\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un fl\u0103c\u0103iandru s\u0103rman de p\u0103rin\u0163i. El arg\u0103\u0163ea pe la unii \u015fi pe la al\u0163ii ca s\u0103-\u015fi c\u00e2\u015ftige hrana vie\u0163ii. \u015ei fiindc\u0103 avea darul de a fi cur\u0103\u0163el, to\u0163i fl\u0103c\u0103ii din sat \u00eel pizmuiau. Ceilal\u0163i arga\u0163i c\u0103\u015funaser\u0103 pe d\u00e2nsul \u015fi-l tot luau peste picior, iar\u0103 el nu lua aminte la flec\u0103riile lor \u015fi-\u015fi c\u0103uta de treaba lui. C\u00e2nd se adunau seara \u015fi b\u00e2rfeau verzi \u015fi uscate, el se f\u0103cea c\u0103 nu \u00een\u0163elege vorbele aruncate \u00een pofida lui; se ar\u0103ta prost\u0103nac. pentru aceasta ei \u00eel porocleau zic\u00e2ndu-i c\u0103sc\u0103undul satului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0St\u0103p\u00e2nii unde slujea el erau foarte mul\u0163umi\u0163i de d\u00e2nsul \u015fi se b\u0103teau care de care s\u0103-l apuce. C\u00e2nd trecea prin sat, fetele \u00ee\u015fi dau coate \u015fi se uitau la d\u00e2nsul pe subt sprincene. \u015ei ce e drept c\u0103 aveau la ce se uita. El era curat la fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi chipe\u015f; chica lui neagr\u0103, ca pana corbului flutura ca o coam\u0103 pe grumajii lui albi ca z\u0103pada; must\u0103cioara abia mijea, de parc\u0103 era o umbr\u0103 pe buza lui cea de sus; dar\u0103 apoi ochii? Avea ni\u015fte ochi, neiculi\u0163\u0103, de b\u0103gase pe toate fetele \u00een boale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd era la ad\u0103patul vacilor, fetele care de care se \u00eentrecea s\u0103-i dea pricin\u0103 de vorb\u0103; dar\u0103 el nu b\u0103ga pe nimeni \u00een seam\u0103; se f\u0103cea ca nu pricepe ce vor ele. Pentru aceasta ele ca s\u0103 arate c\u0103 nu le pas\u0103 de neb\u0103garea lui de seam\u0103, \u00eentre ele, \u00eel porocleau cu numele de F\u0103t-Frumos al satului. \u015ei de unde s\u0103 nu fie a\u015fa!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El nu se uita nici \u00een dreapta, nici \u00een st\u00e2nga, mergea cu vitele la p\u0103\u015fune \u015fi treaba ie\u015fea din m\u00e2na lui mai cu asupra dec\u00e2t din ale celorlal\u0163i arga\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu \u015ftiu ce f\u0103cea el, ce dregea, c\u0103 vacile pe cari le p\u0103\u015ftea el erau mai frumoase dec\u00e2t ale celorlal\u0163i arga\u0163i. Ele d\u0103deau mai mult lapte dec\u00e2t cele ale altor arga\u0163i, fiindc\u0103 pe unde le ducea el p\u0103\u015funea era mai cu gust \u015fi mai \u00eendestul\u0103toare. Pe unde c\u0103lca piciorul lui se cuno\u015ftea, fiindc\u0103 \u015fi ierburile se \u00eenveseleau.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite se n\u0103scuse \u00een ceas bun \u015fi era ursit s\u0103 ajung\u0103 ceva. Dar\u0103 el nici habar n-avea de asta \u015fi nici g\u00e2nd n-avea s\u0103 se m\u00e2ndreasc\u0103, fiindc\u0103 nu \u015ftia ce-i este ascuns \u00een cursul vremilor. Ci smerit, precum \u00eel l\u0103sase pe el Dumnezeu, \u00ee\u015fi vedea de ale sale, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se ating\u0103 cu cuv\u00e2ntul sau \u00een oricareva fel, de al\u0163ii sau de al altora. \u015ei tocmai pentru aceasta fl\u0103c\u0103ii \u015fi ceilal\u0163i arga\u0163i \u00eel ponosluia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi de prim\u0103var\u0103, ostenit fiind tot umbl\u00e2nd dup\u0103 vaci, se dete la umbra unui copaci mare \u015fi stufos \u015fi adormi; \u00ee\u015fi \u015fi alesese, vezi, loc pentru a\u015fa ceva. Era o v\u00e2lcea \u00eempodobit\u0103 cu fel de fel de floricele, toate \u00eenflorite, de p\u0103rea c\u0103 d\u0103 ghes omului s\u0103 treac\u0103 printre ele. Ceva mai c\u00e2t colo un p\u00e2r\u00e2ia\u015f, a c\u0103rui ob\u00e2r\u015fie venea dintr-un \u015fipot de ap\u0103 ce ie\u015fea din coasta unui delule\u0163, \u015ferpuia printre brusturi \u015fi alte buruieni pe unde \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cuse loc, \u015fi susurul apei parc\u0103 te \u00eendemna la somn. Copaciul subt care se adumbrise era m\u0103re\u0163 \u015fi parc\u0103 se lupta ca s\u0103 ajung\u0103 la nuori. Printre cr\u0103cile lui \u00eentinse se giugiuleau p\u0103s\u0103relele \u015fi-\u015fi f\u0103ceau cuiburi: numai ascult\u00e2nd cineva ciripirile lor se aprindea \u00eentr-\u00eensul focul dragostei. Desi\u015ful frunzelor sale f\u0103cea o umbr\u0103, de parc\u0103 r\u00e2m\u00e2neai la ea. Bag seam\u0103, nu era a\u015fa c\u0103sc\u0103und fl\u0103c\u0103ul acesta, \u015fi pe nedrept \u00eei at\u00e2rnau de coad\u0103 acest ponos ceilal\u0163i arga\u0163i din sat. Cum puse capul jos \u015fi adormi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-apucase s\u0103 doarm\u0103, ca de c\u00e2nd \u00eencepui s\u0103 v\u0103 povestesc, \u015fi o dat\u0103 s\u0103ri drept \u00een sus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Visase un vis foarte frumos \u015fi se de\u015fteptase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Visase c\u0103 unde venise la d\u00e2nsul, m\u0103re, o z\u00e2n\u0103 mai frumoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t toate z\u00e2nele din cer \u015fi de pre p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u015fi-i zisese s\u0103 se duc\u0103 la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului locului aceluia, c\u0103 acolo are s\u0103 se procopseasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se de\u015ftept\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi zise:”M\u0103, ca ce s\u0103 fie asta?” \u015fi \u00eencepu a se pune pe g\u00e2nduri; toat\u0103 ziulica \u00eel muncir\u0103 g\u00e2ndurile \u015fi nu se domirea de loc, de loc ca ce s\u0103 \u00eensemneze un asemenea vis. El nu \u00een\u0163elegea c\u0103 steaua sub care se n\u0103scuse venea s\u0103-l slujeasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, merg\u00e2nd iar\u0103\u015fi cu vitele la p\u0103scut, ab\u0103tu din drum \u015fi dete iar\u0103\u015fi pe la copaciul cu pricina, \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi se culc\u0103 la tulpina lui, \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi vis\u0103 acela\u015fi vis.