poveste<\/a>. Unii zicea c\u0103 \u015ftia carte p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een glezne, al\u0163ii zicea c\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een genunchi, iar\u0103 al\u0163ii, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een br\u00e2u. De m-ar fi \u00eentrebat pe mine, eu le-a\u015f fi spus c\u0103 \u015ftia carte p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2t. Dar\u0103 fiindc\u0103 nimeni nu m-a \u00eentrebat, iac\u0103 tac \u015fi eu din gur\u0103 ca un pe\u015fte, \u015fi nu mai zic nim\u0103nui nici pis!<\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Astfel fiind, \u00eentr-una din zile ce-i vine dr\u0103cosului de copila\u015f, c\u0103 numai \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 pe m\u00e2nzul lui, \u015fi mi \u0163i-i dete c\u0103lc\u00e2ie; iar\u0103 m\u00e2nzul, carele \u015fi d\u00e2nsul crescuse de se f\u0103cuse un c\u00e2rl\u0103na\u015f zburdalnic de n-avea ast\u00e2mp\u0103r, o rupse d-a fuga cu b\u0103iat cu tot, \u015fi du\u015fi au fost p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een ziua de ast\u0103zi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd prinser\u0103 de veste p\u0103rin\u0163ii c\u0103 b\u0103iatul nu e, caut\u0103-l \u00een sus, caut\u0103-l \u00een jos, nu e; ba mai \u00een dreapta, ba mai \u00een st\u00e2nga, de loc! Mai cercetar\u0103 pe ici, mai cercetar\u0103 pe dincoaci, a\u015fi! nici pomeneal\u0103 nu era de el! Tocmai t\u00e2rziu hei! aflar\u0103 de la ni\u015fte drume\u0163i c\u0103 au v\u0103zut un b\u0103ie\u0163andru c\u0103lare pe de\u015felate pe un c\u0103lu\u015fel, care se ducea ca v\u00e2ntul. Ei ziceau c\u0103 n-apucar\u0103 s\u0103 se uite dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul, ca de c\u00e2nd se apucase s\u0103 le spuie, \u015fi pieri din ochii lor ca o n\u0103luc\u0103, ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd n-ar mai fi fost.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cel pl\u00e2nser\u0103 p\u0103rin\u0163ii p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd se istovir\u0103 \u015fi d\u00e2n\u015fii, \u015fi ochii din lacr\u0103mi nu \u015fi-i mai uscar\u0103; dar\u0103 \u00een de\u015fert, c\u0103 fiul lor nu se mai \u00eentoarse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite ei, dac\u0103 s-au l\u0103sat zburd\u0103lniciei lor \u015fi s-au v\u0103zut la c\u00e2mp, nu s-au mai g\u00e2ndit \u00een urm\u0103, ci au \u00eentins la drum zbenguindu-se \u015fi \u00eencurc\u00e2ndu-se, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce, c\u00e2nd b\u0103gar\u0103 de seam\u0103, ajunsese pe ni\u015fte t\u0103r\u00e2muri necunoscute.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aci st\u0103tur\u0103 s\u0103 se mai odihneasc\u0103. \u015ei, voind s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103, ei se r\u0103t\u0103ciser\u0103. Nu mai \u015ftiau nici pe unde veniser\u0103, nici pe unde s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103. Atunci b\u0103iatul \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 doreasc\u0103 de p\u0103rin\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai cu seam\u0103 c\u00e2nd s-a v\u0103zut singur, singurel, el care nu era ie\u015fit din casa p\u0103rin\u0163ilor, \u00eencepu s\u0103-l ia ni\u015fte r\u0103cori de nu \u015ftia ce va s\u0103 zic\u0103 asta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Calul, dac\u0103 v\u0103zu a\u015fa, \u00eencepu s\u0103-l \u00eembuneze, ba c\u0103 o s\u0103 fac\u0103 cutare lucru, ba c\u0103 cealalt\u0103. P\u00e2n\u0103 una alta, \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103tar\u0103 un culcu\u015f unde s\u0103 m\u00e2ie peste noapte. Se odihnir\u0103 \u015fi dormir\u0103 sub acoper\u0103m\u00e2ntul cerului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, nici tu mas\u0103, nici tu cas\u0103, b\u0103iatul \u00eencepu iar\u0103\u015fi s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 voiasc\u0103 s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 la p\u0103rin\u0163i. C\u0103tar\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi g\u0103seasc\u0103 urmele pe unde veniser\u0103; dar nu g\u0103sir\u0103 nici picule\u0163 de urm\u0103. Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu \u015fi v\u0103zu, calul zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, am f\u0103cut o gre\u015feal\u0103 care nu se mai poate \u00eentoarce. D\u0103-mi voie s\u0103 m\u0103 duc s\u0103 caut vreun mijloc ca s\u0103 ne c\u0103p\u0103tuim.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asta nu se poate, odat\u0103 cu capul, r\u0103spunse b\u0103iatul. Dup\u0103 ce am ajuns pe aste t\u0103r\u00e2muri neumblate, prin pustiet\u0103\u0163i f\u0103r\u0103 locuitori, s\u0103 m\u0103 la\u015fi \u015fi tu? Singur nu pot sta, uite, nici olecu\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cencinge-te cu fr\u00e2ul meu, \u015fi, c\u00e2nd ve vedea vro nevoie, scutur\u0103-l \u015fi \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 sunt la tine. Eu m\u0103 duc s\u0103 caut pe unde s\u0103 ie\u015fim la lume, \u015fi cum s\u0103 ne chivernisim.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Calul, vede\u0163i d-voastr\u0103, era n\u0103zdr\u0103van.