\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un om. El avea o fat\u0103 \u015fi un b\u0103iat. \u015ei r\u0103m\u00e2n\u00e2nd v\u0103duv de muma copiilor, \u00eel \u00eendemn\u0103 ariciul s\u0103 se \u00eensoare a doua oar\u0103. Neveste-sei \u00eei sta ace\u015fti copila\u015fi ca sarea \u00een ochi. Nu era diminea\u0163\u0103, nu era sear\u0103, nu era clip\u0103 l\u0103sat\u0103 de la Dumnezeu s\u0103 nu-i am\u0103rasc\u0103. C\u00e2nd \u00eei ciom\u0103gea, c\u00e2nd \u00eei cic\u0103lea \u015fi c\u00e2nd \u00eei da tuturor r\u0103ilor gonindu-i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Copiii, biet, ca copiii, nu \u015ftiau ce s\u0103 fac\u0103, ce s\u0103 dreag\u0103, ca s\u0103 umble dup\u0103 placul ei, dar\u0103 \u00een de\u015fert. Nu mai aveau zi alb\u0103, c\u0103ci ea se \u0163inea mereu de c\u00e2ra lor. \u00centr-o zi, ea zise b\u0103rbatului ei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 b\u0103rbate, de nu \u0163i-ei lua copiii s\u0103-i duci undeva \u00een pustietate, ca s\u0103-i pr\u0103p\u0103de\u015fti, eu p\u00e2ine cu sare de pe un taler cu tine nu mai m\u0103n\u00e2nc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da bine, fa nevast\u0103, cum s\u0103 pr\u0103p\u0103desc eu a\u015fa bun\u0103tate de copila\u015fi? \u015ei unde s\u0103-i duc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u015ftiu eu d-alde astea. S\u0103 faci ce zic eu, ori mai multe nu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce era s\u0103 fac\u0103 bietul om? S\u0103 nu o asculte, \u00eei era c\u0103 i se risipe\u015fte casa \u015fi \u00ee\u015fi pierde rostul. S\u0103 o asculte, \u00eei era mil\u0103 de copii. Dup\u0103 ce-l mai ciocm\u0103ni muierea o toan\u0103, puse \u00een g\u00e2nd s\u0103-i fac\u0103 voia, c\u0103ci limbu\u0163ia nevestei \u00eel scoase afar\u0103 din \u0163\u00e2\u0163\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se scul\u0103, deci, de diminea\u0163\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 copiii \u015fi plecar\u0103 \u00eempreun\u0103 cu vorba c\u0103 merge la lemne. Fata, ca una ce era \u015fi mai mare dec\u00e2t b\u0103iatul, lu\u0103 \u00een \u015for\u0163 vro doi pumni de m\u0103lai \u015fi pres\u0103r\u0103 pe drum, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure, Aci dac\u0103 ajunser\u0103, tat\u0103l lor le f\u0103cu focul, apoi le zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103, copii, v-am f\u0103cut focul; sta\u0163i aici \u015fi v\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103lzi\u0163i, c\u0103 eu m\u0103 duc ia, c\u00e2t colea, s\u0103 tai ni\u0163ele lemne, \u015fi c\u00e2nd m\u0103 voi \u00eentoarce am s\u0103 v\u0103 aduc mere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, t\u0103tu\u0163\u0103, r\u0103spunser\u0103 copiii, numai s\u0103 nu z\u0103bove\u015fti mult, c\u0103ci ne este fric\u0103 singuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fi\u0163i pe pace din partea asta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zise \u015fi plec\u0103. El se opri la o dep\u0103rtare c\u00e2t arunci cu o zbur\u0103tur\u0103 de \u0163and\u0103r\u0103, \u015fi se sui \u00eentr-un copaci \u015fi leg\u0103 un c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i de sc\u00e2ndur\u0103 de v\u00e2rful copaciului. De c\u00e2te ori b\u0103tea v\u00e2ntul sc\u00e2ndura se lovea, iar copiii ziceau:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Auzi, tata taie lemne.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El \u00eens\u0103 se \u00eentoarse la nevast\u0103, \u015fi \u00eei spuse ceea ce f\u0103cuse. Iara dac\u0103 se f\u0103cu sear\u0103, puser\u0103 masa \u015fi m\u00e2ncar\u0103. Mai r\u0103m\u00e2n\u00e2ndu-le ni\u015fte f\u0103r\u0103mituri, \u00eei zise nevasta:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde or fi copiii t\u0103i, b\u0103rbate? Ar putea s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce \u015fi ei ceea ce ne-a r\u0103mas.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103-ne aci \u015fi noi, iat\u0103-ne aci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei ie\u015fir\u0103 de dup\u0103 co\u015ful bordeiului \u015fi m\u00e2ncar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se scul\u0103 tat\u0103l copiilor, vitrega \u00eentreb\u0103 pe copii cum a nemerit de s-au \u00eentors. Iar\u0103 fata \u00eei povesti tot ce f\u0103cuse, \u015fi cum se ascunseser\u0103 dup\u0103 co\u015f, dac\u0103 ajunser\u0103 acas\u0103, de fric\u0103 s\u0103 nu-i bat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite ei se luase dup\u0103 d\u00e2ra de m\u0103lai ce o pres\u0103rase fata, c\u00e2nd merser\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai trecu, ce mai trecu, \u015fi strigoaica de vitreg\u0103 iar\u0103 se \u0163inu de c\u00e2ra b\u0103rbatului s\u0103u ca s\u0103-\u015fi pr\u0103p\u0103deasc\u0103 copiii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei neav\u00e2nd ce-\u015fi face capului, tat\u0103l \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 copiii \u015fi plec\u0103 cu d\u00e2n\u015fii iar\u0103\u015fi \u00een p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata voi s\u0103 ia \u015fi de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 m\u0103lai, dar\u0103 nu mai g\u0103si; se duse la vatr\u0103 s\u0103 ia cenu\u015f\u0103, dar\u0103 vitrega o lovi cu v\u0103traiul peste m\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd \u00een p\u0103dure, tat\u0103l lor le f\u0103cu focul, \u015fi \u00eei l\u0103s\u0103 acolo ca s\u0103 se duc\u0103 s\u0103 taie lemne. \u015ei s-a cam mai dus, \u015fi dus a fost, c\u0103ci pe la d\u00e2n\u015fii nu se mai \u00eentoarse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fteptar\u0103 ce a\u015fteptar\u0103, \u015fi dac\u0103 v\u0103zur\u0103 copiii c\u0103 tat\u0103l lor nu se mai \u00eentoarce, o luar\u0103 \u015fi ei \u00eenspre partea \u00eencotro se duse el, ca s\u0103-l caute. \u015ei neg\u0103sindu-l orb\u0103c\u0103ir\u0103 \u015fi ei prin p\u0103dure p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een sear\u0103. B\u0103iatul, mai mic fiind, \u00eencepu s\u0103 sc\u00e2nceasc\u0103 de osteneal\u0103 \u015fi de foame. Fata se v\u0103ic\u0103rea \u015fi ea c\u0103 nu \u015ftia ce s\u0103-i dea de m\u00e2ncare \u015fi unde s\u0103 se aciuieze.