\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u015fi avea un fecior; acesta, \u015fez\u00e2nd la fereastr\u0103, vede o bab\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, care venea cu tivga s\u0103 ia ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103. Ce-i vine lui, ia o piatr\u0103 \u015fi arunc\u00e2nd-o c\u0103tre f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, nemere\u015fte drept \u00een tivg\u0103, \u015fi aceasta se sparge; baba, care sim\u0163ise de unde venise piatra \u00ee\u015fi arunc\u0103 ochii la fereastra \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi vede pe fiul de \u00eemp\u0103rat f\u0103c\u00e2nd haz; atunci baba zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 P\u00e2n\u0103 nu vei g\u0103si cele trei rodii aurite, s\u0103 nu te \u00eensori, dragul mamii; \u015fi se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103 trist\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 tivg\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 ap\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul de \u00eemp\u0103rat, auzind acest blestem, st\u0103tu, \u015fi dup\u0103 ce se g\u00e2ndi mult timp la rodiile aurite, se aprinse dorin\u0163a \u00een el de a le vedea \u015fi de a le avea; deci se duse la tat\u0103-s\u0103u \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, s\u0103-mi faci trei r\u00e2nduri de haine de fier, c\u0103ci am s\u0103 fac o c\u0103l\u0103torie mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei toat\u0103 silin\u0163a ce puse \u00eemp\u0103ratul a opri pe fiul s\u0103u de la aceasta, fu \u00een zadar.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu \u015fi v\u0103zu c\u0103 nu-l poate opri, porunci \u015fi numaidec\u00e2t i se \u015fi f\u0103cu hainele; dup\u0103 ce le lu\u0103, fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi plec\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Un an de zile trecuse de c\u00e2nd c\u0103l\u0103torea; ajunsese prin pustiet\u0103\u0163i nelocuite de oameni, \u015fi tot r\u0103t\u0103cind \u00een sus \u015fi \u00een jos, dou\u0103 r\u00e2nduri de haine se rupser\u0103 \u015fi le lep\u0103dase. Ne\u015ftiind ce s\u0103 fac\u0103, hot\u0103r\u00ee a mai merge c\u00e2tva, \u015fi dac\u0103 nu va putea descoperi nimic, s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia mai f\u0103cu c\u00e2\u0163iva pa\u015fi \u015fi iat\u0103 c\u0103 z\u0103ri o colib\u0103. Se repezi \u00eentr-acolo iute ca s\u0103geata \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 \u015fi ajunse. C\u00e2nd, o m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103 sihastr\u0103, cum \u00eel v\u0103zu, \u00eei \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da bine, fl\u0103c\u0103ule, cum ai ajuns p-aici pe unde nu se vede pas\u0103re cu aripioare, dar \u00eenc\u0103mite om cu picioare?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mam\u0103, zise fiul de \u00eemp\u0103rat, caut cele trei rodii aurite; nu \u015ftii d-ta \u00eencotro se pot afla?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u015ftiu, dragul mamii, nici n-am auzit p\u00e2n\u0103 acum de a\u015fa minune, dar\u0103 poate soru-mea s\u0103 \u015ftie, care \u015fade pu\u0163in mai departe de aici; de ai curaj s\u0103 mai mergi, po\u0163i s\u0103 o \u00eentrebi pe d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-a\u015ftept\u0103 s\u0103-i zic\u0103 de dou\u0103 ori, \u015fi o tuli \u00eentr-acolo repede \u015fi merse, \u015fi merse, cale lung\u0103 neumblat\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce dete de o alt\u0103 colib\u0103, de unde asemenea ie\u015fi o m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103 sihastr\u0103, \u015fi mai b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi mai scof\u0103lcit\u0103, care \u015fi ea \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum ai ajuns p-aici, om cu picioare, pe unde unde nu vine nici pas\u0103ri cu aripioare?