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cu mare anevoin\u0163\u0103 se dezlipi calul de st\u0103p\u00e2nul s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Umbl\u0103 ce umbl\u0103 \u015fi se \u00eentoarse numaidec\u00e2t. El v\u00e2nturase v\u0103zduhul \u015fi cutreierase p\u0103m\u00e2ntul p\u00e2n\u0103 nu apucase s\u0103 i se urasc\u0103 b\u0103iatului; \u015fi \u00eentorc\u00e2ndu-se spuse b\u0103iatului c\u0103 i-a g\u0103sit un loc unde s\u0103 se bage argat. \u00cel \u015fi \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi cum s\u0103 dreag\u0103 ca s\u0103 arg\u0103\u0163easc\u0103 cu folos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenc\u0103lec\u0103 b\u0103iatul calul, c\u00e2nd auzi c\u0103 are s\u0103-\u015fi g\u0103seasc\u0103 unde s\u0103 se c\u0103p\u0103tuiasc\u0103, \u015fi porni ca v\u00e2ntul, precum \u015fi venise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd la ni\u015fte z\u00e2ne, f\u0103cu precum \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase calul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cele trei z\u00e2ne, c\u0103ci trei erau ele, se cam codeau s\u0103-l primeasc\u0103; iar\u0103 dac\u0103 st\u0103rui, se rug\u0103 \u015fi se f\u0103g\u0103dui c\u0103 o s\u0103 fie harnic \u015fi credincios, ele \u00eel priimir\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fez\u00e2ndu-se el acolo la z\u00e2ne, b\u0103iatul se puse cu toat\u0103 inima pe munc\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd era ceva de f\u0103cut mai greu sau mai anevoios, \u00ee\u015fi chema calul \u015fi \u00eei da ajutor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Calul, carele nu \u015ftiu de unde aflase tainele z\u00e2nelor, vezi c\u0103 nu era el de florile m\u0103rului n\u0103zdr\u0103van, spuse b\u0103iatului s\u0103 fie cu mare b\u0103gare de seam\u0103 c\u0103 \u00een baia z\u00e2nelor, \u00eentr-un timp hot\u0103r\u00e2t, are s\u0103 curg\u0103 aur, \u015fi atunci s\u0103 apuce el \u00eenaintea z\u00e2nelor s\u0103 se scalde. \u00cei mai spuse s\u0103 ocheasc\u0103 prin poli\u0163ile cu haine ale z\u00e2nelor, c\u00e2nd \u00eel va pune s\u0103 deretece, ni\u015fte nuci pe care le avea z\u00e2nele \u015fi le \u00eengrij\u0103a ca pe ochii lor din cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103iatul f\u0103cu \u00eentocmai precum \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase calul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi c\u00e2nd z\u00e2nele se dusese la v\u00e2n\u0103toare, f\u0103r\u0103 grij\u0103, b\u0103iatul auzi \u00een baia z\u00e2nelor un susur de ap\u0103 mai r\u0103sun\u0103tor dec\u00e2t alt\u0103 dat\u0103. Tem\u00e2ndu-se, el chem\u0103 calul, care veni \u00eentr-o clipeal\u0103 de ochi. El, cum v\u0103zu cele ce se petrec \u00een baie, puse pe b\u0103iat de se dezbr\u0103c\u0103 \u00eendat\u0103 \u015fi \u00eel \u00eempinse \u00een baie de se \u00eemb\u0103ie. C\u00e2nd ie\u015fi d-acolo, ce s\u0103 vede\u0163i d-voastr\u0103, cinsti\u0163i boieri? P\u0103rul i se f\u0103cuse cu totul de aur, \u015fi-i crescuse de b\u0103tea pulpele, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu te \u00eendurai s\u0103-\u0163i iei ochii de la el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei lu\u00e2nd \u015fi nucile, pe cari le ochise el, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi pe ici \u0163i-e drumul!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum p\u0103\u015fi pragul por\u0163ii \u00eencepu casele a \u0163ipa de ar fi de\u015fteptat \u015fi pe mor\u0163i din groap\u0103. Auzind z\u00e2nele \u0163ip\u0103tul se \u00eentoarser\u0103 acas\u0103 numai c\u00e2t ai zice mei. Ele v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 lipse\u015fte argatul de acas\u0103, sp\u0103l\u0103citura ce mai r\u0103m\u0103sese \u00een baia unde se \u00eemb\u0103iase argatul \u015fi nucile ce lipseau; nu mai z\u0103bovir\u0103, ci se luar\u0103 dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul. C\u00e2t p-aci s\u0103 puie z\u00e2nele m\u00e2na pe ei. \u015ei fugi, z\u00e2nele dup\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii; ei fugi! z\u00e2nele dup\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii. Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu \u015fi v\u0103zu calul primejdia, \u00eentinse pasul la drum \u015fi \u00eencepu a zbura ca g\u00e2ndul, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce, tocmai c\u00e2nd era z\u00e2nele s\u0103-i prinz\u0103, ei trecur\u0103 de pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul lor \u015fi se oprir\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Puterea z\u00e2nelor p\u00e2n\u0103 aci era. Iar\u0103 dac\u0103 v\u0103zur\u0103 ele c\u0103 le trecu otarele, \u00eencepur\u0103 cu binele a se ruga de el ca s\u0103-\u015fi taie p\u0103rul s\u0103 li-l dea lor; dar\u0103 b\u0103iatul le f\u0103cea cu b\u00e2z! Ele se rugar\u0103 ca barim nucile cu haine s\u0103 le dea. B\u0103iatul le ar\u0103t\u0103 coltucul. Atunci z\u00e2nele se rugar\u0103 ca \u00eencailea s\u0103 le ar\u0103te p\u0103rul, s\u0103 se bucure \u015fi ele de vederea lui. Atunci b\u0103iatul \u00ee\u015fi r\u0103sfir\u0103 p\u0103rul, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi zbur\u0103 cu bidiviul lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Z\u00e2nele se uitar\u0103 cu jind la d\u00e2nsul \u015fi nemaiav\u00e2nd ce face, se \u00eentoarser\u0103 acas\u0103 \u015fi vorbir\u0103 \u00eentre ele ca s\u0103 nu mai bage argat strein la curtea lor, c\u00e2t or tr\u0103i ele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce ajunse pe mo\u015fia unui \u00eemp\u0103rat mare, calul \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 pe b\u0103iat ce s\u0103 fac\u0103. El ascult\u0103 \u015fi se duse de se b\u0103g\u0103 argat la gr\u0103dinarul \u00eemp\u0103ratului. P\u00e2n\u0103 a nu se \u00eenvoi cu gr\u0103dinarul, el \u00ee\u015fi puse o b\u0103\u015fic\u0103 de vac\u0103 \u00een cap, \u00een care \u00ee\u015fi ascunse p\u0103rul cel de aur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gr\u0103dinarul \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 brazde, s\u0103 semene flori, s\u0103 le r\u0103s\u0103deasc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 le \u00eengrij\u0103asc\u0103. \u015ei \u00eel luase la ochi, c\u0103ci era spirt, \u015ftii, colea, cum trebuie omului, m\u00e2n\u0103 dreapt\u0103, nu altceva. Totu\u015fi slugile din curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 \u00eel numir\u0103 chele\u015f. \u015ei, chele\u015f \u00een sus, chele\u015f \u00een jos, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00eei r\u0103mase numele Chele\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gr\u0103dinarul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nise la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului. El era om destoinic, cu frica lui Dumnezeu \u015fi cinstit. Slujba lui de c\u0103petenie era s\u0103 duc\u0103 \u00een toat\u0103 diminea\u0163a c\u00e2te un m\u0103nunchi de flori la cele trei fete care le avea \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemboln\u0103vindu-se gr\u0103dinarul \u00eentr-una din zile, chem\u0103 pe argatul s\u0103u \u015fi \u00eei spuse s\u0103 aleag\u0103 din florile cele mai frumoase at\u00e2tea c\u00e2te s\u0103-i ajung\u0103 a face trei leg\u0103turi de flori \u015fi s\u0103 le duc\u0103 fetelor \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chele\u015ful se duse de culese flori \u015fi f\u0103cu trei leg\u0103turi, una mai mare, alta mijlocie \u015fi alta mai mic\u0103. Pe cea mai mare, care era alc\u0103tuit\u0103 din flori ce \u00eencepuse a se trece \u015fi abia mai mirosinde, o dete fetei \u00eemp\u0103ratului cea mai mare. Leg\u0103tura mijlocie cu flori ce erau tocmai \u00een floare o dete fetei cele mijlocii; iar\u0103 leg\u0103tura cea mai mic\u0103 ce avea flori numai boboace, cari acum se deschideau, o dete fetei celei mici. Cum dete florile, o tuli d-a fuga, \u015fi se apuc\u0103 de lucru prin gr\u0103din\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele se mirar\u0103 de aceasta, \u015fi cu toatele se duser\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi-i ar\u0103tar\u0103 florile. \u00cemp\u0103ratul chem\u0103 pe gr\u0103dinar s\u0103-i spuie ce noim\u0103 s\u0103 aib\u0103 florile ce trimisese fetelor sale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gr\u0103dinarul se sperie c\u00e2nd auzi c\u0103 a\u015fa bolnav este chemat la \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 dac\u0103 se duse, cu inima tremur\u00e2nd\u0103, \u015fi auzi de la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015firetenia cu florile, el se dezvinov\u0103\u0163i \u015fi spuse c\u0103, bolnav fiind \u00een acea zi, trimisese pe argat s\u0103 duc\u0103 florile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chem\u00e2nd \u015fi pe Chele\u015f, el, dac\u0103 veni, se apropie cu sfial\u0103 \u015fi r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 tr\u0103i\u0163i, luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate, \u00eentru mul\u0163i ani! C\u00e2nd am cules florile \u015fi am f\u0103cut acele m\u0103nunchiuri, n-am avut nici un g\u00e2nd r\u0103u, martor mi-e Dumnezeu! ci am dat fiec\u0103reia din domni\u0163e flori ce le arat\u0103 care cum este.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei cum ai cutezat, tu, un chele\u015f ca tine, s\u0103 faci una ca asta?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 At\u00e2ta m-a t\u0103iat capul \u015fi m-a dus mintea, luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate, at\u00e2ta am f\u0103cut. M\u0103ria ta judec\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103 ce e cu dreptul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul r\u0103mase pe g\u00e2nduri. El, de\u015fi s-a \u00eentristat, dar\u0103 mai mult s-a bucurat c\u0103 \u00eei aduse aminte ceea ce trebuia s\u0103 fac\u0103 el ca un p\u0103rinte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi trimise o pung\u0103 cu bani argatului. Acesta se duse \u015fi-i dete gr\u0103dinarului, sub cuv\u00e2nt c\u0103 el nu \u015ftie ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 cu ei, ca unul ce are de toate de al st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu trecu mult \u015fi, viind o s\u0103rb\u0103toare, \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu to\u0163i curtenii \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2nii \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei merse la biseric\u0103. \u00centre b\u0103tr\u00e2nii \u015fi credincerii cur\u0163ii era \u015fi gr\u0103dinarul. Numai fata cea mic\u0103 r\u0103mase acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se singur, descinse fr\u00e2ul de pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 sine, scoase dintr-o nuc\u0103 ni\u015fte haine de aram\u0103, din cele luate de la z\u00e2ne, se g\u0103ti bine, intr\u0103 \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103, sun\u0103 fr\u00e2ul \u015fi veni calul \u00een\u015felat, dar ne\u00eenfr\u00e2nat \u015fi, pun\u00e2ndu-i fr\u00e2ul \u00een cap, argatul \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi prinse a-\u015fi \u00eencurca calul prin gr\u0103din\u0103. Fereastra fetei de \u00eemp\u0103rat celei mici da \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103 \u015fi ea v\u0103zu tot ce se petrecu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce stric\u0103 gr\u0103dina, argatul se duse ca fulgerul la biseric\u0103, dete calul \u00een m\u00e2na unui om ce sta afar\u0103, ca s\u0103 i-l \u0163ie, \u015fi el intr\u0103 \u00een biseric\u0103. Aci merse \u00eenfipt la mir, se ploconi \u00een dreapta, se ploconi \u00een st\u00e2nga \u015fi ie\u015fi afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To\u0163i cei din biseric\u0103 se mirar\u0103 de d\u00e2nsul. P\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul zicea c\u0103 nici el nu mai v\u0103zuse a\u015fa voinic frumos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul de la gr\u0103din\u0103rie, cum ie\u015fi din biseric\u0103, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi \u00eentr-un suflet ajunse la gr\u0103dina \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 \u015fi desc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi porunci calului s\u0103 fac\u0103 la loc tot ceea ce stricase. Calul se puse \u015fi numaidec\u00e2t \u00eendrept\u0103 gr\u0103dina \u015fi o f\u0103cu \u015fi mai frumoas\u0103 de cum fusese.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului cea mic\u0103 vedea de la fereastr\u0103 \u015fi t\u0103cea. C\u00e2nd se \u00eentoarse de la biseric\u0103, surorile cele mai mari zise celei mai mici:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce r\u0103u ai f\u0103cut de n-ai venit \u015fi tu la biseric\u0103, c\u0103 a venit un t\u00e2n\u0103r \u00eembr\u0103cat a\u015fa \u015fi a\u015fa, a f\u0103cut a\u015fa \u015fi a\u015fa, \u015fi numaidec\u00e2t a plecat, de au r\u0103mas to\u0163i cu ochii dup\u0103 el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata cea mic\u0103 asculta \u015fi t\u0103cea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103 gr\u0103dinarul, c\u00e2nd intr\u0103 \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103, st\u0103tu \u00een loc \u015fi se mir\u0103. Apoi \u00ee\u015fi \u00eenchipui el c\u0103 poate d-aia i se pare gr\u0103dina mai frumoas\u0103, unde nu intrase de mult \u00eentr-\u00eensa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste c\u00e2tva timp veni iar\u0103\u015fi o s\u0103rb\u0103toare \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul se duse la biseric\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi cu toat\u0103 curtea lui. De ast\u0103 dat\u0103 fata cea mic\u0103 se f\u0103cu bolnav\u0103 \u00eentr-adins, r\u0103mase acas\u0103 \u015fi se puse la fereastr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul de al gr\u0103din\u0103rie scoase de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 ni\u015fte haine de argint, scutur\u0103 fr\u00e2ul \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 pe cal, carele venise c\u00e2t ai clipi. \u015ei iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eencurc\u00e2ndu-l prin gr\u0103din\u0103, o stric\u0103 \u015fi mai r\u0103u dec\u00e2t \u00eent\u00e2ia oar\u0103 \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi merse la biseric\u0103, f\u0103cu ca \u015fi de-lalt r\u00e2nd \u015fi se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103, porunci calului s\u0103 dreag\u0103 gr\u0103dina, carele o f\u0103cu \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 mai frumoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t era.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului cea mic\u0103 privea de la fereastr\u0103 \u015fi t\u0103cea. \u00cei spuser\u0103 surorile, \u00eei spuse mum\u0103-sa, \u00eei spuse tat\u0103-s\u0103u de t\u00e2n\u0103rul cel m\u00e2ndru ce venise la biseric\u0103 \u015fi despre care nimeni nu \u015ftia de unde era.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea asculta \u015fi t\u0103cea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai trecu ce trecu \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi, \u00eentr-o s\u0103rb\u0103toare mare, \u00eemp\u0103ratul merse la biseric\u0103 cu to\u0163i sfetnicii s\u0103i \u015fi cu to\u0163i curtenii tineri \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2ni. \u015ei de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 fata cea mic\u0103 a \u00eemp\u0103ratului se pref\u0103cu c\u0103 este bolnav\u0103 \u015fi r\u0103mase acas\u0103. \u00centre curtenii \u00eemp\u0103ratului cari merser\u0103 la biseric\u0103 era \u015fi gr\u0103dinarul, fiind b\u0103tr\u00e2n, credincios \u015fi vechi slujba\u015f al \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul cel chele\u015f dac\u0103 se v\u0103zu singur, scutur\u0103 fr\u00e2ul \u015fi-\u015fi chem\u0103 calul. De ast\u0103 dat\u0103 scoase din g\u0103oacea de nuc\u0103 r\u00e2ndul de haine cel de aur, se g\u0103ti frumos, \u00eenfr\u00e2n\u0103 calul ce venise numai \u00een\u015felat, \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 p\u0103rul de aur pe spate, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi \u00eencurc\u0103 calul prin gr\u0103din\u0103, pe care o stric\u0103 de tot, \u015fi apoi se duse ca \u015fi de-lalt r\u00e2nd la biseric\u0103, merse la mir, se ploconi \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga \u015fi ie\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centorc\u00e2ndu-se acas\u0103, porunci calului de f\u0103cu gr\u0103dina de trei ori mai frumoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t era.