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Umblau ce umblau, \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi se \u00eentorceau la focul unde \u00eei l\u0103sase tat\u0103l lor. B\u0103iatul sc\u00e2ncea mereu, c\u0103 era rupt de osteneal\u0103. Amurgul dase peste d\u00e2n\u015fii nem\u00e2nca\u0163i \u015fi neodihni\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci fata, ca s\u0103 \u00eempace pe copil, s\u0103-l fac\u0103 a adormi cu g\u00e2ndul la m\u00e2ncare \u015fi s\u0103 nu mai pl\u00e2ng\u0103, b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een spuza focului o balig\u0103 de vac\u0103 ce g\u0103si pe-acolo, prin p\u0103dure, \u015fi zise fratelui s\u0103u celui mai mic:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Taci cu dada, b\u0103ie\u0163elul dadei, c\u0103 uite am pus turta \u00een foc s\u0103 se coac\u0103. P\u00e2n\u0103 atunci pune capul ici \u00een poala dadei \u015fi trage un somnule\u0163 bun.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103iatul crezu pe soru-sa \u015fi t\u0103cu. \u00centr-acestea iat\u0103 c\u0103 se pomenese cu un unchia\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 vremea, nepo\u0163ilor, le zise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mul\u0163umim dumitale, mo\u015ficule, \u00eei r\u0103spunde fata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar\u0103 ce ave\u0163i acolo \u00een foc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 avem, tat\u0103 mo\u015fule, iaca am pus o balig\u0103 de vac\u0103 ca s\u0103 \u00eempac copilul \u0103sta, care este rupt de osteneal\u0103 \u015fi poc\u00e2ltit de foame.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei dup\u0103 ce mai \u015fezu ni\u0163el, zise mo\u015ful s\u0103 o scoat\u0103 din spuz\u0103 c\u0103 s-o fi copt. Fata se supuse; dar\u0103 cam cu \u00eendoial\u0103. C\u00e2nd ce s\u0103 vede\u0163i d-voastr\u0103? scoase o p\u00e2ine alb\u0103 ca fa\u0163a lui Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite mo\u015ful acela era chiar Dumnezeu, f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftie fata ceva despre asta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd fata o astfel de minune se sp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103. Vezi c\u0103 \u015ftia ce pusese ea acolo, \u015fi acum iaca ce scoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se puser\u0103 cu to\u0163ii \u015fi m\u00e2ncar\u0103. M\u00e2ncau mereu \u015fi p\u00e2inea nu se mai sf\u00e2r\u015fea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi mo\u015ful lu\u0103 o vi\u0163\u0103 de p\u0103r din capul fetei, f\u0103cu la\u0163uri \u015fi un arcule\u0163 \u015fi, d\u00e2ndu-le b\u0103iatului, le zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum ave\u0163i p\u00e2ine. Cu astea prinde\u0163i p\u0103s\u0103rele ca s\u0103 ave\u0163i ce m\u00e2nca.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mul\u0163umim, tat\u0103 mo\u015fule, mul\u0163umim, r\u0103spunser\u0103 am\u00e2ndoi deodat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi mo\u015ful \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 pe b\u0103iat cum s\u0103 se \u00eentrebuin\u0163eze cu la\u0163urile \u015fi cu arcul, \u00eei l\u0103s\u0103 acolo \u015fi el se f\u0103cu nev\u0103zut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De aci \u00eenainte b\u0103iatul umbla prin p\u0103dure \u015fi prindea p\u0103s\u0103ri; iar\u0103 soru-sa le g\u0103tea \u015fi aveau de m\u00e2ncare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei se f\u0103cuser\u0103 mari \u015fi li se ur\u00e2se a mai m\u00e2na prin scorburi \u015fi prin h\u0103\u0163i\u015furi. Ar fi voit s\u0103 aib\u0103 \u015fi ei un loc\u015for s\u0103 puie capul pe c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Umbl\u00e2nd b\u0103iatul \u00een v\u00e2nat, \u00eentr-una din zile \u00eent\u00e2lni un iepure. El \u00eentinse arcul s\u0103-l s\u0103geteze. Dar\u0103 iepurele \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu m\u0103 s\u0103geta, voinicule, c\u0103 \u0163i-oi da un pui de al meu carele \u00ee\u0163i va fi de mare folos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103iatul ascult\u0103 pe iepure \u015fi \u00eei lu\u0103 puiul. Merse mai \u00eenainte \u015fi se \u00eent\u00e2lni cu vulpea. Ea \u00eei zise ca \u015fi iepurele, \u015fi \u00eei lu\u0103 un pui. Mai merse ce merse, \u015fi \u00eent\u00e2lnindu-se cu lupul, \u00eei lu\u0103 \u015fi lui un pui, c\u0103ci \u00eel ascultase \u015fi nu-l s\u0103getase. Asemenea f\u0103cu dac\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2lni cu ursul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acum b\u0103iatul avea patru fiare, pe care le numea c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii lui. Se \u00eentoarse, deci, la soru-sa, cu c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u015fi \u00eengrij\u0103a de ei ca de un lucru mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Odat\u0103, ce-i