A fost odat\u0103 un \u0163\u0103ran s\u0103rac \u015fi \u0163\u0103ranul \u0103sta sta \u00eentr-o sear\u0103 \u00een fa\u0163a vetrei \u015fi dregea focul al\u0103turi de nevasta lui care torcea. \u015ei-n t\u0103cerea ce se a\u015fternuse \u00een odaie se auzi deodat\u0103 glasul b\u0103rbatului:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce r\u0103u e c\u0103 n-avem \u015fi noi copii! Casa noastr\u0103 e at\u00e2t de pustie \u015fi de trist\u0103, pe c\u00e2t\u0103 vreme \u00een casele altora e numai forfot\u0103 \u015fi veselie\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asta a\u015fa-i, r\u0103spunse femeia, oft\u00e2nd. De-am avea m\u0103car unul singur \u015fi chiar de-ar fi micu\u0163 c\u00e2t degetul cel mare de la m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 a\u015f fi mul\u0163umit\u0103 \u015fi l-a\u015f iubi din toat\u0103 inima.<\/p>\n
La c\u00e2t\u0103va vreme dup\u0103 aceea, se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 c\u0103 femeia r\u0103mase grea \u015fi, dup\u0103 \u015fapte luni, d\u0103du na\u015ftere unui prunc. Copilul, cum s\u0103 v\u0103 spun, avea \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fare omeneasc\u0103 la fel ca orice copil, numai c\u0103 era tare mic, c\u00e2t un deget\u2026 Dar altfel era bine f\u0103cut, ca un voinic de-o \u015fchioap\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103rin\u0163ii nu-\u015fi mai \u00eenc\u0103peau \u00een piele de bucurie \u015fi-\u015fi ziceau mereu:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S-a nimerit s-avem un copil taman dup\u0103 cum ne-a fost dorin\u0163a; fl\u0103c\u0103ul \u0103sta o s\u0103 fie bucuria vie\u0163ii noastre \u015fi ne-o fi drag mai mult dec\u00e2t orice pe lume!<\/p>\n
\u015ei din pricin\u0103 c\u0103 era a\u015fa micu\u0163 de statur\u0103 \u00eei ziser\u0103 Prichindel. Copila\u015ful nu ducea lips\u0103 de nimic, dar cu toate c\u0103 i se d\u0103dea s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce din bel\u015fug, nu crescu deloc, nici un picule\u0163, ci r\u0103mase ca-n ceasul c\u00e2nd s-a n\u0103scut. Dar dup\u0103 cum c\u0103ta la toate cu ochi\u015forii lui vioi \u015fi neast\u00e2mp\u0103ra\u0163i, se vedea c\u00e2t colo c\u0103 era iste\u0163 nevoie mare \u015fi pe ce punea m\u00e2na \u00eei ie\u015fea din plin, fiind cuminte \u015fi \u00eendem\u00e2natic la toate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi, taic\u0103-s\u0103u tocmai se preg\u0103tea s\u0103 se duc\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure s\u0103 taie ni\u015fte lemne. \u015ei cum ascu\u0163ea securea, nu \u015ftiu cum zise el, mai mult pentru sine:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eh, bine-ar fi fost de-a\u015f fi avut pe cineva care s\u0103 vin\u0103 cu c\u0103ru\u0163a dup\u0103 mine!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De asta nu-\u0163i fie grij\u0103, taic\u0103, strig\u0103 Prichindel, c\u0103-\u0163i aduc eu c\u0103ru\u0163a. \u015ei s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 la vremea hot\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103 sunt cu ea \u00een p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
