Mo\u015f Nichifor nu-i o \u00eenchipuire din pove\u015fti, ci e un om ca to\u0163i oamenii; el a fost odat\u0103, c\u00e2nd a fost, tr\u0103itor din mahalaua \u0162u\u0163uenii din T\u00e2rgul Neam\u0163ului, dinspre satul V\u00e2n\u0103torii Neam\u0163ului. Cam pe vremea aceea tr\u0103ia mo\u015f Nichifor \u00een \u0162u\u0163ueni, pe c\u00e2nd bunicul bunicului meu fusese cimpoia\u015f la cum\u0103tria lui mo\u015f Dediu din V\u00e2n\u0103tori, fiind cum\u0103tru mare Ciub\u0103r-vod\u0103, c\u0103ruia mo\u015f Dediu i-a d\u0103ruit patruzeci \u015fi nou\u0103 de mioare, oache\u015fe numai de c\u00e2te un ochi; iar\u0103 pop\u0103, unchiul unchiului mamei mele, Ciubuc Clopotarul de la M\u0103n\u0103stirea Neam\u0163ului, care f\u0103cuse un clopot mare la acea m\u0103n\u0103stire, cu cheltuiala lui, \u015fi avea dragoste s\u0103-l trag\u0103 singur la s\u0103rb\u0103tori mari; pentru aceea \u00eei \u015fi ziceau Clopotarul. Tocmai pe acea vreme tr\u0103ia \u015fi mo\u015f Nichifor din \u0162u\u0163ueni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mo\u015f Nichifor era harabagiu. C\u0103ru\u0163a lui, de\u015fi era ferecat\u0103 cu teie, cu curmeie, \u00eens\u0103 era o c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 bun\u0103, \u00eenc\u0103p\u0103toare \u015fi \u00eendem\u00e2natic\u0103. Un poclit de rogojini oprea \u015fi soarele \u015fi ploaia de a r\u0103zbate \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163a lui mo\u015f Nichifor. De inima c\u0103ru\u0163ei at\u00e2rnau p\u0103corni\u0163a cu fele\u015ftiocul \u015fi posteuca, care se izbeau una de alta, c\u00e2nd mergea c\u0103ru\u0163a, \u015fi f\u0103ceau: tronca, tranca! tronca, tranca! Iar\u0103 \u00een belciugul de la car\u00e2mbul dedesubt, din st\u00e2nga, era aninat\u0103 o b\u0103rdi\u0163\u0103, pentru felurite \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103ri. Dou\u0103 iepe, albe ca z\u0103pada \u015fi iu\u0163i ca focul, se sprijineau mai totdeauna de oi\u015ftea c\u0103ru\u0163ei; mai totdeauna, dar nu totdeauna, c\u0103ci mo\u015f Nichifor era \u015fi geamba\u015f de cai, \u015fi c\u00e2nd \u00eei venea la socoteal\u0103, f\u0103cea schimb, ori vindea c\u00e2te-o iap\u0103 chiar \u00een mijlocul drumului, \u015fi atunci r\u0103m\u00e2nea oi\u015ftea goal\u0103 pe de-o parte. \u00cei pl\u0103cea mo\u015fneagului s\u0103 aib\u0103 tot iepe tinere \u015fi cur\u0103\u0163ele; asta era sl\u0103biciunea lui. M\u0103 ve\u0163i \u00eentreba, poate: De ce iepe, \u015fi totdeauna albe? V\u0103 voi spune \u015fi aceasta: iepe, pentru c\u0103 mo\u015f Nichifor \u0163inea s\u0103 aib\u0103 pr\u0103sil\u0103; albe, pentru c\u0103 albea\u0163a iepelor, zicea el, \u00eei slujea de fanar noaptea la drum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mo\u015f Nichifor nu era dintre aceia care s\u0103 nu \u015ftie “c\u0103 nu-i bine s\u0103 te pui viziteu la cai albi \u015fi slug\u0103 la femei”; el \u015ftia \u015fi aceasta, dar iepele erau ale lui, \u015fi, c\u00e2nd le grijea, grijite erau, iar c\u00e2nd nu, n-avea cine s\u0103-i b\u0103nuiasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mo\u015f Nichifor fugea de c\u0103r\u0103u\u015fie, de-\u015fi scotea ochii; el se ferea de ridic\u0103turi, pentru c\u0103 se temea de surp\u0103tur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harabagia, zicea el, e mai bun\u0103, c\u0103 ai a face tot cu marf\u0103 vie, care la deal se d\u0103 pe jos, la vale, pe jos, iar la popas, \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103. Mo\u015f Nichifor avea o biciu\u015fc\u0103 de cele de c\u00e2nep\u0103, \u00eempletit\u0103 de m\u00e2na lui \u015fi cu \u015ffichiul de m\u0103tase, cu care pocnea de-\u0163i lua auzul. \u015ei cu \u00eenc\u0103rcat \u015fi cu desc\u0103rcat, la deal mo\u015f Nichifor se da pe jos \u015fi tr\u0103gea de-a valma cu iepele. La vale iar se da jos, ca s\u0103 nu se speteasc\u0103 iepele. Chiria\u015fii, vr\u00e2nd- nevr\u00e2nd, trebuiau s\u0103 se dea \u015fi ei, c\u0103ci le era lehamete de moroc\u0103neala lui mo\u015f Nichifor, care \u00eendat\u0103 tronc\u0103nea c\u00e2te una cam de aceste:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia mai da\u0163i-v\u0103 \u015fi pe jos, c\u0103ci calul nu-i ca dobitocul, s\u0103 poat\u0103 vorbi\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 \u015ftiai s\u0103 potrive\u015fti din g\u00e2t pe mo\u015f Nichifor, apoi era c\u00e2t se poate de \u015f\u0103galnic. De \u00eent\u00e2lnea vrun om c\u0103lare, pe drum, \u00eentreba: “Departe ai l\u0103sat pe vod\u0103, voinice?” \u015ei apoi \u00eendat\u0103 da bici iepelor, zic\u00e2nd:<\/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\u00a0Alba-nainte, alba la roate,<\/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\u00a0Oi\u015ftea goal\u0103 pe de-o parte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hii! opt-un cal, c\u0103 nu-s departe Gala\u0163ii, hii!!! De \u00eent\u00e2lnea pe drum neveste \u015fi fete mari, c\u00e2nta c\u00e2ntece \u015f\u0103galnice, de-alde-aceste:<\/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\u00e2nd cu baba m-am luat<\/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\u00a0Opt ibovnice-au oftat:<\/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\u00a0Trei neveste cu b\u0103rbat<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cinci fete dintr-un sat \u015f.a.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei, ei! Apoi zi c\u0103 nu-\u0163i venea s\u0103 porne\u015fti la drum, mai ales \u00een luna lui mai, cu asemenea om vrednic \u015fi de-a pururea vesel! C\u00e2teodat\u0103 numai, c\u00e2nd prin dreptul cr\u00e2\u015fmei te f\u0103ceai niznai \u015fi nu \u015ftiai s\u0103 potrive\u015fti din g\u00e2t pe mo\u015f Nichifor, nu-l prea vedeai \u00een cheji buni, dar \u015fi atunci tot repede m\u00e2na de la o cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la alta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai ales \u00eentr-un r\u00e2nd \u00eei pl\u0103cea lui mo\u015f Nichifor dou\u0103 iepu\u015foare, care mergeau de minune la drum. Dar la cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103, mort-copt, trebuiau s\u0103 stea, c\u0103ci le cump\u0103rase de la un pop\u0103, nefiind pe vremea aceea poj\u0103rnicii, de unde s\u0103 cumpere altele, care s\u0103 \u0163in\u0103 fuga tot \u00eentruna!