{"id":2922,"date":"2020-05-12T13:48:22","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T10:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.povesti-nemuritoare.ro\/?p=2922"},"modified":"2023-06-11T11:13:48","modified_gmt":"2023-06-11T08:13:48","slug":"povestea-lui-harap-alb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/povestea-lui-harap-alb\/","title":{"rendered":"Povestea lui Harap-Alb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amu cic\u0103 era odat\u0103 \u00eentr-o \u0163ar\u0103 un crai, care avea trei feciori. \u015ei craiul acela mai avea un frate mai mare, care era \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eentr-o alt\u0103 \u0163ar\u0103, mai dep\u0103rtat\u0103. \u015ei \u00eemp\u0103ratul, fratele craiului, se numea Verde-\u00eemp\u0103rat; \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul Verde nu avea feciori, ci numai fete. Mul\u0163i ani trecur\u0103 la mijloc de c\u00e2nd ace\u015fti fra\u0163i nu mai avur\u0103 prilej a se \u00eent\u00e2lni am\u00e2ndoi. Iar\u0103 verii, adic\u0103 feciorii craiului \u015fi fetele \u00eemp\u0103ratului, nu se v\u0103zuse niciodat\u0103 de c\u00e2nd erau ei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa veni \u00eemprejurarea de nici \u00eemp\u0103ratul Verde nu cuno\u015ftea nepo\u0163ii s\u0103i, nici craiul nepoatele sale: pentru c\u0103 \u0163ara \u00een care \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ea fratele cel mai mare era tocmai la o margine a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, \u015fi cr\u0103ia istuilalt la o alt\u0103 margine. \u015ei apoi, pe vremile acelea, mai toate \u0163\u0103rile erau b\u00e2ntuite de r\u0103zboaie grozave, drumurile pe ape \u015fi pe uscat erau pu\u0163in cunoscute \u015fi foarte \u00eencurcate \u015fi de aceea nu se putea c\u0103l\u0103tori a\u015fa de u\u015for \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 primejdii ca \u00een ziua de ast\u0103zi. \u015ei cine apuca a se duce pe atunci \u00eentr-o parte a lumii adeseori dus r\u0103m\u00e2nea p\u00e2n\u0103 la moarte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar ia s\u0103 nu ne dep\u0103rt\u0103m cu vorba \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eencep a dep\u0103na firul pove\u015ftii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Amu cic\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul acela, aproape de b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e, c\u0103z\u00e2nd la z\u0103care, a scris c\u0103tre fr\u0103\u0163ine-s\u0103u craiului, s\u0103-i trimit\u0103 grabnic pe cel mai vrednic dintre nepo\u0163i, ca s\u0103-l lase \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00een locul s\u0103u dup\u0103 moartea sa. Craiul, primind cartea, \u00eendat\u0103 chem\u0103 tustrei feciorii \u00eenaintea sa \u015fi le zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca ce-mi scrie frate-meu \u015fi mo\u015ful vostru. Care dintre voi se simte destoinic a \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163i peste o \u0163ar\u0103 a\u015fa de mare \u015fi bogat\u0103, ca aceea, are voie din partea mea s\u0103 se duc\u0103, ca s\u0103 \u00eemplineasc\u0103 voin\u0163a cea mai de pe urm\u0103 a mo\u015fului vostru.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci feciorul cel mai mare ia \u00eendr\u0103zneal\u0103 \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, eu cred c\u0103 mie mi se cuvine aceast\u0103 cinste, pentru c\u0103 sunt cel mai mare dintre fra\u0163i; de aceea te rog s\u0103-mi dai bani de cheltuial\u0103, straie de primeneal\u0103, arme \u015fi cal de c\u0103l\u0103rie, ca s\u0103 \u015fi pornesc, f\u0103r\u0103 z\u0103bav\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, dragul tatei, dac\u0103 te bizuie\u015fti c\u0103-i putea r\u0103zbate p\u00e2n\u0103 acolo \u015fi crezi c\u0103 e\u015fti \u00een stare a c\u00e2rmui \u015fi pe al\u0163ii, alege-\u0163i un cal din herghelie, care-i vrea tu, ia-\u0163i bani c\u00e2t \u0163i-or trebui, haine care \u0163i-or pl\u0103cea, arme care-i crede c\u0103-\u0163i vin la socoteal\u0103 \u015fi mergi cu bine, f\u0103tul meu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci feciorul craiului \u00ee\u015fi ia cele trebuitoare, s\u0103rut\u0103 m\u00e2na t\u0103t\u00e2ne-s\u0103u, primind carte de la d\u00e2nsul c\u0103tre \u00eemp\u0103ratul, zice r\u0103mas bun fra\u0163ilor s\u0103i \u015fi apoi \u00eencalec\u0103 \u015fi porne\u015fte cu bucurie spre \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Craiul \u00eens\u0103, vr\u00e2nd s\u0103-l ispiteasc\u0103, tace molcum \u015fi, pe \u00eenserate, se \u00eembrac\u0103 pe ascuns \u00eentr-o piele de urs, apoi \u00eencalec\u0103 pe cal, iese \u00eenaintea fecioru-s\u0103u pe alt\u0103 cale \u015fi se bag\u0103 sub un pod. \u015ei c\u00e2nd s\u0103 treac\u0103 fiu-s\u0103u pe acolo, numai iaca la cap\u0103tul podului \u00eel \u015fi \u00eent\u00e2mpin\u0103 un urs morn\u0103ind. Atunci calul fiului de crai \u00eencepe a s\u0103ri \u00een dou\u0103 picioare, for\u0103ind, \u015fi c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 izbeasc\u0103 pe st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u. \u015ei fiul craiului, nemaiput\u00e2nd struni calul \u015fi ne\u00eendr\u0103znind a mai merge \u00eenainte, se \u00eentoarn\u0103 ru\u015finat \u00eenapoi la tatu-s\u0103u. P\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 ajung\u0103 el, craiul pe de alt\u0103 parte \u015fi ajunsese acas\u0103, d\u0103duse drumul calului, \u00eendosise pielea cea de urs \u015fi a\u015ftepta acum s\u0103 vin\u0103 fecioru-s\u0103u. \u015ei numai iaca \u00eel \u015fi vede venind repede, dar nu a\u015fa dup\u0103 cum se dusese.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 ce-ai uitat, dragul tatei, de te-ai \u00eentors \u00eenapoi? zise craiul cu mirare. Aista nu-i semn bun, dup\u0103 c\u00e2t \u015ftiu eu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De uitat, n-am uitat nimica, tat\u0103, dar ia, prin dreptul unui pod, mi-a ie\u015fit \u00eenainte un urs grozav, care m-a v\u00e2r\u00e2t \u00een to\u0163i sp\u0103rie\u0163ii. \u015ei cu mare ce sc\u0103p\u00e2nd din labele lui, am g\u0103sit cu cale s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eentorc la d-ta acas\u0103 dec\u00e2t s\u0103 fiu prada fiarelor s\u0103lbatice. \u015ei de-acum \u00eenainte, duc\u0103-se, din partea mea, cine \u015ftie, c\u0103 mie unuia nu-mi trebuie nici \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, nici nimica; doar n-am a tr\u0103i c\u00e2t lumea, ca s\u0103 mo\u015ftenesc p\u0103m\u00e2ntul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Despre aceasta bine ai chitit-o, dragul tatei. Se vede lucru c\u0103 nici tu nu e\u015fti de \u00eemp\u0103rat, nici \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia pentru tine; \u015fi dec\u00e2t s\u0103 \u00eencurci numai a\u015fa lumea, mai bine s\u0103 \u015fezi departe, cum zici, c\u0103ci, mila Domnului: “Lac de-ar fi, broa\u015fte sunt destule”. Numai a\u015f vrea s\u0103 \u015ftiu, cum r\u0103m\u00e2ne cu mo\u015fu-t\u0103u. A\u015fa-i c\u0103 ne-am \u00eencurcat \u00een sl\u0103b\u0103ciune?