Tr\u0103ia odat\u0103, demult de tot, o m\u0103tu\u015fic\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103-b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 care-\u015fi ducea traiul tocmai \u00een creierii mun\u0163ilor, \u00eentr-un loc nec\u0103lcat de picior omenesc. \u015e-avea ea un bordei \u015fi un c\u00e2rd de g\u00e2\u015fte, iar locul acela pustiu \u00een care tr\u0103ia era \u00eenconjurat de o p\u0103dure nem\u0103rginit\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tr\u00e2nica \u00eens\u0103 nu \u015fedea numai acas\u0103, ci \u00een fiecare diminea\u0163\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi lua c\u00e2rja \u015fi-o pornea, \u015font\u00e2c-\u015font\u00e2c, \u00een p\u0103dure. Acolo, in padure, se apuca sa faca o mul\u0163ime de treburi, cum nu te-ai fi a\u015fteptat de la o femeie pe care o g\u00e2rboviser\u0103 anii: aduna iarba pentru g\u00e2\u015fte, culegea poame s\u0103lbatice \u015fi, \u00eenc\u0103rcat\u0103 cu toat\u0103 aceast\u0103 povar\u0103, o pornea incetisor spre cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cine ar fi v\u0103zut-o \u00eenc\u0103rcat\u0103 a\u015fa \u015fi-ar fi putut zice \u00een sinea lui c-o s\u0103 cad\u0103, dobor\u00e2t\u0103 de greutate, dar b\u0103tr\u00e2nica era zdrav\u0103n\u0103 \u015fi ajungea in fiecare zi cu bine acas\u0103. \u015ei dac\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2mpla s\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2lneasc\u0103 cu vreun drume\u0163, \u00eei spunea cu bl\u00e2nde\u0163e \u00een glas:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 ziua, cumetre drag\u0103, frumoas\u0103 vreme mai e ast\u0103zi! Da\u2019 ce te ui\u0163i a\u015fa? Te miri cum de pot c\u0103ra-n spate at\u00e2ta iarb\u0103? Oare nu-i dat fiec\u0103ruia s\u0103-\u015fi poarte povara-n spinare?<\/p>\n
Vezi \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 oamenilor nu le f\u0103cea pl\u0103cere s-o \u00eent\u00e2lneasc\u0103 \u015fi se fereau din calea ei, f\u0103c\u00e2nd un ocol. \u015ei dac\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2mpla ca vreun gospodar s\u0103 treac\u0103 cu feciorul lui pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsa, odat\u0103 \u00eel vedeai c\u0103-i \u015fopte\u015fte b\u0103iatului la ureche:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fere\u015fte-te de baba asta, ai grija, c\u0103-i o vr\u0103jitoare tare viclean\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00centr-o diminea\u0163\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 s\u0103 treac\u0103 prin acea p\u0103dure un fl\u0103c\u0103u tare frumu\u015fel. \u015ei-n timp ce mergea el a\u015fa, soarele str\u0103lucea \u00een \u00eenalt, p\u0103s\u0103rile c\u00e2ntau pe \u00eentrecute, \u015f-un v\u00e2nticel r\u0103coros adia prin frunzi\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S-ar spune c\u0103 \u00eentreaga fire era la fel ca \u015fi drume\u0163ul, plin\u0103 de bucurie \u015fi de voio\u015fie. \u00cen drumul lui, feciorul nu \u00eent\u00e2lnise picior de om c\u00e2nd, deodat\u0103, numai ce-o v\u0103zu pe b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 st\u00e2nd \u00een genunchi \u015fi cosind iarba. Pesemne c\u0103 venise cam de multi\u015for acolo, c\u0103 \u015for\u0163ul \u00eei era plin cu iarb\u0103, iar al\u0103turi mai avea dou\u0103 co\u015furi cu mere \u015fi pere p\u0103dure\u0163e.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, m\u0103tu\u015fic\u0103, da\u2019 cum po\u0163i s\u0103 cari toate astea singur\u0103? se mir\u0103 fl\u0103c\u0103ul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Trebuie s\u0103 le car, voinice drag\u0103, r\u0103spunse ea. Odraslele de bog\u0103ta\u015fi n-au de ce s\u0103 se osteneasc\u0103 a\u015fa, da\u2019 eu n-am \u00eencotro! C\u0103 \u0163\u0103ranul are o vorb\u0103 \u00een\u0163eleapt\u0103: “Nu te uita \u00eenapoi c\u0103 \u0163i s-a str\u00e2mbat spinarea, c\u0103 degeaba, te ui\u0163i!” \u015ei v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-l c\u0103 se opre\u015fte, b\u0103tr\u00e2nica ad\u0103ug\u0103: N-ai vrea s\u0103 m\u0103 aju\u0163i? Ai \u00eenc\u0103 spinarea dreapt\u0103 cum e bradul \u015fi picioarele zdravene, a\u015fa c\u0103 n-are s\u0103-\u0163i fie greu. \u015ei nu te teme, c\u0103 coliba mi-e tare aproape, colo, \u00een dosul muntelui. Nu-\u0163i trebuie mult ca s\u0103 ajungi la ea\u2026<\/p>\n
Fl\u0103c\u0103ului i se f\u0103cu mil\u0103 de b\u0103tr\u00e2nic\u0103 \u015fi-i spuse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, m\u0103tu\u015fic\u0103, o s\u0103-\u0163i duc eu povara! Nu-i vorba c\u0103-s fiu de nobil, da\u2019 uite c-o s\u0103-\u0163i ar\u0103t c\u0103 \u015ftiu s\u0103 car la fel de bine ca \u015fi \u0163\u0103ranii\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 te \u00eencume\u0163i s\u0103-ncerci, atunci \u00eencearc\u0103! \u2013 spuse b\u0103tr\u00e2nica. Da\u2019 s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 vreo or\u0103 de drum tot o s\u0103 ai de f\u0103cut. Da\u2019 ce importan\u0163\u0103 are asta pentru un voinic ca tine! \u015ei s\u0103 nu ui\u0163i c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 cari \u015fi co\u015furile alea dou\u0103, cu mere \u015fi cu pere\u2026<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd auzi c\u0103-i vorba de-o or\u0103 de mers, fl\u0103c\u0103ul \u015fov\u0103i oleac\u0103, dar b\u0103tr\u00e2nica nu-i mai d\u0103du drumul, ci-i \u015fi puse \u00een spinare leg\u0103tura cu iarb\u0103 \u015fi-n fiecare m\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2te un co\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi ce u\u015for e? zise ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu e u\u015for deloc! r\u0103spunse fl\u0103c\u0103ul.<\/p>\n
