\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi avea trei fete. \u015ei fiind a merge la b\u0103t\u0103lie, \u00ee\u015fi chem\u0103 fetele \u015fi le zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103, dragele mele, sunt silit s\u0103 merg la r\u0103zboi. Vr\u0103jma\u015ful s-a sculat cu oaste mare asupra noastr\u0103. Cu mare durere m\u0103 despart de voi. \u00cen lipsa mea b\u0103ga\u0163i de seam\u0103 s\u0103 fi\u0163i cu minte, s\u0103 v\u0103 purta\u0163i bine \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eengriji\u0163i de trebile casei. Ave\u0163i voie s\u0103 v\u0103 pre\u00eembla\u0163i prin gr\u0103din\u0103, s\u0103 intra\u0163i prin toate c\u0103m\u0103rile casei: numai \u00een c\u0103mara din fund, din col\u0163ul din dreapta, s\u0103 nu intra\u0163i, c\u0103 nu va fi bine de voi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fii pe pace, tat\u0103, r\u0103spunser\u0103 ele. Niciodat\u0103 n-am ie\u015fit din cuv\u00e2ntul dumitale. Du-te f\u0103r\u0103 grij\u0103, \u015fi Dumnezeu s\u0103-\u0163i dea o izb\u00e2nd\u0103 str\u0103lucit\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toate fiind gata de pornire, \u00eemp\u0103ratul le dete cheile de la toate c\u0103m\u0103rile, mai aduc\u00e2ndu-le aminte \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 pove\u0163ele ce le deduse, \u015fi-\u015fi lu\u0103 ziua bun\u0103 de la ele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele \u00eemp\u0103ratului, cu lacr\u0103mile \u00een ochi, \u00eei s\u0103rutar\u0103 m\u00e2na, \u00eei poftir\u0103 biruin\u0163\u0103; iar cea mai mare din ele priimi cheile din m\u00e2na \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu se \u015ftia ce s\u0103 se fac\u0103, de m\u00e2hnire \u015fi de ur\u00e2t, fetele, c\u00e2nd se v\u0103zur\u0103 singure. Apoi, ca s\u0103 le treac\u0103 de ur\u00e2t, hot\u0103r\u00e2r\u0103 ca o parte din zi s\u0103 lucreze, o parte s\u0103 citeasc\u0103 \u015fi o parte s\u0103 se plimbe prin gr\u0103din\u0103. A\u015fa f\u0103cur\u0103 \u015fi le mergea bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vicleanul pizmuia pacea fetelor \u015fi-\u015fi v\u00e2r\u00ee coada.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Surioarele mele, zise fata cea mare, c\u00e2tu-i ziulica de mare toarcem, coasem, citim. Sunt c\u00e2teva zile de c\u00e2nd ne afl\u0103m singure, n-a mai r\u0103mas nici un col\u0163 de gr\u0103din\u0103 pe unde s\u0103 nu ne fi plimbat. Am intrat prin toate c\u0103m\u0103rile palatului tat\u0103lui nostru, \u015fi am v\u0103zut c\u00e2t sunt de frumos \u015fi bogat \u00eempodobite; de ce s\u0103 nu intr\u0103m \u015fi \u00een c\u0103mara aceea, \u00een care ne-a oprit tat\u0103l nostru de a intra?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de mine, leli\u0163\u0103, zise cea mai mic\u0103, m\u0103 mir cum \u0163i-a dat \u00een g\u00e2nd una ca aceasta, ca s\u0103 ne \u00eendemni dumneata s\u0103 c\u0103lc\u0103m porunca tat\u0103lui nostru. C\u00e2nd tata a zis s\u0103 nu intr\u0103m acolo, trebuie s\u0103 fi \u015ftiut el ce a zis \u015fi pentru ce a zis s\u0103 facem a\u015fa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103 doar\u0103 nu s-o face gaur\u0103 \u00een cer d-om intra, zise cea mijlocie. C\u0103 doar\u0103 n-or fi niscaiva zmei s\u0103 ne m\u0103n\u00e2nce, ori alte lighioane. \u015e-apoi de unde o s\u0103 \u015ftie tata dac\u0103 noi am intrat au ba?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tot vorbind \u015fi \u00eendemn\u00e2ndu-se, ajunser\u0103 tocmai pe dinaintea acelei c\u0103m\u0103ri; cea mai mare din surori, care era p\u0103str\u0103toarea cheilor, b\u0103g\u0103 cheia \u00een broasca u\u015fei \u015fi, \u00eentorc\u00e2nd-o ni\u0163el, sc\u00e2r\u0163! u\u015fa se deschise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele intrar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd colo, ce s\u0103 vaz\u0103? Casa n-avea nici o podoab\u0103; dar\u0103 \u00een mijloc era o mas\u0103 o mas\u0103 mare cu un covor scump pe d\u00e2nsa, \u015fi deasupra o carte mare deschis\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele, ner\u0103bd\u0103toare, voir\u0103 a \u015fti ce zicea \u00een cartea aceea. \u015ei cea mare \u00eenaint\u0103 \u015fi iat\u0103 ce ceti:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Pe fata cea mare a acestui \u00eemp\u0103rat are s-o ia un fiu de \u00eemp\u0103rat de la r\u0103s\u0103rit.