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, zise atunci feciorul cel mijlociu, s\u0103 m\u0103 duc eu, dac\u0103 vrei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai toat\u0103 voia de la mine, f\u0103tul meu, dar mare lucru s\u0103 fie de nu \u0163i s-or t\u0103ia \u015fi \u0163ie c\u0103r\u0103rile. Mai \u015ftii p\u0103catul, poate s\u0103-\u0163i ias\u0103 \u00eenainte vreun iepure, ceva\u2026 \u015fi pop\u00e2c! m-oi trezi cu tine acas\u0103, ca \u015fi cu frate-t\u0103u, \u015f-apoi atunci ru\u015finea ta n-a fi proast\u0103. Dar d\u0103, cearc\u0103 \u015fi tu, s\u0103 vezi cum \u0163i-a sluji norocul. Vorba ceea: “Fiecare pentru sine, croitor de p\u00e2ine”. De-i izbuti, bine-de-bine, iar\u0103 de nu, au mai p\u0103\u0163it \u015fi al\u0163i voinici ca tine\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci feciorul cel mijlociu, preg\u0103tindu-\u015fi cele trebuitoare \u015fi primind \u015fi el carte din m\u00e2na tat\u0103-s\u0103u c\u0103tre \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00ee\u015fi ia ziua bun\u0103 de la fra\u0163i, \u015fi a doua zi porne\u015fte \u015fi el. \u015ei merge, \u015fi merge, p\u00e2n\u0103 se \u00eennopteaz\u0103 bine. \u015ei c\u00e2nd prin dreptul podului, numai iaca \u015fi ursul: mor! mor! mor! Calul fiului de crai \u00eencepe atunci a for\u0103i, a s\u0103ri \u00een dou\u0103 picioare \u015fi a da \u00eenapoi. \u015ei fiul craiului, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 nu-i lucru de \u015fag\u0103, se las\u0103 \u015fi el de \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie \u015fi, cu ru\u015finea lui, se \u00eentoarce \u00eenapoi la tat\u0103-s\u0103u acas\u0103. Craiul, cum \u00eel vede, zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, dragul tatei, a\u015fa-i c\u0103 s-a \u00eemplinit vorba ceea: “Ap\u0103r\u0103-m\u0103 de g\u0103ini, c\u0103 de c\u00e2ini nu m\u0103 tem”.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce fel de vorb\u0103-i asta, tat\u0103?! zise fiu-s\u0103u ru\u015finat; la d-ta ur\u015fii se cheam\u0103 g\u0103ini? Ba, ia acum cred eu fr\u0103\u0163ine-meu, c\u0103 a\u015fa urs o\u015ftirea \u00eentreag\u0103 este \u00een stare s\u0103 o zdrumice\u2026 \u00cenc\u0103 m\u0103 mir cum am sc\u0103pat cu via\u0163\u0103; lehamite \u015fi de \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie \u015fi de tot, c\u0103 doar, slav\u0103 Domnului, am ce m\u00e2nca la casa d-tale.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce m\u00e2nca v\u0103d eu bine c\u0103 ai, despre asta nu e vorb\u0103, f\u0103tul meu, zise craiul posomor\u00e2t, dar ia spune\u0163i-mi: ru\u015finea unde o pune\u0163i? Din trei feciori c\u00e2\u0163i are tata, nici unul s\u0103 nu fie bun de nimica?!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi, drept s\u0103 v\u0103 spun, c\u0103 atunci degeaba mai strica\u0163i m\u00e2ncarea, dragii mei\u2026 S\u0103 umbla\u0163i numai a\u015fa, frunza fr\u0103sinelului, toat\u0103 via\u0163a voastr\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 v\u0103 l\u0103uda\u0163i c\u0103 sunte\u0163i feciori de crai, asta nu miroase a nas de om\u2026 Cum v\u0103d eu, frate-meu se poate culca pe o ureche din partea voastr\u0103; la sf\u00e2ntul A\u015fteapt\u0103 s-a \u00eemplini dorin\u0163a lui. Halal de nepo\u0163i ce are! Vorba ceea:<\/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\u00a0La pl\u0103cinte, \u00eenainte<\/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 la r\u0103zboi, \u00eenapoi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul craiului cel mai mic, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se atunci ro\u015f cum \u00eei gotca, iese afar\u0103 \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepe a pl\u00e2nge \u00een inima sa, lovit fiind \u00een ad\u00e2ncul sufletului de ap\u0103s\u0103toarele cuvinte ale p\u0103rintelui s\u0103u. \u015ei cum sta el pe g\u00e2nduri \u015fi nu se dumerea ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 pentru a sc\u0103pa de ru\u015fine, numai iaca se treze\u015fte dinaintea lui cu o bab\u0103 g\u00e2rbovit\u0103 de b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e, care umbla dup\u0103 milostenie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 ce stai a\u015fa pe g\u00e2nduri, luminate cr\u0103i\u015for? zise baba; alung\u0103 m\u00e2hnirea din inima ta, c\u0103ci norocul \u00ee\u0163i r\u00e2de din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile \u015fi nu ai de ce fi sup\u0103rat. Ia, mai bine miluie\u015fte baba cu ceva.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u0103-m\u0103-ncolo, m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, nu m\u0103 sup\u0103ra, zise fiul craiului; acum am altele la capul meu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fecior de crai, vedea-te-a\u015f \u00eemp\u0103rat! Spune babei ce te chinuie\u015fte; c\u0103, de unde \u015ftii, poate s\u0103-\u0163i ajute \u015fi ea ceva.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, \u015ftii ce? Una-i una \u015fi dou\u0103-s mai multe; las\u0103-m\u0103-n pace, c\u0103 nu-mi v\u0103d lumea \u00eenaintea ochilor de necaz.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Luminate cr\u0103i\u015for, s\u0103 nu b\u0103nuie\u015fti, dar nu te iu\u0163i a\u015fa de tare, c\u0103 nu \u015ftii de unde-\u0163i poate veni ajutor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce vorbe\u015fti \u00een dodii, m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103? Tocmai de la una ca d-ta \u0163i-ai g\u0103sit s\u0103 a\u015ftept eu ajutor?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poate \u0163i-i de\u015fan\u0163 de una ca aceasta? zise baba. Hei, luminate cr\u0103i\u015for! Cel-de-sus vars\u0103 darul s\u0103u peste cei neputincio\u015fi; se vede c\u0103 a\u015fa place sfin\u0163iei-sale. Nu c\u0103uta c\u0103 m\u0103 vezi g\u00e2rbov\u0103 \u015fi strem\u0163uroas\u0103, dar, prin puterea ce-mi este dat\u0103, \u015ftiu dinainte ceea ce au de g\u00e2nd s\u0103 izvodeasc\u0103 puternicii p\u0103m\u00e2ntului \u015fi adeseori r\u00e2d cu hohot de nepriceperea \u015fi sl\u0103biciunea lor. A\u015fa-i c\u0103 nu-\u0163i vine a crede, dar s\u0103 te fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu de ispit\u0103! C\u0103ci multe au mai v\u0103zut ochii mei de-at\u00e2ta amar de veacuri c\u00e2te port pe umerii ace\u015ftia. Of! cr\u0103i\u015forule! crede-m\u0103, c\u0103 s\u0103 aibi tu puterea mea, ai v\u00e2ntura \u0163\u0103rile \u015fi m\u0103rile, p\u0103m\u00e2ntul l-ai da de-a dura, lumea aceasta ai purta-o, uite a\u015fa, pe degete, \u015fi toate ar fi dup\u0103 g\u00e2ndul t\u0103u. Dar uite ce vorbe\u015fte g\u00e2rbova \u015fi neputincioasa! Iart\u0103-m\u0103, Doamne, c\u0103 nu \u015ftiu ce mi-a ie\u015fit din gur\u0103! Luminate cr\u0103i\u015for, miluie\u015fte baba cu ceva!