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mam\u0103, zise fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului, caut cele trei rodii aurite, \u015fi dorin\u0163a de a le avea m-a adus p-aici, nu \u015ftii d-ta \u00eencotro se afl\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La auzirea acestor vorbe, b\u0103tr\u00e2na \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103, apoi \u00eei r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am avut \u015fi eu un fecior, care auzise despre acele blestemate rodii, \u015fi care, tot umbl\u00e2nd dup\u0103 ele, \u00eentr-una din zile se \u00eentoarse \u015fchiop \u015fi \u00een cele din urm\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi rupse \u015fi capul pentru ele; dac\u0103 a\u015f fi \u015ftiut atunci, dragul mamii, cum s\u0103 le g\u0103seasc\u0103 cineva f\u0103r\u0103 primejdie, nu-mi pierdeam copila\u015ful.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum auzi fl\u0103c\u0103ul nostru, \u00eencepu a se ruga s\u0103-i spuie cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103 le ia, iar\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2na \u00eel pov\u0103\u0163ui cum s\u0103 umble \u015fi cum s\u0103 se poarte, \u015fi dac\u0103 va izbuti, l-a jurat pe tinere\u0163ele lui ca s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 tot pe acolo, ca s\u0103-i arate \u015fi ei acele rodii, dup\u0103 care s-a pr\u0103p\u0103dit fiul s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce i-a f\u0103g\u0103duit c\u0103 se va \u00eentoarce, i-a mul\u0163umit pentru sfaturile cele bune ce a primit de la d\u00e2nsa, \u015fi ca o n\u0103luc\u0103 pieri dinaintea ei, c\u00e2nd, dup\u0103 o c\u0103l\u0103torie \u00eenc\u0103 d-o s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi mai bine, v\u0103zu un balaur cu o buz\u0103 \u00een cer \u015fi cu alta \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt. \u00cendat\u0103 ce ajunse la d\u00e2nsul \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 ziua, frate, \u015fi trecu \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar balaurul \u00eei r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Noroc bun, frate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajunse apoi la o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, muceg\u0103it\u0103 \u015fi plin\u0103 de n\u0103mol: el se apuc\u0103 \u00eendat\u0103 de cur\u0103\u0163i \u015fi primeni apa din f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi-\u015fi c\u0103ut\u0103 de drum p\u00e2n\u0103 dete de ni\u015fte por\u0163i \u00eencuiate, pline de praf \u015fi de p\u0103ianjeni; cur\u0103\u0163i acei p\u0103ianjeni, scutur\u0103 praful, dete poarta de perete \u015fi trecu \u00eenainte. \u00cen drumul s\u0103u \u00eent\u00e2lni o brut\u0103reas\u0103 care \u015ftergea un cuptor cu \u0163\u00e2\u0163ele sale; cum o v\u0103zu, \u00eei dete bun\u0103 ziua, \u015fi t\u0103indu-\u015fi o bucat\u0103 din haina sa, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ine asta, leiculi\u0163\u0103, de \u015fterge cuptorul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 ea, lu\u00e2nd-o, \u00eei mul\u0163umi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La spatele cuptorului, fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului v\u0103zu o gr\u0103din\u0103 ca un rai, \u00een care se r\u0103t\u0103ci c\u00e2tva timp.