Era odat\u0103 un rus, pe care \u00eel chema Ivan. \u015ei rusul acela din copil\u0103rie se trezise \u00een oaste. \u015ei slujind el c\u00e2teva soroace de-a r\u00e2ndul, acuma era b\u0103tr\u00e2n. \u015ei mai-marii lui, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-l c\u0103 \u015fi-a f\u0103cut datoria de osta\u015f, l-au slobozit din oaste, cu arme cu tot, s\u0103 se duc\u0103 unde-a vrea, d\u00e2ndu-i \u015fi dou\u0103 carboave de cheltuial\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan atunci mul\u0163umi mai-marilor s\u0103i \u015fi apoi, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi r\u0103mas bun de la tovar\u0103\u015fii lui de oaste, cu care mai trase c\u00e2te-o du\u015fc\u0103, dou\u0103 de rachiu, porne\u015fte la drum c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum mergea Ivan, \u015fov\u0103ind c\u00e2nd la o margine de drum, c\u00e2nd la alta, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftie unde se duce, pu\u0163in mai \u00eenaintea lui mergeau din \u00eent\u00e2mplare, pe-o c\u0103rare l\u0103untric\u0103, Dumnezeu \u015fi cu Sf\u00e2ntul Petre, vorbind ei \u015ftiu ce. Sf\u00e2ntul Petre, auzind pe cineva c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd din urm\u0103, se uit\u0103 \u00eenapoi \u015fi, c\u00e2nd colo, vede un osta\u015f m\u0103t\u0103h\u0103ind pe drum \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, zise atunci Sf\u00e2ntul Petre, speriat: ori hai s\u0103 ne gr\u0103bim, ori s\u0103 ne d\u0103m \u00eentr-o parte, nu cumva osta\u015ful cela s\u0103 aib\u0103 har\u0163ag, \u015fi s\u0103 ne g\u0103sim beleaua cu d\u00e2nsul. \u015etii c-am mai m\u00e2ncat eu o dat\u0103 de la unul ca acesta o chelf\u0103neal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-ai grij\u0103, Petre, zise Dumnezeu. De drume\u0163ul care c\u00e2nt\u0103 s\u0103 nu te temi. Osta\u015ful acesta e un om bun la inim\u0103 \u015fi milostiv. Vezi-l? Are numai dou\u0103 carboave la sufletul s\u0103u; \u015fi, drept cercare, hai, f\u0103-te tu cer\u015fetor la cap\u0103tul ist de pod, \u015fi eu la cel\u0103lalt. \u015ei s\u0103 vezi cum are s\u0103 ne dea am\u00e2ndou\u0103 carboavele de poman\u0103, bietul om! Adu-\u0163i aminte, Petre, de c\u00e2te ori \u0163i-am spus, c\u0103 unii ca ace\u015ftia au s\u0103 mo\u015fteneasc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia cerurilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Sf\u00e2ntul Petre se pune jos la un cap\u0103t de pod, iar\u0103 Dumnezeu la cel\u0103lalt \u015fi \u00eencep a cere de poman\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan, cum ajunge \u00een dreptul podului, scoate cele dou\u0103 carboave de unde le avea str\u00e2nse \u015fi d\u0103 una lui Sf\u00e2ntul Petre \u015fi una lui Dumnezeu, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar din dar se face raiul. Na-v\u0103! Dumnezeu mi-a dat, eu dau, \u015fi Dumnezeu iar mi-a da, c\u0103 are de unde.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei apoi Ivan \u00eencepe iar a c\u00e2nta \u015fi se tot duce \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Sf\u00e2ntul Petre zice cu mirare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, cu adev\u0103rat bun suflet de om e acesta, \u015fi n-ar trebui s\u0103 mearg\u0103 ner\u0103spl\u0103tit de la fa\u0163a ta!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar, Petre, las\u2019 c\u0103 am eu purtare de grij\u0103 pentru d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi Dumnezeu porne\u015fte cu Sf\u00e2ntul Petre \u015fi, c\u00e2t ici, c\u00e2t cole, ajung pe Ivan, care-o ducea tot \u00eentr-un c\u00e2ntec, de parc\u0103 era toat\u0103 lumea a lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 calea, Ivane, zise Dumnezeu. Dar c\u00e2n\u0163i, c\u00e2n\u0163i, nu te-ncurci!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mul\u0163umesc d-voastr\u0103, zise Ivan, tres\u0103rind. Dar de unde \u015ftii a\u015fa de bine c\u0103 m\u0103 cheam\u0103 Ivan?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-apoi, dac\u0103 n-oi \u015fti eu, cine altul are s\u0103 \u015ftie? r\u0103spunse Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar cine e\u015fti tu, zise Ivan cam zbor\u015fit, de te lauzi c\u0103 \u015ftii toate?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt cer\u015fetorul pe care l-ai miluit colo la pod, Ivane. \u015ei cine d\u0103 s\u0103racilor \u00eemprumut\u0103 pe Dumnezeu, zice scriptura. Na-\u0163i \u00eemprumutul \u00eenapoi, c\u0103ci noi nu avem trebuin\u0163\u0103 de bani. Ia, numai am vrut s\u0103 dovedesc lui Petre c\u00e2t e\u015fti tu de milostiv. Afl\u0103 acum, Ivane, c\u0103 eu sunt Dumnezeu \u015fi pot s\u0103-\u0163i dau orice-i cere de la mine; pentru c\u0103 \u015fi tu e\u015fti om cu dreptate \u015fi darnic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan atunci, cuprins de fiori, pe loc s-a dezme\u0163it, a c\u0103zut \u00een genunchi dinaintea lui Dumnezeu \u015fi a zis:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, dac\u0103 e\u015fti tu cu adev\u0103rat Dumnezeu, cum zici, rogu-te blagoslove\u015fte-mi turbinca asta, ca ori pe cine-oi vrea eu, s\u0103-l v\u00e2r \u00eentr-\u00eensa; \u015fi apoi s\u0103 nu poat\u0103 ie\u015fi de aici f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eenvoirea mea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dumnezeu atunci, z\u00e2mbind, blagoslovi turbinca, dup\u0103 dorin\u0163a lui Ivan, \u015fi apoi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ivane, c\u00e2nd te-i s\u0103tura tu de umblat prin lume, atunci s\u0103 vii s\u0103 sluje\u015fti \u015fi la poarta mea, c\u0103ci nu \u0163i-a fi r\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cu toat\u0103 bucuria, Doamne; am s\u0103 vin numaidec\u00e2t, zise Ivan. Dar acum, deodat\u0103, m\u0103 duc s\u0103 v\u0103d, nu mi-a pica