\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 \u00eentr-o pustie mare un pustnic, \u015fi petrecea singur singurel. Vecinii s\u0103i erau fiarele p\u0103durilor. \u015ei a\u015fa era de bun la Dumnezeu, \u00eenc\u00e2t toate dobitoacele i se \u00eenchinau, c\u00e2nd se \u00eent\u00e2lneau cu d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-una din zile se duse pustnicul pe marginea g\u00e2rlei, care curgea pe-aproape de coliba lui, \u015fi iat\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 vine pe ap\u0103 un sicria\u015f smolit \u015fi \u00eencleit bine, \u015fi auzi un or\u0103c\u0103it de copil ie\u015find dintr-\u00eensul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0St\u0103tu pu\u0163in de cuget\u0103 \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce f\u0103cu rug\u0103ciune, intr\u0103 \u00een ap\u0103 \u015fi trase cu o pr\u0103jin\u0103 sicria\u015ful la margine. C\u00e2nd deschise, ce s\u0103 vaz\u0103 \u00een el? Un copila\u015f ca de vro dou\u0103 luni; \u00eel scoase din sicriu \u015fi cum \u00eel lu\u0103 \u00een bra\u0163e t\u0103cu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acest copil avea un baier at\u00e2rnat de g\u00e2t. \u015ei, dac\u0103 \u00eel lu\u0103, v\u0103zu c\u0103 \u00eentr-\u00eensul era o scrisoare, o ceti \u015fi afl\u0103 c\u0103 copilul de fa\u0163\u0103 este lep\u0103dat de o fat\u0103 mare de \u00eemp\u0103rat, care alunecase \u015fi ea \u00een valurile lumei \u015fi, care, de frica p\u0103rin\u0163ilor, lep\u0103d\u0103 copilul, \u00eel puse \u00een secria\u015f \u015fi-i dase drumul pe g\u00e2rl\u0103, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-l \u00een \u015ftirea lui Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pustnicul voia din toat\u0103 inima s\u0103 creasc\u0103 pruncul ce-i trimisese Dumnezeu, dar\u0103 c\u00e2nd se g\u00e2ndi c\u0103 n-are cu ce s\u0103-l hr\u0103neasc\u0103 \u00eel podidi un pl\u00e2ns de nu se mai putea sf\u00e2r\u015fi. C\u0103zu \u00een genunche \u015fi se rug\u0103 lui Dumnezeu, \u015fi o! minune! deodat\u0103 r\u0103s\u0103ri, m\u0103re, dintr-un col\u0163 al chiliei sale o vi\u0163\u0103, \u015fi numaidec\u00e2t crescu \u015fi se \u00een\u0103l\u0163\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 la strea\u015fina casei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pustnicul c\u0103ut\u0103 la d\u00e2nsa \u015fi v\u0103zu struguri, unii cop\u0163i, al\u0163ii p\u00e2rgui\u0163i, al\u0163ii agurid\u0103 \u015fi al\u0163ii tocmai \u00een floare; \u00eendat\u0103 lu\u0103 \u015fi dete copilului, \u015fi v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103-i m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103, se bucur\u0103 din tot sufletul lui \u015fi mul\u0163umi lui Dumnezeu. Cu struguri crescu copilul p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00eencepu s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce \u015fi c\u00e2te altceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 dac\u0103 se mai m\u0103ri copilul, pustnicul se apuc\u0103 \u015fi-l \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 s\u0103 citeasc\u0103, s\u0103 adune r\u0103d\u0103cini ca s\u0103 se hr\u0103neasc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 umble la v\u00e2nat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar \u00eentr-o zi chem\u0103 pustnicul pe copil \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 F\u0103tul meu, sim\u0163 c\u0103 sl\u0103besc din ce \u00een ce; sunt b\u0103tr\u00e2n, precum m\u0103 vezi, afl\u0103 dar\u0103 c\u0103 de azi \u00een trei zile m\u0103 duc pe lumea cealalt\u0103. Eu nu sunt tat\u0103l t\u0103u cel adev\u0103rat, ci te-am prins pe g\u00e2rl\u0103, unde erai dat \u015fi pus \u00eentr-un sicria\u015f de mum\u0103-ta, ca s\u0103 nu se dovedeasc\u0103 fapta sa cea de ru\u015fine, fiindc\u0103 era fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 voi adormi somnul cel de veci, care o s\u0103-l cuno\u015fti c\u00e2nd vei vedea c\u0103 tot trupul meu are s\u0103 fie rece ca ghia\u0163a, amor\u0163it \u015fi \u0163eap\u0103n, s\u0103 bagi de seam\u0103 c\u0103 o s\u0103 vin\u0103 un leu. S\u0103 nu te sperii, dragul tatei, leul \u00eemi va face groapa, \u015fi tu vei trage p\u0103m\u00e2nt peste mine; de mo\u015ftenire n-am ce s\u0103-\u0163i las dec\u00e2t un fr\u00e2u de cal. Dup\u0103 ce vei r\u0103m\u00e2nea singur, s\u0103 te sui \u00een pod, s\u0103 iei fr\u00e2ul, s\u0103-l scuturi, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 va veni un cal \u015fi te va \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a ce s\u0103 faci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 cum zisese b\u0103tr\u00e2nul a\u015fa se \u015fi \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A treia zi pustnicul, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi r\u0103mas bun de la fiul s\u0103u cel de suflet, se culc\u0103 \u015fi adormi somnul cel lung.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi \u00eendat\u0103 veni un leu groaznic, nevoie mare! \u015fi veni r\u0103cnind, cum v\u0103zu pe b\u0103tr\u00e2n mort, \u00eei s\u0103p\u0103 groapa cu ghiarele, iar\u0103 fiul \u00eel \u00eengrop\u0103 \u015fi r\u0103mase acolo trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd la morm\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi foamea \u00eei dete \u00een \u015ftire c\u0103 el viaz\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103; se scul\u0103 de pre morm\u00e2nt cu inima zdrobit\u0103 de durere \u015fi de \u00eentristare, se duse la vi\u0163\u0103, \u015fi cu mare m\u00e2hnire v\u0103zu c\u0103 se uscase; atunci \u00ee\u015fi aduse aminte de vorbele b\u0103tr\u00e2nului \u015fi se sui \u00een pod, unde g\u0103si fr\u00e2ul; \u00eel scutur\u0103 \u015fi iat\u0103 c\u0103 veni un \u015foimulean aripat \u015fi, st\u00e2nd \u00eenainte-i, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce porunce\u015fti, st\u0103p\u00e2ne?