\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103. Am\u00e2ndoi erau oameni de treab\u0103 \u015fi frumo\u015fi. Ei se iubeau, nevoie mare! Dar\u0103 erau tot m\u00e2hni\u0163i \u015fi am\u0103r\u00e2\u0163i c\u0103 nu f\u0103ceau copii. Toate leacurile ce luase \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa de pe la vraci \u015fi vr\u0103jitoare nu-i folosise \u00eentru nimic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa se puser\u0103 pe post \u015fi pe rug\u0103ciune, cu g\u00e2nd ca doar\u0103 \u00eei va asculta Dumnezeu \u015fi le va da \u015fi lor un copil. Dup\u0103 trecere de c\u00e2teva zile, \u00eentr-una din seri, c\u00e2nd petrecur\u0103 ei o parte din noapte rug\u00e2ndu-se mai fierbinte, se culcar\u0103 \u015fi mai t\u00e2rziu. Cum puse capul pe perin\u0103, adormir\u0103 \u00eendat\u0103, parc\u0103-i lovise cineva cu muchea \u00een cap. Nu trecu mult \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa dete un \u0163ip\u0103t, r\u0103s\u0103rind din somn.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da ce ai, draga mea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, de \u0163ipi a\u015fa de grozav?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 am, m\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate, iac\u0103 am v\u0103zut un vis frumos \u015fi minunat. Ascult\u0103, c\u0103 voi s\u0103 \u0163i-l povestesc:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se f\u0103cea c\u0103 eram \u00eentr-o gr\u0103din\u0103, frumoas\u0103, frumoas\u0103, cum n-am mai v\u0103zut. Erau ni\u015fte pomi \u00eenal\u0163i, stufo\u015fi \u015fi bine potrivi\u0163i de p\u0103rea c\u0103 erau scri\u015fi, \u015fi a\u015feza\u0163i \u00een tr\u00e2mb\u0103 pe drumul pe care mergeam. \u00cen dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga era o p\u0103dure tot cu de astfel de pomi de \u00ee\u0163i pl\u0103cea s\u0103-i prive\u015fti. Tot merg\u00e2nd \u015fi minun\u00e2ndu-m\u0103, m-am pomenit c\u0103tre mijlocul gr\u0103dinei. Aici era, ce s\u0103-\u0163i spui? frumuse\u0163ea de pe lume. Ni\u015fte c\u0103r\u0103ri sucite \u015fi cotite, acoperite cu un fel de iarb\u0103 m\u0103run\u0163ic\u0103, de p\u0103rea c\u0103 erau ni\u015fte covoare a\u015fternute.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Din loc \u00een loc \u015fi mai c\u00e2t colea, se f\u0103cea c\u0103 erau a\u015fezate ni\u015fte stufi\u015furi, unele rotunde \u015fi cu flori, altele lunguie\u0163e \u015fi cu pomi\u015fori, iar\u0103 altele f\u0103cute ca ni\u015fte ascunz\u0103tori. Flori cu fel de fel de fe\u0163e \u015fi cu un miros de te \u00eemb\u0103ta. M\u0103 r\u0103t\u0103cisem c\u0103sc\u00e2nd gura \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, uit\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 la poamele cu care erau \u00eenc\u0103rca\u0163i pomii \u015fi ascult\u00e2nd la miile de p\u0103s\u0103rele ce c\u00e2ntau pe r\u0103murele \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 a se sfii de mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai c\u0103tre mijlocul gr\u0103dinei se f\u0103cea c\u0103 era o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 de marmur\u0103 alb\u0103 ca laptele, \u015fi apa curgea pe de o sut\u0103 de p\u0103r\u0163i, limpede ca vioara \u015fi rece ca ghea\u0163a.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tot umbl\u00e2nd \u00eencoa \u015fi \u00eencolo, nes\u0103tur\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 de privirea florilor \u015fi de miros, auz un glas ca de privighetoare care tot zicea:”cine m-o m\u00e2nca, r\u0103m\u00e2ne grea!” Stau \u00een loc, caut s\u0103 v\u0103z de unde vine glasul, \u015fi mi se p\u0103rea c\u0103 iese din mijlocul unui stufule\u0163 de pomi\u015fori, mai frumo\u015fi dec\u00e2t ceilal\u0163i pe care \u00eei v\u0103zusem p\u00e2n\u0103 aci. M\u0103 iau \u015fi eu dup\u0103 glas \u015f-o plec \u00eentr-acolo. C\u00e2nd, ce s\u0103 vezi? stufule\u0163ul se f\u0103cea c\u0103 era \u00eenconjurat de ni\u015fte iarb\u0103 verde, sub\u0163iric\u0103 \u015fi nalt\u0103 de-mi venea p\u00e2n\u0103 mai sus de genunchi: firicelul de iarb\u0103 \u015fi floricica; astfel \u00eenc\u00e2t nu te \u00eendurai s\u0103 calci peste ele. \u015ei c\u00e2nd adia v\u00e2ntul, se culcau \u015fi se ridicau de p\u0103rea c\u0103 sunt ni\u015fte