ceva la turbinc\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei zic\u00e2nd aceste, apuc\u0103 peste c\u00e2mpii de-a dreptul, spre ni\u015fte cur\u0163i mari, care de-abia se z\u0103reau \u00eenaintea lui, pe culmea unui deal. \u015ei merge Ivan, \u015fi merge, \u015fi merge, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd, pe \u00eenserate, ajunge la cur\u0163ile cele. \u015ei cum ajunge, intr\u0103 \u00een ograd\u0103, se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenaintea boierului \u015fi cere g\u0103zduire. Boierul acela cic\u0103 era cam zg\u00e2rcit, dar, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 Ivan este om \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc, n-are ce s\u0103 fac\u0103. \u015ei vr\u00e2nd-nevr\u00e2nd, porunce\u015fte unei slugi s\u0103 dea lui Ivan ceva de m\u00e2ncare \u015fi apoi s\u0103-l culce \u00een ni\u015fte case nelocuite, unde culca pe to\u0163i musafirii care veneau a\u015fa, nitamnisam. Sluga, ascult\u00e2nd porunca st\u0103p\u00e2nului, ia pe Ivan, \u00eei d\u0103 ceva de m\u00e2ncare \u015fi apoi \u00eel duce la locul hot\u0103r\u00e2t, s\u0103 se culce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Las\u2019 dac\u0103 nu i-a da odihna pe nas, zise boierul \u00een g\u00e2ndul s\u0103u, dup\u0103 ce or\u00e2ndui cele de cuviin\u0163\u0103. \u015etiu c\u0103 are s\u0103 aib\u0103 de lucru la noapte. Acum s\u0103 vedem care pe care! Ori el pe draci, ori dracii pe d\u00e2nsul!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103ci trebuie s\u0103 v\u0103 spun c\u0103 boierul acela avea o pereche de case, mai de-o parte, \u00een care se zice c\u0103 locuia necuratul. \u015ei tocmai acolo porunci s\u0103 culce \u015fi pe Ivan!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan \u00eens\u0103 habar n-avea de asta. El, cum a intrat \u00een odaia unde l-a dus omul boierului, \u015fi-a pus armele \u00een r\u00e2nduial\u0103, s-a \u00eenchinat dup\u0103 obicei \u015fi apoi s-a tologit a\u015fa, \u00eembr\u0103cat cum era, pe un divan moale ca bumbacul, pun\u00e2ndu-\u015fi turbinca cu cele dou\u0103 carboave sub c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i \u015fi a\u015ftern\u00e2ndu-se pe somn; c\u0103ci de-abia \u00eel \u0163ineau picioarele de trudit ce era. Dar poate, bietul, s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103? C\u0103ci cum a stins lum\u00e2narea, odat\u0103 se treze\u015fte c\u0103-i smunce\u015fte cineva perna de sub cap \u015fi i-o arunc\u0103 c\u00e2t colo! Ivan atunci, pun\u00e2nd m\u00e2na pe sabie, se scoal\u0103 repede, aprinde lum\u00e2narea \u015fi \u00eencepe a c\u0103uta prin cas\u0103, \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, dar nu g\u0103se\u015fte pe nimene.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i! Dar acest p\u0103cat! Ori casa asta nu-i curat\u0103, ori s-a cutremurat p\u0103m\u00e2ntul, de mi-a s\u0103rit perna de sub cap, \u015fi eu umblu b\u0103d\u0103d\u0103ind ca un nebun! Ce-or mai fi \u015fi cutremurele ieste?! zise Ivan, mai f\u0103c\u00e2nd c\u00e2teva cruci p\u00e2n\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u015fi apoi iar\u0103 se culc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar, c\u00e2nd s\u0103 a\u0163ipeasc\u0103, deodat\u0103 se aud prin cas\u0103 o mul\u0163ime de glasuri, care de care mai ur\u00e2cioase: unele miorl\u0103iau ca m\u00e2\u0163a, altele covi\u0163au ca porcul, unele or\u0103c\u0103iau ca broasca, altele morn\u0103iau ca ursul, m\u0103 rog, fel de fel de glasuri schimonosite se auzeau, de nu se mai \u015ftia ce mama dracului s\u0103 fie acolo! Ivan, atunci, se cam pricepe ce-ar fi asta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi, stai dar! c\u0103 are Chira socoteal\u0103, cum v\u0103d eu. \u015ei odat\u0103 \u00eencepe a striga puternic:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pa\u015fol na turbinca, ciorti! Atunci diavolii odat\u0103 \u00eencep a se c\u0103r\u0103b\u0103ni unul peste altul \u00een turbinc\u0103, de parc\u0103-i aducea v\u00e2ntul. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce intr\u0103 ei cu to\u0163ii \u00eenl\u0103untru, Ivan \u00eencepe a-i ghigosi musc\u0103le\u015fte. Dup\u0103 aceea leag\u0103 turbinca str\u00e2ns la gur\u0103, o pune sub cap, mai tr\u00e2ntindu-le prin turbinc\u0103 ni\u015fte ghionturi ruse\u015fti, cole, cum \u015ftia el, de da inima din draci. Apoi se culc\u0103 cu capul pe d\u00e2n\u015fii \u015fi, nemaifiind sup\u0103rat de nimene, trage Ivan un somn de cele pope\u015fti\u2026 Dar, c\u00e2nd aproape de c\u00e2nt\u0103tori, Scaraoschi, c\u0103petenia dracilor, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 parte din slugile lui se z\u0103bovesc, porne\u015fte cu gr\u0103bire la locul \u015ftiut, s\u0103 le caute. \u015ei, ajung\u00e2nd \u00eentr-o clip\u0103, se v\u00e2r\u0103, el \u015ftie cum \u015fi pe unde \u00een odaie la Ivan \u015fi-i \u015fterge o palm\u0103 prin somn, c\u00e2t ce poate. Ivan, atunci, sare ars \u015fi odat\u0103 strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pa\u015fol na turbinca! Scaraoschi, atunci, intr\u0103 \u015fi el f\u0103r\u0103 vorb\u0103 \u015fi se \u00eenghesuie\u015fte peste ceilal\u0163i dimoni, c\u0103ci n-are \u00eencotro.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, las\u2019 c\u0103 v\u0103 judec eu acu\u015fi, necura\u0163ilor; voi scoate incul din voi, zise Ivan tulburat. Cu mine v-a\u0163i g\u0103sit de jucat? Am s\u0103 v\u0103 mu\u015furluiesc de au s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2inii de voi!