\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat mare \u015fi puternic, \u015fi el avea trei feciori. F\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se mari, \u00eemp\u0103ratul se g\u00e2ndi fel \u015fi chipuri cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eensoare copiii ca s\u0103 fie ferici\u0163i. \u00centr-o noapte, nu \u015ftiu ce vis\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul, c\u0103 a doua zi, de m\u00e2necate, \u00ee\u015fi chem\u0103 copiii \u015fi se urc\u0103 cu d\u00e2n\u015fii \u00een p\u0103limarul unui turn ce avea \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103. Porunci s\u0103-\u015fi ia fiecare arcul \u015fi c\u00e2te o s\u0103geat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Trage\u0163i, copii, cu arcul, le zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u015fi unde va c\u0103dea s\u0103geata fiec\u0103ruia, acolo \u00eei va fi norocul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Copiii se supuser\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 a c\u00e2rti c\u00e2tu\u015fi de pu\u0163in, c\u0103ci ei erau \u00eencredin\u0163a\u0163i c\u0103 tat\u0103l lor \u015ftia ce spune. Traser\u0103, deci, \u015fi s\u0103geata celui mai mare din fii se \u00eenfipse \u00een casa unui \u00eemp\u0103rat vecin; a celui de al doilea se \u00eenfipse \u00een casa unui boier mare d-ai \u00eemp\u0103ratului; iar\u0103 s\u0103geata celui mai mic se urc\u0103 \u00een naltul cerului. Li se str\u00e2mbaser\u0103 g\u00e2turile uit\u00e2ndu-se dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa, \u015fi p-aci, p-aci, era s\u0103 o piarz\u0103 din ochi. C\u00e2nd, o v\u0103zur\u0103 cobor\u00e2ndu-se \u015fi se \u00eenfipse \u00eentr-un copaci nalt dintr-o p\u0103dure mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se duse fiul cel mare, \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 so\u0163ie pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului vecin, \u015fi se \u00eentoarse cu d\u00e2nsa la tat\u0103l s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se duse \u015fi cel mijlociu \u015fi se \u00eentoarse \u015fi el cu o so\u0163ioar\u0103 m\u00e2ndr\u0103 \u015fi frumoas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se duse \u015fi cel mic. Cutreier\u0103 lumea p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse la p\u0103durea cea mare unde se l\u0103sase s\u0103geata lui. B\u00e2jb\u00e2i el \u015fi orb\u0103c\u0103i p-acolo prin bunget, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce dete de copaciul \u00een care se \u00eenfipsese \u015fi s\u0103geata lui. Acest copaci era nalt \u015fi gros \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2n, de c\u00e2nd urzise Dumnezeu p\u0103m\u00e2ntul. Se \u00eencovrig\u0103 el de d\u00e2nsul, \u015fi se urc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse de se ag\u0103\u0163\u0103 de o ramur\u0103. \u015ei din ramur\u0103 \u00een ramur\u0103, c\u00e2nd at\u00e2rnat cu m\u00e2inile, c\u00e2nd cu picioarele \u00eencruci\u015fate \u015fi \u00eencle\u015ftate, ajunse p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een v\u00e2rf. Acolo puse m\u00e2na \u015fi-\u015fi lu\u0103 s\u0103geata. Se dete jos cu sufletul plin de obid\u0103 \u015fi de m\u00e2hnire, socotind c\u0103 este sec de noroc, c\u0103ci, se g\u00e2ndea el, ca ce era s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 \u00een acel copaci?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu-i fu destul c\u0103 nu-\u015fi aflase acolo pe scrisa lui, nu-i fu destul c\u0103 f\u0103cuse at\u00e2ta cale \u00een de\u015fert, se mai pomeni, c\u00e2nd vru s\u0103 plece de l\u00e2ng\u0103 copaci, c\u0103 se aga\u0163\u0103 de spinarea lui o bufni\u0163\u0103. H\u00e2\u0163 \u00een sus, h\u00e2\u0163 \u00een jos, bufni\u0163a s\u0103 se duc\u0103 din spinarea lui, ba. \u00cel \u00eenh\u0103\u0163ase, dr\u0103coaica, cu ghiarele, ca o gai\u0163\u0103 spurcat\u0103, \u015fi nu-l sl\u0103bea nici c\u00e2t ai da \u00een cremene.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai se suci, mai se \u00eenv\u00e2rti s\u0103 scape de pacoste, \u015fi nu fu nici un chip. Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu \u015fi v\u0103zu, se hot\u0103r\u00ee \u015fi el a se duce acas\u0103 cu saxanaua \u00een spinare \u015fi o lu\u0103 la drum. \u00cen cale, b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 alte \u015fase bufni\u0163e se \u0163ineau dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul. Merse el, biet, cu alaiul dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul, \u015fi potrivi ca s\u0103 ajung\u0103 acas\u0103 noaptea, spre a nu se face de r\u00e2sul dracilor de copii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum intr\u0103 \u00een c\u0103mara unde locuia d\u00e2nsul \u00een palaturile t\u0103t\u00e2ne-s\u0103u, cele \u015fase bufni\u0163e se a\u015fezar\u0103 care\u015fi pe unde; iar cea d-a \u015faptea bufni\u0163\u0103, care se \u00eencle\u015ftase de spinarea lui, se a\u015fez\u0103 \u00een pat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai st\u0103tu, bietul fl\u0103c\u0103u, se mai socoti, se mai g\u00e2ndi, mai pl\u0103nui, \u015fi \u00een cele din urm\u0103 g\u0103si cu cale s\u0103 le lase \u00een pace, s\u0103 vaz\u0103 unde are s\u0103 ias\u0103 aceast\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplare. Mai cu seam\u0103 c\u0103 acum se cotorosise de saxanaua din spinare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum era \u015fi rupt de osteneal\u0103 de at\u00e2ta c\u0103l\u0103torie \u015fi de at\u00e2ta tevatur\u0103 ce avu pe drum, adormi, cum puse capul jos, de parc\u0103 l-ai fi lovit cu mechea \u00een cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, ce s\u0103-i vaz\u0103 ochii? L\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u00een pat, o z\u00e2n\u0103 a\u015fa de frumoas\u0103, de amu\u0163ea \u015fi nu \u015ftiu cine c\u00e2nd o vedea; iar\u0103 la capetele patului lor \u015fase roabe, una mai frumoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t alta. Mai v\u0103zu, \u00eentr-un col\u0163 al c\u0103m\u0103rei, \u015fapte piei de bufni\u0163e, aruncate una peste alta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se mir\u0103 tat\u0103-s\u0103u, se mir\u0103 mum\u0103-sa de a\u015fa frumuse\u0163e \u015fi ging\u0103\u015fie, ce nu mai v\u0103zuser\u0103 de c\u00e2nd erau ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ziua de nunt\u0103 a fratelui celui mai mare viind, se duse \u015fi fiul ce mic la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eens\u0103 singur, c\u0103ci nu putea s\u0103 ia \u015fi pe z\u00e2n\u0103, m\u0103car c\u0103 era s\u0103-i fie logodnic\u0103. C\u00e2nd, se pomeni cu d\u00e2nsa c\u0103 se prinde \u00een hor\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul. Nu mai putea de bucurie, c\u00e2nd o v\u0103zu. Se f\u0103lea, nene, c\u00e2t un lucru mare, c\u0103ci alta ca d\u00e2nsa nu se g\u0103sea \u00een toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lor \u015fi a vecinilor. To\u0163i nunta\u015fii r\u0103maser\u0103 cu ochii bleojdi\u0163i la d\u00e2nsa. Iar ceilal\u0163i fii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi domni cari erau pofti\u0163i la nunt\u0103 dedeau t\u00e2rcoale roabelor ce venise cu z\u00e2na, \u015fi care de care umbla s\u0103 se prinz\u0103 \u00een hor\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsele. \u015ei astfel se veselir\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 seara. La mas\u0103, z\u00e2na se a\u015fez\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 fiul cel mic al \u00eemp\u0103ratului. M\u00e2ncar\u0103 \u015fi se chefuir\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la miezul nop\u0163ii. Apoi se duser\u0103 fiecare la ale sale. Fiul cel mic al \u00eemp\u0103ratului se duse \u00een c\u0103mara lui. Z\u00e2na dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul. Se culcar\u0103 \u015fi dormir\u0103 ca ni\u015fte \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i ce erau ei. C\u00e2nd se scul\u0103 diminea\u0163a \u015fi v\u0103zu pieile de bufni\u0163\u0103 tot acolo, \u00eel apuc\u0103 