{"id":2121,"date":"2020-05-05T12:37:20","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T09:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.povesti-nemuritoare.ro\/?p=2121"},"modified":"2023-06-11T11:15:07","modified_gmt":"2023-06-11T08:15:07","slug":"tugulea-fiul-unchiasului-si-al-matusei","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/tugulea-fiul-unchiasului-si-al-matusei\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0162ugulea fiul unchia\u015fului \u015fi al m\u0103tu\u015fei"},"content":{"rendered":"

A fost odat\u0103 un mo\u015f \u015fi o bab\u0103. Ei erau s\u0103raci de n-aveau dup\u0103 ce bea apa. C\u00e2nd m\u0103lai aveau, n-aveau sare; c\u00e2nd aveau sare \u015fi m\u0103lai, n-aveau legum\u0103. Tr\u0103iau \u015fi ei de azi pe m\u00e2ine. Ei aveau trei copii, tren\u0163\u0103ro\u015fi \u015fi nesp\u0103la\u0163i, ca vai de ei. Cel mai mic se vedea a fi mai iste\u0163 dec\u00e2t cei doi mai mari, dar\u0103 era olog de am\u00e2ndou\u0103 picioarele. El se numea \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei se \u00eenvecinau cu Zmeoaica p\u0103m\u00e2ntului. Aceast\u0103 zmeoaic\u0103 era a\u015fa de rea, \u00eenc\u00e2t nimeni din vecinii ei n-avea pace de d\u00e2nsa. Ea le c\u0103lca mo\u015fiile \u015fi le f\u0103cea fel de fel de neajunsuri.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La na\u015fterea lui \u0162ugulea, c\u00e2nd a venit ursitoarele, s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat s\u0103 fie p-acolo \u015fi Zmeoaica p\u0103m\u00e2ntului. Ea auzise cum \u00eel ursise \u015fi, de pizm\u0103, mai \u00een urm\u0103, \u00eei lu\u0103 vinele \u015fi d-aia era el olog.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Din acest\u0103 pricin\u0103, \u015fi fiind \u015fi s\u0103raci, unchia\u015ful cu m\u0103tu\u015fa \u015fi copiii lor ajunser\u0103 de r\u00e2sul tuturor megia\u015filor din sat. De bietul \u0162ugulea \u00eens\u0103 r\u00e2dea \u015fi chiar fra\u0163ii lui.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se mai m\u0103rir\u0103 copiii, \u0162ugulea zise \u00eentr-o zi m\u0103-sii, fa\u0163\u0103 cu fra\u0163ii s\u0103i:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mam\u0103, am auzit c\u0103 dumneata ai un frate bogat, care locuie\u015fte \u00een alt sat. De ce nu te duci la d\u00e2nsul s\u0103 ceri o m\u00e2r\u0163oag\u0103 de iap\u0103, pe care s\u0103 ie\u015fim \u015fi noi la v\u00e2nat, c\u0103 mi s-a ur\u00e2t clocind acas\u0103 pe vatr\u0103?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia nu mai tr\u0103nc\u0103ni \u015fi tu de acolo, \u0162ugulea ologu, \u00eei ziser\u0103 fra\u0163ii r\u00e2z\u00e2nd, mai bine mama noastr\u0103 s\u0103 se duc\u0103 la unchiul s\u0103 cear\u0103 pentru noi doi cai, c\u0103ci noi suntem vrednici a \u00eenc\u0103leca \u015fi desc\u0103leca.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea \u00eenghi\u0163i ru\u015finea, plec\u0103 capul \u00een jos \u015fi t\u0103cu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Muma, tot mum\u0103. Se duse la frate-s\u0103u \u015fi ceru doi cai pentru fra\u0163ii cei mari \u015fi o iap\u0103 pentru \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Frate-s\u0103u \u00eei dete bucuros, mai cu seam\u0103 de mil\u0103 pentru \u0162ugulea, ca s\u0103 poat\u0103 umbla \u015fi el.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu mai putur\u0103 de bucurie fra\u0163ii c\u00e2nd le aduse m\u0103-sa caii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea nu se putea m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia pentru c\u0103 era olog \u015fi nu \u015ftia cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103 se \u00eenzdr\u0103veneasc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 c\u00e2teva zile \u0162ugulea zise c\u0103 ar dori s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u015fi el cu fra\u0163ii lui la v\u00e2n\u0103toare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0R\u00e2ser\u0103 fra\u0163ii de el. Apoi dac\u0103 se rug\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103-sa de ei, \u00eel luar\u0103 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul. Se g\u0103tir\u0103 \u015fi plecar\u0103. \u00cen p\u0103dure se mirau fra\u0163ii cum face \u0162ugulea de nimere\u015fte a\u015fa de bine v\u00e2natul pe care punea el ochii. Nici o s\u0103geat\u0103 nu se ducea \u00een v\u00e2nt degeaba. Toate intrau \u00een carne.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i z\u0103bovir\u0103 la v\u00e2n\u0103toare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen a treia noapte, \u0162ugulea vis\u0103 un vis ce-i pl\u0103cu. Se f\u0103cea c\u0103 el era \u00eentr-o gr\u0103din\u0103 frumoas\u0103, frumoas\u0103 ca un rai. El \u015fedea acolo, \u00eentr-un col\u0163, trist \u015fi m\u00e2hnit c\u0103 nu putea umbla, s\u0103 se bucure \u015fi el de frumuse\u0163ile acelei gr\u0103dini. P\u0103s\u0103rile c\u00e2ntau de se sp\u0103rgeau. Frunzele de pomi f\u00e2\u015f\u00e2iau de adierea v\u00e2ntului \u015fi florile r\u0103sp\u00e2ndeau un miros de te \u00eemb\u0103ta. Se uita cu jind la toate astea, c\u0103ci nu putea s\u0103 se desf\u0103teze \u015fi el. Atunci ridic\u00e2nd ochii \u00een sus, se rug\u0103 lui Dumnezeu s\u0103-i ia via\u0163a mai bine, dec\u00e2t s\u0103 tr\u0103iasc\u0103 \u00een a\u015fa tic\u0103lo\u015fie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe c\u00e2nd se f\u0103cea c\u0103 se roag\u0103, deodat\u0103 i se ar\u0103t\u0103 dinainte o z\u00e2n\u0103 a\u015fa de frumoas\u0103 \u015fi de bl\u00e2nd\u0103, cum nu mai v\u0103zuse el \u00een via\u0163a lui a\u015fa fiin\u0163\u0103. \u015ei se f\u0103cea c\u0103-l \u00eentreab\u0103, zic\u00e2ndu-i:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De ce te c\u0103ine\u015fti b\u0103ie\u0163ele \u015fi te am\u0103r\u0103\u015fti?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum nu m-a\u015f c\u0103ina \u015fi nu m-a\u015f am\u00e2r\u00ee, z\u00e2n\u0103 a frumuse\u0163elor, se f\u0103cea c\u0103 zise el, iat\u0103 sunt olog, \u015fi din aceast\u0103 pricin\u0103 am ajuns de batjocura tuturor b\u0103ie\u0163ilor din sat.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103, dragul meu, nu mai pl\u00e2nge, c\u0103 ei nu \u015ftiu ce fac, se f\u0103cea c\u0103 mai zise z\u00e2na. Tu ai s\u0103 te t\u0103m\u0103duie\u015fti \u015fi o s\u0103 ajungi \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-mi trebuie mie \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie. Eu a\u015f fi bun bucuros, numai s\u0103 pot umbla. Dar\u0103 asta n-o s\u0103 se poat\u0103, c\u0103ci, uite, parc\u0103 n-am vine \u00een picioare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba o s\u0103 se poat\u0103, se f\u0103cea c\u0103 adaose z\u00e2na cu vorb\u0103 ap\u0103sat\u0103. Tu ai avut vine; dar\u0103 \u0163i le-a luat Zmeoaica p\u0103m\u00e2ntului de c\u00e2nd erai mic. \u0162ine chimira\u015ful \u0103sta. C\u00e2nd vei fi \u00eencins cu el, ce vei voi, te faci, dac\u0103 t-ei da de trei ori peste cap. Sile\u015fte-te de-\u0163i ia vinele de la zmeoaic\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lu\u0103 chimira\u015ful; dar\u0103 c\u00e2nd ridic\u0103 ochii \u015fi voi s-o \u00eentrebe cine era ea, de are mil\u0103 de d\u00e2nsul, ia pe z\u00e2na de unde nu e! Parc\u0103 intrase \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 el o dat\u0103 se de\u015ftept\u0103. Se pomeni cu chimira\u015ful \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eencinse cu el, se dete de trei ori peste cap, g\u00e2ndind s\u0103 se fac\u0103 o pas\u0103re, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 se f\u0103cu. Se dete iar\u0103 de trei ori peste cap \u015fi se f\u0103cu om la loc.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2t p-aci s\u0103 se piarz\u0103 de bucurie, dar\u0103 se st\u0103p\u00e2ni. \u00cencinse chimirul pe piele ca s\u0103 nu se vaz\u0103 \u015fi se feri d-a spune fra\u0163ilor ceva.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite, z\u00e2na aceea era ursitoarea lui cea bun\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se f\u0103cu ziu\u0103, se \u00eentoarser\u0103 cu fra\u0163ii lui la bordeiul lor, \u015fi aduser\u0103 mul\u0163ime de v\u00e2nat.