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cele de pe urm\u0103 v\u0103zu cele trei rodii cum at\u00e2rna de o crac\u0103 \u00een pom; \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cu curaj, scoase cu\u0163ita\u015ful \u015fi t\u0103ie cr\u0103culi\u0163a de care erau at\u00e2rnate, \u015fi o tuli d-a fuga \u00eenapoi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-apuc\u0103 s\u0103 fac\u0103 zece pa\u015fi \u015fi toat\u0103 gr\u0103dina \u00eencepu s\u0103 \u0163ipe \u015fi s\u0103 cheme \u00een ajutor pe brut\u0103reas\u0103, por\u0163ile, f\u00e2nt\u00e2na \u015fi pe balaur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba aia-i vorb\u0103, r\u0103spunse brut\u0103reasa, c\u0103 de c\u00e2nd sunt urgisit\u0103 a sta aci, nu s-a \u00eendurat nimeni s\u0103 vie a m\u0103 scuti de ars\u0103tura de toate zilele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103 alt g\u00e2nd n-am, r\u0103spunser\u0103 por\u0163ile, c\u0103 de c\u00e2nd suntem f\u0103cute, n-a venit nimeni s\u0103 ne mai scuture, s\u0103 ne deschiz\u0103, de \u00een\u0163elenisem a\u015fa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba s\u0103 ne ierta\u0163i, zice f\u00e2nt\u00e2na, c\u0103 de c\u00e2nd sunt f\u0103cut\u0103, m\u00e2n\u0103 de om n-a venit s\u0103-mi cure\u0163e apele, \u00eenc\u00e2t ajunsesem a m\u0103 \u00eempu\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba c\u0103 chiar, r\u0103spunse \u015fi balaurul, c\u0103 de c\u00e2nd sunt os\u00e2ndit a sta cu gura c\u0103scat\u0103 \u015fi cu ochii sticli\u0163i la stele, nimeni nu mi-a dat m\u0103car o bun\u0103 ziua, \u015fi s\u0103-mi zic\u0103 frate. Acest om ne-a sc\u0103pat de urgia ce era pe noi, \u015fi ne vom c\u0103uta de treab\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului, care f\u0103cuse \u00eentocmai cum \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase b\u0103tr\u00e2na, se \u00eentoarse pe la d\u00e2nsa \u015fi dup\u0103 ce-i mul\u0163umi \u015fi-i dete \u015fi ei c\u00e2te ceva, plec\u0103 s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia tat\u0103lui s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe drum, ce-i veni lui, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 nu mai poate r\u0103bda, scoase cu\u0163ita\u015ful \u015fi t\u0103ie una din rodii, ca s\u0103 guste \u015fi s\u0103 se \u00eencredin\u0163eze de bun\u0103tatea lor. C\u00e2nd, ce s\u0103 vezi? Deodat\u0103 iese din rodie o fat\u0103, ca o z\u00e2n\u0103 de frumoas\u0103, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 \u00eencepu a striga cu glas m\u00e2ng\u00e2ios:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ap\u0103, ap\u0103, c\u0103 mor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centoarse fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului ochii \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile s\u0103 vaz\u0103 ap\u0103; dar\u0103 geaba, ap\u0103 nu era, iar\u0103 fata c\u0103zu \u015fi muri; p-aci era s\u0103 caz\u0103 \u015fi el, dar\u0103 se \u0163inu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tot merg\u00e2nd el, nu putu s\u0103 \u0163ie p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 nu guste dintr-o rodie \u015fi scoase cu\u0163ita\u015ful de t\u0103ie \u00eenc\u0103 una; deodat\u0103, iese \u015fi dintr-\u00eensa o fat\u0103 ca o z\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi moare ca \u015fi cea dint\u00e2i, fiindc\u0103 n-avu ap\u0103 s\u0103-i dea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u00e2hnit de ciudata \u00eent\u00e2mplare, mergea c\u0103tre \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia tat\u0103lui s\u0103u cu rodia care \u00eei mai r\u0103m\u0103sese, \u015fi se uita la d\u00e2nsa ca la un cire\u015f copt; \u015fi merse p\u00e2n\u0103 ajunse la o c\u00e2mpie frumoas\u0103 pe unde \u00eencepu a cunoa\u015fte urme de oameni. Aici \u00eei mai veni inima la loc, \u015fi se puse jos s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103 