\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat evlavios \u015fi bun. El avea trei feciori. Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 multe bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163i ce f\u0103cuse oamenilor din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lui, a ridicat \u015fi o monastire de care s\u0103 se duc\u0103 pomina. A \u00eempodobit-o cu aur, cu pietre nestemate \u015fi cu tot ceea ce me\u015fterii din acea \u0163ar\u0103 au socotit mai scump \u015fi mai frumos. O mul\u0163ime de st\u00e2lpi de marmur\u0103 \u015fi polei\u0163i erau prin biseric\u0103 \u015fi pe dinaintea ei. Zugr\u0103velele cele mai pre\u0163ioase, policandre de argint suflate cu aur, candele de argintul cel mai bun \u015fi mari c\u00e2t doni\u0163a, c\u0103r\u0163ile cele mai alese erau zestrea monastirii aceleia. Cu c\u00e2t se bucura \u00eemp\u0103ratul de frumuse\u0163ea ei, cu at\u00e2t se \u00eentrista c\u0103 nu putea s\u0103 o s\u0103v\u00e2r\u015feasc\u0103 pe deplin, c\u0103ci turnul se surpa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Cum se poate, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, s\u0103 nu pot sf\u00e2r\u015fi ast\u0103 s\u00e2nt\u0103 biseric\u0103? Iat\u0103 am cheltuit toat\u0103 starea, \u015fi ea nu este \u00eenc\u0103 t\u00e2rnosit\u0103.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei dete sfar\u0103 \u00een \u0163ar\u0103 ca orice me\u015fter se va g\u0103si care s\u0103 poat\u0103 s\u0103-i ridice turnul, s\u0103 \u015ftie c\u0103 va dob\u00e2ndi de la d\u00e2nsul mari daruri \u015fi boierie. Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 acestea, porunc\u0103 dete ca \u00een toate bisericile s\u0103 se fac\u0103 rug\u0103ciuni \u015fi privegheri, ca s\u0103 se \u00eendure milostivul Dumnezeu a-i trimete un me\u015fter bun.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 a treia noapte vis\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u0103 dac\u0103 va aduce cineva pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103 de pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul cel\u0103lalt \u015fi s\u0103-i a\u015feze cuibul \u00een turn, se va putea face monastirea des\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Spuse fiilor acest vis, iar\u0103 ei se \u00eentreceau care de care s\u0103 plece mai-nainte, \u015fi s\u0103 se \u00eenchine cu slujba la tat\u0103-s\u0103u \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul le zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu v\u0103z, fe\u0163ii mei, c\u0103 to\u0163i ave\u0163i dorin\u0163\u0103 de a v\u0103 face datoria c\u0103tre Dumnezeu; \u00eens\u0103 nu v\u0103 pute\u0163i duce to\u0163i deodat\u0103. Acum s\u0103 se duc\u0103 fiul meu cel mai mare; \u015fi dac\u0103 nu va putea el s\u0103 izbuteasc\u0103, s\u0103 se duc\u0103 altul, \u015fi tot a\u015fa pe r\u00e2nd, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd Dumnezeu \u00ee\u015fi va ar\u0103ta mila lui c\u0103tre noi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Copiii t\u0103cur\u0103 \u015fi se supuser\u0103; iar\u0103 feciorul cel mare al \u00eemp\u0103ratului se g\u0103ti de drum. Merse ce merse \u015fi dac\u0103 trecu de hotarele tat\u0103lui s\u0103u, stete s\u0103 con\u0103ceasc\u0103 \u00eentr-o dumbrav\u0103 frumoas\u0103. Dup\u0103 ce f\u0103cu focul, sta acolo p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 se g\u0103teasc\u0103 m\u00e2ncarea, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu deodat\u0103 \u00eenaintea lui un vulpoi care \u00eel rug\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi lege ogarul, s\u0103-i dea \u015fi lui un codru de p\u00e2ine, un pahar de vin \u015fi s\u0103-l lase s\u0103 se \u00eenc\u0103lzeasc\u0103 \u015fi el la \u0103l foc. Fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului, \u00een loc s\u0103 asculte rug\u0103ciunea, dete drumul ogarului, care se lu\u0103 dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul. Atunci vulpoiul f\u0103cu un semn asupra lui \u015fi \u00eel schimb\u0103 \u00een stan\u0103 de piatr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u0103 fiul s\u0103u cel mare nu se mai \u00eentoarce ascult\u0103 rug\u0103ciunea fiului celui mijlociu, \u015fi \u00eei dete voie s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u015fi d\u00e2nsul. Acesta, dup\u0103 ce se g\u0103ti \u015fi \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 