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul craiului, fermecat de vorbele babei, scoate atunci un ban \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ine, m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, de la mine pu\u0163in \u015fi de la Dumnezeu mult., De unde dai, milostivul Dumnezeu s\u0103-\u0163i dea, zise baba, \u015fi mult s\u0103 te \u00eenzileasc\u0103, luminate cr\u0103i\u015for, c\u0103 mare norocire te a\u015fteapt\u0103. Pu\u0163in mai este, \u015fi ai s\u0103 ajungi \u00eemp\u0103rat, care n-a mai stat altul pe fa\u0163a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului a\u015fa de iubit, de sl\u0103vit \u015fi de puternic. Acum, luminate cr\u0103i\u015for, ca s\u0103 vezi c\u00e2t poate s\u0103-\u0163i ajute milostenia, stai lini\u015ftit, uit\u0103-te drept \u00een ochii mei \u015fi ascult\u0103 cu luare-aminte ce \u0163i-oi spune: du-te la tat\u0103-t\u0103u \u015fi cere s\u0103-\u0163i dea calul, armele \u015fi hainele cu care a fost el mire, \u015fi atunci ai s\u0103 te po\u0163i duce unde n-au putut merge fra\u0163ii t\u0103i; pentru c\u0103 \u0163ie a fost scris de sus s\u0103-\u0163i fie dat\u0103 aceast\u0103 cinste. Tatu-t\u0103u s-a \u00eempotrivi \u015fi n-a vrea s\u0103 te lase, dar tu st\u0103ruie\u015fte pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsul cu rug\u0103minte, c\u0103 ai s\u0103-l \u00eendupleci. Hainele despre care \u0163i-am vorbit sunt vechi \u015fi ponosite, \u015fi armele ruginite, iar\u0103 calul ai s\u0103-l po\u0163i alege pun\u00e2nd \u00een mijlocul hergheliei o tava plin\u0103 cu j\u0103ratic, \u015fi care dintre cai a veni la j\u0103ratic s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce, acela are s\u0103 te duc\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie \u015fi are s\u0103 te scape din multe primejdii. \u0162ine minte ce-\u0163i spun eu, c\u0103 poate s\u0103 ne mai \u00eent\u00e2lnim la vrun cap\u0103t de lume: c\u0103ci deal cu deal se ajunge, dar \u00eenc\u0103 om cu om!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei pe c\u00e2nd vorbea baba aceste, o vede \u00eenv\u0103luit\u0103 \u00eentr-un hobot alb, ridic\u00e2ndu-se \u00een v\u0103zduh, apoi \u00een\u0103l\u0163\u00e2ndu-se tot mai sus, \u015fi dup\u0103 aceea n-o mai z\u0103ri defel. Atunci o \u00eenfiorare cuprinde pe fiul craiului, r\u0103m\u00e2n\u00e2nd uimit de spaim\u0103 \u015fi mirare, dar pe urm\u0103, venindu-i inima la loc \u015fi plin de \u00eencredere \u00een sine c\u0103 va izbuti la ceea ce g\u00e2ndea, se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenaintea tat\u0103-s\u0103u, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D\u0103-mi voie ca s\u0103 m\u0103 duc \u015fi eu pe urma fra\u0163ilor mei, nu de alta, dar ca s\u0103-mi \u00eencerc norocul. \u015ei ori oi putea izbuti, ori nu, dar \u00ee\u0163i f\u0103g\u0103duiesc dinainte c\u0103, odat\u0103 pornit din casa d-tale, \u00eenapoi nu m-oi mai \u00eentoarce, s\u0103 \u015ftiu bine c\u0103 m-oi \u00eent\u00e2lni \u015fi cu moartea \u00een cale.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Lucru neg\u00e2ndit, dragul tatei, s\u0103 aud a\u015fa vorbe tocmai din gura ta, zise craiul. Fra\u0163ii t\u0103i au dovedit c\u0103 nu au inim\u0103 \u00eentr-\u00een\u015fii, \u015fi din partea lor mi-am luat toat\u0103 n\u0103dejdea. Doar tu s\u0103 fii mai viteaz, dar parc\u0103 tot nu-mi vine a crede. \u00cens\u0103, dac\u0103 vrei \u015fi vrei numaidec\u00e2t s\u0103 te duci, eu nu te opresc, dar mi-i nu cumva s\u0103 te \u00eent\u00e2lne\u015fti cu sc\u00e2rba \u00een drum \u015fi s\u0103 dai \u015fi tu cinstea pe ru\u015fine, c-apoi atunci curat \u00ee\u0163i spun c\u0103 nu mai ai ce c\u0103uta la casa mea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, tat\u0103, omul e dator s\u0103 se \u00eencerce. Am s\u0103 pornesc \u015fi eu \u00eentr-un noroc \u015fi cum a da Dumnezeu! Numai, te rog, d\u0103-mi calul, armele \u015fi hainele cu care ai fost d-ta mire, ca s\u0103 m\u0103 pot duce.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Craiul, auzind aceasta, parc\u0103 nu i-a prea venit la socoteal\u0103 \u015fi, \u00eencre\u0163ind din spr\u00e2ncene, a zis:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei, hei! dragul tatei, cu vorba aceasta mi-ai adus aminte de c\u00e2ntecul cela:<\/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\u00a0Voinic t\u00e2n\u0103r, cal b\u0103tr\u00e2n,<\/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\u00a0Greu se-ng\u0103duie la drum!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D-apoi calul meu de pe atunci cine mai \u015ftie unde i-or fi putrezind ciolanele! C\u0103 doar nu era s\u0103 tr\u0103iasc\u0103 un veac de om! Cine \u0163i-a v\u00e2r\u00e2t \u00een cap \u015fi una ca aceasta, acela \u00eenc\u0103-i unul\u2026 Ori vorba ceea: Pesemne umbli dup\u0103 cai mor\u0163i s\u0103 le iei potcoavele.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tat\u0103, at\u00e2ta cer \u015fi eu de la d-ta. Acum, ori c-a fi tr\u0103ind calul, ori c\u0103 n-a fi tr\u0103ind, aceasta m\u0103 prive\u015fte pe mine; numai vreau s\u0103 \u015ftiu dac\u0103 mi-l dai ori ba.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Din partea mea, dat s\u0103-\u0163i fie, dragul tatei, dar mi-i de-a mirarea de unde ai s\u0103-l iei, dac\u0103 n-are fiin\u0163\u0103 pe lume.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Despre aceasta nu m\u0103 pl\u00e2ng eu, tat\u0103, bine c\u0103 mi l-ai dat; de unde-a fi, de unde n-a fi, dac\u0103 l-oi g\u0103si, al meu s\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci, odat\u0103 se suie \u00een pod \u015fi coboar\u0103 de-acolo un c\u0103p\u0103stru, un fr\u00e2u, un bici \u015fi o \u015fa, toate colb\u0103ite, sfarogite \u015fi vechi ca p\u0103m\u00e2ntul. Apoi mai scoate dintr-un gherghiriu ni\u015fte straie foarte vechi, un arc, ni\u015fte s\u0103ge\u0163i, un palo\u015f \u015fi un buzdugan, toate pline de rugin\u0103, \u015fi se apuc\u0103 de le grije\u015fte bine \u015fi le pune deoparte. Pe urm\u0103 umple o tava cu j\u0103ratic, se duce cu d\u00e2nsa la herghelie \u015fi o pune jos \u00eentre cai. \u015ei atunci, numai iaca ce iese din mijlocul hergheliei o r\u0103pciug\u0103 de cal, greb\u0103nos, dupuros \u015fi slab, de-i num\u0103rai coastele; \u015fi venind de-a dreptul la tava, apuc\u0103 o gur\u0103 de j\u0103ratic. Fiul craiului \u00eei \u015fi trage atunci cu fr\u00e2ul \u00een cap, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ghijoag\u0103 ur\u00e2cioas\u0103 ce e\u015fti! din to\u0163i caii, tocmai tu te-ai g\u0103sit s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nci j\u0103ratic? De te-a \u00eempinge p\u0103catul s\u0103 mai vii o dat\u0103, vai de steaua ta are s\u0103 fie!