\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 A fost un \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi se numea \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015fu. El era foarte m\u00e2hnit c\u0103, \u00een zilele lui, ni\u015fte zmei furaser\u0103 soarele \u015fi luna de pe cer.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trimise deci oameni prin toate \u0163\u0103rile \u015fi r\u0103va\u015fe prin ora\u015fe, ca s\u0103 dea de \u015ftire tuturor c\u0103 oricine se va g\u0103si s\u0103 scoat\u0103 soarele \u015fi luna de la zmei, acela va lua pe fiie-sa de nevast\u0103 \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 jum\u0103tate din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lui, iar\u0103 cine va umbla \u015fi nu va izb\u00e2ndi nimic, acela s\u0103 \u015ftie c\u0103 i se va t\u0103ia capul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mul\u0163i voinici se potric\u0103liser\u0103 seme\u0163indu-se cu u\u015furin\u0163\u0103 c\u0103 va scoate la cap\u0103t o asemenea \u00eens\u0103rcinare; \u015fi c\u00e2nd la treab\u0103, h\u00e2\u0163 \u00een sus, h\u00e2\u0163 \u00een jos, da din col\u0163 \u00een col\u0163 \u015fi nu \u015ftia de unde s-o \u00eenceap\u0103 \u015fi unde s-o sf\u00e2r\u015feasc\u0103, vezi c\u0103 nu toate mu\u015ftele fac miere. \u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eens\u0103 se \u0163inu de cuv\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe vremea aceea, se afla un viteaz pe nume Greuceanu. Auzind \u015fi el de f\u0103g\u0103duin\u0163a \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, ce se g\u00e2ndi, ce se r\u0103zg\u00e2ndi, c\u0103 numai \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 inima \u00een din\u0163i, \u00eencumet\u00e2ndu-se pe ajutorul lui Dumnezeu \u015fi pe voinicia sa, \u015fi plec\u0103 \u015fi el la \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103 se \u00eenchine cu slujba. Pe drum se \u00eent\u00e2lni cu doi oameni pe cari slujitorii \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti \u00eei ducea la \u00eemp\u0103ratul ca s\u0103-i taie, pentru c\u0103 fugiser\u0103 de la o b\u0103t\u0103lie ce o avusese \u00eemp\u0103ratul acesta cu ni\u015fte gadine. Ei erau tri\u015fti, bie\u0163ii oameni, dar\u0103 Greuceanu \u00eei m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie cu ni\u015fte vorbe a\u015fa de dulci, \u00eenc\u00e2t le mai veni ni\u0163ic\u0103 inim\u0103, c\u0103 era \u015fi me\u015fter la cuv\u00e2nt Greuceanu nostru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El \u00ee\u015fi puse n\u0103dejdea \u00een \u00eent\u00e2mplarea aceasta \u015fi \u00ee\u015fi zise:”\u00eemi voi \u00eencerca norocul. De voi izbuti s\u0103 \u00eenduplec pe \u00eemp\u0103ratul a ierta pe ace\u015fti oameni de la moarte, m\u0103 voi \u00eencumeta s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eens\u0103rcinez \u015fi cu cealalt\u0103 treab\u0103; iar\u0103 de nu, s\u0103n\u0103tate bun\u0103! M\u0103 voi duce de unde am venit. Asta s\u0103 fie \u00een norocul meu; niciodat\u0103 nu stric\u0103 cineva s\u0103 fac\u0103 o \u00eencercare”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei astfel, poftorindu-\u015fi unele ca acestea, aide, aide, ajunge la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u00e2ndu-se la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, at\u00e2tea \u00eei povesti, a\u015fa cuvinte bune \u015fi dulci scoase \u015fi at\u00e2ta me\u015fte\u015fug puse \u00een vorbirea sa, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul crezu c\u0103 pe nedrept ar fi s\u0103 omoare pe acei oameni; c\u0103 mai de folos i-ar fi lui s\u0103 aib\u0103 doi supu\u015fi mai mult, \u015fi c\u0103 mai mare va fi vaza lui \u00een lume de s-ar ar\u0103ta milostiv c\u0103tre popor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu mai putur\u0103 oamenii de bucurie c\u00e2nd auzir\u0103 c\u0103 Greuceanu a m\u0103glisit pe \u00eemp\u0103ratul p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eentr-at\u00e2ta, \u00eenc\u00e2t l-a f\u0103cut s\u0103-i ierte. Mul\u0163umir\u0103 lui Greuceanu din toat\u0103 inima \u015fi \u00eei f\u0103g\u0103duir\u0103 c\u0103 toat\u0103 via\u0163a lor se vor ruga lui Dumnezeu pentru d\u00e2nsul ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103 din izb\u00e2nd\u0103 \u00een izb\u00e2nd\u0103, ceea ce \u015fi f\u0103cur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aceast\u0103 