valuri de ap\u0103. Eu, p\u00e2\u015f, p\u00e2\u015f, bini\u015for, m\u0103 feream s\u0103 nu stric a frumuse\u0163e de iarb\u0103 \u015fi flori, \u015fi ajung p\u00e2n\u0103 la stufule\u0163. Acolo, \u00een mijlocul unor pomi\u015fori, era unul ceva mai n\u0103lticel, pare c\u0103 de dinadins era f\u0103cut a\u015fa, ca s\u0103-l vaz\u0103 oricine o trece. Pe ramurile lui sta ni\u015fte meri\u015foare mici \u015fi p-o parte rumene, de p\u0103rea c\u0103 erau pr\u0103jite. Stau \u015fi ascult. Ele se f\u0103cea c\u0103 mie \u00eemi vorbeau, c\u0103ci nu mai \u00eencetau de a tot zice:”cine m-o m\u00e2nca, r\u0103m\u00e2ne grea”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Eu n-am mai putut s\u0103 m\u0103 opresc. M\u0103 \u00eentinz peste ceilal\u0163i pomi\u015fori, iau un meri\u015for d-alea, \u00eel bag \u00een gur\u0103 s\u0103-l m\u0103n\u00e2nc, dar\u0103, c\u00e2nd s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eentorc, dau \u00eentr-un ghimpe. A\u015fa de m-a s\u0103getat pustiul de ghimpe, \u00eenc\u00e2t am \u0163ipat \u015fi m-am de\u015fteptat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumos vis ai visat, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul; dar \u015fi tare ai \u0163ipat, \u00eenc\u00e2t m-am speriat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu trecu mult dup\u0103 asta \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa sim\u0163i c\u0103 a fost luat \u00een p\u00e2ntece. Dup\u0103 nou\u0103 luni, n\u0103scu o fat\u0103 ca o z\u00e2n\u0103. Bucuria \u015fi veseliile \u0163inur\u0103 la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 mai multe zile. Fata de ce cre\u015ftea, d-aia se f\u0103cea mai frumoas\u0103. \u00cemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa se uita la d\u00e2nsa ca la soare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce mai crescu, se v\u0103zu c\u0103 fata este istea\u0163\u0103 \u015fi cuminte. \u00cei pl\u0103cea s\u0103 ias\u0103 pe c\u00e2mp s\u0103 se joace, s\u0103 adune floricele, s\u0103 alerge dup\u0103 fluturei \u015fi s\u0103 se scalde \u00een p\u00e2r\u00e2ia\u015ful ce curgea pe la spatele gr\u0103dinei \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti \u015fi care era limpede ca lacrima.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D\u0103daca b\u0103gase de seam\u0103 c\u0103 fetei, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 alelalte, \u00eei pl\u0103cea s\u0103 asculte \u015fi la viersul ce scotea din fluier un ciob\u0103na\u015f care avea c\u00e2teva miele \u015fi le p\u0103\u015ftea dincolo de p\u00e2r\u00e2ia\u015f. \u00centr-una din zile fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului merse cu d\u0103dac\u0103-sa la c\u00e2mp \u015fi, neauzind fluierul, crezu c\u0103 sunt singure, se dezbr\u0103car\u0103 \u015fi se sc\u0103ldar\u0103. Ciob\u0103na\u015ful dormea la r\u0103d\u0103cina unui copaci \u015fi mielele se r\u0103t\u0103ciser\u0103 pe c\u00e2mpie. C\u00e2nd, un \u0163\u00e2n\u0163ar \u00eel \u00een\u0163ep\u0103 a\u015fa de tare, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eel de\u015ftept\u0103. De\u015ftept\u00e2ndu-se el, iac\u0103 fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u0103 ie\u015fea din ap\u0103. R\u0103mase uimit de ceea ce v\u0103zu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se duse fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului cu d\u0103dac\u0103-sa, \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103ut\u0103 \u015fi el mielele \u015fi se duse \u015fi el \u00eentr-ale sale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 aci, c\u00e2ntase el nu c\u00e2ntase; dar\u0103 dup\u0103 asta \u00ee\u015fi puse \u015fi el puterile \u015fi zicea din fluier ni\u015fte doine de te adormea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd d\u0103daca c\u0103 fetei \u00eei pl\u0103cea prea mult s\u0103 asculte la fluier, nu zise nim\u0103nui nimic, dar\u0103 se feri de a mai veni cu fata pe acolo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciob\u0103na\u015ful, un fl\u0103c\u0103iandru chipe\u015f \u015fi tras ca p\u00e2n inel, dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 nu mai vine fata pe acolo, \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 \u015fi el lumea \u00een cap, \u015fi se duse \u00een alt\u0103 parte, la un