\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un om putred de bogat \u015fi omului \u0103stuia s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat s\u0103-i cad\u0103 nevasta greu bolnav\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd a sim\u0163it c\u0103 i s-apropie sf\u00e2r\u015fitul, femeia \u015fi-a chemat la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i singurul ei copil, o feti\u0163\u0103, \u015fi i-a spus:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Draga mamei, orice \u0163i s-ar \u00eent\u00e2mpla, cat\u0103 s\u0103 fii \u00eentotdeauna bun\u0103 \u015fi cu sufletul ne\u00eentinat. Acestea zic\u00e2nd, femeia \u00ee\u015fi mai privi o dat\u0103 copila \u015fi \u00eenchise ochii pentru vecie. Feti\u0163a se ducea \u00een fiecare zi la cimitir \u015fi pl\u00e2ngea amar la morm\u00e2ntul maic\u0103-sii. C\u00e2nd veni iarna, z\u0103pada se a\u015fternu ca o maram\u0103 alb\u0103 peste morm\u00e2nt, iar \u00een prim\u0103var\u0103, c\u00e2nd razele soarelui o topir\u0103, omul \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 alt\u0103 nevast\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Femeia asta de-a doua \u00ee\u015fi aduse \u00een cas\u0103 cele dou\u0103 fete pe care le avea. Fetele, nu-i vorb\u0103, erau frumoase, dar pe c\u00e2t de luminos le era chipul, pe at\u00e2t de \u00eentunecat \u015fi plin de r\u0103utate le era sufletul. Pentru fata cea vitreg\u0103 \u00eencepur\u0103 a curge, de-aci \u00eenainte, zile pline de am\u0103r\u0103ciune.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce, proasta asta se cade s\u0103 stea cu noi \u00een odaie? o bruftuluir\u0103 fetele. Cine vrea s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce n-are dec\u00e2t s\u0103 munceasc\u0103! La buc\u0103t\u0103rie cu ea, c\u0103 acolo i-e locul!<\/p>\n
\u00cei luar\u0103 straiele ei cele frumoase \u015fi-o \u00eembr\u0103car\u0103 c-o vechitur\u0103 de rochie cenu\u015fie \u015fi o \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163ar\u0103 cu ni\u015fte papuci de lemn.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ian privi\u0163i la domni\u0163a asta m\u00e2ndr\u0103, ce g\u0103tit\u0103 e! strigar\u0103 fetele ma\u015fterei, lu\u00e2nd-o \u00een r\u00e2s.<\/p>\n
\u015ei-o duser\u0103 \u00een buc\u0103t\u0103rie, \u00eentr-un alai de batjocuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aici o puser\u0103 s\u0103 roboteasc\u0103 din greu de diminea\u0163\u0103 \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u0103dea noaptea: s\u0103 se scoale p\u00e2n\u0103-n ziu\u0103, s\u0103 care ap\u0103, s\u0103 aprind\u0103 focul, s\u0103 fac\u0103 de m\u00e2ncare \u015fi s\u0103 spele rufele. \u015ei ca \u015fi cum asta n-ar fi fost de ajuns, c\u00e2te \u015fi mai c\u00e2te nu mai puneau la cale cele dou\u0103 surori haine ca s\u0103-\u015fi bat\u0103 joc de ea \u015fi s-o nec\u0103jeasc\u0103 \u00eentruna. Iar c\u00e2nd nu mai prididea de c\u00e2t\u0103 treab\u0103 avea de f\u0103cut, ele zv\u00e2rleau lintea \u015fi maz\u0103rea \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103, de trebuia apoi s-o aleag\u0103 bob cu bob.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Seara, fata c\u0103dea fr\u00e2nt\u0103 de oboseal\u0103, c\u0103 muncea de se spetea toat\u0103 ziulica. Dar cum n-avea un pat unde s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eentind\u0103 oasele trudite, se cuib\u0103rea \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 vatr\u0103 \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi somnul \u00eei era numai chin \u015fi amar. \u015ei fiindc\u0103 din aceast\u0103 pricin\u0103 era totdeauna plin\u0103 de cenu\u015f\u0103 \u015fi murdar\u0103, \u00eei ziser\u0103 \u00een r\u00e2s Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa. \u00centr-o zi, tat\u0103l fetelor se preg\u0103tea s\u0103 plece la un iarmaroc \u015fi mai \u00eenainte de a-\u015fi lua r\u0103mas bun, apuc\u0103 s\u0103 le \u00eentrebe pe cele dou\u0103 fete vitrege ce daruri voiau s\u0103 le aduc\u0103 de acolo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Rochii frumoase, r\u0103spunse una.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba m\u0103rg\u0103ritare \u015fi nestemate, zise a doua.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 \u0163ie, Cenu\u015f\u0103reaso, ce-\u0163i dore\u015fte inima s\u0103-\u0163i aduc? \u00eentreb\u0103 taic\u0103-s\u0103u, \u00eentr-un sf\u00e2r\u015fit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cea dint\u00e2i r\u0103muric\u0103 ce s-o anina de p\u0103l\u0103ria dumitale, la \u00eentoarcerea acas\u0103, pe aia s-o rupi, drag\u0103 tat\u0103, \u015fi s\u0103 mi-o aduci.<\/p>\n