ni\u0163el. G\u00e2ndul lui nu se lua de la rodii \u015fi de la fetele cele frumoase ce muriser\u0103; \u015fi tot g\u00e2ndindu-se se aprinse \u00een el dorin\u0163a de a gusta din rodia pe care o mai avea, \u00eenc\u00e2t nemaiput\u00e2ndu-se \u0163ine, o t\u00e2r\u00ee s\u0103 o taie \u015fi pe aceasta, dar\u0103 tem\u00e2ndu-se s\u0103 nu i se \u00eent\u00e2mple ca \u015fi cu celelalte, c\u0103ut\u0103 o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, lu\u0103 ap\u0103 \u00een c\u0103ciul\u0103, \u015fi acolo, la umbra unui copaci mare, t\u0103ie \u015fi rodia care \u00eei mai r\u0103m\u0103sese, c\u00e2nd ce s\u0103 vezi? unde ie\u015fi o fat\u0103 ca soarele de frumoas\u0103, \u015fi cu p\u0103rul de aur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ap\u0103! ap\u0103! strig\u0103 ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei el \u00eei dete de b\u0103u \u015fi o stropi cu ap\u0103, \u015fi a\u015fa sc\u0103p\u0103 fata cu via\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eei da t\u00e2rcoale, \u015fi se tot minuna de frumuse\u0163ea \u015fi de ging\u0103\u015fia ei. Apoi o lu\u0103 de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 So\u0163ie s\u0103-mi fii \u015fi ea primi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El nu voi s\u0103 o duc\u0103 pe jos acas\u0103 la tat\u0103-s\u0103u, ca s\u0103 nu osteneasc\u0103, fiindc\u0103 o vedea c\u0103 era pu\u0163intic\u0103 la trup \u00eenc\u00e2t ar fi b\u0103ut-o \u00eentr-un pahar de ap\u0103, \u015fi a\u015fa de sub\u0163iric\u0103 de parc\u0103 era tras\u0103 prin inel.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El o pov\u0103\u0163ui s\u0103 se urce \u00een pomul de l\u00e2ng\u0103 f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi \u00eei zise s\u0103-l a\u015ftepte acolo p\u00e2n\u0103 se va \u00eentoarce de la tat\u0103l s\u0103u cu car\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti \u015fi cu c\u0103l\u0103re\u0163i, ca s\u0103 o ia, fiindc\u0103 el cunoscuse locurile c\u0103 nu mai este a\u015fa departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata cea frumoas\u0103 zise copaciului s\u0103 se lase jos, \u015fi el se l\u0103s\u0103, apoi se puse \u00een el \u015fi se ridic\u0103. Fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului r\u0103mase cu gura c\u0103scat\u0103 uit\u00e2ndu-se la ea \u015fi la minunea cum de se l\u0103sase \u015fi se ridicase copaciul, apoi, rup\u00e2nd-o d-a fuga, s\u0103 te p\u0103ze\u015fti, p\u00e2rleo, c\u0103 \u00eei sf\u00e2r\u00e2ia c\u0103lc\u00e2iele de iute ce se ducea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu trecu mult de c\u00e2nd se duse fiul de \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u015fi o fat\u0103 de \u0163igan veni s\u0103 ia ap\u0103 din f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, dar c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu chipul care str\u0103lucea \u00een ap\u0103, crezu c\u0103 e al ei, \u015fi, sp\u0103rg\u00e2nd ulciorul, se \u00eentoarse fuga la mum\u0103-sa:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu m\u0103 mai duc la ap\u0103, zise ea, o frumuse\u0163e ca a mea nu aduce ap\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Du-te la ap\u0103, arapino, ce tot spui astfel de fleacuri, \u00eei zise m\u0103sa, ar\u0103t\u00e2ndu-i coceanul m\u0103turei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea se duse \u015fi iar\u0103 se \u00eentoarse, ca \u015fi \u00eent\u00e2i, f\u0103r\u0103 isprav\u0103 \u015fi tot cu astfel de vorbe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103-sa \u00een\u0163elese c\u0103 acolo nu e lucru curat \u015fi \u00eei dete un ac vr\u0103jit s\u0103-l \u0163ie \u00een p\u0103r, \u015fi o \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 cu