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste c\u00e2teva zile plecar\u0103 iar\u0103. D\u00e2nd caii la p\u0103\u015fune, fra\u0163ii cei mari ziser\u0103 lui \u0162ugulea s\u0103 p\u0103zeasc\u0103 el caii, c\u0103ci d\u00e2n\u015fii sunt obosi\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum se culcar\u0103 \u015fi adormir\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea priponii caii, apoi, d\u00e2ndu-se de trei ori peste cap, se f\u0103cu o albin\u0103 \u015fi pleca \u00eenspre miaz\u0103noapte \u00eencotro \u015fedea Zmeoaica p\u0103m\u00e2ntului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce ajunse acolo, zb\u00e2rn! \u00een sus, zb\u00e2rn! \u00een jos, intr\u0103 \u00een casa zmeoaicei \u015fi ascult\u0103 ce vorbea cu zmeii, ginerii s\u0103i, \u015fi cu zmeoaicele, fetele sale.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centre altele, auzi zic\u00e2nd zmeoaica b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia vede\u0163i, fetelor, mai \u015fade vinele alea ale lui \u0162ugulea \u00een cutia \u00een care le-am a\u015fezat eu dup\u0103 sob\u0103?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai \u015fade, r\u0103spunse zmeoaica cea mic\u0103, azi le-am v\u0103zut, nu mai departe.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, voi o s\u0103 v\u0103 duce\u0163i la casele voastre, zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na cea zb\u00e2rcit\u0103; s\u0103 \u015fti\u0163i, s\u0103 v\u0103 teme\u0163i de \u0162ugulea \u0103sta, afurisitul; c\u0103ci \u015fi mie mi-e fric\u0103 de d\u00e2nsul, m\u0103car c\u0103 i-am luat vinele.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tot de la d\u00e2nsele mai auzi \u0162ugulea c\u0103 peste c\u00e2teva zile are s\u0103 se fac\u0103 nunta zmeoaicei celei mici, \u015fi pentru veseliile de nunt\u0103 trebuindu-le v\u00e2nat, zgripsoroaica scof\u00e2lcit\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163i pe fiecare din gineri pe unde s\u0103 v\u00e2neze.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei fu destul pentru ast\u0103 dat\u0103 c\u0103 auzise \u015fi at\u00e2t.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se \u00eentoarse la fra\u0163ii s\u0103i, \u00eencepuse a intra alba \u00een sat.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Scula\u0163i, fra\u0163ilor, le zise el, c\u0103 iat\u0103 ne-a luat ziua de pe urm\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De ce ne-ai l\u0103sat s\u0103 dormim at\u00e2t de mult? \u00eei ziser\u0103 fra\u0163ii, dojenindu-l.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El t\u0103cu din gur\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se scular\u0103 ei \u015fi plecar\u0103 dup\u0103 v\u00e2nat, apoi se \u00eentoarser\u0103 acas\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea acum se culca afar\u0103 \u00een toate nop\u0163ile, \u015fi tot pl\u0103nuia cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi ia vinele. El se ducea mereu pe la zmeoaic\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftie cineva, \u015fi p\u00e2ndea vreme cu prilej c\u00e2nd s\u0103-i vie bine s\u0103-\u015fi ia vinele.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o sear\u0103 se f\u0103cu musc\u0103, intr\u0103 pe co\u015f \u00een c\u0103mara unde era cutia cu vinele, pe c\u00e2nd zmeoaica nu era acas\u0103; aci dac\u0103 intr\u0103 se f\u0103cu om, lu\u0103 vinele din cutie \u015fi le puse la picioarele lui. Cum le puse, se lipi, parc\u0103 fusese acolo de c\u00e2nd lumea. Se f\u0103cu iar\u0103 musc\u0103 \u015fi plec\u0103 acas\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, noaptea, trebuia s\u0103 mearg\u0103 zmeii la v\u00e2nat pentru nunt\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea se duse mai \u00eent\u00e2i \u00een calea zmeului celui mai mare. C\u00e2nd se apropie de el, calul zmeului \u00eencepu a sfor\u0103i; dar\u0103 zmeul \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De! cal de paraleu, c\u0103 doar\u0103 nu va fi adus cioara osciorul \u015fi v\u00e2ntul peri\u015forul lui \u0162ugulea pe aici, c\u0103ci vinele lui sunt la soacr\u0103-mea dup\u0103 sob\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De unde \u015ftii tu a\u015fa bine? \u00eei zise \u0162ugulea. D\u0103-te jos s\u0103 ne vedem \u015fi s\u0103 ne lupt\u0103m.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zmeul, cum \u00eel v\u0103zu, \u00eenghe\u0163\u0103 s\u00e2ngele \u00eentr-\u00eensul. Se apucar\u0103 la lupt\u0103 \u00een buzdugane, dar\u0103 \u0162ugulea cum aduse buzduganul s\u0103u \u015fi lovi pe zmeu, \u00eei lu\u0103 mirul, apoi \u00eei t\u0103ie capul, \u00eei lu\u0103 calul si armele \u015fi plec\u0103 \u00eenaintea zmeului celui mijlociu. Asemenea \u00eei f\u0103cu \u015fi lui. Apoi plec\u0103 \u00eenaintea zmeului celui mic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se \u00eent\u00e2lni cu zmeul cel mic, se lu\u0103 la lupt\u0103 \u015fi cu d\u00e2nsul. Se b\u0103tur\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2i \u00een buzdugane, buzduganele se sf\u0103r\u00e2mar\u0103; se luptar\u0103 cu suli\u0163ele, acestea se rupser\u0103; se apucar\u0103 apoi \u00een s\u0103bii, a zmeului se fr\u00e2nse. Dup\u0103 aceea se luar\u0103 la lupt\u0103 dreapt\u0103, se luptar\u0103 ce se luptar\u0103 \u015fi, \u00eenfr\u00e2ng\u00e2nd pe zmeu, \u00eei t\u0103ie \u015fi lui capul. \u00cei lu\u0103 \u015fi lui armele \u015fi calul \u015fi plec\u0103 acas\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsele.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ajunse se cr\u0103pa de ziu\u0103; leg\u0103 caii \u015fi puse bine armele zmeilor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi scul\u0103 pe fra\u0163i s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la v\u00e2nat. C\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 fra\u0163ii caii se minunar\u0103. \u00eel \u00eentrebar\u0103, dar\u0103 el nu voi s\u0103 le spuie nimic, zic\u00e2nd c\u0103 nu \u015ftie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenc\u0103lecar\u0103 fra\u0163ii pe caii zmeilor \u015fi pornir\u0103. \u0162ugulea \u00eens\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 pe calul zmeului celui mic, c\u0103ci era mai v\u00e2njos.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zmeoaica, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2rzie ginerii, zise fiicelor sale:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asta nu e lucru curat. Ia vede\u0163i vinele lui \u0162ugulea sunt ele unde le-am pus eu?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nici ca c\u00e2t, \u00eei r\u0103spunser\u0103 fetele, dup\u0103 ce c\u0103utar\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 B\u0103rba\u0163ii vo\u015ftri trebuie s\u0103 fie r\u0103pu\u015fi. \u0162ugulea a f\u0103cut pozna. Duce\u0163i-v\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure pe unde are a trece el \u015fi face\u0163i precum v-am zis.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea, trec\u00e2nd cu fra\u0163ii s\u0103i prin p\u0103dure, v\u0103zu o vie cu struguri. El sim\u0163i c\u0103 asta nu poate s\u0103 fie lucru curat. Cum de nu mai v\u0103zuse el ast\u0103 vie \u00een p\u0103dure?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Frate-s\u0103u cel mai mare vru s\u0103 ia un strugure. \u0162ugulea \u00eel opri. Apoi desc\u0103lec\u0103, scoase palo\u015ful \u015fi \u00eencepu a t\u0103ia la vi\u0163e. Deodat\u0103 \u00eencepu a curge din vi\u0163ele t\u0103iate ni\u015fte s\u00e2nge negru ca p\u0103cura. Fra\u0163ii se mirar\u0103 de aceasta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u00e2nd ei, pornir\u0103. Merser\u0103 ce merser\u0103 \u015fi dete peste o livede cu pruni. \u0162ugulea nu las\u0103 pe fratele cel mijlociu s\u0103 ia prune, ci f\u0103cu ca \u015fi la vie, \u015fi din prunii t\u0103ia\u0163i curse iar\u0103 s\u00e2nge.