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Copilul spuse calului din cuv\u00e2nt \u00een cuv\u00e2nt toat\u0103 \u015firitenia cu moartea b\u0103tr\u00e2nului \u015fi ad\u0103og\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103-m\u0103 aicea singur. Dumnezeu mi-a luat pe tat\u0103l ce-mi dedese, r\u0103m\u00e2i tu cu mine, dar\u0103 s\u0103 mergem \u00eentr-alt\u0103 parte, unde s\u0103 ne facem o colib\u0103: aici, l\u00e2ng\u0103-acest morm\u00e2nt, nu \u015ftiu de ce, dar \u00eemi tot vine s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu a\u015fa, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, \u00eei r\u0103spunse calul, noi o s\u0103 ne ducem s\u0103 locuim unde sunt mul\u0163i oameni ca dumneata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum? \u00eentreb\u0103 b\u0103iatul, sunt mul\u0163i oameni ca mine \u015fi ca tata? \u015ei o s\u0103 tr\u0103im cu d\u00e2n\u015fii?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Negre\u015fit, \u00eei r\u0103spunse calul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Atunci, dac\u0103 e a\u015fa, mai \u00eentreb\u0103 copilul, de ce nu vin ei pe la noi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei nu vin, \u00eei mai zise calul, fiindc\u0103 n-au ce c\u0103uta p-aci, trebuie s\u0103 mergem noi la d\u00e2n\u015fii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 mergem, r\u0103spunse copilul cu bucurie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar dac\u0103 \u00eei spuse c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie \u00eembr\u0103cat, fiindc\u0103 ceilal\u0163i oameni nu \u00eembl\u0103 a\u015fa goi, b\u0103iatul r\u0103mase cam pe g\u00e2nduri; \u015fi calul \u00eei zise s\u0103 bage m\u00e2na \u00een urechea lui cea st\u00e2ng\u0103 \u015fi dup\u0103 ce b\u0103g\u0103 m\u00e2na scoase ni\u015fte haine pe care le \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103, ciudindu-se c\u0103 nu \u015ftia cum s\u0103 le \u00eentrebuin\u0163eze; calul \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103, \u015fi apoi copilul \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 pe d\u00e2nsul \u015fi porni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce ajunse \u00een ora\u015ful cel mai de aproape \u015fi se v\u0103zu \u00eentru mul\u0163imea aia de oameni, furnic\u00e2nd \u00een sus \u015fi \u00een jos, se cam sp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103 copilul de at\u00e2ta zgomot, \u015fi \u00eembla tot cu fric\u0103, mir\u00e2ndu-se de frumuse\u0163ea caselor \u015fi de tot ce vedea; b\u0103g\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 fiecare lucru-\u015fi are r\u00e2nduiala sa. Dar\u0103 calul, \u00eemb\u0103rb\u0103t\u00e2ndu-l, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, aici toate sunt cu \u015fartul lor; de aceea trebuie s\u0103 \u015ftii s\u0103-\u0163i faci \u015fi tu un c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, dup\u0103 ce \u015fezu acolo c\u00e2teva zile, mai ded\u00e2ndu-se cu lumea \u015fi mai obi\u015fnuindu-se a tr\u0103i \u00een huietul ce \u00een\u0103bu\u015fe\u015fte ora\u015fele, plec\u0103 lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi calul cu sine \u015fi se duse, \u015fi se duse, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse pe t\u0103r\u00e2mul unor z\u00e2ne.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd la z\u00e2ne, cari erau \u00een num\u0103r de trei, c\u0103ut\u0103 s\u0103 se bage argat la d\u00e2nsele; a\u015fa \u00eel sf\u0103tui calul s\u0103 fac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Z\u00e2nele deoacamdat\u0103 nu prea voiau s\u0103-l ia \u00een slujb\u0103, dar\u0103 se \u00eenduplecar\u0103 la rug\u0103ciunile lui \u015fi-l priimir\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Calul adesea venea pe la domnul s\u0103u, \u015fi \u00eentr-o zi \u00eei zise s\u0103 bage de seam\u0103, cum c\u0103 \u00een una din case z\u00e2nele aveau o baie, c\u0103 acea baie, la c\u00e2\u0163iva ani, \u00eentr-o zi hot\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103, curge aur, \u015fi cine se scald\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2i aceluia i se face p\u0103rul de aur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei mai spuse s\u0103 vaz\u0103 c\u0103 \u00eentr-unul din tronurile casei z\u00e2nele aveau o leg\u0103tur\u0103 cu trei r\u00e2nduri de haine, pe care le p\u0103strau cu \u00eengrijire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103iatul b\u0103g\u0103 la cap toate zisele calului \u015fi, de c\u00e2te ori avea c\u00e2te ceva greu de f\u0103cut, chema calul \u015fi-i da ajutor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Z\u00e2nele \u00eei dase voie s\u0103 \u00eemble prin toate casele, s\u0103 deretece, s\u0103 scuture, s\u0103 m\u0103ture, dar numai \u00een c\u0103mara cu baie s\u0103 nu intre. \u00cens\u0103 el c\u00e2nd lipseau ele d-acas\u0103 intra \u015fi lua aminte la toate c\u00e2te \u00eei zicea calul. Ochi \u015fi leg\u0103tura cu hainele puse cu \u00eengrijire \u00eentr-un tron.