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merse \u015fi cea mijlocie \u015fi, \u00eentorc\u00e2nd foaia, ceti \u015fi ea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Pe fata cea mijlocie a acestui \u00eemp\u0103rat are s-o ia un fiu de \u00eemp\u0103rat de la apus”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0R\u00e2ser\u0103 fetele \u015fi se veselir\u0103, hihotind \u015fi glumind \u00eentre ele. Fata cea mic\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 nu voia s\u0103 se duc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cele mai mari nu o l\u0103sar\u0103 \u00een pace, ci, cu voie, f\u0103r\u0103 voie, o aduse \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsa l\u00e2ng\u0103 mas\u0103, \u015fi cam cu \u00eendoial\u0103 \u00eentoarse \u015fi ea foaia \u015fi ceti:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Pe fata cea mic\u0103 a acestui \u00eemp\u0103rat are s-o ia de so\u0163ie un porc”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tr\u0103snetul din cer de ar fi c\u0103zut, nu i-ar fi f\u0103cut mai mult r\u0103u ca ceea ce i-a f\u0103cut citirea acestor vorbe. P-aci, p-aci era s\u0103 moar\u0103 de m\u00e2hnire. \u015ei dac\u0103 n-o \u0163ineau surorile, \u00ee\u015fi \u015fi sp\u0103rgea capul c\u0103z\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se dezmetici din le\u015finul ce-i venise de inim\u0103 rea, \u00eencepur\u0103 s-o m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie surorile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce! \u00eei ziser\u0103, mai crezi \u015fi tu la toate alea! Unde ai mai pomenit tu ca o fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat s\u0103 se m\u0103rite dup\u0103 un porc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce copil\u0103 e\u015fti! \u00eei zise cealalt\u0103, dar\u0103 tata n-are destul\u0103 o\u015ftire s\u0103 te scape, chiar c\u00e2nd s-ar \u00eent\u00e2mpla s\u0103 vie s\u0103 te cear\u0103 un dobitoc a\u015fa de sc\u00e2rbos?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata cea mic\u0103 a \u00eemp\u0103ratului ar fi voit s\u0103 se \u00eenduplece a crede cele ce \u00eei spuneau surorile; dar\u0103 n-o l\u0103sa inima. G\u00e2ndul ei era mereu la cartea care spuse c\u0103 norocul celorlalte surori era s\u0103 fie a\u015fa de frumos \u015fi numai ei \u00eei spusese c\u0103 o s\u0103 i se \u00eent\u00e2mple ceea ce nu se mai auzise p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci pe lume. \u015ei apoi o rodea la fica\u0163i c\u0103lcarea poruncii tat\u0103lui lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea \u00eencepu a l\u00e2ncezi. \u015ei numai \u00een c\u00e2teva zile a\u015fa se schimbase, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu o mai cuno\u015fteai; din rumen\u0103 \u015fi vesel\u0103 ce era, ajunsese de se ofilise \u015fi nu-i mai intra nimeni \u00een voie. Se ferea de a se mai juca cu surorile prin gr\u0103din\u0103, d-a culege flori ca s\u0103 le puie la cap \u015fi d-a c\u00e2nta cu toatele c\u00e2nd erau la furc\u0103, ori la cus\u0103tur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centre acestea, tat\u0103l fetelor, \u00eemp\u0103ratul, f\u0103cuse o izb\u00e2nd\u0103 cum nu se a\u015ftepta, biruind \u015fi gonind pe vr\u0103jma\u015f. \u015ei fiindc\u0103 g\u00e2ndul \u00eei era la fiicele sale, f\u0103cu ce f\u0103cu \u015fi se \u00eentoarse mai cur\u00e2nd acas\u0103. Lumea dup\u0103 lume ie\u015fise \u00eentru \u00eent\u00e2mpinarea lui, cu buciume, cu tobe \u015fi cu surle, \u00eenveselindu-se c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul se \u00eentorcea biruitor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum ajunse, p\u00e2n\u0103 a nu merge acas\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul dete laud\u0103 Domnului c\u0103-i ajutase asupra protivnicilor carii se sculase asupra lui, de-i \u00eenfr\u00e2nse. Apoi, merg\u00e2nd acas\u0103, fiicele \u00eei ie\u015fir\u0103 \u00eenainte. Bucuria lui crescu c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 fetele \u00eei erau s\u0103n\u0103toase. Fata cea mic\u0103 se feri c\u00e2t putu a nu se ar\u0103ta trist\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cu toate astea, nu dup\u0103 mult timp, \u00eemp\u0103ratul b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 fie-sa cea mic\u0103 din ce \u00een ce sl\u0103bea \u015fi se posomora. \u00cendat\u0103 \u00eei trecu un fier ars prin inim\u0103, g\u00e2ndindu-se c\u0103 poate i-au c\u0103lcat porunca. \u015ei de unde s\u0103 nu fie a\u015fa?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ca s\u0103 se \u00eencredin\u0163eze, \u00ee\u015fi chem\u0103 fetele, le \u00eentreb\u0103, poruncindu-le s\u0103-i spuie drept.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ele m\u0103rturisir\u0103. Se ferir\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 d-a spune care din ele fusese \u00eendemn\u0103toarea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum auzi \u00eemp\u0103ratul una ca aceasta se t\u00e2nguia \u00een sine cu amar, \u015fi c\u00e2t p-aci era s\u0103-l biruie m\u00e2hnirea. \u00ce\u015fi \u0163inu \u00eens\u0103 firea \u015fi c\u0103uta a-\u015fi m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia fata care vedea c\u0103 se pierde. Ce s-a f\u0103cut, s-a f\u0103cut; v\u0103zu el c\u0103 o mie de vorbe un ban nu face.