La iarmaroc, omul avu grij\u0103 s\u0103 cumpere pentru fetele vitrege rochii frumoase, m\u0103rg\u0103ritare \u015fi nestemate. \u00cen drum spre cas\u0103, c\u00e2nd \u00eei fu s\u0103 treac\u0103 printr-un desi\u015f, \u00eel atinse o creang\u0103 de alun \u015fi-i d\u0103du jos p\u0103l\u0103ria de pe cap. Atunci \u00ee\u015fi aminti de rug\u0103mintea Cenu\u015f\u0103resei, rupse creanga \u015fi-o lu\u0103 cu sine. Dup\u0103 ce ajunse acas\u0103, d\u0103rui fetelor vitrege ceea dorise fiecare, iar Cenu\u015f\u0103resei, creanga de alun. Fata \u00eei mul\u0163umi din suflet \u015fi, c\u0103tre sear\u0103, se duse la morm\u00e2ntul maic\u0103-sii, r\u0103s\u0103di crengu\u0163a \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 at\u00e2t de amarnic c\u0103 lacrimile picurar\u0103 pe ramur\u0103 \u015fi-o udar\u0103. \u015ei crengu\u0163a crescu mare \u015fi se f\u0103cu o m\u00e2ndre\u0163e de copac. De trei ori pe zi se ducea Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa la morm\u00e2ntul maic\u0103-sii \u015fi de fiecare dat\u0103 z\u0103rea o p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103 alb\u0103 l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-se din zbor pe c\u00e2te-o creang\u0103 a alunului. \u015ei ori de c\u00e2te ori avea fata vreo dorin\u0163\u0103, p\u0103s\u0103rica i-o \u00eemplinea \u015fi-i arunca din pom ce-i poftea inima.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat ca o dat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103 pun\u0103 la cale o mare petrecere care trebuia s\u0103 \u0163in\u0103 trei zile \u00eencheiate \u015fi a poftit la osp\u0103\u0163 pe toate fetele frumoase din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lui. Pas\u0103mite, \u00eemp\u0103ratul g\u00e2ndea c\u0103-n chipul \u0103sta fecioru-s\u0103u o s\u0103 aib\u0103 de unde s\u0103-\u015fi aleag\u0103 mireasa\u2026 C\u00e2nd aflar\u0103 c\u0103 fuseser\u0103 \u015fi ele poftite la petrecere, cele dou\u0103 surori nu-\u015fi mai \u00eenc\u0103pur\u0103 \u00een piele de bucurie \u015fi, chem\u00e2nd-o pe Cenu\u015f\u0103reas\u0103, \u00eei poruncir\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vin\u2019 de ne piapt\u0103n\u0103, auzi? \u015ei treci de lustruie\u015fte-ne \u015fi condurii! Ba \u00eencheie-ne \u015fi catar\u0103mile, c\u0103 ne ducem la petrecerea de la palatul \u00eemp\u0103ratului!<\/p>\n
Fata f\u0103cu precum i se poruncise, dar pl\u00e2nse cu lacrimi amare, din pricin\u0103 c-ar fi dorit \u015fi ea s\u0103 se duc\u0103 la petrecere. \u015ei fiindc\u0103-i pl\u0103cea tare mult s\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uiasc\u0103, se rug\u0103 de maic\u0103-sa vitreg\u0103 s\u0103 se \u00eendure \u015fi s-o lase \u015fi pe ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce-mi aud urechile, Cenu\u015f\u0103reaso? se pref\u0103cu a fi uimit\u0103 ma\u015ftera. E\u015fti toat\u0103 plin\u0103 de praf \u015fi murd\u0103rie \u015fi-nc\u0103 mai n\u0103zuie\u015fti a te duce la petrecere! Poftim: n-ai nici o rochie mai ca lumea pe tine \u015fi nici \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163\u0103ri \u00een picioare n-ai \u015fi-ai vrea s\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uie\u015fti?!<\/p>\n
Dar cum fata st\u0103rui cu lacrimi \u00een ochi \u00een rug\u0103mintea ei, ma\u015ftera p\u0103ru s\u0103 se-nduplece \u015fi-n cele din urm\u0103 zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia uite ici: am r\u0103sturnat o strachin\u0103 de linte \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103 \u015fi de e\u015fti \u00een stare ca-n dou\u0103 ceasuri s\u0103-mi alegi toat\u0103 lintea, atunci o s\u0103 te \u00eeng\u0103dui s\u0103 mergi la petrecere!<\/p>\n
Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa ie\u015fi \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103 pe u\u015fa din dos \u015fi prinse a striga:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bl\u00e2nde porumbi\u0163e \u015fi voi turturele \u015fi voi p\u0103s\u0103ri ale cerului, veni\u0163i cu toatele de-mi ajuta\u0163i s-alegem lintea:<\/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“Bobul bun, ici, \u00een ulcic\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\u00a0Iar cel r\u0103u \u00een gu\u015fulic\u0103\u2026”<\/p>\n
N-apuc\u0103 s\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u015feasc\u0103 bine vorbele astea \u015fi numai ce sosir\u0103-n zbor dou\u0103 porumbi\u0163e albe \u015fi intrar\u0103 pe fereastr\u0103 \u00een buc\u0103t\u0103rie. Dup\u0103 aceea se ivir\u0103 dou\u0103 turturele \u015fi apoi, \u00eentr-un lung alai, venir\u0103 toate zbur\u0103toarele cerului, lop\u0103t\u00e2nd u\u015furel din aripi. \u015ei se a\u015fezar\u0103 cu toatele \u00een jurul vetrei, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-\u015fi loc \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103. Porumbi\u0163ele cl\u0103tinar\u0103 din c\u0103p\u015for \u015fi \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 ciugule ele \u00eent\u00e2i pic, pic, pic, apoi toate celelalte \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 ciugule \u015fi ele pic, pic, pic, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce aleser\u0103 boabele cele bune \u015fi umplur\u0103 strachina cu v\u00e2rf cu ele. Nu trecuse nici un ceas de c\u00e2nd p\u0103s\u0103relele se apucaser\u0103 de ales lintea \u015fi acum m\u00e2ntuiser\u0103 treaba \u015fi-\u015fi luar\u0103 zborul pe fereastr\u0103 afar\u0103. Fata \u00eei duse mamei vitrege strachina \u015fi se bucura \u00een g\u00e2ndul ei, crez\u00e2nd c-o vor lua \u015fi pe ea la petrecere. Dar ma\u015ftera i-o t\u0103ie scurt:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, fat\u0103, degeaba te \u0163ii scai de mine, nu te pot lua cu noi, c\u0103 n-ai nici straie frumoase \u015fi nici s\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uie\u015fti nu \u015ftii \u015fi tare mi-e team\u0103 c-ai s\u0103 fii numai de r\u00e2sul lumii\u2026<\/p>\n
Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa se porni atunci pe pl\u00e2ns \u015fi dac\u0103 v\u0103zu asta maic\u0103-sa vitreg\u0103 \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, hai, dac\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103-ntr-un ceas e\u015fti \u00een stare s\u0103-mi alegi din cenu\u015f\u0103 dou\u0103 str\u0103chini de linte, s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 te iau \u015fi pe tine!<\/p>\n
Dar \u00een g\u00e2ndul ei ma\u015ftera \u00ee\u015fi zicea: “Las\u2019 c\u0103 n-o s\u0103 poat\u0103 s\u0103 fac\u0103 una ca asta, nici \u00een ruptul capului!”. Dup\u0103 ce vitrega r\u0103sturn\u0103 dou\u0103 str\u0103chini de linte \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103, fata se duse \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103, pe u\u015fa din dos, \u015fi strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bl\u00e2nde porumbi\u0163e \u015fi voi turturele \u015fi voi p\u0103s\u0103ri ale cerului, veni\u0163i cu toatele de-mi ajuta\u0163i s-aleg lintea:<\/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“Bobul bun, ici, \u00een ulcic\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\u00a0Iar cel r\u0103u \u00een gu\u015fulic\u0103\u2026”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-apuc\u0103 s\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u015feasc\u0103 bine vorbele astea \u015fi numai ce sosir\u0103-n zbor dou\u0103 porumbi\u0163e albe \u015fi intrar\u0103 pe fereastr\u0103 \u00een buc\u0103t\u0103rie. Dup\u0103 aceea se ivir\u0103 dou\u0103 turturele \u015fi apoi, \u00eentr-un alai, venir\u0103 toate zbur\u0103toarele cerului, lop\u0103t\u00e2nd u\u015furel din aripi. \u015ei se a\u015fezar\u0103 cu toatele \u00een jurul vetrei, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-\u015fi loc \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103. Porumbi\u0163ele cl\u0103tinar\u0103 din c\u0103p\u015for \u015fi \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 ciugule ele \u00eent\u00e2i: pic, pic, pic, apoi toate celelalte \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 ciugule \u015fi ele