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei odat\u0103 se \u00eembrac\u0103 \u015fi se \u00eenarmeaz\u0103 Ivan cu toate ale lui \u015fi, ie\u015find afar\u0103, \u00eencepe a face un t\u0103r\u0103boi de s-a sculat toat\u0103 ograda \u00een gura lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar ce-ai p\u0103\u0163it, m\u0103 pohon\u0163ule, de te-ai sculat cu noaptea-n cap \u015fi faci a\u015fa larm\u0103, ziser\u0103 oamenii boierului, care dau chiori unul peste altul, de parc\u0103 aveau orbul g\u0103inilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 p\u0103\u0163esc? zise Ivan d\u00e2rz. Ia! am c\u0103ptu\u015fit ni\u015fte iepuroi \u015fi am de g\u00e2nd s\u0103-i jumulesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Boierul, \u00een zgomotul ista, se scoal\u0103 \u015fi el \u015fi \u00eentreab\u0103:, Ce vuiet e acolo prin ograd\u0103?, Ia, mai toat\u0103 noaptea nu ne-am putut odihni din pricina rusului celuia. Dracul \u015ftie ce are\u2026 Cic\u0103 a prins ni\u015fte iepuroi \u015fi vrea s\u0103-i jumuleasc\u0103, s\u0103 ierta\u0163i d-voastr\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen vorbele aceste, numai iaca ce se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u015fi Ivan \u00eenaintea boierului, cu turbinca plin\u0103 de draci, care se zb\u0103teau ca pe\u015ftii \u00een v\u00e2r\u015f\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, gospodin, cu cine m-am v\u00e2njolit toat\u0103 noaptea\u2026 dar \u00eencaltea \u0163i-am cur\u0103\u0163it \u015fi eu casa de draci \u015fi vi-i aduc poclon dis-diminea\u0163\u0103. Porunce\u015fte s\u0103-mi aduc\u0103 ni\u015fte palce, c\u0103 am s\u0103-i bat la stroi, s\u0103 pomeneasc\u0103 ei c\u00e2t or tr\u0103i c\u0103 au dat peste Ivan, robul lui Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Boierul, v\u0103z\u00e2nd aceasta, pe de-o parte l-a cuprins spaima, iar\u0103 pe de alta nu mai \u015ftia ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 de bucurie; c\u0103ci multe s\u0103rindare mai d\u0103duse el p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci pe la popi, \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, ca s\u0103-i poat\u0103 izgoni dracii de la cas\u0103, \u015fi nici c\u0103 fusese chip. Dar se vede c\u0103 p\u00e2n acum le-a fost \u015fi lor veleatul. Cu Ivan \u015fi-au g\u0103sit popa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, Ivane, zise boierul cu mul\u0163umire. S\u0103-\u0163i aduc\u0103 palce c\u00e2te vrei, \u015fi f\u0103-\u0163i datoria cum \u015ftii; c-apoi om oi fi \u015fi eu, helbet!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, nu trece mult la mijloc, iaca se pomene\u015fte Ivan cu un car de palce cum \u00eei pl\u0103cea lui. Le ia \u015fi le leag\u0103 la un loc, tot c\u00e2te dou\u0103-trei, dup\u0103 cum \u00ee\u015fi \u015ftia me\u015fte\u015fugul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar, p\u00e2n\u0103 la vremea asta, se adunase \u00eemprejurul lui Ivan tot satul, ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 de patima dracilor. C\u0103ci lucru de mirare era acesta, nu \u015fag\u0103! Atunci Ivan dezleag\u0103 turbinca \u00een fa\u0163a tuturor, numai c\u00e2t poate s\u0103 \u00eencap\u0103 m\u00e2na, \u015fi lu\u00e2nd c\u00e2te pe un dr\u0103cu\u015for de corni\u0163e, mi \u0163i-l ardea cu palcele, de-i cr\u0103pa pielea. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce-l r\u0103fuia bine, \u00eei da drumul, cu tocmeal\u0103, s\u0103 nu mai vie pe acolo, alt\u0103 dat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-oi mai veni, Ivane, c\u00e2te zili\u015foare-oi avea eu, zicea Ucig\u0103-l-crucea, cuprins de usturime, \u015fi se tot ducea \u00eempu\u015fcat. Iar\u0103 oamenii ce priveau \u015fi mai ales b\u0103ie\u0163ii le\u015finau de r\u00e2s.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar, mai la urma urmelor, Ivan scoate de barb\u0103 \u015fi pe Scaraoschi \u015fi-i trage un frecu\u015f, de cele moschice\u015fti, de-i fuge sufletul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poftim! Dup\u0103 bucluc umbli, peste bucluc ai dat, m\u0103i jup\u00e2ne Scaraoschi! S\u0103 te \u00eenve\u0163i tu de alt\u0103dat\u0103 a mai b\u00e2ntui oamenii. S\u0103rs\u0103il\u0103 spurcat ce e\u015fti! \u015ei apoi, d\u00e2ndu-i drumul, “na!” fuge \u015fi Scaraoschi dup\u0103 ceilal\u0163i, ca t\u0103unul cu paiul\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dumnezeu s\u0103 te \u00eenzileasc\u0103, zise atunci boierul, cuprinz \u00e2nd pe Ivan \u00een bra\u0163e \u015fi s\u0103rut\u00e2ndu-l. De-acum r\u0103m\u00e2i la mine, Ivane, \u015fi, pentru c\u0103 mi-ai cur\u0103\u0163it casa de draci, am s\u0103 te \u0163in ca pe palm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, gospodin, zise Ivan. M\u0103 duc s\u0103 slujesc pe Dumnezeu, \u00eemp\u0103ratul tuturor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, zic\u00e2nd aceste, se \u00eencinge cu sabia, pune turbinca la \u015fold, \u00ee\u015fi ia rani\u0163a \u00een spate \u015fi pu\u015fca de-a um\u0103r \u015fi, pornind, se tot duce \u00eenainte, la Dumnezeu. Iar\u0103 privitorii, cu c\u0103ciulile \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, \u00eei urau drum bun, ori\u00eencotro s-a \u00eentoarce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103l\u0103torie spr\u00e2ncenat\u0103! zise boierul; de r\u0103m\u00e2neai, \u00eemi erai ca un frate; iar\u0103 de nu, \u00eemi e\u015fti ca doi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mi se pare mie c\u0103 \u015fi boierul, c\u00e2t era de boier, luase frica turbinc\u0103i, de nu-i p\u0103ru a\u015fa de r\u0103u dup\u0103 Ivan, care-i f\u0103cuse at\u00e2ta bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan \u00eens\u0103 nici nu se g\u00e2ndea la asta; el \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103uta acum de drum, \u00eentreb\u00e2nd din om \u00een om unde \u015fede Dumnezeu. Dar to\u0163i pe c\u00e2\u0163i \u00eei \u00eentreba d\u0103deau din umere, ne\u015ftiind ce s\u0103 r\u0103spund\u0103 la a\u015fa \u00eentrebare ciudat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Numai Sf\u00e2ntul Nicolai trebuie s\u0103 \u015ftie asta, zise Ivan, sco\u0163\u00e2nd o iconi\u0163\u0103 din s\u00e2n \u015fi s\u0103rut\u00e2nd-o pe dos \u015fi pe fa\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci, ca prin minune, se \u015fi treze\u015fte Ivan la poarta raiului! \u015ei, nici una, nici dou\u0103, odat\u0103 \u00eencepe a bate \u00een poart\u0103 c\u00e2t putea. Atunci Sf\u00e2ntul Petre \u00eentreab\u0103 dinl\u0103untru:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine-i acolo?