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce mei merse, dete peste o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103. El \u015ftia c\u0103 prin acea p\u0103dure nu era nici o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103. Nu l\u0103s\u0103 pe fra\u0163i, s\u0103 bea ap\u0103. Ci lu\u00e2nd suli\u0163a, \u00een\u0163ep\u0103 fundul f\u00e2nt\u00e2nei de mai multe ori, \u015fi deodat\u0103 \u00eencepu a g\u00e2lg\u00e2i un s\u00e2nge mohor\u00e2t \u015fi cu rea duhoare. G\u00e2lg\u00e2ia ca dintr-o vac\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acestea erau fetele zmeoaicei, care voiau s\u0103 otr\u0103veasc\u0103 pe \u0162ugulea, feciorul mo\u015fului \u015fi al m\u0103tu\u015fei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merg\u00e2nd ei \u00eempreun\u0103, \u0162ugulea zise fra\u0163ilor s\u0103i:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia uita\u0163i-v\u0103, fra\u0163ilor, de vede\u0163i ce este, c\u0103 nu \u015ftiu ce m\u0103 dogore\u015fte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fie! r\u0103spunser\u0103 fra\u0163ii uit\u00e2ndu-se, iac\u0103 un nori\u015for ro\u015fu, vine dup\u0103 noi ca v\u00e2ntul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aia este zmeoaica b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, m\u0103i, zise el. Vine dup\u0103 mine. Voi \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftia\u0163i-v\u0103 care \u00eencotro \u015fi v\u0103 duce\u0163i acas\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu v\u0103 afla\u0163i \u00een calea ei, c\u0103ci v\u0103 face mici f\u0103r\u00e2mi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se desp\u0103r\u0163ir\u0103, \u0162ugulea intr\u0103 \u00eentr-o pe\u015fter\u0103 s\u0103 se ad\u0103posteasc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 va trece zmeoaica. Urgisita de zmeoaic\u0103, unde venea, m\u0103re, venea turbat\u0103 de m\u00e2nie, trecu ca fulgerul pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 pe\u015fter\u0103 \u015fi apuc\u0103 \u00eenainte, c\u0103 nu vedea cu ochii de c\u0103tr\u0103nit\u0103 ce era.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea \u00eendat\u0103 ie\u015fi din pe\u015fter\u0103, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi pe ici \u0163i-e drumu. O lu\u0103 la s\u0103n\u0103toasa \u00eenapoi spre r\u0103s\u0103rit \u015fi merse, \u015fi merse, p\u00e2n\u0103 ajunse la curtea unui \u00eemp\u0103rat care de dou\u0103zeci de ani lucra un zid nalt foarte, ce c\u0103dea \u00eenspre partea mo\u015fiei zmeoaicei, nici el, vezi nu avea pace de d\u00e2nsa, \u015fi tocmai atunci \u00eel ispr\u0103vise.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum ajunsese acolo \u0162ugulea, spuse \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u0103 omor\u00e2se pe ginerii \u015fi pe fetele zmeoaicei. Apoi \u00eei zise s\u0103 dea porunc\u0103 grabnic\u0103 la to\u0163i fierarii ca s\u0103-i fac\u0103 \u00eendat\u0103 o m\u0103ciuc\u0103 de fier mare cu care s\u0103 omoare \u015fi pe zmeoaica b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul priimi bucuros s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u0162ugulea orice o \u015fti el numai s\u0103 se scape de blestemata de zmeoaic\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea puse de f\u0103cu o gaur\u0103 \u00een mijlocul zidului cet\u0103\u0163ii, apoi porunci \u015fi se aduse o gr\u0103mad\u0103 de buc\u0103\u0163i de lemne, c\u0103rora le dete foc \u00een mijlocul cet\u0103\u0163ii; \u00een acel foc puse m\u0103ciuca de fier ca s\u0103 arz\u0103 s\u0103 se fac\u0103 ro\u015fie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zmeoaica, dup\u0103 ce alerg\u0103 \u00eentr-o parte \u015fi \u00eentr-alta \u015fi nu g\u0103si pe \u0162ugulea, miro\u015fi ea c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie la \u00eemp\u0103ratul cel cu zidul mare. Se \u00eentoarse \u015fi s\u0103 te \u0163ii, p\u00e2rleo! \u00eentr-un suflet ajunse, c\u0103z\u00e2nd l\u00e2ng\u0103 zid de osteneal\u0103 \u015fi am\u0103r\u0103ciune. Apoi se scul\u0103 cum putu \u015fi vru s\u0103 sar\u0103 peste zid. S\u0103ri, \u00eens\u0103 \u00een sec. Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103-i este peste putin\u0163\u0103 a s\u0103ri pe deasupra zidului, se urc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la gaura ce o facuse \u0162ugulea \u015fi \u00eencepu a sorbi, voind s\u0103 \u00eenghi\u0163\u0103 totul ce era \u00een cetate.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u015fi oamenii din cetate se p\u0103reau a fi scri\u015fi pe p\u0103rete, at\u00e2t \u00eei \u00eenm\u0103rmurise frica. \u0162ugulea nu-\u015fi pierdu cump\u0103tul ci, cu m\u0103ciuca ro\u015fie ca focul \u015fi \u0163iind-o de coad\u0103, merse la gaur\u0103. C\u00e2nd sorbi o dat\u0103 zmeoaica, trase m\u0103ciuca ars\u0103 tocmai \u00een inim\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O dat\u0103 r\u0103cni zmeoaica zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M-ai m\u00e2ncat fript\u0103, \u0162ugulea! \u015fi muri pe loc.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, boierii \u015fi locuitorii acelei \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ii mul\u0163umir\u0103 lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 i-a sc\u0103pat de zmeoaic\u0103, de fetele \u015fi de ginerii ei, c\u0103ci multe rele le f\u0103ceau; iar\u0103 m\u00e2ntuitorului lor \u00eei ziser\u0103:”\u0162ugulea viteazul \u015fi \u00een\u0163eleptul”. Dup\u0103 aceea, \u00eemp\u0103ratul ridic\u0103 pe \u0162ugulea la mare cinste.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea tr\u0103i acolo c\u00e2tva timp ca \u00een s\u00e2nul m\u0103-sii. Dar\u0103 ni\u015fte zavistio\u015fi de boieri b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een inima \u00eemp\u0103ratului frica c\u0103 \u0162ugulea odat\u0103, odat\u0103 are s\u0103-i ia \u0163ara.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum auzi unele ca acestea, \u00eemp\u0103ratul se g\u00e2ndea ce me\u015fte\u015fug s\u0103 fac\u0103 ca s\u0103 scape de el. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit ascult\u0103 pove\u0163ele celui mai pizm\u0103t\u0103re\u0163 din boierii cei b\u0103tr\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trimise \u015fi chem\u0103 pe \u0162ugulea. El veni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ugulea viteazul, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, Sfatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei mele a g\u0103sit cu cale s\u0103 te duci la \u00eemp\u0103ratul stririlor, \u00een pe\u0163it, s\u0103-i ceri fata pentru mine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 Sfatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei a g\u0103sit cu cale, eu sunt gata s\u0103 m\u0103 supui, r\u0103spunse el.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi pe c\u00e2nd hot\u0103r\u0103\u015fti ziua plec\u0103rei?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2nd ar fi dup\u0103 mine, \u015fi m\u00e2ine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei g\u0103tir\u0103 c\u0103r\u0163ile ce trebuia s\u0103 le duc\u0103 \u0162ugulea, \u00eei dete bani \u015fi porni, dup\u0103 ce \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 ziua bun\u0103 de la \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi boieri, iar\u0103 gloatele \u00eel petrecur\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 afar\u0103 din cetate \u015fi se uitar\u0103 dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul p\u00e2n\u0103 nu-l mai z\u0103rir\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea se duse mai \u00eent\u00e2i de se \u00eent\u00e2lni cu fra\u0163ii lui. Le spuse \u015fi lor cum a omor\u00e2t pe zmeoaica cea b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, apoi le f\u0103cu cunoscut \u015fi treaba cu care l-a \u00eens\u0103rcinat \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Le dete \u015fi lor ni\u0163ei bani ca s\u0103-i duc\u0103 p\u0103rin\u0163ilor, apoi se \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015far\u0103 \u015fi plecar\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fra\u0163ii lui \u0162ugulea \u00eencepuse a se uita la el cam chiondor\u00e2\u015f. Ei nu se puteau \u00eenvoi cum de \u0162ugulea s\u0103 ajung\u0103 s\u0103 le fac\u0103 lor ru\u015fine. Ei mai mari \u015fi s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ie mai pe jos dec\u00e2t el, ca ni\u015fte boble\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Duc\u00e2ndu-se \u0162ugulea la treaba lui, \u00eent\u00e2lni \u00een cale pe un om care striga c\u0103 moare de foame. Se apropie de d\u00e2nsul s\u0103 vaz\u0103 ce fel de om este acela. C\u00e2nd, ce s\u0103 vaz\u0103? un om ca to\u0163i oamenii umbla dup\u0103 \u015fapte pluguri ce ara \u015fi din gur\u0103 nu mai t\u0103cea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce voinic mare e\u015fti tu, omule, de m\u0103n\u00e2nci brazd\u0103 de \u015fapte pluguri \u015fi tot strigi c\u0103 mori de foame? \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 \u0162ugulea ca p-un prieten.