Auzindu-l ce zice, \u0163\u0103ranul \u00eencepu s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei dr\u0103cie, dau cum ar fi cu putin\u0163\u0103 o treab\u0103 ca asta?! se mir\u0103 el. C\u0103 doar e\u015fti prea mic\u015for ca s\u0103 po\u0163i \u0163ine h\u0103\u0163urile\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 P\u0103i asta nu-i nici o piedic\u0103, taic\u0103. Mama o s\u0103-mi \u00eenhame calul, iar eu o s\u0103 m\u0103 v\u00e2r \u00een urechea lui \u015fi de-acolo o s\u0103-i poruncesc tot timpul \u00eencotro s-o ia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 zici tu a\u015fa, a\u015fa s\u0103 fie! se \u00eenvoi taic\u0103-s\u0103u. O dat\u0103 om putea \u00eencerca\u2026<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd socoti c-ar fi tocmai timpul potrivit pentru plecare, femeia \u00eenh\u0103m\u0103 calul la c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 \u015fi-l a\u015fez\u0103 pe Prichindel \u00een urechea acestuia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei b\u0103iatul prinse a striga \u00eentruna, \u00eendemn\u00e2nd bidiviul: “Hi, hi, murgule!”, ca s-o ia numai \u00eencotro trebuia. \u015ei calul se \u00eendemna la drum \u015fi gonea \u00eentins spre p\u0103dure, de parc\u0103 ar fi fost condus de un vizitiu priceput.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 c\u00e2t\u0103va vreme, Prichindel ajunse cu c\u0103ru\u0163a la marginea p\u0103durii. \u00cen clipa c\u00e2nd fu s\u0103 coteasc\u0103 la cap\u0103tul unei c\u0103r\u0103rui \u015fi-n timp ce striga din to\u0163i r\u0103runchii: “Hi, hi, murgule!” \u00eei ie\u015fir\u0103 \u00een cale doi str\u0103ini.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, ce-o mai fi \u015fi asta! strig\u0103 unul din ei, mir\u00e2ndu-se stra\u015fnic. Ia te uit\u0103: c\u0103ru\u0163a merge singur\u0103, dar cineva trebuie c\u0103 m\u00e2n\u0103 calul, numai c\u0103 de v\u0103zut nu se vede nimeni\u2026 Unde o fi c\u0103ru\u0163a\u015ful, naiba s\u0103-l ia?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 \u0103sta nu-i lucru curat! r\u0103spunse cel\u0103lalt. Ia hai s\u0103 ne lu\u0103m dup\u0103 c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, s\u0103 vedem unde are s\u0103 se opreasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
C\u0103ru\u0163a se afund\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure \u015fi se opri \u00eentr-un lumini\u015f, taman pe locul unde era stivuit\u0103 o gr\u0103mad\u0103 de lemne t\u0103iate. \u015ei de cum \u00eel z\u0103ri pe taic\u0103-s\u0103u, Prichindel \u00eei strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi, tat\u0103, c-am venit cu c\u0103ru\u0163a, dup\u0103 cum ne-a fost vorba? Acu\u2019 vino de m\u0103 d\u0103 jos!<\/p>\n
Tat\u0103-s\u0103u apuc\u0103 cu m\u00e2na st\u00e2ng\u0103 calul de c\u0103p\u0103stru, \u00een timp ce cu dreapta \u00eel scoase pe Prichindel din urechea calului. Fl\u0103c\u0103ul se a\u015fez\u0103 vesel pe un pai, s\u0103 se mai hodineasc\u0103 ni\u0163elu\u015f. C\u00e2nd \u00eel v\u0103zur\u0103 pe Prichindel, cei doi str\u0103ini r\u0103maser\u0103 \u00eencremeni\u0163i de uimire \u015fi nu mai \u015ftiur\u0103 ce s\u0103 spun\u0103. Dar \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu \u00ee\u015fi venir\u0103 \u00een fire \u015fi unul dintre ei \u00eel lu\u0103 pe cel\u0103lalt deoparte \u015fi-i \u015fopti la ureche:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ascult\u0103, fr\u0103\u0163ioare, \u015ftii tu cum ne-am pricopsi cu prichindelul \u0103sta, de l-am ar\u0103ta mul\u0163imii pe la b\u00e2lciuri, \u00een t\u00e2rgurile mari? Hai s\u0103 vedem de nu-l putem cump\u0103ra, c\u0103 bun\u0103 afacere ar fi\u2026<\/p>\n