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Spunea tata c\u0103 i-au spus \u015fi lui b\u0103tr\u00e2nii, care auziser\u0103 din gura lui mo\u015f Nichifor, c\u0103 pe vremea aceea era bine s\u0103 fii harabagiu \u00een T\u00e2rgul-Neam\u0163ului, c\u0103 te-apucau pe-a-m\u00e2inile. Cum ie\u015feai din V\u0103ratic, intrai \u00een Agapia, \u015fi cum ie\u015feai din Agapia, intrai \u00een V\u0103ratic: apoi \u00een R\u0103zboieni, apoi pe la mitoace, \u015fi aveai mu\u015fterii, de nu erai bucuros; ba s\u0103-i duci la Piatra, ba la Folticeni, ba pe la iarmaroace, ba la M\u0103n\u0103stirea Neam\u0163ului, ba la Secu, ba la R\u00e2\u015fca, ba \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, pe la hramuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tot tata mai spunea c\u0103 ar fi auzit de la bunicul bunicului meu c\u0103 protopopul de la Neam\u0163, de pe vremea aceea, ar fi zis unor c\u0103lug\u0103ri\u0163e, care pribegeau \u00een s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2na mare prin t\u00e2rg:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Maicelor!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Blagoslove\u015fte, cinstite p\u0103rinte!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De ce nu v\u0103 ast\u00e2mp\u0103ra\u0163i \u00een m\u0103n\u0103stire \u015fi s\u0103 v\u0103 c\u0103uta\u0163i de suflet, m\u0103car \u00een s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2na patimilor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, cinstite p\u0103rinte, cic\u0103 ar fi r\u0103spuns ele cu smerenie, l\u00e2na asta ne m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103, p\u0103catele noastre\u2026 Dar n-am mai veni noi, c\u0103ci, cum \u015ftii sfin\u0163ia-ta, mai mult cu \u015fiacul ne hr\u0103nim, \u015fi apoi, de nu curge, m\u0103car picur\u0103, \u015fi cine mi\u015fc\u0103 tot pi\u015fc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Protopopul atunci, s\u0103rmanul, cic-ar fi oftat din greu, \u00eenghi\u0163ind noduri\u2026, \u015fi ar fi dat vina tot pe mo\u015f Nichifor, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De-ar cr\u0103pa odat\u0103 s\u0103 crape \u015fi harabagiul care v-a adus! C-atunci \u015ftiu c\u0103 n-ar avea cine s\u0103 v\u0103 mai c\u0103r\u0103b\u0103neasc\u0103 a\u015fa de des pe la t\u00e2rg.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cic\u0103 auzind mo\u015f Nichifor de aceasta, tare s-ar fi m\u00e2hnit \u00een sufletul s\u0103u \u015fi s-ar fi jurat cu jur\u0103m\u00e2nt ca s\u0103 nu mai aib\u0103 a face cu parte duhovniceasc\u0103 c\u00e2t a tr\u0103i el; c\u0103ci, din p\u0103cate, era \u015fi evlavios mo\u015f Nichifor \u015fi tare se mai temea s\u0103 nu cad\u0103 sub blestemul preo\u0163esc! De-aceea, cu fuga a alergat la schitul Vovidenia, la pusnicul Chiriac din sf\u00e2nta Agur\u0103, care-\u015fi c\u0103nea p\u0103rul \u015fi barba cu cire\u015fe negre, \u015fi \u00een Vinerea Seac\u0103, prea cuviosul cocea oul la lum\u00e2nare, ca s\u0103 mai u\u015fureze din cele p\u0103cate. \u015ei apoi s-a hot\u0103r\u00e2t el ca de-acum \u00eenainte s\u0103 aib\u0103 a face mai mult cu parte negustoreasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Numai negustorul, zicea mo\u015f Nichifor, tr\u0103ie\u015fte din seul s\u0103u \u015fi pe seama lui. C\u00e2nd \u00eentrebai: “Pentru ce?” mo\u015f Nichifor r\u0103spundea, tot glume\u0163: “Pentru c\u0103 n-are Dumnezeu st\u0103p\u00e2n”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De glume\u0163, glume\u0163 era mo\u015f Nichifor, nu-i vorb\u0103, dar de multe ce d\u0103duse peste d\u00e2nsul, se f\u0103cuse cam hursuz.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103b\u0103tia lui, de la o vreme \u00eencoace, nu \u015ftiu ce avea, c\u0103 \u00eencepuse a sc\u00e2r\u0163\u00e2i: ba c-o doare ceea, ba c-o doare ceea, ba i-e f\u0103cut de n\u0103jit, ba c\u0103 i-e f\u0103cut pe ursit\u0103, ba c\u0103 i-e f\u0103cut de pl\u00e2nsori \u015fi tot umbla din bab\u0103 \u00een bab\u0103 cu desc\u00e2ntece \u015fi cu oblojeli, \u00eenc\u00e2t lui mo\u015f Nichifor acestea nu-i prea veneau la socoteal\u0103, \u015fi de-aceea nu-i erau acum mai niciodat\u0103 boii acas\u0103. Ba chiar se f\u0103cuse bucluca\u015f, h\u0103r\u0163\u0103gos \u015fi de tot haps\u00e2n, c\u00e2nd sta c\u00e2te dou\u0103-trei zile pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cas\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t biata b\u0103bu\u015fca lui era bucuroas\u0103 uneori \u015fi r\u0103sbucuroas\u0103 \u00een sufletul ei s\u0103-l vad\u0103 cum l-a vedea urnit de-acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se vede lucru c\u0103 \u015fi mo\u015f Nichifor era f\u0103cut pe drumuri, c\u0103ci cum ie\u015fea afar\u0103 la drum parc\u0103 era altul; nu mai sta din pocnit cu biciul, de \u015fuguit cu to\u0163i drume\u0163ii pe c\u00e2\u0163i \u00eei \u00eent\u00e2lnea \u015fi de povestit despre toate locurile \u00eensemnate pe unde trecea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o diminea\u0163\u0103, miercuri \u00eenainte de Duminica Mare, mo\u015f Nichifor decioc\u0103lase c\u0103ru\u0163a \u015fi-o ungea; c\u00e2nd numai iaca se treze\u015fte la spatele lui cu jup\u00e2n Strul din T\u00e2rgul-Neam\u0163ului, negustor de b\u0103can, iruri, ghileal\u0103, sulimeneal\u0103, boia de p\u0103r, chiclazuri, piatr\u0103-v\u00e2n\u0103t\u0103, piatra sulimanului sau piatr\u0103 bun\u0103 pentru f\u0103cut alifie de obraz, salcie, fumuri \u015fi alte otr\u0103vuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe vremea aceea nu era spi\u0163erie \u00een T\u00e2rgul-Neam\u0163ului, \u015fi jup\u00e2nul Strul aducea, pentru hat\u00e2rul c\u0103lug\u0103rilor \u015fi al c\u0103lug \u0103ri\u0163elor, tot ce le trebuia. Mai f\u0103cea el, nu-i vorb\u0103, \u015fi alte negustorii\u2026 \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, nu \u015ftiu cum s\u0103 v\u0103 spun, era mai mult dec\u00e2t duhovnicul, c\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 de d\u00e2nsul nu puteau m\u0103n\u0103stirile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Muni diminea\u0163\u0103, mo\u015f Nichifor!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 s\u0103-\u0163i fie inima\u2026 jup\u00e2ne Strul. Da\u2019 cu ce treab\u0103 ai venit pe la noi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, nor\u0103-mea vrea s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la Piatra. C\u00e2t s\u0103-\u0163i dau ca s\u0103 mi-o duci?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-apoi a fi av\u00e2nd chilot\u0103 mult\u0103, cum e treaba d-voastr\u0103, jup\u00e2ne, zise mo\u015f Nichifor, sc\u0103rpin\u00e2ndu-se \u00een cap; numai nu-i vorb\u0103, c\u0103 poate s\u0103 aib\u0103, c\u0103ci \u015fi c\u0103ru\u0163a mea e larg\u0103; poate s\u0103 \u00eencap\u0103 \u00eentr-\u00eensa c\u00e2t de mult. Apoi, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 ne zbatem, jup\u00e2ne Strul, mi-i da \u015fasesprezece lei, un irmilic de aur, \u015fi \u0163i-oi duce-o, \u015ftii cole, ca pe palm\u0103; c\u0103, dup\u0103 cum vezi, c\u0103ru\u0163a acum am adus-o de la \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163at \u015fi i-am mai tras \u015fi o unsoare de cele a dracului, de are s\u0103 mearg\u0103 cum e sucala.