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu nu sunt voinic, r\u0103spunse fl\u0103m\u00e2ndul, ci voinic este \u0162ugulea, feciorul mo\u015fului \u015f-al babei, care a omor\u00e2t pe zmeoaic\u0103, pe fetele \u015fi pe ginerii ei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt acela, \u00eei zise \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0-EDac\u0103 e\u015fti tu, ia-m\u0103 \u015fi pe mine cu tine, c\u0103 poate \u0163i-oi prinde bine la ceva.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cel lu\u0103 \u015fi plecar\u0103. Dup\u0103 c\u00e2teva zile de c\u0103l\u0103torie, dete peste un alt om, \u00een gura c\u0103ruia curgea apa de la nou\u0103 f\u00e2nt\u00e2ni \u015fi tot striga c\u0103 moare de sete.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cel \u00eentreb\u0103 \u015fi pe acesta ca \u015fi pe fl\u0103m\u00e2nd. \u015ei dac\u0103 c\u0103p\u0103t\u0103 un r\u0103spuns care sem\u0103na cu al fl\u0103m\u00e2ndului, \u00eel lu\u0103 \u015fi pe acesta cu sine, \u015fi plec\u0103 mai departe.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se duse, se duse \u015fi iar\u0103 se mai duse. Iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd fu s\u0103 treac\u0103 ni\u015fte mun\u0163i, \u00eent\u00e2lni un alt om, cu dou\u0103 pietre de moar\u0103 de picioare, care s\u0103rea din munte \u00een munte \u015fi c\u00e2nd fugea, iepurele pe spinare netezea, \u015fi striga c\u0103 n-are loc unde s\u0103 fug\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 ca \u015fi pe ceilal\u0163i, iar\u0103 omul r\u0103spunse tot ca ei. \u00cel lu\u0103 \u015fi pe acesta \u015fi porni \u00eenainte cu Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen calea lor mai \u00eent\u00e2lni un om cu o musta\u0163\u0103 alb\u0103 \u015fi cu alta neagr\u0103, \u00eembr\u0103cat cu nou\u0103 cojoace \u015fi striga c\u0103 moare de frig, de\u015fi era pe la n\u0103miezi \u015fi soarele ardea ca \u00een luna lui cuptor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 \u015fi el voi s\u0103 mearg\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul, \u0162ugulea \u00eel lu\u0103 \u015fi pe acesta, \u015fi \u00eenainte, tot \u00eenainte \u015fi \u00eenapoi nu se uita.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merse ce mai merse \u015fi, c\u00e2nd fu pe la amurgit, \u00eent\u00e2lni un om care se uita \u00een sus cu un arc \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103. \u0162ugulea \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 ce faci acolo, omule?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fac, r\u0103spunse el, iaca un \u0163\u00e2n\u0163ar a ajuns tocmai la v\u00e2ntul turbat \u015fi voi s\u0103-l dobor d-acolo cu s\u0103geata mea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Voinic trebuie s\u0103 fii, omule, \u00eei zise \u0162ugulea, dac\u0103 tu po\u0163i s\u0103 v\u00e2nezi un \u0163\u00e2n\u0163ar pe care noi nu-l vedem.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce are a face! Voinic este \u0162ugulea, fiul mo\u015fului \u015fi al babii, care a omor\u00e2t pe zmeoaica cu fetele \u015fi cu ginerii ei cu tot, zise omul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt, r\u0103spunse \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 e\u015fti tu, ia-m\u0103 \u015fi pe mine cu tine, c\u0103 poate \u0163i-oi prinde bine la ceva.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce mai merse ce merse, ajunse \u00een ni\u015fte v\u0103i foarte frumoase de unde se \u00eentindea ni\u015fte mun\u0163i \u00eempodobi\u0163i cu copaci \u015fi cu o verdea\u0163\u0103 care desf\u0103ta inima, \u015fi acolo dete peste un om, care nu \u015ftiu ce tot bomb\u0103nea el din gur\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2nd amenin\u0163a cu toiagul ce \u0163inea \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, pe dat\u0103 se f\u0103cea c\u00e2te o sut\u0103 de p\u0103s\u0103rele.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi dac\u0103 \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 \u0162ugulea cu ce vitejii face el minunile astea, el r\u0103spunse c\u0103 \u0162ugulea este viteaz care a f\u0103cut at\u00e2tea \u015fi at\u00e2tea voinicii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Afl\u00e2nd omul c\u0103 vorbea cu \u0162ugulea, s-a luat \u015fi el dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul, ca \u015fi ceilal\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei merse cu to\u0163ii, merse, merse ca cuv\u00e2ntul din poveste<\/a> ce d-aci \u00eenainte se g\u0103te\u015fte, \u015fi pe unde ajungea \u00eentreba de \u00eemp\u0103ratul stririlor. Pe la cet\u0103\u0163i \u015fi sate, pe unde m\u00e2neau ei noaptea, to\u0163i \u00eei con\u0103ceau \u015fi \u00eei g\u0103zduiau c\u00e2nd auzeau de numele lui \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd fu \u00eentr-un a din dimine\u0163i, z\u0103rir\u0103 turnurile cet\u0103\u0163ii unde locuia \u00eemp\u0103ratul stririlor. \u00centinser\u0103 piciorul la drum \u015fi c\u00e2nd era \u00eende sear\u0103, ajunser\u0103 \u015fi ei la por\u0163ile cet\u0103\u0163ii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi se scular\u0103, pe ochi mi se sp\u0103lar\u0103, se \u00eembr\u0103car\u0103, se scuturar\u0103 \u015fi pe Domnul l\u0103udar\u0103, c\u0103 le-a ajutat de au ajuns vii, nev\u0103t\u0103ma\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Spuse \u0162ugulea tovar\u0103\u015filor s\u0103i pentru ce a venit, iar\u0103 ei r\u0103spunser\u0103 c\u0103 dac\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul nu va voi s\u0103-i dea fata de bun\u0103 voie, apoi o vor lua-o ei cu nepus\u0103 \u00een mas\u0103, c\u0103 doar\u0103 nu sunt ei de florile m\u0103rului cu \u0162ugulea viteazul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce a dat \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u0103r\u0163ile ce adusese \u0162ugulea, acel \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sunt gata a-\u0163i da fata, dac\u0103 \u00eemi vei s\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fi cu bine slujbele cu care am s\u0103 te \u00eens\u0103rcinez; iar\u0103 de nu, unde \u00ee\u0163i stau picioarele \u00ee\u0163i va sta \u015fi capul. Aceasta s\u0103 o \u015ftii. \u00ce\u0163i dau soroc p\u00e2n\u0103 m\u00e2ine s\u0103 te g\u00e2nde\u015fti, dac\u0103 te \u00eencume\u0163i ori ba.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 \u00eencum\u0103t, luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate, \u00eei r\u0103spunse \u0162ugulea. Porunce\u015fte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 P\u00e2n\u0103 m\u00e2ine diminea\u0163\u0103 s\u0103-mi m\u0103n\u00e2nci nou\u0103 cuptoare de p\u00e2ine, \u00eei porunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 se puie la cale coacerea lor c\u00e2t mai cur\u00e2nd, r\u0103spunse \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hot\u0103r\u00e2r\u0103 c\u00e2nd s\u0103 vie s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 a m\u00e2nca. Se puser\u0103 \u015fi paznici care s\u0103 ia aminte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe sear\u0103 venir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii. Apoi uit\u00e2ndu-se la Fl\u0103m\u00e2ndul, \u0162ugulea \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 te vedem, nene Fl\u0103m\u00e2ndule.