile sale o gr\u0103din\u0103 frumoas\u0103, bogat\u0103 de flori \u015fi me\u015fte\u015fugit\u0103 nevoie mare! A\u015fa gr\u0103din\u0103 nu se mai v\u0103zuse … <\/p>\n