un cutremur de sc\u00e2rb\u0103, aduc\u00e2ndu-\u015fi aminte de cele ce p\u0103\u0163ise de la d\u00e2nsele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se f\u0103cu \u015fi nunta fiului de al doilea al \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Fiul cel mic se duse la nunt\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi singur, \u015fi iar\u0103 se pomeni cu z\u00e2na c\u0103 vine, \u015fi nici una, nici alta, \u0163op! se prinse l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u00een hor\u0103. Cre\u015ftea inima \u00eentr-\u00eensul de bucurie \u015fi de fal\u0103, mai cu seam\u0103 c\u00e2nd vedea pe ceilal\u0163i fii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de domni c\u0103 le l\u0103sa gura ap\u0103 la to\u0163i dup\u0103 o a\u015fa buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103. Ei, vorba \u0103luia, \u00een pofida c\u0103p\u015funelor, m\u00e2ncau foile. \u00ce\u015fi scoteau \u015fi ei focul juc\u00e2nd \u00een hor\u0103 cu roabele z\u00e2nei. Seara iar\u0103 se puser\u0103 la mas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiului celui mic al \u00eemp\u0103ratului, ce-i d\u0103 lui dracul \u00een g\u00e2nd, se scoal\u0103 de la mas\u0103, se duce \u00een c\u0103mara lui, ia pieile de bufni\u0163\u0103 \u015fi le arunc\u0103 \u00een foc, apoi vine \u015fi se a\u015feaz\u0103 la mas\u0103 din nou.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O dat\u0103 se f\u0103cu o tulburare \u00eentre mese. \u015ei iat\u0103 de ce. Una din roabe strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2n\u0103, suntem \u00een primejdie!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Alta zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2n\u0103, mie \u00eemi miroase a p\u00e2rlit! Este pr\u0103p\u0103denie de noi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 ea r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tac\u0103-v\u0103 gura, tocmai acum la mas\u0103 v-a\u0163i g\u0103sit \u015fi voi s\u0103 voribi\u0163i sec\u0103turi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu trecu \u00eens\u0103 mult \u015fi mai zise \u015fi a treia:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2n\u0103! nu e sc\u0103pare, suntem v\u00e2ndute mi\u015fele\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen aceea\u015fi vreme, \u015fi d\u00e2nsa str\u00e2mb\u0103 ni\u0163el din nas. Pas\u0103mite \u00eei venise \u015fi ei miros de p\u00e2rleala pieilor. \u015ei deodat\u0103 scul\u00e2ndu-se cu toatele de la mas\u0103, se f\u0103cur\u0103 \u015fapte porumbei. Apoi z\u00e2na zise fiului celui mic de \u00eemp\u0103rat:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai fost nerecunosc\u0103tor. Cu bine te-am g\u0103sit, cu bine s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2i. P\u00e2n\u0103 nu vei izbuti s\u0103 faci ce n-a f\u0103cut om pe lume, s\u0103 nu dai cu m\u00e2na de mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00een\u0103l\u0163ar\u0103, deci, \u00een slava cerului \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 pierir\u0103 din ochii lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen de\u015fert mai rugar\u0103 mesenii pe fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului s\u0103 \u015feaz\u0103 la mas\u0103, \u00een de\u015fert \u00eel \u00eendemnar\u0103 p\u0103rin\u0163ii s\u0103 nu-\u015fi mai fac\u0103 inim\u0103 rea, c\u0103ci el r\u0103m\u0103sese cu ochii dup\u0103 porumbei \u015fi nu se mai puse la mas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een ziori plec\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi g\u0103seasc\u0103 logodnica. El sim\u0163ea bine acum c\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 d\u00e2nsa nu mai putea tr\u0103i. \u00ce\u015fi lu\u0103 ziua bun\u0103 de la p\u0103rin\u0163i \u015fi de la fra\u0163i \u015fi o porni \u00een pribegie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecu dealuri, v\u0103i, colnice, str\u0103b\u0103tu p\u0103duri \u00eentunecate \u015fi de picior neumblate, dete prin sm\u00e2rcuri \u015fi lacovi\u015fte, \u015fi