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Scul\u00e2ndu-se, \u00ee\u015fi zise:”M\u0103, \u0103sta nu e lucru curat”, \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi toat\u0103 ziulica fu dus pe g\u00e2nduri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A treia zi cu dinadinsul f\u0103cu s\u0103-i fie drumul pe la acela\u015fi copaci sub care se culc\u0103, \u015fi vis\u0103 acela\u015fi vis; ba \u00eenc\u0103 de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 z\u00e2na \u00eel amenin\u0163\u0103 cu boal\u0103 \u015fi cu toate tic\u0103lo\u015fiile omene\u015fti, dac\u0103 nu s-o duce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci \u015fi el, dac\u0103 se scul\u0103 \u015fi veni acas\u0103 cu vacile \u015fi le b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een co\u015far, se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fe la st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, pe mine m\u0103 bate g\u00e2ndurile s\u0103 m\u0103 duc \u00een lume s\u0103-mi caut norocul. Destul am arg\u0103\u0163it, \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 acum nu v\u0103z nici un semn ca s\u0103 pot \u015fi eu s\u0103lta ceva. F\u0103 bine \u015fi-mi d\u0103 socoteala.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da pentru ce, b\u0103iete, s\u0103 ie\u015fi de la mine? Au doar\u0103 nu te mul\u0163ume\u015fti de simbria ce-\u0163i dau? Au m\u00e2ncare n-ai destul\u0103? Ia, mai bine \u015fezi la mine, \u015fi eu voi c\u0103ta s\u0103-\u0163i dau o fat\u0103 bun\u0103 din sat, cu ni\u0163ic\u0103 zestricic\u0103, s\u0103 te mai ajut \u015fi eu cu ce m-o l\u0103sa inima, s\u0103-\u0163i faci \u015fi tu rost aici ca to\u0163i megia\u015fii, nu mai hoin\u0103ri prin a lume, ca s\u0103 nu ajungi f\u0103r\u0103 nici un c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i, ca vai de lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba, de mul\u0163umit, sunt mul\u0163umit de d-ta, st\u0103p\u00e2ne; m\u00e2ncare am destul\u0103, nu pot s\u0103 m\u00e2nii pe Dumnezeu; dar\u0103 a\u015fa mi-a venit mie, s\u0103 m\u0103 duc \u00een lume, \u015fi nu voi r\u0103m\u00e2nea pentru nu \u015ftiu ce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu st\u0103p\u00e2n\u0103-s\u0103u c\u0103 este peste poate a-l face s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ie, \u00eei dete ce bruma mai avea s\u0103 ia, \u015fi el plec\u0103, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi ziua bun\u0103 de la st\u0103p\u00e2n.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Duc\u00e2ndu-se de la satul s\u0103u, fl\u0103c\u0103ul ajunse drept la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 \u015fi se b\u0103g\u0103 argat la gr\u0103dina \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Gr\u0103dinarul fu bun-bucuros s\u0103-l primeasc\u0103, c\u00e2nd \u00eel v\u0103zu a\u015fa cur\u0103\u0163el, c\u0103ci dob\u00e2ndise p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci c\u00e2teva bob\u00e2rnace de la fetele \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u0103 bag\u0103 arga\u0163i tot ce este mai ur\u00e2cios \u015fi mai sc\u00e2rbos \u00een omenire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cur\u0103\u0163el, cur\u0103\u0163el, dar\u0103 hainele de pe d\u00e2nsul erau imoase, deh! ce s\u0103 zici, ca de m\u0103car. Gr\u0103dinarul puse de-l \u00eemb\u0103ie, \u00eel primeni \u015fi-i dete de \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 ni\u015fte haine care s\u0103 mai semene a argat la gr\u0103dina \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103. \u015ei cum era de potrivit f\u0103cut la boiul lui, \u00eei \u015fedesa bine cu hainele ce \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 celelalte trebi gr\u0103din\u0103re\u015fti, slujba lui de c\u0103petenie fu ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u00een fiecare zi c\u00e2te dou\u0103sprezece m\u0103nunchiule\u0163e de flori, \u015fi \u00een fiecare diminea\u0163\u0103 s\u0103 le dea la cele dou\u0103sprezece domni\u0163e, fete ale \u00eemp\u0103ratului, c\u00e2nd vor ie\u015fi din cas\u0103 spre a se primbla prin gr\u0103din\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aceste domni\u0163e erau ursite s\u0103 nu se poat\u0103 m\u0103rita p\u00e2n\u0103 nu va g\u0103si cineva care s\u0103 le ghiceasc\u0103 leg\u0103tura ursitei lor \u015fi s\u0103 fac\u0103 pe vreuna din ele ca s\u0103 iubeasc\u0103 pe cineva. Ursitele lor le d\u0103ruise cu patima jocului. Erau nebune dup\u0103 joc \u015fi pe fiecare noapte rupeau c\u00e2te o pereche de conduri de m\u0103tase alb\u0103, d\u0103n\u0163uind.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nimeni nu \u015ftia unde merg ele noaptea de joac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se luase de g\u00e2nduri cu at\u00e2ta cheltuial\u0103 pe condurii fetelor sale \u015fi pentru inima lor de ghea\u0163\u0103, de care nu se putea lipi nici un june din cei ce veniser\u0103 \u00een pe\u0163it.