pic, pic, pic, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce aleser\u0103 boabele cele bune \u015fi umplur\u0103 strachina v\u00e2rf cu ele. Nu trecuse jum\u0103tate de ceas \u015fi p\u0103s\u0103relele ispr\u0103vir\u0103 de ales lintea \u015fi zburar\u0103 iar pe fereastr\u0103 afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eei duse mamei vitrege str\u0103chinile cu linte \u015fi se bucura \u00een g\u00e2ndul ei, crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 o vor lua \u015fi pe ea la petrecere. Dar ma\u015ftera se \u00eempotrivi \u015fi acum:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Degeaba te omori cu firea, c\u0103 tot n-o s\u0103 te iau cu noi! Nu vezi: n-ai nici straie frumoase \u015fi nici s\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uie\u015fti nu te pricepi\u2026 Ce vrei, s\u0103 ne fie ru\u015fine cu tine?<\/p>\n
\u00cei \u00eentoarse apoi spatele \u015fi plec\u0103 la petrecere cu fetele ei cele fudule. Dup\u0103 ce r\u0103mase singur\u0103-singuric\u0103 \u00een toat\u0103 casa, Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa se duse la morm\u00e2ntul mamei sale \u015fi, a\u015fez\u00e2ndu-se sub alun, gr\u0103i:<\/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\u00a0Aluna\u015f drag, aluna\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\u00a0Scutur\u0103-te, rogu-te-a\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\u00a0\u015ei m\u0103-mbrac\u0103-n strai de-argint,<\/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\u00a0Numai aur \u015fi argint!<\/p>\n
Pas\u0103rea cea alb\u0103, care se afla \u00een alun, numai ce-i zv\u00e2rli de sus o rochie \u0163esut\u0103 toat\u0103 \u00een aur \u015fi argint \u015fi-o pereche de conduri cu ales\u0103turi de m\u0103tase \u015fi argint.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103 \u00een grab\u0103 \u015fi se duse la petrecere. Dar ma\u015ftera \u015fi cu fetele ei n-avur\u0103 cum s-o recunoasc\u0103, zic\u00e2ndu-\u015fi c\u0103 era pesemne vreo fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat de pe alte plaiuri, at\u00e2t ar\u0103ta de frumoas\u0103 \u00een rochia ei \u0163esut\u0103 din fire de aur \u015fi argint. La Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa nu se g\u00e2ndir\u0103 nici o clip\u0103, c\u0103ci o credeau acas\u0103, l\u00e2ng\u0103 vatr\u0103, aleg\u00e2nd lintea din cenu\u015f\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De cum o z\u0103ri pe fat\u0103, feciorul \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eei ie\u015fi \u00eenainte, o prinse de bra\u0163 \u015fi-o pofti la joc. \u015ei nici c\u0103 mai vru s\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uiasc\u0103 cu alt\u0103 fat\u0103. O \u0163inea mereu de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2nd s-apropia cineva s-o pofteasc\u0103 la dan\u0163, \u00eei zicea de la obraz:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se poate, c\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uie\u015fte numai cu mine!<\/p>\n
D\u0103n\u0163uir\u0103 \u00eempreun\u0103 \u015fi, pe la ceasul c\u00e2nd se \u00eeng\u00e2nau noaptea cu zorile, fata vru s\u0103 se duc\u0103 acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Merg \u015fi eu cu tine, c\u0103 vreau s\u0103-\u0163i \u0163in de ur\u00e2t c\u00e2t o dura drumul, \u00eei zise feciorul \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
Dar, de drept, el dorea s\u0103 afle c\u00e2t mai degrab\u0103 a cui era m\u00e2ndre\u0163ea asta de fat\u0103\u2026 Fata-i sc\u0103p\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 printre degete ca pr\u00e2snelul \u015fi, ajung\u00e2nd acas\u0103 tot \u00eentr-o fug\u0103, se ascunse \u00een porumbar. Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat a\u015ftept\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 de veni tat\u0103l fetei \u015fi-i spuse c\u0103 fata cea str\u0103in\u0103, cu care d\u0103n\u0163uise el toat\u0103 vremea, se pitulase \u00een porumbar. Mo\u015fneagului numai ce-i trecu un g\u00e2nd prin minte: “Ei, dr\u0103cia dracului! Nu cumva o fi Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa?!”, dar degeaba se gr\u0103bi s\u0103 deschid\u0103 u\u015fa porumbarului, c\u0103 nu z\u0103ri pe nimeni \u00een\u0103untru. C\u00e2nd intrar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii \u00een cas\u0103, o g\u0103sir\u0103 pe Cenu\u015f\u0103reas\u0103 st\u00e2nd \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103, \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 \u00een acelea\u015fi straie rufoase dintotdeauna. \u015ei numai lumina slab\u0103 de opai\u0163 care p\u00e2lp\u00e2ia pe c\u0103min lumina \u00eenc\u0103perea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103s\u0103mite, Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa se furi\u015fase cu dib\u0103cie afar\u0103 din porumbar, alergase \u00eentr-un suflet la alun, se dezbr\u0103case \u00een prip\u0103 de straiele cele frumoase \u015fi le pusese pe morm\u00e2nt, iar pas\u0103rea cea alb\u0103 le luase de-acolo, de nu se mai putea deslu\u015fi nimic. Apoi fata se \u00eembr\u0103case iar \u00een tren\u0163ele ei rufoase \u015fi se a\u015fez\u0103 \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103, l\u00e2ng\u0103 vatr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, petrecerea se porni din nou la palatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc; \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce p\u0103rin\u0163ii \u015fi surorile ei vitrege plecar\u0103 \u00eentr-acolo, Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa se gr\u0103bi s\u0103 se duc\u0103 la alun \u015fi zise:<\/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\u00a0Aluna\u015f drag, aluna\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\u00a0Scutur\u0103-te, rogu-te-a\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\u00a0\u015ei m\u0103-mbrac\u0103-n strai de-argint,<\/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\u00a0Numa-n aur \u015fi argint!<\/p>\n
Atunci p\u0103s\u0103rica \u00eei arunc\u0103 o rochie \u015fi mai frumoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t cea din ajun. \u015ei c\u00e2nd veni fata la petrecere, \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2ndre\u0163ea aceea de rochie, se minunar\u0103 to\u0163i de frumuse\u0163ea ei nemaiv\u0103zut\u0103. Pas\u0103mite feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat st\u0103tuse p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci ca pe ghimpi \u015fi-o tot a\u015fteptase s\u0103 vin\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd o v\u0103zu ap\u0103r\u00e2nd, i se lu\u0103 parc\u0103 o greutate de pe inim\u0103 \u015fi, ie\u015findu-i \u00een \u00eent\u00e2mpinare, o pofti de \u00eendat\u0103 la joc. \u015ei \u0163in\u00e2nd-o de m\u00e2n\u0103, parc\u0103 s\u0103 n-o piard\u0103, d\u0103n\u0163ui toat\u0103 vremea numai cu ea. Iar de venea s-o pofteasc\u0103 cineva la joc, el \u00eei zicea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se poate, c\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uie\u015fte numai cu mine!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se l\u0103sar\u0103 negurile nop\u0163ii, fata vru iar s\u0103 i se piard\u0103 urma, dar t\u00e2n\u0103rul crai lu\u0103 seam\u0103 din vreme \u015fi se furi\u015f\u0103 dup\u0103 ea, ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 unde se duce. Vezi \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 fata f\u0103cu ce f\u0103cu \u015fi-i sc\u0103p\u0103 de sub ochi, strecur\u00e2ndu-se \u00een gr\u0103dina din dosul casei, unde crescuse de ani \u015fi ani un p\u0103r mare \u015fi frumos, \u00eenc\u0103rcat cu pere minunate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata se c\u0103\u0163\u0103r\u0103 printre cr\u0103ci, sprinten\u0103 ca o veveri\u0163\u0103, \u015fi feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eei pierdu urma. A\u015ftept\u0103 el din nou, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce veni tat\u0103l fetei \u015fi-i zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fata cea str\u0103in\u0103 \u015fi frumoas\u0103 mi-a sc\u0103pat iar \u015fi, dup\u0103 c\u00e2te \u00eemi dau cu presupusul, s-a ascuns \u00een r\u0103muri\u015ful p\u0103rului \u0103stuia.<\/p>\n