\u015ei se str\u00e2mb\u0103 de durere, c\u0103 leg\u0103tura era grea de parc\u0103 ar fi avut \u00een ea numai bolovani, iar merele \u015fi perele at\u00e2rnau ca plumbul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Of, nu mai pot s\u0103 suflu! se t\u00e2ngui el.<\/p>\n
Fl\u0103c\u0103ul vru s\u0103-\u015fi dea jos povara, dar b\u0103tr\u00e2nica nici nu vru s\u0103 aud\u0103 de a\u015fa ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia te uit\u0103, zise ea batjocoritoare, domni\u015forul nu vrea s\u0103 care ceea ce eu, o femeie b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, am c\u0103rat de at\u00e2tea ori! S\u0103 te lauzi v\u0103d c\u0103 \u015ftii, da\u2019 c\u00e2nd vine vorba de treab\u0103 serioas\u0103, vrei s\u0103 dai bir cu fugi\u0163ii, hai? Ei, domni\u015forule, cu mine nu-\u0163i merge! Ce mai stai pe g\u00e2nduri? \u00centinde-o la drum, c\u0103 nu-\u0163i ia nimeni leg\u0103tura din spinare!<\/p>\n
C\u00e2t timp a fost drumul drept, fl\u0103c\u0103ul a purtat povara in spate destul de bine, dar c\u00e2nd au \u00eenceput s\u0103 urce muntele \u015fi pietri\u015ful li se rostogolea sub picioare la tot pasul, de parc\u0103 ar fi fost \u00eensufle\u0163it, puterile nu-l mai ajutar\u0103. Sudoarea \u00eei curgea g\u00e2rl\u0103 pe frunte \u015fi i se scurgea pe spinare \u00een broboane c\u00e2nd calde, c\u00e2nd reci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103tu\u015fic\u0103, m\u0103 simt sleit, nu mai pot! zise el. Las\u0103-m\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 odihnesc un pic, c\u0103 de nu, am s\u0103 cad din picioare!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nici prin g\u00e2nd nu-mi trece! spuse b\u0103tr\u00e2nica. C\u00e2nd om ajunge acas\u0103, o s\u0103 te odihne\u015fti c\u00e2t ai s\u0103 pofte\u015fti, da\u2019 acum porne\u015fte-o la drum!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, \u00eemi pare c\u0103 te cam \u00eentreci cu gluma! zise feciorul de vi\u0163\u0103 aleas\u0103. \u015ei, m\u00e2niat la culme, vru s\u0103 zv\u00e2rle din spinare povara. Dar oric\u00e2t se suci \u015fi se r\u0103suci, nu putu s\u0103 scape de ea\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00cen acest timp, b\u0103tr\u00e2na chicotea \u015fi \u0163op\u0103ia, plin\u0103 de voio\u015fie:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te m\u00e2nia, drag\u0103 domni\u015forule, c\u0103 te-ai ro\u015fit la fa\u0163\u0103 ca o creast\u0103 de coco\u015f!\u015ei nu mai fi nici ner\u0103bd\u0103tor! Poart\u0103-n spinare leg\u0103turica \u015fi c\u00e2nd om ajunge acas\u0103, o s\u0103-\u0163i dau \u015fi un bac\u015fi\u015f pe cinste!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acum, fl\u0103c\u0103ul n-avea de ales \u015fi fu nevoit s\u0103 se supun\u0103. \u015ei, t\u00e2r\u00e2\u015f-gr\u0103pi\u015f, o lu\u0103 pe urma b\u0103tr\u00e2nei, v\u0103ic\u0103rindu-se la tot pasul. \u00centre timp, b\u0103tr\u00e2nica p\u0103rea c\u0103 devine tot mai sprinten\u0103, iar povara fl\u0103c\u0103ului se f\u0103cea tot mai grea. \u015ei deodat\u0103, c\u00e2nd fl\u0103c\u0103ul nici nu se a\u015ftepta, baba f\u0103cu un salt \u015fi, \u0163u\u015fti!, s\u0103ri pe leg\u0103tura de f\u00e2n \u015fi se coco\u0163\u0103 \u00een v\u00e2rful ei. Ei, dragilor, c\u00e2t era de sfrijit\u0103, at\u00e2rna mai greu dec\u00e2t cea mai voinic\u0103 femeie!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103c\u0103ului \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103-i tremure genunchii de-at\u00e2ta greutate, dar nu era chip s\u0103 se opreasc\u0103 nici m\u0103car c\u00e2t s\u0103-\u015fi trag\u0103 sufletul\u2026 De \u00eendat\u0103 ce-l vedea c\u0103 se opre\u015fte, b\u0103tr\u00e2nica \u00eel \u015fi lovea peste picioare c-o joard\u0103 sau cu un m\u0103nunchi de urzici. Urc\u0103 el muntele ca vai de el, \u015fi tocmai c\u00e2nd sim\u0163ea c\u0103-i sleit de oboseal\u0103 \u015fi c-o s\u0103 pice jos, ajunse, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, la coliba b\u0103tr\u00e2nei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd o z\u0103rir\u0103 pe b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, un c\u00e2rd de g\u00e2\u015fte \u00ee\u015fi desf\u0103cur\u0103 aripile \u015fi, \u00eentinz\u00e2ndu-\u015fi g\u00e2turile, alergar\u0103 s-o \u00eent\u00e2mpine, g\u00e2g\u00e2ind de zor. \u00cen urma lor, c-o nuielu\u015f\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, venea o cum\u0103tr\u0103 mai \u00een v\u00e2rst\u0103, \u00eenalt\u0103 \u015fi lat\u0103-n spate, cu o fa\u0163\u0103 ur\u00e2t\u0103 ca moartea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mam\u0103, \u00eei spuse ea b\u0103tr\u00e2nei, nu cumva ai p\u0103\u0163it ceva de-ai \u00eent\u00e2rziat at\u00e2t de mult?