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pentru aceasta el dase sfar\u0103 \u00een \u0163ara lui \u015fi \u00een \u0163\u0103rile streine, precum ca s\u0103 se \u015ftie c\u0103 cine se va g\u0103si s\u0103-i spuie ce fac fetele lui noaptea de rup fiecare c\u00e2te o pereche de conduri, poate s\u0103-\u015fi aleag\u0103 pe care \u00eei va place din ele, \u015fi el i-o va da lui de so\u0163ie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El \u015ftia c\u0103 le \u0163ine pe toate \u00eenchise la un loc, \u00eentr-o c\u0103mar\u0103 din palatul s\u0103u, \u00eencuiate \u015fi z\u0103vor\u00e2te cu nou\u0103 u\u015fi de fier \u015fi cu nou\u0103 lac\u0103te mari. Dar\u0103 nimeni nu \u015ftia ce fac ele noaptea de li se rup \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163\u0103mintele, c\u0103ci nimeni nu le v\u0103zuser\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci ie\u015find din cas\u0103, c\u0103ci nu puteau.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite, lor le era f\u0103cut ca a\u015fa s\u0103-\u015fi petreac\u0103 vremea \u00een toat\u0103 via\u0163a lor. A\u015fa le era or\u00e2nda.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum se auzi de aceast\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2re a \u00eemp\u0103ratului, \u00eencepu a curge la pe\u0163itori; ba feciori de domni \u015fi de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i, ba feciori de boieri mari, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi feciori de boieri mai mici. \u015ei care cum venea se punea de p\u00e2nd\u0103 la u\u015fa domni\u0163elor c\u00e2te o noapte. \u00cemp\u0103ratul a\u015ftepta cu mare ner\u0103bdare \u00een fiecare diminea\u0163\u0103 ca s\u0103-i aduc\u0103 c\u00e2te vreo veste bun\u0103; dar\u0103 \u00een loc de aceasta, i se spunea c\u0103 junii ce se puneau de p\u00e2nd\u0103 seara nu se mai g\u0103sesc diminea\u0163a. Nu se \u015ftia ce se fac. Nici de urm\u0103 m\u0103car nu li se mai dedea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unsprezece fl\u0103c\u0103i o p\u0103\u0163ise p\u00e2n\u0103 acum. Ceilal\u0163i cari mai erau, \u00eencepuser\u0103 a se codi; nu mai voir\u0103 s\u0103 stea de p\u00e2nd\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se lipseau de a lua de neveste ni\u015fte fete pentru care se r\u0103pune at\u00e2\u0163i tineri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei astfel, unul c\u00e2te unul, se c\u0103rar\u0103 pe la casele lor de la curtea acestui \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u015fi-i l\u0103sar\u0103 fetele \u00een plata Domnului; c\u0103ci nimeni nu mai voia s\u0103-\u015fi piarz\u0103 sufletul pentru un cap de muiere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00censu\u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul fu cuprins de spaim\u0103, cum de s\u0103 piar\u0103 a\u015fa junii ce voiau s\u0103-i p\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 fetele, \u015fi nu mai cuteza s\u0103 \u00eendemne pe nimeni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul era nevoit s\u0103 cumpere mereu pe fiecare zi c\u00e2te dou\u0103sprezece perechi de conduri, \u015fi intrase la grij\u0103 c\u0103 o s\u0103-i \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2neasc\u0103 fetele \u00een vatr\u0103 \u015fi o s\u0103 \u00eempleteasc\u0103 cosi\u0163a alb\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 puie pirostriile \u00een cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul de la gr\u0103din\u0103rie \u00ee\u015fi \u00eemplinea slujba cum \u015ftia el \u00een legea lui. \u015ei domni\u0163ele erau mul\u0163umite de m\u0103nuchele de flori ce li le da argatul, \u015fi gr\u0103dinarul de lucrul lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El, c\u00e2nd da florile domni\u0163elor, nici nu-\u015fi ridica ochii asupra lor; dar\u0103 c\u00e2nd da florile fetei celei mici, nu \u015ftiu de ce, c\u0103 se ro\u015fea ca un bujor, \u015fi-i t\u00e2c\u00e2ia inima, de sta s\u0103-i sar\u0103 din piept afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 aceasta, \u00eens\u0103 crezu c\u0103 fl\u0103c\u0103ul este ru\u015finos \u015fi d-aia se face a\u015fa de ro\u015fu c\u00e2nd vine \u00eenaintea lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Azi a\u015fa, m\u00e2ine a\u015fa, el vedea c\u0103 nu e de nasul lui o a\u015fa buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103. Dar\u0103 ce-i faci inimei? Ea \u00eei da br\u00e2nci \u015fi lui, bat-o pustia! \u015fi ar fi voit s\u0103 se puie \u015fi el la p\u00e2nd\u0103, \u015fi apoi se g\u00e2ndea \u015fi la p\u0103\u0163aniile celor ce p\u0103zise \u00eenaintea lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata cea mic\u0103 se gre\u015fi \u00eentr-o zi \u015fi spuse surorilor cum argatul care le da flori se ro\u015fe\u015fte ca o sfecl\u0103 c\u00e2nd vine \u00eenaintea lor \u015fi cum este de cur\u0103\u0163el. Cum auzi fata cea mai mare astfel de cuvinte c\u0103 iese din gura surorei sale celei mai mici, unde \u00eencepu s\u0103 o dojeneasc\u0103 cu ni\u015fte vorbe cam lu\u0103toare \u00een r\u00e2s, cum de numai s\u0103 se g\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 ea a scoate a\u015fa vorbe bl\u00e2nde pentru un argat, c\u0103ci asta ar sem\u0103na c\u0103 inima ei este pornit\u0103 a se planisi cuiva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103iatului \u00eei zicea inima s\u0103 se arate la \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu cererea de a p\u00e2ndi \u015fi el, dar\u0103 s\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m c\u0103-\u015fi cuno\u015ftea lungul nasului, s\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m