veni fetii \u00een g\u00e2nd, zise fratelui s\u0103u:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Urc\u0103-te, leic\u0103, \u00eentr-un copaci mare \u015fi de uit\u0103 \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, doar\u0103 de vei vedea ceva a\u015fa care s\u0103 semene a sat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103ci li se acrise tot umbl\u00e2nd \u00eencoace \u015fi \u00eencolo prin p\u0103dure ca ni\u015fte haidamaci, urgisi\u0163i de Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei se sui b\u0103iatul \u015fi-l \u00eentreb\u0103 soru-sa:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi, ceva, leic\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu v\u0103z nimic, dec\u00e2t, uite, \u00een partea asta \u00eencoa drept \u00eenainte, mi se alice\u015fte albind ceva; dar\u0103 nu \u015ftiu ce este c\u0103 nu mi s-alege, fiind prea departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Uite-te bine, \u00eei mai zise fata \u015fi s\u0103 \u0163ii minte \u00eencotro este, \u015fi d\u0103-te jos s\u0103 mergem drept acolo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce merser\u0103 o zi, iar\u0103 se sui \u00eentr-un pom nalt, se uit\u0103 \u00eentr-acolo \u015fi v\u0103zu bine c\u0103 sunt case. \u015ei dac\u0103 \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 fata, el spuse ceea ce v\u0103zu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei plecar\u0103 \u015fi merse voinice\u015fte p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunser\u0103 drept acolo. C\u00e2nd colo, ce s\u0103 vaz\u0103? ni\u015fte palaturi ca de domn: era s\u0103l\u0103\u015fluin\u0163a unui zmeu; intrar\u0103, dar\u0103 nu v\u0103zur\u0103 pe nimeni. Atunci se pune fata \u015fi scutur\u0103, \u015fi deretic\u0103, \u015fi a\u015fez\u0103 toate lucru\u015foarele pe la locurile lor; apoi g\u0103ti bucate \u015fi se puse la mas\u0103 \u015fi m\u00e2nc\u0103 cu frate-s\u0103u. Apoi se ascunser\u0103 \u00eentr-o c\u0103mar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Seara, iac\u0103-te c\u0103 vine \u015fi zmeul. V\u0103zu el c\u0103 nu este toate tab\u0103r\u0103 cum l\u0103sase, \u015fi \u00eencepu a zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine mi-a f\u0103cut \u0103st bine s\u0103-i fac \u015fi eu lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei ie\u015fir\u0103 de unde erau ascun\u015fi, \u015fi fata \u00eei r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu am scuturat \u015fi am dereticat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa bine ce-i p\u0103ru zmeului, c\u00e2t nu se poate spune.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Puser\u0103 masa, m\u00e2ncar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii \u015fi se culcar\u0103. A doua zi b\u0103iatul \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 c\u0103\u0163eii \u015fi plec\u0103 la v\u00e2nat, c\u0103 a\u015fa era treaba lui. Asemenea f\u0103cu \u015fi zmeul. Seara c\u00e2nd se \u00eentoarser\u0103, g\u0103sir\u0103 m\u00e2nc\u0103ric\u0103 \u015fi fierturic\u0103 gata. Se puser\u0103 de \u00eembucar\u0103 \u015fi se veselir\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Azi a\u015fa, m\u00e2ine a\u015fa, trecea zilele ca p\u0103catele de iute.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De c\u00e2t\u0103va vreme zmeul se \u00eentorcea de la v\u00e2n\u0103toare \u00eenaintea b\u0103iatului. Se dedulcise, vezi, la vorb\u0103 cu fata. \u015ei din vorb\u0103 \u00een vorb\u0103, \u00eencepu a mi-\u0163i sim\u0163i zmeul c\u0103 \u00eei cam t\u00e2c\u00e2ie inima c\u00e2nd se d\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 fat\u0103, ori c\u00e2nd aceasta \u00eei z\u00e2mbe\u015fte \u015fi \u00eei spune ceva gogleze. El pricepu, ho\u0163omanul, de ce nu-l mai trage inima s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la v\u00e2nat, \u015fi c\u0103ta fel de fel de pricini ca s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ie acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei tot astfel p\u00e2n\u0103 ce se \u00eendr\u0103gosti cu fata cum se cade. B\u0103iatul \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103ta de treaba lui \u015fi nu b\u0103ga de seam\u0103 c\u0103 zmeul \u00eencepuse a umbla cu \u015fotia. El \u015ftia o dreptate, \u015fi \u00eencolo pace bun\u0103. Zmeului \u015fi fetei \u00eencepu a li se p\u0103rea c\u0103 b\u0103iatul le tot sta \u00een cale. Ce f\u0103ceau, ce dregeau, li se p\u0103rea c\u0103 tot de el se \u00eempiedic\u0103. Dar\u0103 el, s\u0103racul, nici nu vedea, nici nu auzea. El nu lua aminte la \u015foaptele lor, nu se uita la tertipurile \u015fi la renghiurile ce-i tot juca: ba c\u0103 a venit prea t\u00e2rziu \u015fi, ca s\u0103 nu treac\u0103 bucatele din fiert, ei m\u00e2ncaser\u0103 mai nainte, \u015fi lui \u00eei da, te mir\u0103 ce; ba c\u0103 a venit prea devreme \u015fi s\u0103 mai a\u015ftepte p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 se puie masa; ba c\u0103 una, ba c\u0103 alta, c\u00e2nd se sup\u0103ra soru-sa pe c\u0103\u0163eii lui, c\u00e2nd zmeul \u00eei c\u0103ta chior\u00e2\u015f, \u015fi multe d-alde astea, \u015fi de toate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi zmeul se vorbi cu sora b\u0103iatului ca s\u0103-l omoare, \u015fi s\u0103 se scape de el. Zmeul voia s\u0103 se duc\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u015fi s\u0103-l m\u0103n\u00e2nce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te duce, vai de mine, \u00eei zise ea, c\u0103 te face mici f\u0103r\u00e2me c\u00e2inii lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi cum s\u0103 facem dar\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103 c\u0103 pui eu la cale, \u015fi pe urm\u0103 \u00ee\u0163i spui eu ce s\u0103 faci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei astfel fiind \u015firitenia, sora b\u0103iatului \u00eencepu s\u0103 se milogeasc\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 frate-s\u0103u, c\u0103 \u00eei este ur\u00e2t singur\u0103 acas\u0103. Pentru aceasta \u00eel rug\u0103 ca s\u0103-i lase c\u0103\u0163eii s\u0103-i \u0163ie de ur\u00e2t. Deocamdat\u0103 frate-s\u0103u nu voi, c\u0103ci se \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase cu ei. Dar\u0103 dup\u0103 mai multe rug\u0103ciuni, i se f\u0103cu mil\u0103 de soru-sa, \u015fi-i l\u0103s\u0103 c\u0103\u0163eii ca s\u0103-i \u0163ie de ur\u00e2t.