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi \u00eencepe a purta caii \u00eencolo \u015fi \u00eencoace, \u015fi numai iaca sl\u0103b\u0103tura cea de cal iar se repede \u015fi apuc\u0103 o gur\u0103 de j\u0103ratic. Fiul craiului \u00eei mai trage \u015fi atunci un fr\u00e2u \u00een cap, c\u00e2t ce poate, \u015fi apoi iar \u00eencepe a purta caii de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo, s\u0103 vad\u0103, nu cumva a veni alt cal s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce j\u0103ratic. \u015ei numai iaca, \u015fi a treia oar\u0103, tot gloaba cea de cal vine \u015fi \u00eencepe a m\u00e2nca la j\u0103ratic, de n-a mai r\u0103mas. Atunci fiul craiului, m\u00e2nios, \u00eei mai trage un fr\u00e2u, iar c\u00e2t ce poate, apoi \u00eel prinde \u00een c\u0103p\u0103stru \u015fi, pun\u00e2ndu-i fr\u00e2ul \u00een cap, zice \u00een g\u00e2ndul s\u0103u: “S\u0103-l iau, ori s\u0103-i dau drumul? M\u0103 tem c\u0103 m-oi face de r\u00e2s. Dec\u00e2t cu a\u015fa cal, mai bine pedestru”.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum sta el \u00een cumpene, s\u0103-l ia, s\u0103 nu-l ia, calul se \u015fi scutur\u0103 de trei ori, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ne cu p\u0103rul lins-prelins \u015fi t\u00e2n\u0103r ca un tretin, de nu era alt m\u00e2nzoc mai frumos \u00een toat\u0103 herghelia. \u015ei apoi, uit\u00e2ndu-se \u0163int\u0103 \u00een ochii fiului de crai, zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sui pe mine, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, \u015fi \u0163ine-te bine! Fiul craiului, pun\u00e2ndu-i zabala \u00een gur\u0103, \u00eencalec\u0103, \u015fi atunci calul odat\u0103 zboar\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul p\u00e2n\u0103 la nouri \u015fi apoi se las\u0103 \u00een jos ca o s\u0103geat\u0103. Dup\u0103 aceea mai zboar\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la lun\u0103 \u015fi iar se las\u0103 \u00een jos mai iute dec\u00e2t fulgerul. \u015ei unde nu mai zboar\u0103 \u015fi a treia oar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la soare \u015fi, c\u00e2nd se las\u0103 jos, \u00eentreab\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, cum \u0163i se pare? G\u00e2ndit-ai vrodat\u0103 c\u0103 ai s\u0103 ajungi: soarele cu picioarele, luna cu m\u00e2na \u015fi prin nouri s\u0103 cau\u0163i cununa?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum s\u0103 mi se par\u0103, dragul meu tovar\u0103\u015f? Ia, m-ai b\u0103gat \u00een toate grozile mor\u0163ii, c\u0103ci, cuprins de ame\u0163eal\u0103, nu mai \u015ftiam unde m\u0103 g\u0103sesc \u015fi c\u00e2t pe ce erai s\u0103 m\u0103 pr\u0103p\u0103de\u015fti.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, a\u015fa am ame\u0163it \u015fi eu, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, c\u00e2nd mi-ai dat cu fr\u00e2ul \u00een cap, s\u0103 m\u0103 pr\u0103p\u0103de\u015fti, \u015fi cu asta am vrut s\u0103-mi r\u0103storc cele trei lovituri. Vorba ceea: una pentru alta. Acum cred c\u0103 m\u0103 cuno\u015fti \u015fi de ur\u00e2t \u015fi de frumos, \u015fi de b\u0103tr\u00e2n \u015fi de t\u00e2n\u0103r, \u015fi de slab \u015fi de puternic; de-aceea m\u0103 fac iar cum m-ai v\u0103zut \u00een herghelie, \u015fi de-acum \u00eenainte sunt gata s\u0103 te \u00eentov\u0103r\u0103\u015fesc oriunde mi-i porunci, st\u0103p\u00e2ne. Numai s\u0103-mi spui dinainte cum s\u0103 te duc: ca v\u00e2ntul ori ca g\u00e2ndul?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De mi-i duce ca g\u00e2ndul, tu mi-i pr\u0103p\u0103di, iar de mi-i duce ca v\u00e2ntul, tu mi-i folosi, c\u0103lu\u0163ul meu, zise fiul craiului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, st\u0103p\u00e2ne. Acum sui pe mine f\u0103r\u0103 grij\u0103 \u015fi hai s\u0103 te duc unde vrei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul craiului, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u00e2nd, \u00eel neteze\u015fte pe coam\u0103 \u015fi zice:, Hai, c\u0103lu\u0163ul meu! Atunci calul zboar\u0103 lin ca v\u00e2ntul, \u015fi c\u00e2nd v\u00e2ntul a aburit, iaca \u015fi ei la crai \u00een ograd\u0103 au sosit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun sosit la noi, voinice! zise craiul, cam cu jum\u0103tate de gur\u0103. Dar aista cal \u0163i l-ai ales?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, tat\u0103, cum a dat t\u00e2rgul \u015fi norocul; am de trecut prin multe locuri \u015fi nu vreau s\u0103 m\u0103 ia oamenii la ochi. M-oi duce \u015fi eu c\u00e2t c\u0103lare, c\u00e2t pe jos, cum oi putea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei zic\u00e2nd aceste, pune tarni\u0163a pe cal, anin\u0103 armele la obl\u00e2nc, \u00ee\u015fi ia merinde \u015fi bani de ajuns, schimburi \u00een desagi \u015fi o plosc\u0103 plin\u0103 cu ap\u0103. Apoi s\u0103rut\u0103 m\u00e2na tat\u0103-s\u0103u, primind carte de la d\u00e2nsul c\u0103tre \u00eemp\u0103ratul, zice r\u0103mas bun fra\u0163ilor s\u0103i \u015fi a treia zi c\u0103tre sear\u0103 porne\u015fte \u015fi el, merg\u00e2nd din pasul calului. \u015ei merge el, \u015fi merge, p\u00e2n\u0103 se \u00eennopteaz\u0103 bine. \u015ei, prin dreptul podului, numai iaca \u00eei iese \u015fi lui ursul \u00eenainte, morn\u0103ind \u00eenfrico\u015fat. Calul atunci d\u0103 n\u0103val\u0103 asupra ursului, \u015fi fiul craiului, ridic\u00e2nd buzduganul s\u0103 dea, numai iaca ce aude glas de om zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dragul tatei, nu da, c\u0103 eu sunt. Atunci fiul craiului descalec\u0103, \u015fi tat\u0103-s\u0103u, cuprinz\u00e2ndu-l \u00een bra\u0163e, \u00eel s\u0103rut\u0103 \u015fi-i zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 F\u0103tul meu, bun tovar\u0103\u015f \u0163i-ai ales; de te-a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at cineva, bine \u0163i-a priit, iar\u0103 de-ai f\u0103cut-o din capul t\u0103u, bun cap ai avut. Mergi de-acum tot \u00eenainte, c\u0103 tu e\u015fti vrednic de \u00eemp\u0103rat. Numai \u0163ine minte sfatul ce-\u0163i dau: \u00een c\u0103l\u0103toria ta ai s\u0103 ai trebuin\u0163\u0103 \u015fi de r\u0103i, \u015fi de buni, dar s\u0103 te fere\u015fti de omul ro\u015f, iar\u0103 mai ales de cel sp\u00e2n, c\u00e2t \u00eei putea; s\u0103 n-ai de-a face cu d\u00e2n\u015fii, c\u0103ci sunt foarte \u015fugube\u0163i. \u015ei, la toat\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplarea, calul, tovar\u0103\u015ful t\u0103u, te-a mai sf\u0103tui \u015fi el ce ai s\u0103 faci, c\u0103 de multe primejdii m-a sc\u0103pat \u015fi pe mine \u00een tinere\u0163ile mele! Na-\u0163i acum \u015fi pielea asta de urs, c\u0103 \u0163i-a prinde bine vreodat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi, dezmierd\u00e2nd calul, \u00eei mai s\u0103rut\u0103 de c\u00e2teva ori pe am\u00e2ndoi \u015fi le zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Merge\u0163i \u00een pace, dragii mei. De-acum \u00eenainte, Dumnezeu \u015ftie c\u00e2nd ne-om mai vedea!