merinde de drum, porni \u015fi d\u00e2nsul. La locul unde se \u00eempietrise frate-s\u0103u, p\u0103\u0163i ca d\u00e2nsul; fiindc\u0103 nu voi s\u0103 dea ascultare rug\u0103ciunilor ce-i adusese vulpoiul, ci voia s\u0103-l prinz\u0103 ca s\u0103-i ia pielea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se puse pe g\u00e2nduri v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 dup\u0103 at\u00e2ta mare de timp nu se mai \u00eentoarse fiii s\u0103i nici cu pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103, nici f\u0103r\u0103 d\u00e2nsa, c\u00e2nd fiul cel mai mic \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, iat\u0103 este acum destul timp de c\u00e2nd fra\u0163ii mei cei mari au plecat s\u0103 aduc\u0103 pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103 \u015fi nu s-au mai \u00eentors nici cu isprav\u0103, nici f\u0103r\u0103 isprav\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S\u0103-mi dai bani de cheltuial\u0103<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei haine de primeneal\u0103,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0ca s\u0103-mi cerc \u015fi eu norocul. \u015ei de voi izbuti, te vei bucura, tat\u0103, c\u0103 \u0163i se \u00eempline\u015fte dorin\u0163a, iar\u0103 de nu, eu nu voi suferi nici o umilin\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fra\u0163ii t\u0103i cei mari, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, dup\u0103 cum se vede, n-au putut s\u0103 fac\u0103 nimic spre a aduce acea pas\u0103re m\u0103iastr\u0103, ba poate s\u0103-\u015fi fi r\u0103pus capetele, deoarece sunt du\u015fi de at\u00e2ta timp \u015fi nu se mai \u00eentoarce nici unul. Eu sunt b\u0103tr\u00e2n de aci \u00eenainte; dac\u0103 vei lipsi \u015fi tu, cine s\u0103-mi dea ajutor la greut\u0103\u0163ile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei, \u015fi dac\u0103 voi muri, cine s\u0103 se suie pe scaunul meu, dac\u0103 nu tu, fiul meu? R\u0103m\u00e2i aci, dragul tatei, nu te mai duce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Domnia ta, tat\u0103, \u015ftii prea bine c\u0103 n-am ie\u015fit din poruncile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei tale nici c\u00e2t negru sub unghie; \u015fi dac\u0103 acum cutez a st\u0103rui \u00een rug\u0103ciunea mea, este numai c\u0103 voiesc, dac-a\u015f putea, s\u0103 \u00eemplinesc o dorin\u0163\u0103 care nu d\u0103 odihn\u0103 sufletului m\u0103riei tale, dorin\u0163\u0103 pe care te sile\u015fti de mul\u0163i ani \u015fi cu mari cheltuieli s\u0103 o \u00eempline\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 multe rug\u0103ciuni \u015fi st\u0103ruin\u0163\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi-i dete voie. \u00ce\u015fi alese calul ce-i pl\u0103cu din grajdul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc, un ogar s\u0103-l aib\u0103 de tovar\u0103\u015f, \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 merinde de ajuns \u015fi plec\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 trecere de oarecare timp, sosir\u0103 am\u00e2ndoi fiii cei mai mari ai \u00eemp\u0103ratului, aduc\u00e2nd cu sine-le pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103 \u015fi o roab\u0103 pe care o f\u0103cur\u0103 g\u0103in\u0103reas\u0103. Toat\u0103 lumea se mira de frumuse\u0163ea acelei pas\u0103ri, care era cu mii de mii de vopseli, penele ei str\u0103luceau ca oglinda la soare; iar turnul bisericii nu se mai surp\u0103; pas\u0103rea se a\u015fez\u0103 \u00een acel turn cu cuibul ei. Un lucru se b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103; pas\u0103rea se p\u0103rea a fi mut\u0103, c\u0103ci nu da nici un viers, \u015fi to\u0163i c\u00e2\u0163i o vedea o c\u0103inea cum de o a\u015fa pas\u0103re frumoas\u0103 \u015fi m\u00e2ndr\u0103 s\u0103 nu aib\u0103 viers, pentru care \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul, cu toat\u0103 bucuria ce avea pentru biseric\u0103 \u015fi turnul ei, se m\u00e2hnea c\u0103 pas\u0103rea nu-i c\u00e2nta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Locuitorii \u00eencepuser\u0103 a uita de fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului cel mic: at\u00e2ta de mult\u0103 bucurie aveau ei c\u0103 li se adusese pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103, ceea ce oprise turnul de a se surpa, \u015fi astfel biserica se putuse face cu des\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fire; numai \u00eemp\u0103ratul se m\u00e2hnea \u00een sufletul s\u0103u c\u0103 nu este fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi fiul s\u0103u cel mic care s\u0103 se \u00eemp\u0103rt\u0103\u015feasc\u0103 de bucuria poporului s\u0103u; c\u00e2nd \u00eentr-una din zile veni g\u0103in\u0103reasa \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate, s\u0103-\u0163i fie fa\u0163a luminat\u0103, toat\u0103 cetatea se minuneaz\u0103 de viersul pas\u0103rii m\u0103iestre; un cioban, cum a intrat azi de diminea\u0163\u0103 \u00een biseric\u0103, pas\u0103rea a \u00eenceput s\u0103 c\u00e2nte de s\u0103 se sparg\u0103, \u015fi este a\u015fa de vesel\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t pare c\u0103 nu o \u00eencape locul. Asta este a doua oar\u0103 de c\u00e2nd, cum intr\u0103 acel cioban \u00een biseric\u0103, pas\u0103rea nu mai contene\u015fte de a c\u00e2nta; cum iese el, ea tace.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 se aduc\u0103 acel cioban \u00eenaintea mea chiar acum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103ria ta, dup\u0103 cum se vede, ciobanul este str\u0103in, c\u0103ci nimeni nu-l cunoa\u015fte. Fiii m\u0103riei tale, precum mi s-a spus, ar fi pus paznici s\u0103-l prinz\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Taci! zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, nu vorbi de fiii mei, c\u0103ci nu \u0163i se cuvine \u0163ie s\u0103 te atingi de ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul puse \u015fi el c\u00e2\u0163iva slujba\u015fi s\u0103 p\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 pe sub ascuns \u015fi, cum va vedea pe ciobanul care, c\u00e2nd va intra \u00een biseric\u0103, pas\u0103rea va c\u00e2nta, s\u0103 pun\u0103 m\u00e2na pe d\u00e2nsul \u015fi s\u0103-l aduc\u0103 \u00eenaintea lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu s-a mul\u0163umit pe at\u00e2t, ci \u015fi \u00eensu\u015fi s-a dus la biseric\u0103 \u00een s\u0103rb\u0103toarea cea mai apropiat\u0103 ca s\u0103 auz\u0103 cu urechile sale c\u00e2ntecul cel minunat al pas\u0103rei, \u015fi s\u0103 vaz\u0103 cu ochii s\u0103i pe acel p\u0103stor t\u00e2n\u0103r; \u015fi, de n-ar fi fost de fa\u0163\u0103, s-ar fi \u00eent\u00e2mplat o lupt\u0103 cr\u00e2ncen\u0103 \u00eentre slujitorii s\u0103i \u015fi oamenii pu\u015fi de fiii lui, carii voiau cu dinadinsul s\u0103 pun\u0103 m\u00e2na pe cioban. Atunci porunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103 aduc\u0103 pe acel p\u0103stor cu omenie la palatul s\u0103u, pentru c\u0103 nu \u015ftiu ce sim\u0163i \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00een inim\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eel v\u0103zu a\u015fa de t\u00e2n\u0103r, bl\u00e2nd, smerit \u015fi cu boiul de voinic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce ie\u015fi de la biseric\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul se duse drept la palat, pentru c\u0103 inima \u00eei zicea c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie ceva de ciobanul acela. Cum \u00eel v\u0103zu \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia spune-mi, fl\u0103c\u0103ule, din ce parte de loc e\u015fti? Ai p\u0103rin\u0163i, \u015fi cum s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat de ai venit p-aci?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Istoria mea, luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate, este lung\u0103. P\u0103rin\u0163i am, asemenea \u015fi fra\u0163i. Ca s\u0103-\u0163i povestesc cum am venit p-aici \u015fi din ce parte de loc sunt, \u00eemi trebuie mai mult timp. Dar\u0103 dac\u0103 voin\u0163a m\u0103riei tale este s\u0103 \u015ftii, sunt gata a m\u0103 supune. Chiar m\u00e2ine p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een ziu\u0103 voi veni la m\u0103ria ta pentru aceasta. Acum este t\u00e2rziu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, voinice; m\u00e2ine \u00een rev\u0103rsat de ziori te a\u015ftept.