izb\u00e2nd\u0103 o lu\u0103 drept semn bun, \u015fi Greuceanu, merg\u00e2nd a doua oar\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, gr\u0103i cu cuvintele lui mieroase cele urm\u0103toare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103rite doamne, s\u0103 tr\u0103ie\u015fti \u00eentru mul\u0163i ani pe luminatul scaunul acestei \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ii. Mul\u0163i voinici s-au legat c\u0103tre m\u0103ria ta s\u0103 scoat\u0103 de la zmei soarele \u015fi luna pe care le-a hr\u0103pit de pe cer, \u015fi \u015ftiu c\u0103 cu moarte au murit, fiindc\u0103 n-au putut s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eendeplineasc\u0103 leg\u0103mintele ce au f\u0103cut c\u0103tre m\u0103ria ta. \u015ei eu, m\u0103rite doamne, cuget a m\u0103 duce \u00eentru c\u0103utarea acestor t\u00e2lhari de zmei, \u015fi mi-ar fi voia s\u0103-mi \u00eencerc \u015fi eu norocul, doar-doar va da Dumnezeu s\u0103 ajungem a putea pedepsi pe acei blestema\u0163i de zmei, pentru nesocotita lor \u00eendr\u0103zneal\u0103. Dar fii-mi milostiv \u015fi m\u00e2n\u0103 de ajutor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dragul meu Greucene, r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul, nu pot s\u0103 schimb nici o iot\u0103, nici o cirt\u0103 din hot\u0103r\u00e2rea mea. \u015ei aceasta nu pentru altceva, ci numai \u015fi numai pentru c\u0103 voiesc s\u0103 fiu drept. Poruncile mele voi s\u0103 fie una pentru toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia mea; la mine p\u0103rtinire nu este scris.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd statornica hot\u0103r\u00e2re a \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi dreptatea celor vorovite de d\u00e2nsul, Greuceanu cuv\u00e2nt\u0103 cu glas voinicesc:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fie, m\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate, chiar de a\u015f \u015fti c\u0103 voi pieri, tot nu m\u0103 voi l\u0103sa p\u00e2n\u0103 nu voi duce la cap\u0103t bun sarcina ce \u00eemi iau de bun\u0103-voia mea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eenvoir\u0103, \u015fi peste c\u00e2teva zile \u015fi plec\u0103, dup\u0103 ce puse la cale tot ce g\u0103si c\u0103 e bine s\u0103 fac\u0103, ca s\u0103 scape cu fa\u0163a curat\u0103 din aceast\u0103 \u00eentreprindere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Greuceanu lu\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul \u015fi pe fratele s\u0103u \u015fi merse, merse, merse cale lung\u0103, dep\u0103rtat\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse la Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, cu care era frate de cruce. Acest faur, fiind cel mai mare me\u015fter de pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt, era \u015fi n\u0103zdr\u0103van. Aici se oprir\u0103 \u015fi poposir\u0103. Trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i au stat \u00eenchi\u015fi \u00eentr-o c\u0103mar\u0103 Greuceanu cu Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului \u015fi se sf\u0103tuir\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, dup\u0103 ce se odihnir\u0103 c\u00e2teva zile \u015fi mai pl\u0103nuir\u0103 ceea ce era de f\u0103cut, Greuceanu \u015fi frate-s\u0103u o luar\u0103 la drum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cendat\u0103 dup\u0103 plecarea Greuceanului, Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului se apuc\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103cu chipul lui Greuceanu numai \u015fi numai din fier, apoi porunci s\u0103 arz\u0103 cu\u015fni\u0163a ziua \u015fi noaptea \u015fi s\u0103 \u0163in\u0103 chipul acesta f\u0103r\u0103 curmare \u00een foc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 Greuceanu \u015fi frate-s\u0103u merser\u0103 cale lung\u0103, \u015fi mai lung\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce li se f\u0103cu calea cruci; aici se oprir\u0103, se a\u015fezar\u0103 pe iarb\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103cur\u0103 o gust\u0103ric\u0103 din merindele ce mai aveau, \u015fi apoi se desp\u0103r\u0163ir\u0103, dup\u0103 ce se \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015far\u0103, \u015fi pl\u00e2nser\u0103 ca ni\u015fte copii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai nainte d-a se desp\u0103r\u0163i, \u00ee\u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163ir\u0103 c\u00e2te o basma \u015fi