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Plec\u00e2nd el la v\u00e2nat f\u0103r\u0103 c\u0103\u0163eii lui, soru-sa \u00eei lu\u0103, \u00eei b\u0103g\u0103 \u00eentr-o v\u0103g\u0103un\u0103 de munte, \u015fi puse \u00eempreun\u0103 cu zmeul un bolovan mare la gura v\u0103g\u0103unei. Apoi zmeul se lu\u0103 dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u00een p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd el pe zmeu de departe c\u0103 vine nec\u0103jit \u015fi tr\u0103c\u0103nit dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul, se sui \u00eentr-un copaci. Cum ajunse, zmeul \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D\u0103-te jos, vr\u0103jma\u015fule, c\u0103 am s\u0103 te m\u0103n\u00e2nc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De m\u00e2ncat, m\u0103 vei m\u00e2nca; dar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 una alta, d\u0103-mi r\u0103gaz s\u0103 c\u00e2nt un c\u00e2ntecel de c\u00e2nd eram tinerel, r\u0103spunse b\u0103iatul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, aide, hat\u00e2rul \u0163i-e mare. Dar\u0103 c\u00e2nt\u0103 mai cur\u00e2nd, c\u0103 n-am vreme de pierdut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El c\u00e2nt\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Uu! N-aude,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-a vede,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Na greul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei u\u015forul v\u00e2ntului,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii mei,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103 v\u0103 piere st\u0103p\u00e2nul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei acum d\u0103-te jos s\u0103 te m\u0103n\u00e2nc, zise zmeul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai stai ni\u0163el, r\u0103spunse b\u0103iatul, s\u0103 mai c\u00e2nt un c\u00e2ntecel, \u015fi na opinca asta de o roade p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El c\u00e2nt\u0103 acela\u015fi c\u00e2ntec. \u015ei ca s\u0103 mai c\u00e2nte un c\u00e2ntec, \u00eei dete \u00eenc\u0103 o opinc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 nu se simte nimic, el \u00eei dete \u015fi c\u0103ciula s\u0103 o roaz\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce va c\u00e2nta \u015fi a patra oar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce s\u0103 vezi d-ta? C\u00e2nd a strigat \u00eent\u00e2i, a auzit iepurele, \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Auzi\u0163i, fra\u0163ilor, se pr\u0103p\u0103de\u015fte st\u0103p\u00e2nul nostru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Taci, urechi de c\u00e2rp\u0103, \u00eei zise vulpea \u015fi-i trase o palm\u0103, tu s\u0103 g\u00e2nde\u015fti st\u0103p\u00e2nului nostru a\u015fa?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd a strigat a doua oar\u0103, a auzit vulpea. Zic\u00e2nd ea ce zise \u015fi iepurele, lupul i-a tras o palm\u0103 \u015fi i-a r\u0103spuns \u00eentocmai cum f\u0103cuse vulpea iepurelui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd a strigat a treia oar\u0103, a auzit lupul. \u015ei zic\u00e2nd \u015fi el ceea ce zisese vulpea, ursul \u00eei trase o palm\u0103 \u015fi lui \u015fi \u00eel \u00eenfrunt\u0103 de ce s\u0103 g\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nului a\u015fa r\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103 c\u00e2nd a strigat a patra oar\u0103, auzi \u015fi ursul. Iepurele \u00eencepu s\u0103 se f\u00e2\u0163\u00e2iasc\u0103 c\u0103 pe nedrept a fost \u00eenfruntat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103 c\u0103 ne-om judeca pe urm\u0103, zise ursul, acum s\u0103 v\u0103 vedem la lucru. Pune\u0163i m\u00e2na to\u0163i cu totul s\u0103 d\u0103m bolovanul la o parte \u015fi s\u0103 mergem \u00eentr-un suflet s\u0103 ne sc\u0103p\u0103m st\u0103p\u00e2nul de la pieire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Puse iepurele um\u0103rul, dar\u0103 nu se cunoscu nimic. Puse \u015fi vulpea, \u015fi pare c\u0103 \u00eencepu s\u0103 se cunoasc\u0103 oarecum c\u0103 se mi\u015fca bolovanul. Puse \u015fi lupul um\u0103rul \u015fi cletin\u0103; iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd puse, m\u0103re, ursul, um\u0103rul lui, se dete bolovanul d-a rostogolul, \u015fi ursul peste el. \u015ei ie\u015fir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii afar\u0103. Apoi se sf\u0103tuir\u0103 a merge ca v\u00e2ntul; iar\u0103 nu ca g\u00e2ndul c\u0103ci se pr\u0103p\u0103desc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103iatul dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 nu vin c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii lui, tocmai \u00eencepuse a se da jos, c\u0103ci zmeul \u00eel \u00eente\u0163ise cu \u00eembiala. C\u00e2nd, unde \u00eemi venea, m\u0103re, c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii, \u015fi \u00eemi venea ca v\u00e2rtejul dus de furtun\u0103, \u015fi \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 ajunser\u0103 drept acolo. B\u0103iatului \u00eei veni inima la loc, c\u0103ci o cam sfeclise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 zmeul, dac\u0103 \u00eei v\u0103zu \u015fi el se f\u0103cu un bu\u015ftean p\u00e2rlit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum ajunser\u0103 c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii, \u00eei ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce porunce\u015fti, st\u0103p\u00e2ne?