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine eu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu, Ivan.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei ce vrei?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tabacioc este?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Votchi este?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Femei sunt?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 L\u0103utari sunt?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-s, Ivane, ce m\u0103 tot chih\u0103ie\u015fti de cap?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar unde se g\u0103sesc de aceste?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 La iad, Ivane, nu aici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i! Dar ce s\u0103r\u0103cie lucie pe aici, pe la rai! zise Ivan. \u015ei, nemailungind vorba, \u00eendat\u0103 \u015fi porne\u015fte la iad. \u015ei el \u015ftie pe unde cotige\u015fte, c\u0103 nu umbl\u0103 tocmai mult \u015fi numai iaca ce d\u0103 \u015fi de poarta iadului. \u015ei atunci, odat\u0103 \u00eencepe a bate \u00een poart\u0103, strig\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei! Tabacioc este?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Este, r\u0103spunde cineva dinl\u0103untru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Votchi este?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Este.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Femei sunt?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar cum s\u0103 nu fie?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 L\u0103utari sunt?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ho, ho! C\u00e2\u0163i pofte\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A! hara\u015fo, hara\u015fo! Aici e de mine! Deschide\u0163i iute, zise Ivan, trop\u0103ind \u015fi frec\u00e2ndu-\u015fi m\u00e2inile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dracul de la poart\u0103, g\u00e2ndind c\u0103 e vreun mu\u015fteriu vechi de-al lor, deschide; \u015fi atunci, numai iaca ce se trezesc pe nea\u015fteptate cu Ivan Turbinca!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de noi \u015fi de noi! ziser\u0103 atunci dracii, sc\u0103rm\u0103n\u00e2ndu-se de cap \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. A\u015fa-i c-am p\u0103\u0163it-o?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan, \u00eens\u0103, porunce\u015fte s\u0103-i aduc\u0103 mai degrab\u0103 votchi, tabacioc, l\u0103utari \u015fi femei frumoase, c\u0103 are gust s\u0103 fac\u0103 un guleai.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se uit\u0103 dracii unii la al\u0163ii \u015fi, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 nu-i chip de stat \u00eempotriva lui Ivan, \u00eencep a-i aduce, care dincotro, rachiu, tutun, l\u0103utari \u015fi tot ce-i poftea lui Ivan sufletul. Umblau dracii \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, iute ca pr\u00e2snelul, \u015fi-i intrau lui Ivan \u00een voie cu toate cele, c\u0103ci se temeau de turbinc\u0103 ca de nu \u015ftiu ce, poate mai r\u0103u dec\u00e2t de sf\u00e2nta cruce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De la o vreme se chef\u0103luie\u015fte Ivan cum se cade, \u015fi unde nu \u00eencepe a chiui prin iad \u015fi a juca Horodinca \u015fi Cazacinca, lu\u00e2nd \u015fi pe draci \u015fi pe dr\u0103coaice la joc, cu nepus \u00een mas\u0103; \u015fi \u00een v\u00e2rtejul cela, r\u0103sturna t\u0103r\u0103bi \u015fi toate cele \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, de-\u0163i venea s\u0103 te strici de r\u00e2s de iznoavele lui Ivan. Acum, ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 dracii, ca s\u0103-l urneasc\u0103 de-acolo? G\u00e2ndesc ei, se sucesc ei, se fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u0103 ei cu mintea fel \u015fi chip, dar nici unuia nu-i vine \u00een cap ce s\u0103 fac\u0103. Talpa-iadului \u00eens\u0103, mai ajuns\u0103 de cap dec\u00e2t to\u0163i dracii, zise atunci lui Scaraoschi:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Haram de capul vostru! de n-a\u015f fi eu aici, a\u0163i p\u0103\u0163i voi \u015fi mai r\u0103u dec\u00e2t a\u015fa. Aduce\u0163i-mi degrab\u0103 o putin\u0103, o piele de c\u00e2ine \u015fi dou\u0103 be\u0163e, s\u0103 fac o juc\u0103rie, cum \u015ftiu eu, \u015fi acu\u015fi vi-l m\u0103tur de-aici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci, \u00eendat\u0103 i se aduc cele cerute, \u015fi T\u0103lpoiul face iute o daraban\u0103; \u015fi apoi, furi\u015f\u00e2ndu-se de Ivan, iese cu d\u00e2nsa afar\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepe a bate ca de r\u0103zboi; brr\u2026 br\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan, atunci, \u00ee\u015fi vine \u00een sim\u0163ire \u015fi \u00eentr-un buc iese afar\u0103 cu pu\u015fca la um\u0103r, s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce este.