se \u00een\u0163eleser\u0103 zic\u00e2nd:”Atunci c\u00e2nd basmalele vor fi rupte pe margini, s\u0103 mai trag\u0103 n\u0103dejde unul de altul c\u0103 se vor mai \u00eent\u00e2lni; iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd basmalele vor fi rupte \u00een mijloc, s\u0103 se \u015ftie c\u0103 unul din ei este pierit”. Mai \u00eenfipse \u015fi un cu\u0163it \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi ziser\u0103:”Acela din noi, care s-ar \u00eentoarce mai \u00eent\u00e2i \u015fi va g\u0103si cu\u0163itul ruginit s\u0103 nu mai a\u015ftepte pe cellalt, fiindc\u0103 aceasta \u00eensemneaz\u0103 c\u0103 a murit”. Apoi Greuceanu apuc\u0103 la dreapta \u015fi frate-s\u0103u la st\u00e2nga.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fratele Greuceanului, umbl\u00e2nd mai mult\u0103 vreme \u00een sec, se \u00eentoarse la locul de desp\u0103r\u0163ire \u015fi, g\u0103sind cu\u0163itul curat, se puse a-l a\u015ftepta acolo cu bucurie, c\u0103 v\u0103zuse soarele \u015fi luna la locul lor pe cer.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 Greuceanu se duse, se duse pe o potec\u0103 care-l scoase tocmai la casele zmeilor, a\u015fezate unde-\u015fi \u00een\u0163\u0103rcase dracul copiii. Dac\u0103 ajunse aici, Greuceanu se dete de trei ori peste cap \u015fi se f\u0103cu un porumbel. Vezi c\u0103 el ascultase n\u0103zdr\u0103v\u0103niile ce-l \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului. F\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se porumbel, Greuceanu zbur\u0103 \u015fi se puse pe un pom care era tocmai \u00een fa\u0163a caselor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci, ie\u015find fata de zmeu cea mare \u015fi, uit\u00e2ndu-se, se \u00eentoarse repede \u015fi chem\u0103 pe mum\u0103-sa \u015fi pe sor\u0103-sa cea mic\u0103, ca s\u0103 vin\u0103 s\u0103 vaz\u0103 minunea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata cea mic\u0103 zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103iculi\u0163\u0103 \u015fi surioar\u0103, pas\u0103rea asta ginga\u015f\u0103 nu mi se pare ogurlie pentru casa noastr\u0103. Ochii ei nu seam\u0103n\u0103 a de pas\u0103re, ci mai mult seam\u0103n\u0103 a fi ochii lui Greuceanu cel de aur. P\u00e2n\u0103 acuma ne-a fost \u015fi nou\u0103! D-aici \u00eenainte numai Dumnezeu s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 mil\u0103 de noi \u015fi d-ai no\u015ftri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite aveau zmeii cuno\u015ftin\u0163\u0103 de vitejia lui Greuceanu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi intrar\u0103 c\u00e2te\u015ftrele zmeoaicele \u00een cas\u0103 \u015fi se puser\u0103 la sfat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Greuceanu numaidec\u00e2t se dete iar\u0103\u015fi de trei ori peste cap \u015fi se f\u0103cu o musc\u0103 \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een c\u0103mara zmeilor. Acolo se ascunse \u00eentr-o cr\u0103p\u0103tur\u0103 de grind\u0103 de la tavanul casei \u015fi ascult\u0103 la sfatul lor. Dup\u0103 ce lu\u0103 \u00een cap tot ce auzi, ie\u015fi afar\u0103 \u015fi se duse pe drumul ce ducea la Codru Verde \u015fi acolo se ascunse subt un pod.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum se vede treaba, din cele ce auzise, \u015ftia acum c\u0103 zmeii se duseser\u0103 la v\u00e2nat \u00een Codru Verde \u015fi aveau s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 unul de cu sear\u0103, altul la miezul nop\u0163ii \u015fi tartorul cel mare despre ziu\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015ftept\u00e2nd Greuceanu acolo, iat\u0103 m\u0103re, c\u0103 zmeul cel mai mic se \u00eentorcea \u015fi, ajung\u00e2nd calul la marginea podului, unde sfor\u0103i o dat\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103ri \u00eenapoi de \u015fapte pa\u015fi. Dar\u0103 zmeul, m\u00e2niindu-se, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ah, m\u00e2nca-o-ar lupii carnea calului! Pe lumea asta nu mi-e fric\u0103 de nimeni, numai de Greuceanu de Aur; dar \u015fi pe acela c-o lovitur\u0103 \u00eel voi culca la p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Greuceanu, auzind, ie\u015fi pe pod \u015fi strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vino, zmeule viteaz, \u00een s\u0103bii s\u0103 ne t\u0103iem, sau \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.