\u015ei mo\u015fneagului \u00eei trecu din nou prin g\u00e2nd: “Ei, dr\u0103cia naibii! M\u0103re, n-o fi cumva Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa?!”. Lu\u0103 o scar\u0103, o priponi de copac \u015fi urc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103-n v\u00e2rf, cercet\u00e2nd de-a r\u00e2ndul cr\u0103cile, dar de g\u0103sit nu g\u0103si pe nimeni tupilat \u00een frunzi\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd p\u0103rin\u0163ii \u015fi surorile vitrege se re\u00eentoarser\u0103 acas\u0103 \u015fi intrar\u0103 \u00een buc\u0103t\u0103rie, o g\u0103sir\u0103 pe Cenu\u015f\u0103reas\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 vatr\u0103, st\u00e2nd \u00een cenu\u015f\u0103, ca \u00eentotdeauna. Vezi bine c\u0103 \u015fi de data asta o luase \u00eenaintea lui taic\u0103-s\u0103u \u015fi, furi\u015f\u00e2ndu-se p\u00e2n\u0103 la alunul cel fermecat, l\u0103sase acolo m\u00e2ndre\u0163ea de straie \u015fi se \u00eembr\u0103case cu zdren\u0163ele-i ponosite \u015fi rufoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A treia zi, Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa a\u015ftept\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce plecar\u0103 din nou p\u0103rin\u0163ii \u015fi surorile vitrege \u015fi-apoi se duse iar la morm\u00e2ntul maic\u0103-sii \u015fi-i gr\u0103i pomului:<\/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\u00a0Aluna\u015f drag, aluna\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\u00a0Scutur\u0103-te, rogu-te-a\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\u00a0\u015ei m\u0103-mbrac\u0103-n strai de-argint,<\/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\u00a0Numa-n aur \u015fi argint!<\/p>\n
De data asta, p\u0103s\u0103rica \u00eei arunc\u0103 o rochie at\u00e2t de frumoas\u0103 \u015fi de str\u0103lucitoare, cum nu s-a mai v\u0103zut alta pe lume, iar condurii erau cu totul \u015fi cu totul din fir de aur. C\u00e2nd se ivi la petrecere \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 cu rochia aceea, oaspe\u0163ii nu mai \u015ftiur\u0103 ce s\u0103 mai zic\u0103, uimi\u0163i de at\u00e2ta frumuse\u0163e nep\u0103m\u00e2ntean\u0103.<\/p>\n
Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat d\u0103n\u0163ui iar\u0103\u015fi numai cu d\u00e2nsa, \u015fi de venea vreunul \u015fi c\u0103uta s-o pofteasc\u0103 la joc, numai ce-i zicea aceluia, drept \u00een fa\u0163\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se poate, c\u0103 d\u0103n\u0163uie\u015fte numai cu mine!<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd s\u0103 se iveasc\u0103 zorile, Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa d\u0103du iar s\u0103 plece pe nesim\u0163ite, dar feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat se lu\u0103 numaidec\u00e2t dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa. \u015ei se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 ca zg\u00e2tia de fat\u0103 s\u0103 se strecoare cu at\u00e2ta dib\u0103cie, c\u0103 t\u00e2n\u0103rul crai \u00eei pierdu \u015fi de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 urma\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vezi \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 el pusese la cale un vicle\u015fug, poruncind s\u0103 se ung\u0103 din vreme treptele cu smoal\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa cobor\u00ee c\u00e2teva trepte, condurul din piciorul st\u00e2ng \u00eei r\u0103mase ag\u0103\u0163at \u00een smoal\u0103. Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eel ridic\u0103 \u015fi-n palma lui st\u0103tea acum un condur mic \u015fi dr\u0103g\u0103la\u015f, \u00eempletit cu totul \u015fi cu totul din fir de aur. A doua zi se gr\u0103bi la tat\u0103l fetelor \u015fi, ar\u0103t\u00e2ndu-i condurul, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fata pe-al c\u0103rei picior se va potrivi condurul acesta, numai aceea \u00eemi va fi nevast\u0103 juruit\u0103 \u015fi de nici o alta, \u00een afar\u0103 de ea, n-am nevoie!<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd auzir\u0103 spusele t\u00e2n\u0103rului crai, cele dou\u0103 fete ale ma\u015fterei se bucurar\u0103 grozav, fiindc\u0103 \u015fi ele aveau piciorul micu\u0163. Cea mai mare se duse cu pantoful \u00een iatac \u015fi, de fa\u0163\u0103 cu mam\u0103-sa, d\u0103du s\u0103-l \u00eencal\u0163e. Dar pas de-l \u00eencal\u0163\u0103 dac\u0103 po\u0163i! Degetul cel mare nu \u00eenc\u0103pea defel, c\u0103 tare mic mai era condurul! Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu asta ma\u015ftera, se \u00eentunec\u0103 la fa\u0163\u0103, dar nu preget\u0103 s\u0103-i pun\u0103-n m\u00e2n\u0103 un cu\u0163it, zic\u00e2ndu-i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce mai a\u015ftep\u0163i? Taie-\u0163i degetul de la picior, c\u0103 o s\u0103 fii cur\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103 \u015fi n-o s\u0103 mai trebuie s\u0103 umbli pe jos!<\/p>\n