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eel v\u0103zu \u015fi c\u00e2nd ie\u015fi, \u015fi c\u00e2nd se \u00eentoarse, \u015fi ceea ce f\u0103cu, dar\u0103 t\u0103cea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se \u00eentoarser\u0103 de la biseric\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi to\u0163i cu totul spuser\u0103 fetei celei mici a \u00eemp\u0103ratului minunea ce v\u0103zuser\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 n-ai fost \u015fi tu la biseric\u0103, \u00eei ziser\u0103, s\u0103 fi v\u0103zut cum a veni acel F\u0103t-Frumos strein, cu p\u0103rul de aur, ce m\u00e2ndru era c\u00e2nd s-a aplecat \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga la to\u0163i cei din biseric\u0103 \u015fi cum a ie\u015fit apoi, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 bage pe nimeni \u00een seam\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului se f\u0103cea c\u0103 ascult\u0103, dar\u0103 t\u0103cea \u00eentr-\u00eensa \u015fi r\u00e2dea \u00eenfundat. Vezi c\u0103 \u015ftia ea ce \u015ftia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gr\u0103dinarul, dac\u0103 se \u00eentoarse de la biseric\u0103 \u015fi v\u0103zu frumuse\u0163ea aia de gr\u0103din\u0103 ce f\u0103cuse calul argatului, se tot freca la ochi \u015fi nu-i venea de loc s\u0103 creaz\u0103. Asta s\u0103 fie gr\u0103dina, ori ba? \u015fi credea c\u0103 a r\u0103t\u0103cit prin alt\u0103 gr\u0103din\u0103. Nu o mai cuno\u015ftea. \u015ei, v\u0103z\u00e2nd pe argat, \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 despre acea schimbare; iar argatul \u00ee\u015fi cerea iert\u0103ciune, spuind c\u0103 el a f\u0103cut ceea ce \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase de la st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103mite c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu \u00eemp\u0103ratul? Scoase \u015fi dete o pung\u0103 de bani gr\u0103dinarului, pentru c\u0103-i f\u0103cuse o gr\u0103din\u0103, de nu se mai g\u0103sea ca asta la nici un \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei mai trec\u00e2nd ce mai trecu, \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00ee\u015fi aduse aminte de cele trei m\u0103nunchiuri de flori. Atunci se vorbi cu \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi dea fetele la casele lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum se afl\u0103 de aceast\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2re \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, \u00eencepu a veni pe\u0163itori de pe la fel de fel de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i. Fetele, adec\u0103 cea mare \u015fi cea mijlocie, \u00ee\u015fi aleser\u0103 c\u00e2te un fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi se duser\u0103 dup\u0103 b\u0103rba\u0163ii lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eens\u0103 cea mic\u0103 nu voia s\u0103 se m\u0103rite cu nici un chip. Ba s\u0103-i dea pe feciorul cut\u0103rui \u00eemp\u0103rat, ba pe al cut\u0103rui; a\u015fi! ea zicea c\u0103 nu-i place nici unul. Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 bietul \u00eemp\u0103rat? Se sf\u0103tui cu boierii \u015fi g\u0103sir\u0103 cu cale s\u0103 stea fata \u00eentr-un pridvor, cu un m\u0103r de aur \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, s\u0103 treac\u0103 to\u0163i fiii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de boieri pe dinaintea ei, \u015fi, pe care \u00eel va pl\u0103cea, s\u0103-l loveasc\u0103 cu m\u0103rul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa \u015fi f\u0103cur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecur\u0103 fiii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i carii veniser\u0103 \u00een pe\u0163it, dar\u0103 ca s\u0103 loveasc\u0103 pe vreunul ba.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecur\u0103 \u015fi fiii de boieri mari ai \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei, dar\u0103 ca s\u0103 loveasc\u0103 pe vreunul, nici g\u00e2nd n-avu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cele mai de pe urm\u0103 trecur\u0103 to\u0163i tinerii buni \u015fi r\u0103i din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, \u015fi din boierna\u015fi \u015fi din prostime, \u015fi nici nu nu se uit\u0103 la d\u00e2n\u015fii fata ce sta cu m\u0103rul \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103. Trec\u00e2nd \u015fi argatul de la gr\u0103din\u0103rie, din \u00eent\u00e2mplare, pe acolo, fata \u00eel lovi cu m\u0103rul drept \u00een cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de boieri r\u0103maser\u0103 ca b\u0103tu\u0163i de Dumnezeu, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 