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Talpa-iadului, atunci, face \u0163u\u015fti! \u00eenl\u0103untru, \u015fi dracii, tronc! \u00eenchid poarta dup\u0103 Ivan, \u015fi, pun\u0103nd z\u0103voarele bine, bucuria lor c\u0103 au sc\u0103pat de turbinc\u0103. Bate el Ivan \u00een poart\u0103 c\u00e2t poate, se r\u0103c\u0103duie\u015fte el cu pu\u015fca, dar au prins ei acum dracii la minte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei las\u2019, cornora\u0163ilor! De mi-\u0163i mai pica vrodat\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, turbinca are s\u0103 v\u0103 \u015ftie de \u015ftire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd Ivan c\u0103 por\u0163ile iadului sunt ferecate \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile \u015fi c\u0103 dracii n-au g\u00e2nd s\u0103-i deschid\u0103, se leh\u0103mete\u015fte el acum \u015fi de l\u0103utari, \u015fi de tabacioc, \u015fi de votchi, \u015fi de tot, \u015fi porne\u015fte iar la rai s\u0103 slujeasc\u0103 pe Dumnezeu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum ajunge la poarta raiului, din afar\u0103, se \u015fi pune acolo de straj\u0103 \u015fi st\u0103 neadormit zi \u015fi noapte, tot \u00eentruna, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se clinteasc\u0103 din loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei nu mult dup\u0103 aceasta, numai iaca ce vine \u015fi Moartea \u015fi vrea numaidec\u00e2t s\u0103 intre la Dumnezeu, ca s\u0103 pri measc \u0103 porunci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan atunci \u00eei pune \u015fpaga \u00een piept \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015etoti, Vidma! Unde vrei s\u0103 te duci?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 La Dumnezeu, Ivane, s\u0103 vedem ce mi-a mai porunci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-i voie, zise Ivan; las\u2019 c\u0103 m\u0103 duc eu s\u0103-\u0163i aduc r\u0103spuns.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, Ivane, trebuie s\u0103 m\u0103 duc eu. Ivan atunci, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 Moartea d\u0103 chioar\u0103 peste d\u00e2nsul, se strop\u015fe\u015fte la ea zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pa\u015fol, Vidma, na turbinca! Moartea atunci, neav\u00e2nd \u00eencotro, se bag\u0103 \u00een turbinc\u0103 \u015fi acu\u015fi icne\u015fte, acu\u015fi suspin\u0103, de-\u0163i venea s\u0103-i pl\u00e2ngi de mil\u0103. Iar\u0103 Ivan leag\u0103 turbinca la gur\u0103 cu nep\u0103sare \u015f-o anin\u0103 \u00eentr-un copac. Apoi \u00eencepe a bate \u00een poart\u0103. Sf\u00e2ntul Petre, atunci, deschide \u015fi, c\u00e2nd colo, se treze\u015fte cu Ivan.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, Ivane, doar te-ai s\u0103turat acum de umblat prin lume dup\u0103 crancal\u00e2curi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M-am s\u0103turat, \u015fi m-am prea s\u0103turat, Sfinte Petre.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, \u015fi ce vrei acum?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, vreau s\u0103 m\u0103 duc la Dumnezeu, s\u0103-i spun ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, Ivane, du-te; nu \u0163i-e oprit\u0103 calea. De-a putere-a fi, acum e\u015fti de casa noastr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan atunci se duce de-a dreptul \u00eenaintea lui Dumnezeu \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, nu \u015ftiu dac\u0103 ai la \u015ftiin\u0163\u0103 ori ba, dar eu slujesc la poarta raiului de mult\u0103 vreme. \u015ei acum vine Moartea \u015fi \u00eentreab\u0103 ce mai porunci\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Spune-i, Ivane, din partea mea, c\u0103 poruncesc s\u0103 moar\u0103 trei ani de zile de-a r\u00e2ndul numai oameni b\u0103tr\u00e2ni, a\u015fa ca tine\u2026 zise Dumnezeu, z\u00e2mbind cu bun\u0103tate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, Doamne, zise Ivan, uit\u00e2ndu-se cam lung la Dumnezeu. M\u0103 duc s\u0103-i spun cum ai poruncit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, duc\u00e2ndu-se el, scoate Moartea de la \u00eenchisoare \u015fi-i zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dumnezeu a poruncit ca s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nci trei ani de zile de-a r\u00e2ndul numai p\u0103dure b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103; de cea t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 nu te-atingi! \u00cen\u0163eles-ai? Hai, porne\u015fte \u015fi-\u0163i f\u0103 datoria!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Moartea, atunci, porne\u015fte prin codri, sup\u0103rat\u0103 ca vai de ea, \u015fi \u00eencepe a roade la copaci b\u0103tr\u00e2ni, de-i pocneau f\u0103lcile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei dup\u0103 ce se \u00eemplinesc trei ani \u00een cap\u0103t, iar porne\u015fte la Dumnezeu, s\u0103 primeasc\u0103 porunci. Dar c\u00e2nd \u015ftia c\u0103 are s\u0103 dea peste Ivan, i se t\u0103iau picioarele \u015f-o str\u00e2ngea \u00een spate de fric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Turbinca! afurisita de turbinc\u0103 m\u0103 v\u00e2r\u0103 \u00een toate boalele, zicea Moartea, suspin\u00e2nd. Dec\u00e2t n-am \u00eencotro; trebuie s\u0103 m\u0103 duc, zise ea oft\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit merge ea, nu merge, \u015fi de la o vreme ajunge la poarta raiului. Dar, c\u00e2nd colo, d\u0103 iar cu ochii de Ivan.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tot aici e\u015fti, Ivane? tot?, Ba bine c\u0103 nu! zise Ivan, f\u0103c\u00e2nd st\u00e2nga-mprejur \u015fi pun\u00e2ndu-se drept \u00een calea Mor\u0163ii. Dar unde g\u00e2ndeai s\u0103 fiu, c\u00e2nd asta mi-e slujba?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 G\u00e2ndeam c\u0103 te-i fi dus prin lume, dup\u0103 berbantl\u00e2curi de-ale tale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da c\u0103 doar de lume am fugit; o \u015ftiu eu c\u00e2t e de dulce \u015fi de amar\u0103, bat-o pustia s-o bat\u0103! I-s roase lui Ivan urechile de d\u00e2nsa. Dar ce-ai sl\u0103bit a\u015fa, Vidm\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163ile tale, Ivane. Acum cred c\u0103 nu \u0163i-i mai face blestem cu mine, mi-i da drumul s\u0103 intru la Dumnezeu, c\u0103 tare mare treab\u0103 mai am.