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul craiului atunci \u00eencalec\u0103, \u015fi calul, scutur\u00e2ndu-se, mai arat\u0103-se o dat\u0103 t\u00e2n\u0103r, cum \u00eei pl\u0103cea craiului, apoi face o s\u0103ritur\u0103 \u00eenapoi \u015fi una \u00eenainte \u015fi se cam mai duc la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, Dumnezeu s\u0103 ne \u0163ie, c\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul din poveste<\/a>, \u00eenainte mult mai este. \u015ei merg ei o zi, merg dou\u0103, \u015fi merg patruzeci \u015fi nou\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce de la o vreme le intr\u0103 calea \u00een codru \u015fi atunci numai iaca ce le iese \u00eenainte un om sp\u00e2n \u015fi zice cu \u00eendr\u0103zneal\u0103 fiului de crai:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun \u00eent\u00e2lni\u015ful, voinice! Nu ai trebuin\u0163\u0103 de slug\u0103 la drum? Prin locurile iestea e cam greu de c\u0103l\u0103torit singur; nu cumva s\u0103-\u0163i ias\u0103 vro dihanie ceva \u00eenainte \u015fi s\u0103-\u0163i scurteze c\u0103r\u0103rile. Eu cunosc bine pe-aici, \u015fi poate mai \u00eencolo s\u0103 ai nevoie de unul ca mine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poate s\u0103 am, poate s\u0103 n-am, zise fiul craiului, uit\u00e2ndu-se \u0163int\u0103 \u00een ochii Sp\u00e2nului, dar acum deodat\u0103 m\u0103 las \u00een voia \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rii, \u015fi apoi, d\u00e2nd pinteni calului, porne\u015fte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai merge el \u00eenainte prin codru c\u00e2t merge, \u015fi, la o str\u00e2mtoare, numai iaca ce Sp\u00e2nul iar \u00eei iese \u00eenainte, pref\u0103cut \u00een alte straie, \u015fi zice cu glas sub\u0163iratic \u015fi necunoscut:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 calea, drume\u0163ule!, Bun\u0103 s\u0103-\u0163i fie inima, cum \u0163i-i c\u0103ut\u0103tura, zise fiul craiului., C\u00e2t despre inima mea, s-o dea Dumnezeu oricui, zise Sp\u00e2nul oft\u00e2nd\u2026 Numai ce folos? Omul bun n-are noroc; asta-i \u015ftiut\u0103; rogu-te, s\u0103 nu-\u0163i fie cu sup\u0103rare, drume\u0163ule, dar fiindc\u0103 a venit vorba de-a\u015fa, \u00ee\u0163i spun, ca la un frate, c\u0103 din cruda copil\u0103rie slujesc prin str\u0103ini, \u015fi \u00eencaltea nu mi-ar fi ciud\u0103, c\u00e2nd n-a\u015f vra s\u0103 m\u0103 dau la treab\u0103, c\u0103ci cu munca m-am trezit. Dar a\u015fa, muncesc, muncesc, \u015fi nu s-alege nimica de mine; pentru c\u0103 tot de st\u0103p\u00e2ni calici mi-am avut parte. \u015ei vorba ceea: La calic sluje\u015fti, calic r\u0103m\u00e2i. C\u00e2nd a\u015f da odat\u0103 peste un st\u0103p\u00e2n cum g\u00e2ndesc eu, n-a\u015f \u015fti ce s\u0103 fac s\u0103 nu-l smintesc. Nu cumva ai trebuin\u0163\u0103 de slug\u0103, voinice? Cum te v\u0103d, sameni a avea seu la r\u0103runchi. De ce te scumpe\u015fti pentru nimica toat\u0103 \u015fi nu-\u0163i iei o slug\u0103 vrednic\u0103, ca s\u0103-\u0163i fie m\u00e2n\u0103 de ajutor la drum? Locurile aiestea sunt \u015fugube\u0163e; de unde \u015ftii cum vine \u00eent\u00e2mplarea, \u015fi, Doamne fere\u015fte, s\u0103 nu-\u0163i cad\u0103 greu singur.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum deodat\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 tot nu, zise fiul craiului cu m\u00e2na pe buzdugan; m-oi mai sluji \u015fi eu singur, cum oi putea, \u015fi d\u00e2nd iar pinteni calului, porne\u015fte mai repede.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei merg\u00e2nd el tot \u00eenainte prin codri \u00eentuneco\u015fi, de la un loc se \u00eenchide calea \u015fi \u00eencep a i se \u00eencurca c\u0103r\u0103rile, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu se mai pricepe fiul craiului acum \u00eencotro s\u0103 apuce \u015fi pe unde s\u0103 mearg\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ptiu, drace! iaca \u00een ce \u00eencurc\u0103tur\u0103 am intrat! Asta-i mai r\u0103u dec\u00e2t poftim la mas\u0103, zise el. Nici tu sat, nici tu t\u00e2rg, nici tu nimica. De ce mergi \u00eenainte, numai peste pustiet\u0103\u0163i dai; parc\u0103 a pierit s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163a omeneasc\u0103 de pe fa\u0163a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului. \u00cemi pare r\u0103u c\u0103 n-am luat m\u0103car sp\u00e2nul cel de-al doilea cu mine. Dac\u0103 s-a aruncat \u00een partea m\u00e2ne-sa, ce-i vinovat el? Tata a\u015fa a zis, \u00eens\u0103 la mare nevoie ce-i de f\u0103cut? vorba ceea: R\u0103u-i cu r\u0103u, dar e mai r\u0103u f\u0103r\u2019 de r\u0103u. \u015ei tot horh\u0103ind el c\u00e2nd pe o c\u0103rare, c\u00e2nd pe un drum p\u0103r\u0103sit, numai iaca ce iar \u00eei iese Sp\u00e2nul \u00eenainte, \u00eembr\u0103cat altfel \u015fi c\u0103lare pe un cal frumos, \u015fi, pref\u0103c\u00e2ndu-\u015fi glasul, \u00eencepe a c\u0103ina pe fiul craiului, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103rmane omule, r\u0103u drum ai apucat! Se vede c\u0103 e\u015fti str\u0103in \u015fi nu cuno\u015fti locurile pe aici. Ai avut mare noroc de mine, de n-ai apucat a cobor\u00ee priporul ista, c\u0103 erai pr\u0103p\u0103dit. Ia, colo devale, \u00een \u00eenfund\u0103tura ceea, un taur grozav la mul\u0163i bezmetici le-a curmat zilele. \u015ei eu, mai deun\u0103zi, c\u00e2t m\u0103 vezi de voinic, de-abia am sc\u0103pat de d\u00e2nsul, ca prin urechile acului. \u00centoarce-te \u00eenapoi, ori, dac\u0103 ai de dus \u00eenainte, ia-\u0163i un ajutor pe cineva. Chiar \u015fi eu m-a\u015f tocmi la d-ta, dac\u0103 \u0163i-a fi cu pl\u0103cere.