\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat. El avea doisprezece feciori. C\u00e2nd se punea la mas\u0103, copiii stau \u00eemprejuru-i cunun\u0103 deplin\u0103. El era totdauna cu voie-bun\u0103, fiindc\u0103 vedea c\u0103 trebile \u00eei merg strun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ra\u0163ii, vecinii lui, r\u00e2vnea la traiul lui cel ticnit. Vezi c\u0103 \u015fi el era bun la inim\u0103, \u015fi nu se sup\u0103ra \u00eentru nimic pe popor, \u015fi nu asuprea pe v\u0103duv\u0103, nici pe siriman.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adec\u0103, de! nimeni nu \u015ftia ce vierme \u00eel rodea la inim\u0103 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul. Ar fi dorit, boieri d-voastr\u0103, s\u0103 aib\u0103 \u015fi o fat\u0103 barim, la at\u00e2\u0163ia feciori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei mai una, \u015fi mai alta, dete Dumnezeu \u00een cele din urm\u0103 de i se \u00eemplini \u015fi aceast\u0103 poft\u0103 a inimei: nevasta lui, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa, r\u0103mase grea \u015fi peste nou\u0103 luni f\u0103cu o fat\u0103, frumoas\u0103, de seam\u0103n pe lume n-avea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De unde se a\u015ftepta acum \u00eemp\u0103ratul ca s\u0103 fie pe deplin fericit, a\u015fi! unde? iaca se adeveri \u015fi la d\u00e2nsul, ca la toat\u0103 lumea asta p\u0103c\u0103toasa, povestea c\u00e2ntecului:<\/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\u00cen lume n\u0103scut,<\/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\u00a0Nimeni n-a st\u0103tut<\/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\u00a0A fi fericit<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cu des\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencepu a-i t\u00e2nji trebile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei. \u00cencepu adec\u0103 a da \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t. Ba cutare \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eel amenin\u0163\u0103 c\u0103 voie\u015fte s\u0103 se scoale cu r\u0103zboi asupra lui, dac\u0103 nu o face cutare lucru; ba, cutare \u00eemp\u0103rat cere cutare lucru; ba, supu\u015fii lui vor s\u0103 fac\u0103 r\u0103zmiri\u0163\u0103; ba, vitele de pe mo\u015fiile lui a c\u0103lcat hotarele altei \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ii \u015fi sunt luate de pripas; ba, c\u0103 moartea a dat \u00een ele, \u015fi c\u00e2te neajunsuri toate se \u0163ineau lan\u0163, de ajunsese bietul \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00een sap\u0103 de lemn.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se silea bietul \u00eemp\u0103rat, cu to\u0163i cei doisprezece fii ai s\u0103i, s\u0103 fac\u0103 pace, s\u0103 fie \u00eentre oameni bun\u0103 \u00eenvoire, s\u0103 opreasc\u0103 relele ce-l b\u00e2ntuiau, dar geaba, pagubele curgeau g\u00e2rl\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cele mai de pe urm\u0103 chem\u0103 un cetitor de stele s\u0103-i spuie ce e pricina de-i merg lucrurile anapoda \u015fi nu poate s\u0103 dea \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 veni filosoful, \u00eei puse la stele, \u015fi a doua zi \u00eei zise s\u0103 bage de seam\u0103 \u00een trei zile d-a r\u00e2ndul cum \u00eei dorm copiii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trec\u00e2nd cele trei zile filosoful veni din nou.