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vede\u0163i voi bu\u015fteanul \u0103la p\u00e2rlit?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cel vedem.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 mi-l face\u0163i harta, parta; s\u0103 mi-l scutura\u0163i, s\u0103 mi-l sf\u00e2\u015fia\u0163i, tot trupul s\u0103-i m\u00e2nca\u0163i, doar inima \u015fi fica\u0163ii s\u0103-i l\u0103sa\u0163i, c\u0103-mi trebuie mie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unde mi se puse, cinsti\u0163i boieri, \u0103i c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fi pe bu\u015fteanul cel p\u00e2rlit \u015fi unde mi \u0163i-l h\u0103rt\u0103nir\u0103 de nu se alese nici praful de d\u00e2nsul. \u00centr-o clipeal\u0103 de ochi nu mai r\u0103mase de d\u00e2nsul dec\u00e2t inima \u015fi fica\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei d\u00e2ndu-se jos din copaci, b\u0103iatul f\u0103cu o frigare, puse inima \u015fi fica\u0163ii zmeului \u00eentr-\u00eensa, \u015fi o lu\u0103 d-a spinare. Apoi se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103 cu c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fi cu tot.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 ajunse acas\u0103, dete frigarea soru-sei s\u0103 o puie la foc ca s\u0103 se frig\u0103 c\u0103rnurile. Dup\u0103 ce \u00eencepu a se p\u0103rp\u0103li, b\u0103iatul lu\u0103 frigarea din m\u00e2na soru-sei, crest\u0103 friptura pe de toate p\u0103r\u0163ile \u015fi \u00eei dete sare mult\u0103. \u015ei puind-o iar\u0103\u015fi la foc o l\u0103s\u0103 s\u0103 se frig\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce era cu mustul \u00eentr-\u00eensa. Apoi lu\u00e2nd frigarea \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, zise soru-sei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Uit\u0103-te, soro, la mine, c\u0103ci de c\u00e2nd te cunosc, eu nu \u0163i-am v\u0103zut ochi\u015forii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea se uit\u0103 la d\u00e2nsul. Iar\u0103 el \u00eei dete cu frigarea peste ochi, de o orbi. \u015ei \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Soru-mea! s\u0103 pl\u00e2ngi p\u00e2n\u0103 vei umplea cu lacr\u0103mile tale nou\u0103 bu\u0163i, la cea d-a noua voi veni \u015fi eu s\u0103-\u0163i ajut, \u015fi numai atunci s\u0103-\u0163i vie ochii la loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O l\u0103s\u0103 acolo s\u0103-\u015fi isp\u0103\u015feasc\u0103 p\u0103catele; iar\u0103 el plec\u0103 cu c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii s\u0103i, c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd din caval. \u015ei se duse, \u015fi se duse, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ie\u015fi din codrul acela n\u0103prasnicul. Mai merse ce mai merse \u015fi dete de un sat. \u015ei \u00eenseto\u015f\u00eend, se duse la o cas\u0103 \u015fi ceru ni\u0163ic\u0103 ap\u0103. Baba, st\u0103p\u00e2na casei, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-am, dragul mamei, ap\u0103; c\u0103ci la noi se afl\u0103 numai o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103. \u00cen ea este s\u0103la\u015ful unui balaur mare; \u015fi el las\u0103 s\u0103 ia ap\u0103 numai pe cei cei \u00eei d\u0103ruiesc c\u00e2te un cap de om.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ad-o vadra, r\u0103spunse el, s\u0103 m\u0103 duc eu s\u0103 aduc ap\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El lu\u0103 vadra \u015fi se duse la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103. Lu\u0103 ap\u0103 \u015fi b\u0103u, \u015fi aduse babei vadra plin\u0103. Cum o v\u0103zu baba o b\u0103u toat\u0103, c\u0103ci era fript\u0103 de sete. Ea \u00eel rug\u0103 s\u0103-i mai aduc\u0103 una, \u015fi dac\u0103 \u00eei aduse, o b\u0103u \u015fi pe aceea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dumnezeu s\u0103 primeasc\u0103, \u015fi s\u0103 te noroceasc\u0103, dragul mamei fl\u0103c\u0103ia\u015f! \u00eei mai zise baba. \u015ei uitasem gustul apei de c\u00e2nd n-am mai b\u0103ut. Nu mai r\u0103m\u0103sese suflet \u00een mine. P-aci, p-aci, era s\u0103 m\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u015fesc de sete. Mai adu-mi una, \u015fi s\u0103 o g\u0103se\u015fti pe lumea cealalt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103c\u0103ul se duse s\u0103 mai aduc\u0103 o vadr\u0103. C\u00e2nd ce s\u0103 vaz\u0103? La gura f\u00e2nt\u00e2nei o fat\u0103 frumoas\u0103 de s-o sorbi \u00eentr-o b\u0103rdac\u0103 \u015fi ginga\u015f \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103, pl\u00e2ngea cu lacr\u0103mile c\u00e2t pumnul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De ce pl\u00e2ngi \u015fi te t\u00e2nguie\u015fti, fat\u0103 mare, o \u00eentreb\u0103 el?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum n-a\u015fi pl\u00e2nge \u015fi cum nu m-a\u015fi t\u00e2ngui, c\u00e2nd \u00eemi a\u015ftept moartea din clip\u0103 \u00een clip\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da de ce s\u0103 mori, surat\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d-ta nu \u015ftii c\u0103 aici \u00een f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 este un balaur mare de \u015farpe care b\u00e2ntuie omenirea?