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai s\u0103 la\u015fi cu nou\u0103 lei, mo\u015f Nichifor, \u015fi te-a mai cinsti \u015fi fecioru-meu la Piatra.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi dar, d\u0103! cu bine s\u0103 dea Dumnezeu, jup\u00e2ne Strul! M\u0103 bucur \u015fi eu c\u0103-i tocmai \u00een dricul iarmarocului \u015fi poate mi-a pica ceva \u015fi c\u00e2nd voi veni \u00eenapoi. Numai a\u015f vrea s\u0103 \u015ftiu, c\u00e2nd avem s\u0103 pornim?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei acuma, mo\u015f Nichifor, dac\u0103 e\u015fti gata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Gata, jup\u00e2ne Strul, numai s-ad\u0103p iepu\u015foarele aceste. Du-te \u015fi d-ta de-\u0163i pune nora la cale, c\u0103 acu\u015f te-ajung \u015fi eu din urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum era mo\u015f Nichifor str\u0103dalnic \u015fi iute la trebile lui, repede zv\u00e2rle ni\u015fte co\u015folin\u0103 \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, a\u015fterne deasupra o pereche de pocl\u0103zi, \u00eenham\u0103 iepu\u015foarele, \u00ee\u015fi ia cojocul \u00eentre umeri \u015fi biciul \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi tiva, b\u0103iete! N-apucase jup\u00e2nul Strul a ajunge bine acas\u0103, \u015fi mo\u015f Nichifor \u015fi tr\u0103sese c\u0103ru\u0163a dinaintea u\u015fii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Malca, a\u015fa era numele nurorii lui jup\u00e2n Strul, a ie\u015fit afar\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi vad\u0103 harabagiul. \u015e-apoi, povestea c\u00e2ntecului; las\u2019 c\u0103 era de la Piatr\u0103 de locul ei, dar era \u015fi \u00eembujorat\u0103 Malca\u2026 din pricina pl\u00e2nsului, c\u0103 se desp\u0103r\u0163e\u015fte de socri, pentru c\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2ia\u015fi dat\u0103 venise ea la Neam\u0163, de cale primar\u0103 la socri, cum se zice la noi. C\u0103ci nu erau mai mult dec\u00e2t dou\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni de c\u00e2nd se m\u0103ritase ea dup\u0103 I\u0163ic, feciorul lui jup\u00e2n Strul, sau mai bine ar fi s\u0103 zic, \u00een voia cea bun\u0103, c\u0103 se m\u0103ritase I\u0163ic dup\u0103 Malca; c\u0103ci el l\u0103sase casa p\u0103rinteasc\u0103, dup\u0103 cum li-i obiceiul, \u015fi la dou\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni I\u0163ic au adus pe Malca la Neam\u0163, a \u00eencredin\u0163at-o \u00een m\u00e2na p\u0103rin\u0163ilor lui \u015fi s-a \u00eentors repede la Piatra, s\u0103 se g\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 pe negustorie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 te-ai \u0163inut de cuv\u00e2nt, mo\u015f Nichifor!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, jup\u00e2ne Strul, vorba-i vorb\u0103: eu nu m\u0103 cio\u015fmolesc at\u00e2ta, c\u0103 la drum e bine s\u0103 porne\u015fti c\u00e2t de diminea\u0163\u0103, iar seara s\u0103 popose\u015fti devreme!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Oare-i ajunge p\u00e2n\u0103 desear\u0103 la Piatra, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0102\u2026 ra! da\u2019 ce stai de vorbe\u015fti, jup\u00e2ne Strul? Eu g\u00e2ndesc, de mi-a ajuta Dumnezeu, pe dup\u0103 amiaz\u0103 s\u0103-\u0163i pun nora \u00een Piatra.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-ta, mo\u015f Nichifor, e\u015fti om purtat, \u015ftii mai bine dec\u00e2t mine, dar tot te rog s\u0103 m\u00e2i cu b\u0103gare de seam\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu-mi pr\u0103vali nora!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 doar nu-s harabagiu de ieri de-alalt\u0103ieri, jup\u00e2ne Strul! Am mai umblat eu cu cucoane, cu maice boieroaice \u015fi cu alte fe\u0163e cinstite, \u015fi, slav\u0103 Domnului! nu s-au pl\u00e2ns de mine\u2026 Ia, numai cu maica Evlampia, des\u0103g\u0103ri\u0163a din V\u0103ratic, am avut eu odat\u0103 oleac\u0103 de clenci: c\u0103, oriunde mergea, avea obicei s\u0103-\u015fi lege vaca dinapoia c\u0103ru\u0163ei, pentru schiverniseal\u0103, ca s\u0103 aib\u0103 l\u0103pti\u015for la drum; \u015fi cu asta-mi aducea mare sup\u0103rare, pentru c\u0103 vaca, ca vaca, \u00eemi irosea ogrinjii din c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, ba c\u00e2teodat\u0103 rupea leuca, ba la deal se smuncea, de era, \u00eentr-un r\u00e2nd, c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103-mi g\u00e2tuiasc\u0103 iepu\u015foarele. \u015ei eu, cum \u00eei omul la necaz, \u00eendr\u0103zneam s\u0103 zic: “M\u0103icu\u0163\u0103, de ce e\u015fti scump\u0103 la t\u0103r\u00e2\u0163e \u015fi ieftin\u0103 la f\u0103in\u0103?” Ea atunci se uita gale\u015f la mine \u015fi-mi zicea cu glas duios: “Ia taci \u015fi d-ta, mo\u015f Nichifor, taci, nu mai striga at\u00e2ta pe biata v\u0103cu\u015foar\u0103, pentru c\u0103 ea, mititica, nu-i vinovat\u0103 cu nimic. P\u0103rin\u0163ii pusnici din sf\u00e2nta Agur\u0103 mi-au dat canon s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nc lapte numai de la o vac\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nesc degrab\u0103; \u015fi d\u0103, ce s\u0103 fac? trebuie s\u0103-i ascult\u0103m, c\u0103 sfin\u0163iile lor \u015ftiu mai multe dec\u00e2t noi, p\u0103c\u0103toasele!” Dac\u0103 am auzit a\u015fa, am zis \u015fi eu, \u00een g\u00e2ndul meu, c\u0103 are \u00eentruc\u00e2tva dreptate maica des\u0103g\u0103ri\u0163a, \u015fi am l\u0103sat-o \u00een plata lui Dumnezeu, pentru c\u0103 am v\u0103zut-o c\u0103 este pidosnic\u0103 \u015fi voie\u015fte cu orice chip s\u0103 se adape de la un izvor. D-ta, jup\u00e2ne Strul, cred c\u0103 nu mi-i face necaz la drum \u015fi cu vaci. \u015ei apoi, giup\u00e2ne\u015fica Malca, unde-a fi vale mare ori deal mare, s-a mai da \u015fi pe jos c\u00e2te-oleac\u0103; mai ales c\u0103 acum e o frumuse\u0163e afar\u0103 la c\u00e2mp, de turb\u0103 haita! Da\u2019 ia s\u0103 nu ne trecem vremea cu vorbele. Hai sus, giup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103 Malca, s\u0103 te duc la b\u0103rb\u0103\u0163el acas\u0103; \u015ftiu eu cum \u00eei treaba nevestelor celor tinere, c\u00e2nd nu-s b\u0103rba\u0163ii cu d\u00e2nsele: fac z\u00e2mbre \u015fi trag acas\u0103, cum trage calul la traista cu orz.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, m\u0103 sui, mo\u015f Nichifor!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eendat\u0103 \u00eencep cu to\u0163ii a c\u0103r\u0103b\u0103ni la saltele cu puf, perini moi, o leg\u0103tur\u0103 cu dem\u00e2ncare \u015fi alte m\u0103run\u0163i\u015furi. Apoi Malca \u00ee\u015fi ia ziua bun\u0103 de la socri \u015fi se suie deasupra saltelelor, \u00een fundul c\u0103ru\u0163ei. Iar\u0103 mo\u015f Nichifor se azv\u00e2rle pe capr\u0103, d\u0103 bici iepelor \u015fi las\u0103 pe jup\u00e2nul Strul \u015fi cu ai s\u0103i cu lacrimile pe obraz.