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u2019 pe mine, r\u0103spunse acesta. Lua\u0163i-v\u0103 c\u00e2te o p\u00e2ine, ca s\u0103 ave\u0163i \u015fi voi ceva gust\u0103ric\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eencep\u00e2nd a arunca c\u00e2te zece p\u00e2ini \u00een gur\u0103 \u015fi a le \u00eenghi\u0163i, sf\u00e2r\u015fi cuptoarele p\u00e2n\u0103 la miezul nop\u0163ii. Parc\u0103 arunca dup\u0103 spate. Mai adun\u0103 \u015fi codriceii ce mai r\u0103m\u0103seser\u0103 de la tovar\u0103\u015fi, \u00eei \u00eenghi\u0163i \u015fi pe ace\u015ftia \u015fi \u00eencepu a striga:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mor de foame! mor de foame!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Strejarii, care r\u0103maser\u0103 ca ni\u015fte bostromengheri, uit\u00e2ndu-se cum piereau p\u00e2inile, se duser\u0103 de spuse \u00eemp\u0103ratului despre cele \u00eent\u00e2mplate.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se minun\u0103 \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Apoi zise s\u0103-i aduc\u0103 nou\u0103 bu\u0163i de vin \u015fi porunci lui \u0162ugulea s\u0103 le bea p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een ziu\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea zise Setosului:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pe d\u00e2nsele, nene Setos.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Numai at\u00e2t? \u00eentreb\u0103 el.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trase cepurile la c\u00e2teva bu\u0163i dodat\u0103, \u015fi pe toate le \u00eenghi\u0163ea de p\u0103rea c\u0103 intr\u0103 vinul \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce le ispr\u0103vi, \u00eencepu \u015fi el a striga:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mor de sete! mor de sete!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eencepu a se \u00eengrijura c\u00e2nd \u00eei spuser\u0103 strejarii cele ce se \u00eent\u00e2mplar\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu a \u00eenc\u0103lzi cuptorul cel mare cu nou\u0103 car\u0103 de lemne.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D\u00e2nd porunc\u0103 lui \u0162ugulea a intra \u00een cuptor, el se uit\u0103 la Frigurosul \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A venit \u015fi vremea ta, nene Must\u0103\u0163io.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum o s\u0103 v\u0103 pui s\u0103 face\u0163i ni\u0163ele cuie, cl\u0103n\u0163\u0103nindu-v\u0103 din\u0163ii! r\u0103spunse el.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00een adev\u0103r, cum ajunse la cuptor, carele era ro\u015fu ca para focului, puse m\u00e2na pe musta\u0163a lui cea alb\u0103, smulse c\u00e2teva fire dintr-\u00eensa \u015fi le arunc\u0103 \u00een cuptor. Deodat\u0103 la gura cuptorului se f\u0103cu brum\u0103. Apoi intrar\u0103 \u00een cuptor to\u0163i megia\u015fii lui \u0162ugulea cu d\u00e2nsul \u00eempreun\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepur\u0103 a striga c\u0103 le deger\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd veni \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi v\u0103zu, se lu\u0103 de g\u00e2nduri cu \u0162ugulea \u0103sta n\u0103zdr\u0103vanu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cer\u00e2nd ei, \u00eemp\u0103ratul porunci de mai aduse nou\u0103 car\u0103 de lemne, le dete foc, dar\u0103 parc\u0103 ardea pe ghea\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul acela avea o pa\u0163irc\u0103 de fat\u0103 slujitoare, care se lua \u00een goan\u0103 cu ogarii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porunci lui \u0162ugulea s\u0103 tr\u0103mi\u0163\u0103 \u015fi el pe cineva din ai s\u0103i ca \u00eempreun\u0103 cu fata s\u0103 se duc\u0103 la F\u00e2nt\u00e2na Ielelor, s\u0103 aduc\u0103 c\u00e2te dou\u0103 urcioare de ap\u0103. Dac\u0103 omul s\u0103u va veni \u00eenainte, \u00eei va da pe fie-sa; iar\u0103 dac\u0103 slujitoarea lui va veni mai-nainte, s\u0103 \u015ftie c\u0103 pe to\u0163i megia\u015fii lui \u00eei pune \u00een \u0163eap\u0103 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul \u00eentr-una mai sus dec\u00e2t pe to\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea priimi. Apoi uit\u00e2ndu-se la so\u0163ul s\u0103u cel cu pietrele de moar\u0103 de picioare, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce zici tu, veri\u015fcane, umfl\u0103m noi fata, ori ne odihnim \u00een v\u00e2rful \u0163epelor?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 cerc\u0103m \u015fi noi, poate c\u0103 vom l\u0103sa frig\u0103rile alea pe seama \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Omul cu pietrele de picioare \u015fi fata fug\u0103toare pornir\u0103 \u00eempreun\u0103, fiecare cu c\u00e2te dou\u0103 urcioare, \u015fi aide, aide, de vorb\u0103, ajunser\u0103 la F\u00e2nt\u00e2na Ielelor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aci, fata umbl\u0103 cu \u015fmecherii. \u015ei cum era \u015fi cam nurlie, m\u00e2glisi pe omul cu pietrele de picioare \u015fi \u00eel \u00eenduplec\u0103 s\u0103 se puie cu capul \u00een poala ei, p\u00e2n\u0103 s-or mai odihni ni\u0163el, \u015fi s\u0103-i caute \u00een cap. Tot c\u0103ut\u00e2ndu-i \u00een cap, el adormi. Fata cum \u00eel v\u0103zu c\u0103 adormi bine, lu\u0103 o c\u0103p\u0103\u0163\u00e2n\u0103 de cal uscat\u0103 ce era acolo al\u0103turea, \u00eei puse capul bini\u015for pe d\u00e2nsa, \u00eei v\u0103rs\u0103 urcioarele lui, ia p-ale ei \u015fi o plec\u0103 la s\u0103n\u0103toasa. Nici drumul ei, nici picioarele ei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea cu ai s\u0103i sta pe o m\u0103gur\u0103 \u015fi se uita \u00eenspre locul de unde trebuiau s\u0103 vie cei trimi\u015fi s\u0103 aduc\u0103 ap\u0103. C\u00e2nd, vede pe fat\u0103. Unde venea, m\u0103re, venea ca v\u00e2ntul. Omul nu se vedea, nu se auzea. Atunci zise s\u0103get\u0103torului celui dibaci:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia te uit\u0103, f\u00e2rtate, de vezi ce face megia\u015ful nostru.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doarme cu sfor\u0103itele, r\u0103spunse acesta, cu capul pe o c\u0103p\u0103\u0163\u00e2n\u0103 de cal mort \u015fi uscat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unde \u00eentinde arcul, d\u0103du drumul s\u0103ge\u0163ii, \u015fi tranc! drept \u00een c\u0103p\u0103\u0163\u00e2na de cal lovi, de s\u0103ri c\u00e2t colo de sub capul omului. Acesta odat\u0103 s\u0103ri \u00een sus, \u015fi ia pe fat\u0103 de unde nu e.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Umplu urcioarele numaidec\u00e2t. Apoi ca g\u00e2ndul porni s\u0103rind c\u00e2te zece conace dodat\u0103; ajunse pe fat\u0103 tocmai la poarta palatului \u015fi, trec\u00e2nd pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsa, \u00eei sparse \u015fi urcioarele cu pietrele de la picioarele lui.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd duse urcioarele sus la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, acesta \u00eentreb\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar\u0103 fata unde a r\u0103mas?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vine pe urm\u0103, \u00eei r\u0103spunse \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd \u015fi fata \u015fi merg\u00e2nd \u015fi d\u00e2nsa la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00eei spuse toat\u0103 \u015firitenia.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul toat\u0103 noaptea n-a putut s\u0103 doarm\u0103, fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u00e2ndu-se de g\u00e2nduri. A doua zi, unul din sfetnici, care \u015ftia p\u0103sul \u00eemp\u0103ratului, veni \u015fi-i spuse ce s\u0103 mai zic\u0103 lui \u0162ugulea s\u0103 mai fac\u0103. Pl\u0103cu \u00eemp\u0103ratului sfatul \u015fi, chem\u00e2ndu-l, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162uguleo, mi-ai f\u0103cut tot ce \u0163i-am poruncit, \u00eenc\u0103 o slujb\u0103 mai cer de la tine \u015fi apoi pace.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Porunce\u015fte mai degrab\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103rate, c\u0103ci poate s\u0103 se supere \u00eemp\u0103ratul ce m-a trimis de at\u00e2ta z\u0103bav\u0103, \u015fi aceasta n-a\u015f voi-o nici \u00een ruptul capului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-mi faci s\u0103 nasc\u0103 \u00eentr-o noapte 50 de femei sterpe!