de urma porumbeilor s\u0103i nu putu da. Se fr\u0103m\u00e2nta cu firea voinicul, cerceta, c\u0103uta, \u00eentreba; dar\u0103 nici o isprav\u0103 nu-mi f\u0103cea. Cu inima \u00eenfr\u00e2nt\u0103, cu sufletul zdrobit de m\u00e2hnire, \u015fi cu dogorul dragostei \u00eentr-\u00eensul, umbla ca un zmeu \u015fi ca un leu paraleu, dar\u0103 toate \u00een de\u015fert. Uneori \u00eel b\u0103tea g\u00e2ndurile s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 seama singur, s\u0103 se dea de r\u00e2p\u0103, ori s\u0103-\u015fi sf\u0103rame capul de col\u0163ii de piatr\u0103 de prin mun\u0163i; dar\u0103 parc\u0103 \u00eei spunea inima c\u0103 odat\u0103, odat\u0103, o s\u0103 se sf\u00e2r\u015feasc\u0103 toate necazurile sale, \u015fi deodat\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi venea \u00een sine, \u015fi se punea din nou pe drum, mai cu h\u0103rnicie \u015fi mai tare \u00een credin\u0163\u0103 c\u0103 cine caut\u0103 cu am\u0103runtul \u015fi cu st\u0103ruin\u0163\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 \u015fi g\u00e2ndul s\u0103 \u015fi-l izb\u00e2ndeasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rupt de oboseal\u0103 \u015fi de zdruncinare, se dete ni\u0163el la umbr\u0103 \u00eentr-o v\u00e2lcea, s\u0103 se mai odihneasc\u0103 oleac\u0103. \u015ei st\u00e2nd el acolo, \u00eel fur\u0103 somnul. Deodat\u0103 se de\u015ftept\u0103, auzind o g\u00e2r\u00e2ial\u0103 de graiuri omene\u015fti, \u015fi s\u0103ri drept \u00een sus. Ce s\u0103 vezi dumneata? Trei draci se certau de f\u0103ceau cl\u0103buc la gur\u0103. Se duse la d\u00e2n\u015fii cu pieptul \u00eenainte \u015fi le zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cearta f\u0103r\u0103 p\u0103ruial\u0103, ca nunta f\u0103r\u0103 l\u0103utari.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Se lovi ca nuca \u00een perete \u015fi vorba ta, iac\u0103, r\u0103spunser\u0103 ei. Dar\u0103 noi nu ne cert\u0103m, ci numai ne sf\u0103dim.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei pentru ce v\u0103 sf\u0103di\u0163i voi? \u00eei \u00eentreb\u0103 el; c\u0103ci g\u0103l\u0103gia ce face\u0163i voi, mort d-ar fi cineva \u015fi tot \u00eel de\u015ftepta\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Uite, avem de mo\u015ftenire, de la tata, o pereche de opinci, o c\u0103ciul\u0103 \u015fi un bici, \u015fi nu ne \u00eenvoim \u00eentre noi, care ce s\u0103 ia din ele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei la ce sunt bune bulendrele pe care v\u0103 sf\u0103di\u0163i voi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2nd se \u00eencal\u0163\u0103 cineva cu opincile, trece marea ca pe uscat. C\u00e2nd pune c\u0103ciula \u00een cap, nu-l vede nici dracul, m\u0103car de i-ar da cu degetul \u00een ochi. Iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd va avea biciul \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi va trosni asupra vr\u0103jma\u015filor s\u0103i, \u00eei \u00eempietre\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ave\u0163i dreptate s\u0103 v\u0103 sf\u0103di\u0163i voi, m\u0103. C\u0103ci una f\u0103r\u0103 alta, aceste bulendre nu fac nici dou\u0103 cepe degerate. Iac\u0103 ce-mi zice mie g\u00e2ndul, de ve\u0163i voi s\u0103 m\u0103 asculta\u0163i, s\u0103 v\u0103 fac cu dreptate omeneasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Te ascult\u0103m, te ascult\u0103m, r\u0103spunser\u0103 dracii \u00eentr-o gl\u0103suire, spune-ne cum, \u015fi vom vedea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vede\u0163i voi cei trei mun\u0163i ce stau \u00een fa\u0163a noastr\u0103? S\u0103 v\u0103 duce\u0163i fiecare \u00een c\u00e2te unul, \u015fi cine va veni mai cur\u00e2nd, dup\u0103 ce v\u0103 voi face eu semn, ale lui s\u0103 fie toate astea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103 bine zici d-ta! A\u015fa vom face. Bravo! iac\u0103 ne-am g\u0103sit omul carele s\u0103 ne fac\u0103 dreptate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eendat\u0103 o rupser\u0103 d-a fuga dracii, tulind-o \u00eenspre c\u00e2te un