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Prin t\u00e2rg, a\u015fa m\u00e2na de tare mo\u015f Nichifor, de \u0163i se p\u0103rea c\u0103 zboar\u0103 iepele, nu alt\u0103ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Prundul, satul \u015fi dealul Humule\u015ftilor le-a trecut \u00eentr-o clip\u0103. De la Ocea p\u00e2n\u0103 aproape de Grum\u0103ze\u015fti a \u0163inut numai o fug\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar de pe la Grum\u0103ze\u015fti \u00eencolo, mo\u015f Nichifor a ras o du\u015fc\u0103 de rachiu din plosca lui cea de Bra\u015fov, \u015fi-a aprins luleaua \u015fi a \u00eenceput a l\u0103sa iepele mai la voie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, Doamne! Vezi satul ista mare \u015fi frumos? se cheam\u0103 Grum\u0103ze\u015ftii. De-a\u015f avea eu at\u00e2\u0163ia gonitori \u00een ocol \u015fi d-ta at\u00e2\u0163ia b\u0103ie\u0163i, c\u00e2\u0163i cazaci, c\u0103pc\u00e2ni \u015fi alte lifte spurcate au c\u0103zut mor\u0163i aici din vreme \u00een vreme, bine- ar mai fi de noi!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 te-aud\u0103 Dumnezeu, s\u0103 am b\u0103ie\u0163i, mo\u015f Nichifor!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Asemene \u015fi eu gonitori, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103\u2026 c\u0103 de b\u0103ie\u0163i nu mai trag n\u0103dejde, pentru c\u0103 baba mea e o sterp\u0103tur\u0103; n-a fost harnic\u0103 s\u0103-mi fac\u0103 nici unul, nu i-ar muri mul\u0163i \u00eenainte s\u0103-i moar\u0103! De oi pune eu m\u00e2inile pe piept, are s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 c\u0103ru\u0163a asta de haimana \u015fi iepu\u015foarele de izbeli\u015fte!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te sup\u0103ra, mo\u015f Nichifor, zise Malca, c\u0103 poate a\u015fa a fost s\u0103 fie de la Dumnezeu; pentru c\u0103 a\u015fa scrie \u015fi la noi \u00een c\u0103r\u0163i despre unii, c\u0103 tocmai la b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e au f\u0103cut copii!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u0103-m\u0103, jup\u00e2neas\u0103, cu c\u0103r\u0163ile cele a d-voastre \u00een pace, c\u0103 eu \u015ftiu ce \u015ftiu eu, degeaba mai ba\u0163i apa-n chiu\u0103 s\u0103 s-aleag\u0103 unt, c\u0103 nu s-a alege niciodat\u0103! Am auzit \u015fi eu spun\u00e2nd \u00een biseric\u0103 la noi c\u0103 “Pomul care nu face road\u0103 se taie \u015fi \u00een foc se arunc\u0103”. Apoi ce-\u0163i trebuie mai bun\u0103 vorb\u0103 dec\u00e2t asta? Ba z\u0103u, \u00eenc\u0103 m\u0103 mir c-am avut r\u0103bdare s\u0103 \u0163in casa cu baba p\u00e2n-acum. \u00cen privin\u0163a asta, \u00eei mai bun\u0103 legea d-voastr\u0103 de-o mie de ori. Nu-\u0163i face una copii, iei alta, nu face nici aceea, alta. \u015ei de la o vreme trebuie s\u0103 nimere\u015fti una blagoslovit\u0103 de Dumnezeu; da nu ca la noi, s\u0103 fii nevoit s\u0103 tr\u0103ie\u015fti cu una beteag\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la sf\u00e2r\u015fitul vie\u0163ii, \u015fi copii, tuf\u0103! C\u0103 doar Dumnezeu cel mare \u015fi puternic nu s-a r\u0103stignit numai pentru un om pe lumea asta! Nu-i a\u015fa, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103? Mai zi, dac\u0103 ai ce!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poate s\u0103 fie \u015f-a\u015fa, mo\u015f Nichifor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba chiar a\u015fa-i, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103 drag\u0103, cum \u00ee\u0163i spun eu. Ptru! ciii! Da\u2019 bun\u0103 bucat\u0103 am mers! Doamne, cum se ia omul la drum cu vorba \u015fi, c\u00e2nd se treze\u015fte, cine \u015ftie unde a ajuns; bun lucru a mai l\u0103sat Dumnezeu sf\u00e2ntul \u015fi tov\u0103r\u0103\u015fia asta! Hi!!! zmeoaicele tatei, \u00eendemna\u0163i \u00eenainte! Iaca \u015fi codrul Grum\u0103ze\u015ftilor, grija negustorilor \u015fi spaima ciocoilor. Hei! jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, c\u00e2nd ar avea codrul ista gur\u0103 s\u0103 spun\u0103 c\u00e2te a v\u0103zut, cumplit\u0103 p\u0103t\u0103ranie ne-ar mai auzi urechile; \u015ftiu c\u0103 am avea ce asculta!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 ce-a fost pe-aici, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Of! jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, of! Ce-a fost, s\u0103 nu dea Dumnezeu s\u0103 mai fie! Dar avea cineva chip s\u0103 treac\u0103 pe-aici, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 fie jefuit, b\u0103tut ori omor\u00e2t? Nu-i vorb\u0103, c\u0103 acestea se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 mai mult noaptea dec\u00e2t ziua. \u00cens\u0103 pe mine, unul, de n-a\u015f gr\u0103i \u00eentr-un ceas r\u0103u, p\u00e2n\u0103 acum, d\u0103, m-a ferit Dumnezeu. Lupi \u015fi alte dih\u0103nii mi-au ie\u015fit \u00eenainte c\u00e2teodat\u0103, dar nu le-am f\u0103cut nimica; le-am dat bun\u0103 pace, m-am f\u0103cut c\u0103 nici nu-i v\u0103d, \u015fi ei s-au dus \u00een treaba lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0102\u2026ra! mo\u015f Nichifor, nu mai spune de lup, c\u0103 tare m\u0103 tem! V-am spus c\u0103 era \u015f\u0103galnic mo\u015f Nichifor, \u015fi, c\u00e2nd spunea c\u00e2te una, ori te \u0163ineai cu m\u00e2na de inim\u0103, r\u00e2z\u00e2nd, ori te f\u0103cea s\u0103-\u0163i sar\u0103 inima din loc, de fric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca un lup vine spre noi, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de mine, mo\u015f Nichifor, unde s\u0103 m\u0103 ascund eu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Despre mine, ascunde-te unde \u015ftii, c\u0103 eu, unul, \u0163i-am spus c\u0103 nu m\u0103 tem nici de-o potaie \u00eentreag\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci biata Malc\u0103, de fric\u0103, s-a \u00eencle\u015ftat de g\u00e2tul lui mo\u015f Nichifor \u015fi s-a lipit de d\u00e2nsul, ca lipitoarea. A \u015fezut ea a\u015fa c\u00e2t a \u015fezut \u015fi apoi a zis tremur\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde-i lupul, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde s\u0103 fie?! Ia, a trecut drumul pe dinaintea noastr\u0103 \u015fi a intrat iar \u00een p\u0103dure. Dar c\u00e2t pe ce erai s\u0103 m\u0103 g\u00e2tui, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, \u015f-apoi, dac\u0103 sc\u0103pam iepele, \u015ftiu c\u0103 era frumos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-apuc\u0103 a sf\u00e2r\u015fi bine mo\u015f Nichifor, \u015fi Malca zice c\u0103tinel:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu mai zici c\u0103 vine lupul, mo\u015f Nichifor, c\u0103 m\u0103 v\u00e2ri \u00een toate boalele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu c\u0103 zic eu, da\u2019 chiar vine, iac\u0103t\u0103-l-\u0103i!