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce mai treab\u0103! zise \u0162ugulea. S\u0103 se aduc\u0103 numaidec\u00e2t la fa\u0163a locului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul de aduse cincizeci de femei \u015fi le-a b\u0103gat pe fiecare \u00een c\u00e2te o c\u0103mar\u0103. \u0162ugulea ridic\u0103 ochii c\u0103tre vr\u0103jitor \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Arat\u0103, \u00cenv\u0103\u0163atule, ce poate toiagul t\u0103u cel plin de vr\u0103ji.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Putea \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103 dea porunci mai grele de f\u0103cut; aceasta este juc\u0103rie, r\u0103spunse el.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei intr\u00e2nd \u00een cam\u0103rile femeilor, bomboni la fiecare c\u00e2te ceva din gur\u0103, \u015fi pe fiecare le lovi u\u015for cu toiagul pe spinare, apoi ie\u015fi. Una dup\u0103 alta ele n\u0103scur\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 diminea\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd veni \u00eemp\u0103ratul a doua zi \u015fi auzi or\u0103c\u0103itul copiilor de-i \u00eempuiase urechile, se lu\u0103 cu m\u00e2inile de p\u0103r \u015fi plec\u0103 \u00eendat\u0103. C\u00e2nd s\u0103 p\u00e2\u015feasc\u0103 pragul por\u0163ii de la aceste case, ca s\u0103 se duc\u0103 la palatul lui, vr\u0103jitorul \u00eel atinse \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul cu toiagul, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 se pomeni cu c\u00e2\u0163iva boboci de ra\u0163\u0103 m\u0103c\u0103ind dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0R\u00e2ser\u0103 \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa \u015fi sfetnicii c\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 pe \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu bobocii dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 el se sp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103 de poznele ce f\u0103cuse \u0162ugulea \u015fi, nemaicutez\u00e2nd s\u0103-i mai dea vreo porunc\u0103, ot\u0103r\u00ee s\u0103-i dea fata.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se preg\u0103tir\u0103 tot ce trebuia de drum, \u0162ugulea lu\u0103 pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi porni, petrec\u00e2ndu-i \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu toat\u0103 sila lui, cu tr\u00e2mbi\u0163e \u015fi cu buciume, cu tobe \u015fi cu surle p\u00e2n\u0103 afar\u0103 din cetate.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi ziua bun\u0103 de la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u0162ugulea \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103t\u0103 de drum, l\u0103s\u00e2nd pe fiecare din megia\u015fii s\u0103i pe la locurile de pe unde \u00eei luase.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merg\u00e2nd el, b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului stririlor era trist\u0103. Iar\u0103 dac\u0103 o \u00eentreb\u0103 care s\u0103 fie pricina de st\u0103 trist\u0103, ea \u00eei r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sunt \u00een stare s\u0103-mi fac seam\u0103 singur\u0103, dac\u0103 voi c\u0103dea \u00een m\u00e2na \u00eemp\u0103ratului celui ce te-a trimis pe tine, \u015fi nu m-\u0103i lua tu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei pl\u0103cu lui \u0162ugulea vorbele astea \u015fi \u00eei merser\u0103 tocmai la inim\u0103. N-avea \u00eens\u0103 ce face. Trebuia s\u0103 se \u0163ie de cuv\u00e2ntul ce dase celui ce l-a trimis.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe drum v\u0103zu un vultur. \u0162ugulea trase o s\u0103geat\u0103 din tolb\u0103, o a\u015fez\u0103 la arc \u015fi \u00eel lu\u0103 la ochi. Vulturul \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu da, \u0162ugulea viteazu, c\u0103 mult bine \u0163i-oi prinde c\u00e2nd vei fi \u00een nevoie \u015fi te vei g\u00e2ndi la mine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea \u00eel l\u0103s\u0103 \u015fi plec\u0103 \u00eenainte. Ajung\u00e2nd \u00eentr-o p\u0103dure mare \u015fi \u00eennopt\u00e2nd, a mas acolo. F\u0103cu un foc mare \u015fi se puse a se odihni. C\u00e2nd fata, dodat\u0103, strig\u0103 speriat\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ursul!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea, de unde \u015fedea \u015fi \u00eencepuse a a\u0163ipi l\u00e2ng\u0103 foc, o dat\u0103 s\u0103ri drept \u00een sus, puse m\u00e2na pe arc \u015fi pe palo\u015f; cum v\u0103zu ursul, \u00eel lu\u0103 la c\u0103tare cu o s\u0103geat\u0103. Ursul \u00eens\u0103 st\u0103tu locului \u015fi \u00eencepu a striga:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu m\u0103 omor\u00ee, \u0162ugulea viteazul, ci mai bine scoate-mi steapul ce mi-a intrat \u00een lab\u0103, c\u0103 mult bine \u0163i-oi prinde \u015fi eu c\u00e2nd vei fi vrodat\u0103 \u00een nevoie \u015fi te vei g\u00e2ndi la mine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea se opri, iar\u0103 dup\u0103 ce veni ursul la d\u00e2nsul, se c\u0103zni p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00eei scoase steapul, apoi \u00eel leg\u0103 la bub\u0103 \u015fi ursul plec\u0103 morm\u0103ind de unde a venit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, pornind dis-de-diminea\u0163\u0103, a mers toat\u0103 ziua. C\u00e2nd era \u00eens\u0103 pe la sc\u0103p\u0103tatul soarelui, ajunse \u015fi el la \u00eemp\u0103ratul ce-l trimisese. Cum ajunse, \u00eei \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului stririlor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, cum v\u0103zu pe \u0162ugulea, intr\u0103 \u00een grozile mor\u0163ii. El \u00eel credea pierit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi priimi cu mare cinste pe fat\u0103 \u015fi-i preg\u0103ti pentru dormit c\u0103mara unde dormea m\u0103-sa. Lui \u0162ugulea \u00eei dete \u015fi lu\u0103 o c\u0103mar\u0103 \u00een palaturile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti. Apoi spuse \u00eemp\u0103ratului tot ce p\u0103\u0163i p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00eei aduse fata.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste noapte, \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u0163inu sfat. El zise sfetnicilor s\u0103i:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce socoti\u0163i, boieri dumneavoastr\u0103, s\u0103 facem cu \u0162ugulea \u0103sta? El ne-a sc\u0103pat de neaga-reaua aia de zmeoaic\u0103 \u015fi de ai s\u0103i. Acum nu care cumva s\u0103-i vie poft\u0103 s\u0103 \u015fi domneasc\u0103? \u015ei atunci, ce ne facem noi? O s\u0103 se verse s\u00e2nge peste s\u00e2nge \u015fi c\u00e2nd, \u00een cele de pe urm\u0103, tot el, pare-mi-se, o s\u0103 biruiasc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te teme, \u00eemp\u0103rate, zise sfetnicul cel pizm\u0103t\u0103re\u0163, ne cur\u0103\u0163\u0103m noi de el, numai s\u0103 porunce\u015fti cuiva s\u0103-l otr\u0103veasc\u0103, ori s\u0103-l puie bine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce stai dumneata de vorbe\u015fti? zise alt sfetnic; cu otrav\u0103 se r\u0103spl\u0103te\u015fte cel ce a f\u0103cut at\u00e2tea slujbe \u015fi ne-a sc\u0103pat de nevoia ce era pe capul nostru?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai dreptate, r\u0103spunse un al treilea sfetnic; eu dau cu p\u0103rerea c\u0103 cinste \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 s\u0103 se dea lui \u0162ugulea \u015fi s\u0103 se a\u015feze \u00een trebile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei cele mai \u00eenalte, s\u0103 se r\u0103dice la rangul de boier din doisprezece.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai ziser\u0103 unii una, al\u0163ii alta, dar nicicum nu se \u00een\u0163elegeau, din pricina pizm\u0103t\u0103re\u0163ului de boier.