munte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 una, alta, voinicul puse opincile \u00een picioare, c\u0103ciula \u00een cap \u015fi lu\u0103 biciul \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103. C\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103 dracii \u00een v\u00e2rfurile mun\u0163ilor \u015fi a\u015fteptar\u0103 s\u0103 le fac\u0103 semnul, fiul cel mic al \u00eemp\u0103ratului tr\u0103sni de trei ori cu biciul \u00een fa\u0163a fiec\u0103rui drac, \u015fi \u00eei \u00eempietri acolo locului. Apoi o lu\u0103 \u015fi el la drum \u00een treaba lui, unde \u00eel tr\u0103gea dorul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia mai f\u0103cu vro zece pa\u015fi \u015fi v\u0103zu pe sus un stol de \u015fapte porumbei. \u00cei urm\u0103ri din ochi p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00eei v\u0103zu \u00een ce parte de loc se l\u0103sar\u0103. \u00centr-acolo deci \u015fi d\u00e2nsul \u00ee\u015fi \u00eendrept\u0103 c\u0103r\u0103rile pentru care se ostenise at\u00e2ta mare de vreme.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecu m\u0103ri, p\u00e2raie \u015fi ape mari ca pe uscat, mai cutreier\u0103 \u0163\u0103ri \u015fi pustiuri, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse la un munte mare, mare, al c\u0103rui v\u00e2rf da de nori. Aci v\u0103zuse el c\u0103 se l\u0103sase porumbeii. Se puse a se urca pe d\u00e2nsul, \u015fi, din v\u0103g\u0103un\u0103 \u00een v\u0103g\u0103un\u0103, din stei de piatr\u0103 \u00een col\u0163i, din r\u00e2p\u0103 \u00een r\u00e2p\u0103, c\u0103\u0163\u0103r\u00e2ndu-se c\u00e2nd pe muchi, c\u00e2nd pe coame de mun\u0163i, ajunse la o pe\u015fter\u0103. Intr\u00e2nd acolo, r\u0103mase ca lovit de tr\u0103snet c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu ni\u015fte palaturi ca de domn \u015fi a\u015fa de m\u0103iestrit lucrate, cum nu se v\u0103d pe p\u0103m\u00e2ntul nostru. Acolo locuia logodnica lui, z\u00e2na z\u00e2nelor. Cum o v\u0103zu primbl\u00e2ndu-se prin gr\u0103din\u0103 cu roabele dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa, o \u015fi cunoscu. Un copila\u015f de dr\u0103gule\u0163 se \u0163inea dup\u0103 z\u00e2n\u0103, alerga, se zbenguia printre flori, \u015fi tot striga pe z\u00e2na ca s\u0103-i arate c\u00e2te un fluturel. Pas\u0103mite z\u00e2na r\u0103m\u0103sese grea c\u00e2nd zburase de la mas\u0103. \u015ei acesta era copilul lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu mai putea de bucurie fiul cel mic al \u00eemp\u0103ratului. \u00cei venea s\u0103 dea fuga, ca un dezmetic, s\u0103 ia copila\u015ful s\u0103-l s\u0103rute. Dar\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 seama, nu care cumva s\u0103 se sperie. Pe d\u00e2nsul nu-l vedea nimeni, c\u0103ci era cu c\u0103ciula \u00een cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencepu a da \u00eende sear\u0103, \u015fi el nu \u015ftia cum s\u0103 se arate. \u00cen cele din urm\u0103 auzind c\u0103 pofte\u015fte la mas\u0103 pe z\u00e2na, se duse \u015fi el \u015fi se a\u015fez\u0103 \u00eentre d\u00e2nsa \u015fi \u00eentre copila\u015ful lor. Aduser\u0103 bucate. El m\u00e2nca ca un lup fl\u0103m\u00e2nd, c\u0103ci nu mai \u0163inea minte de c\u00e2nd nu m\u00e2ncase el legum\u0103 fiart\u0103. Z\u00e2na se mira cum de se sf\u00e2r\u015fe\u015fte bucatele a\u015fa de iute. Porunci de mai aduse. Dar\u0103 \u015fi acele se fituir\u0103 \u00eentr-o clip\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centre acestea, el ridic\u00e2ndu-\u015fi ni\u0163el c\u0103ciula dinstre partea copilului, acesta \u00eel z\u0103ri \u015fi odat\u0103 strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Uite tata, mam\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103-t\u0103u, dragul meu, nu va da peste noi p\u00e2n\u0103 nu va s\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fi o fapt\u0103 n\u0103zdr\u0103van\u0103, r\u0103spunse m\u0103-sa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El \u00ee\u015fi trase iute, iute, c\u0103ciula pe ochi \u015fi \u00eencepu iar\u0103\u015fi a m\u00e2nca, de p\u0103rea c\u0103 