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencepuse a se cam uita \u00eent\u00e2mplarea aceasta, c\u00e2nd, \u00eentr-o zi, se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fe la \u00eemp\u0103ratul fiul unui \u00eemp\u0103rat de la r\u0103s\u0103rit \u015fi-i ceru de so\u0163ie pe fata cea mai mare. \u00cemp\u0103ratul i-o dete cu mul\u0163umire. F\u0103cur\u0103 nunt\u0103 \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u0103 \u015fi peste trei zile o petrecu cu cinste mare p\u00e2n\u0103 la otar. Peste pu\u0163in, a\u015fa f\u0103cu \u015fi cu fata cea mijlocie, pe care o ceruse un fiu de \u00eemp\u0103rat de la apus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cu c\u00e2t vedea c\u0103 se \u00eemplinesc \u00eentocmai cele scrise \u00een cartea ce citise, cu at\u00e2ta fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului se \u00eentrist\u0103 \u015fi mai mult. Ea nu mai voia s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce, nu se mai g\u0103tea, nu mai ie\u015fea la plimbare; voia s\u0103 se lase s\u0103 moar\u0103 mai bine, dec\u00e2t s\u0103 ajung\u0103 de batjocura lumii. Dar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul nu-i da r\u0103gaz s\u0103 puie \u00een lucrare o fapt\u0103 a\u015fa de nelegiuit\u0103, ci o m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia cu fel de fel de pove\u0163e.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai trecu ce mai trecu \u015fi iat\u0103, m\u0103re, c\u0103 \u00eentr-o zi \u00eemp\u0103ratul se pomene\u015fte cu un porc mare c\u0103 intr\u0103 \u00een palatul lui \u015fi-i zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103n\u0103tate \u0163ie, \u00eemp\u0103rate; s\u0103 fii rumen \u015fi voios ca r\u0103s\u0103ritul soarelui \u00eentr-o zi senin\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine ai venit s\u0103n\u0103tos, prietene. Dar ce v\u00e2nt te aduce pe la noi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am venit \u00een pe\u0163it, r\u0103spunse porcul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se mir\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u00e2nd auzi de la porc a\u015fa vorbe frumoase \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi dete cu p\u0103rerea c\u0103 aci nu putea s\u0103 fie lucru curat. Ar fi voit s-o c\u00e2rmeasc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul spre a nu-i da fata de so\u0163ie; dar\u0103 dup\u0103 ce auzi c\u0103 curtea \u015fi uli\u0163ile geme de porci, care venise cu pe\u0163itorul, n-avu \u00eencotro \u015fi-i f\u0103g\u0103dui. Porcul nu se l\u0103s\u0103 numai pe f\u0103g\u0103duial\u0103, ci intr\u0103 \u00een vorb\u0103 \u015fi se hot\u0103r\u00ee ca nunta s\u0103 se fac\u0103 peste o s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103. Numai dup\u0103 ce priimi cuv\u00e2nt bun de la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, porcul plec\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 una alta, \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00ee\u015fi pov\u0103\u0163ui fata s\u0103 se supuie ursitei, dac\u0103 a\u015fa a voit Dumnezeu. Apoi \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fata mea, cuvintele \u015fi purtarea cea \u00een\u0163eleapt\u0103 a acestui porc nu este de dobitoc; o dat\u0103 cu capul nu crez eu ca el s\u0103 se fi n\u0103scut porc. Trebuie s\u0103 fie vreo fermec\u0103torie sau vreo alt\u0103 dr\u0103cie aci. \u00cens\u0103 tu s\u0103 fii ascult\u0103toare, s\u0103 nu ie\u015fi din cuv\u00e2ntul lui; c\u0103ci Dumnezeu nu te va l\u0103sa s\u0103 te chinuie\u015fti mult timp.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 dumneata, tat\u0103, g\u0103se\u015fti cu cale a\u015fa, r\u0103spunse fata, te ascult \u015fi-mi pui n\u0103dejdea \u00een Dumnezeu. Ce o vrea el cu mine! A\u015fa mi-a fost tri\u015ftea; v\u0103z eu c\u0103 n-am \u00eencotro.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centre acestea sosi \u015fi ziua nun\u0163ii. Cununia se f\u0103cu cam pe sub ascuns. Apoi, puindu-se porcul cu so\u0163ia sa \u00eentr-o c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, porni la d\u00e2nsul acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe drum trebuia s\u0103 treac\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 un noroi mare; porcul porunci s\u0103 stea c\u0103ru\u0163a; se dete jos \u015fi se t\u0103v\u0103li \u00een noroi, p\u00e2n\u0103 se f\u0103cu una cu tina, apoi, suindu-se, zise miresei s\u0103-l s\u0103rute. Biata fat\u0103, ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? Scoase batista, \u00eel \u015fterse ni\u0163el la bot \u015fi-l s\u0103rut\u0103, g\u00e2ndindu-se s\u0103 asculte pove\u0163ile tat\u0103lui s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103 acas\u0103 la porc, care era \u00eentr-o p\u0103dure mare, se \u015fi \u00eenser\u0103. \u015eezur\u0103 ni\u0163el de se odihnir\u0103 de drum, cinar\u0103 \u00eempreun\u0103 \u015fi se culcar\u0103. Peste noapte, fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului sim\u0163i c\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 ea era un om, iar\u0103 nu un porc. Se mir\u0103. \u00cens\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi aduse aminte de cuvintele t\u0103t\u00e2ne-s\u0103u \u015fi \u00eencepu a mai \u00eensufle\u0163i, plin\u0103 de n\u0103dejde \u00een ajutorul lui Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porcul seara se dezbr\u0103ca de pielea de porc, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 