una ca aceasta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul zise c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie o gre\u015feal\u0103, \u015fi pofti pe fiii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de boieri s\u0103 mai treac\u0103 o dat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecur\u0103 to\u0163i cu totul, \u015fi nu lovi pe nimeni; zise \u015fi chele\u015fului s\u0103 treac\u0103, \u015fi de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 tot pe el \u00eel lovi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul nu se putea \u00eenvoi ca s\u0103 ia fie-sa de b\u0103rbat un a\u015fa om prost \u015fi pofti pe toat\u0103 adunarea s\u0103 mai treac\u0103 o dat\u0103, c\u0103ci, negre\u015fit, trebuie s\u0103 fie o gre\u015feal\u0103 a fetei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecur\u0103 \u015fi a treia oar\u0103, \u015fi tot pe argatul cel chele\u015f \u00eel lovi cu m\u0103rul fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul, neav\u00e2nd \u00eencotro, dete de b\u0103rbat fie-sei pe argat, dar\u0103 \u00eei \u015fi oropsi, gonindu-i de la casa lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei se duser\u0103 de la fa\u0163a \u00eemp\u0103ratului, care \u00eei oropsise, cu lacr\u0103mile \u00een ochi \u015fi cu inima smerit\u0103, \u015fi-\u015fi aleser\u0103 loc de trai un bordei \u00een care \u0163inuse \u00eemp\u0103ratul ni\u015fte bivoli. Apoi aduc\u00e2ndu-\u015fi aminte fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului de ceea ce f\u0103cuse \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103, \u00eel \u00eendemn\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi cheme calul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul, ginerele \u00eemp\u0103ratului, f\u0103cu precum \u00eei zisese so\u0163ia, chem\u0103 calul \u015fi-i porunci s\u0103-i fac\u0103 ni\u015fte palaturi sub p\u0103m\u00e2nt, f\u0103r\u0103 seam\u0103n pe lume. Calul nu \u00eent\u00e2rzie \u015fi le f\u0103cu ni\u015fte palaturi \u00eenfrico\u015fate. Nu se g\u0103sea la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00een cas\u0103 ce se g\u0103sea \u00een palaturile lor. \u015ei bog\u0103\u0163ii, \u015fi scumpeturi, \u015fi tot ce ai poftit se g\u0103sea la d\u00e2n\u015fii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei mai trec\u00e2nd c\u00e2t\u00e2nic\u0103 vreme la mijloc, se pomeni \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu veste de la un alt \u00eemp\u0103rat s\u0103 ias\u0103 la r\u0103zboi. \u00cemp\u0103ratul chem\u0103 \u00een ajutor pe ginerii s\u0103i, feciorii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i, carii \u015fi venir\u0103 \u015fi se l\u0103udau cu ispr\u0103vile ce au s\u0103 fac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd veni vremea a merge la r\u0103zboi, iat\u0103 c\u0103 se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fe la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi argatul, ginere al s\u0103u, \u015fi ceru s\u0103-l ia \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul la r\u0103zboi, c\u0103 poate va t\u0103ia \u015fi el vrun vr\u0103jma\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u015fi ginerii cei mari \u00eel \u00eenfruntar\u0103, zic\u00e2nd s\u0103-i lase \u00een pace, s\u0103 nu-i mai poarte \u015fi lui grija p-acolo. El st\u0103rui \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi porunci s\u0103-i dea \u015fi lui o m\u00e2r\u0163oag\u0103 de cal \u015fi o rugin\u0103 de palo\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 voios \u015fi porni \u00eenaintea o\u015ftilor. C\u00e2nd ajunse la o l\u0103covi\u015fte pe unde trebuia s\u0103 treac\u0103, el \u00eennomoli calul \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103-l bat\u0103 ca s\u0103 ias\u0103 de acolo, dar\u0103 \u00een de\u015fert. Ajung\u00e2ndu-l \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu ginerii cei mari \u015fi cu toat\u0103 oastea, trecu pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul cl\u0103tin\u00e2nd din cap, iar\u0103 osta\u015fii \u00ee\u015fi dedeau coate \u015fi r\u00e2deau.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce trecur\u0103 \u015fi se dep\u0103rtar\u0103 de nu se mai v\u0103zur\u0103, argatul scutur\u0103 fr\u00e2ul, \u015fi iat\u0103 c\u0103 \u00eendat\u0103 \u015fi-i sosi calul. \u00cei spuse ce avea de g\u00e2nd s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi ceru pova\u0163\u0103. Calul \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 ce s\u0103 fac\u0103, c\u00e2nd va fi dinaintea vr\u0103jma\u015fului. Dup\u0103 ce lu\u0103 \u00een cap ce-l \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 calul, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi porni \u015fi el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd la r\u0103zboi \u015fi v\u0103z\u00e2nd pe ai s\u0103i \u00eenc\u0103iera\u0163i cu vr\u0103jma\u015fii, tocmai c\u00e2nd ace\u015ftia erau s\u0103 dovedeasc\u0103 pe socru-s\u0103u \u015fi pe cumna\u0163ii s\u0103i, unde mi se ridic\u0103 de trei st\u00e2njeni pe deasupra o\u015ftilor \u015fi zbur\u0103 drept la \u00eemp\u0103ratul socru-s\u0103u, \u00eei t\u0103ie degetul cu inelul \u015fi-l lu\u0103 cu sine. Apoi se l\u0103s\u0103 asupra vr\u0103jma\u015fului \u015fi t\u0103ia \u00een carne vie cu nemilostivire, \u00eentocmai