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se apropiar\u0103 unul de altul \u015fi se luar\u0103 la tr\u00e2nt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aduse zmeul pe Greuceanu \u015fi-l b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een genunchi. Aduse \u015fi Greuceanu pe zmeu \u015fi-l b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2t \u015fi-i t\u0103ie capul. Apoi, dup\u0103 ce arunc\u0103 le\u015ful zmeului \u015fi al calului sub pod, se puse s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd, \u00een puterea nop\u0163ii, veni \u015fi fratele cel mare al zmeului, \u015fi calul lui s\u0103ri de \u015faptesprezece pa\u015fi \u00eenapoi. El zise ca \u015fi frate-s\u0103u, iar\u0103 Greuceanu \u00eei r\u0103spunse \u015fi lui ca \u015fi celui dint\u00e2i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ie\u015find de sub pod, se lu\u0103 la tr\u00e2nt\u0103 \u015fi cu acest zmeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei unde mi-aduse, nene, zmeul pe Greuceanu \u015fi-l b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt p\u00e2n\u0103 la br\u00e2u. Dar\u0103 Greuceanu, s\u0103rind repede, unde mi-aduse \u015fi el pe zmeu o dat\u0103, mi-l tr\u00e2nti \u015fi-l b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2t \u015fi-i t\u0103ie capul cu palo\u015ful. Arunc\u00e2ndu-i \u015fi mort\u0103ciunea acestuia \u015fi a calului s\u0103u sub pod, se puse iar\u0103\u015fi de se odihni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd despre zori, unde venea, m\u0103re, venea tat-al zmeilor, ca un tartor, de c\u0103tr\u0103nit ce era, \u015fi c\u00e2nd ajunse la capul podului, s\u0103ri calul lui \u015faptezeci \u015fi \u015fapte de pa\u015fi \u00eenapoi. Se nec\u0103ji zmeul de aceast\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplare c\u00e2t un lucru mare, \u015fi unde r\u0103cni:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ah, m\u00e2ncare-ar lupii carnea calului; c\u0103 pe lumea asta nu mi-e fric\u0103 de nimenea, doar\u0103 de Greuceanu de Aur; \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi pe acesta numai s\u0103-l iau la ochi cu s\u0103geata \u015fi \u00eel voi culca la p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci, ie\u015find \u015fi Greuceanu de sub pod, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Deh! zmeule viteaz, vino s\u0103 ne batem, \u00een s\u0103bii s\u0103 ne t\u0103iem, \u00een suli\u0163i s\u0103 ne lovim, ori \u00een lupt\u0103 s\u0103 ne lupt\u0103m.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sosi zmeul \u015fi se luar\u0103 la b\u0103taie: \u00een s\u0103bii se b\u0103tur\u0103 ce se b\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi se rupser\u0103 s\u0103biile; \u00een suli\u0163i se lovir\u0103 ce se lovir\u0103 \u015fi se rupser\u0103 suli\u0163ile; apoi se luar\u0103 la lupt\u0103: se zguduiau unul pre altul de se cutremura p\u0103m\u00e2ntul; \u015fi str\u00e2nse zmeul pe Greuceanu o dat\u0103, dar\u0103 acesta, b\u0103g\u00e2nd de seam\u0103 ce are de g\u00e2nd zmeul, se umfl\u0103 \u015fi se \u00eencord\u0103 \u00een vine \u015fi nu p\u0103\u0163i nimic, apoi Greuceanu str\u00e2nse o dat\u0103 pe zmeu, tocmai c\u00e2nd el nu se a\u015ftepta, de-i p\u00e2r\u00e2i oasele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa lupt\u0103 nici c\u0103 s-a mai v\u0103zut. \u015ei se luptar\u0103, \u015fi se luptar\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse vremea la n\u0103miezi, \u015fi ostenir\u0103. Atunci trecu pe deasupra lor un corb carele se leg\u0103na prin v\u0103zduh \u015fi c\u0103uta la lupta lor. \u015ei v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-l, zmeul \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Corbule, corbule, pas\u0103re cernit\u0103, adu-mi tu mie un cioc de ap\u0103 \u015fi-\u0163i voi da de m\u00e2ncare un voinic cu calul lui cu tot.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zise \u015fi Greuceanu:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Corbule, corbule, mie s\u0103-mi aduci un cioc de ap\u0103 dulce, c\u0103ci eu \u0163i-oi da de m\u00e2ncare trei le\u015furi de zmeu \u015fi trei de cal.