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-am p\u0103\u0163it nimic, feti\u0163a mea, r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na. Dimpotriv\u0103, domnul asta a fost at\u00e2t de binevoitor \u015fi mi-a dus povara. \u015ei, \u00eenchipuie-\u0163i, c\u00e2nd m-am sim\u0163it obosit\u0103, m-a luat \u015fi pe mine-n c\u00e2rc\u0103! \u015ei a\u015fa s-a f\u0103cut c\u0103 drumul nu mi s-a p\u0103rut lung deloc, \u015fi-am fost veseli, \u015fi-am glumit tot timpul.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd \u00ee\u015fi termin\u0103 vorbele, b\u0103tr\u00e2na se d\u0103du jos din spinarea fl\u0103c\u0103ului. Apoi \u00eei lu\u0103 \u015fi leg\u0103tura din spate, \u015fi co\u015furile din m\u00e2ini \u015fi, privindu-l foarte prietenos, \u00eei spuse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum, a\u015faz\u0103-te pe banca asta din fa\u0163a u\u015fii \u015fi odihne\u015fte-te. \u0162i-ai meritat pe deplin r\u0103splata \u015fi n-o s\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2rzii s\u0103 \u0163i-o dau. Apoi gr\u0103i c\u0103tre p\u0103zitoarea g\u00e2\u015ftelor: Du-te \u00een cas\u0103, fata mea, c\u0103 nu se cade s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2i singur\u0103 cu un t\u00e2n\u0103r! La urma urmelor, de ce s\u0103 pui untdelemn peste foc? Mai \u015ftii c\u0103 nu se \u00eendr\u0103goste\u015fte de tine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103c\u0103ul lu\u0103 seama la vorbele b\u0103tr\u00e2nei, dar nu \u015ftiu dac\u0103 s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 sau s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103. “A\u015fa comoar\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi spuse el \u00een sinea lui, chiar de-ar fi mai t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 cu vreo treizeci de ani\u015fori \u015fi tot nu mi-ar mi\u015fca inima!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen acest timp, b\u0103tr\u00e2na \u00ee\u015fi alint\u0103 \u015fi-\u015fi m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia g\u00e2\u015ftele de parc\u0103 ar fi fost copiii ei. Apoi, o chem\u0103 pe fiic\u0103-sa \u015fi intrar\u0103-n cas\u0103. Fl\u0103c\u0103ul se \u00eentinse pe banc\u0103, la umbra unui m\u0103r s\u0103lbatic, \u015fi se uit\u0103 \u00een jur. Aerul era bl\u00e2nd \u015fi molcom \u015fi c\u00e2t vedeai cu ochii se \u00eentindea o paji\u015fte verde, plin\u0103 cu ghiocei, cimbri\u015for s\u0103lbatic \u015fi zeci \u015fi zeci de alte soiuri de flori. Prin mijlocul gr\u0103dinii curgea un p\u00e2r\u00e2u limpede precum cle\u015ftarul, \u00een care se r\u0103sfr\u00e2ngeau razele soarelui, \u015fi pe undele lui se preumblau \u00een sus \u015fi-n jos g\u00e2\u015ftele albe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“E foarte pl\u0103cut pe aici, se g\u00e2ndi el, da\u2019 sunt at\u00e2t de trudit, c\u0103 de-abia \u00eemi \u0163in ochii deschi\u015fi! N-ar fi r\u0103u de-a\u015f a\u0163ipi un pic\u2026 Numai de n-ar veni un v\u00e2nt s\u0103-mi spulbere picioarele, c\u0103 le simt moi \u015fi u\u015foare ca iasca!”<\/p>\n
Apoi, \u00eenchise ochii \u015fi adormi. Dormi el un pic \u015fi numai ce veni b\u0103tr\u00e2na s\u0103-l trezeasc\u0103. \u015ei, zg\u00e2l\u0163\u00e2indu-l, \u00eei spuse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Scoal\u0103-te, c\u0103 aici nu mai po\u0163i r\u0103m\u00e2ne! Recunosc c\u0103 te-am f\u0103cut s\u0103-\u0163i sco\u0163i oleac\u0103 sufletul pe urcu\u015ful acela, dar via\u0163a nu \u0163i-ai pierdut-o. Iar acum am s\u0103-\u0163i dau r\u0103splata. De bani sau de bunuri \u015ftiu c\u0103 n-ai ne\u00advoie, a\u015fa c\u0103 o s\u0103-\u0163i d\u0103ruiesc cu totul altceva.<\/p>\n
\u015ei zic\u00e2nd aceasta, \u00eei \u00eentinse un sipe\u0163el f\u0103urit dintr-un singur smarald.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 P\u0103streaz\u0103-l bine, ad\u0103uga ea, c\u0103 o s\u0103-\u0163i aduc\u0103 mult noroc!<\/p>\n
Fl\u0103c\u0103ul sari \u00een sus de bucurie \u015fi se sim\u0163i iar\u0103\u015fi \u00een puteri \u015fi plin de voie bun\u0103. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce-i mul\u0163umi b\u0103tr\u00e2nei pentru dar, o porni la drum, f\u0103r\u0103 ca m\u0103car s\u0103 arunce o privire c\u0103tre fata babei. Merse el ce merse, cale lung\u0103, nu glum\u0103, \u015fi-n urechi tot \u00eei mai venea din dep\u0103rtare g\u00e2g\u00e2itul vesel al g\u00e2\u015ftelor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103c\u0103ul fu nevoit s\u0103 r\u0103t\u0103ceasc\u0103 vreme de trei zile prin afundul acelui codru \u015fi-n cele din urm\u0103 g\u0103si un drumeag care-l scoase afar\u0103 din p\u0103dure. Merse el ce mai merse, dar nu prea mult, \u015fi ajunse \u00eentr-o cetate mare. \u015ei cum nu cuno\u015ftea pe nimeni, \u00eel duser\u0103 \u00een palatul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc, s\u0103 se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015feze m\u0103riilor-lor. \u015ei a\u015fa se f\u0103cu de intr\u0103 el \u00een sala tronului, unde \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa \u015fedeau pe jil\u0163urile domne\u015fti, \u00eenconjura\u0163i de curteni. Fl\u0103c\u0103ul \u00eenaint\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103-n fa\u0163a tronului \u015fi, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-se pe un genunchi, scoase din buzunar sipe\u0163elul de smarald \u015fi-l depuse la picioarele \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei. Maria-sa \u00eel rug\u0103 s\u0103 se ridice, iar el \u00eei \u00eentinse sipe\u0163elul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum \u00eel deschise \u015fi privi \u00een el, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa se pr\u0103bu\u015fi la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, f\u0103r\u0103 sim\u0163ire. Dac\u0103 v\u0103zu m\u0103ria-sa una ca asta, pe data porunci ca fl\u0103c\u0103ul s\u0103 fie dus \u00een temni\u0163\u0103. Dar chiar \u00een aceea\u015fi clip\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa deschise iar\u0103\u015fi ochii \u015fi strig\u0103 s\u0103 i se dea drumul, c\u0103 n-are nici o vin\u0103. Apoi, porunci ca toat\u0103 lumea s\u0103 ias\u0103 afar\u0103, fiindc\u0103 are o vorb\u0103 de tain\u0103 cu fl\u0103c\u0103ul.<\/p>\n
De \u00eendat\u0103 ce \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa fu numai cu el, \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 amarnic \u015fi-i spuse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 La ce bun toate onorurile \u015fi str\u0103lucirea care m\u0103 \u00eenconjoar\u0103, dac\u0103-n fiecare diminea\u0163\u0103 m\u0103 trezesc cu inima grea \u015fi plin\u0103 de durere! Am avut trei fiice, iar cea mai t\u00e2n\u0103ra era at\u00e2t de frumoas\u0103, c\u0103 toat\u0103 lumea o privea ca pe o minune nemaiv\u0103zut\u0103. Era alb\u0103 ca z\u0103pada, ro\u015fie ca m\u0103rul p\u00e2rguit, iar parul \u00eei str\u0103lucea ca razele de soare. C\u00e2nd se \u00eent\u00e2mpla s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103, din ochi nu-i curgeau lacrimi, ci numai m\u0103rg\u0103ritare \u015fi nestemate. \u015ei ce crezi, c\u00e2nd \u00eemplini fata cincisprezece ani, \u00eemp\u0103ratul trimise s\u0103 le cheme pe tustrele fetele s\u0103 se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015feze m\u0103riei-sale, de fa\u0163\u0103 cu toat\u0103 curtea. Ar fi trebuit s\u0103 fii acolo, ca s\u0103 fi v\u0103zut ce ochi au c\u0103scat cu to\u0163ii c\u00e2nd a intrat cea mai t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103: p\u0103rea c-a r\u0103s\u0103rit soarele! \u015ei \u00eemp\u0103ratul gr\u0103i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fiicele mele, nu \u015ftiu c\u00e2nd \u00eemi va suna ceasul din urm\u0103 \u015fi de aia vreau s\u0103 hot\u0103r\u0103sc ast\u0103zi ce o s\u0103 primeasc\u0103 fiecare dintre voi dup\u0103 moartea mea! \u015etiu c\u0103 toate m\u0103 iubi\u0163i, dar aceleia care m\u0103 iube\u015fte cel mai mult i se cuveni, pe drept, partea cea mai \u00eensemnat\u0103 a \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei.<\/p>\n
Atunci fiecare dintre fete \u00eei spuse c\u0103 ea \u00eel iube\u015fte cel mai mult.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Prea v\u0103 pripi\u0163i cu r\u0103spunsul! grai \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Nu s-ar putea ca fiecare, pe r\u00e2nd, s\u0103-mi spun\u0103 cum m\u0103 iube\u015fte? Dup\u0103 asta o s\u0103-mi dau seama singur care dintre voi nutre\u015fte fa\u0163\u0103 de mine cele mai alese sentimente.<\/p>\n
\u015ei atunci spuse fata cea mare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu \u00eel iubesc pe taica la fel ca pe zah\u0103rul cel mai dulce!<\/p>\n
Iar a doua zise a\u015fa:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu \u00eel iubesc pe taica la fel ca pe rochia mea cea mai frumoas\u0103!<\/p>\n
Vezi \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 mezina t\u0103cea chitic.<\/p>\n
Atunci m\u0103ria-sa o \u00eentreb\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 tu, copila mea drag\u0103, ia spune-mi: c\u00e2t de mult m\u0103 iube\u015fti?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u015ftiu! r\u0103spunse fata. Dragostea ce \u0163i-o port n-o pot asemui cu vreun lucru!<\/p>\n
Dar \u00eemp\u0103ratul nu se mul\u0163umi cu r\u0103spunsul domni\u0163ei, ci st\u0103rui ca fata s\u0103-i arate negre\u015fit c\u00e2t de mult \u00eel iubea. \u015ei-ntr-un sf\u00e2r\u015fit, ea spuse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Oric\u00e2t de bun\u0103 ar fi o m\u00e2ncare, de nu-i s\u0103rat\u0103, nu-mi face nicio pl\u0103cere s-o gust. Eu \u00eel iubesc pe taica, a\u015fa cum iubesc sarea-n bucate!”<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd auzi \u00eemp\u0103ratul vorbele fetei, se m\u00e2nie foarte tare \u015fi spuse cu n\u0103duf:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 doar at\u00e2t m\u0103 iube\u015fti, c\u00e2t sarea, apoi tot cu sare \u00ee\u0163i va fi r\u0103spl\u0103tit\u0103 \u015fi dragostea!”<\/p>\n