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Valeu! Ce spui? \u015ei iar se ascunde l\u00e2ng\u0103 mo\u015f Nichifor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce-i t\u00e2n\u0103r, tot t\u00e2n\u0103r; \u00ee\u0163i vine a te juca, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, a\u015fa-i? \u015fi, dup\u0103 cum v\u0103d, ai noroc c\u0103 eu \u00eemi \u0163in firea, nu m\u0103 prea tem de lup; dar s\u0103 fie altul \u00een locul meu\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu mai vine lupul, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi, na! e\u015fti de tot pozna\u015f\u0103 \u015fi d-ta; prea des vrei s\u0103 vin\u0103, c\u0103 doar nu-i de tot copacul c\u00e2te un lup! Ia, pe la Sf\u00e2ntul Andrei umbl\u0103 \u015fi ei mai c\u00e2te mul\u0163i la un loc. \u015e-apoi, v\u00e2n\u0103torii ce p\u0103zesc? La goan\u0103 mare, crezi d-ta c\u0103 pu\u0163ini lupi dau cinstea pe ru\u015fine, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-\u015fi pieile z\u0103log? S\u0103 mai r\u0103sufl\u0103m iepele oleac\u0103. Iaca \u015fi Dealul Balaurului, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103! Ia, aici a c\u0103zut odat\u0103 un balaur grozav de mare, care v\u0103rsa j\u0103ratic pe gur\u0103, \u015fi c\u00e2nd \u015fuiera, clocotea codrul, gemeau v\u0103ile, fiarele tremurau \u015fi se b\u0103teau cap \u00een cap, de spaim\u0103, \u015fi \u0163ipenie de om nu cuteza s\u0103 mai treac\u0103 pe aici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Valeu! \u015fi unde-i balaurul, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-apoi mai \u015ftiu eu, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103? P\u0103durea-i mare, el \u015ftie unde s-a fi \u00eenfundat! Unii spun c\u0103 dup\u0103 ce a m\u00e2ncat foarte mul\u0163i oameni \u015fi a ros toat\u0103 coaja copacilor din codru, ar fi cr\u0103pat chiar aici, \u00een locul acesta. De la unii am auzit spun\u00e2nd c\u0103 i-ar fi dat lapte de vac\u0103 neagr\u0103 \u015fi cu acesta l-ar fi f\u0103cut s\u0103 se ridice iar la cer, de unde a c\u0103zut. Mai \u015ftiu eu pe cine s\u0103 cred? C\u0103 oamenii vorbesc vrute \u015fi nevrute. Noroc numai c\u0103 eu unul \u015ftiu solomonii \u015fi nu m\u0103 prea tem nici de balauri. Pot s\u0103 prind \u015farpele din culcu\u015f, cum ai prinde d-ta un pui de g\u0103in\u0103 din p\u0103tul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 ce-s acele solomonii, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103 drag\u0103, asta nu se poate spune. Eu, babei mele, c\u0103 merge pe dou\u0103zeci \u015fi patru de ani, de c\u00e2nd tr\u0103iesc cu d\u00e2nsa, \u015fi ce n-a f\u0103cut ea \u015fi c\u00e2t nu m-a cih\u0103it de cap s\u0103-i spun, \u015fi tot nu i-am spus. \u015ei ea, din pricina asta are s\u0103 moar\u0103, c\u00e2nd a muri, de nu i-ar muri mul\u0163i \u00eenainte; c\u0103 atunci mi-a\u015f lua \u015fi eu una tineric\u0103, \u015fi macar trei zile s\u0103 tr\u0103iesc \u00een ticn\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsa, cum \u015ftiu eu, \u015fi apoi s\u0103 mor! M-am s\u0103turat p\u00e2n\u0103-n g\u00e2t de mucegaiul de bab\u0103, c\u0103 hojma m\u0103 moroc\u0103ne\u015fte \u015fi-mi scoate ochii cu cele tinere. C\u00e2nd g\u00e2ndesc, am\u0103r\u00e2tul de mine, c\u0103 am s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eentorc iar la d\u00e2nsa acas\u0103, \u00eemi vine s\u0103 turbez, s\u0103 iau c\u00e2mpii, nu alt\u0103ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u0103, las\u0103, mo\u015f Nichifor, c\u0103 a\u015fa sunte\u0163i d-voastr\u0103, b\u0103rba\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei! jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, iat\u0103-ne \u015fi aproape de v\u00e2rful codrului! Ia mai d\u0103-te \u015fi d-ta oleac\u0103 pe jos, p\u00e2n\u2019 vom sui dealul, c\u0103 nu mi-i de alta, dar m\u0103 tem c\u0103-i \u00een\u0163epeni \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103. Uite florile cele frumoase de prin marginea p\u0103durii cum umplu v\u0103zduhul de mirozn\u0103! \u015ei d-ta s\u0103 \u015fezi ghemuit\u0103 acolo, nu-i p\u0103cat de Dumnezeu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 tem de lup, mo\u015f Nichifor, zise Malca, tremur\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia mai sf\u00e2r\u015fe\u015fte odat\u0103 cu lupul cela! Alt\u0103ceva n-ai de vorbit?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai dar\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 dau jos!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ptru! ciii! Sai bini\u015for pe ici, pe crucea c\u0103ru\u0163ei. Ho\u2026 pa! Ia, acum te v\u0103d \u015fi eu c\u0103 e\u015fti voinic\u0103; a\u015fa mi-e drag s\u0103 fie omul: f\u0103tat, nu ouat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei pe c\u00e2nd Malca culegea ni\u015fte dumbravnic, s\u0103 duc\u0103 lui I\u0163ic, mo\u015f Nichifor st\u0103tuse \u00een loc \u015fi nu \u015ftiu ce bichirea \u015fi cisluia primprejurul c\u0103ru\u0163ei. Apoi repede strig\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Gata e\u015fti, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103? Hai, sui, \u015fi s\u0103 pornim cu ajutorul lui Dumnezeu, c\u0103 de-acum e tot vale mai mult.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Malca, dup\u0103 ce se suie, \u00eentreab\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Oare nu-i t\u00e2rziu, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-apoi de acum suntem sc\u0103pa\u0163i deasupra nevoii; acu\u015f te pun \u00een Piatra. \u015e-odat\u0103 d\u0103 bici iepelor, zic\u00e2nd:<\/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\u00a0Alba-nainte, alba la roate,<\/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\u00a0Oi\u015ftea goal\u0103 pe de-o parte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hii! opt-un cal, c\u0103 nu-s departe Gala\u0163ii, hii!!! N-apuc\u0103 a merge nici dou\u0103zeci de pr\u0103jini, \u015fi prrr! se rupse un cap\u0103t!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na, asta \u00eenc\u0103-i una!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de mine, mo\u015f Nichifor, avem s\u0103 \u00eennopt\u0103m \u00een p\u0103dure!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia nu mai meni a r\u0103u, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, c\u0103 doar n-am p\u0103\u0163it eu asta numai o dat\u0103 \u00een via\u0163a mea. P\u00e2n\u0103-i \u00eembuca d-ta ceva, \u015fi iepele iestea \u015f-or \u015fterge gura c-oleac\u0103 de co\u015folin\u0103, eu am \u015fi pus cap\u0103tul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd se uit\u0103 mo\u015f Nichifor la belciug, b\u0103rdi\u0163a nic\u0103ieri!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi toate-au fost cum au fost, zise mo\u015f Nichifor, \u00eencre\u0163ind din spr\u00e2ncene \u015fi o\u0163\u0103r\u00e2ndu-se, dar asta pic\u0103 de coapt\u0103. Bat-o Dumnezeu de bab\u0103 s-o bat\u0103! Iaca cum \u00eengrije\u015fte ea de mine! A\u015fa-i c\u0103 nu-i securea?