ora\u015f, de se b\u0103g\u0103 argat la vite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa se topea dup\u0103 fata lor, v\u0103z\u00e2nd-o c\u0103 de ce merge se face mai frumoas\u0103 \u015fi mai cu minte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ajunse de m\u0103ritat, \u00eemp\u0103ratul zise \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa mea iubit\u0103, fata noastr\u0103 s-a f\u0103cut mare; acum s\u0103-i c\u0103ut\u0103m un b\u0103rbat dintre fiii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i, tot a\u015fa de frumos \u015fi de cu minte ca \u015fi d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fata noastr\u0103 va lua de b\u0103rbat pe acela, zise \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa, care \u00eei va ghici semnele ce are pe trup; altfel nu o m\u0103rit, Doamne fere\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul ascult\u0103 de vorbele \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei \u015fi dete sfar\u0103 \u00een \u0163ar\u0103 \u015fi pe la toate \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iile, precum ca s\u0103 se \u015ftie c\u0103 oricine va ghici semnele ce are fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului pe trup, aceluia i-o va da de so\u0163ie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se auzi de ast\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2re \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, se f\u0103cu mare v\u00e2lv\u0103 \u00eentre \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi oamenii locului, \u015fi to\u0163i cu totul se scular\u0103 s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi cerce norocul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar dac\u0103 auzi \u015fi ciob\u0103na\u015ful, \u00ee\u015fi ceru simbria de la st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u, \u00ee\u015fi mai v\u00e2ndu \u015fi ce bruma de \u0163oale mai avea, \u00ee\u015fi cump\u0103r\u0103 un cal de at\u00e2t pe c\u00e2t \u00eei ajunsese bani \u015fi haine de primeneal\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 ceva merinde \u015fi plec\u0103 \u015fi el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum se v\u0103zu la c\u00e2mp, desc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi, cu ochii \u00eenmuia\u0163i \u00een lacr\u0103mi, f\u0103cu o rug\u0103ciune la Dumnezeu s\u0103-i fie de ajutor \u00een c\u0103l\u0103torie \u015fi s\u0103 izb\u00e2ndeasc\u0103, apoi \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 din nou \u015fi porni cu voie bun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa, aide, aide, merse p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eenser\u0103 \u015fi se puse a se odihni. C\u00e2nd, ce s\u0103 vezi d-ta? unde venea o ceat\u0103 de fii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de boieri mari, \u00eembr\u0103ca\u0163i numai \u00een fir \u015fi pe ni\u015fte arm\u0103sari de m\u00e2ncau foc. Se p\u0103rea c\u0103 nu-i mai \u00eencape locul. El, biet, se dete mai la o parte. Mai v\u0103zuse el cai buni, \u00een\u015fela\u0163i \u015fi \u00eenfr\u00e2na\u0163i frumos; mai v\u0103zuse \u015fi fii tineri de boieri \u00eembr\u0103ca\u0163i cu haine scumpe, auzise c\u0103 unii dintr-\u00een\u015fii sunt limbu\u0163i, dezmierda\u0163i, lu\u0103tori \u00een r\u00e2s \u015fi \u00eenfumura\u0163i, de nu le ajunge cineva cu str\u0103murarea la nas, dar ca \u015fi ace\u015ftia, ba, ba, ba!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trase \u015fi ei aci spre a m\u00e2nca peste noapte. Puser\u0103 deci de le f\u0103cu un foc mare de p\u0103rea c\u0103 au s\u0103 frig\u0103 un bou, se puser\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce cinar\u0103, \u00eencepur\u0103 a vorbi verzi \u015fi uscate; mai multe rele dec\u00e2t bune. Nu le sc\u0103pase nimic pe lume de care s\u0103 nu se alege. Stau tol\u0103ni\u0163i pe ni\u015fte rogojini pe deasupra c\u0103rora erau a\u015fternute ni\u015fte velin\u0163e lucrate cu me\u015fte\u015fug.