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi z\u00e2nele plecar\u0103 la o s\u0103rb\u0103toare, la alte z\u00e2ne \u015fi avur\u0103 grij\u0103 s\u0103 porunceasc\u0103 argatului, ca \u00een minutu ce va auzi zgomot \u00een c\u0103m\u0103ru\u0163a cu baia, s\u0103 rup\u0103 o \u015findril\u0103 din strea\u015fina casei, ca s\u0103 dea de \u015ftire \u015fi s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 de degrab\u0103, fiindc\u0103 ele \u015ftiau c\u0103 e aproape s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 a curge aceast\u0103 ap\u0103 de aur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul pustnicului p\u00e2ndea \u015fi c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu minunea asta chem\u0103 numaidec\u00e2t pe cal. Calul \u00eei zise s\u0103 se scalde; \u015fi el a\u015fa f\u0103cu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ie\u015find din baie, el lu\u0103 leg\u0103tura cu hainele, \u015fi o porni la s\u0103n\u0103toasa c\u0103lare pe calul lui cel cu aripi, cu care zbura ca v\u00e2ntul \u015fi se ducea ca g\u00e2ndul. Cum c\u0103lc\u0103 peste pragul por\u0163ii, \u00eencepu casele, curtea \u015fi gr\u0103dina a se cutremura \u015fi a urla a\u015fa de groaznic, \u00eenc\u00e2t se auzi p\u00e2n\u0103 la z\u00e2ne \u015fi z\u00e2nele \u00eendat\u0103 se \u00eentoarser\u0103 acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 argatul lipse\u015fte \u015fi hainele nu sunt la locul lor, se luar\u0103 dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul; \u015fi-l urm\u0103rir\u0103 din loc \u00een loc p\u00e2n\u0103 ce, c\u00e2nd era s\u0103 puie m\u00e2na pe d\u00e2nsul, el trecu hotarele lor, \u015fi apoi st\u0103tu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum \u00eel v\u0103zu z\u00e2nele sc\u0103pat, se c\u0103tr\u0103nir\u0103 de necaz, c\u0103 nu putur\u0103 s\u0103-l prinz\u0103. Atunci ele \u00eei ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ah! fecior de lele ce mi-ai fost, cum de ne am\u0103gi\u015fi? Arat\u0103-ne, m\u0103car, s\u0103-\u0163i vedem p\u0103rul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei r\u0103sfir\u00e2ndu-\u015fi p\u0103rul pe spinare, ele se uitau cu jind la d\u00e2nsul, \u015fi li se scurgeau ochii. Apoi ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa p\u0103r frumos nici noi n-am mai v\u0103zut! Fii s\u0103n\u0103tos, dar\u0103 \u00eencai f\u0103 bun\u0103tate de ne d\u0103 hainele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El \u00eens\u0103 nu voi, ci le opri \u015fi le lu\u0103 \u00een locul simbriei ce avea s\u0103 ia de la z\u00e2ne.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De aci se duse \u00eentr-un ora\u015f, \u00ee\u015fi puse o b\u0103\u015fic\u0103 de cirvi\u015f \u00een cap, \u015fi merse de se rug\u0103 de gr\u0103dinarul \u00eemp\u0103ratului ca s\u0103-l primeasc\u0103 argat la gr\u0103dina \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103. Gr\u0103dinarul nu prea voia s\u0103-l asculte, dar\u0103 dup\u0103 mult\u0103 rug\u0103ciune \u00eel priimi, \u00eel puse s\u0103 lucreze la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, s\u0103 care ap\u0103, s\u0103 ude florile, \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103 s\u0103 cure\u0163e pomii de omizi \u015fi brazdele de buruieni. F\u0103t-Frumos lua \u00een cap tot ce-l \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a gr\u0103dinarul, st\u0103p\u00e2nul s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul avea trei fete: \u015fi a\u015fa mult\u0103 grij\u0103 \u00eei dase trebile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei, \u00eenc\u00e2t uitase de fete c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 le m\u0103rite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-una din zile, fata cea mai mare se vorbi cu surorile ei ca s\u0103 duc\u0103 fiecare c\u00e2te un pepene ales de d\u00e2nsa la masa \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce \u00eemp\u0103ratul se puse la mas\u0103, venir\u0103 \u015fi fetele \u015fi aduse fiecare c\u00e2te un pepene pe tipsii de aur \u015fi \u00eei puser\u0103 dinaintea \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se mir\u0103 de aceast\u0103 fapt\u0103 \u015fi chem\u0103 sfatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei s\u0103-i ghiceasc\u0103 ce pild\u0103 s\u0103 fie asta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adun\u00e2ndu-se sfatul, t\u0103iar\u0103 pepenii \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 unul se cam trecuse, al doilea era tocmai bun de m\u00e2ncat \u015fi al treilea dase \u00een copt, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cemp\u0103rate, s\u0103 tr\u0103ie\u015fti mul\u0163i ani; pilda asta \u00eensemneaz\u0103 v\u00e2rsta fetelor m\u0103riei tale, \u015fi c\u0103 a sosit timpul ca s\u0103 le dai la casa lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul hot\u0103r\u00ee s\u0103 le m\u0103rite. Dete, deci, sfar\u0103 \u00een \u0163ar\u0103 de aceast\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2re \u015fi chiar de a doua zi \u00eencepur\u0103 a veni pe\u0163itori de la cutare \u015fi de la cutare fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 dup\u0103 ce fata cea mai mare \u00ee\u015fi alese mire pre un fiu de \u00eemp\u0103rat, care-i p\u0103ru mai frumos, se f\u0103cu mare nunt\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce se sf\u00e2r\u015fi veseliile, plecar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu toat\u0103 curtea ca s\u0103 petreac\u0103 pre fiic\u0103-sa p\u00e2n\u0103 la hotarele \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei sale. Numai fiica \u00eemp\u0103ratului cea mai mic\u0103 r\u0103mase acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u0103t-Frumos, argatul de la gr\u0103din\u0103, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 \u015fi gr\u0103dinarul se dusese cu alaiul, chem\u0103 calul, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 cu un r\u00e2nd de haine din cele luate de la z\u00e2ne, pe care era c\u00e2mpul cu florile \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce-\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 p\u0103rul s\u0103u de aur pe spate, \u00eencepu a alerga prin gr\u0103din\u0103 \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 fi b\u0103gat de seam\u0103 c\u0103 fiica \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eel vede de pe fereastr\u0103, c\u0103ci odaia ei da \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Calul cu F\u0103t-Frumos stric\u0103 toat\u0103 gr\u0103dina \u015fi, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 veselia lui f\u0103cuse pagub\u0103, desc\u0103lic\u0103, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 