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Malca, s\u0103rmana, c\u00e2nd mai aude \u015fi asta, \u00eencepe a suspina \u015fi a zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mo\u015f Nichifor, ce facem noi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u2019, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, nu te \u00eempu\u0163ina cu inima, c\u0103 tot mai am oleac\u0103 de n\u0103dejde.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-odat\u0103 scoate bulicherul din teac\u0103, \u00eel d\u0103 pe am\u00e2nar \u015fi \u00eencepe a cioc\u00e2rti un g\u00e2rne\u0163 de stejar din anul trecut\u2026 L-a t\u0103iat el cum l-a t\u0103iat, apoi a \u00eenceput a cotrob\u0103i prin chilna c\u0103ru\u0163ei, s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 ni\u015fte fr\u00e2nghie; dar de unde s\u0103 iei dac\u0103 n-ai pus?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dac\u0103 vede \u015fi vede, taie b\u0103ierile de la traist\u0103, mai c\u0103pe\u0163ala din capul unei iepe \u015fi face cum poate, de leag\u0103 g\u00e2rne\u0163ul unde trebuia; pune roata la loc, v\u00e2r\u0103 leuca, suce\u015fte lamba \u015f-o str\u00e2nge la scar\u0103; apoi \u00ee\u015fi aprinde cioanca \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103 drag\u0103, cum \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 nevoia pe om ce s\u0103 fac\u0103\u2026 Cu mo\u015f Nichifor \u0163u\u0163uianul nu piere nimene la drum. De-acum, numai s\u0103 te \u0163ii bine de car\u00e2mbi \u015fi de speteze, c\u0103 am s\u0103 m\u00e2n iepele iestea de au s\u0103 scapere fugind. Da\u2019 s\u0103 \u015ftii d-ta c\u0103 babei mele n-are s\u0103-i fie moale c\u00e2nd m-oi \u00eentoarce acas\u0103\u2026 Am s-o iau de c\u00e2nepa dracului \u015fi am s-o \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 eu cum trebuie s\u0103 caute alt\u0103 dat\u0103 de b\u0103rbat; c\u0103 femeia neb\u0103tut\u0103 e ca moara neferecat\u0103. \u0162ine-te, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103! Hi, ha!!!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-odat\u0103 \u00eencep iepele a fugi, de p\u00e2r\u00e2iau roatele \u015fi s\u0103rea colbul \u00een naltul cerului. La vro c\u00e2teva obra\u0163uri, g\u00e2rne\u0163ul s-a \u00eenfierb\u00e2ntat, s-a muiat \u015fi\u2026 folfenchiu! iar sare roata!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bre! c-anapoda lucru; se vede c\u0103 azi-diminea\u0163\u0103 mi-a ie\u015fit \u00eenainte vrun pop\u0103, sau dracu \u015ftie ce!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mo\u015f Nichifor, ce facem noi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Om face noi ce-om face, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103. Dar acum, deodat\u0103, lini\u015fte\u015fte-te acolo \u015fi taci molcum. Bine c\u0103 nu s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat asta \u00een mijlocul c\u00e2mpului, undeva. Lemne, slav\u0103 Domnului, sunt deajuns \u015fi de-ntrecut \u00een p\u0103dure. Poate s\u0103 ne-ajung\u0103 cineva din urm\u0103 ori s\u0103 ne \u00eent\u00e2mpine cineva dinainte \u015fi s\u0103-mi \u00eemprumute vro secure. \u015ei cum vorbea, numai iaca c\u0103 vede venind un om din urm\u0103 cu traista \u00een b\u0103\u0163.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun ajuns, om bun! A\u015f\u0103-i c\u0103 s-a stricat drumul \u00een mijlocul c\u0103ru\u0163ei?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u2019 \u015faga la o parte, m\u0103i omule, \u015fi mai bine vin\u2019 de-mi ajut\u0103 s\u0103 pun cap\u0103tul ista, c\u0103 vezi c\u0103-mi crap\u0103 inima de necaz.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D\u2019apoi eu m\u0103 gr\u0103besc s\u0103 ajung la O\u015flobeni. D-ta po\u0163i s\u0103 m\u00e2i ast\u0103-noapte \u015fi \u00een p\u0103dure; nu cred c\u0103-i muri de ur\u00e2t!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 mir c\u0103 nu \u0163i-e oarecum, s\u0103-\u0163i fie, zise Nichifor posomor\u00e2t; e\u015fti un cheag zb\u00e2rcit, mai ca \u015fi mine, \u015fi iaca ce-\u0163i url\u0103 prin cap!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 nu-\u0163i fie cu b\u0103nat, om bun, c\u0103 am \u015fuguit \u015fi eu. Bun r\u0103mas! Te-a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a Dumnezeu ce s\u0103 faci\u2026 \u015fi s-a tot dus \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, c\u00e2tu-i de-a dracului lumea asta? Numai de ple\u015fcuit umbl\u0103. Ia s\u0103 fie un antal cu vin ori cu rachiu, \u015fi s\u0103 vezi atunci, ar \u015fedea carul stricat at\u00e2ta timp \u00een mijlocul drumului? Cum v\u0103d eu, tot mo\u015f Nichifor are s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce a face. Ia s\u0103 mai fac o \u00eencercare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei iar \u00eencepe a t\u0103ia alt g\u00e2rne\u0163. Moco\u015fe\u015fte el c\u00e2t moco\u015fe\u015fte, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eel pune \u015fi pe acela. Apoi d\u0103 bici iepelor \u015fi iar mai trage un ropot; c\u00e2nd, numai iaca ce ajunge roata de-o te\u015fitur\u0103, \u015fi iar se rupe cap\u0103tul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acuma, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, mai c\u0103-mi vine s\u0103 zic \u015fi eu ca omul cela, c\u0103 are s\u0103 ne fie masul \u00een p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de mine \u015fi de mine, mo\u015f Nichifor, ce spui?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia! spun \u015fi eu ce v\u0103d cu ochii. Uit\u0103-te! Nu vezi \u015fi d-ta c\u0103 d\u0103 soarele dup\u0103 deal, \u015fi noi tot pe loc st\u0103m? Da\u2019 nu-i nimica, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, s\u0103 n-ai nici o grij\u0103, c\u0103 \u015ftiu eu o poian\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure, chiar aici, pe-aproape; s\u0103 tragem acolo, \u015fi suntem ca \u015fi \u00een cas\u0103 la noi. Locul e ferit, \u015fi iepele au ce pa\u015fte. D-ta te-i culca \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, \u015fi eu te-oi str\u0103jui toat\u0103 noaptea. Helbet, o noapte nu-i legat\u0103 de gard, a trece ea cum a trece, dar a pomeni ea baba mea, c\u00e2te zili\u015foare a avea, de necazul acesta, c\u0103 numai din pricina ei mi se trage\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi dar, f\u0103 cum \u015ftii, mo\u015f Nichifor, numai s\u0103 fie bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u2019, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, nu-\u0163i face voie rea, c\u0103 are s\u0103 fie c\u00e2t se poate de bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-odat\u0103 mo\u015f Nichifor apuc\u0103 iepele de d\u00e2rlog, c\u00e2rne\u015fte c\u0103ru\u0163a \u015f-o t\u00e2r\u0103\u015fte cum poate p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een poian\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, ce rai al lui Dumnezeu e aici; s\u0103 tot tr\u0103ie\u015fti \u015fi s\u0103 nu mai mori! Numai d-voastr\u0103 nu sunte\u0163i deprin\u015fi cu ce-i frumos pe lume. Ia mai d\u0103-te oleac\u0103 pe jos, p\u00e2n\u0103 se mai vede, ca s\u0103 str\u00e2ngem ni\u015fte t\u00e2r\u015furi \u015fi s\u0103 facem toat\u0103 noaptea foc, s\u0103 fug\u0103 t\u00e2n\u0163arii \u015fi toate g\u00e2ng\u0103niile pe lume!