c\u0103 nu1 uitase p\u0103\u0163eniile at\u00e2tor fl\u0103c\u0103i ce pieriser\u0103, lui \u00eei era s\u0103 nu-\u015fi piarz\u0103 slujba \u015fi s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ie cu buzele umflate. Apoi unde pui d-ta g\u00e2ndul ce-l muncea groaznic, c\u0103 de va fi gonit de la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, n-are s\u0103 mai vaz\u0103 pe fetele \u00eemp\u0103ratului, c\u0103ci d\u00e2ndu-le flori \u00een fiecare diminea\u0163\u0103, oric\u00e2t se feri de vreo patim\u0103, totu\u015fi gig\u0103\u015fiile \u015fi frumuse\u0163ile fetelor de \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u015fi mai cu seam\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103tura cea blajin\u0103 a fetei celei mici, \u00eel ademenise p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eentr-at\u00e2t, \u00eenc\u00e2t, se socotea el, c\u0103 dac\u0103 nu va mai atinge \u00een fiecare diminea\u0163\u0103 cu degetele sale m\u00e2inile cele albe ca o coal\u0103 de h\u00e2rtie, cu pielea moale ca puful, ale fetelor de \u00eemp\u0103rat, nu va mai putea tr\u0103i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ziua, noaptea, \u00eel munceau aceste g\u00e2nduri \u015fi nu \u015ftia cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eemplineasc\u0103 pofta inimei, f\u0103r\u0103 de care, sim\u0163ea el, c\u0103 nu va putea s\u0103 mai tr\u0103iasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-una din nop\u0163i, adormind el cu g\u00e2ndul \u0163int\u0103 la dorin\u0163a ce-l chinuia de-i rodea b\u0103ierile inimei, v\u0103zu \u00een vis iar\u0103 pe z\u00e2na din v\u00e2lceaua cea cu flori unde i se ar\u0103tase odinioar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 te duci \u00een unghiul gr\u0103dinei cel despre r\u0103s\u0103rit; acolo vei g\u0103si doi pui de dafin, unul cire\u015fiu \u015fi altul trandafiriu; al\u0103turi de d\u00e2n\u015fii vei vedea o s\u0103p\u0103lig\u0103 de aur, o n\u0103strap\u0103 tot de aur \u015fi un \u015ftergar de m\u0103tase. S\u0103 iei ace\u015fti pui de dafin, s\u0103-i pui \u00een dou\u0103 ghivece frumoase, s\u0103-i sapi cu s\u0103p\u0103liga cea de aur, s\u0103-i uzi cu n\u0103strapa cea de aur, s\u0103-i \u015ftergi bini\u015for cu \u015ftergarul cel de m\u0103tase \u015fi s\u0103-i \u00eengrij\u0103\u015fti ca pe lumina ochilor t\u0103i. C\u00e2nd vor cre\u015fte \u015fi se vor face ca de un stat de om, orice vei cere de la d\u00e2n\u015fii \u0163i se va izb\u00e2ndi tocmai pe tocmai.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zise \u015fi pieri ca o n\u0103luc\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 apuce argatul gr\u0103dinarului s\u0103-i mul\u0163umeasc\u0103 barim.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici nu se dezmeticise bine din uluiala somnului, nici nu se \u015fterse la ochi m\u0103car, \u015fi dete fuga \u00een unghiul gr\u0103dinei cel despre r\u0103s\u0103rit \u015fi r\u0103mase n\u0103uc de bucurie, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu \u00een fiin\u0163\u0103 toate cele ce \u00eei spusese z\u00e2na \u00een somn. Acum se \u015fterse \u015fi el la ochi, se pip\u0103i s\u0103 vaz\u0103 nu care cumva doarme \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi aievea s\u0103 fie oare ceea ce vedea? Dup\u0103 ce se \u00eencredin\u0163\u0103 c\u0103 nu este n\u0103luc\u0103, de noapte, puse m\u00e2na \u015fi lu\u0103 dafinii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei \u00eengriji cum \u015ftiu el mai bine, \u00eei s\u0103pa adesea cu s\u0103p\u0103liga ce g\u0103sise el acolo, \u00eei ud\u0103 cu n\u0103strapa, \u00eei \u015fterse cu \u015ftergarul \u015fi, ce s\u0103 mai lungim vorba? \u00eei \u00eengriji ca pe lumina ochilor lui, tocmai precum \u00eei poruncise z\u00e2na.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dafinii cre\u015fteau \u015fi se \u00eemputerniceau ca prin minune. Nu trecu mult \u015fi se f\u0103cur\u0103 mari. Frumuse\u0163e ca la ace\u015fti dafini nici c\u0103 s-a mai v\u0103zut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103 ca d-un stat de om, el veni la d\u00e2n\u015fii \u00eentr-una din zile \u015fi zise unuia precum \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase z\u00e2na:<\/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\u2013 Dafine, Dafine,<\/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\u00a0Cu s\u0103p\u0103lug\u0103 de aur s\u0103patu-te-am,<\/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\u00a0Cu n\u0103strap\u0103 de aur udatu-te-am,<\/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\u00a0Cu \u015ftergar de m\u0103tase \u015ftersu-te-am,<\/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\u00a0D\u0103-mi darul d-a m\u0103 face, oric\u00e2nd voi voi eu,<\/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\u00a0S\u0103 nu fiu v\u0103zut de nimeni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El r\u0103mase buim\u0103cit de mirare, c\u00e2nd \u00een clipa aceea\u015fi chiar v\u0103zu cum se \u00eenfiin\u0163eaz\u0103 un boboc de floare, cum cre\u015fte de se m\u0103re\u015fte \u015fi cum se deschide o floare a\u015fa de frumoas\u0103, de nu puteai s\u0103 te opre\u015fti ca s\u0103 nu o miro\u015fi. El puse m\u00e2na de o rupse, o lu\u0103 \u015fi o b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een s\u00e2n; vezi c\u0103 a\u015fa \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase z\u00e2na.