el la \u00eent\u00e2mplare de ar da peste cineva p-acolo, \u015fi o trimise iar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162iganca, cum ajunse la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, c\u0103t\u0103 \u00een sus \u015fi v\u0103zu de unde venea \u00een f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 acel chip \u00eengeresc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Suie-m\u0103 \u015fi pe mine acolo, rogu-te, zise \u0163iganca, uit\u00e2ndu-se gale\u015f c\u0103tre z\u00e2na frumuse\u0163ilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 fata cu p\u0103rul de aur zise copaciului de se l\u0103s\u0103, lu\u0103 pe \u0163iganc\u0103 ca s\u0103-i \u0163ie de ur\u00e2t, \u015fi copaciul se ridic\u0103 la loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0St\u00e2nd ele la vorb\u0103, \u0163iganca se lingu\u015fi \u015fi rug\u0103 pe fat\u0103, ca de voie\u015fte s\u0103 doarm\u0103 ni\u0163el, s\u0103 puie capul \u00een poala ei, \u015fi ea \u00eei va c\u0103uta \u00een cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi se puse cu capul \u00een poala \u0163igancei, \u015fi, c\u00e2nd era s\u0103 o fure somnul, \u0163iganca \u00eei \u00eenfipse acul otr\u0103vit \u00een cap, iar\u0103 fata se f\u0103cu o p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103 cu totul \u015fi cu totul de aur, \u015fi \u00eencepu a zbura de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo, p\u00e2n cr\u0103cile pomului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci \u0163iganca zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ah! fat\u0103 de lele ce mi-ai fost, cum mi-ai sc\u0103pat, eu socoteam c\u0103 dormi, dar\u0103, fie, tu n-o s\u0103-mi scapi, \u00ee\u0163i viu eu \u0163ie de hac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu trecu multe zile \u015fi iaca \u015fi fiul de \u00eemp\u0103rat cu oaste \u015fi c\u0103l\u0103re\u0163i \u015fi cu car\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti veni ca s-o ridice; iar\u0103 \u0163iganca, cum \u00eel v\u0103zu, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da bine, \u00eemp\u0103rate m-ai l\u0103sat s\u0103 te a\u015ftept at\u00e2ta, \u00eenc\u00e2t soarele mi-a ars fe\u0163i\u015foara \u015fi v\u00e2ntul mi-a b\u0103tut peri\u015forul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, cum o v\u0103zu, r\u0103mase la \u00eendoial\u0103 \u015fi nu-i venea s\u0103 creaz\u0103 c\u0103 ea este z\u00e2na pe care o l\u0103sase el acolo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103, dup\u0103 vorbele ce-i zise, pare c\u0103 ar fi crezut, \u015fi deci se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi o lu\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu \u015ftiu cum, nu \u015ftiu ce fel, dar\u0103 parc\u0103-i spunea inima c\u0103 n-o s\u0103 fie ea; \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, dac\u0103 nu v\u0103zu pe altcineva, plec\u0103 cu ea, \u015fi nu \u015ftia cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103 nu creaz\u0103 tat\u0103-s\u0103u c\u0103 spunsese minciuni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ajunse la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, le ie\u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00eenainte, \u015fi r\u0103mase \u00eenm\u0103rmurit c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu \u00een loc de z\u00e2na frumuse\u0163elor, cu fa\u0163a ca soarele \u015fi cu p\u0103rul de aur, pe o arapin\u0103 neagr\u0103 ca fundul c\u0103ld\u0103rei. \u015ei m\u0103car c\u0103 fiul s\u0103u \u00eel \u00eencredin\u0163a c\u0103 soarele \u00eei arsese fe\u0163i\u015foara \u015fi v\u00e2ntul \u00eei b\u0103tuse peri\u015forul, \u00eemp\u0103ratului tot nu-i venea s\u0103 creaz\u0103. \u00cens\u0103 n-avu ce face; de bine, de r\u0103u \u00eei puse \u00eentr-o parte a palatului \u015fi tot am\u00e2na cununiile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D-a doua zi chiar, \u00een gr\u0103dina \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, \u00een toate dimine\u0163ile, venea o p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2nta cu dor de-\u0163i rupea inima; apoi striga c\u00e2t \u00eei lua gura:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Gr\u0103dinar! Doarme \u00eemp\u0103ratul?