Se \u00eendreptar\u0103 apoi spre tat\u0103l b\u0103iatului \u015fi, intr\u00e2nd \u00een vorb\u0103 cu el, \u00eei ziser\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia ascult\u0103, omule, n-ai vrea s\u0103 ne vinzi nou\u0103 prichindelul \u0103sta? \u015ei s\u0103 n-ai nici o grij\u0103, c-o s-o duc\u0103 mai bine ca acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nici prin g\u00e2nd nu-mi trece, r\u0103spunse \u0163\u0103ranul, c\u0103 doar un singur copil am \u015fi mi-e drag ca sufletul. Nu-l dau pentru tot aurul din lume!<\/p>\n
\u00cen aceast\u0103 vreme, auzind spusele drume\u0163ilor, Prichindel se urc\u0103 \u00een prip\u0103 pe cutele hainelor lui taic\u0103-s\u0103u, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce-i ajunse pe umeri \u015fi-i \u015fopti la ureche:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vinde-m\u0103, t\u0103tuc\u0103, \u015fi nu-\u0163i fie team\u0103, c\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eentorc eu degrab\u0103 \u00eenapoi!<\/p>\n
Taic\u0103-s\u0103u ascult\u0103 de fl\u0103c\u0103u, c\u0103-l \u015ftia iste\u0163, \u015fi, v\u00e2nz\u00e2ndu-l celor doi str\u0103ini, lu\u0103 p\u0103r\u0103lu\u0163e bune pe el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde vrei s\u0103 \u015fezi, ca s\u0103-\u0163i fie mai la \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103? \u00eel \u00eentrebar\u0103 ei, dup\u0103 ce se \u00eencheie t\u00e2rgul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015feza\u0163i-m\u0103 pe p\u0103l\u0103ria unuia din voi, da\u2019 a\u015fa, mai \u00eenspre margine, c\u0103 acolo am loc destul s\u0103 m\u0103 preumblu \u015fi-o s\u0103 privesc la locurile pe unde treceam, f\u0103r\u0103 team\u0103 c-am s\u0103 pic jos.<\/p>\n
\u00cei f\u0103cur\u0103 pe plac omule\u0163ului \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce Prichindel \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 r\u0103mas bun de la taic\u0103-s\u0103u, pornir\u0103 la drum. Merser\u0103 ei a\u015fa p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eencepu a se l\u0103sa amurgul \u015fi, dup\u0103 o vreme, numai ce-l auzir\u0103 pe Prichindel c\u0103 le strig\u0103 c\u00e2t \u00eel \u0163ineau puterile:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u0163i-m\u0103 jos, da\u0163i-m\u0103 jos degrab\u0103, c\u0103 m-au apucat nevoile!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba r\u0103m\u00e2i colo sus unde e\u015fti \u015fi f\u0103-\u0163i treaba lini\u015ftit, r\u0103spunse omul pe p\u0103l\u0103ria c\u0103ruia \u015fedea. Nu te sinchisi de fel, c\u0103 n-am s\u0103 m\u0103 sup\u0103r pentru un fleac ca \u0103sta; doar se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 ca \u015fi p\u0103s\u0103rile cerului s\u0103 scape c\u00e2te ceva pe p\u0103l\u0103ria mea, \u015fi ce, m\u0103 sup\u0103r de asta?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, nu vreau! strig\u0103 Prichindel. \u015etiu eu singur ce se cade \u015fi ce nu. Da\u0163i-m\u0103 repede jos!<\/p>\n