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Biata Malca vede \u015fi ea c\u0103 tot de una \u00eei e acum. Se d\u0103 jos \u015fi \u00eencepe a str\u00e2nge la t\u00e2r\u015furi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne! bine-\u0163i mai \u015fede, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103; parc\u0103 e\u015fti una de-a noastre! Nu cumva a \u0163inut vreodat\u0103 tat\u0103l d-tale or\u00e2nd\u0103 \u00een sat, undeva?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba a \u0163inut mult timp rato\u015ful de la Bode\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi m\u0103 miram eu de ce vorbe\u015fti a\u015fa de bine moldovene\u015fte \u015fi aduci la mers cu de-a noastre. De-acum n-am s\u0103 te mai cred c\u0103 te temi de lup. Ei! ei! cum \u0163i se pare aici \u00een poian\u0103? A\u015f\u0103-i c\u0103 erai s\u0103 mori \u015fi s\u0103 nu \u015ftii ce-i frumos pe lume? Ia auzi privighetorile ce haz fac! Ia auzi turturelele cum se \u00eeng\u00e2n\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mo\u015f Nichifor, oare n-om p\u0103\u0163i ceva \u00een noaptea asta? Ce-a zice I\u0163ic?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 I\u0163ic? Lui I\u0163ic i s-a p\u0103rea c-a prins pe Dumnezeu de-un picior, c\u00e2nd te-a vedea acas\u0103. Da\u2019 ce crezi d-ta, c\u0103 I\u0163ic \u015ftie ce-i pe lume? Cum sunt \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rile la drum? A\u015fa, numai s\u0103 se mute de pe vatr\u0103 pe cuptor, \u015ftie \u015fi hleabul de baba mea, de-acas\u0103. Jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, ia s\u0103 te vedem, \u015ftii cum s\u0103 faci focul?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Malca a\u015faz\u0103 g\u0103tejele, mo\u015f Nichifor scap\u0103r\u0103, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 am\u00e2ndoi a\u0163\u00e2\u0163\u0103 focul. Apoi mo\u015f Nichifor zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, cum p\u00e2r\u00e2ie de frumos g\u0103tejele?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 V\u0103d, mo\u015f Nichifor, dar \u00eemi tremur\u0103 inima \u00een mine de fric\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0102\u2026 ra? Da\u2019 ce, Doamne iart\u0103-m\u0103, parc\u0103 e\u015fti din neamul lui I\u0163ic. Da\u2019 fii mai cu inim\u0103 oleac\u0103! Ori, dac\u0103 e\u015fti a\u015fa de fricoas\u0103, apoi sui \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 \u015fi te-a\u015fterne pe somn, c\u0103 noaptea-i numai un ceas; acu\u015f se face ziu\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Malca, \u00eemb\u0103rb\u0103tat\u0103 de mo\u015f Nichifor, se suie \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 \u015fi se culc\u0103. Iar\u0103 mo\u015f Nichifor \u00ee\u015fi aprinde luleaua, a\u015fterne cojocul \u015fi se pune \u00eentr-o r\u00e2l\u0103 jos, l\u00e2ng\u0103 foc; \u015fi p\u00e2c! p\u00e2c! p\u00e2c! p\u00e2c! din lulea, c\u00e2t pe ce era s\u0103-l prind\u0103 somnul, c\u00e2nd numai iaca c\u0103-i sare o sc\u00e2nteie pe nas!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ptiu, drace! asta trebuie s\u0103 fie sc\u00e2nteie din g\u0103tejele culese de Malca, c\u0103 tare m-a fript\u2026 Dormi, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103 Malc\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Parc\u0103 era s\u0103 m\u0103 prind\u0103 somnul oleac\u0103, mo\u015f Nichifor, dar mi-au venit o mul\u0163ime de n\u0103luciri prin cap, \u015fi m-am trezit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei eu mai tot a\u015fa am p\u0103\u0163it: mi-a s\u0103rit o sc\u00e2nteie pe nas, \u015fi mi s-a speriat somnul, de parc\u0103 am dormit o noapte \u00eentreag\u0103. Las\u2019 c\u0103 poate s\u0103 mai doarm\u0103 cineva de r\u0103ul nebunelor istor de privighetori? parc\u0103-\u015fi fac de cap, nu alt\u0103ceva! Da\u2019 acum li-e \u015fi lor vremea s\u0103 se dr\u0103gosteasc\u0103\u2026 Dormi, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Parc\u0103 iar era s\u0103 m\u0103 prind\u0103 somnul, mo\u015f Nichifor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015etii una, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103? Mie-mi vine s\u0103 sting focul, c\u0103 tocmai acum, \u00een dur\u0103tul ista, mi-am adus aminte c\u0103 dihania de lup adulmec\u0103 \u015fi vine dup\u0103 fum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stinge-l, mo\u015f Nichifor, dac\u0103-i a\u015fa. Atunci mo\u015f Nichifor odat\u0103 \u00eencepe a turna la \u0163\u0103rn\u0103 peste foc \u015fi-l \u00eenn\u0103du\u015f\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De-acum, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, dormi f\u0103r\u0103 grij\u0103, c\u0103 acu\u015f se face ziu\u0103. Na, c-am stins focul \u015fi am uitat s\u0103-mi aprind luleaua! Dar las\u2019 c\u0103 am sc\u0103p\u0103r\u0103tor. Bat\u0103-v\u0103 pustia, privighetori, s\u0103 v\u0103 bat\u0103, c\u0103 \u015ftiu c\u0103 v\u0103 dr\u0103gosti\u0163i bine!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai \u015fede mo\u015f Nichifor a\u015fa pe g\u00e2nduri, p\u00e2n\u0103-\u015fi g\u0103te\u015fte de b\u0103ut luleaua, apoi se scoal\u0103 bini\u015for \u015fi se duce \u00een v\u00e2rful degetelor l\u00e2ng\u0103 c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103. Malca \u00eencepuse a hor\u0103i pu\u0163in. Mo\u015f Nichifor o clatin\u0103 \u00eenceti\u015for \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aud, mo\u015f Nichifor, r\u0103spunse Malca tres\u0103rind sp\u0103im\u00e2ntat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015etii ce-am g\u00e2ndit eu c\u00e2t am stat l\u00e2ng\u0103 foc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, dup\u0103 ce-i adormi d-ta, s\u0103 \u00eencalec pe o iap\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103 reped acas\u0103 la mine, s\u0103-mi aduc un cap\u0103t \u015fi securea \u015fi, c\u00e2nd s-a z\u0103ri de ziu\u0103, sunt aici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de mine, mo\u015f Nichifor, ce vorbe\u015fti? Vrei s\u0103 m\u0103 g\u0103se\u015fti moart\u0103 de fric\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eei veni?