Apoi \u00ee\u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163i \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia \u00eentre cele dou\u0103 fete mai mari, iar mezinei \u00eei leg\u0103 de spate un sac plin cu sare, \u015fi o alung\u0103 de la palat. Doi slujitori fur\u0103 nevoi\u0163i s-o \u00eenso\u0163easc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103-n ad\u00e2ncul unei p\u0103duri s\u0103lbatice. Ne-am rugat cu to\u0163ii de m\u0103ria-sa s\u0103 se \u00eendure \u015fi s-o ierte, dar n-a fost chip s\u0103-l \u00eembl\u00e2nzim.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici nu se poate descrie \u00een cuvinte c\u00e2t a mai pl\u00e2ns fata c\u00e2nd a fost obligat\u0103 s\u0103 ne p\u0103r\u0103seasc\u0103\u2026 \u015ei tot drumul l-a pres\u0103rat cu m\u0103rg\u0103ritare c\u00e2te i-au curs \u015firoaie din ochi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pu\u0163in dup\u0103 asta, \u00eemp\u0103ratului i-a p\u0103rut tare r\u0103u c\u0103 \u015fi-a pe\u00addepsit fiica at\u00e2t de cr\u00e2ncen, \u015fi-a trimis slujitorii s-o caute pe biata copil\u0103 \u00een toat\u0103 p\u0103durea, dar nimeni n-a mai putut s-o g\u0103seasc\u0103. C\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc c-au sfi\u015fiat-o fiarele s\u0103lbatice, nu mai \u015ftiu ce s\u0103 fac de m\u00e2hnire\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2teodat\u0103 m\u0103 m\u00e2ng\u00e2i cu n\u0103dejdea c\u0103 mai e \u00eenc\u0103-n via\u0163\u0103, c\u0103 s-a aciuat \u00een vreo pe\u015fter\u0103 sau c\u0103 a g\u0103sit adapost la niscaiva oameni milostivi. C\u00e2nd am deschis sipetelul dumitale de smarald \u015fi-am g\u0103sit \u00een\u0103untru un m\u0103rg\u0103ritar aidoma acelora care curgeau din ochii fetei mele, nici nu-\u0163i poti da seama c\u00e2t de mult mi s-a tulburat inima \u015fi mi-a s\u00e2ngerat! Parc\u0103 a\u015f fi v\u0103zut-o iar\u0103\u015fi \u00een fa\u0163\u0103, v\u0103rs\u00e2nd lacrimi amare c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 plece! Spune-mi, cum ai ajuns \u00een stap\u00e2nirea acestui sipe\u0163el?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103c\u0103ul de vi\u0163\u0103 aleas\u0103 prinse a povesti \u00een ce chip \u00eel primise de la batr\u00e2na ce tr\u0103ia-n codrul de necuprins. \u015ei mai ad\u0103ug\u0103 c\u0103 baba nu i s-a p\u0103rut a fi o femeie cumsecade, fiindc\u0103 se vedea din toate purt\u0103rile ei c\u0103 e o vr\u0103jitoare. C\u00e2t despre domni\u0163\u0103, nici nu-i fusese dat s-o vad\u0103 \u015fi nici nu auzise despre ea nimic!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce-\u015fi termin\u0103 fl\u0103c\u0103ul povestirea, \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa luar\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2rea s\u0103 plece spre acel codru \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eencerce s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103 cu b\u0103tr\u00e2na. \u00cen sinea lor g\u00e2ndeau c\u0103 acolo unde a fost g\u0103sit m\u0103rg\u0103ritarul, vor putea afla ve\u015fti \u015fi despre fiica lor\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acum, trebuie s\u0103 v\u0103 spun c\u0103-n acest timp b\u0103tr\u00e2na st\u0103tea \u00een coliba ei \u015fi torcea la roata de tors. Se \u00eentunecase de-acum \u015fi un vreasc, care abia mocnea \u00een vatr\u0103, \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftia o lumin\u0103 slab\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Deodat\u0103, de afar\u0103 se auzi o larm\u0103 mare: se \u00eentorceau g\u00e2\u015ftele de la p\u0103scut \u015fi scoteau g\u00e2g\u00e2iturile lor r\u0103gu\u015fite. Pu\u0163in dup\u0103 aceea, intr\u0103-n cas\u0103 \u015fi fata \u015fi-i d\u0103du bine\u0163e maic\u0103-si. B\u0103tr\u00e2na \u00eens\u0103 de-abia \u00eei r\u0103spunse \u015fi se mul\u0163umi s\u0103 dea doar din cap de c\u00e2teva ori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata se a\u015fez\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 ea \u015fi, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi roata de tors, \u00eencepu s\u0103 r\u0103suceasc\u0103 firul at\u00e2t de sprinten, de parc\u0103 ar fi fost \u00een anii fragezi ai tinere\u0163ii. St\u0103tur\u0103 ele a\u015fa cam vreo dou\u0103 ceasuri bune, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 scoat\u0103 vreun cuv\u00e2nt, \u015fi-n timpul \u0103sta numai cele dou\u0103 ro\u0163i de tors \u00ee\u015fi vorbeau, \u00eeng\u00e2n\u00e2ndu-se\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen cele din urm\u0103, ceva se auzi fo\u015fnind pe la fereastra \u015fi doi ochi ca para se holbar\u0103 \u00een\u0103untru. Era o bufni\u0163\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 care strig\u0103 de trei ori: “uhu-huu!” B\u0103tr\u00e2na ridic\u0103 privirea de la roata de tors \u015fi apoi spuse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 E timpul, feti\u0163o, s\u0103 te duci s\u0103-\u0163i vezi de treburi!<\/p>\n