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, cum nu?! ia mai pune-\u0163i pofta la o parte, c\u0103 doar nu piere lumea\u2026 nu cumva ai pofti oare s\u0103 te pui la taifasuri cu Dumnezeu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar \u015ftii c\u0103 te prea \u00eentreci cu \u015faga, Ivane\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa \u0163i-e treaba? \u00cenc\u0103 m\u0103 iei la trei parale? Pa\u015fol na turbinca, Vidma!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Moartea, atunci, se v\u00e2r\u0103 \u00een turbinc\u0103 \u015fi Ivan o pune la pastram\u0103, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015eop\u00e2rcai cu cine \u015fop\u00e2rcai, dar cu Ivan nu \u015fop\u00e2rcai.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dumnezeu, \u00eens\u0103, \u015ftia de toate acestea, dar voia s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 \u015fi pe cheful lui Ivan, nu tot pe-a Mor\u0163ii; c\u0103ci multe bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163i mai f\u0103cuse \u015fi ea \u00een via\u0163a ei!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia deschide, Sfinte Petre, zise Ivan, b\u0103t\u00e2nd apoi la poart\u0103. Sf\u00e2ntul Petre deschide, \u015fi Ivan se duce iar de se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenaintea lui Dumnezeu \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, Moartea \u00eentreab\u0103 ce mai porunci\u0163i? \u015ei s\u0103 nu v\u0103 sup\u0103ra\u0163i, dar tare-i neast\u00e2mp\u0103rat\u0103 \u015fi avan\u0103, drept s\u0103 v\u0103 spun; \u015fede ca pe spini \u015fi vrea numaidec\u00e2t s\u0103-i da\u0163i r\u0103spuns.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Du-i r\u0103spuns, Ivane, c\u0103 poruncesc s\u0103 moar\u0103 de acum \u00eenainte trei ani de zile de-a r\u00e2ndul numai oameni tineri, \u015fi al\u0163i trei ani de zile s\u0103 moar\u0103 numai copii obraznici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, Doamne, zise Ivan, \u00eenchin\u00e2ndu-se p\u00e2n\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt. M\u0103 duc s\u0103-i spun cum ai poruncit\u2026 \u015fi cum ajunge Ivan din afar\u0103 de poart\u0103, scoate Moartea din turbinc\u0103 \u015fi-i zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dumnezeu a poruncit ca de-acum \u00eenainte s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nci trei ani de zile de-a r\u00e2ndul numai p\u0103dure t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103; \u015fi al\u0163i trei ani de zile, numai vl\u0103stare fragede, r\u0103chi\u0163ic\u0103, smicele, nuiele \u015fi altele de seama acestora; de p\u0103durea cea b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 nu te-atingi, c\u0103-i pozn\u0103! Auzit-ai, Vidm\u0103? Hai, porne\u015fte p\u00e2n\u0103 te v\u0103d, \u015fi-\u0163i f\u0103 datoria cu sfin\u0163enie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Moartea atunci, \u00eenghi\u0163ind noduri, porne\u015fte prin dumbr\u0103vi, lunci \u015fi huceaguri, sup\u0103rat\u0103 ca vai de capul ei. \u015ei, de voie, de nevoie, \u00eencepe c\u00e2nd a roade la copaci tineri, c\u00e2nd a forfeca smicele \u015fi nuiele de-i p\u00e2r\u00e2iau m\u0103selele \u015fi o dureau \u015felele \u015fi grumajii \u00eentinz\u00e2ndu-se pe sus, la plopii cei \u00eenal\u0163i, \u015fi plec\u00e2ndu-se at\u00e2ta pe la r\u0103d\u0103cinile celor tufari, dup\u0103 ml\u0103di\u0163e fragede. Se z\u0103morea \u015fi ea, s\u0103rmana, cum putea. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, s-a chinuit Moartea a\u015fa trei ani de zile de-a r\u00e2ndul, \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 al\u0163i trei ani, \u015fi dup\u0103 ce i se \u00eemplinesc cei \u015fase ani de os\u00e2nd\u0103, iar porne\u015fte la Dumnezeu s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce porunci i-a mai da. Nu-i vorb\u0103, c\u0103 \u015ftia Vidma ce-o a\u015ftepta, dar ce era s\u0103 fac\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Turbinca! M\u00e2nca-o-ar focul s-o m\u0103n\u00e2nce! zicea Moartea, duc\u00e2ndu-se la rai ca \u015fi cum ar fi mers la sp\u00e2nzur\u0103toare. Nu \u015ftiu ce s\u0103 mai zic \u015fi despre Dumnezeu, ca s\u0103 nu gre\u015fesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pesemne c-a ajuns \u015fi el \u00een mintea copiilor, Doamne iart\u0103-m\u0103, de i-a dat lui Ivan cel nebun at\u00e2ta putere asupra mea. Bine mi-ar p\u0103rea s\u0103-l v\u0103d \u015fi pe Dumnezeu \u00eentr-o zi, c\u00e2t e de mare \u015fi puternic, \u00een turbinca lui Ivan; ori de nu, m\u0103car pe Sf\u00e2ntul Petrea; numai atunci mi-ar crede ei mie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei merg\u00e2nd ea tot bodrog\u0103nind vrute \u015fi nevrute, ajunge la poarta raiului; \u015fi c\u00e2nd d\u0103 iar de Ivan, i se \u00eentunec\u0103 lumea \u00eenaintea ochilor \u015fi zice oft\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar bine, Ivane, iar ai de g\u00e2nd s\u0103 m\u0103 chinuie\u015fti cu turbinca ceea a ta?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba dac-a\u015f avea mai mult\u0103 putere, \u0163i-o spun drept c\u0103 \u0163i-a\u015f scoate ochii ca la dracul \u015fi te-a\u015f frige pe frigare, zise Ivan cu ciud\u0103, c\u0103 din pricina ta s-a pr\u0103p\u0103dit at\u00e2ta amar de lume, de la Adam \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 ast\u0103zi. Pa\u015fol na turbinca, Vidma! \u015ei de-acum, nici mai spun lui Dumnezeu despre tine, hoanghin\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 ce e\u015fti! Tu \u015fi cu Talpa-iadului sunte\u0163i potrivit\u0103 pereche. \u00cemi vine s\u0103 v\u0103 rup cu din\u0163ii de buni\u015foare ce sunte\u0163i. Am s\u0103 te \u0163in la pastram\u0103, h\u0103t \u015fi bine! De-acum \u00een turbinc\u0103 au s\u0103-\u0163i putrezeasc \u0103 ciolanele. H\u0103, h\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Suspin\u0103 ea Moartea, dar pace bun\u0103; Ivan, parc\u0103 nici n-o vede, nici n-o aude. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, trece ea a\u015fa o bucat\u0103 de vreme, c\u00e2t ar fi trecut, \u015fi \u00eentr-una din zile vine Dumnezeu la poart\u0103 s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce necazuri mai face Ivan cu turbinca ceea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, Ivane, ce mai direguie\u015fti? Moartea n-a mai venit pe-aici?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan, atunci, las\u0103 capul \u00een jos \u015fi, t\u0103c\u00e2nd, \u00eencepe a face fe\u0163e-fe\u0163e. Iar\u0103 Moartea r\u0103spunde \u00een\u0103du\u015fit din turbinc\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103-m\u0103-s, Doamne, pus\u0103 la opreal\u0103; m-ai l\u0103sat de r\u00e2sul unui \u015fui ca Ivan, nenorocita de mine!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dumnezeu, atunci, dezleag\u0103 turbinca, d\u0103 drumul Mor\u0163ii \u015fi zice lui Ivan:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, Ivane, destul de-acum; \u0163i-ai tr\u0103it traiul \u015fi \u0163i-ai m\u00e2ncat m\u0103laiul! De milostiv, milostiv e\u015fti; de bun la inim\u0103, bun ai fost, nu-i vorb\u0103. Dar, de la o vreme \u00eencoace, cam de pe c\u00e2nd \u0163i-am blagoslovit turbinca aceasta, te-ai f\u0103cut prea nu \u015ftiu cum. Cu dracii de la boierul cela ai f\u0103cut hara-para. La iad ai tras un guleai de \u0163i s-a dus vestea ca de pop\u0103 tuns. Cu Moartea te-am l\u0103sat p\u00e2n\u0103 acum de \u0163i-ai f\u0103cut mendrele, cum ai vrut; n-ai ce zice. Dar toate-s p\u00e2n\u0103 la o vreme, f\u0103tul meu. De-acum \u0163i-a venit \u015fi \u0163ie r\u00e2ndul s\u0103 mori; n-am ce-\u0163i face. Trebuie s\u0103 d\u0103m fiec\u0103ruia ce este al s\u0103u, c\u0103ci \u015fi Moartea are socoteala ei; nu-i l\u0103sat\u0103 numai a\u015fa, degeaba, cum crezi tu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan atunci, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 s-au trecut de \u015fag\u0103, se pune \u00een genunchi dinaintea lui Dumnezeu \u015fi-l roag\u0103 cu lacrimi, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne! Rogu-te s\u0103 fiu \u00eeng\u0103duit macar trei zile, \u00een care s\u0103-mi grijesc sufletul, s\u0103-mi lucrez racla cu m\u00e2na mea asta sl\u0103b\u0103noag\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103 a\u015fez singurel \u00eentr-\u00eensa; \u015fi dup\u0103 aceste fac\u0103 Moartea ce va voi cu mine, c\u0103ci v\u0103d eu bine c\u0103 mi s-a str\u00e2ns funia la par; \u00eencep a sl\u0103bi v\u0103z\u00e2nd cu ochii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dumnezeu \u00eei \u00eenvoie\u015fte cererea aceasta \u015fi apoi, lu\u00e2ndu-i turbinca din st\u0103p\u00e2nire, \u00eel d\u0103 pe seama Vidmei, ca dup\u0103 trei zile s\u0103-i ia sufletul!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan acum, r\u0103m\u00e2n\u00e2nd singur, sup\u0103rat ca vai de el, pe de-o parte c\u0103 i-a luat Dumnezeu turbinca, pe de alta c\u0103 are s\u0103 moar\u0103, s-a pus pe g\u00e2nduri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“M\u0103 rog, ia s\u0103 stau \u015fi s\u0103-mi fac socoteal\u0103 cu ce m-am ales eu c\u00e2t am tr\u0103it pe lumea asta, zise Ivan \u00een g\u00e2ndul s\u0103u. \u00cen oaste am fost numai de zbucium: h\u0103is, haram, cea, haram! De-atunci \u00eencoace am umblat ia a\u015fa, teleleu Tanas\u0103. M-am dus la rai, de la rai la iad, \u015fi de la iad iar la rai. \u015ei tocmai acum, la adic\u0103, n-am nici o m\u00e2ng\u00e2iere! Rai mi-a trebuit mie la vremea asta? Ia, a\u015fa p\u0103\u0163e\u015fti dac\u0103 te strici cu dracul; aici, la s\u0103r\u0103c\u0103ciosul ist de rai, vorba ceea: “Fal\u0103 goal\u0103, traist\u0103 u\u015foar\u0103”; \u015fezi cu banii \u00een pung\u0103 \u015fi duci dorul la toate cele. Mai mare pedeaps\u0103 dec\u00e2t asta nici c\u0103 se mai poate! Votchi nu-i, tabacioc nu-i, l\u0103utari nu-s, guleai nu-i, nimica nu-i! Mai am numai trei zile de tr\u0103it, \u015fi te\u2026 ai dus, Ivane, de pe fa\u0163a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului! Oare nu-i de f\u0103cut vreo \u015fmecherie p\u00e2n\u0103 mai este \u00eenc\u0103 vreme?”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, mai st\u0103 el Ivan oleac\u0103 a\u015fa, cu fruntea rezemat\u0103 pe m\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi-i \u015fi tr\u0103sne\u015fte \u00een g\u00e2nd una:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Taci! C\u0103 i-am dat de me\u015fte\u015fug. \u00cencaltea, ce-a fi, a fi; dar degeaba n-are s\u0103 fie\u2026 v\u0103d eu bine c\u0103 tot de una mi-e acum.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei odat\u0103 se duce Ivan repede cu cele dou\u0103 carboave, el \u015ftie unde, \u015fi cump\u0103r\u0103 unelte de tesl\u0103rie, dou\u0103 l\u0103tunoaie groase, patru balamale, c\u00e2teva piroane, dou\u0103 belciuge \u015fi un l\u0103c\u0103toi zdrav\u0103n, \u015fi se arunc\u0103 de-\u015fi face el singur o dr\u0103gu\u0163\u0103 de racl\u0103, s\u0103 poat\u0103 \u015fedea \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00eentr-\u00eensa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, Ivane, \u015fi casa de veci, zise el. Trei co\u0163i de p\u0103m\u00e2nt, at\u00e2ta-i al t\u0103u! Vezi \u00een ce se \u00eencheie toat\u0103 scofala de pe lumea asta?