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Noaptea era frumoas\u0103. Pic de nour nu se vedea. Din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd greierii \u015fi prigoriile te f\u0103ceau s\u0103-\u0163i mai aduci aminte c\u0103 tr\u0103ie\u015fti pe lume. Un v\u00e2nticel adia, \u00eenc\u00e2t de abia \u00eel sim\u0163eai c\u0103 vine s\u0103-\u0163i m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie obrajii. Ciobanul se f\u0103cuse mititel l\u00e2ng\u0103 un m\u0103r\u0103cine \u00eenflorit, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 care p\u0103\u015ftea calul s\u0103u, \u015fi se pusese pe g\u00e2nduri. Se uita pe cer la drumul robilor, vedea cum se mi\u015fca carul, fata care duce apa \u00een doni\u0163e pe cobili\u0163e. Se mira de razele ce ie\u015fea din luceaf\u0103r, \u015fi c\u0103uta cu mare dorin\u0163\u0103 s\u0103 cunoasc\u0103 care din candelele at\u00e2rnate \u00een cer ar fi aceea a fetei \u00eemp\u0103ratului ca s\u0103 se \u00eenchine la ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe c\u00e2nd era cufundat \u00een g\u00e2ndire, fiii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de boieri b\u0103gar\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 mai era cineva. \u00cel \u00eentrebar\u0103 \u015fi aflar\u0103 c\u0103 merge \u015fi el la cetatea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 unde mergeau \u015fi ei. \u015ei fiindc\u0103 v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 el nu le da pricin\u0103 de vorb\u0103, \u00eencepur\u0103 ei s\u0103-i vorbeasc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103-l cam ia peste picior.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103, zise unul din ei, \u00eenc\u0103 un pe\u0163itor pentru fata cea frumoas\u0103 a \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0102sta negre\u015fit c\u0103 are s\u0103-i ghiceasc\u0103 semnele, zise altul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da bine are s\u0103 \u015faz\u0103 fetei \u00eemp\u0103ratului cu \u0103st F\u0103t-Frumos, gr\u0103i un al treilea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciobanul t\u0103cea \u015fi \u00eenghi\u0163ea; asculta \u015fi el la vorbele lor cele nes\u0103rate \u015fi necump\u0103tate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 v\u0103zur\u0103 \u015fi v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 el nu r\u0103spunde nici un cuvin\u0163el, merser\u0103 la d\u00e2nsul \u015fi \u00eentre altele \u00eei ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 At\u00e2\u0163i fii de domni \u015fi de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i au fost \u015fi nimeni n-au putut ghici semnele fetei \u00eemp\u0103ratului, \u015fi tocmai dumneata, prietene, o s\u0103 te g\u0103se\u015fti mai firoscos?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Omul este dator s\u0103-\u015fi cerce norocul o dat\u0103, de dou\u0103, mult de trei ori, zise ciobanul, \u015fi acela care face a\u015fa este om cu minte. Cel ce \u00eens\u0103 umbl\u0103 mereu cerc\u00e2nd, este un nes\u0103buit c\u0103ruia trebuie s\u0103-i lipseasc\u0103 vreo doag\u0103. Eu nu aduc nim\u0103nui nici o sup\u0103rare. Nu m\u0103 \u00eencumet iar\u0103\u015fi c\u0103 o s\u0103 ghicesc ceva. Dar-ar Dumnezeu \u00eens\u0103 s\u0103 apuce unul din dumneavoastr\u0103 o a\u015fa buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 bun\u0103, fiindc\u0103 vi se cuvine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorii de boieri nu putur\u0103 mistui vorbele ciob\u0103na\u015fului. \u00ce\u015fi puser\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2nd s\u0103 i-o coac\u0103 \u015fi se culcar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi ciob\u0103na\u015ful se scul\u0103 de diminea\u0163\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi sp\u0103l\u0103 fa\u0163a la o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cu rug\u0103ciunea, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 pe m\u00e2r\u0163oaga lui \u015fi trei, trei, mergea singur. Feciorii de boieri \u015fi de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i se scular\u0103 t\u00e2rziu, se mai zbenguir\u0103 \u015fi apoi plecar\u0103 \u015fi ei; \u00eel ajunser\u0103 de pe urm\u0103 \u015fi \u00eel \u015fi \u00eentrecur\u0103. \u015ei de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 se alegar\u0103 de d\u00e2nsul \u015fi-i c\u0103tau cearta cu lum\u00e2narea. Ciob\u0103na\u015ful t\u0103cu din gur\u0103 \u015fi \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103ut\u0103 de drum. El \u015ftia c\u0103 cine tace merge \u00een pace.