Omul \u00ee\u015fi scoase p\u0103l\u0103ria \u015fi-l l\u0103s\u0103 pe Prichindel pe un ogor, la marginea c\u0103r\u0103rii ce t\u0103ia c\u00e2mpul. Prichindel \u00eencepu s\u0103 sar\u0103 printre brazde \u015fi s\u0103 se preumble printre bulg\u0103rii de p\u0103m\u00e2nt, despica\u0163i de t\u0103i\u015ful plugului. \u015ei deodat\u0103, pe nesim\u0163ite, se strecur\u0103 \u00eentr-o gaur\u0103 de \u015foarece, pe care o dibuise de cum fusese dat jos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Noapte bun\u0103, boierilor! le arunc\u0103 Prichindel \u00een b\u0103taie de joc\u2026 \u015ei mai duce\u0163i-v\u0103 acas\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 mine\u2026<\/p>\n
Dup\u0103 ce-o \u015ftersese, \u00ee\u015fi mai r\u00e2dea \u015fi de ei! Cei doi pi\u015ficheri erau c\u0103tr\u0103ni\u0163i r\u0103u \u015fi alergar\u0103 \u00eentr-acolo, \u00eentr-un suflet. V\u00e2r\u00e2r\u0103 un b\u0103\u0163 \u00een gaura de \u015foarece ca s\u0103 dea de el; scotocir\u0103-ncoace, scotocir\u0103-ncolo, dar truda le fu zadarnic\u0103. Prichindel se v\u00e2ra tot mai afund \u015fi cum \u00eentre timp se \u00eentunecase de-a binelea, oamenii trebuir\u0103 s\u0103 se lase p\u0103guba\u015fi \u015fi s\u0103-\u015fi caute de drum. \u015ei r\u0103maser\u0103 cu punga goal\u0103, dar cu sufletul plin de obid\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd Prichindel b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 c-au plecat, ie\u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 afar\u0103 din ascunz\u0103toare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Mare primejdie te pa\u015fte de mergi pe ogor pe \u00eentunecimea asta! \u00ee\u015fi zise el. Lesne \u00ee\u0163i po\u0163i fr\u00e2nge g\u00e2tul \u00een vreo h\u00e2rtoap\u0103\u2026”<\/p>\n
Dar, spre norocul lui, \u00een drum d\u0103du peste o g\u0103oace de melc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Slav\u0103 \u0163ie, Doamne, c\u0103 am unde s\u0103 m\u00e2n peste noapte f\u0103r\u0103 nici o grij\u0103! strig\u0103 el, bucuros, \u015fi se cuib\u0103ri \u00een g\u0103oace.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd era aproape s\u0103-l fure somnul, numai ce auzi doi oameni trec\u00e2nd pe acolo. \u015ei unul din ei zicea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum am putea face noi ca s\u0103 punem m\u00e2na pe banii \u015fi argint\u0103ria popii, c\u0103-i putred de bogat?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u2019 c\u0103 te-nv\u0103\u0163 eu cum! \u00eei r\u0103spunse Prichindel, \u00eentrerup\u00e2ndu-l din vorbire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce fu \u015fi asta, frate-miu? strig\u0103 speriat unul din ho\u0163i. Parc\u0103 am auzit pe cineva vorbind!<\/p>\n
Ho\u0163ii se oprir\u0103 pe loc \u015fi ascultar\u0103 cu luare-aminte. Atunci Prichindel gr\u0103i iar\u0103\u015fi:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Lua\u0163i-m\u0103 cu voi \u015fi n-o s\u0103 v\u0103 par\u0103 r\u0103u, c-o s\u0103 v\u0103 ajut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 unde e\u015fti, m\u0103, omule?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103uta\u0163i cu aten\u0163ie pe jos, r\u0103spunse Prichindel, da\u2019 numai \u00eenspre partea de unde mi se aude glasul.<\/p>\n