cu hainele sale de argat \u015fi \u00eencepu a drege ceea ce se stricase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd veni acas\u0103 gr\u0103dinarul \u015fi v\u0103zu stric\u0103ciunea ce se f\u0103cuse, se lu\u0103 de g\u00e2nduri; \u00eencepu a certa pe argat de ce n-a \u00eengrijit de gr\u0103din\u0103, \u015fi era at\u00e2t de sup\u0103rat, c\u00e2t p-aci era s\u0103-l \u015fi bat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103 fiica \u00eemp\u0103ratului, care privea de la fereastr\u0103 toate aceste, ceru gr\u0103dinarului s\u0103-i trimit\u0103 ni\u015fte flori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gr\u0103dinarul f\u0103cu ce f\u0103cu \u015fi adun\u0103 de prin col\u0163uri c\u00e2teva floricele, le leg\u0103 \u015fi le trimise \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei celei mici. Ea, dac\u0103 priimi florile, \u00eei dete un pumn de bani \u015fi-i trimise r\u0103spuns s\u0103 ierte pe bietul argat, c\u0103 nu este el de vin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci gr\u0103dinarul, vesel de un dar a\u015fa de frumos, \u00ee\u015fi puse toate silin\u0163ele, \u015fi \u00een trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni f\u0103cu gr\u0103dina la loc, ca \u015fi cum nu s-ar fi \u00eent\u00e2mplat nimic \u00eentr-\u00eensa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu mult dup\u0103 aceasta, fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului cea mijlocie \u00ee\u015fi alese \u015fi ea un fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u015fi-l lu\u0103 de b\u0103rbat. Veseliile \u0163inur\u0103 ca \u015fi la sor\u0103-sa cea mare; iar\u0103 la sf\u00e2r\u015fitul veseliilor o petrecu \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsa \u00eemp\u0103ratul p\u00e2n\u0103 la hotarele \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei sale. Fata cea mic\u0103 a \u00eemp\u0103ratului nu se duse, ci r\u0103mase acas\u0103, pref\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 c\u0103 este bolnav\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul gr\u0103dinei, cum se v\u0103zu iar\u0103 singur, vru s\u0103 se veseleasc\u0103 \u015fi el ca to\u0163i slujitorii cur\u0163ei; \u00eens\u0103, fiindc\u0103 el nu se putea veseli dec\u00e2t cu bidiviul s\u0103u, \u00ee\u015fi chem\u0103 calul, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 cu alte haine: ceru cu stelele, \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 p\u0103rul pe spate, \u015fi c\u0103lc\u0103 toat\u0103 gr\u0103dina.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 iar\u0103 f\u0103r\u00e2mase totul, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 cu hainele sale cele proaste, \u015fi bocindu-se \u00eencepu s\u0103 dreag\u0103 ceea ce stricase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ca \u015fi dealt r\u00e2nd, gr\u0103dinarul voind s\u0103-l c\u00e2rpeasc\u0103, fu oprit de fata cea mai mic\u0103 a \u00eemp\u0103ratului, care ceruse flori, trimi\u0163\u00e2ndu-i \u015fi doi pumni de bani, \u015fi vorb\u0103 s\u0103 nu se ating\u0103 de argat, nefiind el vinovat. Gr\u0103dinarul se puse iar\u0103 pe munc\u0103 \u015fi d\u0103du gr\u0103dina gata \u00een patru s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul f\u0103cuse o v\u00e2n\u0103toare mare \u015fi, fiindc\u0103 sc\u0103pase de o mare primejdie, ridic\u0103 un chio\u015fc \u00een p\u0103durea aceea, \u015fi chemase, ca s\u0103 serbeze m\u00e2ntuirea sa, pre to\u0163i boierii \u015fi slujitorii cur\u0163ei la o mas\u0103 \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u0103 ce preg\u0103tise acolo. To\u0163i curtenii se duser\u0103 la chemarea \u00eemp\u0103ratului, numai fiica sa r\u0103mase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u0103t-Frumos, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se iar\u0103 singur, chem\u0103 calul \u015fi voind s\u0103 se veseleasc\u0103 \u015fi d\u00e2nsul, \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 hainele: cu soarele \u00een piept, luna \u00een spate \u015fi doi luceferi \u00een umeri, \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 p\u0103rul de aur pe spate, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 calul \u015fi-l \u00eencurc\u0103 prin gr\u0103din\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0At\u00e2t se stricase gr\u0103dina, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu mai era chip de a o drege. Iar dac\u0103 v\u0103zu aceasta el, \u00eencepu a se t\u00e2ngui, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 iute cu hainele lui cele de argat, \u015fi nu \u015ftia de unde s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 meremetul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u00e2nia gr\u0103dinarului trecu orice hotare, c\u00e2nd veni \u015fi v\u0103zu acea mare pr\u0103p\u0103denie. Dar\u0103 c\u00e2nd voi s\u0103-i dea pe foi pentru c\u0103 nu \u00eengrijise de gr\u0103din\u0103, fiica \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eei ceru flori, de la fereastr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gr\u0103dinarul da din col\u0163 \u00een col\u0163 \u015fi nu \u015ftia ce s\u0103 fac\u0103; \u00een cele mai de pe urm\u0103, c\u0103t\u0103 \u015fi mai g\u0103si vreo dou\u0103 floricele care abia sc\u0103pase de copitele calului cu aripi, i le trimise, \u015fi fata de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eei porunci s\u0103 ierte pe bietul argat, pentru care \u00eei \u015fi d\u0103du trei pumni de galbeni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se apuc\u0103 de croi din nou, \u015fi \u00een \u015fase s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni abia putu face ceva care s\u0103 mai semene a gr\u0103din\u0103, iar argatului \u00eei f\u0103g\u0103dui o s\u00e2nt\u0103 de b\u0103taie, sor\u2019 cu moartea, de s-o mai \u00eent\u00e2mpla una ca asta, \u015fi