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Seara feciorii de \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi de domni maser\u0103 \u00een marginea unei p\u0103duri. C\u00e2nd, tocmai t\u00e2rziu, hei! ajunse \u015fi ciob\u0103na\u015ful, ostenit ca vai de el; se puse \u015fi el la o parte, f\u0103cu un foc\u015for, \u00eengriji de cal, apoi cin\u0103 \u015fi se culc\u0103. Feciorii de boieri, neast\u00e2mp\u0103ra\u0163i cum erau, voir\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi r\u00e2z\u0103 de el. A\u015fteptar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 adormi ciob\u0103na\u015ful, mai a\u0163\u00e2\u0163ar\u0103 focul, \u00eei luar\u0103 p\u0103l\u0103ria \u015fi i-o aruncar\u0103 pe foc. Iar unul din ei, de\u015ftept\u00e2ndu-l \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei, prietene, \u0163i-a c\u0103zut bleanda pe foc, scoal\u0103-te de o ia, c\u0103 se arde.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las-o s\u0103 arz\u0103, r\u0103spunse el, \u015fi-\u015fi c\u0103t\u0103 de somn.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se culcar\u0103 \u015fi boierii, carii r\u00e2ser\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 se \u0163inur\u0103 cu m\u00e2inile de inim\u0103, adormir\u0103 \u015fi ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciob\u0103na\u015ful se scul\u0103 \u015fi el, le ia toate armele, suli\u0163e, s\u0103ge\u0163i, arcuri, palo\u015fe, \u015fi le puse pe foc. Dup\u0103 ce se arser\u0103 de r\u0103maser\u0103 numai fiarele, \u015fi acestea se f\u0103cuser\u0103 ro\u015fii, fiind \u00eencinse de foc, \u00eei scul\u0103, pe c\u00e2nd el r\u0103scolea jaratecul cu o \u0163and\u0103r\u0103 de lemn, zic\u00e2ndu-le:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia scula\u0163i, boieri, de vede\u0163i \u0163urloaiele blendei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se scular\u0103 boierii \u015fi v\u0103zur\u0103 at\u00e2tea fiare arse, nu le venea a crede ochilor. Se duser\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi ia armele de unde le ag\u0103\u0163aser\u0103, dar\u0103 ia-le de unde nu e.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103zur\u0103 \u00een cele din urm\u0103 c\u0103 sunt p\u0103c\u0103li\u0163i, se c\u0103tr\u0103nir\u0103 de m\u00e2nie, \u00eens\u0103 \u00eenghi\u0163ir\u0103 g\u0103lu\u015fca.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciob\u0103na\u015ful era gata de plecare, fiindc\u0103 tocmai se \u00eeng\u00e2na ziua cu noaptea, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi o lu\u0103 la s\u0103n\u0103toasa; vezi c\u0103 se cam \u015fi temea s\u0103 nu pa\u0163\u0103 ceva din m\u00e2na boierilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Boierii iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eel ajunser\u0103 de pe urm\u0103 \u015fi \u00eel \u00eentrecur\u0103, b\u0103t\u00e2ndu-\u015fi joc de d\u00e2nsul, c\u00e2nd erau p\u00e2n dreptul lui. Seara iar\u0103\u015fi t\u00e2rziu sosi \u015fi ciob\u0103na\u015ful la locul unde se a\u015fezaser\u0103 ei s\u0103 con\u0103ceasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum ajunse, se trase la o parte ca \u015fi \u00een ziua trecut\u0103, \u00eengriji de cal, apoi cin\u0103 \u015fi se culc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Locul unde maser\u0103 ei noaptea aceasta era aproape de o l\u0103covi\u015fte nomoloas\u0103. Boierii, cum v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 ciob\u0103na\u015ful a adormit, \u00eei luar\u0103 calul \u015fi \u00eel \u00eennomolir\u0103 \u00een l\u0103covi\u015fte. Apoi de\u015ftept\u00e2ndu-l, \u00eei ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei, prietene, scoal\u0103 c\u0103 \u0163i s-a \u00eennomolit m\u00e2r\u0163oaga \u015fi nu mai poate ie\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciob\u0103na\u015ful \u015ftia c\u0103-\u015fi priponise calul bine; \u00een\u0163elese c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie vreo dr\u0103cie aci la mijloc, \u015fi r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine dracul a pus-o s\u0103 se \u00eennomoleasc\u0103? las-o c\u0103 va ie\u015fi ea de va voi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0R\u00e2ser\u0103 \u015fi de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 boierii cu lacr\u0103mi, apoi se