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi dis-de-diminea\u0163\u0103, ciobanul veni \u015fi a\u015ftept\u0103 porunca \u00eemp\u0103ratului; iar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul, cum auzi c\u0103 a venit p\u0103storul cu pricina, \u00eel chem\u0103 \u00eenaintea lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia spune-mi, fl\u0103c\u0103ule, ce este cauza de c\u00e2nt\u0103 pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103, cum pui tu piciorul \u00een biseric\u0103, \u015fi tace, dac\u0103 ie\u015fi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ca s\u0103 \u015ftii aceasta \u015fi altele, luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate, las\u0103-m\u0103 s\u0103-\u0163i povestesc toat\u0103 istoria mea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103 te ascult, poveste\u015fte-mi tot ce vei voi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci ciobanul \u00eencepu:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am tat\u0103 \u015fi fra\u0163i. Am plecat din casa p\u0103rinteasc\u0103 ca s\u0103 fac o fapt\u0103 care s\u0103 veseleasc\u0103 pe tata, c\u0103ci el era trist c\u0103 nu putea s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eemplineasc\u0103 dorin\u0163a. Dup\u0103 o c\u0103l\u0103torie de c\u00e2teva zile, am ajuns la o c\u00e2mpie frumoas\u0103, de unde de deschidea mai multe drumuri. Acolo am voit s\u0103 con\u0103cesc. Mi-am f\u0103cut un foc\u015for bun, am scos merindele ce aveam \u015fi, c\u00e2nd era s\u0103 m\u0103 pui la mas\u0103, m\u0103 trezesc cu un vulpoi l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine. Nu \u015ftiu nici de unde, nici pe unde veni, c\u0103 eu nu l-am v\u0103zut. Pare c\u0103 ie\u015fi din p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“F\u0103 bine, m\u0103 rog, \u00eemi zise, \u015fi las\u0103-m\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103lzesc \u015fi eu la focul t\u0103u, c\u0103 uite, tremur de-mi cl\u0103n\u0163\u0103nesc din\u0163ii \u00een gur\u0103. D\u0103-mi \u015fi o bucat\u0103 de p\u00e2ine \u015fi un pahar de vin s\u0103-mi potolesc a foame \u015fi sete care m\u0103 chinuiesc. \u015ei ca s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nc \u00een lini\u015fte \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103 pot \u00eenc\u0103lzi f\u0103r\u0103 fric\u0103, leag\u0103-\u0163i ogarul.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Prea bine, \u00eei zisei, poftim de te \u00eenc\u0103lze\u015fte; iat\u0103 merindetele mele, \u015fi plosca mea, m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 \u015fi bea c\u00e2t vei pofti.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi am legat ogarul \u015fi am \u015fezut am\u00e2ndoi l\u00e2ng\u0103 foc, povestind. Din una din alta, \u00eei spusei unde m\u0103 duc; ba \u00eenc\u0103 \u00eel \u015fi rugai dac\u0103 \u015ftie ceva s\u0103-mi spuie cum s\u0103 fac, cum s\u0103 dreg, s\u0103-mi \u00eemplinesc slujba cu care m-am \u00eens\u0103rcinat de bun\u0103-voia mea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“C\u00e2t pentru asta, \u00eemi zise vulpoiul, fii pe pace. M\u00e2ine de diminea\u0163\u0103 plec\u0103m am\u00e2ndoi, \u015fi dac\u0103 nu te-ai face eu s\u0103 izbute\u015fti, s\u0103 nu-mi mai zici pe nume.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015eezur\u0103m la foc, ne osp\u0103tar\u0103m ca ni\u015fte prieteni; apoi vulpoiul \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 noapte bun\u0103 \u015fi pieri ca o n\u0103luc\u0103. M\u0103 ciudeam \u00een mine cum de s\u0103 nu-l v\u0103z \u00eencotro a apucat, \u015fi tot fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u00e2ndu-mi mintea s\u0103 \u015ftiu cum a venit \u015fi cum s-a dus f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 bag de seam\u0103, am adormit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd a venit a doua zi \u00een faptul zilei, m-a g\u0103sit minun\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 de ni\u015fte stane de piatr\u0103 ce \u00eenchipuiau doi oameni, doi cai \u015fi doi ogari. De cum \u00eel v\u0103zui, ne g\u0103tir\u0103m de duc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vulpoiul, se dete de trei ori peste cap \u015fi se f\u0103cu un voinic, \u015ftii colea, cum \u0163i-e drag s\u0103 te ui\u0163i la el. Pe cale \u00eemi spuse c\u0103 locul unde am mas noaptea trecut\u0103 era mo\u015fia lui, c\u0103 este \u00eensurat, c\u0103 are copii, c\u0103 el era blestemat s\u0103 poarte corpul de vulpoi p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd un om va avea mil\u0103 de el, \u00eei va priimi s\u0103 se \u00eenc\u0103lzeasc\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul la un foc, \u00eei va da un codru de p\u00e2ine \u015fi un pahar cu vin; c\u0103 eu am fost acel om, c\u0103 acum este dezlegat de blestem \u015fi c\u0103 de aceea