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa ar trebui s\u0103 urmez, om bun, zise fiul craiului, dar \u0163i-oi spune drept: tata mi-a dat \u00een grij\u0103, c\u00e2nd am pornit de-acas\u0103, ca s\u0103 m\u0103 feresc de omul ro\u015f, iar\u0103 mai ales de cel sp\u00e2n, c\u00e2t oi putea; s\u0103 n-am de a face cu d\u00e2n\u015fii nici \u00een clin, nici \u00een m\u00eenec\u0103; \u015fi dac\u0103 n-ai fi sp\u00e2n, bucuros te-a\u015f tocmi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei, hei! c\u0103l\u0103torule. Dac\u0103 \u0163i-i vorba de-a\u015fa, ai s\u0103-\u0163i rupi ciochinele umbl\u00e2nd \u015fi tot n-ai s\u0103 g\u0103se\u015fti slug\u0103 cum cau\u0163i d-ta, c\u0103 pe-aici sunt numai oameni sp\u00e2ni. \u015e-apoi, c\u00e2nd este la adic\u0103lea, te-a\u015f \u00eentreba: ca\u2019 ce fel de z\u0103ticneal\u0103 ai putea s\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mpini din pricina asta? Pesemne n-ai auzit vorba ceea: c\u0103 de p\u0103r \u015fi de coate-goale nu se pl\u00e2nge nimene. \u015ei c\u00e2nd nu sunt ochi negri, s\u0103ru\u0163i \u015fi alba\u015ftri! A\u015fa \u015fi d-ta: mul\u0163ume\u015fte lui Dumnezeu c\u0103 m-ai g\u0103sit \u015fi tocme\u015fte-m\u0103. \u015ei dac\u0103-i apuca odat\u0103 a te deprinde cu mine, \u015ftiu bine c\u0103 n-am s\u0103 pot sc\u0103pa u\u015for de d-ta, c\u0103ci a\u015fa sunt eu \u00een felul meu, \u015ftiu una \u015fi bun\u0103: s\u0103-mi slujesc st\u0103p\u00e2nul cu dreptate. Hai, nu mai sta la \u00eendoial\u0103, c\u0103 m\u0103 tem s\u0103 nu ne-apuce noaptea pe aici. \u015ei c\u00e2nd ai avea \u00eencaltea un cal bun, calea-valea, dar cu sm\u00e2r\u0163ogul ista \u00ee\u0163i duc vergile.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi d\u0103, Sp\u00e2nule, nu \u015ftiu cum s\u0103 fac, zise fiul craiului. Din copil\u0103ria mea sunt deprins a asculta de tat\u0103 \u015fi, tocmindu-te pe tine, parc\u0103-mi vine nu \u015ftiu cum. Dar, fiindc\u0103 mi-au mai ie\u015fit p\u00e2n\u0103 acum \u00eenainte \u00eenc\u0103 doi sp\u00e2ni, \u015fi cu tine al treilea, apoi mai-mi vine a crede c\u0103 asta-i \u0163ara sp\u00e2nilor \u015fi n-am \u00eencotro; mort-copt, trebuie s\u0103 te iau cu mine, dac\u0103 zici c\u0103 \u015ftii bine locurile pe aici.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, din dou\u0103 vorbe, fiul craiului \u00eel tocme\u015fte \u015fi dup\u0103 aceea pornesc \u00eempreun\u0103 s\u0103 ias\u0103 la drum, pe unde arat\u0103 Sp\u00e2nul. \u015ei merg\u00e2nd ei o bucat\u0103 bun\u0103, Sp\u00e2nul se preface c\u0103-i e sete \u015fi cere plosca cu ap\u0103 de la st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u. Fiul craiului i-o d\u0103, \u015fi Sp\u00e2nul, cum o pune la gur\u0103, pe loc o \u015fi ia, o\u0163\u0103r\u00e2ndu-se, \u015fi vars\u0103 toat\u0103 apa dintr-\u00eensa. Fiul craiului zice atunci sup\u0103rat:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar bine, Sp\u00e2nule, de ce te apuci? Nu vezi c\u0103 pe aici e mare lips\u0103 de ap\u0103? \u015ei pe ar\u015fi\u0163a asta o s\u0103 ne usc\u0103m de sete.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 avem iertare, st\u0103p\u00e2ne! Apa era b\u00e2hlit\u0103 \u015fi ne-am fi putut boln\u0103vi. C\u00e2t despre apa bun\u0103, nu v\u0103 \u00eengriji\u0163i; acu\u015f avem s\u0103 d\u0103m peste o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 cu ap\u0103 dulce \u015fi rece ca ghea\u0163a. Acolo vom poposi pu\u0163in, oi cl\u0103t\u0103ri plosca bine \u015f-oi umple-o cu ap\u0103 proasp\u0103t\u0103, ca s\u0103 avem la drum, c\u0103ci mai \u00eencolo nu prea sunt f\u00e2nt\u00e2ni, \u015fi, din partea apei, mi se pare c\u0103 i-om duce dorul. \u015ei c\u00e2rnind pe o c\u0103rare, mai merg ei oleac\u0103 \u00eenainte, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajung \u00eentr-o poian\u0103 \u015fi numai iaca ce dau de o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 cu ghizdele de stejar \u015fi cu un capac deschis \u00een l\u0103turi. F\u00e2nt\u00e2na era ad\u00e2nc\u0103 \u015fi nu avea nici roat\u0103, nici cump\u00e2n\u0103, ci numai o scar\u0103 de cobor\u00e2t p\u00e2n\u0103 la ap\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei! Sp\u00e2nule, acum s\u0103 te v\u0103d c\u00e2t e\u015fti de vrednic, zise fiul craiului. Sp\u00e2nul atunci z\u00e2mbe\u015fte pu\u0163in \u015fi, cobor\u00e2ndu-se \u00een f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, umple \u00eent\u00e2i plosca \u015fi o pune la \u015fold. Apoi, mai st\u00e2nd acolo \u00een fund pe scar\u0103, aproape de fa\u0163a apei, zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, da\u2019 ce r\u0103coare-i aici! “Chima r\u0103ului pe malul p\u00e2r\u0103ului!” \u00cemi vine s\u0103 nu mai ies afar\u0103. Dumnezeu s\u0103 u\u015fureze p\u0103catele celui cu f\u00e2nt\u00e2na, c\u0103 bun lucru a mai f\u0103cut. Pe ar\u015fi\u0163ele ieste, o r\u0103coreal\u0103 ca asta mult pl\u0103te\u015fte!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai \u015fede el acolo pu\u0163in \u015fi apoi iese afar\u0103, zic\u00e2nd:, Doamne, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, nu \u015ftii c\u00e2t m\u0103 sim\u0163esc de u\u015for; parc\u0103 \u00eemi vine s\u0103 zbor, nu alt\u0103ceva! Ia v\u00e2r\u0103-te \u015fi d-ta oleac\u0103, s\u0103 vezi cum ai s\u0103 te r\u0103core\u015fti; a\u015fa are s\u0103-\u0163i vin\u0103 de \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103 dup\u0103 asta, de are s\u0103 \u0163i se par\u0103 c\u0103 e\u015fti u\u015for cum \u00eei pana\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul craiului, boboc \u00een felul s\u0103u la trebi de aieste, se potrive\u015fte Sp\u00e2nului \u015fi se bag\u0103 \u00een f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-i tr\u0103sneasc\u0103 prin minte ce i se poate \u00eent\u00e2mpla. \u015ei cum sta \u015fi el acolo de se r\u0103corea, Sp\u00e2nul face tranc! capacul pe gura f\u00e2nt\u00e2nii, apoi se suie deasupra lui \u015fi zice cu glas r\u0103ut\u0103cios:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Alelei! fecior de om viclean ce te g\u0103se\u015fti; tocmai de ceea ce te-ai p\u0103zit n-ai sc\u0103pat. Ei, c\u0103 bine mi te-am c\u0103ptu\u015fit! Acum s\u0103-mi spui tu cine e\u015fti, de unde vii \u015fi \u00eencotro te duci, c\u0103, de nu, acolo \u00ee\u0163i putrezesc ciolanele!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul craiului ce era s\u0103 fac\u0103? \u00cei spune cu de-am\u0103nuntul, c\u0103ci, d\u0103, care om nu \u0163ine la via\u0163\u0103 \u00eenainte de toate?