culcar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce adormir\u0103, se scoal\u0103 \u015fi ciob\u0103na\u015ful, le ia arm\u0103sarii, le jupoaie pieile picioarelor de la copite \u00een sus \u015fi le leag\u0103 cu tei ceva mai sus de genunchi, le pune c\u00e2te un pro\u0163ap \u00een gur\u0103 ca s\u0103 stea cu din\u0163ii r\u00e2nji\u0163i \u015fi \u00eei b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een nomol pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 calul lui. Apoi se duse s\u0103 de\u015ftepte pe fiii de boieri:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Scula\u0163i, boieri, de vede\u0163i minune: arm\u0103sarii dv., v\u0103z\u00e2nd m\u00e2r\u0163oaga mea \u00eennomolit\u0103 \u00een l\u0103covi\u015fte, \u015fi-au sumes n\u0103dragii \u015fi s-au dus ca s-o scoat\u0103 din noroi. Pentru aceasta r\u00e2d, r\u00e2d, uite, de s\u0103 se pr\u0103p\u0103deasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd auzir\u0103 boierii de una ca asta, se temur\u0103 s\u0103 nu le fi jucat iar\u0103\u015fi vrun renghi, \u015fi de unde s\u0103 nu fie a\u015fa, se scular\u0103, \u015fi c\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 cum i-a potic\u0103lit ciob\u0103na\u015ful, se luar\u0103 cu m\u00e2inile de p\u0103r.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-avur\u0103 ce zice. Cu toate, unul din ei, care era \u015fi mai seme\u0163, se ot\u0103r\u00ee s\u0103 se \u0163ie de capul ciob\u0103na\u015fului, s\u0103 nu-l lase s\u0103 se sfin\u0163easc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciob\u0103na\u015ful \u00eens\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi scoase calul din nomol \u015fi, \u00een \u00eenv\u0103lm\u0103\u015feal\u0103 se strecur\u0103 bini\u015for, \u015fi pe ici \u0163i-e drumul; plec\u0103 \u015fi \u00eei l\u0103s\u0103 cu buzele umflate, cu bra\u0163ele \u00eencruci\u015fate \u015fi fluier\u00e2nd a pagub\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Boierul cel seme\u0163 \u015fi neru\u015finat se lu\u0103 dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul, \u00eel ajunse, \u015fi tot cu \u015fo\u015fele cu momele \u00eembla pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 el. Dup\u0103 ce sosi la cetatea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, ciobanul se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fe \u015fi el la \u00eemp\u0103ratul ca s\u0103 ghiceasc\u0103 semnele fetei; dar\u0103 boierul nu se dezlipea de l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul, nici c\u00e2t ai da \u00een cremene.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul dac\u0103 v\u0103zu pe cioban, dichisit, sp\u0103l\u0103\u0163el, cu \u0163oalele curate pe d\u00e2nsul \u015fi cu must\u0103cioara mijind\u0103, \u00eei pl\u0103cu \u015fi lui; mai ales c\u0103 era \u015fi m\u00e2ndru \u015fi sta \u00eenfipt \u00eenaintea lui \u015fi cu coraj, \u00eel priimi deci s\u0103 vie s\u0103 ghiceasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u00e2ndu-se \u00eenaintea sfatului \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc, unde se afla \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa \u015fi cu fata lor, el, dup\u0103 ce \u00ee\u015fi arunc\u0103 ochii ca un \u015farpe la fat\u0103, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pream\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103, fata m\u0103riilor voastre are soarele \u00een piept, luna \u00een spate \u015fi doi luceferi \u00een cei doi umeri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa eram s\u0103 zic \u015fi eu, r\u0103spunse de la spatele ciobanului boierul cel neru\u015finat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toat\u0103 lumea r\u0103mase uimit\u0103 c\u00e2nd auzi semnele ce spusese ciobanul \u015fi m\u0103rturisirea \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u0103 a\u015fa este; de unde p\u00e2n\u0103 aci se auzir\u0103, zic\u00e2ndu-se de unii, al\u0163ii:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba, c\u0103 fata ar fi coco\u015fat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba, c\u0103 ar fi \u015fchioap\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba, c\u0103 ar avea vreun semn de m\u0103slin\u0103, cirea\u015f\u0103, coarn\u0103 ori de alte poame pe care \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa, fiind