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am auzit de a\u015fa ceva; dar\u0103 nici nu \u015ftiu, nici n-am v\u0103zut; c\u0103ci eu sunt de pe alte mo\u015fii, \u015fi numai acum am ajuns aici. Dar\u0103 tu de ce s\u0103 stai aici s\u0103 te m\u0103n\u00e2nce balaurul? Au doar\u0103 n-ai p\u0103rin\u0163i?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba am \u015fi p\u0103rin\u0163i \u015fi tot. \u00cens\u0103 la noi este obiceiul ca fiecare s\u0103 dea c\u00e2te un cap de om acestui nes\u0103\u0163ios balaur, ca s\u0103-i lase s\u0103 ia ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, c\u0103ci numai ast\u0103 f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 este \u00een coprinsul acesta; \u015fi acum este r\u00e2ndul nostru s\u0103 d\u0103m om pentru m\u00e2ncare acestei jivine. \u015ei tata numai pe mine m\u0103 are; el m-a adus ca s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 r\u00e2ndul \u015fi tata este \u00eemp\u0103ratul locului acestuia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lui i se f\u0103cu mil\u0103 de d\u00e2nsa \u015fi \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te teme, fetico, de nimeni, c\u0103ci sunt \u015fi eu pe aici. E\u015fti cu mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2\u0163i voinici ca d-alde tine, \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi mai chipe\u015fi, \u015fi mai \u0163an\u0163o\u015fi dec\u00e2t tine, mai r\u0103puse ast\u0103 fiar\u0103 blestemat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 m\u0103 bizui \u015fi eu; \u015fi de m-o r\u0103pune \u015fi pe mine, at\u00e2ta jaf \u00een ciuperci, c\u0103ci n-are cine s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 dup\u0103 mine, adar\u0103 doar\u0103 de c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii mei, dac\u0103 m\u0103 vor l\u0103sa \u015fi ei s\u0103 m\u0103 pr\u0103p\u0103desc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Du-te, voinicule, de-\u0163i scap\u0103 m\u0103car via\u0163a ta, c\u0103ci st\u00e2nd aici, am\u00e2ndoi, pierim.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce semne are balaurul c\u00e2nd iese afar\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cencepe a urla f\u00e2nt\u00e2na.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine. Ia caut\u0103-mi tu mai bine ni\u0163el \u00een cap \u015fi, c\u00e2nd vei auzi urletul s\u0103 m\u0103 scoli, de voi fi adormit; dar\u0103 nu care cumva s\u0103 umbli \u00een tolba mea cu s\u0103ge\u0163ile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei puse capul \u00een poala fetei, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 adormi, ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd l-ar fi lovit cineva cu muchea securei \u00een cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata nu se putu \u0163ine \u015fi umbl\u0103 la uneltele lui \u015fi-i perdu o s\u0103ge\u0163ic\u0103 de care punea el \u00een arcule\u0163ul lui. \u015ei auzind f\u00e2nt\u00e2na c\u0103 \u00eencepe a urla, ea se temu de a-l scula, ca s\u0103 n-o dojeneasc\u0103 c\u0103 i-a c\u0103lcat vorba. \u015ei unde \u00eencepu a pl\u00e2nge cu foc \u015fi cu p\u00e2rjol, de \u0163i se rupea inima de mila ei. \u015ei pic\u00e2nd o lacrim\u0103 de ale ei pe obrazul lui, el o dat\u0103 s\u0103ri drept \u00een sus, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce fu oare aceea ce pic\u0103 pe obrazul meu c\u0103 m-a fript \u00een fica\u0163i?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Lacr\u0103mile mele, \u00eei r\u0103spunse fata. A \u00eenceput s\u0103 urle pu\u0163ul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci fl\u0103c\u0103ul \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 arcule\u0163ul \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103. \u015ei duc\u00e2ndu-se la gura f\u00e2nt\u00e2nei, odat\u0103 r\u0103cni:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ie\u015fi mai cur\u00e2nd afar\u0103, fiar\u0103 spurcat\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce ai cu mine, voinicule, r\u0103spunse \u015farpele, c\u0103 te l\u0103sai s\u0103 iei ap\u0103 c\u00e2t voi\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ie\u015fi, dihanie ur\u00e2t\u0103, cu mine s\u0103 te lup\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu n-am nimic cu tine, du-te \u00eentr-ale tale \u015fi d\u0103-mi pace s\u0103-mi f\u0103ptuiesc treburile mele, dup\u0103 \u00eenvoiala ce am eu cu oamenii locului acestuia, \u015fi dup\u0103 cum m-a l\u0103sat pe mine Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci b\u0103iatul nici una, nici dou\u0103, \u00eentinse arcul \u015fi zbur\u00e2nd s\u0103geata, lu\u0103 o limb\u0103 balaurului; c\u0103ci avea nou\u0103 limbi acea jiganie. \u015ei ie\u015find \u015farpele se lu\u0103 la lupt\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul. \u00cei juca limbile \u00een gur\u0103 ca fulgerul \u015fi le arunca asupra b\u0103iatului, de s\u0103-l pr\u0103p\u0103deasc\u0103. Iar\u0103 el mai trase o s\u0103geat\u0103, \u015fi-i mai lu\u0103 o limb\u0103, \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 una, \u015fi iar\u0103 una, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00eei s\u0103get\u0103 opt limbi. C\u00e2nd s\u0103 puie \u015fi a noua s\u0103geat\u0103, ia-o de unde nu e. Se repezi iute \u015fi lu\u0103 fetii din cap un ac, \u00eel puse la arc, \u015fi cu el lu\u0103 \u015fi limba a noua a balaurului. \u015ei curse din fiar\u0103 ni\u015fte s\u00e2nge negru \u015fi mohor\u00e2t \u015fi cu o duhoare de-\u0163i era sc\u00e2rb\u0103. Se mai zv\u00e2rcoli ce se mai zv\u00e2rcoli dihania, \u015fi r\u0103mase bumben\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cer\u00e2nd batista de la fat\u0103, leg\u0103 limbile \u00eentr-\u00eensa \u015fi plec\u0103 c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd din caval, cu c\u0103\u0163eii dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cel strig\u0103 fata, \u00eel chem\u0103, \u015fi dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 nu se \u00eentoarce, se uit\u0103 cu jind dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul. Apoi se puse de iznoav\u0103 pe pl\u00e2ns.