simt\u0103 fata, \u015fi diminea\u0163a, p\u00e2n\u0103 a nu se de\u015ftepta ea, el iar\u0103 se \u00eembr\u0103ca cu d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecu o noapte, trecur\u0103 dou\u0103, trecur\u0103 mai multe nop\u0163i \u015fi fata nu se putea domiri cum se face de b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u ziua este porc \u015fi noaptea om. Pas\u0103mite el era fermecat, vr\u0103jit s\u0103 fie a\u015fa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai t\u00e2rziu \u00eencepu a prinde dragoste de d\u00e2nsul, c\u00e2nd sim\u0163i rodurile c\u0103s\u0103toriei; at\u00e2t numai se m\u00e2hnea c\u0103 nu \u015ftia ce o s\u0103 dea lumii peste c\u00e2teva luni. C\u00e2nd, \u00eentr-o zi, v\u0103zu trec\u00e2nd pe acolo o bab\u0103 cloan\u0163\u0103 vr\u0103jitoare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea, care nu v\u0103zuse oameni de at\u00e2ta mare de timp, era jinduit\u0103, \u015fi o chem\u0103 s\u0103 mai vorbeasc\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsa c\u00e2te ceva. Vr\u0103jitoarea \u00eei spuse c\u0103 \u015ftie s\u0103 ghiceasc\u0103, s\u0103 dea leacuri \u015fi c\u00e2te nagode toate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa s\u0103 tr\u0103ie\u015fti, b\u0103tr\u00e2nico, ia spune-mi, d-a minune ce are b\u0103rbatu-meu de este ziua porc \u015fi noaptea, c\u00e2nd doarme l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, \u00eel sim\u0163 c\u0103 este om?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ceea ce-mi spui, puica mamii, eram s\u0103 \u0163i-o spui eu mai \u00eenainte, c\u0103ci nu de surda sunt ghicitoare. S\u0103-\u0163i dea m\u0103mulica leacuri cari s\u0103-i taie farmecele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D\u0103-mi z\u0103u, m\u0103mu\u015foar\u0103, \u015fi \u0163i-oi pl\u0103ti c\u00e2t mi-i cere, c\u0103 mi s-a ur\u00e2t cu el a\u015fa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ine icea, pui\u015forul mamei, a\u0163a aceasta. S\u0103 nu \u015ftie el de d\u00e2nsa, c\u0103 n-are leac. S\u0103 te scoli c\u00e2nd doarme el, bini\u015for, \u015fi s\u0103 i-o legi de piciorul st\u00e2ng, c\u00e2t se poate de str\u00e2ns, \u015fi s\u0103 vezi, draga babii, c\u0103 diminea\u0163a r\u0103m\u00e2ne om. Parale nu-mi trebuie. Eu voi fi destul de pl\u0103tit\u0103 c\u00e2nd voi afla c\u0103 o s\u0103 scapi de a\u015fa urgie. Mi se rupe, uite, b\u0103ierile inimii de mil\u0103 pentru dumneata, bobocelul mamei, \u015fi m\u0103 c\u0103iesc, m\u0103 c\u0103iesc, cum de s\u0103 nu aflu mai dinainte, ca s\u0103-\u0163i viu \u00eentru ajutor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce plec\u0103 zgrip\u0163uroaica de vr\u0103jitoare, fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat ascunse cu \u00eengrijire a\u0163a; iar\u0103 peste noapte se scul\u0103 bini\u015for, \u00eenc\u00e2t s\u0103 n-o sim\u0163\u0103 nici m\u0103iastrele, \u015fi, cu inima t\u00e2c\u00e2ind\u0103, leg\u0103 a\u0163a de piciorul b\u0103rbatului s\u0103u. C\u00e2nd s\u0103 str\u00e2ng\u0103 nodul, p\u00e2c! se rupse a\u0163a, c\u0103ci era putred\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De\u015ftept\u00e2ndu-se, b\u0103rbatul speriat \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce-ai f\u0103cut, nenorocito! Mai aveam trei zile, \u015fi sc\u0103pam de spurcatele astea de vr\u0103ji; acum cine \u015ftie c\u00e2t voi mai avea s\u0103 port aceast\u0103 sc\u00e2rboas\u0103 piele de dobitoc. \u015ei numai atunci vei da m\u00e2na cu mine, c\u00e2nd vei rupe trei perechi de opinci de fier \u015fi c\u00e2nd vei toci un toiag de o\u0163el, c\u0103ut\u00e2ndu-m\u0103, c\u0103 eu m\u0103 duc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zise s\u0103 se f\u0103cu nev\u0103zut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S\u0103rmana fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat, c\u00e2nd se v\u0103zu singur\u0103 cuc, unde \u00eencepu a pl\u00e2nge \u015fi a se boci, de \u0163i se rupea inima. Blestema cu foc \u015fi par\u0103 pe afurisita de ghicitoare. Dar\u0103 toate \u00een zadar. Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 n-o scoate la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i cu t\u00e2nguirea, se scul\u0103 \u015fi plec\u0103 \u00eencotro va duce-o mila Domnului \u015fi dorul b\u0103rbatului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd \u00eentr-o cetate, porunci de-i f\u0103cu trei perechi de opinci de fier \u015fi un toiag de o\u0163el, se g\u0103ti de drum \u015fi se porni \u00een c\u0103l\u0103torie, spre a-\u015fi g\u0103si b\u0103rbatul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se duse, se duse, peste nou\u0103 m\u0103ri, peste nou\u0103 \u0163\u0103ri, trecu prin ni\u015fte p\u0103duri mari cu bu\u015ftenii ca butia, se poticnea lovindu-se de copacii cei r\u0103sturna\u0163i \u015fi, de c\u00e2te ori c\u0103dea, de at\u00e2tea ori se \u015fi scula; ramurile copacilor o izbeau peste fa\u0163\u0103, cr\u00e2ngurile \u00eei zg\u00e2riase m\u00e2inile, \u015fi ea tot \u00eenainta, mergea, \u015fi \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t nu se uita. C\u00e2nd, obosit\u0103 de drum \u015fi de sarcin\u0103, ab\u0103tut\u0103 de m\u00e2hnire \u015fi cu n\u0103dejdea \u00een inim\u0103, ajunse la o c\u0103su\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite acolo \u015fedea s\u00e2nta Lun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tu la porti\u0163\u0103, se rug\u0103 s\u0103 o lase \u00een\u0103untru s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103 ni\u0163el, mai cu seam\u0103 c\u0103 \u00eei \u015fi ab\u0103tuse s\u0103 fac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Muma s\u00e2ntei Lune avu mil\u0103 de d\u00e2nsa \u015fi de suferin\u0163ele sale; o priimi dar\u0103 \u00een\u0103untru \u015fi o \u00eengriji. Apoi o \u00eentreb\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum se poate ca un om de pe alte t\u0103r\u00e2muri s\u0103 r\u0103zbeasc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 aci?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Biata fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00ee\u015fi povesti atunci toate \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rile \u015fi sf\u00e2r\u015fi zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mul\u0163umesc mai \u00eent\u00e2i lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 mi-a \u00eendreptat pa\u015fii c\u0103tre acest loc, \u015fi al doilea dumitale, c\u0103 nu m-ai l\u0103sat s\u0103 pier la ceasul na\u015fterii. Acum te mai rog s\u0103-mi spui, nu care cumva s\u00e2nta Lun\u0103, fiica dumitale, \u015ftie pe unde s-ar afla b\u0103rbatul meu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu poate s\u0103 \u015ftie, draga mea, \u00eei r\u0103spunse muma s\u00e2ntei Lune, dar du-te \u00eencolo, spre r\u0103s\u0103rit, p\u00e2n\u0103 vei ajunge la s\u00e2ntul Soare; poate el s\u0103 \u015ftie ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei dete s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce o g\u0103in\u0103 fript\u0103 \u015fi \u00eei zise s\u0103 bage de seam\u0103 s\u0103 nu piarz\u0103 nici un oscior, c\u0103-i va fi de mare trebuin\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce mai mul\u0163umi \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 de buna g\u0103zduire \u015fi de pove\u0163ele cele folositoare \u015fi dup\u0103 ce lep\u0103d\u0103 o pereche de opinci care se sp\u0103rsese, \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163\u0103 altele, puse oscioarele g\u0103inei \u00eentr-o leg\u0103tur\u0103, lu\u0103 \u00een bra\u0163e copila\u015ful \u015fi toiagul \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi o porni iar\u0103\u015fi la drum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merse, merse, prin ni\u015fte c\u00e2mpii numai de nisip; a\u015fa de greu era drumul, \u00eenc\u00e2t f\u0103cea doi pa\u015fi \u00eenainte \u015fi unul \u00eenapoi; se lupt\u0103, se lupt\u0103 \u015fi sc\u0103p\u0103 de ast\u0103 c\u00e2mpie, apoi trecu prin ni\u015fte mun\u0163i nal\u0163i, col\u0163oro\u015fi \u015fi scorboro\u015fi; s\u0103rea din bolovan \u00een bolovan \u015fi din col\u0163 \u00een col\u0163. C\u00e2nd ajungea pe c\u00e2te un piept de munte \u015fes, i se p\u0103rea c\u0103 apuc\u0103 pe Dumnezeu de un picior; \u015fi dup\u0103 ce se odihnea c\u00e2te ni\u0163el, iar o lua la drum, \u015fi tot \u00eenainte mergea. Glodurile, col\u0163ii de munte, care erau tot de cremene, at\u00e2t \u00eei zg\u00e2riase picioarele, genunchii \u015fi coatele, \u00eenc\u00e2t erau numai s\u00e2nge; c\u0103ci trebuie s\u0103 v\u0103 spun c\u0103 mun\u0163ii erau nal\u0163i, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eentreceau norii, \u015fi pe unde nu erau pr\u0103p\u0103stii peste care trebuia s\u0103 sar\u0103, nu putea merge altfel dec\u00e2t suindu-se pe br\u00e2nci \u015fi ajut\u00e2ndu-se cu toiagul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cele de pe urm\u0103, st\u0103tut\u0103 de osteneal\u0103, ajunse la ni\u015fte palaturi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acolo \u015fedea Soarele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tu la poart\u0103 \u015fi se rug\u0103 s\u0103 o primeasc\u0103. Muma Soarelui o priimi \u015fi se mir\u0103 c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu om de pe alte t\u0103r\u00e2muri pe acolo \u015fi pl\u00e2nse de mila ei, c\u00e2nd \u00eei povesti \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rile. Apoi, dup\u0103 ce-i f\u0103g\u0103dui c\u0103 va \u00eentreba pe fiu-s\u0103u despre b\u0103rbatul ei o ascunse \u00een pivni\u0163\u0103, ca s\u0103 n-o sim\u0163\u0103 Soarele c\u00e2nd o veni acas\u0103, c\u0103 seara se \u00eentoarce totdauna sup\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi afl\u0103 fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat c\u0103 era s-o pa\u0163\u0103, fiindc\u0103 Soarele cam mirosise a om de pe alt\u0103 lume. Dar mum\u0103-sa \u00eel lini\u015fti cu vorbe bune, zic\u00e2ndu-i c\u0103 sunt p\u0103reri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiica de \u00eemp\u0103rat prinse curagi