va merge cu mine, \u015fi nu m\u0103 va l\u0103sa singur p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu voi ajunge la izb\u00e2nd\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemi p\u0103ru bine de ast\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplare, \u015fi a\u015fa noi merser\u0103m,<\/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-n sear\u0103<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015fi ajunser\u0103m la o poian\u0103, unde maser\u0103m peste noapte. Tovar\u0103\u015ful meu de c\u0103l\u0103torie \u00eemi spuse c\u0103 a doua zi avem s\u0103 trecem pe hotarul unor zmei, c\u0103 acolo credea el c\u0103 voi g\u0103si ceea ce c\u0103utam.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi am \u00eenaintat pe mo\u015fia zmeilor, dat tot cam cu team\u0103, c\u00e2nd, pe la chindii, am ajuns la palaturile zmeilor. M\u00e2ndre\u0163e ce am v\u0103zut acolo nu se poate povesti. Gr\u0103dina cu fel de fel de flori \u015fi de pomi; casele \u00eenv\u0103lite cu argint care str\u0103lucea la soare ca oglinda, p\u0103re\u0163ii era \u00eempodobi\u0163i cu chipuri \u015fi flori s\u0103pate, iar\u0103 ciubucele erau poleite; f\u00e2nt\u00e2ni care aruncau ap\u0103 \u00een sus. Avur\u0103m parte c\u0103 zmeii nu erau acas\u0103 c\u00e2nd am ajuns acolo. Fur\u0103m \u00eent\u00e2mpina\u0163i \u00een pragul por\u0163ii de o fat\u0103 frumoas\u0103, frumoas\u0103, de pare c\u0103 era f\u0103cut\u0103 din zah\u0103r, care ne zise s\u0103 nu c\u0103lc\u0103m \u00een curte, \u00een lipsa zmeilor, c\u0103 nu e bine de noi; apoi l\u0103cr\u0103m\u0103 de bucurie c\u0103 a mai v\u0103zut oameni de pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul de unde a furat-o zmeii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centreb\u00e2nd-o despre lucrul ce c\u0103utam, ne-a spus c\u0103 se afl\u0103 la al\u0163i zmei, rude ale zmeilor pe mo\u015fia c\u0103rora eram.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Duce\u0163i-v\u0103, ne zise ea, c\u0103 cu ajutorul lui Dumnezeu, n\u0103d\u0103jduiesc s\u0103 izb\u00e2ndi\u0163i, \u015fi \u00eentorc\u00e2ndu-v\u0103, lua\u0163i-m\u0103 \u015fi pe mine.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce ne \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 cum s\u0103 facem s\u0103 intr\u0103m \u00een curtea zmeilor \u015fi cum s\u0103 lucr\u0103m, m\u0103 jur\u0103 pe ce am mai scump pe lume, pe tata, ca s\u0103 nu o las la zmei, ci s\u0103 o iau; iar\u0103 noi ne-am dus. Ce e drept, \u015fi mie \u00eemi pl\u0103cu fata, de cum o v\u0103zui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei ajung\u00e2nd la hotarul celorlal\u0163i zmei, am stat de ne-am odihnit. Iar\u0103 \u00een rev\u0103rsat de ziori, am pornit pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul zmeilor, \u015fi am ajuns cam aproape de n\u0103miezi la palaturile lor, care erau \u015fi mai frumoase dec\u00e2t ale celor dint\u00e2i. Cum am desc\u0103lecat, m-am dus la grajd, iar\u0103 tovar\u0103\u015ful meu s-a \u00eentors \u00eenapoi; fiindc\u0103 a\u015fa ne \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase fata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Caii erau la iesle. Unul din ei a \u00eentors capul \u015fi s-a uitat la mine. Eu l-am frecat la ochi, l-am tras de urechi, i-am sumu\u0163at \u015fi i-am pus fr\u00e2ul \u00een cap. Apoi \u00eenc\u0103lec\u00e2nd, d-a-nc\u0103larele am luat colivia cu pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103 care era \u00een pridvor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu ai luat pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103? zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul; tu e\u015fti fiul meu pe care toat\u0103 lumea \u00eel \u0163ine de pierdut?