grea cu fata, ar fi poftit la vreuna dintr-\u00eensele, \u015fi c\u0103 ar fi furat-o spre a-\u015fi potoli pofta. C\u0103, dup\u0103 ce ar fi m\u00e2ncat poama, \u00een locul unde a pus m\u00e2na mai \u00eent\u00e2i pe trupul ei, \u00een acela\u015fi loc s-a f\u0103cut semnul poamei pe trupul fetei. C\u0103 acel semn ar fi \u00een cutare ori \u00een cutare loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unii, ba, c\u0103 una. Al\u0163ii, ba, c\u0103 alta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa se afla \u00eentr-o mare \u00eencurc\u0103tur\u0103. Nu \u015ftia pe care s\u0103 aleag\u0103 din doi. Unii din sfatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei zicea s\u0103 aleag\u0103 pe fiul de boier mare, fiindc\u0103 el zisese c\u0103 tocmai a\u015fa era s\u0103 spuie \u015fi el. Al\u0163ii zicea s\u0103 aleag\u0103 pe cioban, fiindc\u0103 el ghicise cel \u00eent\u00e2i semnele fetei. \u00cemp\u0103ratul l\u0103s\u0103 ca s\u0103-\u015fi aleag\u0103 fata pe cine va voi, m\u00e2ine de diminea\u0163\u0103, tot de fa\u0163\u0103 cu sfatul. L\u0103s\u0103 adec\u0103 fetei timpul s\u0103 se g\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 a doua zi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 atunci, \u00eemp\u0103ratul porunci s\u0103-i omeneasc\u0103 pe am\u00e2ndoi ca pe ni\u015fte mosafiri mari \u015fi s\u0103-i g\u0103zduiasc\u0103 \u00een palaturile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti. Le preg\u0103tir\u0103 o c\u0103mar\u0103 cu dou\u0103 paturi \u00een care s\u0103 m\u00e2ie peste noapte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 a nu \u00eensera, ciobanul se furi\u015fe de fiul de boier \u015fi se duse de-\u015fi cump\u0103r\u0103 ni\u015fte floricele-boabe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centorc\u00e2ndu-se, \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 fiul de boier:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar\u0103 unde fuse\u015fi, prietene?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 dusei de-mi cump\u0103rai un cu\u0163ita\u015f, r\u0103spunse el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 faci cu el?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cemi trebuie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum auzi a\u015fa fiul de boier, se duse de-\u015fi cump\u0103r\u0103 \u015fi el un cu\u0163ita\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se \u00eentoarse, cina fiind gata, se puser\u0103 de cinar\u0103, apoi merser\u0103 s\u0103 se culce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103mara \u00een care intrar\u0103 era a\u015fa de m\u00e2ndru \u00eempodobit\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t bietul cioban se mira cum o s\u0103 calce el pe velin\u0163ele \u015fi scoar\u0163ele alea scumpele ce erau a\u015fternute pe jos. El se ciudi \u015fi mai mult c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu pe fiul de boier mare c\u0103 intr\u0103 \u015fi calc\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 mil\u0103 peste d\u00e2nsele, ca \u015fi cum ar fi fost cine \u015ftie ce zdren\u0163e.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103re\u0163ii erau albi ca laptele \u015fi cu ni\u015fte v\u0103rgi de aur. La ferestre erau ni\u015fte perdele de m\u0103tase d-aia bun\u0103 \u015fi groas\u0103, \u00eentinse pe ni\u015fte drugi de aur. Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 p\u0103re\u0163i, ni\u015fte lavi\u0163e \u015fi o mas\u0103 de lemn mirositor, lucrate cu me\u015fte\u015fug.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Paturile era de o parte \u015fi de alta ale c\u0103m\u0103rii \u015fi cu un fel de oranist dasupra, numai de m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103rie d-aia buna, \u00eenmuiate \u00een fir, a\u015fezate pe patru st\u00e2lpi lucra\u0163i ca melcul \u015fi cu ni\u015fte dungi de aur. A\u015fternutul era de ni\u015fte p\u00e2nz\u0103 alb\u0103 ca z\u0103pada \u015fi sub\u0163ire de s-o spargi cu limba. Perina de cap era \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 cu p\u00e2nz\u0103 de borangic de cea mai aleas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciobanul intr\u0103 cu sfial\u0103. Abia c\u0103lca, ca s\u0103 nu strice velin\u0163ele. Se puse bini\u015for \u00een pat ca s\u0103 nu se mototoleasc\u0103 albiturile. Iar\u0103 fiul de boier, cum intr\u0103, se arunc\u0103 pe un pat, parc-ar fi fost la d\u00e2nsul acas\u0103, \u015fi se tol\u0103ni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se stinse luminarea, ciobanul \u00eencepu a ron\u0163\u0103i la floricele prin \u00eentuneric. Cum auzi feciorul de boier, \u00eentreb\u0103 din patul s\u0103u:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 ce faci tu acolo, prietene?