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar n-apuc\u0103 Ivan a sf\u00e2r\u015fi bine vorba din urm\u0103, \u015fi numai iaca se \u015fi treze\u015fte cu Moartea la spate:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, Ivane, gata e\u015fti?, Gata, r\u0103spunse el, z\u00e2mbind., Dac\u0103 e\u015fti gata, hai! A\u015faz\u0103-te mai repede \u00een racl\u0103, c\u0103 n-am vreme de pierdut. Poate m\u0103 mai a\u015fteapt\u0103 \u015fi al\u0163ii s\u0103 le dau r\u0103va\u015f de drum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan, atunci, se pune \u00een racl\u0103 cu fa\u0163a \u00een jos., Nu a\u015fa, Ivane, zise Moartea., Dar cum?, Pune-te cum trebuie s\u0103 \u015fad\u0103 mortul. Ivan se pune \u00eentr-o r\u00e2l\u0103 \u015fi las\u0103 picioarele sp\u00e2nzurate afar\u0103., Dar bine, Ivane, una-i vorba, alta-i treaba; mult ai s\u0103 m\u0103 \u0163ii? Pune-te, m\u0103i frate, bine, cum se pune!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan, atunci, se \u00eentoarce iar cu fa\u0163a-n jos, cu capul b\u0103l\u0103l\u0103u \u00eentr-o parte \u015fi iar cu picioarele afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0102\u2026 ra\u2026 ca\u2019 de mine \u015fi de mine! Dar nici at\u00e2ta lucru nu \u015ftii? Se vede c\u0103 numai de blestem\u0103\u0163ii ai fost bun \u00een lumea asta. Ia fugi de-acolo, s\u0103-\u0163i ar\u0103t eu, nebunule ce e\u015fti!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ivan atunci iese din racl\u0103 \u015fi st\u0103 \u00een picioare umilit. Iar\u0103 Moartea, av\u00e2nd bun\u0103tate a d\u0103sc\u0103li pe Ivan, se pune \u00een racl\u0103 cu fa\u0163a-n sus, cu picioarele \u00eentinse, cu m\u00e2inile pe piept \u015fi cu ochii \u00eenchi\u015fi, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca a\u015fa, Ivane, s\u0103 te a\u015fezi. Ivan, atunci, nu pierde vremea \u015fi face tranc! capacul deasupra, \u00eencuie l\u0103cata, \u015fi, cu toat\u0103 rug\u0103mintea Mor\u0163ii, umfl\u0103 racla \u00een spate \u015fi se duce de-i d\u0103 drumul pe-o ap\u0103 mare, curg\u0103toare, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na! c\u0103 \u0163i-am f\u0103cut cone\u0163ul. De-acum du-te pe apa s\u00e2mbetei! \u015ei s\u0103 ie\u015fi din racl\u0103 c\u00e2nd te-a scoate bunica din groap\u0103. Mi-a luat el Dumnezeu turbinca din pricina ta, dar \u00eencaltea \u0163i-am f\u0103cut-o bun\u0103 \u015fi eu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei! Doamne, zise apostolul Petru r\u00e2z\u00e2nd, vezi de ce s-a mai apucat acum Ivan al sfin\u0163iei tale? Bine-a mai zis cine-a zis: “Dac\u0103 dai nas lui Ivan, el se suie pe divan”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dumnezeu atunci, v\u0103z\u00e2nd p\u00e2n\u0103 unde merge \u00eendr\u0103zneala lui Ivan, a \u00eenceput a se cam lua \u015fi el pe g\u00e2nduri de n\u0103zdr\u0103v \u0103niile lui! \u015ei a\u015fa, a zis Dumnezeu s\u0103 se desfac\u0103 sicriul acolo unde era \u015fi s\u0103 ias\u0103 Moartea la liman ca s\u0103-\u015fi r\u0103zbune \u015fi ea acum pe Ivan. \u015ei \u00eendat\u0103 s-a f\u0103cut a\u015fa, \u015fi c\u00e2nd nici nu visa Ivan c\u0103 are s\u0103 mai dea vrodat\u0103 ochii cu Moartea, numai iaca ce se treze\u015fte cu d\u00e2nsa fa\u0163\u0103-n fa\u0163\u0103, zic\u00e2ndu-i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar bine, Ivane, a\u015fa ne-a fost vorba? Ivan, atunci, a r\u0103mas \u00eencremenit, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 mai poat\u0103 zice un cuv\u00e2nt m\u0103car.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cenc\u0103 te faci niznai? Ei, Ivane, Ivane! Numai r\u0103bdarea \u015fi bun\u0103tatea lui Dumnezeu cea f\u0103r\u0103 de margini poate s\u0103 precov \u00e2r\u015fasc\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103delegile \u015fi \u00eend\u0103r\u0103tnicia ta. De demult erai tu m\u0103tr\u0103\u015fit din lumea asta \u015fi ajuns de batjocura dracilor, dac\u0103 nu-\u0163i intra Dumnezeu \u00een voie mai mult dec\u00e2t \u00eensu\u015fi fiului s\u0103u. S\u0103 \u015ftii, Ivane, c\u0103 de-acum \u00eenainte ai s\u0103 fii bucuros s\u0103 mori; \u015fi ai s\u0103 te t\u00e2r\u00e2i \u00een br\u00e2nci dup\u0103 mine, rug\u0103ndu-m\u0103 s\u0103-\u0163i iau sufletul, da eu am s\u0103 m\u0103 fac c\u0103 te-am uitat \u015fi am s\u0103 te las s\u0103 tr\u0103ie\u015fti c\u00e2t zidul Goliei \u015fi Cetatea Neam\u0163ului, ca s\u0103 vezi tu c\u00e2t e de nesuferit\u0103 via\u0163a la a\u015fa de ad\u00e2nci b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei l-a l\u0103sat Moartea de izbeli\u015fte s\u0103 tr\u0103iasc\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2t e lumea \u015fi p\u0103m\u00e2ntul,<\/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\u00a0Pe cuptor nu bate v\u00e2ntul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa, v\u0103z\u00e2nd Ivan c\u0103 nu mai moare, zise \u00een sine:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Oare nu cumva de-acum mi-oi da cu paru-n cap de r\u0103ul Vidmei? Ba, z\u0103u, nici nu g\u00e2ndesc. Deie-\u015fi ea, dac\u0103 vrea!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cic\u0103 atunci unde nu s-a apucat \u015fi el, \u00een ciuda Mor\u0163ii, de tras la mahorc\u0103 \u015fi de chilit la \u0163uic\u0103 \u015fi holerc\u0103, de parc-o mistuia focul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Guleai peste guleai, Ivane; c\u0103ci altfel \u00eennebune\u015fti de ur\u00e2t, zicea el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D\u0103, ce era s\u0103 fac\u0103 bietul om, c\u00e2nd Moartea-i chioar\u0103 \u015fi nu-l vede?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa a tr\u0103it Ivan cel f\u0103r\u0103 de moarte veacuri nenum\u0103rate, \u015fi poate c\u0103 \u015fi acum a mai fi tr\u0103ind, dac\u0103 n-a fi murit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Era odat\u0103 un rus, pe care \u00eel chema Ivan. \u015ei rusul acela din copil\u0103rie se trezise \u00een oaste. \u015ei slujind el c\u00e2teva soroace de-a r\u00e2ndul, acuma era b\u0103tr\u00e2n. \u015ei mai-marii … <\/p>\n