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa, tat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei dup\u0103 ce s\u0103rut\u0103 m\u00e2na \u00eemp\u0103ratului, \u00eel rug\u0103 s\u0103 porunceasc\u0103 a se aduce de fa\u0163\u0103 g\u0103in\u0103reasa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 veni g\u0103in\u0103reasa, ciobanul zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asta este fata de care \u00ee\u0163i spusei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum se poate? r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Dar\u0103 cum a ajuns g\u0103in\u0103reas\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asta \u0163i-o va spune ea; c\u0103ci eu nu \u015ftiu. \u015ei a\u015fa cum zisei, \u00eencepu el a povesti, dup\u0103 ce \u00eenh\u0103\u0163ai colivia \u015fi o luai la s\u0103n\u0103toas\u0103 cu bidiviul luat de la zmei, \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 nincheze caii ceilal\u0163i \u015fi s\u0103 fac\u0103 un zgomot de \u0163i se f\u0103cea p\u0103rul m\u0103ciuc\u0103; iar\u0103 eu \u00eemi \u0163ineam firea. Unde se luar\u0103 zmeii dup\u0103 mine, \u015fi fugi, \u015fi fugi, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunsei la tovar\u0103\u015ful care m\u0103 a\u015ftepta la hotar; \u015fi dac\u0103 nu era el, puneau zmeii m\u00e2na pe mine \u015fi cine \u015ftie ce se alegea de capul meu. Tovar\u0103\u015ful meu \u00eens\u0103 \u00eentinse m\u00e2na \u015fi r\u0103cni o dat\u0103 la d\u00e2n\u015fii: sta\u0163i! Iar\u0103 ei pare c\u0103 fur\u0103 de piatr\u0103 de c\u00e2nd lumea; nici un pas nu mai f\u0103cur\u0103 \u00eenainte. Dup\u0103 ce m\u0103 lu\u0103 \u00een bra\u0163e \u015fi m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103, se mir\u0103 \u015fi el de frumuse\u0163ea pas\u0103rei. Zmeii \u00eens\u0103 umbla cu \u015fo\u015fele, cu momele, s\u0103-mi ia pas\u0103rea, f\u0103g\u0103duindu-mi c\u00e2te \u00een lun\u0103 \u015fi \u00een soare; dac\u0103 v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 nu m\u0103 poate \u00eendupleca, m\u0103 ruga ca barim calul s\u0103 li-l dau; \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, v\u0103zui eu c\u0103 nu e bine s\u0103-i las tocmai de tot m\u00e2hni\u0163i, le-am dat calul, \u015fi eu am plecat cu tovar\u0103\u015ful meu \u015fi cu pas\u0103rea; iar\u0103 zmeilor li se scurgeau ochii dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd la palaturile celorlal\u0163i zmei, fata ne a\u015ftepta \u00een poart\u0103; plesni de trei ori cu un bici \u015fi tot palatul se f\u0103cu un m\u0103r, pe care ea \u00eel lu\u0103; iar\u0103 eu o \u00eenh\u0103\u0163ai de mijloc \u015fi pe ici \u0163i-e drumul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aoleu! dar\u0103 zmeii c\u00e2nd sim\u0163ir\u0103! unde veneau cu o falc\u0103 \u00een cer \u015fi cu una \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u015fi unde r\u0103cneau de-\u0163i \u00eenghe\u0163a s\u00e2ngele \u00een vine. Eu \u00eemi f\u0103cui curagi, detei pinteni calului \u015fi \u00eempreun\u0103 cu tovar\u0103\u015ful meu fugeam ca v\u00e2ntul; zmeii \u00eens\u0103 veneau ca g\u00e2ndul. Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu tovar\u0103\u015ful meu a\u015fa \u015fi c\u0103 nu este chip a sc\u0103pa cu fa\u0163\u0103 curat\u0103, se opri \u00een loc, amenin\u0163\u0103 asupra lor \u015fi se f\u0103cur\u0103 stane de piatr\u0103. Iar\u0103 noi ne urmar\u0103m c\u0103l\u0103toria venind p\u00e2n\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi \u00een c\u00e2mpia de unde plecasem, adic\u0103 pe mo\u015fia vulpoiului. Dup\u0103 ce ne-am odihnit \u015fi am dat mul\u0163umit\u0103 Domnului c\u0103 am terminat cu bine ast\u0103 treab\u0103, l-am \u00eentrebat ce \u00eensemna acele stane de piatr\u0103. Atunci el \u00eemi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“De vei \u015fti, te vei c\u0103i; de nu vei \u015fti, iar\u0103\u015fi te vei c\u0103i.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Spune-mi, te rog”, \u00eei zisei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Ace\u015ftia sunt fra\u0163ii t\u0103i, \u00eemi r\u0103spunse. Ei, \u00een loc s\u0103 fac\u0103 ca tine, s\u0103 primeasc\u0103 cu dragoste rug\u0103ciunea mea, asmu\u0163ar\u0103 ogarii dup\u0103 mine, ceea ce \u00eemi prelungi sc\u00e2rbosul blestem de a purta le\u015ful vulpoiului; iar\u0103 eu \u00eei \u00eempietrii”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Pentru dragostea mea, rogu-te, \u00eei zisei eu, \u015fi pentru prietenia ce am legat, f\u0103-i iar\u0103 oameni cum au fost.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Mult mi-e drag\u0103 prietenia ta, r\u0103spunse el, \u015fi de aceea fie dup\u0103 voia ta; dar\u0103 o s\u0103 te c\u0103ie\u015fti.