\u00cen cele din urm\u0103 cei doi ho\u0163i d\u0103dur\u0103 peste voinicelul nostru \u015fi-l ridicar\u0103 \u00een sus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, m\u0103, nichipercea, te lauzi tu c-ai putea s\u0103 ne-aju\u0163i pe noi! P\u0103i \u00een ce chip anume?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu m\u0103 laud deloc! \u015ei uite cum am s\u0103 fac: o s\u0103 m\u0103 strecor printre gratiile de fier, \u00een c\u0103mara popii, \u015fi-apoi o s\u0103 v\u0103 dau de-acolo tot ce-o s\u0103 v\u0103 pofteasc\u0103 inima.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aferim! \u00eencuviin\u0163ar\u0103 cu bucurie ho\u0163ii. \u015ei acu\u2019 hai la treab\u0103, s\u0103 te vedem ce po\u0163i!<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103 ei la casa popii, Prichindel se strecur\u0103 \u00een c\u0103mar\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige c\u00e2t \u00eel \u0163inea gura:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103, vre\u0163i s\u0103 v\u0103 dau tot ce e pe-aici?<\/p>\n
Ho\u0163ii se \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2ntar\u0103 r\u0103u \u015fi c\u0103utar\u0103 s\u0103-l domoleasc\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ci vorbe\u015fte, bre, mai \u00eenceti\u015for, nu cumva s\u0103 treze\u015fti pe cineva!<\/p>\n
Dar Prichindel se pref\u0103cu c\u0103 nu-i \u00een\u0163elesese \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige cu \u015fi mai mult\u0103 t\u0103rie:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce vre\u0163i, m\u0103? Vre\u0163i tot ce e pe-aici?<\/p>\n
Buc\u0103t\u0103reasa, care se odihnea \u00een odaia de al\u0103turi, auzind tot ce spusese fl\u0103c\u0103ul, se ridic\u0103 \u00een capul oaselor \u015fi ascult\u0103 mai departe cu luare-aminte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd \u00eel auzir\u0103 r\u0103cnind, pe ho\u0163i \u00eei cuprinse iar frica \u015fi, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi picioarele la spinare, fugir\u0103 o bun\u0103 bucat\u0103 de drum, pe unde se nimeri. Dar \u00een cele din urm\u0103 prinser\u0103 iar inim\u0103 \u015fi-\u015fi ziser\u0103 c\u0103 omule\u0163ul e un ghidu\u015f \u015fi c\u0103-i place pesemne s\u0103 glumeasc\u0103 \u00een felul \u0103sta. Se \u00eentoarser\u0103 \u015fi-i \u015foptir\u0103 printre din\u0163i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hai, las\u0103-te de \u015fotii \u015fi arunc\u0103 afar\u0103 ceva de pe-acolo!<\/p>\n
Atunci Prichindel \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige din r\u0103sputeri:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 V\u0103 dau tot ce e pe-aici, da\u2019 \u00eentinde\u0163i numai m\u00e2inile!<\/p>\n
Buc\u0103t\u0103reasa, care tr\u0103gea cu urechea, deslu\u015fi de data asta fiecare cuvin\u0163el \u015fi, s\u0103rind din pat, d\u0103du buzna \u00een c\u0103mar\u0103. Auzind lip\u0103it de pa\u015fi, ho\u0163ii o luar\u0103 la s\u0103n\u0103toasa de parc\u0103 i-ar fi gonit Scarao\u0163chi din urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Slujnica nu se dumerea defel ce se \u00eent\u00e2mplase, \u015fi cum orbec\u0103ia \u015fi nu deslu\u015fea nimic din pricina \u00eentunericului, se gr\u0103bi s\u0103 aduc\u0103 din camera ei o lum\u00e2nare aprins\u0103. C\u00e2nd veni \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t cu lumina, Prichindel se furi\u015f\u0103 \u00een \u015fur\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 ca femeia s\u0103-l fi putut z\u0103ri. Biata slug\u0103 se culc\u0103 din nou, socotind c\u0103 poate a visat cu ochii deschi\u015fi\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Prichindel urc\u0103 pe gr\u0103mezile de f\u00e2n \u015fi-\u015fi c\u0103ut\u0103 un loc potrivit pentru culcu\u015f. G\u00e2ndea