Fata \u00ee\u015fi retez\u0103 degetul \u015fi cu chiu cu vai \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163\u0103 condurul. Apoi, abia put\u00e2nd s\u0103-\u015fi st\u0103p\u00e2neasc\u0103 durerea, se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 \u00eenaintea t\u00e2n\u0103rului crai \u015fi acesta, urc\u00e2nd-o pe cal, l\u00e2ng\u0103 el, porni cu ea c\u0103tre cas\u0103, socotind-o aleasa inimii lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar vezi c\u0103 drumul de \u00eenapoiere ducea pe dinaintea morm\u00e2ntului \u015fi c\u00e2nd fur\u0103 s\u0103 treac\u0103 pe acolo, numai ce auzir\u0103 pe cele dou\u0103 porumbi\u0163e strig\u00e2nd dintre cr\u0103cile alunului:<\/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\u00a0Vai, conduru-i tare mic:<\/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\u00a0Parc\u0103-n cle\u015fte-a\u015fa str\u00e2nge!<\/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-n\u0103untru-i plin de s\u00e2nge,<\/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\u0103 tot curge pic cu pic\u2026<\/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\u00a0Nu-i mireasa-adev\u0103rat\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\u00a0Ea-i pe-aproape \u015fi te-a\u015fteapt\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
Atunci feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat c\u0103t\u0103 mai cu luare-aminte la piciorul fetei \u015fi b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 c\u0103 s\u00e2ngele curgea din el, f\u0103r\u0103 contenire. Pe loc \u00eentoarse calul \u015fi, duc\u00e2nd fata acas\u0103, le zise p\u0103rin\u0163ilor c\u0103 aceasta nu-i mireasa cea adev\u0103rat\u0103. Apoi mai ad\u0103ug\u0103 c-ar dori s\u0103 \u00eencerce \u015fi cealalt\u0103 fat\u0103 condurul. Fata de-a doua se duse \u00een iatac \u015fi c\u00e2nd d\u0103du s\u0103 \u00eencerce condurul, ce s\u0103 vezi! V\u00e2rful piciorului i se potrivea ca turnat, dar c\u0103lc\u00e2iul era prea mare \u015fi r\u0103m\u0103sese afar\u0103, oric\u00e2t se str\u0103dui ea. Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu ma\u015ftera asta, se \u00eeng\u0103lbeni de ciud\u0103, dar nu st\u0103tu mult la g\u00e2nduri \u015fi, pun\u00e2ndu-i un cu\u0163it \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, o \u00eemboldi:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce te mai canone\u015fti degeaba! Nu vezi c\u0103 a\u015fa nu-i chip s\u0103-l \u00eencal\u0163i? Taie-\u0163i din c\u0103lc\u00e2i \u015fi gata! C\u0103 o s\u0103 fii \u00een cur\u00e2nd \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103 \u015fi n-o s\u0103 mai trebuie s\u0103 umbli pe jos!<\/p>\n
Fata retez\u0103 din c\u0103lc\u00e2i \u015fi, cu chiu, cu vai, abia de putu s\u0103 \u00eencal\u0163e condurul. Apoi, st\u0103p\u00e2nindu-\u015fi cu greu durerea, se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 \u00eenaintea fiului de \u00eemp\u0103rat. Acesta o aburc\u0103 pe cal, l\u00e2ng\u0103 sine, \u015fi plec\u0103 spre cas\u0103. Dar c\u00e2nd trecur\u0103 prin dreptul alunului, porumbi\u0163ele prinser\u0103 din nou s\u0103 dea zvon:<\/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\u00a0Vai, conduru-i tare mic:<\/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\u00a0Parc\u0103-n cle\u015fte-a\u015fa str\u00e2nge!<\/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-n\u0103untru-i numai s\u00e2nge,<\/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\u0103 tot curge pic cu pic\u2026<\/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\u00a0Nu-i mireasa-adev\u0103rat\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\u00a0Ea-i pe-aproape \u015fi te-a\u015fteapt\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat se uit\u0103 cu mai mult\u0103 luarea minte la piciorul fetei \u015fi b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 cum podidea s\u00e2ngele din el, de-i umpluse ciorapul alb, p\u00e2n\u0103 sus.<\/p>\n