s\u0103 fie \u015fi gonit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se luase de g\u00e2nduri v\u0103z\u00e2nd pe fiic\u0103-sa tot trist\u0103. Ea acum nu mai voia s\u0103 ias\u0103 afar\u0103 nici din cas\u0103. Hot\u0103r\u00ee dar\u0103 s\u0103 o m\u0103rite \u015fi \u00eencepu a-i spune de cutare \u015fi cutare fiu de \u00eemp\u0103rat. Ea nu voia s\u0103 aud\u0103 de nici unul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar dac\u0103 v\u0103zu a\u015fa \u00eemp\u0103ratul, adun\u0103 iar\u0103 sfatul \u015fi boierii \u015fi \u00eei \u00eentreb\u0103 ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? Unul din boieri \u00eei zise s\u0103 fac\u0103 un foi\u015for cu poarta pe dedesubt, pe unde s\u0103 treac\u0103 to\u0163i fiii de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi de boieri, \u015fi pe care-l va alege fata, s\u0103-l loveasc\u0103 cu un m\u0103r de aur ce-l va \u0163ine \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103,E\u015fi dup\u0103 acela s-o dea \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa se \u015fi f\u0103cu. Se dete sfar\u0103 \u00een \u0163ar\u0103 c\u0103 este hot\u0103r\u00e2rea \u00eemp\u0103ratului s\u0103 se adune mic \u015fi mare \u015fi s\u0103 treac\u0103 pe sub poart\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To\u0163i trecur\u0103, dar\u0103 nu lovi nici pe unul. Mul\u0163i credea c\u0103 fata n-ar voi s\u0103 se m\u0103rite. \u00cens\u0103 un boier b\u0103tr\u00e2n, trecut \u015fi prin ciur \u015fi prin d\u00e2rmon, d-\u0103ia care auzise, v\u0103zuse \u015fi p\u0103\u0163ise multe, zise s\u0103 treac\u0103 \u015fi oamenii cur\u0163ii; trecu \u015fi gr\u0103dinarul, \u015fi buc\u0103tarul cel mare \u015fi v\u0103taful, \u015fi slugile, \u015fi vizitiii, \u015fi to\u0163i r\u00e2nda\u015fii, dar geaba, fata nu lovi nici pe unul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se f\u0103cu \u00eentrebare dac\u0103 n-a mai r\u0103mas cineva netrecut, \u015fi se afl\u0103 c\u0103 a mai r\u0103mas un pr\u0103p\u0103dit de argat de la gr\u0103din\u0103rie, chele\u015f \u015fi dos\u0103dit de n-are seam\u0103n pe lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 treac\u0103 \u015fi acesta, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci chem\u0103 \u015fi pe argatul cel chele\u015f \u015fi-i zise s\u0103 treac\u0103 \u015fi d\u00e2nsul, dar el nu cuteza; apoi cam cu c\u00e2r\u00e2ial\u0103, cam cu sila, fu nevoit s\u0103 treac\u0103 \u015fi, dac\u0103 trecu, fata \u00eel lovi cu m\u0103rul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Argatul \u00eencepu a \u0163ipa \u015fi a fugi, \u0163in\u00e2ndu-se cu m\u00e2inile de cap zic\u00e2nd c\u0103 i-a spart capul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, cum v\u0103zu cele \u00eent\u00e2mplate, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asta nu se poate! este o gre\u015feal\u0103! fata mea nu e de crezut s\u0103 fi ales tocmai pe chele\u015ful \u0103sta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu putea, vezi, s\u0103 se \u00eenvoiasc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul a da pe fie-sa dup\u0103 argat, de\u015fi \u00eel lovise fata cu m\u0103rul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci puse de a doua oar\u0103 s\u0103 treac\u0103 lumea \u015fi de a doua oar\u0103 fiic\u0103-sa lovi cu m\u0103rul \u00een cap pe chele\u015f, care iar\u0103\u015fi fugi \u0163in\u00e2ndu-se cu m\u00e2inile de cap \u015fi \u0163ip\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, plin de m\u00e2hnire, iar\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 vorba \u00eenapoi, \u015fi puse de a treia oar\u0103 s\u0103 treac\u0103 toat\u0103 lumea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu \u015fi v\u0103zu \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u0103 \u015fi d-a treia oar\u0103 tot pe chele\u015f \u00eel lovi fata, s-a plecat la sfatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei, \u015fi i-a dat lui pe fiic\u0103-sa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nunta se f\u0103cu cam pe ascuns, \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul apoi \u00eei oropsi pe am\u00e2ndoi, \u015fi nu mai voi s\u0103 \u015ftie \u015fi s\u0103 auz\u0103 de d\u00e2n\u015fii; at\u00e2ta numai c\u0103 de sil\u0103, de mil\u0103, \u00eei priimi s\u0103 locuiasc\u0103 \u00een curtea palatului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Un bordei \u00eentr-un col\u0163 al cur\u0163ii li se dete spre locuin\u0163\u0103, iar argatul se f\u0103cu sacagiul cur\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toate slugile \u00eemp\u0103ratului r\u00e2deau de d\u00e2nsul \u015fi toate murd\u0103riile le arunca pe bordeiul lui. \u00cen\u0103untru \u00eens\u0103 calul cel cu aripi le adusese frumuse\u0163ile lumii; nu era \u00een palaturile \u00eemp\u0103ratului ceea ce era \u00een bordeiul lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiii de \u00eemp\u0103rat, carii veniser\u0103 \u00een pe\u0163it la fiica cea mic\u0103, se \u00eembufnar\u0103 de ru\u015finea ce p\u0103\u0163ise, pentru c\u0103 fiica \u00eemp\u0103ratului alesese pe chele\u015f \u015fi se \u00eenvoir\u0103 \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii ca s\u0103 porneasc\u0103 oaste mare \u00eempotriva lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul sim\u0163i mare durere c\u00e2nd auzi hot\u0103r\u00e2rea vecinilor s\u0103i, \u00eens\u0103, ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? se preg\u0103ti de r\u0103zboi, \u015fi nici c\u0103 avea \u00eencotro.