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu socotesc, r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul t\u0103indu-le cuv\u00e2ntul, c\u0103 ar fi cu dreptul ca el s\u0103 ia de nevast\u0103 pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului stririlor ce o aduse acum; c\u0103ci el \u015fi-a pus via\u0163a \u00een primejdie de a adus-o. De\u015fi \u00eemi place prea mult de mi se scurg ochii dup\u0103 o a\u015fa buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 ginga\u015f\u0103, dar\u0103 m\u0103 lipsesc de un a\u015fa odor \u015fi-l las pe seam\u0103 cui mi l-a adus. Apoi, dup\u0103 ce \u00eel voi d\u0103rui \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fte pentru slujbele ce a f\u0103cut mie \u015fi locuitorilor \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei mele, s\u0103-l poftesc a se duce la \u0163ara lui. Astfel putem scuti pe biat\u0103 s\u0103r\u0103cime de v\u0103rsarea de s\u00e2nge, c\u0103ci nu crez eu ca un viteaz ca d\u00e2nsul s\u0103 se cerce a se atinge de drepturile mele r\u0103mase de la mo\u015fi, de la str\u0103mo\u015fi. Numai s\u0103 \u00eentreb\u0103m \u015fi pe fat\u0103, dac\u0103 vrea s\u0103-l ia de b\u0103rbat.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cen\u0163elep\u0163e\u015fte ai gr\u0103it, \u00eemp\u0103rate, r\u0103spunser\u0103 cea mai mare parte din sfetnici, \u015fi judecata m\u0103riei tale va fi pl\u0103cut\u0103 \u015fi lui Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, \u00eemp\u0103ratul chem\u0103 pe \u0162ugulea \u015fi pe fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00een divanul cel mare, \u015fi le spuse ce a g\u0103sit cu cale Sfatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-\u0163i dea Dumnezeu ani mul\u0163i, \u00eemp\u0103rate, \u015fi s\u0103 domne\u015fti cu pace. A\u015fa mi se pare \u015fi mie a fi dup\u0103 dreptate. Eu \u00eens\u0103mi era s\u0103 \u0163i-o spui, dac\u0103 n-ai fi voit s\u0103 cuno\u015fti. C\u00e2nd o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie are parte de un st\u0103p\u00e2nitor a\u015fa de drept \u015fi nep\u0103rtinitor, ferice de noroadele din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia aceea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 V\u0103zui \u015fi eu, \u00eemp\u0103rate, o judecat\u0103 dreapt\u0103 \u00een via\u0163a mea, zise \u015fi \u0162ugulea. \u015ei fiindc\u0103 tu \u00eemi dai fericirea, bra\u0163ul meu este \u00eenchinat \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei tale. C\u00e2nd va c\u0103dea vro pacoste pe capul norodului t\u0103u, g\u00e2nde\u015fte-te c\u0103 este pe lume un \u0162ugulea care va fi gata a-\u015fi v\u0103rsa s\u00e2ngele pentru tine \u015fi pentru \u0163ara ta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi \u0162ugulea, dup\u0103 ce priimi \u015fi daruri \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti, peste c\u00e2teva zile porni cu logodnica lui, g\u00e2ndul fiindu-i s\u0103 mearg\u0103 a-\u015fi mai vedea p\u0103rin\u0163ii. \u015ei \u00eentr-acolo \u015fi porni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd a plecat \u0162ugulea de la curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu ai lui l-a petrecut cu cinste \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la hotar. \u015ei desp\u0103r\u0163indu-se, \u00ee\u015fi luar\u0103 ziua bun\u0103 unii de la al\u0163ii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u015fi \u0162ugulea parc\u0103 zbura, iar nu mergea, de bucurie c\u0103 le \u00eemplinise Dumnezeu dorin\u0163a. \u015ei merg\u00e2nd, ajunser\u0103 la locul de \u00eent\u00e2lnire cu fra\u0163ii s\u0103i, pe c\u00e2nd soarele era \u00een cruci.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 fra\u0163ii pe \u0162ugulea cu o logodnic\u0103 mai frumoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t florile \u015fi mai alb\u0103 dec\u00e2t spuma laptelui, \u00eei puser\u0103 g\u00e2nd r\u0103u. P\u00e2n\u0103 a nu se culca, ei se furi\u015far\u0103 de \u0162ugulea, se dar\u0103 mai c\u00e2t colea \u015fi \u00eencepur\u0103 a pl\u0103nui, cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 s\u0103 se scape de el.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Noi acum o s\u0103 fim de r\u00e2s \u00een sat, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 fratele nostru, zise cel mijlociu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 r\u0103punem pe \u0162ugulea, zise fratele cel mai mare. Tu s\u0103-i iei calul \u015fi eu nevasta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum pl\u0103nuir\u0103, a\u015fa \u015fi f\u0103cur\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste noapte se scular\u0103 \u015fi cu o m\u00e2n\u0103 tremur\u00e2nd\u0103 taie pe \u0162ugulea, \u00eei ia fata \u015fi calul \u015fi o rup d-a fuga; \u015fi fugi, \u015fi fugi, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce, c\u00e2nd se crepa de ziu\u0103, era aproape de satul lor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata unde se puse pe un pl\u00e2ns de nu o putur\u0103 m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia cu nici un chip.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Noi suntem \u00een\u0163ele\u015fi, \u00eei ziser\u0103 fra\u0163ii. S\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 te omor\u00e2m \u015fi pe tine, dac\u0103 ne vei spune c\u0103 noi am ucis pe \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajunser\u0103 la p\u0103rin\u0163ii lor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd auzir\u0103 p\u0103rin\u0163ii lui \u0162ugulea c\u0103 a fost ucis \u00eentr-o b\u0103taie cu ni\u015fte zmei, dup\u0103 cum \u00eei spuser\u0103 fra\u0163ii, pl\u00e2ngeau \u015fi lemnele \u015fi pietrele de mila lor. Nu puteau ei face s\u0103 li se usuce lacr\u0103mile de la ochi, fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu. \u015ei se t\u00e2nguiau \u015fi se boceau, de nu se mai puteau ast\u00e2mp\u0103ra.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata pl\u00e2ngea \u015fi ea, biet, \u00eenfundat, c\u0103ci nu cuteza s\u0103 dea grai din gura ei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u0162ugulea sc\u0103pase cu o sc\u00e2nteie de via\u0163\u0103, c\u0103ci fra\u0163ii nu-l omor\u00e2se de tot. C\u00e2nd a fost dat ei cu sabia, le-a tremurat m\u00e2na de fric\u0103 \u015fi nu i-a retezat capul. El, viindu-\u015fi ni\u0163el \u00een sim\u0163iri, \u015fi neput\u00e2ndu-se scula, a \u00eenceput a geme de durere \u015fi urgie, mai cu seam\u0103 c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 nu era l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul nici fata, nici calul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei g\u00e2ndindu-se la tri\u015ftea lui \u015fi la biata fat\u0103 pentru care nu \u015ftia ce o s\u0103 pa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi ea din m\u00e2na fra\u0163ilor lui, \u00ee\u015fi aduse aminte de vultur \u015fi de urs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu trecu mult \u015fi se pomeni cu vulturul la capul lui. \u015ei pe c\u00e2nd \u00eei spunea ce p\u0103\u0163i, odat\u0103 se auzi prin p\u0103dure glasul ursului: mor! mor! mor!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Venea, nene, ursul, de duduia p\u0103durea, trosnea usc\u0103turile pe unde c\u0103lca \u015fi r\u0103p\u0103ia ramurile pe unde trecea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vulturul c\u00e2t p-aci era s-o ia la s\u0103n\u0103toasa, dar\u0103 dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 \u015fi ursul vine \u00een ajutorul lui \u0162ugulea, se l\u0103s\u0103 din zbor iar\u0103\u015fi l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia mai putu \u0162ugulea s\u0103 spun\u0103 \u015fi ursului ce p\u0103\u0163i. Apoi cu grai stins ceru ni\u0163ic\u0103 ap\u0103. Vulturul se repezi la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi-i aduse ap\u0103 \u00een gu\u015f\u0103. P\u00e2n\u0103 atunci zise ursului s\u0103-i pip\u0103ie ranele, fiindc\u0103 el nu e c\u00e2rnic, \u015fi s\u0103-i a\u015feze toate oscioarele la locul lor, de vor fi zdrobite.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum \u00eei aduse ap\u0103, \u0162ugulea b\u0103u. Ursul zise vulturului:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce vom face acum \u015fi noi pentru binef\u0103c\u0103torul nostru, ca s\u0103 nu-l l\u0103s\u0103m s\u0103 moar\u0103?