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Seara c\u00e2nd domni\u0163ele intrar\u0103 \u00een c\u0103mara lor cea \u00eencuiat\u0103 \u015fi z\u0103vor\u00e2t\u0103 cu nou\u0103 lac\u0103te mari, ca s\u0103 se culce, el se furi\u015fe bini\u015for pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 ele \u015fi intrar\u0103 \u00eempreun\u0103. El le vedea pe ele ce fac, dar\u0103 ele nu-l vedeau pe d\u00e2nsul. El le v\u0103zu c\u0103 \u00een loc s\u0103 se dezbrace spre a merge la culcare, ele \u00eencepur\u0103 a se piept\u0103na, a se \u00eembr\u0103ca cu haine scumpe \u015fi a se g\u0103ti de duc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El se mira de cele ce vedea \u015fi hot\u0103r\u00ee ca s\u0103 se \u0163ie dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsele cu dinadinsul s\u0103 vaz\u0103 pe unde au s\u0103 ias\u0103 ele, unde au s\u0103 se duc\u0103 \u015fi ce au s\u0103 fac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd deodat\u0103, fata cea mai mare zise surorilor sale:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Gata sunte\u0163i, fetelor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Gata suntem, r\u0103spunser\u0103 ele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci cea mare din surori b\u0103tu cu piciorul \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u015fi deodat\u0103 se deschise \u00een dou\u0103 du\u015fumeaua casei. Ele se cobor\u00e2r\u0103 prin acea deschiz\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi merser\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 se ajunser\u0103 la o gr\u0103din\u0103 g\u0103rduit\u0103 cu zid de aram\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd fur\u0103 s\u0103 intre, fata cea mare b\u0103tu din picior iar\u0103\u015fi \u015fi por\u0163ile cele de o\u0163el ale gr\u0103dinei se deschiser\u0103. Intr\u00e2nd, b\u0103iatul c\u0103lc\u0103 pe rochia fetei celei mici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aceasta, \u00eentorc\u00e2ndu-se repede, nu v\u0103zu pe nimeni; \u015fi, chem\u00e2ndu-\u015fi surorile, le zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Surorilor, b\u0103nuiesc c\u0103 s-a luat cineva dup\u0103 mine, c\u0103 uite, sim\u0163ii c\u0103 m-a c\u0103lcat oarecine pe rochie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Surorile se uitar\u0103 \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile \u015fi nev\u0103z\u00e2nd nici ele pe nimeni, \u00eei r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu fii a\u015fa b\u0103nuitoare, soro; cine s\u0103 fie aci, ori s\u0103 se ia dup\u0103 noi. Nici pas\u0103re m\u0103iastr\u0103 nu poate r\u0103zbi p\u00e2n\u0103 unde suntem noi acum. Ia vezi mai bine, s\u0103 nu se fi apucat rochia ta de vreun m\u0103r\u0103cine \u015fi, cum e\u015fti tu fricoas\u0103, \u0163i s-o fi p\u0103rut c\u0103 te-a c\u0103lcat ne\u015ftine pe rochie. Nu fi a\u015fa de u\u015furic\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea t\u0103cu. B\u0103iatul se \u0163inea dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecur\u0103 printr-o p\u0103dure cu frunzele de argint, trecur\u0103 prin alta cu foile de aur, trecur\u0103 prin alt\u0103 p\u0103dure cu frunzele numai diamanturi \u015fi pietre nestimate, cari sclipeau de-\u0163i luau ochii, \u015fi ajunser\u0103 la un ele\u015fteu mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen mijlocul acelui ele\u015fteu se ridica un d\u00e2mbule\u0163 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul ni\u015fte palaturi cum nu mai v\u0103zuse el p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci. Palaturile \u00eemp\u0103ratului r\u0103m\u0103seser\u0103 jos de tot pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 acestea, care str\u0103luceau de la soare te puteai uita, dar\u0103 la d\u00e2nsele ba. \u015ei a\u015fa de cu me\u015fte\u015fug erau f\u0103cute, \u00eenc\u00e2t c\u00e2nd te urcai \u00een ele \u0163i se p\u0103rea c\u0103 te cobori, \u015fi c\u00e2nd te dedeai jos din ele \u0163i se p\u0103rea c\u0103 te urci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dou\u0103sprezece luntri\u015foare cu v\u00e2sla\u015fi muia\u0163i numai \u00een fir de cel bun le a\u015fteptau la margine. Cum ajunser\u0103, se puser\u0103 fiecare \u00een c\u00e2te una \u015fi plecar\u0103. Argatul se puse \u00een luntrea fetei celei mici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Luntrile pornir\u0103 \u015fi mergeau \u00een r\u00e2nd ca cocorii. Numai luntrea fetei celei mai mici r\u0103m\u00e2nea mai \u00een urm\u0103. V\u00e2sla\u015ful se mira cum de este mai grea dec\u00e2t alt\u0103dat\u0103 \u015fi tr\u0103gea din r\u0103sputeri la v\u00e2sle ca s\u0103 ajung\u0103 pe celelalte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum ie\u015fir\u0103 la cel\u0103lalt mal al ele\u015fteului, se auzi o muzic\u0103, care, vr\u00e2nd, nevr\u00e2nd, te f\u0103cea s\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uie\u015fti. Fetele se repezir\u0103 ca fulgerul, intr\u0103 \u00een palat \u015fi se puser\u0103 pe joc cu fl\u0103c\u0103ii cari le p\u00e2ndiser\u0103, \u015fi jucar\u0103 \u015fi jucar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce li se sparser\u0103 condurii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103iatul se \u0163inu mereu dup\u0103 ele. Intr\u00e2nd \u015fi el \u00een palat, ce-i v\u0103zur\u0103 ochii? C\u0103mara de joc mare \u015fi larg\u0103 de abia puteai s\u0103-i z\u0103re\u015fti c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iul. Ea era \u00eempodobit\u0103 numai cu aur, cu pietre nestemate \u015fi cu f\u0103clii de jur \u00eemprejur ce ardeau \u00een ni\u015fte sfe\u015fnice de aur curat, mai mari dec\u00e2t omul. P\u0103re\u0163ii albi ca laptele str\u0103luceau de-\u0163i luau ochii, \u015fi cu dungi de aur, \u00eempodobite cu zamfiruri \u015fi rubinuri de lic\u0103reau ca focul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul se puse \u00eentr-un col\u0163 \u015fi privea la toate minunile astea. \u015ei avea \u015fi la ce privi, c\u0103ci vedea acolo lucruri de cari nu-i mai v\u0103zuser\u0103 ochii. Dar unde fu pomana aia ca s\u0103 stea la un loc? S\u0103rea \u015fi el tontoroiul de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vrea; c\u0103ci nu era chip s\u0103 stea la un loc f\u0103r\u0103 a s\u0103lta, c\u00e2nd c\u00e2nta muzica aia. P\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi sfe\u015fnicele \u015fi mesele \u015fi l\u0103vi\u0163ele din cas\u0103 s\u0103ltau.