s\u0103-\u015fi odihneasc\u0103 oasele, cuib\u0103rit \u00een p\u0103tuceanul \u0103sta moale, p\u00e2n\u0103-n rev\u0103rsatul zorilor, \u015fi-apoi s\u0103 se re\u00eentoarc\u0103 acas\u0103, la p\u0103rin\u0163ii lui. Dar vezi c\u0103 i-a fost h\u0103r\u0103zit s\u0103 mai p\u0103timeasc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 mai treac\u0103 prin nenum\u0103rate belele, c\u0103 multe necazuri \u015fi nenorociri trebuie s\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mpine omul pe lumea asta\u2026 Cum se cr\u0103p\u0103 de ziu\u0103, slujnica se scul\u0103 s\u0103 dea de m\u00e2ncare la vite. Mai \u00eent\u00e2i intr\u0103 \u00een \u015fur\u0103, de unde lu\u0103 un bra\u0163 de f\u00e2n, \u015fi se nimeri ca tocmai \u00een f\u00e2nul acela s\u0103-\u015fi fi aflat Prichindel culcu\u015ful. Dar fl\u0103c\u0103ia\u015ful nostru era at\u00e2t de ad\u00e2ncit \u00een somn \u00eenc\u00e2t nu prinse de veste \u015fi nu se trezi dec\u00e2t c\u00e2nd fu \u00een gura unei vaci, care-l \u00eenghi\u0163ise o dat\u0103 cu f\u00e2nul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ah, Doamne, se minun\u0103 el, cum de ajunsei \u00een moara asta!?<\/p>\n
Dar \u00ee\u015fi d\u0103du numaidec\u00e2t seama unde se afl\u0103 \u015fi se feri cu grij\u0103, s\u0103 nu-l macine vaca \u00eentre m\u0103sele. Dar \u00een cele din urm\u0103 se pomeni alunec\u00e2nd \u00een p\u00e2ntecele vacii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Ce \u00eentuneric e \u00een \u00eenc\u0103perea asta! Pesemne c\u0103 a uitat s\u0103 fac\u0103 ferestre, \u00ee\u015fi zise Prichindel, \u015fi d-aia n-are pe unde p\u0103trunde soarele\u2026 \u015ei barem de-a\u015f avea la \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103 vreo lum\u00e2nare, dar de unde s\u0103-\u0163i faci rost pe aici de a\u015fa ceva!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De altfel ad\u0103postul nu-i era c\u00e2tu\u015fi de pu\u0163in pe plac \u015fi ceea ce \u00eel sup\u0103ra \u015fi mai mult era f\u00e2nul care venea \u00een gr\u0103mezi, sporind necontenit, astfel c\u0103 locul cu pricina se str\u00e2mtora din ce \u00een ce mai mult. De fric\u0103, Prichindel \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige c\u00e2t \u00eel \u0163inea gura:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-mi mai da\u0163i f\u00e2n! Nu-mi mai da\u0163i f\u00e2n!<\/p>\n
\u00cen clipa aceea slujnica tocmai mulgea vaca \u015fi auzind glas de om \u015fi nev\u0103z\u00e2nd pe nimeni \u015fi fiindc\u0103 recunoscuse c\u0103 era tot glasul care o trezise din somn peste noapte, se \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103 \u00eentr-at\u00e2t c\u0103 alunec\u0103 de pe sc\u0103unel \u015fi r\u0103sturn\u0103 laptele, care se risipi pe jos. Alerg\u0103 ea apoi \u00een fug\u0103 la st\u0103p\u00e2nul s\u0103u \u015fi-i zise, abia tr\u0103g\u00e2ndu-\u015fi sufletul:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 V\u0103leu, p\u0103rinte, vaca noastr\u0103 vorbe\u015fte!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pesemne c\u0103 \u0163i-ai pierdut min\u0163ile, femeie!, o \u00eenfrunt\u0103 popa. Totu\u015fi se duse \u00een grajd, s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce s-o fi petrec\u00e2nd pe acolo.<\/p>\n
Dar de \u00eendat\u0103 ce ajunse \u00een prag, Prichindel \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige din nou:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-mi mai da\u0163i f\u00e2n! Nu-mi mai da\u0163i f\u00e2n!<\/p>\n