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Am\u00e2ndoi ginerii \u00eemp\u0103ratului se scular\u0103 cu oaste \u015fi venir\u0103 \u00een ajutorul socrului lor. F\u0103t-Frumos trimise \u015fi el pe so\u0163ia sa ca s\u0103 roage pe \u00eemp\u0103ratul a-i da voie s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u015fi el la b\u0103taie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Du-te dinaintea mea, nesocotito; fiindc\u0103, iat\u0103, din pricina ta mi se turbur\u0103 lini\u015ftea; nu mai voi s\u0103 v\u0103 v\u0103z \u00een ochii mei, nemernicilor ce sunte\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103, dup\u0103 mai multe rug\u0103ciuni, se \u00eenduplec\u0103, \u015fi porunci s\u0103-l lase s\u0103 care \u015fi el m\u0103car ap\u0103 pentru o\u015ftire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se preg\u0103tir\u0103 \u015fi pornir\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u0103t-Frumos, cu hainele lui proaste \u015fi c\u0103lare pe o m\u00e2r\u0163oag\u0103 \u015fchioap\u0103, plec\u0103 \u00eenainte. O\u015ftirea \u00eel ajunse \u00eentr-o mla\u015ftin\u0103 unde i se nomolise iapa \u015fi unde se muncea ca s\u0103 o scoat\u0103, tr\u00e2g\u00e2nd-o c\u00e2nd de coad\u0103, c\u00e2nd de cap, c\u00e2nd de picioare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0R\u00e2ser\u0103 o\u015ftirea \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu ginerii cei mai mari ai s\u0103i \u015fi trecur\u0103 \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce \u00eens\u0103 nu se mai v\u0103zur\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii, F\u0103t-Frumos scoase iapa din noroi, \u00ee\u015fi chem\u0103 calul s\u0103u, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 cu hainele c\u00e2mpul cu florile \u015fi porni la c\u00e2mpul b\u0103t\u0103liei, ajunse \u015fi se sui \u00eentr-un munte apropiat, ca s\u0103 vaz\u0103 care parte este mai tare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O\u015ftile dac\u0103 ajunse, se lovir\u0103, iar F\u0103t-Frumos, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 oastea vr\u0103jma\u015f\u0103 este mai mare la num\u0103r \u015fi mai tare, se r\u0103pezi din v\u00e2rful muntelui asupra ei \u015fi ca un v\u00e2rtej se \u00eenv\u00e2rteja prin mijlocul ei cu palo\u015ful \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi t\u0103ia \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga, pe oricine \u00eent\u00e2lnea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa spaim\u0103 dete iu\u0163eala, str\u0103lucirea hainelor \u015fi zborul calului s\u0103u, \u00eenc\u00e2t oastea \u015fi to\u0163i cu totul o rupser\u0103 d-a fuga apuc\u00e2nd drumul fiecare \u00eencotro vedea cu ochii, \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftiindu-se ca puii de pot\u00e2rniche.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar \u00eemp\u0103ratul dup\u0103 ce v\u0103zu minunea, mul\u0163umi lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 i-a trimis pe \u00eengerul s\u0103u de l-a sc\u0103pat din m\u00e2na vr\u0103jma\u015fului, \u015fi se \u00eentoarse vesel acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe drum \u00eent\u00e2lni iar\u0103\u015fi pe F\u0103t-Frumos, pref\u0103cut \u00een argat, muncind s\u0103-\u015fi scoat\u0103 iapa din noroi; \u015fi cum era cu voie bun\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul zise la c\u00e2\u0163iva:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Duce\u0163i-v\u0103 de scoate\u0163i \u015fi pe nevoia\u015ful acela din noroi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-apucar\u0103 s\u0103 se a\u015feze bine, \u015fi veni veste la \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u0103 vr\u0103jma\u015fii lui cu o\u015ftire \u015fi mai mare s-au ridicat asupra lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se g\u0103ti dar\u0103 \u015fi el de r\u0103zboi \u015fi plec\u0103 s-o \u00eent\u00e2lneasc\u0103. F\u0103t-Frumos iar\u0103 se rug\u0103 s\u0103-l lase \u015fi pe d\u00e2nsul s\u0103 mearg\u0103, \u015fi iar\u0103 fu huiduit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar\u0103 dac\u0103 dob\u00e2ndi voie, porni iar\u0103 cu iapa lui. Fu \u015fi de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 de r\u00e2s \u015fi de b\u0103taie de joc, c\u00e2nd l-a v\u0103zut o\u015ftirea c\u0103 iar\u0103 se \u00eennomolise \u015fi nu putea s\u0103-\u015fi scoat\u0103 iapa din noroi de fel, de fel.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cel l\u0103sar\u0103 \u00eenapoi dar\u0103 el ajunse \u015fi acum mai nainte la locul de lupt\u0103, pref\u0103cut \u00een F\u0103t-Frumos, c\u0103lare pe calul cu aripi, \u015fi \u00eembr\u0103cat \u00een hainele lui cele cu cerul cu stelele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O\u015ftile deter\u0103 \u00een t\u00e2mpene \u015fi \u00een surle \u015fi se lovir\u0103, iar F\u0103t-Frumos, dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 vr\u0103jma\u015fii sunt mai puternici, se repezi din munte \u015fi-i puse pe goan\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se \u00eentoarse iar\u0103 vesel, mul\u0163umind lui Dumnezeu de ajutorul ce i-a dat, \u015fi iar\u0103 porunci osta\u015filor s\u0103 scoat\u0103 din noroi pe nevoia\u015ful de sacagiu. Iar el era \u00eemp\u0103cat cu cugetul s\u0103u \u015fi se bucura \u00een ascunsul sufletului s\u0103u de izb\u00e2ndele sale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul de m\u00e2hni p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een fundul inimii sale c\u00e2nd auzi c\u0103 vr\u0103jma\u015fii se ridic\u0103 de a treia oar\u0103 cu oaste \u015fi mai mare \u015fi c\u0103 a ajuns la hotarele \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei sale c\u00e2t\u0103 frunz\u0103 \u015fi iarb\u0103; un pl\u00e2ns \u00eel n\u0103p\u0103di, de s\u0103 fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu! \u015fi pl\u00e2nse, \u015fi pl\u00e2nse, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce sim\u0163i c\u0103-i sl\u0103besc vederile. Apoi \u00ee\u015fi str\u00e2nse \u015fi d\u00e2nsul toat\u0103 oastea \u015fi porni la b\u0103t\u0103lie cu n\u0103dejde \u00een Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u0103t-Frumos porni \u015fi el tot pe o\u0163opina lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar dup\u0103 ce trecu toat\u0103 oastea f\u0103c\u00e2nd haz de d\u00e2nsul cum se muncea ca s\u0103-\u015fi scoat\u0103 iapa din noroi, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 cu hainele cele cu soarele \u00een piept, luna \u00een spate \u015fi doi luceferi \u00een umeri, \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 p\u0103rul de aur pe spate, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 calul \u015fi \u00eentr-un minut fu iar\u0103\u015fi pe munte, unde a\u015ftepta s\u0103 vaz\u0103 ce s-o \u00eent\u00e2mpla.