ca un muncitor vrednic c\u00e2nd trage cu coasa nemiluit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar c\u00e2nd \u00eel \u00eente\u0163ea vr\u0103jma\u015ful, calul se urca ca fulgerul \u00een sus \u015fi se \u0163inea bine de coama lui. Apoi c\u00e2nd se l\u0103sa \u00een jos, t\u0103ia cum \u015ftia el \u00een legea lui s\u0103 taie. A\u015fa, vezi, \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase calul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De trei ori se urcase \u00een sus, c\u00e2nd n\u0103v\u0103lise vr\u0103jma\u015ful asupra lui, \u015fi de trei ori se l\u0103sase ca un v\u00e2rtej asupra oastei vr\u0103jm\u0103\u015fe\u015fti. La fiecare dat\u0103 c\u0103deau d-a st\u00e2nga \u015fi d-a dreapta lui cu gr\u0103mada \u015fi f\u0103cea uli\u0163i, uli\u0163i pe unde mergea. \u00een mai pu\u0163in ca de c\u00e2nd m\u0103 apucai s\u0103 v\u0103 povestesc, mormane de mor\u0163i se vedea pe unde trecuse el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa spaim\u0103 grozav\u0103 b\u0103g\u0103 el \u00een inimile vr\u0103jma\u015fului, \u00eenc\u00e2t prinse a fugi, iar el a-i goni \u015fi a-i t\u0103ia ca pe ni\u015fte vite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul socru r\u0103mase \u00eenm\u0103rmurit c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu at\u00e2ta vrednicie. Dup\u0103 fuga vr\u0103jma\u015fului, el st\u0103tu locului \u015fi mul\u0163umi lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 le-a trimes pe \u00eengerul s\u0103u de i-a sc\u0103pat din m\u00e2na du\u015fmanului, care vrea s\u0103-i piarz\u0103, \u015fi mai multe nu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul, ginerele \u00eemp\u0103ratului, dup\u0103 ce-l m\u00e2ntui, se \u00eentoarse \u00eenaintea lui, dete drumul calului s\u0103u, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 iar\u0103 pe m\u00e2r\u0163oaga ce-i dase \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi se chinuia a ie\u015fi din nomol.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se \u00eentorcea cu voie bun\u0103 de la oaste \u015fi d\u00e2nd peste d\u00e2nsul \u00eennomolit \u00eenc\u0103 \u00een noroi, porunci la vro doi osta\u015fi de-l scoase d-acolo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei ajung\u00e2nd acas\u0103, ginerele \u00eemp\u0103ratului cel chele\u015f spuse neveste-sei ce f\u0103cu. Ea se bucura din toat\u0103 inima.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toat\u0103 oastea vorbea de \u00eengerul Domnului care le d\u0103duse at\u00e2ta ajutor \u015fi-l semuia cu str\u0103inul care venise la biseric\u0103. \u00censu\u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul b\u0103nuia aceasta, \u015fi ar fi dorit ca s\u0103-l mai \u00eent\u00e2lneasc\u0103 o dat\u0103, s\u0103-i mul\u0163umeasc\u0103. Dar\u0103 ia-l de unde nu e.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai trec\u00e2nd ce mai trecu, \u00eemp\u0103ratul ajunse de orbi. To\u0163i vracii se adunar\u0103 \u015fi-i d\u0103dur\u0103 leacuri, dar\u0103 nici unele din buruienele lor nu-i dar\u0103 \u00eende bine. Vr\u0103jitoarele puser\u0103 ap\u0103 la stele \u015fi-i aduser\u0103 \u015fi-i desc\u00e2ntar\u0103, tot \u00eens\u0103 ce punea la ochi mai r\u0103u \u00eei f\u0103cea, dar\u0103 mai bine de loc. \u00cen cele din urm\u0103 un cititor de stele \u015fi vraci mare fu adus cu mult\u0103 cheltuial\u0103 din \u0163\u0103ri streine, \u015fi acesta spuse c\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103ratul nu va avea lapte de pas\u0103re de peste apa Iordanului cu care s\u0103 se ung\u0103 la ochi, nu-i va veni v\u0103zul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci puse \u00eemp\u0103ratul oameni s\u0103 strige prin toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia c\u0103 cine se va g\u0103si s\u0103 aduc\u0103 lapte de pas\u0103re de peste apa Iordanului, acela \u015fi \u015ftie cu bun\u0103 \u00eencredin\u0163are c\u0103 va dob\u00e2ndi cal \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc \u015fi jum\u0103tate \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia. Dar\u0103 strigar\u0103 de surda, c\u0103ci nu se g\u0103si nimeni carele s\u0103 se \u00eens\u0103rcineze cu aceast\u0103 slujb\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ginerii \u00eemp\u0103ratului cei mari, dac\u0103 v\u0103zur\u0103 a\u015fa, se legar\u0103 c\u0103 ei vor aduce laptele trebuincios \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103lecar\u0103 pe cai buni \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti, luar\u0103 cu d\u00e2n\u015fii slujitori \u015fi bani. Umblar\u0103 ei, c\u0103tar\u0103 \u015fi nu putur\u0103 afla ce c\u0103tau. \u00cen cele din urm\u0103 dete peste un \u00een\u015fel\u0103tor, carele le dete lapte ca tot laptele \u015fi le luar\u0103 o mul\u0163ime de bani. Ei se \u00eentoarse cu bucurie la casa socrului lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen aceea\u015fi vreme \u015fi ginerele \u00eemp\u0103ratului, argatul, plec\u0103 dup\u0103 lapte de pasere. El scutur\u0103 fr\u00e2ul \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 \u015fi veni bidiviul lui. \u00cei spuse ce voia, \u015fi calul \u00eei r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e mai lesne, st\u0103p\u00e2ne; c\u0103ci acolo locuiesc \u015fi eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi porni. Dup\u0103 ce ajunse, lu\u0103 lapte de pasere de peste r\u00e2ul Iordanului \u015fi \u00een c\u00e2teva zile se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103, cam tot odat\u0103 cu cumna\u0163ii s\u0103i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ace\u015ftia merser\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eei aduser\u0103 lapte de al lor, cu care dete pe la ochi \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi r\u0103mase ca \u00eent\u00e2i, orb ca to\u0163i orbii. Nu-i folosi nimic. Merse \u015fi argatul \u015fi-i aduse \u015fi el lapte, dar\u0103 adev\u0103rat lapte de pasere de peste r\u00e2ul Iordanului. \u00cemp\u0103ratul nu prea voia s\u0103 dea pe la ochi. Dup\u0103 st\u0103ruin\u0163a \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei \u015fi a sfetnicilor, se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi se unse. Cum puse la ochi lapte de acesta, b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 vede ca prin sit\u0103. Mai dete o dat\u0103, v\u0103zu ca prin ciur; c\u00e2nd se unse \u015fi a treia oar\u0103, v\u0103zu luminat ca to\u0163i oamenii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul iert\u0103 pe argat de fapta lui de mai-nainte. Ginerele s\u0103u cel mic, dac\u0103 v\u0103zu a\u015fa, rug\u0103 \u015fi el pe \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103 vie s\u0103 le vaz\u0103 locuin\u0163a. \u00cemp\u0103ratul se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi merse. C\u00e2nd ajunse acolo, ce s\u0103-i vaz\u0103 ochii? Ce nu era \u00een palaturile lui era \u00een locuin\u0163a ginerelui s\u0103u cel mai mic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd mirarea de care era cuprins \u00eemp\u0103ratul, ginerele s\u0103u cel mai mic se \u00eencumet\u0103 \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt, m\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate, cel ce am venit de trei ori \u00een biseric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul arunc\u0103 \u0163int\u0103 ochii la el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt cel ce \u0163i-am f\u0103cut gr\u0103dina cea frumoas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul parc\u0103 nu-i venea s\u0103 creaz\u0103 spuselor lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt, mai zise, cel ce v-am sc\u0103pat \u00een r\u0103zboi din m\u00e2na nelegiui\u0163ilor ce se sculaser\u0103 s\u0103 te r\u0103puie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul r\u0103mase st\u00e2lpit de mirare. Apoi, mai viindu-\u015fi \u00een fire, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum po\u0163i dovedi zisele tale?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci ginerele s\u0103u cel mic ie\u015fi afar\u0103, scutur\u0103 fr\u00e2ul, scoase hainele de aur din g\u0103oacea de nuc\u0103 unde le p\u0103stra, se g\u0103ti frumos, \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 p\u0103rul pe spate, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 pe cal \u015fi, ar\u0103t\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103ratului degetul cu inelul, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103, m\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate, dovezile ziselor mele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eencepu a \u00eencurca calul prin curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului. P\u0103rul s\u0103u cel de aur \u015fi hainele cu care era \u00eembr\u0103cat str\u0103lucea ca soarele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, uit\u00e2ndu-se la d\u00e2nsul, tot punea m\u00e2na la ochi, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-\u015fi umbr\u0103. Vezi c\u0103 se temea s\u0103 nu orbeasc\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El l\u0103ud\u0103 pe fie-sa pentru c\u0103-\u015fi alesese un asemenea b\u0103rbat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei ai fi putut oare crede d-ta, tat\u0103, r\u0103spunse fata cea mic\u0103, c\u0103 a\u015f fi putut s\u0103-mi aleg de b\u0103rbat pe unul care s\u0103 fac\u0103 tat\u0103lui meu, \u00eemp\u0103rat, ru\u015fine \u00een lume?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2n fiind, se cobor\u00ee din scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei, pe care se urc\u0103 ginerele s\u0103u cel mic. \u015ei \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ir\u0103 \u00een pace \u015fi \u00een lini\u015fte p\u00e2n\u0103 ce tr\u0103ir\u0103.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 o p\u0103reche de oameni, muncitori, de! cum d\u0103 Dumnezeu. Toat\u0103 n\u0103dejdea lor era \u00eentr-o iap\u0103 cu care se hr\u0103neau. \u015ei ar fi voit \u015fi ei s\u0103 … <\/p>\n
Continua\u021bi s\u0103 citi\u021bi<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[385,21],"tags":[388,421,387,758,393],"class_list":["post-2103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-petre-ispirescu","category-povesti-pentru-copii","tag-basme","tag-fat-frumos-cel-ratacit","tag-petre-ispirescu","tag-povesti-pentru-copii","tag-povesti-si-povestiri","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-25"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2103"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2103\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}