Popa \u00eencremeni de spaim\u0103 \u015fi, crez\u00e2nd c-a intrat necuratul \u00een vac\u0103, porunci s\u0103 fie t\u0103iat\u0103 numaidec\u00e2t. Dup\u0103 ce-o t\u0103iar\u0103, slugile aruncar\u0103 burta vacii la gunoi. \u015ei Prichindel izbuti cu mare greutate s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 drum de ie\u015fire, ca s\u0103 scape de acolo. Dar abia \u00ee\u015fi scoase capul la lumin\u0103, c\u0103 o alt\u0103 nenorocire se ab\u0103tu asupra lui. Un lup h\u0103mesit de foame, care se furi\u015fase prin ograd\u0103 \u00een c\u0103utarea unei buc\u0103turi, z\u0103ri tocmai atunci ceea ce c\u0103uta \u015fi \u00eenghi\u0163i pe dat\u0103 toat\u0103 burta, dintr-o h\u0103p\u0103itur\u0103. Dar Prichindel nu-\u015fi pierdu curajul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Poate c-o fi vreo f\u0103ptur\u0103 de \u00een\u0163eles lupul \u0103sta!”, g\u00e2ndi el. \u015ei din bezna \u00een care se afla, \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige din toate puterile:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Drag\u0103 lupu\u015forule, \u015ftiu eu un loc unde ai putea g\u0103si un osp\u0103\u0163 pe cinste, s\u0103 te-nfrup\u0163i numai cu bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163i!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa?! \u015ei unde e locul cu pricina? \u00eentreb\u0103 lupul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cen cutare \u015fi cutare loc, \u00eei deslu\u015fi pe \u00eendelete glasul.<\/p>\n
\u015ei n-ai alta de f\u0103cut dec\u00e2t s\u0103 te v\u00e2ri \u00een c\u0103mar\u0103 printr-o bort\u0103 din perete. O s\u0103 dai acolo peste ce nici nu g\u00e2nde\u015fti: c\u00e2rna\u0163i, sl\u0103nin\u0103 \u015fi cozonaci \u015fi totul din bel\u015fug, s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nci c\u00e2t \u00ee\u0163i pofte\u015fte inima!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar lupul de unde era s\u0103 \u015ftie c\u0103 Prichindel g\u00e2ndea s\u0103-l duc\u0103 tocmai la casa tat\u0103lui s\u0103u?! Nu se l\u0103s\u0103 mult rugat \u015fi o porni \u00een goan\u0103 \u00eentr-acolo. Peste noapte se strecur\u0103 prin bort\u0103 \u00een c\u0103mar\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 \u00eenfulece bucuros din toate bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163ile. Dup\u0103 ce se s\u0103tur\u0103, vru s\u0103-\u015fi ia t\u0103lp\u0103\u015fi\u0163a tot pe unde venise, dar de mult ce se ghiftuise, i se umflase burduhanul, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu-i mai fu cu putin\u0163\u0103 s\u0103 ias\u0103 prin bort\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe asta \u00ee\u015fi bizuise \u015fi Prichindel socoteala, din capul locului, \u015fi \u00eencepu de \u00eendat\u0103 s\u0103 fac\u0103 o larm\u0103 stra\u015fnic\u0103 din burta lupului, \u0163ip\u00e2nd \u015fi url\u00e2nd c\u00e2t \u00eel \u0163ineau puterile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 mai ast\u00e2mp\u0103r\u0103-te \u015fi taci o dat\u0103, c-ai s\u0103 scoli lumea din somn! se r\u0103sti la el lupul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce-mi pas\u0103, de s-or trezi! r\u0103spunse fl\u0103c\u0103ul. De osp\u0103tat tu te-ai osp\u0103tat pe \u00eendestulate, acum e r\u00e2ndul meu s\u0103 petrec, \u015fi petrec dup\u0103 cum mi-e voia!<\/p>\n