Auzind-o, fata \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 lucrul \u015fi ie\u015fi afar\u0103. \u00cencotro se \u00eendrepta oare? O lu\u0103 peste c\u00e2mp \u015fi merse departe, tot mai departe, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd ajunse \u00eentr-o vale larg\u0103. \u015ei \u00eentr-un sf\u00e2r\u015fit, se opri la un izvor l\u00e2ng\u0103 care se \u00een\u0103l\u0163au trei stejari b\u0103tr\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centre timp, luna ie\u015fise din dosul muntelui, ca un disc mare de foc, \u015fi era at\u00e2ta lumin\u0103, c\u0103 puteai z\u0103ri \u015fi un ac. \u015ei, ce s\u0103 vezi, odat\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi scoase fata de pe fa\u0163\u0103 pielea cea ve\u015fted\u0103 \u015fi, aplec\u00e2ndu-se la izvor, \u00eencepu s\u0103 se spele\u2026 C\u00e2nd fu gata, muie \u015fi pielea \u00een ap\u0103 \u015fi apoi o \u00eentinse pe iarb\u0103, s\u0103 se usuce \u015fi s\u0103 se albeasc\u0103 la lumina lunii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei, dragilor, c\u00e2t de schimbat\u0103 era acum fata! A\u015fa ceva nu v-a fost vou\u0103 dat s\u0103 vede\u0163i niciciodat\u0103! C\u00e2nd l\u0103s\u0103 s\u0103-i cad\u0103 coada de p\u0103r cenu\u015fiu, odat\u0103 se revars\u0103 pe umeri un par b\u0103lai ca razele de soare. \u015ei era at\u00e2t de bogat p\u0103rul acesta nou, c\u0103 o \u00eenv\u0103lui toat\u0103, ca o mantie. Din el, doar ochii i se mai vedeau, str\u0103lucitori ca stelele de pe cer \u015fi obrajii trandafirii, ca floarea de m\u0103r.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vezi \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 fata cea frumoas\u0103 era tare m\u00e2hnit\u0103. \u015ei, asez\u00e2ndu-se pe marginea f\u00e2nt\u00e2nii, \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 amar. Lacrimilei i se scurgea din ochi \u015fi se rostogolea printre valurile bogate de p\u0103r b\u0103lai, p\u00e2n\u0103 picau la p\u0103m\u00e2nt\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Astfel \u015fedea ea acolo, \u015fi mult\u0103 vreme ar fi r\u0103mas a\u015fa, ad\u00e2ncit\u0103-n m\u00e2hnirea ei, dac\u0103 \u00een ramurile unui copac din apropiere nu s-ar fi auzit trosnind ceva. A\u015fa o spaim\u0103 o cuprinse pe fat\u0103 c\u0103, tremur\u00e2nd ca frunza, o lu\u0103 la goan\u0103 spre cas\u0103. Se nimeri c\u0103 tocmai atunci batr\u00e2na st\u0103tea-n prag \u015fi fata vru s\u0103-i povesteasc\u0103 ceea ce i se \u00eent\u00e2mplase, dar batr\u00e2na r\u00e2se u\u015furel \u015fi-i spuse prietenos:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015etiu tot, fata mea!<\/p>\n
Apoi o duse \u00een odaie \u015fi aprinse alt vreasc. Dar nu se mai a\u015fez\u0103 la roata de tors, ci scoase o m\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 m\u0103ture pre\u015furile \u015fi s\u0103 frece du\u015fumeaua c-o c\u00e2rp\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Totul trebuie s\u0103 fie curat ca lacrima \u015fi-n cea mai mare ordine! gr\u0103i ea c\u0103tre fat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, mam\u0103, vru s\u0103 \u015ftie fata, da\u2019 de ce \u00eencepi treaba la o ora a\u015fa de t\u00e2rzie? Ce-ai de g\u00e2nd?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 ce or\u0103 este? \u00eentreb\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2na.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-i \u00eenc\u0103 miezul nop\u0163ii, r\u0103spunse fata, dar a trecut de ora unsprezece.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Oare nu te-ai g\u00e2ndit, continu\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2na, c\u0103 se \u00eeplinesc trei ani de c\u00e2nd ai venit la mine? A trecut timpul c\u00e2t \u0163i-a fost \u00eeng\u0103duit s\u0103 stai aici \u015fi de-acum nu mai putem r\u0103m\u00e2ne \u00eempreun\u0103.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd o auzi ce spune, fata se \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103 grozav \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 se v\u0103ic\u0103reasc\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai, drag\u0103 mam\u0103, vrei s\u0103 m\u0103 izgone\u015fti? Unde s\u0103 m\u0103 duc? C\u0103 doar n-am nici patrie, nici prieteni spre care s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eendrept! Am f\u0103cut mereu tot ce mi-ai cerut \u015fi niciodat\u0103 n-ai fost nemul\u0163umit\u0103 de mine. Nu m\u0103 izgoni de-aici!<\/p>\n
Vezi \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2na nu vru s\u0103-i dezv\u0103luie fetei ce o a\u015ftepta\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu mai ram\u00e2n aici o vreme, \u00eei spuse ea fetei, da\u2019, c\u00e2nd o fi s\u0103 plec, trebuie s\u0103 las casa curat\u0103\u2026 \u015ei-acum, nu m\u0103 mai bodog\u0103ni, c\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eencurci la lucru! Iar \u00een privin\u0163a ta, fii f\u0103r\u0103 nici o grij\u0103, o s\u0103 g\u0103se\u015fti un acoperi\u015f sub care s\u0103 te po\u0163i ad\u0103posti, \u015fi-o s\u0103 fii mul\u0163umit\u0103 cu simbria pe care \u0163i-o vor da.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Atunci spune-mi numai ce s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat! st\u0103rui mai departe fata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un singur lucru \u00ee\u0163i spun: s\u0103 nu m\u0103 mai stinghere\u015fti de la treab\u0103! Hai, \u00eenceteaz\u0103 odat\u0103 cu \u00eentreb\u0103rile \u015fi du-te \u00een odaia ta! Ia-\u0163i pielea cea ve\u015fted\u0103 de pe obraz \u015fi \u00eembrac\u0103-\u0163i rochia de m\u0103tase pe care-o purtai c\u00e2nd ai venit aici. \u015ei-apoi r\u0103m\u00e2i \u00een camera ta \u015fi a\u015fteapt\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce te-oi chema!<\/p>\n