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eent\u00e2lnir\u0103 o\u015ftile, se lovir\u0103 din mai multe p\u0103r\u0163i \u015fi se t\u0103iau unii pre al\u0163ii f\u0103r\u0103 de cru\u0163are, at\u00e2ta erau de \u00eenver\u015funa\u0163i osta\u015fii. Iar c\u00e2nd fu c\u0103tre sear\u0103, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 o\u015ftirea vr\u0103jma\u015fe era s\u0103 ia \u00een goan\u0103 pre a \u00eemp\u0103ratului, unde se repezi odat\u0103 F\u0103t-Frumos din munte ca un fulger; \u015fi unde tr\u0103sni \u00een mijlocul lor, \u00eenc\u00e2t se \u00eengrozir\u0103 de nu mai \u015ftiau ce fac. Str\u0103lucirea hainelor lui F\u0103t-Frumos p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eentr-at\u00e2ta orbise \u015fi z\u0103p\u0103cise pe vr\u0103jma\u015f de nu mai \u015ftiau o\u015ftile unde se afl\u0103. F\u0103t-Frumos lovea cu pala de zv\u00e2nta, \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. Groaza intrase \u00een inimile protivnicilor \u015fi \u00eei tulburase de \u00ee\u015fi uitaser\u0103 de b\u0103t\u0103lie, ci c\u0103tau cum s\u0103 se m\u00e2ntuiasc\u0103 cu via\u0163\u0103. O luar\u0103 la s\u0103n\u0103toasa cari \u00eencotro vedea cu ochii d\u00e2nd n\u0103val\u0103 unii peste al\u0163ii de-\u015fi rupeau g\u00e2turile. F\u0103t-Frumos \u00eens\u0103 \u00eei gonea \u015fi-i secera cu pala ca pe buruienele cele rele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eel v\u0103zu s\u00e2ngerat la m\u00e2n\u0103, la care se crestase \u00eensu\u015fi, \u015fi \u00eei dete n\u0103frama sa ca s\u0103 se lege. Apoi se \u00eentoarse acas\u0103 izb\u0103vi\u0163i de primejdie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd venir\u0103, g\u0103sir\u0103 iar\u0103 pe F\u0103t-Frumos \u00een noroi cu iapa, \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi porunci de \u00eel scoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei sosind acas\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u0103zu la boal\u0103 de ochi \u015fi orbi. To\u0163i vracii \u015fi to\u0163i filosofii carii citeau pe stele fur\u0103 adu\u015fi, \u015fi nimeni nu putur\u0103 s\u0103-i dea nici un ajutor. \u00centr-una din zile, scul\u00e2ndu-se din somn \u00eemp\u0103ratul, spuse c\u0103 a v\u0103zut \u00een vis un b\u0103tr\u00e2n care i-a zis c\u0103 dac\u0103 se va sp\u0103la la ochi \u015fi dac\u0103 va bea lapte de capr\u0103 ro\u015fie s\u0103lbatic\u0103 va dob\u00e2ndi vederile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Auzind astfel ginerii s\u0103i, pornir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii, cei doi mai mari singuri, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 ia \u015fi pe cel mic, \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 a voi s\u0103-l lase m\u0103car a merge \u00eempreun\u0103 cu d\u00e2n\u015fii. Iar\u0103 F\u0103t-Frumos chem\u0103 calul \u015fi merse cu d\u00e2nsul prin sm\u00e2rcuri, g\u0103si capre ro\u015fii s\u0103lbatice, le mulse \u015fi c\u00e2nd se \u00eentorcea, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 \u00een haine de cioban \u015fi ie\u015fi \u00eenaintea cumna\u0163ilor s\u0103i cu o doni\u0163\u0103 plin\u0103 cu lapte de oi. Ei \u00eel \u00eentrebar\u0103 ce lapte are acolo, iar\u0103 el le r\u0103spunse, pref\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se c\u0103 nu-i cunoa\u015fte, c\u0103 duce lapte de capr\u0103 ro\u015fie la \u00eemp\u0103ratul care visase c\u0103-i va veni vedere dac\u0103 va da cu acel lapte pe la ochi. Atunci ei se \u00eencercar\u0103 a-i cump\u0103ra laptele; dar ciobanul le r\u0103spunse c\u0103 laptele nu-l d\u0103 pe bani ci c\u0103, dac\u0103 voiesc s\u0103 aib\u0103 lapte de capr\u0103 ro\u015fie, s\u0103 se zic\u0103 c\u0103 sunt robii lui, \u015fi s\u0103 rabde ca s\u0103 le pun\u0103 pecetea lui pe spinarea lor, m\u0103car c\u0103 ei au s\u0103 se duc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 nu mai dea pe la d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cei doi gineri se socotir\u0103 c\u0103 ei pentru c\u0103 sunt \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi gineri de \u00eemp\u0103rat n-o s\u0103 le pese nimic, se l\u0103sar\u0103, deci, de le puse pecetea lui \u00een spinare, \u015fi apoi luar\u0103 laptele \u015fi-l aduser\u0103 vorbind \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii pe drum:”De se va \u00eencerca, nerodul, s\u0103 ne zic\u0103 ceva, \u00eel facem nebun, \u015fi tot noi vom fi mai crezu\u0163i dec\u00e2t d\u00e2nsul”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eentoarser\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eei deter\u0103 laptele, se unse la ochi \u015fi b\u0103u, dar\u0103 nu-i ajut\u0103 nimic. Dup\u0103 aceea veni \u015fi fiica cea mic\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, iat\u0103 ia \u015fi acest lapte, pe care \u00eel aduse b\u0103rbatul meu, unge-te \u015fi cu d\u00e2nsul, a\u015fa te rog.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce lucru bun a f\u0103cut n\u0103t\u0103r\u0103ul de b\u0103rbatul t\u0103u, r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul, ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi acum ceva de isprav\u0103? N-a putut face nimic ginerii mei ceilal\u0163i, cari m-au ajutat a\u015fa de mult \u00een r\u0103zboaie, \u015fi tocmai el, n\u0103t\u00e2ngul, o s\u0103-mi poat\u0103 ajuta? \u015ei apoi nu v-am zis c\u0103 n-ave\u0163i voie a v\u0103 mai ar\u0103ta \u00eenaintea fe\u0163ei mele? Cum ai cutezat s\u0103 calci porunca mea?