c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu cu c\u00e2t\u0103 bun\u0103tate este priimit\u0103 \u015fi \u00eentreb\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, frate drag\u0103, cum se poate ca Soarele s\u0103 fie sup\u0103rat, el care este at\u00e2t de frumos \u015fi face at\u00e2ta bine muritorilor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca pentru ce, r\u0103spunse muma Soarelui; el diminea\u0163a st\u0103 \u00een poarta raiului, \u015fi atunci este vesel, vesel \u015fi r\u00e2de la toat\u0103 lumea. Peste zi este plin de sc\u00e2rb\u0103, fiindc\u0103 vede toate necur\u0103\u0163iile oamenilor \u015fi d-aia \u00ee\u015fi las\u0103 ar\u015fi\u0163a a\u015fa de cu z\u0103pu\u015feal\u0103; iar\u0103 seara este m\u00e2hnit \u015fi sup\u0103rat, fiindc\u0103 st\u0103 \u00een poarta iadului; acesta este drumul lui obicinuit, de unde apoi vine acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei mai spuse c\u0103 l-a \u00eentrebat despre b\u0103rbatul ei \u015fi fiu-s\u0103u \u00eei r\u0103spunse c\u0103 nu \u015ftie de seama lui nimic, fiindc\u0103, de va \u015fedea \u00een vro p\u0103dure deas\u0103 \u015fi mare, vederea lui nu poate str\u0103bate prin toate col\u0163urile \u015fi afund\u0103turile, ci c\u0103 alt\u0103 n\u0103dejde nu e, dec\u00e2t s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la V\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei dete \u015fi acolo o g\u0103in\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce \u015fi \u00eei zise s\u0103 p\u0103streze oscioarele cu \u00eengrijire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce lep\u0103d\u0103 a doua pereche de opinci, car se sp\u0103rsese \u015fi acelea, lu\u0103 leg\u0103tura cu oscioarele, copilul \u00een bra\u0163e \u015fi toiagul \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi porni spre V\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen calea aceasta \u00eent\u00e2lni ni\u015fte greut\u0103\u0163i \u015fi mai mari, c\u0103ci dete, una dup\u0103 alta, peste mun\u0163i de cremene din care \u0163\u00e2\u015fnea flac\u0103ri de foc, peste p\u0103duri nemaiumblate \u015fi peste c\u00e2mpii de ghea\u0163\u0103 cu n\u0103me\u0163i de z\u0103pad\u0103. P-aci, p-aci, era s\u0103 se pr\u0103p\u0103deasc\u0103, biat\u0103 femeie; \u00eens\u0103, cu st\u0103ruin\u0163a ei \u015fi cu ajutorul lui Dumnezeu, birui \u015fi aceste greut\u0103\u0163i mari, \u015fi ajunse la o v\u0103g\u0103un\u0103 care era \u00eentr-un col\u0163 de munte, mare de putea s\u0103 intre \u015fapte cet\u0103\u0163i \u00eentr-\u00eensa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acolo \u015fedea V\u00e2ntul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gardul care o \u00eenconjura avea o porti\u0163\u0103. B\u0103tu \u015fi se rug\u0103 s\u0103 o primeasc\u0103. Muma V\u00e2ntului avu mil\u0103 de d\u00e2nsa \u015fi o priimi s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103. Ca \u015fi la Soare, fu ascuns\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu o sim\u0163\u0103 V\u00e2ntul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi \u00eei spuse c\u0103 b\u0103rbatul s\u0103u locuia \u00eentr-o p\u0103dure mare \u015fi deas\u0103, pe unde nu ajunsese toporul \u00eenc\u0103; c\u0103 acolo \u015fi-a f\u0103cut un fel de cas\u0103, gr\u0103m\u0103dind bu\u015fteni unul peste altul \u015fi \u00eempletindu-i cu nuiele, unde tr\u0103ia singur-singurel, de teama oamenilor r\u0103i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce \u00eei dete \u015fi aci o g\u0103in\u0103 de m\u00e2nc\u0103 \u015fi \u00eei zise s\u0103 p\u0103streze oscioarele, muma V\u00e2ntului o pov\u0103\u0163ui s\u0103 se ia dup\u0103 drumul robilor, care se vede noaptea pe cer, \u015fi s\u0103 mearg\u0103, s\u0103 mearg\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 va ajunge.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa \u015fi f\u0103cu. Dup\u0103 ce mul\u0163umi cu lacr\u0103mi de bucurie pentru buna g\u0103zduire \u015fi pentru vestea cea bun\u0103, porni la drum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Biata femeie nop\u0163ile le f\u0103cea zi. Nu i se mai alegea nici de m\u00e2ncare, nici de odihn\u0103, at\u00e2ta dor \u015fi foc avea s\u0103-\u015fi g\u0103seasc\u0103 b\u0103rbatul pe care ursita i-l dedese.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merse, merse p\u00e2n\u0103 ce i se sparse \u015fi opincile aceste. Le lep\u0103d\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu a merge cu picioarele goale. Nu c\u0103uta gloduri, nu b\u0103ga seam\u0103 la ghimpii ce-i intra \u00een picioare, nici la loviturile ce suferea c\u00e2nd se \u00eempiedica de vreo piatr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cele de pe urm\u0103 ajunse la o poian\u0103 verde \u015fi frumoas\u0103 pe marginea unei p\u0103duri. Acum se mai \u00eenveseli \u015fi sufletul ei, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu floricelele \u015fi iarba cea moale. St\u0103tu \u015fi se odihni ni\u0163el. Apoi, v\u0103z\u00e2nd p\u0103s\u0103relele c\u00e2te dou\u0103-dou\u0103 pe r\u0103murelele