\u015ei \u00eencepu iar s\u0103 strige c\u00e2t \u00eel lua gura.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen vremea asta, de at\u00e2ta zarv\u0103, p\u0103rin\u0163ii lui Prichindel se trezir\u0103 din somn \u015fi alergar\u0103 spre c\u0103mara de unde venea glasul. Se uitar\u0103 \u00een\u0103untru printr-o cr\u0103p\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 lupul, deter\u0103 fuga de luar\u0103 omul, toporul, iar femeia, coasa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 R\u0103m\u00e2i tu \u00een urm\u0103! zise b\u0103rbatul c\u0103tre nevast\u0103-sa \u00een clipa c\u00e2nd se preg\u0103tea s\u0103 intre pe u\u015f\u0103. Dac\u0103 nu moare, dup\u0103 ce l-oi izbi eu \u00een moalele capului cu toporul, \u00eenfige \u015fi tu coasa \u00een el \u015fi caut\u0103 de-i spintec\u0103 burta.<\/p>\n
Auzind glasul lui taic\u0103-s\u0103u, Prichindel \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Taic\u0103 drag\u0103, eu sunt aici, \u00een burta lupului!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Slav\u0103 Domnului c\u0103 ne-am reg\u0103sit copilul, c\u0103 ne e mai drag dec\u00e2t sufletul!, rosti omul, nemai\u00eenc\u0103p\u00e2ndu-\u015fi \u00een piele de bucurie.<\/p>\n
Apoi \u00eei spuse femeii s\u0103 lase coasa deoparte, ca nu cumva s\u0103-l vat\u0103me pe Prichindel \u015fi, ridic\u00e2nd toporul, \u00eel izbi pe lup drept \u00een moalele capului, de c\u0103zu acesta tr\u0103snit la p\u0103m\u00e2nt. Dup\u0103 aceea aduser\u0103 un cu\u0163it \u015fi-o foarfec\u0103 \u015fi, spintec\u00e2ndu-i burta, \u00eel scoaser\u0103 de acolo pe fiul lor cel iubit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De-ai \u015fti c\u00e2t de mult \u0163i-am dus grija! zise taic\u0103-s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mult mi-a fost dat s\u0103 mai colind \u015fi eu prin lume, da\u2019 acu\u2019, slav\u0103 Domnului, pot r\u0103sufla \u00een voie, c\u0103 mi-e \u00eeng\u0103duit s\u0103 v\u0103d iar\u0103\u015fi lumina zilei!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 pe unde-ai tot umblat, dragu\u2019 tatii?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai bine \u00eentreab\u0103-m\u0103 pe unde n-am fost\u2026 Ah, tat\u0103, am nimerit mai \u00eent\u00e2i \u00eentr-o gaur\u0103 de \u015foareci, apoi \u00een p\u00e2ntecele unei vaci \u015fi-n cele din urm\u0103 am ajuns \u00een burta lupului. Dar de-acu\u2019 r\u0103m\u00e2n pentru totdeauna cu voi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iar noi n-o s\u0103 te mai vindem nici pentru toate bog\u0103\u0163iile din lume! ziser\u0103 p\u0103rin\u0163ii lui Prichindel \u015fi prinser\u0103 s\u0103-l s\u0103rute \u015fi s\u0103-l dr\u0103g\u0103leasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00cel osp\u0103tar\u0103 apoi cu ce aveau ei mai bun \u00een cas\u0103 \u015fi-i f\u0103cur\u0103 \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103minte nou\u0103, c\u0103 cea veche se ponosise de c\u00e2t o purtase pe drumurile cele lungi \u015fi grele.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A fost odat\u0103 un \u0163\u0103ran s\u0103rac \u015fi \u0163\u0103ranul \u0103sta sta \u00eentr-o sear\u0103 \u00een fa\u0163a vetrei \u015fi dregea focul al\u0103turi de nevasta lui care torcea. \u015ei-n t\u0103cerea ce se a\u015fternuse \u00een … <\/p>\n