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei nici pomeneal\u0103 m\u0103car nu este ca s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eenchipuiasc\u0103 cineva frumuse\u0163ea c\u00e2nt\u0103rilor \u015fi a muzicii aceleia; organe, fluiere, chit\u0103ri, al\u0103ute, buciume, cimpoaie \u015fi alte multe d-alde astea c\u00e2ntau \u00eentr-o unire de r\u0103m\u00e2neau mar\u0163 cei mai buni muzican\u0163i din lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D-apoi fetele1? Tr\u0103geau cu foc la ni\u015fte hori, b\u0103tuta, br\u00e2ul, ca la u\u015fa cortului, de unul singur, pip\u0103ru\u015f \u015fi c\u00e2te jocuri toate, de puteai s\u0103-\u0163i rupi bojocii juc\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei jucar\u0103 \u015fi jucar\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 despre ziu\u0103. C\u00e2nd, deodat\u0103, \u00eencet\u00e2nd muzica de a mai c\u00e2nta, ie\u015fi ca din p\u0103m\u00e2nt o mas\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103rcat\u0103 cu de toate bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163ile, \u015fi ce este pe lume, \u015fi ce nu este. Se puser\u0103 cu to\u0163ii la mas\u0103 \u015fi m\u00e2ncar\u0103 \u015fi se chefuir\u0103 c\u00e2t le poftir\u0103 inima.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul de la gr\u0103din\u0103rie \u015fedea \u00een col\u0163ul lui unde se a\u015fezase \u015fi privea, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-i gura ap\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La mas\u0103 le slujea ni\u015fte arapi, \u00eembr\u0103ca\u0163i \u00een ni\u015fte haine foarte scump \u00eempodobite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se scular\u0103 de la mas\u0103, prinser\u0103 a se \u00eentoarce acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eentoarser\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi pe unde au fost venit. B\u0103iatul se \u0163inea dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsele, ca dracul dup\u0103 c\u0103lug\u0103r.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd fur\u0103 a trece prin gr\u0103dina cu frunzele de argint, ce-i dete argatului prin g\u00e2nd, c\u0103 numai rupse o r\u0103muric\u0103 dintr-un copaci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Un fream\u0103t puternic se f\u0103cu atunci \u00een toat\u0103 p\u0103durea, ca de o furtun\u0103 ce vine \u00eent\u0103r\u00e2tat\u0103 asupra copacilor; \u015fi totu\u015fi nici o frunz\u0103 m\u0103car nu se mi\u015fca din loc, ba nici m\u0103car nu se cl\u0103tin\u0103 ca de o adiere de v\u00e2nt barim.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele r\u0103s\u0103rir\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fie asta, leiculi\u0163\u0103? ziser\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fie? r\u0103spunse cea mai mare din surori. Iac\u0103, p\u0103s\u0103rica ce-\u015fi are cuibul \u00een turnul bisericii din palaturile tat\u0103lui nostru trebuie s\u0103 fi trecut prin frunze; c\u0103ci numai ea poate s\u0103 r\u0103zbat\u0103 pe aici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele trecur\u0103 \u015fi ajunser\u0103 \u00een palatul unde erau \u00eencuiate, tot pe unde ie\u015fiser\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, argatul de la gr\u0103din\u0103rie, c\u00e2nd dete m\u0103nunchiurile de flori fetelor \u00eemp\u0103ratului, ascunse cu me\u015fte\u015fug r\u0103murica rupt\u0103 \u00een m\u0103nunchiul fetei celei mici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Domni\u0163a se mir\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00ee\u015fi priimi m\u0103nunchiul de flori, se uit\u0103 cam cu mil\u0103 la argat \u015fi nu-\u015fi putea da seam\u0103 cum de s\u0103 ajung\u0103 acea r\u0103muric\u0103 \u00eentre florile ce priimise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua sear\u0103, iar\u0103\u015fi a\u015fa o petrecur\u0103. B\u0103iatul, iar\u0103\u015fi pe furi\u015f, se \u0163inuse dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsele, cu deosebire numai c\u0103 rupse o r\u0103muric\u0103 din copacii cei cu frunzele de aur, pe care o puse iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eentre florile ce dete a doua zi domni\u0163ei celei mici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata cea mai mare, iar\u0103\u015fi cu cuvinte lini\u015ftitoare, alin\u0103 frica surorilor ei c\u00e2nd se auzi fream\u0103tul ce se f\u0103cu \u00een p\u0103durea de unde argatul rupse r\u0103murica.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd a doua zi domni\u0163a cea mic\u0103 priimi florile cu r\u0103murica ascuns\u0103 \u00eentre ele, \u00eei dete un fier ars prin inim\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea c\u0103ut\u0103 vreme cu prilej \u015fi, pref\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se c\u0103 vrea s\u0103 se primble, ie\u015fi peste zi prin gr\u0103din\u0103 \u015fi, \u00eent\u00e2lnind pe argat la o cotitur\u0103 a gr\u0103dinei, \u00eel opri \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De unde ai avut tu r\u0103murica ce mi-ai pus-o \u00een m\u0103nunchiul de flori?