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eei spuse c\u0103 b\u0103ie\u0163ii dormeau care cu m\u00e2inile deasupra capului, care \u00eentr-o parte, care cu m\u00e2inile pe piept, \u015fi care pe spate \u015fi cu m\u00e2inile pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii, iar fata doarme pe br\u00e2nci, ori str\u00e2ns\u0103 f\u0103cut\u0103 ghem, sau cu m\u00e2inile \u00eentre genunchi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aceasta este piaza rea a a \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei tale, r\u0103spunse filosoful; de nu o vei dep\u0103rta din cas\u0103, nu se va alege nici praful de d-ta \u015fi de copiii dumitale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul b\u0103gase \u015fi el de seam\u0103 c\u0103 se cam adevereau zisele filosofului, c\u0103 de c\u00e2nd, adec\u0103, dob\u00e2ndise fata, d-atunci \u015fi el d\u0103 \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t. Dar\u0103 nu \u015ftia ce s\u0103 fac\u0103, cum s\u0103 scape de pr\u0103p\u0103d pe cei doisprezece copii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bietul \u00eemp\u0103rat! \u015ei acesta \u00eei era copil. N-ar fi vrut, vezi, s\u0103 piar\u0103 nici unul. \u00cen cele din urm\u0103 se l\u0103s\u0103 dup\u0103 pova\u0163a filosofilor. Ei ziceau c\u0103 mai bine este s\u0103 piar\u0103 unul \u015fi s\u0103 scape doisprezece, dec\u00e2t to\u0163i s\u0103 ajung\u0103 ca vai de ei \u015fi de r\u00e2sul lumii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eendoia \u00eemp\u0103ratul, se \u00eendoia \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa s\u0103 fac\u0103 o a\u015fa fapt\u0103, dar\u0103 \u00eente\u0163i\u0163i de toate relele ce-i n\u0103p\u0103dea din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, se \u00eenduplecar\u0103 la sfaturile celor mai aproape de d\u00e2n\u015fii, \u015fi se hot\u0103r\u00e2r\u0103 \u00een cele din urm\u0103 s\u0103 fac\u0103 o jertf\u0103 dec\u00e2t trisprezece.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vorbi deci \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu credinciosul s\u0103u cum s\u0103 fac\u0103. S\u0103 zic\u0103 adec\u0103 c\u0103 vrea s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la v\u00e2nat, s\u0103 ia \u015fi pe fat\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul, mai cu sear\u0103 c\u0103 tot zicea ea c\u0103-i place s\u0103 vaz\u0103 cum merg oamenii la v\u00e2nat, \u015fi s\u0103 o lase acolo \u00een p\u0103dure. Aceasta \u00eens\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftie ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I se rupea r\u0103runchii \u00eemp\u0103ratului de m\u00e2hnire pentru r\u0103punerea fiicei sale, se m\u00e2hni \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een fundul sufletului ei c\u00e2nd \u00eei a\u015feza merinde \u00een co\u015f, sub care puse primeneli, \u015fi c\u00e2teva giuvaiericale d-ale ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd fu c\u0103ru\u0163a gata, puse co\u015ful cu merinde, un urcior cu ap\u0103, \u015fi se urcar\u0103 \u015fi ei, adec\u0103 fata \u015fi cu credincerul \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Pornir\u0103 \u015fi ajunser\u0103 \u00eentr-o p\u0103dure mare. \u00cen urma lor acas\u0103 se bocea \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa \u015fi fra\u0163ii fetei, de-\u0163i venea s\u0103-\u0163i iei lumea \u00een cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 ajunser\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure, stete c\u0103ru\u0163a mai d-o parte la o potec\u0103, luar\u0103 cu d\u00e2n\u015fii co\u015ful \u015fi urciorul, \u015fi plecar\u0103 prin p\u0103dure dup\u0103 v\u00e2nat. St\u00e2nd la un colnic, fata se dete s\u0103 culeag\u0103 ni\u015fte floricele, s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 un m\u0103nunchi; iar\u0103 credincerul \u00eemp\u0103ratului umbla razna prin p\u0103dure dup\u0103 p\u0103s\u0103rele, \u015fi, \u00eencet, \u00eencet se dep\u0103rt\u0103 o bucat\u0103 bun\u0103, ajunse la c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, se puse \u00eentr-\u00eensa \u015fi pe ici \u0163i-e drumul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului, credincerul nu e. D\u0103du chiot, strig\u0103, \u0163ip\u0103, dar\u0103 nimeni nu-i r\u0103spuns. Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 ea? Iar\u0103 dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 d\u0103 \u00eende sear\u0103, fata se urc\u0103 \u00eentr-un copaci, se uit\u0103 \u00eentr-o parte, se uita \u00eentr-alta, nu care cumva vede vro colib\u0103 ceva. Nu e. Se mai \u00eentoarse de se mai uit\u0103 \u015fi \u00een alte p\u0103r\u0163i \u015fi z\u0103ri, tocmai ce! \u00eentr-o dep\u0103rtare lic\u0103rind o lumin\u0103 ca o stelu\u0163\u0103. Atunci se dete jos \u015fi cu co\u015ful \u00eentr-o m\u00e2n\u0103, iar cu urciorul de ap\u0103 \u00eentr-alta, t\u00e2r\u00e2\u015f dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa, merse drept la lumina ce z\u0103rise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aci dac\u0103 ajunse, dete peste o colib\u0103, \u00een care ardea un opai\u0163 \u00een ciob. B\u0103tu la u\u015fe \u015fi-i deschise. Acolo \u015fedea o b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 cer\u015fetoare. Fata se rug\u0103 ca s\u0103 o ad\u0103posteasc\u0103 \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsa. S\u0103raca o priimi; dar\u0103 \u00eei spuse c\u0103 n-are ce s\u0103-i dea de m\u00e2ncare fiindc\u0103 tot avutul ei este o g\u0103in\u0103, un c\u0103\u0163el \u015fi o pisic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata scoase din co\u015f \u015fi dete \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2nei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi c\u00e2nd se scular\u0103, b\u0103tr\u00e2na \u00eencepu s\u0103 se vaiete c\u0103 i-a murit g\u0103ina pe cuib. Ea se pl\u00e2ngea acum c\u0103 are s\u0103 moar\u0103 de foame, deoarece cu ou\u015forul ce lua de la g\u0103in\u0103 pe fiecare zi se hr\u0103nea ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Biata fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eei dete o giuvaierica d-ale ei, ca s\u0103-\u015fi cumpere o alt\u0103 g\u0103in\u0103 cu care s\u0103 se hr\u0103neasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba cam cu m\u00e2r\u00e2ial\u0103, cam de voie, cam de nevoie, priimi darul fetei \u015fi t\u0103cu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua noapte \u00eei muri c\u0103\u0163elu\u015ful. Atunci ea zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fata mea, s\u0103-\u0163i iei ale trei fuioare \u015fi s\u0103 te duci din casa mea, c\u0103 de c\u00e2nd ai venit tu, pagubele se \u0163in lan\u0163. C\u0103\u0163elul \u0103sta nu l-a\u015f fi dat nu \u015ftiu pe ce, fiindc\u0103 \u00eemi p\u0103zea coliba, \u015fi-l am de at\u00e2\u0163ia mari de ani.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103, m\u0103mu\u015foar\u0103, nu te sup\u0103ra, \u00ee\u0163i dau eu cu ce s\u0103-\u0163i cumperi altul, ba \u00eenc\u0103 s\u0103-\u0163i mai \u015fi r\u0103m\u00e2ie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei scoase de-i mai dete o giuvaierica.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A treia zi g\u0103sir\u0103 \u015fi pisica moart\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 te duci, fetico, din casa mea, zise baba \u015fi \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t s\u0103 nu te mai \u00eentorci. Te v\u0103z a fi fat\u0103 de oameni, te v\u0103z c\u0103 ai scule, dar\u0103 lips\u0103 de a\u015fa bog\u0103\u0163ii. Mai bine eu cu s\u0103r\u0103cia mea \u015fi s\u0103 tr\u0103iesc \u00een ticn\u0103. De c\u00e2nd ai venit tu, belele mi-au t\u0103iat inima. Du-te, dragul mamei, \u015fi ia \u00eempreun\u0103 cu tine tot ce ai adus \u00een casa mea \u015fi bun \u015fi r\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata n-avu \u00eencotro, \u015fi c\u0103t\u0103 s\u0103 plece din coliba babei. \u00cenainte \u00eens\u0103 de-a pleca, se dezbr\u0103c\u0103 de hainele sale cele bune \u015fi ceru de la bab\u0103 ni\u015fte zdren\u0163e d-ale ei. Baba ca s\u0103 scape de d\u00e2nsa, c\u0103ut\u0103 pe dup\u0103 perne, pe sub pat, pe culme, \u015fi-i dete ni\u015fte \u0163oale de puse pe d\u00e2nsa, numai s\u0103 se duc\u0103 din casa ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hainele ce le l\u0103s\u0103 fata, baba le scoase din cas\u0103 \u015fi le dete \u00een celarul ce avea l\u00e2ng\u0103 coliba ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa fata, \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 \u00een haine de cer\u015fetoare, plec\u0103 din casa babei \u015fi \u00eencepu a orb\u0103c\u0103i prin bungetul cela de p\u0103dure, c\u0103 doar\u2019 d-o g\u0103si vro potec\u0103 care s\u0103 o scoat\u0103 la lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei tot merg\u00e2nd a\u015fa, dete peste o st\u00e2n\u0103 de oi. Acolo nu g\u0103si pe nimeni, c\u0103ci st\u0103p\u00e2nii erau trei tovaro\u015fi, carii se duceau c\u00e2tetrei cu oile. Aci dac\u0103 ajunse, fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului se puse de m\u0103tur\u0103 coliba, r\u00e2ndui fiecare lucru la loc\u015forul lui, f\u0103cu focul \u015fi at\u00e2rn\u0103 c\u0103ld\u0103ru\u015fa \u00een cr\u0103cane. P\u00e2n\u0103 una, alta, mai sp\u0103l\u0103 vasele, precum \u015fi vedrele \u015fi h\u00e2rdaiele \u00een care adunau ciobanii laptele. Apoi se ascunse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Venind ciobanii \u015fi v\u0103z\u00e2nd toate astea, se mirar\u0103. Se uitar\u0103 \u00eencoace \u015fi \u00eencolo, dar\u0103 nu v\u0103zur\u0103 pe nimeni. Atunci ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine ne-a f\u0103cut \u0103st bine, de va fi b\u0103iat, frate s\u0103 ne fie, iar\u0103 de va fi fat\u0103, sor\u0103 s\u0103 ne fie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului atunci se ar\u0103t\u0103. Ea se rug\u0103 s\u0103 o primeasc\u0103 a locui cu d\u00e2n\u015fii c\u0103ci era o nenorocit\u0103 \u015fi n-avea unde s\u0103 se ad\u0103posteasc\u0103, nici s\u0103-\u015fi plece capul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ciobanii o primir\u0103 \u015fi \u00eei spuser\u0103 ce are s\u0103 fac\u0103. Seara c\u00e2nd venir\u0103 g\u0103sir\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi toate gata, \u015fi de m\u00e2nc\u0103ric\u0103 \u015fi h\u00e2rdaiele, \u00een care f\u0103ceau br\u00e2nz\u0103, curate, \u015fi toate bune la st\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cens\u0103 unul din tovaro\u015fi se pl\u00e2nse c\u0103 nu \u015ftie ce au oile de t\u00e2njesc de azi-diminea\u0163\u0103; pas\u0103mite dase boala \u00een ele, c\u0103pitaser\u0103 ori nu \u015ftiu ce li se \u00eent\u00e2mplase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi se pl\u00e2nse altul c\u0103 a dat v\u0103rsatul \u00een oi, \u015fi nu \u015ftie c\u00e2te vor sc\u0103pa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A treia altul veni cu nu \u015ftiu ce brum\u0103 de oi. El spuse c\u0103 voind a trece peste o punte, pe unde trecea \u00een toate zilele cu oile, de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 nu \u015ftie cum \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cu n\u0103luc\u0103 o oaie \u015fi s\u0103ri \u00een r\u00e2u, dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa alta, dup\u0103 asta alta, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce se n\u0103pustir\u0103 oile \u015fi s\u0103rir\u0103 mai toate \u00een r\u00e2u. Se sili bietul cioban s\u0103 le opreasc\u0103, dar a\u015fi! pe dracu s\u0103-l opre\u015fti? c\u00e2nd intr\u0103 spaima \u00een oi, degiaba toat\u0103 munca; abia sc\u0103pase vro c\u00e2teva oi, cu care veni acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se luar\u0103 de g\u00e2nduri bie\u0163ii ciobani, cum de \u00een cele trei zile de c\u00e2nd venise fata aia la st\u00e2na lor s\u0103 dea ei peste o a\u015fa pagub\u0103. Ei v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 surata lor trebuie s\u0103 fie piaz\u0103 rea, \u015fi c\u0103 a c\u0103zut ca o pacoste peste d\u00e2n\u015fii. Atunci se vorbir\u0103 ca s\u0103 o goneasc\u0103 de la d\u00e2n\u015fii, \u015fi \u00eei ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Surat\u0103, cum ai venit, s\u0103 te duci de la noi unde mila Domnului te va pov\u0103\u0163ui. Noi nu te mai putem \u0163ine. Tu ai intrat \u00een coliba noastr\u0103 cu s\u0103r\u0103cia. Paguba ce am \u00eencercat \u00een aceste trei zile de c\u00e2nd e\u015ftu tu la noi, nici \u00een zece ani nu o vom putea pune la loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata n-avu ce zice. V\u0103zu \u015fi ea c\u0103 a\u015fa este. Se scul\u0103 dar\u0103 \u015fi cer\u00e2ndu-\u015fi iert\u0103ciune de r\u0103ul ce le f\u0103cuse f\u0103r\u0103 voia ei, plec\u0103 \u00eentr-o doar\u0103, ia, a\u015fa peste c\u00e2mp unde o vor duce-o ochii. \u015ei merg\u00e2nd ea cu inima plin\u0103 de obid\u0103 \u015fi cu lacr\u0103mile \u015firoaie, z\u0103ri \u00eentr-o dep\u0103rtare mare ni\u015fte palaturi. \u00centinse pasul \u015fi se duse \u00eentr-acolo ca s\u0103 nu \u00eensereze pe drum. Acolo \u015fedea o ar\u0103poaic\u0103 bogat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se rug\u0103 de slugile palatului s\u0103 o primeasc\u0103. Ar\u0103poaica, care o v\u0103zuse de sus c\u00e2nd intr\u0103 pe poart\u0103, porunci s\u0103 o aduc\u0103 \u00eenaintea ei. Cum o v\u0103zu, o cunoscu, \u015fi puse de o \u00eemb\u0103ie frumos, o \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 cu ni\u015fte haine curate \u015fi o lu\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa, \u00eentr-o zi ar\u0103poaica o puse s\u0103-i caute \u00een cap, c\u0103ci, zice-se c\u0103 arapii c\u00e2t de cura\u0163i s\u0103 fie, tot se g\u0103sesc condr\u0103n\u0163ei \u00een capul lor: pentru c\u0103 le e p\u0103rul \u00eemb\u00e2csit, p\u00e2slos \u015fi des, nevoie mare! Fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului v\u0103z\u00e2nd \u00een capul ar\u0103poaicei, ce nu mai v\u0103zuse de c\u00e2nd o f\u0103cuse m\u0103-sa, i se f\u0103cu sc\u00e2rb\u0103 \u015fi \u00eei veni s\u0103 scuipe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se uit\u0103 \u00een dreapta, se uit\u0103 \u00een st\u00e2nga, \u015fi nu-i dete de ochi dec\u00e2t scumpeturi, pe care \u00eei fu mil\u0103 s\u0103 scuipe. S\u0103 se duc\u0103 ceva mai \u00eencolo, nu putea, c\u0103ci ar\u0103poaica adormise cu capul \u00een poala ei. Se apuc\u0103 \u015fi ea de scuip\u0103 \u00een la\u0163ele ar\u0103poaicei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ar\u0103poaica, ca dracu, sim\u0163i \u015fi o dat\u0103 se scul\u0103. Ea se uit\u0103 cu mil\u0103 la fat\u0103, \u015fi \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu te \u015ftiu cine e\u015fti, ai vedea tu ce ai p\u0103\u0163i din m\u00e2na mea. Dar\u0103 a\u015fa, te iert. S\u0103 te g\u0103te\u015fti c\u0103 mergem la un loc. Zi s\u0103 prinz\u0103 caii la c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 se g\u0103tir\u0103 ele, c\u0103ru\u0163a trase la scar\u0103. Se deter\u0103 jos \u015fi se puser\u0103 \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103. Ar\u0103poaica spuse vizitiului unde s\u0103 mearg\u0103. Pe drum \u00eens\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 \u015fi pe fat\u0103 ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 acolo unde merg.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia sf\u00e2r\u015fi de vorbit ar\u0103poaica \u015fi ajunser\u0103 \u00een curtea unui palat cu mii de mii de c\u0103m\u0103ri. Cum se dar\u0103 jos din c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, ar\u0103poaica merse la o c\u0103mar\u0103 unde erau doi oameni: unul t\u00e2n\u0103r \u015fi gras, \u015fedea \u00eentr-un pat de aur r\u0103sturnat \u015fi se juca cu dou\u0103 gheme de m\u0103tase; altul mo\u015fneag umbla de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo \u015fi ast\u00e2mp\u0103r nu mai avea. El se coco\u015fase de munc\u0103, era tren\u0163\u0103ros \u015fi slab \u015fi pipernicit de credeai c\u0103 este alt\u0103 