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Auzind corbul aceste cuvinte, aduse lui Greuceanu un cioc de ap\u0103 dulce \u015fi \u00eei ast\u00e2mp\u0103r\u0103 setea; c\u0103ci \u00eenseto\u015faser\u0103, nevoie mare. Atunci Greuceanu mai prinse la suflet, \u015fi, \u00eemputernicindu-se, unde ridic\u0103, nene, o dat\u0103 pe zmeu, \u015fi tr\u00e2ntindu-mi-l \u00eel b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2t \u015fi-i puse piciorul pe cap, \u0163in\u00e2ndu-l a\u015fa. Apoi \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Spune-mi, zmeule spurcat, unde ai ascuns tu soarele \u015fi luna, c\u0103ci azi nu mai ai sc\u0103pare din m\u00e2na mea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se codea zmeul, \u00eeng\u00e2na verzi \u015fi uscate, dar\u0103 Greuceanu \u00eei mai zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Spune-mi-vei ori nu, eu tot le voi g\u0103si, \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi capul reteza-\u0163i-l-voi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci zmeul, tot mai n\u0103d\u0103jduindu-se a sc\u0103pa cu via\u0163\u0103 dac\u0103 \u00eei va spune, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cen Codru Verde este o cul\u0103. Acolo \u00een\u0103untru sunt \u00eenchise. Cheia este degetul meu cel mic de la m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum auzi Greuceanu unele ca acestea, \u00eei retez\u0103 capul, apoi \u00eei t\u0103ie degetul \u015fi-l lu\u0103 la sine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dete corbului, dup\u0103 f\u0103g\u0103duial\u0103, toate st\u00e2rvurile, \u015fi, duc\u00e2ndu-se Greuceanu la cula din Codru Verde, deschise u\u015fa cu degetul zmeului \u015fi g\u0103si acolo soarele \u015fi luna. Lu\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103 soarele \u015fi \u00een cea st\u00e2ng\u0103 luna, le arunc\u0103 pe cer \u015fi se bucur\u0103 cu bucurie mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oamenii, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi soarele \u015fi luna pe cer, se veselir\u0103 \u015fi l\u0103udar\u0103 pe Dumnezeu c\u0103 a dat at\u00e2ta t\u0103rie lui Greuceanu de a izb\u00e2ndit \u00eempotriva \u00eempieli\u0163a\u0163ilor vr\u0103jma\u015fi ai omenirii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 el, mul\u0163umit c\u0103 a scos la bun cap\u0103t slujba, o lu\u0103 la drum, \u00eentorc\u00e2ndu-se \u00eenapoi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0G\u0103sind pe frate-s\u0103u la semnul de \u00eentrolocare, se \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015far\u0103 \u015fi, cump\u0103r\u00e2nd doi cai ce mergeau ca s\u0103geata de iute, \u00eentinser\u0103 pasul la drum ca s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cale, dete peste un p\u0103r plin de pere de aur. Fratele Greuceanului zise c\u0103 ar fi bine s\u0103 mai poposeasc\u0103 pu\u0163in la umbra acestui p\u0103r, ca s\u0103 mai r\u0103sufle \u015fi caii, iar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 una, alta s\u0103 culeag\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2teva pere, spre a-\u015fi mai momi foamea. Greuceanu, care auzise pe zmeoaice ce pl\u0103nuiser\u0103, se \u00eenvoi a se odihni; dar\u0103 nu l\u0103s\u0103 pe frate-s\u0103u s\u0103 culeag\u0103 pere, ci zise c\u0103 le va culege el. Atunci trase palo\u015ful \u015fi lovi p\u0103rul la r\u0103d\u0103cin\u0103. C\u00e2nd, ce s\u0103 vezi d-ta? unde \u00eencepu a curge ni\u015fte s\u00e2nge \u015fi venin sc\u00e2rbos \u015fi un glas se auzi din pom, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 m\u00e2nca\u015fi fript\u0103, Greucene, precum ai m\u00e2ncat \u015fi pre b\u0103rbatul meu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei nimic nu mai r\u0103mase din acel p\u0103r, dec\u00e2t praf \u015fi cenu\u015fe; iar\u0103 frate-s\u0103u \u00eencremeni de mirare, ne\u015ftiind ce sunt toate acestea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce plecar\u0103 \u015fi merser\u0103 ce merser\u0103, deter\u0103 peste o gr\u0103din\u0103 foarte frumoas\u0103 cu flori \u015fi cu fluturei \u015fi cu ap\u0103 limpede \u015fi rece.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fratele Greuceanului zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 ne oprim aici ni\u0163el, ca s\u0103 ne mai odihnim c\u0103i\u015forii. Iar noi s\u0103 bem ni\u0163ic\u0103 ap\u0103 rece \u015fi s\u0103 culegem flori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa s\u0103 facem, frate, r\u0103spunse Greuceanu, dac\u0103 aceast\u0103 gr\u0103din\u0103 va fi s\u0103dit\u0103 de m\u00e2ini omene\u015fti \u015fi dac\u0103 acel izvor va fi l\u0103sat de Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi, tr\u0103g\u00e2nd palo\u015ful, lovi \u00een tulpina unei flori care se p\u0103rea mai frumoas\u0103 \u015fi o culc\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt; dup\u0103 aceea \u00eempunse \u015fi \u00een fundul f\u00e2nt\u00e2nei \u015fi a marginilor ei, dar\u0103 \u00een loc de ap\u0103 \u00eencepu a clocoti un s\u00e2nge mohor\u00e2t, ca \u015fi din tulpina florii, \u015fi umplu v\u0103zduhul de un miros gre\u0163os. Praf \u015fi \u0163\u0103r\u00e2n\u0103 r\u0103mase \u015fi din fata cea mai mare de zmeu, c\u0103ci ea se f\u0103cuse gr\u0103din\u0103 \u015fi izvor ca s\u0103 \u00eenvenineze pe Greuceanu \u015fi s\u0103-l omoare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei sc\u0103p\u00e2nd \u015fi d-aceast\u0103 pacoste, \u00eenc\u0103lecar\u0103 \u015fi plecar\u0103 la drum, repede ca v\u00e2ntul; c\u00e2nd ce s\u0103 vezi d-ta? Unde se luase dup\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii scorpia de mum\u0103 a zmeoaicelor cu o falc\u0103 \u00een cer \u015fi cu alta \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt ca s\u0103 \u00eenghi\u0163\u0103 pe Greuceanu \u015fi mai multe nu; \u015fi avea de ce s\u0103 fie c\u0103tr\u0103nit\u0103 \u015fi am\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103: c\u0103 nu mai avea nici so\u0163, nici fete, nici gineri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Greuceanu sim\u0163ind c\u0103 s-a luat dup\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii zmeoaica cea b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, zise fr\u0103\u0163in\u0103-s\u0103u:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia te uit\u0103, frate, \u00eenapoi \u015fi spune-mi ce vezi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 v\u0103z, frate, \u00eei r\u0103spunse el, iat\u0103 un nor vine dup\u0103 noi ca un v\u00e2rtej.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci dete bice cailor cari mergeau repede ca v\u00e2ntul \u015fi lin ca g\u00e2ndul; dar\u0103 Greuceanu mai zise o dat\u0103 fratelui s\u0103u s\u0103 se uite \u00een urm\u0103. Acesta \u00eei spuse c\u0103 se apropie norul ca o fl\u0103c\u0103raie; apoi, mai f\u0103c\u00e2nd un v\u00e2nt cailor, ajunser\u0103 la Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aci, cum desc\u0103lecar\u0103, se \u00eenchise \u00een f\u0103uri\u015fte. Pe urma lor iaca \u015fi zmeoaica. De-i ajungea, \u00eei pr\u0103p\u0103dea! Nici oscior nu mai r\u0103m\u00e2nea din ei. Acum \u00eens\u0103 n-avea ce le mai face.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O \u00eentoarse \u00eens\u0103 la \u015firetlic: rug\u0103 pe Greuceanu s\u0103 fac\u0103 o gaur\u0103 \u00een p\u0103rete ca m\u0103car s\u0103-l vaz\u0103 \u00een fa\u0163\u0103. Greuceanu se pref\u0103cu c\u0103 se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103cu o gaur\u0103 \u00een p\u0103rete. Dar\u0103 Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului se a\u0163inea cu chipul lui Greuceanu cel de fier, ce arsese \u00een foc de s\u0103rea sc\u00e2ntei din el. C\u00e2nd zmeoaica puse gura la sp\u0103rtur\u0103 ca s\u0103 soarb\u0103 pe Greuceanu, Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului \u00eei b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een gur\u0103 chipul de fier ro\u015fu ca focul \u015fi i-l v\u00e2r\u00ee pe g\u00e2t. Ea, \u00eenghior\u0163! \u00eenghi\u0163i \u015fi pe loc \u015fi cr\u0103p\u0103. Nu trecu mult \u015fi st\u00e2rvul zmeoaicei se pref\u0103cu \u00eentr-un munte de fier \u015fi astfel sc\u0103par\u0103 \u015fi de d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului deschise u\u015fa f\u0103uri\u015ftei, ie\u015fi afar\u0103 \u015fi se veselir\u0103 trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i de a\u015fa mare izb\u00e2nd\u0103. El mai cu seam\u0103 era nebun de bucurie pentru muntele de fier. Atunci porunci c\u0103lfilor s\u0103 fac\u0103 lui Greuceanu o c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 cu trei cai cu totul \u015fi cu totul de fier. Dup\u0103 ce fur\u0103 gata, sufl\u0103 asupra lor \u015fi le dete duh de via\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi ziua bun\u0103 de la frate-s\u0103u de cruce, Faurul-p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, Greuceanu se urc\u0103 \u00een tr\u0103sur\u0103 cu frate-s\u0103u cel bun \u015fi porni la Ro\u015fu-\u00eemp\u0103rat ca s\u0103-\u015fi primeasc\u0103 r\u0103splata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merse, merse, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce li se \u00eenfurci