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd tat\u0103l fetei c\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2rzie timpul, \u015fi crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 balaurul \u00eei va fi m\u00e2ncat fata, trimise un \u0163igan cu vadra s\u0103 aduc\u0103 ap\u0103. \u0162iganul fiind la buc\u0103t\u0103rie, avea un cu\u0163it mare la br\u00e2u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 ajunse la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, se sperie, bahni\u0163a, v\u0103z\u00e2nd fata vie nev\u0103t\u0103mat\u0103, iar\u0103 pe balaur mort \u00eentr-un b\u0103ltac de s\u00e2nge c\u00e2t pe colo de mare. Apoi viindu-\u015fi ni\u0163el \u00een fire, \u015fi \u00eencredin\u0163\u00e2ndu-se c\u0103 \u015farpele e mort, ce-i da lui dracul \u00een g\u00e2nd, c\u0103-\u015fi scoase cu\u0163itul din teac\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu a mi-\u0163i cresta pe \u015farpe \u015fi cruci\u015f \u015fi curmezi\u015f, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00eel f\u0103cu ciop\u0103\u0163i, ciop\u0103\u0163i, \u015fi se umplu de s\u00e2nge de sus p\u00e2n\u0103 jos. A\u015fa plin, ca un parlagiu de la zahana, se \u00eentoarse fuga la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi spuse c\u0103 a f\u0103cut o izb\u00e2nd\u0103 mare, c\u0103 omor\u00e2se, adic\u0103, pe \u015farpele ce-i b\u00e2ntui \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia \u015fi-i sc\u0103pase \u015fi fata de la moarte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratului nu prea \u00eei venea s\u0103 creaz\u0103 spusele \u0163iganului, dar\u0103 dup\u0103 ce-i aduse fata \u015fi o v\u0103zu, crezu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata spuse c\u0103 altul l-a omor\u00e2t, dar\u0103 \u0163iganul striga \u00een gura mare c\u0103 el a f\u0103cut acea vitejie \u015fi cerea s\u0103-i dea fata de so\u0163ie, c\u0103ci a\u015fa zisese \u00eemp\u0103ratul, c\u0103 cine i-o sc\u0103pa fata de la moarte, a lui so\u0163ie s\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata nu vrea nici \u00een ruptul capului s\u0103 ia pe \u0163igan de b\u0103rbat. Atunci se uit\u0103 prin butia ro\u0163ii \u00eenspre partea \u00een care plecase voinicul cu c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii lui \u015fi-l v\u0103zu, \u015fi-l ar\u0103t\u0103 \u015fi tat\u0103lui s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul trimise numaidec\u00e2t dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul ol\u0103cari, \u00eel ajunse \u015fi-l rugar\u0103 s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 c\u0103 voie\u015fte \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103-l vaz\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103-i vorbeasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El se mai \u00eempotrivi ni\u0163el. Dar, dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103-l \u00eente\u0163esc cu rug\u0103ciunile, se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi se \u00eentoarse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum \u00eel v\u0103zu \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fl\u0103c\u0103ule, tu mi-ai sc\u0103pat fata de la moarte?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu, \u00eemp\u0103rate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Minte, \u00eemp\u0103rate, zise \u015fi \u0163iganul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Putere-ai tu, voinicule, s\u0103 ne dovede\u015fti, c\u0103 tu e\u015fti acela ce a ucis fiara spurcat\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Limbile chiar ale dihanii ar putea s\u0103 m\u0103rturiseasc\u0103, r\u0103spunse el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci scoase batista \u015fi-i ar\u0103t\u0103 limbile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aceasta este batista mea, tat\u0103, \u00eei zise \u015fi fata. Eu i-am dat-o de a pus limbile \u00eentr-\u00eensa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162iganul o sfeclise. El r\u0103mase ca tr\u0103snit din cer, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu limbile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul trimise de aduse c\u0103p\u0103\u0163\u00e2na balaurului. \u015ei c\u0103ut\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 to\u0163i cei de fa\u0163\u0103 c\u0103 ea n-avea limbi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul hot\u0103r\u00ee ca pe fat\u0103 s\u0103 o ia de so\u0163ie voinicul carele a ucis balaurul, iar\u0103 pe \u0163igan porunci de-l leg\u0103 de coadele a doi cai ne\u00eenv\u0103\u0163a\u0163i, \u015fi d\u00e2ndu-le drumul l-a rupt \u00een dou\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi f\u0103cu o nunt\u0103 d-alea \u00eenfrico\u015fatele. A\u015fa nunt\u0103 \u015f-a\u015fa veselie mai rar.