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De unde o \u015ftie prea bine m\u0103ria-ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Care va s\u0103 zic\u0103, tu te-ai \u0163inut dup\u0103 noi, \u015fi \u015ftii unde mergem noi noaptea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cam a\u015fa m\u0103ria-ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum ai f\u0103cut de a venit dup\u0103 noi de nici una dintre surori nu te-a v\u0103zut?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pe furi\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na o pung\u0103 de bani, \u015fi s\u0103 nu sco\u0163i nici o vorb\u0103 despre primblarea noastr\u0103 de noaptea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu nu-mi v\u00e2nz t\u0103cerea, m\u0103ria-ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 voi auzi \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 ai cr\u00e2cnit ceva, voi pune s\u0103-\u0163i taie capul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zise ea vorbele astea aspre din gur\u0103, dar\u0103 din inim\u0103 altceva cugeta. E i se p\u0103rea c\u0103 acest argat din ce \u00een ce se face mai cur\u0103\u0163el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A treia noapte c\u00e2nd se duse dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsele, tot pe furi\u015f, rupse o ramur\u0103 din p\u0103durea cu copacii cei care aveau foile de diamant, \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi se f\u0103cu fream\u0103t printre frunze, \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi surora cea mai mare alin\u0103 frica surorilor celor mici cu cuvinte lini\u015ftitoare. Domni\u0163a \u00eens\u0103 cea mic\u0103, nu \u015ftiu de ce, dar\u0103 \u00een inima ei se strecur\u0103 o bucurie ascuns\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen ziua urm\u0103toare, c\u00e2nd g\u0103si r\u0103murica de diamant \u00een m\u0103nunchiul de flori, c\u0103t\u0103 cam pe subt ascuns la argat \u015fi-l g\u0103si c\u0103 nu se prea deosebe\u015fte de fiii de domni \u015fi de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i. At\u00e2t i se p\u0103ru de dr\u0103g\u0103la\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul \u015fi d\u00e2nsul c\u0103t\u0103 asupra domni\u0163ei cu ochi gale\u015fi, dar\u0103 tot pe furi\u015f, \u015fi o v\u0103zu c\u0103 se tulburase oarecum, se f\u0103cu \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 nu pricepe nimic \u015fi-\u015fi c\u0103t\u0103 de treab\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Surorile domni\u0163ei deter\u0103 peste d\u00e2n\u015fii vorbind \u015fi r\u00e2ser\u0103 de d\u00e2nsa \u015fi luar\u0103 cu cuvintele cam peste picior. Fata cea mic\u0103 t\u0103cu \u015fi \u00eenghi\u0163i ru\u015finea. Nu se putea ea mira din destul cum a f\u0103cut argatul de le-a descoperit. Ei, vezi, \u00eei intrase \u00een cap c\u0103 acest fl\u0103c\u0103u nu poate s\u0103 fie om prost, deoarece dovedise lucruri ce nici m\u0103iestrele nu le \u015ftiau.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei apoi, adev\u0103rul vorbind, boiul lui cel falnic, chipul lui cel bine potrivit \u015fi blajin \u00eel ar\u0103ta c\u00e2t de colo a nu fi de argat prost. Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 acestea, \u015fi \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015farea, \u015fi totul \u00eentr-\u00eensul avea pe vino-ncoace.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce intrar\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103 fetele, domni\u0163a cea mic\u0103 le spuse c\u0103 argatul de la gr\u0103din\u0103rie \u015ftia tot ce fac ele noaptea. Atunci se adunar\u0103 la sfat \u015fi pl\u0103nuir\u0103 ca s\u0103-l fac\u0103 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul s\u0103-\u015fi piarz\u0103 inima \u015fi sim\u0163irile, cum f\u0103cuser\u0103 \u015fi cu ceilal\u0163i tineri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103c\u0103iandrul \u00eens\u0103 se furi\u015f\u0103 \u015fi de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 de intr\u0103 \u00een c\u0103mara fetelor, ca s\u0103 asculte la sfatul lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pare c\u0103-i spusese ariciul la ureche c\u0103 are s\u0103 se petreac\u0103 \u00eentre ele ceva pentru d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acum, dup\u0103 ce \u015ftia totul, dar\u0103 totul ce trebuia s\u0103 \u015ftie, se duse la dafinii lui \u015fi zise c\u0103tre cel trandafiriu:<\/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\u2013 Dafine, Dafine,<\/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\u00a0Cu s\u0103p\u0103lug\u0103 de aur s\u0103patu-te-am,<\/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\u00a0Cu n\u0103strap\u0103 de aur udatu-te-am,<\/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\u00a0Cu \u015ftergar de m\u0103tase \u015ftersu-te-am,<\/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\u00a0D\u0103-mi minte \u015fi procopseal\u0103 de fiu de domn \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103rat!