se bat lupii la gura lui. Dup\u0103 ce sf\u00e2r\u015fi \u015fi aceste bucate, z\u00e2na, coprins\u0103 de mirare, porunci s\u0103 se mai aduc\u0103, ca s\u0103 fie din destul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul \u00eemp\u0103ratului se mai ar\u0103t\u0103 copila\u015fului \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103, plin de bucurie c\u0103 fiul s\u0103u \u00eel cunoscu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Copilul iar\u0103\u015fi spuse m\u0103-si; \u015fi aceasta iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eel \u0163inu de r\u0103u, vezi c\u0103 nu-i venea ei a crede s\u0103 fi f\u0103cut b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u niscai fapte minunate, prin care s\u0103 poat\u0103 ajunge la d\u00e2nsa. Ea \u015ftia c\u0103 pe acolo nici pas\u0103re m\u0103iastr\u0103 nu calc\u0103. Copilul t\u0103cu, c\u0103ci tat\u0103-s\u0103u \u00ee\u015fi tr\u0103sese c\u0103ciula pe ochi numaidec\u00e2t.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai m\u00e2nc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce se ispr\u0103vi \u015fi aceste bucate. M\u00e2nca, nene, \u015fi nu se mai s\u0103tura. Nemaiav\u00e2nd ce s\u0103 mai aduc\u0103 la mas\u0103, z\u00e2na \u00eencepu a c\u00e2rti c\u0103 nu mai r\u0103m\u0103sese \u015fi pentru roabe. C\u00e2nd iat\u0103 copilul c\u0103 strig\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mam\u0103! z\u0103u c\u0103 este tata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar\u0103 unde este, m\u0103? ce tot aiurezi tu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nici aiureal\u0103, nici nimic. Uite-l, este colea l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, uite-l, m\u0103 ia \u00een bra\u0163e.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se sperie z\u00e2na c\u00e2nd auzi. Dar\u0103 el nu o l\u0103s\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een cele din urm\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se arate, ca s\u0103 nu-i vie ceva r\u0103u. \u015ei lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi c\u0103ciula din cap, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103-m\u0103 \u015fi eu. Tu n-ai vrut s\u0103 crezi pe fiul nostru c\u00e2nd \u0163i-a spus c\u0103 m-a v\u0103zut. Eu n-am \u015ftiut ce s\u0103 crez c\u00e2nd am v\u0103zut sc\u00e2rboasele alea de piei, ci am socotit c\u0103 fac bine, d\u00e2ndu-le focului, ca s\u0103 v\u0103 scap pe voi de ele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa am fost noi ursi\u0163i s\u0103 p\u0103timim, r\u0103spunse z\u00e2na. Las\u0103 acum cele trecute uit\u0103rii, \u015fi spune-mi cum ai izbutit de ai ajuns p\u00e2n\u0103 aici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei dup\u0103 ce-\u015fi povesti toate \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rile, \u015fi tot ce p\u0103\u0163i, se \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015far\u0103, s\u0103rut\u0103 copilul \u015fi r\u0103mase acolo cu to\u0163i. El st\u0103rui de d\u00e2nsa s\u0103 ias\u0103 la lume, \u015fi ea \u00eel ascult\u0103. Se \u00eentoarser\u0103 deci cu to\u0163ii la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, tat\u0103l voinicului, \u015fi acolo f\u0103cu o nunt\u0103 de se duse vestea \u00een lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul acela \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nind, toat\u0103 boierimea \u015fi tot poporul aleser\u0103 pe fiul s\u0103u cel mai mic de \u00eemp\u0103rat, pentru c\u0103 era rom\u00e2n verde, \u00eentreg la minte \u015fi drept la judecat\u0103; \u015fi tr\u0103ir\u0103 \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ir\u0103 \u00een fericire, de le r\u0103mase numele de pomenire \u00een vecii vecilor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat mare \u015fi puternic, \u015fi el avea trei feciori. F\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se mari, \u00eemp\u0103ratul se g\u00e2ndi fel \u015fi chipuri cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eensoare copiii ca s\u0103 … <\/p>\n