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eentr-un minut nu \u015ftiu ce f\u0103cu din m\u00e2n\u0103, c\u0103 deodat\u0103 pietrele acele se scuturar\u0103 \u015fi fra\u0163ii mei r\u0103maser\u0103 \u00een mirare v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se fa\u0163\u0103 cu noi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ne luar\u0103m ziua bun\u0103 de la tovar\u0103\u015ful meu \u015fi plecar\u0103m s\u0103 ne \u00eentoarcem acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite, fra\u0163ii mei \u00eemi cocea turta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Frate, \u00eemi ziser\u0103 ei, dup\u0103 ce c\u0103l\u0103torir\u0103m c\u00e2tva, am obosit de at\u00e2ta drum; c\u0103ldura este mare; aide ici la un ele\u015fteu pe care \u00eel \u015ftim noi, s\u0103 bem c\u00e2te ni\u0163ic\u0103 ap\u0103, s\u0103 ne r\u0103corim.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Am ascultat \u015fi am mers. B\u0103u cel mare, b\u0103u \u015fi cel mijlociu; iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd era s\u0103 beau \u015fi eu, cum eram pus pe br\u00e2nci pe marginea ele\u015fteului ca s\u0103 ajung cu gura la ap\u0103, cum f\u0103cuser\u0103 \u015fi ei, m\u0103 trezii cu o usturime grozav\u0103 la am\u00e2ndou\u0103 picioarele; c\u00e2nd s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eentorc s\u0103 v\u0103z ce este pricina, nu m\u0103 mai putui scula \u00een picioare; mi le t\u0103iaser\u0103 fra\u0163ii mei, \u015fi-\u015fi c\u0103tau de drum, f\u0103r\u0103 a mai asculta la rug\u0103ciunile \u015fi vaietele mele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i am mas acolo prinprejurul ele\u015fteului. Calul eu, biet, c\u00e2nd vedea c\u0103 vine c\u00e2te un balaur la mine, m\u0103 lua cu din\u0163ii de pe la spate, de haine, \u015fi fugea \u00eencotro vedea cu ochii, \u015fi azv\u00e2rlea din picioare de nu se putea apropia de noi nici o fiar\u0103 s\u0103lbatic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit a patra zi am dat peste un orb care orb\u0103c\u0103ia \u015fi el pe dibuite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Cine este acolo?” \u00eentrebai eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Un biet neputincios”, r\u0103spunse el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei dup\u0103 ce \u00eemi spuse cum fra\u0163ii i-a scos ochii, din pizm\u0103, i-am povestit \u015fi eu cum mi-a t\u0103iat fra\u0163ii picioarele. Atunci el \u00eemi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“\u015etii ce? Aide s\u0103 ne prindem fra\u0163i de cruce. Eu am picioare, tu ai ochi; s\u0103 te port \u00een spinare. Eu s\u0103 umblu pentru tine; tu s\u0103 vezi pentru mine. Eu \u015ftiu c\u0103 p-aci prin vecin\u0103tate este o scorpie mare. Cu s\u00e2ngele ei se poate vindeca orice boal\u0103 ar fi”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M-am \u00eenvoit cu d\u00e2nsul la aceasta \u015fi am mers p\u00e2n\u0103 am dat de locuin\u0163a scorpiei. Ea nu era acas\u0103. Orbul m\u0103 a\u015fez\u0103 dup\u0103 u\u015fe \u015fi \u00eemi zise ca s\u0103 dau cu sabia s\u0103 o tai, cum va intra; iar\u0103 el se ascunse dup\u0103 sob\u0103. Nu a\u015fteptar\u0103m mult \u015fi iat\u0103 scorpia venea sup\u0103rat\u0103, fiindc\u0103 sim\u0163ise c\u0103-i c\u0103lcase cineva casa. Cum o v\u0103zui, inima se f\u0103cuse c\u00e2t un purice \u00een mine, iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd intr\u0103 pe u\u015f\u0103, a\u015fteptai p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103-mi vie bine, \u015fi unde dedei o dat\u0103 cu sete, \u00eenc\u00e2t dintr-o lovitur\u0103 \u00eei t\u0103iai c\u00e2tetrele capetele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 unsei numaidec\u00e2t cu s\u00e2ngele ei cald, \u015fi cum atinsei picioarele la loc, se lipir\u0103 de parc\u0103 fusese acolo de c\u00e2nd lumea. Unsei \u015fi pe orb, \u015fi \u00eei veni vederile ca mai-nainte. Dup\u0103 ce mul\u0163umir\u0103m lui Dumnezeu, plecar\u0103m fiecare la ale noastre.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-am voit s\u0103 viu d-a dreptul acas\u0103, ci am socotit mai bine s\u0103 m\u0103 bag cioban \u015fi s\u0103 las ca Dumnezeu s\u0103 aduc\u0103 lucrurile a\u015fa \u00eenc\u00e2t s\u0103 se dovedeasc\u0103 vinovatul. Nu m-am \u00een\u015felat \u00een credin\u0163a mea, c\u0103 iat\u0103 puterea lui mare este \u015fi judecata lui dreapt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Spune \u015fi tu, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul g\u0103in\u0103resei, cum de ai ajuns g\u0103in\u0103reas\u0103 \u015fi roab\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dup\u0103 ce a t\u0103iat picioarele fratelui celui