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doarme, \u00eei r\u0103spundea gr\u0103dinarul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 doarm\u0103 somn dulce \u015fi mai dulce, de pe c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i s\u0103 s-aridice, ad\u0103oga p\u0103s\u0103rica. Dar\u0103 cioroaica de \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103 doarme?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doarme, \u00eei r\u0103spundea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 doarm\u0103 somnul de urgie, de acum p\u00e2n\u0103-n vecie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei pe care pom se punea de c\u00e2nta, pe loc se \u015fi usca.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gr\u0103dinarul spuse \u00eemp\u0103ratului toat\u0103 \u015firetenia cu pas\u0103rea \u015fi cum se usuc\u0103 pomii pe care se punea ea de c\u00e2nta. \u00cemp\u0103ratul se lu\u0103 de g\u00e2nduri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai to\u0163i pomii din gr\u0103din\u0103 se uscar\u0103 \u00een c\u00e2teva zile, mai r\u0103m\u0103sese unul. Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul porunci s\u0103 pun\u0103 pe fiecare cr\u0103culi\u0163\u0103 c\u00e2te un la\u0163, \u015fi a\u015fa se \u015fi f\u0103cu; iar\u0103 a doua zi, \u00een rev\u0103rsat de zori, veni la \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu pas\u0103rea de aur care dedese \u00een la\u0163. \u00cemp\u0103ratul porunci de-i f\u0103cu o colivie cu totul \u015fi cu totul de aur, puse pas\u0103rea \u00een ea \u015fi, de dragul ei, o \u0163inea pe fereastra lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162iganca, cum auzi de istoria cu pas\u0103rea, \u00eei trecu un fier ars prin inim\u0103. Se f\u0103cu bolnav\u0103, mitui pe to\u0163i vracii cari spuser\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 nu va t\u0103ia pas\u0103rea de aur \u015fi s\u0103 dea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce din ea, nu se va \u00eens\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Plin de sc\u00e2rb\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul nu se putea \u00eenvoi la asta, dar\u0103, dup\u0103 rug\u0103ciunea fiului s\u0103u, o dete; r\u0103mase \u00eens\u0103 nem\u00e2ng\u00e2iat \u015fi din ce \u00een ce ura mai mult pe \u0163iganc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Luar\u0103, deci, pas\u0103rea \u015fi o t\u0103iaser\u0103, o fierser\u0103 \u015fi o duse \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei; iar\u0103 ea, dup\u0103 ce se pref\u0103cu c\u0103 se \u00eens\u0103n\u0103to\u015fe\u015fte, \u00eencepu a se g\u0103ti de cununie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Din s\u00e2ngele p\u0103s\u0103relei crescu la fereastra \u00eemp\u0103ratului un brad \u00eenalt \u015fi frumos, \u015fi era o minune cum de \u00eentr-o noapte crescuse a\u015fa de mare \u015fi falnic. \u00cemp\u0103ratul chem\u0103 pre gr\u0103dinar \u015fi-i porunci s\u0103 aib\u0103 cea mai marei \u00eengrijire de acel pom. Iar\u0103 \u0163iganca, cum auzi, n-avu odihn\u0103 \u015fi-i puse g\u00e2nd r\u0103u. Pricepuse, dr\u0103coaica, c\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 nu sc\u0103pase cu totul \u015fi cu totul de