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba s\u0103 te fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu de una ca asta, jup\u00e2- ne\u015fic\u0103! Ia las\u2019, nu te sp\u0103im\u00e2nta, c\u0103 am zis \u015fi eu, ia a\u015fa, o vorb\u0103 \u00een v\u00e2nt\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, mo\u015f Nichifor! De-acum nici nu vreau s\u0103 mai dorm; m\u0103 dau jos \u015fi am s\u0103 \u015fed toat\u0103 noaptea l\u00e2ng\u0103 d-ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba p\u0103ze\u015fte-\u0163i treaba, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103; \u015fezi bini\u015for unde \u015fezi, c\u0103 bine \u015fezi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba iaca vin; \u015f-odat\u0103 se d\u0103 jos \u015fi vine pe iarb\u0103, l\u00e2ng\u0103 mo\u015f Nichifor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei ba unul una, ba altul alta, de la o vreme i-a furat somnul pe am\u00e2ndoi, \u015fi-au adormit du\u015fi. \u015ei c\u00e2nd s-au trezit ei, era ziulica alb\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, \u015fi sf\u00e2nta ziu\u0103! Scoal\u0103-te \u015fi hai s\u0103 vedem ce-i de f\u0103cut. Vezi c\u0103 nu te-a m\u00e2ncat nimica? Numai frica \u0163i-a fost mai mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Malca, \u00een vorbele acestea, iar a adormit\u2026 Iar mo\u015f Nichifor, ca cel cu grija, s-a suit \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103 \u015fi a \u00eenceput a scormoli \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile pe sub co\u015folin\u0103, \u015fi numai iaca c\u0103 d\u0103 de secure, de-o funie \u015fi de un sfredeleac pe pomo\u015ftina c\u0103ru\u0163ei!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, p\u0103catele mele! Cine-i cu pagub\u0103, \u015fi cu p\u0103cat; m\u0103 miram eu s\u0103 nu se \u00eengrijeasc\u0103 biata bab\u0103 de mine, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eentr-at\u00e2ta. Pentru c-am n\u0103p\u0103stuit-o chiar pe sf\u00e2nta dreptate, am s\u0103-i duc un fes ro\u015f \u015fi un tulpan undelemniu, ca s\u0103-\u015fi mai aduc\u0103 aminte din tinere\u0163e. Eu se vede c\u0103 m-am luat ieri cu luleaua. Dar biata baba mea, bun\u0103, rea, cum este, tot a \u015ftiut ce-mi trebuie la drum, numai nu le-a pus la locul lor\u2026 Dar \u0163i-ai g\u0103sit s\u0103 \u015ftie femeia trebile b\u0103rbatului!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce-i, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 nu \u015ftii una! Scoal\u0103-te, c\u0103 am g\u0103sit \u015fi secure \u015fi fr\u00e2nghie, \u015fi sfredel, \u015fi tot ce-mi trebuie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde, mo\u015f Nichifor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, pe sub buclucurile d-tale. Numai n-au avut gur\u0103 s\u0103 r\u0103spund\u0103. Am p\u0103\u0163it \u015fi noi ca un cer\u015fetor care \u015fedea pe comoar\u0103 \u015fi cerea milostenie\u2026 Da\u2019 bine c\u0103 s-au g\u0103sit \u015fi acum; tot biata bab\u0103 se vede c\u0103 le-a pus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi c\u00e2t e\u015fti de avan, mo\u015f Nichifor, cum \u00ee\u0163i \u00eencarci sufletul de p\u0103cate?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, v\u0103d \u015fi eu c\u0103 am gre\u015fit, de-am ponegrit-o a\u015fa de tare c\u0103tre d-ta. Da de-acum am s\u0103-i c\u00e2nt \u015fi eu un c\u00e2ntec de \u00eemp\u0103care:<\/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\u00a0S\u0103rmana b\u0103bu\u015fca mea!<\/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\u00a0Fie bun\u0103, fie rea,<\/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\u00a0Am s\u0103 \u0163in cas\u0103 cu ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-odat\u0103 suflec\u0103 mo\u015f Nichifor m\u00e2necile, taie un stuhariu de fag \u015fi face un cap\u0103t minunat. Apoi \u00eel a\u015faz\u0103 cum trebuie, pune roata la loc, \u00eenham\u0103 iepele, iese \u00eencet-\u00eencet la drum \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sui, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, \u015fi haidem s\u0103 mergem de acum! Iepele, fiind hr\u0103nite \u015fi odihnite bine, pe la pr\u00e2nzul cel mare i-au pus \u00een Piatra.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, te-am v\u0103zut \u015f-acas\u0103, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Slav\u0103 lui Dumnezeu, mo\u015f Nichifor, c\u0103 \u015fi-n p\u0103dure nu mi-a fost r\u0103u\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa este, jup\u00e2ne\u015fic\u0103, nu-i vorb\u0103, dar ca la casa omului nu-i nic\u0103iurea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, din vorb\u0103 \u00een vorb\u0103, au \u015fi ajuns la poarta lui jup\u00e2n I\u0163ic. I\u0163ic tocmai atunci venea de la \u015fcoal\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd a v\u0103zut pe Malca, nu mai \u015ftia ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 de bucurie. Dar c\u00e2nd a mai auzit \u015fi despre \u00eent\u00e2mplarea ce au avut, \u015fi cum i-a sc\u0103pat Dumnezeu din primejdie, nu \u015ftia cum s\u0103 mul\u0163umeasc\u0103 lui mo\u015f Nichifor. Cu ce nu l-au d\u0103ruit ei? C\u0103 se mira \u015fi el singur ce d\u0103duse peste d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, mo\u015f Nichifor a pornit \u00eenapoi cu al\u0163i mu\u015fterii. \u015ei c\u00e2nd au ajuns acas\u0103, era foarte vesel, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu \u015ftia baba lui ce l-a g\u0103sit, de-i a\u015fa cu chef, cum nu mai fusese de mult\u0103 vreme. Dup\u0103 aceasta, tot la dou\u0103-trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni, jup\u00e2ne\u015fica Malca venea la Neam\u0163 la socri \u015fi se \u00eentorcea acas\u0103 numai cu mo\u015f Nichifor, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se mai team\u0103 de lup\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 un an, sau dup\u0103 mai mul\u0163i, mo\u015f Nichifor s-a r\u0103suflat, la un pahar cu vin, c\u0103tre un prieten al s\u0103u, despre \u00eent\u00e2mplarea din codrul Grum\u0103ze\u015ftilor \u015fi frica ce a tras jup\u00e2neasa Malca\u2026 Prietenul lui mo\u015f Nichifor s-a r\u0103suflat \u015fi el c\u0103tre al\u0163i prieteni ai s\u0103i, \u015fi de-atunci oamenii, cum sunt oamenii, ca s\u0103-i pun\u0103 s\u00e2nge r\u0103u la inim\u0103\u2026 au \u00eenceput a porecli pe mo\u015f Nichifor \u015fi a-i zice: “Nichifor Co\u0163cariul, Nichifor Co\u0163cariul”. \u015ei poate acum a fi oale \u015fi ulcioare, \u015fi tot Nichifor Co\u0163cariul i-a r\u0103mas bietului om numele \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een ziulica de ast\u0103zi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mo\u015f Nichifor nu-i o \u00eenchipuire din pove\u015fti, ci e un om ca to\u0163i oamenii; el a fost odat\u0103, c\u00e2nd a fost, tr\u0103itor din mahalaua \u0162u\u0163uenii din T\u00e2rgul Neam\u0163ului, dinspre satul … <\/p>\n