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 supui la orice pedeaps\u0103 vei binevoi s\u0103-mi dai, tat\u0103, numai unge-te, a\u015fa te rog, \u015fi cu acest lapte ce \u0163i-l aduce umilitul t\u0103u rob.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul dac\u0103 v\u0103zu c\u0103 at\u00e2t de mult se roag\u0103 fiica-sa se \u00eenduplec\u0103 \u015fi lu\u0103 laptele ce-i adusese, \u015fi apoi se unse cu d\u00e2nsul la ochi o zi, se unse \u015fi a doua zi, \u015fi cu marea sa mirare sim\u0163i c\u0103 pare c\u0103 \u00eencepuse a z\u0103ri ca prin sit\u0103; \u015fi dac\u0103 se mai unse \u015fi a treia zi, v\u0103zu cum vede to\u0163i oamenii cu ochii lumina\u0163i \u015fi limpezi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se \u00eens\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi, dete o mas\u0103 mare la to\u0163i boierii \u015fi sfetnicii \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei, \u015fi dup\u0103 rug\u0103ciunea lor priimi \u015fi pe F\u0103t-Frumos s\u0103E\u015feaz\u0103 \u00een coada mesei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe c\u00e2nd se veseleau mesenii \u015fi se chefuiau, se scul\u0103 F\u0103t-Frumos \u015fi, rug\u00e2ndu-se de iertare, \u00eentreb\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate, robii pot \u015fedea cu st\u0103p\u00e2nii lor la mas\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, nicidecum, r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi dac\u0103 este a\u015fa, \u015fi fiindc\u0103 lumea te \u015ftie de om drept, f\u0103-mi \u015fi mie dreptate, \u015fi scoal\u0103 pe cei doi oaspe\u0163i carii \u015fed d-a dreapta \u015fi d-a st\u00e2nga m\u0103riei tale, c\u0103ci ei sunt robii mei; \u015fi ca s\u0103 m\u0103 crezi, pune s\u0103-i caute \u015fi vei vedea c\u0103 sunt \u00eensemna\u0163i cu pecetea mea \u00een spinare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum auzir\u0103 ginerii \u00eemp\u0103ratului, o b\u0103gar\u0103 pe m\u00e2nec\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103rturisir\u0103 c\u0103 a\u015fa este; \u00eendat\u0103 fur\u0103 nevoi\u0163i a se scula de la mas\u0103 \u015fi a sta \u00een picioare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 c\u0103tr\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u015fitul mesei, F\u0103t-Frumos scoase n\u0103frama care i-a fost dat-o \u00eemp\u0103ratul la b\u0103t\u0103lie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum ajunse n\u0103frama mea \u00een m\u00e2inile tale, \u00eentreb\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul? Eu am dat-o \u00eengerului Domnului care ne-a ajutat la r\u0103zboi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, m\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate, mie mi-ai dat-o.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi dac\u0103 este a\u015fa, tu e\u015fti acela care ne-ai ajutat?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu, m\u0103rite \u00eemp\u0103rate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se poate, adaose iute \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u015fi dac\u0103 vei s\u0103 te crez, arat\u0103-te a\u015fa cum era atunci acela c\u0103ruia am dat n\u0103frama.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci el se scul\u0103 de la mas\u0103, se duse de se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 cu hainele cele cu soarele \u00een piept, luna \u00een spate \u015fi doi luceferi \u00een umeri, \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 p\u0103rul pe spate \u015fi se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi la toat\u0103 adunarea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum \u00eel v\u0103zur\u0103 mesenii, \u00eendat\u0103 se r\u0103dicar\u0103 \u015fi se minunar\u0103; F\u0103t-Frumos era at\u00e2ta de m\u00e2ndru \u015fi str\u0103lucitor, \u00eenc\u00e2t la soare te puteai uita, dar la el ba.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, dup\u0103 ce l\u0103ud\u0103 pe fiic\u0103-sa pentru alegerea sa cea bun\u0103, se dete jos din scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei \u015fi ridic\u0103 \u00een el pre ginerele s\u0103u, F\u0103t-Frumos; iar\u0103 el, cea dint\u00e2i treab\u0103 ce f\u0103cu, fu de a da drumul din robie cumna\u0163ilor s\u0103i, \u015fi \u00een toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia se f\u0103cu bucurie mare. Eram \u015fi eu p-acolo, \u015fi la masa \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103:<\/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\u00a0C\u0103ram mereu la vatr\u0103, lemne cu frigarea,<\/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\u00a0Duceam eu la mas\u0103, glume cu c\u0103ldarea<\/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\u00a0Pentru care c\u0103p\u0103tai:<\/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\u00a0Un n\u0103p\u0103stroc de ciorb\u0103<\/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\u015e-o s\u00e2nt\u0103 de cociorb\u0103<\/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\u00a0Pentru cei ce-s lung\u0103 vorb\u0103,<\/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\u015ei \u00eenc\u0103lecai p-o \u015fea \u015fi v-o spusei d-voastr\u0103 a\u015fa.<\/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\u015ei mai \u00eenc\u0103lecai p-o lingur\u0103 scurt\u0103, s-o dai pe la nasul cui n-ascult\u0103.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 \u00eentr-o pustie mare un pustnic, \u015fi petrecea singur singurel. Vecinii s\u0103i erau fiarele p\u0103durilor. \u015ei a\u015fa era de bun la Dumnezeu, \u00eenc\u00e2t toate dobitoacele i se … <\/p>\n