primejdie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se f\u0103cu iar\u0103 bolnav\u0103, mitui iar\u0103 pe vraci, cari spuser\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 nu va t\u0103ia bradul s\u0103-l fiarb\u0103 \u015fi cu apa aceea s\u0103-i fac\u0103 baie, nu va trece \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se sup\u0103r\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la suflet, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 logodnica fiului s\u0103u e piaz\u0103 rea, fiindc\u0103 de c\u00e2nd a venit ea, n-a avut parte de nici un lucru ce i-a fost lui drag.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0L\u0103s\u0103 s\u0103 taie \u015fi bradul ca s\u0103 nu mai aib\u0103 nici un cuv\u00e2nt a-l mai sup\u0103ra cineva cu ceva, \u015fi se hot\u0103r\u00ee ca de aci \u00eenainte s\u0103 nu mai fac\u0103 pe voia nim\u0103nui, dac\u0103 ar mai da peste ceva care s\u0103-i plac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe c\u00e2nd t\u0103ia bradul, la care toat\u0103 lumea se uita cu jind, o b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 cer\u015fetoare se opri \u015fi ea s\u0103 priveasc\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 cealalt\u0103 lume, \u015fi c\u00e2nd vru s\u0103 plece, lu\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsa o surcea ce c\u0103zuse de la o \u0163and\u0103r\u0103 a bradului \u015fi o duse acas\u0103. B\u0103g\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 era un ac \u00eenfipt \u00een surcea; ea \u00eel scoase; \u015fi fiindc\u0103 surceaua era oarecum m\u0103ricic\u0103 \u015fi lat\u0103 o f\u0103cu capac la oala care o avea \u015fi ea dup\u0103 sufletul ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi plec\u0103 \u00een prosteal\u0103 ca totdauna; dar\u0103 c\u00e2nd se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103, r\u0103mase \u00eencremenit\u0103 v\u0103z\u00e2nd coliba m\u0103turat\u0103 \u015fi deretecat\u0103 de-\u0163i era drag\u0103 inima s\u0103 prive\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu \u00een\u0163elegea baba ce minune s\u0103 fie asta, adic\u0103 cine s\u0103 fi venit s\u0103-i fac\u0103 ei astfel de bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2teva zile urm\u0103 tot astfel; \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit hot\u0103r\u00ee s\u0103 p\u00e2ndeasc\u0103, doar\u0103 va da peste cel ce-i deretec\u0103 \u015fi-i pune toate alea la r\u00e2nduiala lor p\u00e2n colib\u0103 \u015fi a\u015fa \u015fi f\u0103cu. \u00centr-o zi dup\u0103 ce plec\u0103, ea se ascunse \u015fi, uit\u00e2ndu-se pe furi\u015f, pe cr\u0103p\u0103tura u\u015fii, v\u0103zu cum din capacul oalei s\u0103ri o fat\u0103 mai alb\u0103 dec\u00e2t neaua \u015fi cu p\u0103rul de aur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine e\u015fti, mam\u0103, zise ea, de \u00eemi faci astfel de bine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O fat\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 tri\u015fte, zise ea; dac\u0103 m\u0103 prime\u015fti s\u0103 \u015fez la d-ta, mult bine \u0163i-oi face \u015fi eu dumitale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eenvoir\u0103 \u015fi r\u0103mase; ba \u00eenc\u0103 baba se m\u00e2ndrea, c\u0103 a\u015fa fat\u0103 nici \u00een casa \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163ilor nu se g\u0103sea, frumoas\u0103 \u015fi vrednic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba mergea mereu \u00een prosteal\u0103, cum \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase ea, dar\u0103 \u00eentr-o zi \u00eei zise fata s\u0103-i cumpere din t\u00e2rg p\u00e2nz\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103tase ro\u015fie \u015fi verde; baba, biet, din paralele ce adunase din