\u015ei-acum, dragilor, s\u0103 ne \u00eentoarcem iar\u0103\u015fi la \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa care au plecat, \u00eempreuna cu fl\u0103c\u0103ul de vi\u0163\u0103 aleas\u0103, s-o caute pe b\u0103tr\u00e2na ce-\u015fi ducea via\u0163a-n pustietatea aceea nec\u0103lcat\u0103 de picior omenesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Au mers ei ce-au mers, cale lung\u0103, nu \u015fag\u0103, \u015fi-n timpul nop\u0163ii s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat ca flac\u0103ul s\u0103 se r\u0103t\u0103ceasc\u0103 de ceilal\u0163i \u015fi s\u0103 porneasc\u0103 singur mai departe. \u00cen ziua urm\u0103toare, i se p\u0103ru c\u0103 se afl\u0103 pe drumul cel bun \u015fi merse f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eentrerupere, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce se \u00eentunec\u0103. Apoi se urc\u0103 \u00eentr-un copac \u015fi se g\u00e2ndi s\u0103-\u015fi petreac\u0103 noaptea acolo, fiindc\u0103 \u00eei era team\u0103 s\u0103 nu se r\u0103t\u0103ceasc\u0103 \u015fi mai r\u0103u, dac\u0103 o merge pe bezn\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centre timp, ap\u0103ru \u015fi luna \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103-\u015fi arunce razele pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt. \u015ei-n lumina aceea numai ce z\u0103ri o f\u0103ptur\u0103, cobor\u00e2nd dinspre munte. N-avea \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 nici o nuielu\u015f\u0103, dar, din toat\u0103 \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015farea ei, fl\u0103c\u0103ul \u00ee\u015fi d\u0103du repede seama c\u0103 era p\u0103zitoarea de g\u00e2\u015fte pe care o v\u0103zuse \u00een coliba b\u0103tr\u00e2nei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Heeii! Heeiii! strig\u0103 el. Uite-o c\u0103 vine \u00eencoace! Pe legea mea, dac\u0103 pun m\u00e2na pe una din vr\u0103jitoare, n-o s\u0103-mi scape nici cealalt\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
Dar nu mic\u0103 \u00eei fu mirarea c\u00e2nd o v\u0103zu cum se apropie de izvor \u015fi-\u015fi smulge pielea cea ve\u015fted\u0103 de pe fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepe s\u0103 se spele. \u015ei cum i se mai revarsa pe umeri p\u0103rul de aur! \u015ei era at\u00e2t de frumoas\u0103, ca nimeni alta pe lume!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103caul abia \u00eendr\u0103znea s\u0103 r\u0103sufle, ca nu cumva fata s\u0103 ia seama c\u0103 e cineva prin apropiere. \u015ei ca s-o poat\u0103 privi mai bine, \u00ee\u015fi lungi g\u00e2tul printre frunzare \u015fi-\u015fi bucur\u0103 ochii cu priveli\u015ftea aceea nemaiv\u0103zut\u0103. Dar fie c\u0103 se aplecase prea mult, fie c\u0103 alta fu pricina, craca pe care sta el trosni deodat\u0103 \u015fi-n aceea\u015fi clip\u0103 fata \u00ee\u015fi puse din nou pe fa\u0163\u0103 pielea cea ve\u015fted\u0103 \u015fi fugi de acolo ca o caprioar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum se acoperise \u015fi luna cu un nor, se l\u0103s\u0103 deodat\u0103 bezna, fata se f\u0103cu nev\u0103zut\u0103, de parc\u0103 o \u00eenghi\u0163ise noaptea. De \u00eendat\u0103 ce n-o mai z\u0103ri, fl\u0103c\u0103ul se d\u0103du jos din copac \u015fi alerga dup\u0103 ea c\u00e2t \u00eel \u0163ineau picioarele. Alerg\u0103 el ce alerg\u0103 \u015fi deodata i se p\u0103ru c\u0103 deslu\u015fe\u015fte prin \u00eentuneric dou\u0103 f\u0103pturi care \u00eenaintau prin valea aceea. Erau \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa, care z\u0103risera de departe lumina de la coliba b\u0103tr\u00e2nei \u015fi se \u00eendreptau \u00eentr-acolo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103c\u0103ul le povesti ceea ce v\u0103zuse la izvor, iar m\u0103riile-lor nu se mai \u00eendoir\u0103 c\u00e2tu\u015fi de pu\u0163in c\u0103 era vorba despre fiica lor cea pierdut\u0103. \u015ei, cu inima plin\u0103 de bucurie \u015fi de \u00eencredere, purceser\u0103 mai departe \u015fi \u00een cur\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103 la c\u0103scioar\u0103. Ceea ce v\u0103zur\u0103 mai \u00eent\u00e2i fu c\u00e2rdul de g\u00e2\u015fte care dormeau nemi\u015fcate de jur-\u00eemprejurul colibei, cu capul ascuns \u00eentre pene\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se uitar\u0103 ei \u00een\u0103untru, pe fereastr\u0103, \u015fi-o v\u0103zur\u0103 pe b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 torc\u00e2nd lini\u015ftit\u0103. D\u0103dea din cap toat\u0103 vremea, cum fac b\u0103tr\u00e2nii, \u015fi-\u015fi vedea de lucrul ei, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 arunce o privire nici \u00een dreapta, nici \u00een st\u00e2nga. \u00cen odaie era at\u00e2t de curat, de parc\u0103 ar fi locuit \u00een ea ni\u015fte spiridu\u015fi care n-aveau pic de colb pe \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163\u0103ri\u2026 Pe fiica lor \u00eens\u0103 n-o v\u0103zur\u0103! C\u0103tar\u0103 ei o vreme la toate astea, dar, \u00een cele din urm\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi luar\u0103 inima-n din\u0163i \u015fi b\u0103tur\u0103 u\u015furel \u00een geam. B\u0103tr\u00e2na p\u0103rea c\u0103-i a\u015fteapt\u0103 \u015fi, scul\u00e2ndu-se \u00een picioare, le strig\u0103 foarte prietenoas\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Intra\u0163i \u00een\u0103untru, c\u0103 eu v\u0103 cunosc!<\/p>\n