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103, ce s\u0103 fac; mi-am t\u0103iat nasul \u015fi \u00eel m\u0103n\u00e2nc, pentru aceea mi-am cump\u0103rat cu\u0163ita\u015ful.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cendat\u0103 \u015fi feciorul de boier \u00ee\u015fi scoase cu\u0163ita\u015ful, \u00ee\u015fi t\u0103ie nasul, \u015fi \u00eencepu a ron\u0163\u0103i \u015fi el, crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 asta trebuie s\u0103 fie ceva. Nu-i veni lui s\u0103 cread\u0103 c\u0103 o asemenea fapt\u0103 n-o \u00eensemneze vreo izb\u00e2nd\u0103 la norocul pe care n\u0103d\u0103jduia s\u0103 puie m\u00e2na.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cel durea de durut; dar\u0103 r\u0103bda \u00een piele ca un drac, p\u00e2n\u0103 o vedea cum o s-o scoat\u0103 la cale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai t\u00e2rziu iar\u0103 aude pe cioban ron\u0163\u0103ind.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar\u0103 ce mai faci tu acolo, prietene?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fac? Iac\u0103 mi-am t\u0103iat urechile \u015fi le m\u0103n\u00e2nc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cendat\u0103 \u015fi le t\u0103ie \u015fi feciorul de boier \u015fi \u00eencepu a ron\u0163\u0103i \u015fi d\u00e2nsul, ca s\u0103 nu r\u0103m\u00e2ie mai pe jos dec\u00e2t ciobanul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toat\u0103 noaptea nu s-a putut odihni de durere. Se zv\u00e2rcolea ca lipitoarea c\u00e2nd \u00eei dai sare. Dar\u0103 \u00eei era ru\u015fine s\u0103 \u0163ipe ori s\u0103 geam\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciobanul adormi \u015fi trase un pui de somn p\u00e2n\u0103 a doua zi, de s\u0103 se duc\u0103 vestea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se scular\u0103, fur\u0103 pofti\u0163i \u00eenaintea sfatului \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc ca s\u0103-\u015fi aleag\u0103 fata un mire; c\u00e2nd colo, ce s\u0103 vaz\u0103? Feciorul de boier slut, ciont \u015fi plin de s\u00e2nge ca un st\u00e2rv, pe care \u00eel deter\u0103 afar\u0103 ca pe un mar\u0163afoi \u015fi becisnic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi porunci s\u0103 schimbe hainele ciobanului, \u015fi \u00eel lu\u0103 de-l duse la biseric\u0103, unde \u00eel cunun\u0103 cu fata. S\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m c\u0103 veseliile \u0163inur\u0103 mult\u0103 vreme; dar\u0103 b\u0103g\u00e2nd de seam\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u0103 ginere-s\u0103u nu e prost, ci c\u0103 din ce \u00een ce iscusin\u0163a lui se ascute, \u00eel puse s\u0103 judece c\u00e2teva pricini din cele mai grele. Ginerele \u00eemp\u0103ratului era din firea lui om drept, bl\u00e2nd \u015fi cu frica lui Dumnezeu. Sfatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei r\u0103mase cu gura c\u0103scat\u0103 c\u00e2nd auzi hot\u0103r\u00e2rile cele drepte ce dase el. Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul, m\u00e2ndru c\u0103 i-a trimis Dumnezeu un a\u015fa ginere ager la minte, se cobor\u00ee de pe scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei, fiindc\u0103 era \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2n \u015fi puse pe ginere-s\u0103u \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00een locul lui, care, de va fi tr\u0103ind, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fte \u015fi azi.<\/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\u2018Nc\u0103lecai p-un m\u0103r\u0103cine,<\/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 m-asculte ori\u015ficine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103. Am\u00e2ndoi erau oameni de treab\u0103 \u015fi frumo\u015fi. Ei se iubeau, nevoie mare! Dar\u0103 erau tot m\u00e2hni\u0163i \u015fi am\u0103r\u00e2\u0163i c\u0103 nu f\u0103ceau … <\/p>\n