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 el dac\u0103 se v\u0103zu \u00een bine, \u00ee\u015fi aduse aminte \u015fi de p\u0103c\u0103toasa de soru-sa. Nu trecu mult de la cununie, \u015fi se duse cu c\u0103\u0163eii dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul s\u0103 o caute \u015fi s\u0103 o m\u00e2ntuiasc\u0103 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsa. O g\u0103si deci pl\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-\u015fi p\u0103catele. Umpluse opt bu\u0163i de lacrimi. El \u00eei ajut\u0103 la butia a noua \u015fi o umplu \u015fi pe aceasta. Apoi sp\u0103l\u00e2ndu-se ea pe obraz \u015fi pe ochi cu amestec\u0103tura aceasta de lacrimi, \u00eei veni v\u0103zul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea \u00eens\u0103 tot cu g\u00e2ndul dracului. Cum se f\u0103cu cu lumini \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frate, este mult timp de c\u00e2nd nu \u0163i-am mai c\u0103utat \u00een cap. Pune capul ici \u00een poala dadei, \u015fi mai trage un somni\u015for, ca s\u0103 ne mai aducem aminte din copil\u0103rie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103 bine zici, soro. Ia s\u0103 mai uit\u0103m necazurile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei puse capul \u015fi adormi. Soru-sa atunci \u00eei \u00eenfipse un os din oasele zmeului dup\u0103 urechi, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 muri fratele s\u0103u. Apoi lu\u00e2ndu-i trupul, \u00eel b\u0103g\u0103 \u00eentr-un butoi, \u00eel \u00eenfund\u0103 bine \u015fi \u00eel dete pe g\u00e2rl\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103\u0163eii cum sim\u0163ir\u0103 c\u0103 li s-a r\u0103pus st\u0103p\u00e2nul, se puser\u0103 pe un chiloman de-\u0163i venea s\u0103-\u0163i iei lumea \u00een cap. Iar\u0103 lupul \u00eencepu a alerga cu nasul \u00een v\u00e2nt \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eei dete de urm\u0103. \u015ei se luar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul pe marginea g\u00e2rlei p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eel dete apa mai (la) mal. Ursul se a\u0163inea mereu, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eei veni bine, se repezi \u00een ap\u0103, lu\u0103 butoiul \u00een bra\u0163e, ie\u015fi cu d\u00e2nsul la uscat \u015fi tr\u00e2ntindu-l o dat\u0103, se sparse. Scoaser\u0103 trupul st\u0103p\u00e2nului lor din butoi \u015fi \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103-l pl\u00e2ng\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0St\u00e2nd ei acolo \u015fi pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd, iat\u0103 c\u0103 vine o co\u0163ofan\u0103 \u015fi tot juc\u00e2nd \u015fi f\u00e2\u0163\u00e2ind din coad\u0103, zicea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ca\u0163a, ca\u0163a! s\u0103 prinde\u0163i o co\u0163ofan\u0103 faur\u0103, dar\u0103 nu pe mine, ci alta ca mine; s\u0103-i rupe\u0163i g\u00e2tu \u00een dou\u0103, \u015fi s\u0103 pica\u0163i trei pic\u0103turi de s\u00e2nge peste mort\u0103ciunea ce o pl\u00e2nge\u0163i, \u015fi va \u00eenvia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103 vulpea cea \u015fireat\u0103 \u015fi r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce zici, tu, ce zici? ia d\u0103-te mai \u00eencoace \u015fi mai spune o dat\u0103, c\u0103 n-auz bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Co\u0163ofana se dete mai aproape \u015fi tot juca. \u015ei c\u00e2nd era s\u0103 mai zic\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103, ha\u0163! pune vulpea ghiara pe d\u00e2nsa \u015fi o prinde.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei rup\u00e2ndu-i g\u00e2tul, pic\u0103 trei pic\u0103turi de s\u00e2nge peste st\u0103p\u00e2nul lor \u015fi \u00eenvie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Of! Doamne! greu somn mai dormii, zise el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Puteai tu s\u0103 dormi mult \u015fi bine, dac\u0103 nu eram noi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El spuse c\u0103 nu \u015ftie ce are de \u00eel doare dup\u0103 ureche.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ursul se uit\u0103, \u015fi v\u0103z\u00e2nd osul zmeului, puse gura \u015fi supse rana p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ie\u015fi osul, apoi \u00eencepu a linge, \u015fi linse, \u015fi linse, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce se \u00eenchise \u015fi se vindec\u0103. Se sp\u0103l\u0103 pe ochi, \u015fi lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi cavalul plec\u0103 cu c\u0103\u0163elu\u015fii dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u015fi ajunse la so\u0163ioara lui care \u00eel a\u015ftepta cu inima s\u0103rit\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trimise slujitori \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti de aduse pe soru-sa. \u015ei adun\u00e2nd pe judec\u0103torii cei mari, tot boieri din doisprezece, merse de se jelui, \u015fi ceru s\u0103 fac\u0103 judecat\u0103 dreapt\u0103 \u00eentre el \u015fi soru-sa. Boierii g\u0103sir\u0103 cu cale ca ea cu moarte s\u0103 se omoare. Iar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul se cobor\u00ee atunci din scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei \u015fi puse pe ginere-s\u0103u, fiindc\u0103 v\u0103zu \u015fi el acum c\u0103 era viteaz, drept \u015fi milos ca un \u00eemp\u0103rat bun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un om. El avea o fat\u0103 \u015fi un b\u0103iat. \u015ei r\u0103m\u00e2n\u00e2nd v\u0103duv de muma copiilor, \u00eel \u00eendemn\u0103 ariciul s\u0103 se \u00eensoare a doua oar\u0103. Neveste-sei \u00eei … <\/p>\n