Dup\u0103 ce p\u0103\u015fir\u0103 \u00een odaie, b\u0103tr\u00e2na le spuse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-ar fi trebuit s\u0103 bate\u0163i un drum at\u00e2t de lung, de n-a\u0163i fi izgonit-o acum trei ani, pe nedrept, pe fiica voastr\u0103, care e at\u00e2t de bun\u0103 \u015fi de dr\u0103g\u0103la\u015f\u0103! Nu-i vorba c\u0103 ea n-a p\u0103timit cu nimic, c\u0103-n ace\u015fti trei ani de zile a p\u0103zit doar g\u00e2\u015ftele \u015fi inima ei neprihanit\u0103 n-a fost \u00eentinat\u0103 de nici un r\u0103u. Dar voi a\u0163i fost pedepsi\u0163i \u00eendeajuns \u015fi a\u0163i tr\u0103it tot timpul numai cu spaima c\u0103 v-a pierit copila.<\/p>\n
Apoi se duse la u\u015fa celeilalte od\u0103i \u015fi strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vino \u00eencoace, feti\u0163a mea!<\/p>\n
Deodat\u0103 se deschise usa \u015fi domni\u0163a ap\u0103ru \u00een ve\u015fmintele ei de m\u0103tase, cu p\u0103rul de aur rev\u0103rs\u00e2ndu-i-se pe umeri \u015fi cu ochii str\u0103lucitori, de parc\u0103 ar fi fost o z\u00e2n\u0103\u2026 Ea se \u00eendrept\u0103 c\u0103tre p\u0103rin\u0163ii ei \u015fi, lu\u00e2ndu-i de dup\u0103 g\u00e2t, \u00eei cople\u015fi de s\u0103rut\u0103ri. \u015ei nu se putur\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2ni s\u0103 nu verse lacrimi tuspatru, c\u0103 \u015fi fl\u0103c\u0103ul era l\u00e2ng\u0103 ei. C\u00e2nd d\u0103du cu ochii de el, fata se ro\u015fi toat\u0103 ca un mac \u015fi nici ea nu \u015ftiu de ce anume.<\/p>\n
Deodata \u00eemp\u0103ratul spuse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Copila mea drag\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia am \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163it-o celor dou\u0103 surori ale tale, a\u015fa c-a\u015f voi s\u0103 \u015ftiu ce-\u0163i dore\u015fte inima, ca s\u0103-\u0163i dau din celelalte avu\u0163ii pe care le am!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fata n-are nevoie de nimic, zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na, c\u0103-i d\u0103ruiesc toate lacrimile pe care le-a v\u0103rsat din pricina voastr\u0103 \u015fi toate sunt mai curate \u015fi mai frumoase dec\u00e2t m\u0103rg\u0103ritarele care se g\u0103sesc \u00een apele m\u0103rilor \u015fi au mai mult pre\u0163 dec\u00e2t toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia mariei-tale! Iar ca r\u0103splat\u0103 pentru munca ei din ace\u015fti trei ani, \u00eei d\u0103ruiesc c\u0103\u015fcioara mea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce rosti aceste cuvinte, b\u0103tr\u00e2na se f\u0103cu nev\u0103zut\u0103. \u015ei numai ce prinser\u0103 zidurile s\u0103 trosneasc\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2nd se uitar\u0103, c\u0103\u015fcioara se pref\u0103cuse \u00eentr-un palat m\u0103re\u0163, \u015fi-n sala cea mare era \u00eentins\u0103 o mas\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, \u015fi-o droaie de slujitori alergau de colo-colo, cu t\u0103vile \u00eenc\u0103rcate de bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163uri\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi domni\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103 s-a m\u0103ritat cu flac\u0103ul acela de vi\u0163\u0103 aleas\u0103 \u015fi s-au statornicit la palat. Acolo au tr\u0103it \u00een fericire \u015fi bun\u0103 \u00een\u0163elegere, p\u00e2n\u0103 la ad\u00e2nci b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163i. Acum, nu sunt sigur de tot, da\u2019 cred c\u0103 g\u00e2\u015ftele cele albe ca z\u0103pada, care tr\u0103iau pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 c\u0103scioar\u0103, nu erau de fapt g\u00e2\u015fte adev\u0103rate, ci fete\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei nimeni nu trebuie s\u0103-i ia \u00een nume de r\u0103u b\u0103tr\u00e2nei c\u0103 le adusese la ea s\u0103 le ocroteasc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 le scape de urgia unui blestem. Acum, c\u00e2nd se risipise vraja, \u00ee\u015fi luaser\u0103 \u015fi ele \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015farea omeneasc\u0103 \u015fi r\u0103maser\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 domni\u0163a cea t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 ca s-o slujeasc\u0103 cu credin\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Da\u2019 ceea ce \u015ftiu f\u0103r\u0103 t\u0103gad\u0103 e c\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2nica nu era o vr\u0103jitoare, cum credea lumea, ci o femeie \u00een\u0163eleapt\u0103 \u015fi priceput\u0103, care f\u0103cea numai bine. \u015ei se vede c\u0103 tot ea fusese cea care, \u00eenc\u0103 din leag\u0103n, \u00eei d\u0103ruise domni\u0163ei darul de a v\u0103rsa m\u0103rg\u0103ritare \u00een loc de lacrimi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tr\u0103ia odat\u0103, demult de tot, o m\u0103tu\u015fic\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103-b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 care-\u015fi ducea traiul tocmai \u00een creierii mun\u0163ilor, \u00eentr-un loc nec\u0103lcat de picior omenesc. \u015e-avea ea un bordei \u015fi un c\u00e2rd de g\u00e2\u015fte, … <\/p>\n