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ca \u015fi de la r\u00e2nd, un boboc de floare \u00eencol\u0163i, crescu \u015fi se deschise o floare minunat\u0103. El lu\u0103 floarea \u015fi o b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een s\u00e2n. Odat\u0103 c\u0103zur\u0103 de pe fa\u0163a lui ars\u0103turile de soare \u015fi \u00eei r\u0103mase chipul curat \u015fi luminat, ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd atunci \u00eel f\u0103cuse m\u0103-sa. Sim\u0163i c\u0103 \u00een creierii lui se petrece un ce de care nu-\u015fi putea da seama. Dar\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 \u00eencepe a judeca altfel de cum judeca el p\u00e2n\u0103 acum. Pas\u0103mite se ascu\u0163ise la minte. \u015ei totdeodat\u0103 se pomeni \u00eembr\u0103cat cu ni\u015fte haine ca ale fiilor de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de domni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci se duse la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi ceru \u015fi d\u00e2nsul s\u0103-i p\u0103zeasc\u0103 fetele, \u00eentr-o noapte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratului i se facu mil\u0103 de tinere\u0163ele lui \u015fi-l sf\u0103tui s\u0103-\u015fi caute mai bine de treab\u0103, dec\u00e2t s\u0103 se r\u0103puie. El st\u0103rui. \u00cemp\u0103ratul priimi. Acesta nici c\u0103 b\u0103nuia m\u0103car a fi argatul de la gr\u0103din\u0103rie; a\u015fa de mult se schimbase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd \u00eel ar\u0103t\u0103 fetelor \u015fi le spuse \u00eemp\u0103ratul ce voie\u015fte, nici ele, vezi, nu-l cunoscur\u0103. Numai cea mic\u0103, fiind cu cuiul la inim\u0103, \u00eel cunoscu \u015fi \u00eencepu a t\u00e2nji de dragoste.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Noaptea urm\u0103toare, c\u00e2nd plecar\u0103 ele la joc, \u00eel luar\u0103 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul. El \u015ftia ce i se preg\u0103te\u015fte, dar\u0103 se feri ca de oala m\u0103laiului s\u0103 nu dea \u00een clapc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajunser\u0103 la palatul vr\u0103jit, jucar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 despre ziu\u0103, apoi se puser\u0103 la mas\u0103. I se aduse \u015fi lui b\u0103utura din care b\u0103use to\u0163i cari veniser\u0103 \u00eenaintea lui, b\u0103utur\u0103 care trebuia s\u0103-l fac\u0103 a-\u015fi pierde min\u0163ile \u015fi sim\u0163irea, b\u0103utur\u0103 care s\u0103-l piarz\u0103 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul ca pe ceilal\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci unde \u00ee\u015fi \u00eentoarse ni\u015fte ochi l\u0103cr\u0103mo\u015fi \u015fi plini de focul dragostei ce-l mistuia, \u015fi zise cu grai duios domni\u0163ei celei mici:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi tu? iac\u0103 eu m\u0103 pierz pentru dragostea ta, dac\u0103 ai a\u015fa inim\u0103 de ghea\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, n-am inim\u0103 de ghea\u0163\u0103, focul dragostei tale mi-a \u00eenc\u0103lzit-o, r\u0103spunse ea. Nu bea. Mai bine voi s\u0103 fiu gr\u0103din\u0103reas\u0103 cu tine, dec\u00e2t fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum auzi a\u015fa, el arunc\u0103 b\u0103utura la spate, \u015fi mai apropiindu-se de d\u00e2nsa, \u00eei mai zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu-\u0163i fie team\u0103, m\u0103ria-ta, c\u0103 gr\u0103din\u0103reas\u0103 nu ai s\u0103 fii o dat\u0103 cu capul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To\u0163i cei de fa\u0163\u0103 auzir\u0103 vorbele lor. Puterea farmecului se zdrobi \u015fi to\u0163i cu totul se pomenir\u0103 \u00een palaturile \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Palatul cel fermecat pieri ca o n\u0103luc\u0103, ca \u015fi cum n-ar fi mai fost pe lumea asta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd \u00eei v\u0103zur\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eencremeni de uimire cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile pe barb\u0103. Fl\u0103c\u0103ul, fostul argat la gr\u0103din\u0103rie, \u00eei povesti toat\u0103 \u015firetenia nop\u0163ilor. \u00cemp\u0103ratul dete pe fata cea mic\u0103 dup\u0103 fl\u0103c\u0103iandrul cel frumos \u015fi dr\u0103g\u0103stos. Apoi se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015far\u0103 \u015fi celelalte fete cu c\u00e2te unul din fiii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de domni pe care \u015fi-l alesese. \u00cemp\u0103ratul se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi le dete pe fiecare la casa lor. \u015ei se f\u0103cu o bucurie mare \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, care bucurie de ar fi o sut\u0103 de guri, nu una ca a mea, n-ar putea-o spune.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenainte de a se cununa, fata cea mic\u0103 \u00eentreb\u0103 pe logodnicul ei cu ce putere f\u0103cu el de le descoperi ascunsurile faptelor lor \u015fi leg\u0103tura farmecului ce le \u0163ineau \u00eenl\u0103n\u0163uite. El spuse. Iar\u0103 ea, ca s\u0103 nu fie b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u mai presus dec\u00e2t ea, ci s\u0103 fie deopotriv\u0103 om ca to\u0163i oamenii, se duse de t\u0103ie dafinii \u015fi-i b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een foc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi se cununar\u0103 \u015fi tr\u0103ir\u0103 o via\u0163\u0103 fericit\u0103, cum se tr\u0103ie\u015fte pe lumea noastr\u0103 asta b\u0103l\u0163ata, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce se istovir\u0103 to\u0163i cu totul, \u00een ad\u00e2nci b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un fl\u0103c\u0103iandru s\u0103rman de p\u0103rin\u0163i. El arg\u0103\u0163ea pe la unii \u015fi pe la al\u0163ii ca s\u0103-\u015fi c\u00e2\u015ftige hrana vie\u0163ii. \u015ei fiindc\u0103 avea darul de a fi … <\/p>\n