cop\u0103ceilor, se \u00eencinse focul \u00eentr-\u00eensa de dorul b\u0103rbatului s\u0103u, \u00eencepu a pl\u00e2nge cu amar \u015fi, cu copilul \u00een bra\u0163e \u015fi cu leg\u0103tura cu oscioarele pe um\u0103r, porni iar\u0103\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Intr\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure. Nu se uita nici la iarba cea verde \u015fi frumoas\u0103 ce-i m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia picioarele, nu voia s\u0103 asculte nici la p\u0103s\u0103relele ce ciripeau de te asurzea, nu c\u0103uta nici la floricelele ce se ascundeau prin desi\u015furile cr\u00e2ngurilor, ci mergea dibuind prin p\u0103dure. Ea b\u0103gase de seam\u0103 c\u0103 aceasta trebuie s\u0103 fie p\u0103durea \u00een care locuia b\u0103rbatul s\u0103u, dup\u0103 semnele ce-i spusese muma V\u00e2ntului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i orb\u0103c\u0103i prin p\u0103dure \u015fi nu putu afla nimic. At\u00e2t de mult era rupt\u0103 de osteneal\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t c\u0103zu \u015fi r\u0103mase acolo o zi \u015f-o noapte f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se mi\u015fte, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 bea \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cele mai de pe urm\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi puse toate puterile, se scul\u0103, \u015fi a\u015fa, \u015fov\u0103ind, cerc\u0103 s\u0103 umble sprijinindu-se \u00een toiagul s\u0103u, dar\u0103 \u00eei fu cu neputin\u0163\u0103, c\u0103ci \u015fi acesta se tocise, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu mai era de nici o trebuin\u0163\u0103. \u00cens\u0103 de mila copilului, care nu mai g\u0103sea lapte la pieptul ei, de dorul b\u0103rbatului, pe care \u00eel c\u0103uta cu credin\u0163\u0103 la Dumnezeu, porni a\u015fa cum putu. Nu mai f\u0103cu zece pa\u015fi \u015fi z\u0103ri c\u0103tre un desi\u015f un fel de cas\u0103 precum \u00eei spusese muma V\u00e2ntului. Porni \u00eentr-acolo \u015fi abia, abia ajunse. Acea cas\u0103 n-avea nici ferestre, nici u\u015f\u0103. Pas\u0103mite u\u015fa era pe dasupra. \u00cei dete ocol. Scar\u0103 nu era.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? Voia s\u0103 intre.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se g\u00e2ndi, se r\u0103zg\u00e2ndi; se cerc\u0103 s\u0103 se suie \u2013 \u00een zadar. Sta, sta s-o doboare cu totul \u00eentristarea: cum se poate s\u0103 se lase ea s\u0103 se \u00eenece tocmai la mal. C\u00e2nd, \u00ee\u015fi aduse aminte de oscioarele de g\u0103in\u0103 ce le purtase at\u00e2ta cale \u015fi-\u015fi zise: nu se poate s\u0103 mi se fi zis de florile m\u0103rului s\u0103 p\u0103strez aceste oscioare, ci c\u0103 \u00eemi va fi de mare ajutor la nevoie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci scoase oscioarele din leg\u0103tura ce o avea, se socoti ni\u0163el, mai cuget\u0103 \u015fi, lu\u00e2nd dou\u0103 din aceste oscioare, le puse v\u00e2rf \u00een v\u00e2rf \u015fi v\u0103zu c\u0103 se lipi ca printr-o minune. Mai puse unul, apoi unul, \u015fi v\u0103zu c\u0103 se lipir\u0103 \u015fi acelea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u0103cu deci, din oscioare, doi drugi c\u00e2t casa de \u00eenal\u0163i. \u00cei rezem\u0103 de cas\u0103 la o dep\u0103rtare de o palm\u0103 domneasc\u0103 unul de altul. Dup\u0103 aceea puse iar\u0103\u015fi c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i celelalte oscioare \u015fi f\u0103cu ni\u015fte drugule\u0163i mici, fiecare puindu-i d-a curmezi\u015ful pe drugii cei mari, \u00eenchipui treptele unei sc\u0103ri; cum punea aceste trepte, se lipeau \u015fi ele. \u015ei astfel unul c\u00e2te unul puse p\u00e2n\u0103 sus. Cum punea o treapt\u0103, se urca pe ea. Apoi alta, apoi alta, p\u00e2n\u0103 unde \u00eei ajunse. C\u00e2nd, tocmai sus \u00een v\u00e2rful sc\u0103rii, nu-i ajungea s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 o treapt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? F\u0103r\u0103 ast\u0103 treapt\u0103 nu se putea. Pas\u0103mite ea pierduse un oscior. S\u0103 stea acolo, era peste poate. S\u0103 nu intre \u00een\u0103untru \u00eei era ciud\u0103. Se apuc\u0103 \u015fi-\u015fi t\u0103ie degetul cel mic, \u015fi cum \u00eel puse acolo se lipi. Lu\u0103 copilul \u00een bra\u0163e se urc\u0103 din nou \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aci se mir\u0103 ea de buna r\u00e2nduial\u0103 ce g\u0103si. Se apuc\u0103 \u015fi ea \u015fi mai deretic\u0103 oleac\u0103. Apoi mai r\u0103sufl\u0103 ni\u0163el, puse copilul \u00eentr-o albie ce g\u0103si \u015fi o a\u015fez\u0103 pe pat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd veni b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u, se sperie de ceea ce v\u0103zu. Parc\u0103 nu-i venea s\u0103 creaz\u0103 ochilor s\u0103i, tot uit\u00e2ndu-se la scara de oscioare \u015fi la degetul din v\u00e2rful sc\u0103rii. Frica lui era s\u0103 nu fie iar\u0103 niscaiva farmece, \u015fi c\u00e2t p-aci era s\u0103-\u015fi p\u0103r\u0103seasc\u0103 casa, dar\u0103 Dumnezeu \u00eei dete \u00een g\u00e2nd s\u0103 intre.