mic, fiii cei mari ai \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei tale m\u0103 luar\u0103 unul pe mine \u015fi altul pas\u0103rea m\u0103iastr\u0103. Eu pl\u00e2ngeam de m\u0103 topeam, c\u0103 m\u0103 desp\u0103r\u0163ea de fiul cel mic al m\u0103riei tale, pe care \u00eemi era drag s\u0103-l privesc, fiindc\u0103-l v\u0103zusem c\u0103 e un pui de rom\u00e2na\u015f. Ei m\u0103 silir\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 iubesc cu unul din ei, \u00eemi f\u0103g\u0103dui c\u0103 m\u0103 va lua de so\u0163ie cum voi ajunge la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103. Dup\u0103 ce m-am \u00eempotrivit la toate siluirile ce am\u00e2ndoi voiau s\u0103-mi fac\u0103, am priimit mai bine s\u0103 fiu roab\u0103 \u015fi g\u0103in\u0103reas\u0103 la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei tale, dec\u00e2t s\u0103 m\u0103 duc aiurea, fiindc\u0103 \u015ftiam c\u0103 Dumnezeu nu va l\u0103sa s\u0103 se pr\u0103p\u0103deasc\u0103 acela care a umblat cu dreptatea \u00een s\u00e2n, \u015fi acum, mul\u0163umesc lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 mi-a ar\u0103tat cum fapta bun\u0103 nu moare niciodat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Po\u0163i tu s\u0103-mi dovede\u015fti, \u00eentreb\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul, c\u0103 tu e\u015fti acea fat\u0103 \u015fi nu alta?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acest m\u0103r, zise ea, pe care \u00eel scoase din s\u00e2n, poate s\u0103 \u00eencredin\u0163eze pe ori\u015ficine c\u0103 eu sunt. Fiii d-tale cei mai mari n-au \u015ftiut de d\u00e2nsul, c\u0103 mi l-ar fi luat, \u015fi nu m-a\u015f mai fi \u00eent\u00e2lnit cu d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci, ie\u015find afar\u0103, plesni dintr-o biciu\u015fc\u0103 de trei ori asupra m\u0103rului \u015fi unde se ridic\u0103 ni\u015fte palaturi, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00een toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia nu se g\u0103sea altele ca acelea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul r\u0103mase \u015fi el \u00een mirare. \u015ei voind a s\u0103rb\u0103tori venirea fiului celui mic, acesta zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, \u00eenainte de a mul\u0163umi lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 m-am \u00eentors s\u0103n\u0103tos, s\u0103 mergem c\u00e2te\u015fitrei fra\u0163ii \u00eenaintea lui la judecat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul n-avu ce zice. Se aduser\u0103 fra\u0163ii \u00eenaintea \u00eemp\u0103ratului, carii deter\u0103 \u00een genunchi \u015fi cerur\u0103 iertare de la fratele cel mai mic. El le zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 Dumnezeu v\u0103 va ierta, ierta\u0163i s\u0103 fi\u0163i \u015fi de la mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Neav\u00e2nd \u00eencotro, se duser\u0103 \u00eenaintea bisericii \u015fi puser\u0103 trei uleie dep\u0103rtate deopotriv\u0103 unul de altul. Intrar\u0103 fiecare cu picioarele \u00een c\u00e2te unul, \u015fi aruncar\u0103 cu pra\u015ftia \u00een sus c\u00e2te o piatr\u0103; pietrele fra\u0163ilor celor mari se \u00eentoarser\u0103 \u015fi lovir\u0103 pe fiecare \u00een cap cu a\u015fa t\u0103rie, \u00eenc\u00e2t r\u0103maser\u0103 mor\u0163i. Piatra \u00eens\u0103 a fiului celui mic de \u00eemp\u0103rat c\u0103zu dinaintea lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lumea se adunse de se uita la ast\u0103 judecat\u0103 dumnezeiasc\u0103, iar \u00eemp\u0103ratul, dup\u0103 ce f\u0103cu nunt\u0103 \u015fi-\u015fi \u00eenso\u0163i copilul cu g\u0103in\u0103reasa, se cobor\u00ee de pe tron \u015fi puse pe fiul s\u0103u \u00een locu-i, care, dac\u0103 o fi tr\u0103ind, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163e\u015fte \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 azi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Eram \u015fi eu fa\u0163\u0103 la acele \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103ri, pe care le povestesc acum celor ce m\u0103 ascult\u0103.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat evlavios \u015fi bun. El avea trei feciori. Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 multe bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163i ce f\u0103cuse oamenilor din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lui, a ridicat \u015fi o monastire de care … <\/p>\n