\u00centoarse calul \u015fi, duc\u00e2nd-o pe mireasa cea mincinoas\u0103 acas\u0103, o l\u0103s\u0103 plocon p\u0103rin\u0163ilor ei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nici asta nu-i cea adev\u0103rat\u0103! gr\u0103i el cu m\u00e2nie-n glas. Au nu mai ave\u0163i alt\u0103 fat\u0103 \u015fi nu v\u0103 \u00eendura\u0163i s-o da\u0163i de la voi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, nu mai avem alta! r\u0103spunse tat\u0103l fetelor. Da\u2019, cum s\u0103 v\u0103 spun\u2026 de la nevasta dint\u00e2i mai am una, o biat\u0103 Cenu\u015f\u0103reas\u0103, da\u2019 nici vorb\u0103, nu poate fi ea mireasa!<\/p>\n
Feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat ceru s\u0103-i fie adus\u0103 \u00eenainte, dar ma\u015ftera s\u0103ri cu gura, de parc-ar fi fost mu\u015fcat\u0103 de \u015farpe:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, nu se poate, \u00een\u0103l\u0163imea ta, c\u0103 e prea rufoas\u0103! Nu se cuvine s\u0103 se arate \u00een lume \u00een halul \u00een care e!<\/p>\n
Dar t\u00e2n\u0103rul crai \u0163inu mor\u0163i\u015f s-o vad\u0103 \u015fi st\u0103rui \u00eentr-at\u00e2t c\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la urm\u0103 trebuir\u0103 s-o cheme vr\u00e2nd-nevr\u00e2nd. Vezi \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 fata avusese grij\u0103 s\u0103 se spele din vreme pe m\u00e2ini \u015fi pe obraz \u015fi c\u00e2nd se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015f\u0103 feciorului de \u00eemp\u0103rat se \u00eenclin\u0103 \u00eenainte-i, iar el \u00eei \u00eentinse pantoful de aur. Fata se a\u015fez\u0103 pe un sc\u0103unel, scoase din picior papucul de lemn ce tr\u0103gea c\u00e2teva ocale \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163\u0103 condurul care-i veni ca turnat. \u015ei c\u00e2nd se ridic\u0103 fata \u015fi t\u00e2n\u0103rul crai \u00eei privi chipul, o recunoscu pe dat\u0103, c\u0103 doar ea era domni\u0163a cu care d\u0103n\u0163uise \u015fi care-l robise cu frumuse\u0163ea-i f\u0103r\u0103 pereche. \u015ei nu-\u015fi putu st\u0103p\u00e2ni strig\u0103tul:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asta-i mireasa cea adev\u0103rat\u0103!<\/p>\n
Ma\u015ftera \u015fi cele dou\u0103 fete ale ei \u00eencremenir\u0103 de spaim\u0103 auzindu-l ce zice \u015fi ciuda le \u00eenvenin\u0103 \u00eentr-at\u00e2t, c\u0103 se traser\u0103 la fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi se f\u0103cur\u0103 galbene ca \u015fofranul. Dar feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat nu le \u00eenvrednici nici m\u0103car c-o c\u0103ut\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi, lu\u00e2nd-o pe Cenu\u015f\u0103reasa pe cal, l\u00e2ng\u0103 sine, porni cu ea c\u0103tre cas\u0103. \u00cen clipa c\u00e2nd trecur\u0103 prin dreptul alunului, cele dou\u0103 porumbi\u0163e albe ca neaua prinser\u0103 a ciripi, d\u00e2nd zvoan\u0103 bucuroase:<\/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\u00a0Vezi, conduru-i tare mic,<\/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\u00a0Dar de str\u00e2ns, defel n-o str\u00e2nge,<\/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-n\u0103untru nu e s\u00e2nge,<\/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\u0103 n-a curs m\u0103car un pic!<\/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\u00a0Ea-i mireasa-adev\u0103rat\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\u00a0Mult dorit\u0103 \u015fi visat\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce strigar\u0103 vorbele astea \u00ee\u015fi luar\u0103 am\u00e2ndou\u0103 zborul \u015fi, rotindu-se, se a\u015fezar\u0103 u\u015furel pe umerii fetei, una la dreapta \u015fi alta la st\u00e2nga. \u015ei au r\u0103mas a\u015fa, pe umerii Cenu\u015f\u0103resei, tot timpul c\u00e2t s-a pr\u0103znuit nunta \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A fost odat\u0103 un om putred de bogat \u015fi omului \u0103stuia s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat s\u0103-i cad\u0103 nevasta greu bolnav\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd a sim\u0163it c\u0103 i s-apropie sf\u00e2r\u015fitul, femeia \u015fi-a chemat … <\/p>\n