cer\u015fit, \u00eei cump\u0103r\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00ee\u015fi cusu toat\u0103 istoria pe dou\u0103 sangulii; \u015fi dup\u0103 ce le ispr\u0103vi, zise babei s\u0103 se duc\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsele la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u015fi c\u00e2nd va fi pe tron al\u0103turea cu fiul s\u0103u, sangulia cusut\u0103 cu verde s\u0103 o pun\u0103 pe genunchii \u00eemp\u0103ratului; iar\u0103 cea cusut\u0103 cu ro\u015fu pe ai fiului s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba ascult\u0103 \u015fi se duse; dar\u0103 osta\u015fii n-o l\u0103sa s\u0103 intre. Atunci ea f\u0103cu zgomot, \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul porunci s\u0103 o lase a intra. Ea, cum intr\u0103, f\u0103cu cum \u00eei zisese fata, \u015fi ie\u015fi ca s\u0103 a\u015ftepte s\u0103 vaz\u0103 isprava.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum v\u0103zur\u0103 sanguliile, \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi fiu-s\u0103u \u00een\u0163eleser\u0103 totul. Porunci s\u0103 cheme pe logodnica \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru c\u0103 o s\u0103 te faci \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103, trebuie s\u0103 te deprinzi a \u015fi judeca pe femei, c\u00e2nd judec\u0103torii nu se domiresc la c\u00e2te un lucru. Ast\u0103zi ni s-a ar\u0103tat cu pl\u00e2ngere o femeie, care zise c\u0103, av\u00e2nd un coco\u015f de soi, cu mare cheltuial\u0103 a alergat prin \u0163\u0103ri de a cump\u0103rat \u015fi o g\u0103in\u0103, a\u015fijderea de soi; c\u0103 vecina ei nu s-a mul\u0163umit c\u0103 i-a omor\u00e2t g\u0103ina, dar\u0103 i-a furat \u015fi coco\u015ful \u015fi l-a dat la o g\u0103in\u0103 d-ale ei, \u015fi a\u015fa cere dreptate. Ce zici despre aceasta?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Zic, r\u0103spunse bahni\u0163a, dup\u0103 ce se g\u00e2ndi pu\u0163in, c\u0103 femeia care a omor\u00e2t g\u0103ina \u015fi a furat coco\u015ful, cu moarte s\u0103 se omoare, \u015fi coco\u015ful s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nului \u00eempreun\u0103 cu g\u0103ina os\u00e2nditei \u015fi cu ou\u0103le ce va fi f\u0103cut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine ai judecat, r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Eu sunt femeia cu coco\u015ful, \u015fi tu e\u015fti care l-ai furat; g\u0103te\u015fte-te la os\u00e2nda care tu \u00eensu\u0163i ai g\u0103sit-o cu cale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162iganca \u00eencepu a pl\u00e2nge, a se ruga, a se jeli, dar\u0103 toate fur\u0103 degeaba. O dete pe m\u00e2na osta\u015filor care f\u0103r\u0103 mil\u0103 \u00eei r\u0103spl\u0103tir\u0103 nelegiuirea ce f\u0103cuse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceasta se duser\u0103 cu to\u0163ii la casa babei, \u015fi fiul de \u00eemp\u0103rat cu tat\u0103-s\u0103u \u00eenainte ridicar\u0103 pe fat\u0103 cu toat\u0103 cinstea; \u015fi dup\u0103 ce o aduse la palat, \u00eendat\u0103 \u00eei \u015fi cununar\u0103, \u015fi mare veselie fu \u00een toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia trei zile d-a r\u00e2ndul, pentru c\u0103 s-a g\u0103sit vie \u015fi nev\u0103t\u0103mat\u0103 fata cu p\u0103rul de aur, dup\u0103 care at\u00e2ta a umblat fiul de \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u015fi to\u0163i cu totul oropsea pe \u0163iganc\u0103 c\u00e2nd s-a auzit istoria nelegiuirilor sale.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u015fi avea un fecior; acesta, \u015fez\u00e2nd la fereastr\u0103, vede o bab\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, care venea cu tivga s\u0103 ia ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103. Ce-i vine … <\/p>\n