calea. Aci se oprir\u0103 \u015fi poposir\u0103. Apoi, Greuceanu desprinse de la c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 un cal \u015fi-l dete fratelui s\u0103u, ca s\u0103 duc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015fu vestea cea bun\u0103 a sosirii lui Greuceanu cu izb\u00e2nda s\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fit\u0103; iar\u0103 el r\u0103mase mai \u00een urm\u0103. \u00cenaint\u00e2nd el alene, r\u0103sturnat \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, trecu pre l\u00e2ng\u0103 un diavol \u015fchiop carele \u0163inea calea drume\u0163ilor ca s\u0103 le fac\u0103 neajunsuri. Acestuia \u00eei fu fric\u0103 s\u0103 dea piept cu Greuceanu, dar\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu scape nici el neatins de r\u0103utatea lui cea dr\u0103ceasc\u0103, \u00eei scoase cuiul din capul osiei de dind\u0103r\u0103t \u015fi-l arunc\u0103 departe \u00een urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi tot el zise Greuceanului:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, vericule, \u0163i-ai pierdut cuiul, du-te de \u0163i-l caut\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Greuceanu s\u0103rind din c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi uit\u0103 acolo palo\u015ful, din gre\u015feal\u0103. Iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd el \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103uta cuiul, diavolul \u00eei fur\u0103 palo\u015ful, apoi, a\u015fez\u00e2ndu-se \u00een marginea drumului, se dete de trei ori peste cap \u015fi se schimb\u0103 \u00eentr-o stan\u0103 de piatr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Puse Greuceanu cuiul la capul osiei, \u00eel \u00een\u0163epeni bine, se urc\u0103 \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, \u015fi pe ici \u0163i-e drumul! Nu b\u0103g\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 palo\u015ful \u00eei lipse\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Asculta\u0163i acum \u015fi v\u0103 minuna\u0163i, boieri d-voastr\u0103, de p\u0103\u0163ania bietului Greuceanu. Un mangosit de sfetnic d-ai \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015fu se fag\u0103duise diavolului, dac\u0103 \u00eel va face s\u0103 ia el pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Ba \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi rodul c\u0103s\u0103toriei sale \u00eel \u00eenchinase acestui necurat. \u00cempieli\u0163atul \u015ftia c\u0103 Greuceanu, f\u0103r\u0103 palo\u015f, era \u015fi el om ca to\u0163i oamenii. Puterea lui \u00een palo\u015f era; f\u0103r\u0103 palo\u015f era necunoscut. \u00cei fur\u0103 palo\u015ful \u015fi-l dete becisnicului de sfetnic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acesta se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eei ceru fata, zic\u00e2nd c\u0103 el este cel cu izb\u00e2nda cea mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eel crezu, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-i \u015fi palo\u015ful, \u015fi \u00eencepuser\u0103 a pune la cale cele spre cununie. Pe c\u00e2nd se preg\u0103tea la curte, pentru nuntirea fiicei \u00eemp\u0103ratului cu voinicul cel mincinos ce zicea c\u0103 a scos soarele \u015fi luna de la zmei, vine \u015fi fratele Greuceanului cu vestea c\u0103 Greuceanu are s\u0103 soseasc\u0103 \u00een cur\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sfetnicul cel palavatic, cum auzi de una ca aceasta, merse la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi zise c\u0103 acela este un am\u0103gitor \u015fi trebuie pus la \u00eenchisoare. \u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eel ascult\u0103. Iar\u0103 sfetnicul umbla d-a-nc\u00e2telea, zorind s\u0103 se fac\u0103 mai cur\u00e2nd nunta, cu g\u00e2nd c\u0103, dac\u0103 se va cununa odat\u0103 cu fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului, apoi poate s\u0103 vin\u0103 o sut\u0103 de Greuceni, c\u0103 n-are ce-i mai face, lucru fiind sf\u00e2r\u015fit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratului \u00eens\u0103 nu-i prea pl\u0103cu zorul ce da sfetnicul pentru nunt\u0103, \u015fi mai t\u0103r\u0103g\u0103i lucrurile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu trecu mult \u015fi iat\u0103 c\u0103 sose\u015fte \u015fi Greuceanu \u015fi, \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u00e2ndu-se la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, acesta nu \u015ftia \u00eentre care s\u0103 aleag\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Credea c\u0103 acesta s\u0103 fie Greuceanu, dar\u0103 nu-\u015fi putea da seam\u0103 de cum palo\u015ful lui Greuceanu se afl\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2na sfetnicului. Atunci b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 \u015fi Greuceanu c\u0103-i lipse\u015fte palo\u015ful \u015fi tocmai acum \u00eei veni \u00een minte pentru ce nu v\u0103zuse el stana de piatr\u0103 dec\u00e2t dup\u0103 ce-\u015fi g\u0103sise cuiul de la osie \u015fi se \u00eentorcea la c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul. Pricepu el c\u0103 nu e lucru curat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cemp\u0103rate prealuminate, zise el, toat\u0103 lumea \u015ftie c\u0103 e\u015fti om drept. Te rog s\u0103-mi faci \u015fi mie dreptate. Mult ai a\u015fteptat, mai a\u015fteapt\u0103, rogu-te \u00eenc\u0103 pu\u0163in \u015fi vei vedea cu ochii adev\u0103rului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Priimi \u00eemp\u0103ratul a mai a\u015ftepta p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 Greuceanu. Acesta se puse iar\u0103\u015fi \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163a lui cu cai cu tot de fier \u015fi \u00eentr-un suflet merse, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse la stana de piatr\u0103, acolo unde Necuratul \u00eei scosese cuiul de la c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fiin\u0163\u0103 netrebnic\u0103 \u015fi p\u0103gubitoare omenirii, zise el, d\u0103-mi palo\u015ful ce mi-ai furat, c\u0103ci de unde nu, praful nu se alege de tine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Piatra nici c\u0103 se clinti din loc m\u0103car.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Greuceanu se dete de trei ori peste cap, se f\u0103cu buzdugan cu totul \u015fi cu totul de o\u0163el, \u015fi unde \u00eencepu, nene, a lovi \u00een stan\u0103 de se cutremura p\u0103m\u00e2ntul. De c\u00e2te ori da, de at\u00e2tea ori c\u0103dea c\u00e2te o zbur\u0103tur\u0103 din piatr\u0103. \u015ei lovi ce lovi p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00eei sf\u0103r\u00e2m\u0103 v\u00e2rful. Apoi deodat\u0103 \u00eencepu stana de piatr\u0103 a tremura \u015fi a cere iert\u0103ciune. Iar\u0103 buzduganul, de ce da, d-aia \u00ee\u015fi \u00eente\u0163ea loviturile, \u015fi dete, \u015fi dete, p\u0103n\u0103 o f\u0103cu pulbere. C\u00e2nd nu mai fu \u00een picioare nimic din stana de piatr\u0103, c\u0103t\u0103 prin pulberea ce mai r\u0103m\u0103sese, \u015fi-\u015fi g\u0103si Greuceanu palo\u015ful ce-i furase Satana.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cel lu\u0103 \u015fi, f\u0103r\u0103 nici o clip\u0103 de odihn\u0103, veni \u015fi se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi la \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sunt gata, m\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate, zise el, s-ar\u0103t oricui ce poate osul lui Greuceanu. S\u0103 vin\u0103 acel sfetnic neru\u015finat care a voit s\u0103 te am\u0103geasc\u0103, spre a ne \u00een\u0163elege la cuvinte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eel chem\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acesta, dac\u0103 veni \u015fi v\u0103zu pe Greuceanu cu sprinceana \u00eencruntat\u0103, \u00eencepu s\u0103 tremure \u015fi-\u015fi ceru iert\u0103ciune, spun\u00e2nd cum c\u0103zuse \u00een m\u00e2inile lui palo\u015ful lui Greuceanu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 rug\u0103ciunea lui Greuceanu, dob\u00e2ndi iertare \u015fi de la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, dar acesta \u00eei porunci s\u0103 piar\u0103 din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lui. Apoi scoase pe fratele Greuceanului de la \u00eenchisoare \u015fi se f\u0103cu o nunt\u0103 d-alea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015ftile, \u015fi se \u00eencinse ni\u015fte veselii care \u0163inur\u0103 trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei eu \u00eenc\u0103lecai p-o \u015fea, \u015fi v\u0103 povestii d-voastr\u0103 a\u015fa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 A fost un \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi se numea \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015fu. El era foarte m\u00e2hnit c\u0103, \u00een zilele lui, ni\u015fte zmei furaser\u0103 soarele \u015fi luna de pe cer. … <\/p>\n