aia, nu fiin\u0163\u0103 de om. Pas\u0103mite, t\u00e2n\u0103rul era norocul fetei, iar\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2nul norocul ar\u0103poaicei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum v\u0103zu fata pe t\u00e2n\u0103r, juc\u00e2ndu-se cu ghemele de m\u0103tase, o dat\u0103 se repezi la d\u00e2nsul, dup\u0103 cum o \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase ar\u0103poaica, \u00eei smulse ghemele din m\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi pe ici \u0163i-e drumul! Ie\u015fi fuga, se sui \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, vizitiul dete bice cailor \u015fi nu st\u0103tur\u0103 dec\u00e2t tocmai acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cela, greoi \u015fi mototol cum era el, p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 se scoale, p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 ias\u0103 afar\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 se ia dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa, r\u0103mase cu buzele umflate, c\u0103 n-o mai putu ajunge \u015fi, \u00eentorc\u00e2ndu-se c\u0103ru\u0163a, lu\u0103 pe ar\u0103poaic\u0103 \u015fi o duse \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsa acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tocmai atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul locului aceluia se hot\u0103r\u00e2se s\u0103 se \u00eensoare, c\u0103 era holtei. Logodnica \u00eei ceruse s\u0103-i fac\u0103 o hain\u0103 de m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103rie foarte scump\u0103. F\u0103cu ce f\u0103cu \u00eemp\u0103ratul, g\u0103si o asemenea m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103rie \u015fi o dase la croitor. Dar\u0103 ce-i faci necazului, c\u0103 m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103ria nu ajungea. \u00cei mai trebuia un petec. Puse \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103-i caute petecul, dar\u0103 asemenea m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103rie nu se mai g\u0103si \u00een toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei! cum r\u0103m\u00e2ne cu haina miresei? Dac\u0103 n-o face-o dup\u0103 \u015fartul ei, logodnica nu o priime\u015fte; dac\u0103 n-o g\u0103si petecul ce-i trebuia, r\u0103m\u00e2ne haina neispr\u0103vit\u0103. \u015ei aceasta nu se putea, adic\u0103 s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ie nunta dintr-un fleac de nimic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai pusese \u00eemp\u0103ratul oameni de cercetar\u0103 \u015fi afl\u0103 c\u0103 la ar\u0103poaica cutare se g\u0103se\u015fte un petec de m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103rie aidoma celeia ce c\u0103uta \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u015fi tocmai at\u00e2t c\u00e2t \u00eei trebuia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite \u00een ghemele luate de fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului de la norocul ei cel lene\u015f se afla acel petec de m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103rie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trimise \u00eemp\u0103ratul oameni s\u0103-l cumpere. Ar\u0103poaica le spuse c\u0103 petecul \u00eel d\u0103 celuia ce \u00eei va da at\u00e2\u0163i galbeni cari s\u0103 trag\u0103 la cump\u0103n\u0103 c\u00e2t \u015fi m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103ria. Puse, deci, \u00eentr-un taler al cumpenei petecul de m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103rie \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 bra\u0163ul cumpenei cu petecul se l\u0103s\u0103 jos. Puse \u015fi galbeni \u00een cellalt taler, dar\u0103 el r\u0103mase sus. Mai puse, mai puse \u015fi iar\u0103 mai puse, dar\u0103 cump\u0103na nu se l\u0103sa \u00een jos, puser\u0103 oamenii \u00eemp\u0103ratului to\u0163i banii ce avur\u0103 la d\u00e2n\u015fii, cump\u0103na sta tot sus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci se duser\u0103 de spuser\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Se mir\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul de \u00eent\u00e2mplarea aceasta. Trimise c\u00e2\u0163iva saci cu galbeni, dar\u0103 trimi\u015fii se \u00eentoarser\u0103 \u015fi spuser\u0103 c\u0103 diavoli\u0163a de cump\u0103n\u0103 nu vrea s\u0103 se lase \u00een jos de loc, de loc. Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul lu\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul \u00eenc\u0103 c\u0103\u0163iva saci cu galbeni \u015fi se duse singur, ca s\u0103 vaz\u0103 cu ochii lui ast\u0103 minune, c\u0103ci altfel nu-i venea s\u0103 creaz\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd \u015fi intr\u00e2nd \u00een cas\u0103 la ar\u0103poaic\u0103, v\u0103zu pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului, ceea pe care o gonise tat\u0103l s\u0103u \u00eemp\u0103ratul ca p-o piaz\u0103 rea, \u015fi-i r\u0103mase la inim\u0103. Vezi c\u0103 nu era ur\u00e2t\u0103; avea nuri, avea pe vino-ncoace, cum se zice, avea \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103, m\u0103 rog, dac\u0103 era fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat; dar\u0103 fusese seac\u0103 de noroc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103zu \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul cump\u0103na. Bra\u0163ul cu talerul \u00een care erau pu\u015fi banii sta \u00een sus! Puse un sac cu galbeni de care \u00eei adusese, \u015fi ca s\u0103 se lase cump\u0103na \u00een jos, ba. Mai puse unul, ba \u00eenc\u0103 unul, cump\u0103na habar n-avea. Puse to\u0163i sacii, cump\u0103na pare c\u0103 era pro\u0163\u0103pit\u0103 acolo sus. Atunci ce-i veni \u00eemp\u0103ratului, se sui \u015fi el deasupra banilor, cam cu necaz, \u015fi o dat\u0103 bra\u0163ul cu talerul \u00een care era pu\u015fi banii se l\u0103s\u0103 \u00een jos \u015fi st\u0103tu drept la linie, tocmai pe tocmai cu cela \u00een care era petecul de m\u0103tase, veni adec\u0103 la cump\u0103n\u0103 dreapt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Care va s\u0103 zic\u0103, petecul \u0103sta de m\u0103tase se poate cump\u0103ra numai cu mine, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, care \u00een\u0163elesese el noima acestei cumpene, ca un \u00eemp\u0103rat ce era el acolo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cam a\u015fa, \u00eemp\u0103rate, r\u0103spunse ar\u0103poaica.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi dac\u0103 este a\u015fa, mie mi-ar fi voia s\u0103 stric logodna cu n\u0103zuroasa aia de fat\u0103 cu care sunt \u00een vorb\u0103, c\u00e2nd a\u015f \u015fti c\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2na m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103riei \u0103\u015ftia m-ar vrea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum socote\u015fti d-ta c\u0103 n-ar vrea ea, r\u0103spunse iar\u0103\u015fi ar\u0103poaica, c\u00e2nd d-ta vezi bine c\u0103 \u00eensu\u015fi petecul de m\u0103t\u0103s\u0103rie al cui este el te vrea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa se f\u0103cu vorba \u015fi apoi nunta, nu dup\u0103 mult\u0103 vreme, cu mare veselie \u015fi dragoste.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103mite tat\u0103l, muma \u015fi fra\u0163ii fetei c\u00e2nd auzir\u0103 de una ca asta, ce bucurie g\u00e2ndi\u0163i c\u0103 n-avur\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eentrolocar\u0103 cu to\u0163i cu totul \u015fi f\u0103cur\u0103 o nunt\u0103 d-alea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015ftile de se duse vestea de d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat. El avea doisprezece feciori. C\u00e2nd se punea la mas\u0103, copiii stau \u00eemprejuru-i cunun\u0103 deplin\u0103. El era totdauna cu voie-bun\u0103, fiindc\u0103 vedea c\u0103 trebile \u00eei … <\/p>\n