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se un porumbel, ca s\u0103 nu se lipeasc\u0103 farmecele de el, zbur\u0103 pe deasupra f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se ating\u0103 de scar\u0103 \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een\u0103untru \u00een zbor. Acolo v\u0103zu o femeie \u00eengrijind de un copil.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El \u00ee\u015fi aduse aminte atunci c\u0103 femeia sa era \u00eens\u0103rcinat\u0103 c\u00e2nd plecase de la ea, \u015fi unde \u00eel cuprinse un dor de d\u00e2nsa \u015fi o mil\u0103, g\u00e2ndindu-se la c\u00e2te trebuia s\u0103 fi p\u0103\u0163it ea p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 dea cu m\u00e2na de d\u00e2nsul, \u00eenc\u00e2t se f\u0103cu numaidec\u00e2t om.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2t p-aci era s\u0103 n-o cunoasc\u0103; at\u00e2t de mult se schimbase din pricina suferin\u0163elor \u015fi a necazurilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat cum \u00eel v\u0103zu, se scul\u0103 \u00een sus \u015fi \u00eei t\u00e2c\u00e2ia inima de fric\u0103, fiindc\u0103 ea nu-l cuno\u015ftea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce el i se f\u0103cu cunoscut, ea nu se c\u0103i, ba \u015fi uit\u0103 tot ce suferise. El era un b\u0103rbat ca un brad de frumos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se puse deci la vorb\u0103. Ea \u00eei povesti toate \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rile, iar\u0103 el pl\u00e2nse de mila ei. Apoi \u00eencepu \u015fi el a spune:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu, zise el, sunt fiu de \u00eemp\u0103rat. La un r\u0103zboi ce avu tat\u0103-meu cu ni\u015fte zmei, vecini ai lui, care erau foarte r\u0103i \u015fi-i tot c\u0103lcau mo\u015fia, am omor\u00e2t pe cel mai mic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite, ursita te f\u0103g\u0103duise lui. Atunci m\u0103-sa, care era o vr\u0103jitoare de \u00eenchega \u015fi apele cu farmecele ei, m\u0103 blestem\u0103 s\u0103 port pielea acelui sc\u00e2rbos dobitoc, cu g\u00e2nd ca s\u0103 nu ajung s\u0103 mi te iau eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dumnezeu i-a stat \u00eempotriv\u0103, \u015fi eu te-am luat. Baba care \u0163i-a dat a\u0163a s\u0103 mi-o legi de picior era ea. \u015ei de unde mai aveam trei zile s\u0103 scap de blestem, am fost silit s\u0103 port \u00eenc\u0103 trei ani st\u00e2rvul porcului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acum, fiindc\u0103 tu ai suferit pentru mine \u015fi eu pentru tine, s\u0103 d\u0103m laud\u0103 Domnului \u015fi s\u0103 ne \u00eentoarcem la p\u0103rin\u0163ii no\u015ftri. F\u0103r\u0103 tine eram hot\u0103r\u00e2t s\u0103 tr\u0103iesc ca un pustnic, d-aia \u015fi mi-am ales acest loc pustiu \u015fi mi-am f\u0103cut casa asta a\u015fa, ca pui de om s\u0103 nu mai poat\u0103 r\u0103zbi la mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi se \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015far\u0103 de bucurie \u015fi se f\u0103g\u0103duir\u0103 ca am\u00e2ndoi s\u0103 uite necazurile trecute.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi de diminea\u0163\u0103 se scular\u0103 \u015fi pornir\u0103 am\u00e2ndoi mai \u00eent\u00e2i la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, tat\u0103l lui. C\u00e2nd se auzi de venirea lui \u015fi a so\u0163iei sale, toat\u0103 lumea pl\u00e2ngea de bucurie c\u0103 \u00eei vedea. Iar\u0103 tat\u0103l \u015fi muma lui \u00eei \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015fe str\u00e2ns, \u015fi \u0163inur\u0103 veseliile trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi merse \u015fi la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, tat\u0103l femeii lui. El c\u00e2t p-aci era s\u0103-\u015fi ias\u0103 din min\u0163i de bucurie, c\u00e2nd \u00eei v\u0103zu. Ascult\u0103 povestindu-i-se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rile lor. Apoi zise fie-sei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162i-am spus eu c\u0103 nu credeam s\u0103 se fi n\u0103scut porc acel dobitoc ce te-a cerut de so\u0163ie? \u015ei bine ai f\u0103cut, fata mea, de m-ai ascultat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei fiindc\u0103 era \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2n, \u015fi mo\u015ftenitori n-avea, se cobor\u00ee din scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei sale \u015fi \u00eei puse pe d\u00e2n\u015fii. Iar\u0103 ei domnir\u0103 cum se domne\u015fte c\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163ii trec prin fel de fel de ispite, necazuri \u015fi nevoi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei de n-or fi murit, tr\u0103iesc \u015fi ast\u0103zi, domnind \u00een pace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi avea trei fete. \u015ei fiind a merge la b\u0103t\u0103lie, \u00ee\u015fi chem\u0103 fetele \u015fi le zise: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103, dragele mele, sunt silit s\u0103 merg … <\/p>\n