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-mi cau\u0163i dou\u0103 citurele, r\u0103spunse vulturul, s\u0103 mi le legi de picioare, \u015fi m\u0103 voi duce ca g\u00e2ndul s\u0103 aduc leacuri pentru \u0162ugulea de la apa Iordanului, unde sunt dou\u0103 f\u00e2nt\u00e2ni cu ap\u0103 vie \u015fi ap\u0103 moart\u0103, c\u0103ci \u015fi el ne-a f\u0103cut at\u00e2ta bine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103ut\u0103 ursul citurelele, le leg\u0103 de picioarele vulturului \u015fi acesta zbur\u0103 ca v\u00e2ntul \u00eenspre apa Iordanului \u015fi se \u00eentoarse ca g\u00e2ndul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ursul nu se mi\u015fc\u0103 de la capul lui \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum veni vulturul, turn\u0103 ursul ap\u0103 moart\u0103 peste toate ranele \u015fi se \u00eencheg\u0103 carnea, turn\u0103 apoi de dou\u0103, trei ori, ap\u0103 vie \u015fi se vindec\u0103 \u0162ugulea de toate metehnele, r\u0103m\u00e2n\u00e2nd cum l-a f\u0103cut m\u0103-sa, s\u0103n\u0103tos \u015fi \u00eentreg.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se \u0162ugulea voinic ca \u015fi mai-nainte, mul\u0163umi vulturului \u015fi ursului, apoi le zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu v\u0103z c\u0103 m-a\u0163i iubit mai mult dec\u00e2t fra\u0163ii mei. Nu mai am nimic pe lume acum. De azi \u00eencolo voi tr\u0103i cu voi ca ni\u015fte fra\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Priimim bucuro\u015fi, r\u0103spunse vulturul. Dar\u0103 cum vei putea tr\u0103i departe de iubita ta \u015fi de \u015foimuleanul t\u0103u?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 nu este cu putin\u0163\u0103, mai zise \u0162ugulea, s\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-\u0163i tai cuv\u00e2ntul cu miere, r\u0103spunse ursul; dar\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie cu putin\u0163\u0103. Vulturul se va duce ca \u015ftafetar, s\u0103 afle ce este pe la fra\u0163ii t\u0103i. Eu voi \u015fedea cu tine \u015fi, c\u00e2nd va fi vreme cu prilej, vei merge s\u0103-\u0163i iei so\u0163ia \u015fi, de voie\u015fti, vom conceni \u015fi pe fra\u0163ii t\u0103i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bune sunt pove\u0163ele astea, adause \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se duse vulturul, afl\u0103 toate \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rile \u015fi se \u00eentoarse de spuse lui \u0162ugulea ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce o face mai cur\u00e2nd, c\u0103ci pe fat\u0103 o silesc to\u0163i cu totul s\u0103 ia de b\u0103rbat pe unul din fra\u0163i, cu g\u00e2nd c\u0103 \u0162ugulea este mort.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum auzi \u0162ugulea, porni cu tovar\u0103\u015fii lui, vulturul \u015fi ursul, \u015fi peste c\u00e2teva zile ajunser\u0103 aproape de casa lor. A\u015fteptar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eenser\u0103 \u015fi se duser\u0103 pe-ntunerec1 \u00een curte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Intr\u00e2nd \u00een curte, ursul \u00eencepu s\u0103 morm\u0103ie. Fra\u0163ii ie\u015fir\u0103 afar\u0103 speria\u0163i \u015fi se lu\u0103 dup\u0103 urs, ursul coti \u015fi se \u00eentoarse l\u00e2ng\u0103 \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centre acestea, fata \u00eei lu\u0103 armele de unde le pusese fra\u0163ii \u015fi \u00eent\u00e2mpin\u0103 pe \u0162ugulea cu ele. Iar\u0103 vulturul se repezi la co\u015far, unde era calul lui \u0162ugulea care tot nicheza, \u00eei dezleg\u0103 c\u0103p\u0103strul cu ciocul, \u015fi el veni l\u00e2ng\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ursul \u015fi vulturul \u00ee\u015fi luar\u0103 ziua bun\u0103 dup\u0103 ce-l v\u0103zur\u0103 \u00eenarmat \u015fi plecar\u0103 zic\u00e2ndu-i s\u0103 se p\u0103zeasc\u0103 a nu c\u0103dea \u00een capcan\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 plecarea lor, \u0162ugulea intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103, la p\u0103rin\u0163i. Ei nu-l mai cuno\u015fteau. Dar\u0103 fata, cu lacr\u0103mile \u015furoaie pe obraz, le povesti adev\u0103rata istorie a omor\u00e2rei lui \u0162ugulea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fra\u0163ii lui \u0162ugulea adunase pe to\u0163i megia\u015fii, zic\u00e2nd c\u0103 a intrat ursul \u00een sat. C\u00e2nd venir\u0103 \u015fi v\u0103zur\u0103 pe \u0162ugulea, r\u0103maser\u0103 ca b\u0103tu\u0163i de Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Calul lui \u0162ugulea s\u0103ri \u015fi-i omor\u00ee pe am\u00e2ndoi cu picioarele, apoi veni l\u00e2ng\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nul lui cel adev\u0103rat, l\u0103crim\u0103 \u015fi \u00eei linse m\u00e2inile.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd auzir\u0103 megia\u015fii faptele cele proclete ale fra\u0163ilor lui, ziser\u0103 c\u0103 urgia lui Dumnezeu a c\u0103zut peste d\u00e2n\u015fii, omor\u00e2ndu-i calul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tocmai istorisea p\u0103rin\u0163ilor lui tot ce p\u0103\u0163ise \u00een pribegia lui \u0162ugulea, c\u00e2nd deodat\u0103 se auzi un zgomot \u00een curte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ie\u015fir\u0103 s\u0103 vaz\u0103 ce este. Ce g\u00e2ndi\u0163i c\u0103 mi-au v\u0103zut?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O ceat\u0103 de osta\u015fi. C\u0103petenia osta\u015filor desc\u0103lec\u0103, se apropie \u015fi-i d\u0103du ni\u015fte c\u0103r\u0163i \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul stririlor murise. Aceast\u0103 carte ce-i aduse era adiata \u00eemp\u0103ratului. C\u0103ci bolnav fiind pe patul mor\u0163ii, l-a fost \u00eentrebat sfetnicii \u015fi gloatele pe cine las\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103rat, pentru c\u0103 n-avea al\u0163i copii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul le-a fost r\u0103spuns c\u0103 mai vrednic nu cunoa\u015fte pe nimeni dec\u00e2t pe \u0162ugulea. Atunci s-a scris adiata, s-a isc\u0103lit de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi de toat\u0103 ob\u015ftea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, \u0162ugulea a pornit la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lui cu so\u0163ia \u015fi p\u0103rin\u0163ii s\u0103i. Cum ajunse acolo, veni \u015ftire c\u0103 este ales de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi la cetatea ce o sc\u0103pase din urgia zmeoaicei, a fetelor \u015fi a ginerilor ei. Pas\u0103mite murise \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul d-acolo \u015fi nici el n-avea urma\u015fi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi \u0162ugulea, unind am\u00e2ndou\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iile, se cunun\u0103 cu fata, iubita lui, \u015fi f\u0103cu o nunt\u0103 de se duse vestea peste tot p\u0103m\u00e2ntul \u015fi r\u0103mase de povestit la urma\u015fii urma\u015filor lor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei domnir\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce Dumnezeu voi cu ei. Iar\u0103 eu:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenc\u0103lecai pe un lemn,<\/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\u00a0La bine s\u0103 v\u0103 \u00eendemn;<\/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\u00cenc\u0103lecai pe un coco\u015f<\/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 v\u0103 spui la mo\u015f pe gro\u015f.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A fost odat\u0103 un mo\u015f \u015fi o bab\u0103. Ei erau s\u0103raci de n-aveau dup\u0103 ce bea apa. C\u00e2nd m\u0103lai aveau, n-aveau sare; c\u00e2nd aveau sare \u015fi m\u0103lai, n-aveau legum\u0103. Tr\u0103iau … <\/p>\n

Continua\u021bi s\u0103 citi\u021bi<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[385,21],"tags":[388,387,758,393,402],"class_list":["post-2121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-petre-ispirescu","category-povesti-pentru-copii","tag-basme","tag-petre-ispirescu","tag-povesti-pentru-copii","tag-povesti-si-povestiri","tag-tugulea-fiul-unchiasului-si-al-matusei","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-25"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2121"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2121\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}