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, at\u00e2ta am vrut s\u0103 aflu din gura ta, pui de viper\u0103 ce mi-ai fost, zice atunci Sp\u00e2nul: numai cat\u0103 s\u0103 fie a\u015fa, c\u0103, de te-oi prinde cu oca mic\u0103, greu are s\u0103-\u0163i cad\u0103. Chiar acum a\u015f putea s\u0103 te omor, \u00een voia cea bun\u0103, dar mi-i mil\u0103 de tinere\u0163ile tale\u2026 Dac\u0103 vrei s\u0103 mai vezi soarele cu ochii \u015fi s\u0103 mai calci pe iarb\u0103 verde, atunci jur\u0103-mi-te pe ascu\u0163i\u015ful palo\u015fului t\u0103u c\u0103 mi-i da ascultare \u015fi supunere \u00eentru toate, chiar \u015fi-n foc de \u0163i-a\u015f zice s\u0103 te arunci. \u015ei, de azi \u00eenainte, eu o s\u0103 fiu \u00een locul t\u0103u nepotul \u00eemp\u0103ratului, despre care mi-ai vorbit, iar\u0103 tu, sluga mea; \u015fi at\u00e2ta vreme s\u0103 ai a m\u0103 sluji, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eei muri \u015fi iar \u00eei \u00eenvia. \u015ei oriunde vei merge cu mine, nu care cumva s\u0103 ble\u015fte\u015fti din gur\u0103 c\u0103tre cineva despre ceea ce a urmat \u00eentre noi, c\u0103 te-am \u015fters de pe fa\u0163a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului. \u00ce\u0163i place a\u015fa s\u0103 mai tr\u0103ie\u015fti, bine-de-bine; iar\u0103 de nu, spune-mi verde \u00een ochi, ca s\u0103 \u015ftiu ce leac trebuie s\u0103-\u0163i fac\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fiul craiului, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se prins \u00een cle\u015fte \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 nici o putere, \u00eei jur\u0103 credin\u0163\u0103 \u015fi supunere \u00eentru toate, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-se \u00een \u015ftirea lui Dumnezeu, cum a vrea el s\u0103 fac\u0103. Atunci Sp\u00e2nul pune m\u00e2na pe cartea, pe banii \u015fi pe armele fiului de crai \u015fi le ia la sine; apoi \u00eel scoate din f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi-i d\u0103 palo\u015ful s\u0103-l s\u0103rute, ca semn de pecetluire a jur\u0103m\u00e2ntului, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De-acum \u00eenainte s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 te cheam\u0103 Harap-Alb; aista \u0163i-i numele, \u015fi altul nu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceasta \u00eencalec\u0103, fiecare pe calul s\u0103u, \u015fi pornesc, Sp\u00e2nul \u00eenainte, ca st\u0103p\u00e2n, Harap-Alb \u00een urm\u0103, ca slug\u0103, merg\u00e2nd spre \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, Dumnezeu s\u0103 ne \u0163ie, c\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul din poveste, \u00eenainte mult mai este.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei merg ei, \u015fi merg, cale lung\u0103 s\u0103 le-ajung\u0103, trec\u00e2nd peste nou\u0103 m\u0103ri, peste nou\u0103 \u0163\u0103ri \u015fi peste nou\u0103 ape mari, \u015fi \u00eentr-o t\u00e2rzie vreme ajung la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum ajung, Sp\u00e2nul se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenaintea \u00eemp\u0103ratului cu carte din partea craiului. \u015ei \u00eemp\u0103ratul Verde, citind cartea, arde de bucurie c\u0103 i-a venit nepotul, \u015fi pe dat\u0103 \u00eel \u015fi face cunoscut cur\u0163ii \u015fi fetelor sale, care \u00eel primesc cu toat\u0103 cinstea cuvenit\u0103 unui fiu de crai \u015fi mo\u015ftenitor al \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Sp\u00e2nul, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 i s-au prins minciunile de bine, cheam\u0103 la sine pe Harap-Alb \u015fi-i zice cu asprime:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu s\u0103 \u015fezi la grajd nedezlipit \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eengrije\u015fti de calul meu ca de ochii din cap, c\u0103 de-oi veni pe-acolo \u015fi n-oi g\u0103si trebile f\u0103cute dup\u0103 plac, vai de pielea ta are s\u0103 fie. Dar p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci, na-\u0163i o palm\u0103, ca s\u0103 \u0163ii minte ce \u0163i-am spus. Bagat-ai \u00een cap vorbele mele?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, zise Harap-Alb, l\u0103s\u00e2nd ochii \u00een jos. \u015ei, ie\u015find, porne\u015fte la grajd. Cu asta a voit Sp\u00e2nul s\u0103-\u015fi arate arama \u015fi s\u0103 fac\u0103 pe HarapAlb ca s\u0103-i ia \u015fi mai mult frica.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u00e2ndu-se de fa\u0163\u0103 c\u00e2nd a lovit Sp\u00e2nul pe Harap-Alb, li s-a f\u0103cut mil\u0103 de d\u00e2nsul \u015fi au zis Sp\u00e2nului cu bini\u015forul:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vere, nu faci bine ceea ce faci. Dac\u0103 este c\u0103 a l\u0103sat Dumnezeu s\u0103 fim mari peste al\u0163ii, ar trebui s\u0103 avem mil\u0103 de d\u00e2n\u015fii, c\u0103 \u015fi ei, s\u0103rmanii, sunt oameni!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei, dragele mele vere, zice Sp\u00e2nul cu viclenia lui obicinuit\u0103; d-voastr\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 nu \u015fti\u0163i ce-i pe lume. Dac\u0103 dobitoacele n-ar fi fost \u00eenfr\u00e2nate, de demult ar fi sf\u00e2\u015fiat pe om. \u015ei trebuie s\u0103 \u015fti\u0163i c\u0103 \u015fi \u00eentre oameni cea mai mare parte sunt dobitoace, care trebuiesc \u0163inu\u0163i din fr\u00e2u, dac\u0103 \u0163i-i voia s\u0103 faci treab\u0103 cu d\u00e2n\u015fii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei, apoi\u2026 zi c\u0103 nu-i lumea de-apoi! S\u0103 te fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu c\u00e2nd prinde m\u0103m\u0103liga coaj\u0103. Vorba ceea:<\/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\u00a0D\u0103-mi, Doamne, ce n-am avut,<\/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\u0103 m\u0103 mier ce m-a g\u0103sit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele atunci au luat alt\u0103 vorb\u0103, dar din inima lor nu s-a \u015fters purtarea necuviincioas\u0103 a Sp\u00e2nului, cu toate \u00eendrept\u0103rile \u015fi \u00eenrudirea lui, pentru c\u0103 bun\u0103tatea nu are de-a face cu r\u0103utatea. Vorba ceea:<\/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\u00a0Vi\u0163a-de-vie, tot \u00een vie,<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 vi\u0163a-de-boz, tot r\u0103goz.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei din ceasul acela au \u00eenceput a vorbi ele \u00eende ele, c\u0103 Sp\u00e2nul defel nu sam\u0103n\u0103 \u00een partea lor, nici la chip, nici la bun\u0103tate; \u015fi c\u0103 Harap-Alb, sluga lui, are o \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fare mult mai pl\u0103cut\u0103 \u015fi seam\u0103n\u0103 a fi mult mai omenos. Pesemne inima le spunea c\u0103 Sp\u00e2nul nu le este v\u0103r, \u015fi de aceea nu-l puteau mistui. A\u015fa \u00eel ur\u00e2se ele de tare acum, c\u0103, dac\u0103 ar fi fost \u00een banii lor, s-ar fi lep\u0103dat de Sp\u00e2n ca de Ucig\u0103-l-crucea. Dar nu aveau ce se face de \u00eemp\u0103ratul, ca s\u0103 nu-i aduc\u0103 sup\u0103rare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Amu, \u00eentr-una din zile, cum \u015fedea Sp\u00e2nul la osp\u0103\u0163 \u00eempreun\u0103 cu mo\u015fu-s\u0103u, cu verele sale \u015fi cu al\u0163ii, c\u00e2\u0163i se \u00eent\u00e2mplase, li s-au adus mai la urm\u0103 \u00een mas\u0103 \u015fi ni\u015fte s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i foarte minunate. Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul zice Sp\u00e2nului:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nepoate, mai m\u00e2ncat-ai s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i de aceste de c\u00e2nd e\u015fti?, Ba nu, mo\u015fule, zice Sp\u00e2nul; tocmai eram s\u0103 v\u0103 \u00eentreb de unde le ave\u0163i, c\u0103 tare-s bune! O haraba \u00eentreag\u0103 a\u015f fi \u00een stare s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nc, \u015fi parc\u0103 tot nu m-a\u015f s\u0103tura.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Te crede mo\u015ful, nepoate, dar c\u00e2nd ai \u015fti cu ce greutate se cap\u0103t\u0103! pentru c\u0103 numai \u00een Gr\u0103dina Ursului, dac\u0103-i fi auzit de d\u00e2nsa, se afl\u0103 s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i de aceste, \u015fi mai rar om care s\u0103 poat\u0103 lua dintr-\u00eensele \u015fi s\u0103 scape cu via\u0163\u0103. \u00centre to\u0163i oamenii din \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia mea, numai un p\u0103durar se bizuie\u015fte la treaba asta. \u015ei acela, el \u015ftie ce face, ce drege, de-mi aduce din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd a\u015fa, c\u00e2te pu\u0163ine, de poft\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sp\u00e2nul, voind s\u0103 piard\u0103 acum pe Harap-Alb cu orice pre\u0163, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratului:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, mo\u015fule, de nu mi-a aduce sluga mea s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i de aceste \u015fi din piatra seac\u0103, mare lucru s\u0103 fie!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce vorbe\u015fti, nepoate! zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul; unul ca d\u00e2nsul, \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 necunosc\u0103tor de locurile acestea, cum crezi c\u0103 ar putea face aceast\u0103 slujb\u0103? Doar de \u0163i-i greu de via\u0163a lui.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u2019, mo\u015fule, nu-i duce grija; pun r\u0103m\u0103\u015fag c\u0103 are s\u0103-mi aduc\u0103 s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i \u00eentocmai ca aceste, \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 multe, c\u0103 \u015ftiu eu ce poate el.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-odat\u0103 cheam\u0103 Sp\u00e2nul pe Harap-Alb \u015fi-i zice r\u0103stit:, Acum degrab\u0103 s\u0103 te duci cum \u00eei \u015fti tu \u015fi s\u0103-mi aduci s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i de aceste din Gr\u0103dina Ursului. Hai, ie\u015fi repede \u015fi porne\u015fte, c\u0103 nu-i vreme de pierdut. Dar nu cumva s\u0103 faci de altfel, c\u0103 nici \u00een borta \u015foarecului nu e\u015fti sc\u0103pat de mine!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb iese m\u00e2hnit, se duce \u00een grajd \u015fi \u00eencepe a-\u015fi netezi calul pe coam\u0103, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, c\u0103lu\u0163ul meu, c\u00e2nd ai \u015fti tu \u00een ce necaz am intrat! Sf\u00e2nt s\u0103 fie rostul t\u0103t\u00e2ne-meu, c\u0103 bine m-a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at! A\u015fa-i c\u0103, dac\u0103 n-am \u0163inut seam\u0103 de vorbele lui, am ajuns slug\u0103 la d\u00e2rloag\u0103 \u015fi acum, vr\u00e2nd-nevr\u00e2nd, trebuie s-ascult, c\u0103 mi-i capul \u00een primejdie?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, zise atunci calul; de-acum \u00eenainte, ori cu capul de piatr\u0103, ori cu piatra de cap, tot at\u00e2ta-i: fii odat\u0103 b\u0103rbat \u015fi nu-\u0163i face voie rea. \u00cencalec\u0103 pe mine \u015fi hai! \u015etiu eu unde te-oi duce, \u015fi mare-i Dumnezeu, ne-a sc\u0103pa el \u015fi din aceasta!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb, mai prinz\u00e2nd oleac\u0103 la inim\u0103, \u00eencalec\u0103 \u015fi se las\u0103 \u00een voia calului, unde vrea el s\u0103-l duc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci calul porne\u015fte la pas, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce iese mai \u00eencolo, ca s\u0103 nu-i vad\u0103 nimene. Apoi \u00ee\u015fi arat\u0103 puterile sale, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, \u0163ine-te bine pe mine, c\u0103 am s\u0103 zbor lin ca v\u00e2ntul, s\u0103 cutreier\u0103m p\u0103m\u00e2ntul. Mare-i Dumnezeu \u015fi me\u015fteru-i dracul. Helbet! vom putea veni de hac \u015fi Sp\u00e2nului celuia, nu-i e vremea trecut\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei odat\u0103 zboar\u0103 calul cu Harap-Alb p\u00e2n\u0103 la nouri; apoi o ia de-a curmezi\u015ful p\u0103m\u00e2ntului: pe deasupra codrilor, peste v\u00e2rful mun\u0163ilor, peste apa m\u0103rilor \u015fi dup\u0103 aceea se las\u0103 \u00eencet- \u00eencet \u00eentr-un ostrov m\u00e2ndru din mijlocul unei m\u0103ri, l\u00e2ng\u0103 o c\u0103su\u0163\u0103 singuratic\u0103, pe care era crescut ni\u015fte mu\u015fchi pletos de o podin\u0103 de gros, moale ca m\u0103tasa \u015fi verde ca buraticul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb descalec\u0103, \u015fi spre mai mare mirarea lui, numai iaca \u00eel \u00eent\u00e2mpin\u0103 \u00een pragul u\u015fii cer\u015fetoarea c\u0103reia \u00eei d\u0103duse el un ban de poman\u0103, \u00eenainte de pornirea lui de acas\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, Harap-Alb, a\u015fa-i c\u0103 ai venit la vorbele mele, c\u0103 deal cu deal se ajunge, dar \u00eenc\u0103 om cu om? Afl\u0103 acum c\u0103 eu sunt Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 \u015fi \u015ftiu ce nevoie te-a adus pe la mine. Sp\u00e2nul vrea s\u0103-\u0163i r\u0103pun\u0103 capul cu orice chip \u015fi de-aceea te-a trimis s\u0103-i aduci s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i din Gr\u0103dina Ursului, dar i-or da ele odat\u0103 pe nas\u2026 R\u0103m\u00e2i aici \u00een ast\u0103-noapte, ca s\u0103 v\u0103d ce-i de f\u0103cut.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb r\u0103m\u00e2ne bucuros, mul\u0163umind Sfintei Duminici pentru buna g\u0103zduire \u015fi \u00eengrijirea ce are de el.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fii \u00eencredin\u0163at c\u0103 nu eu, ci puterea milosteniei \u015fi inima ta cea bun\u0103 te ajut\u0103, Harap-Alb, zice Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 ie\u015find \u015fi l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-l \u00een pace s\u0103 se lini\u015fteasc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum iese Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 afar\u0103, odat\u0103 \u015fi porne\u015fte descul\u0163\u0103 prin rou\u0103, de culege o poal\u0103 de somnoroas\u0103, pe care o fierbe la un loc cu o vadr\u0103 de lapte dulce \u015fi cu una de miere \u015fi apoi ia mursa aceea \u015fi iute se duce de o toarn\u0103 \u00een f\u00e2nt\u00e2na din Gr\u0103dina Ursului, care f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 era plin\u0103 cu ap\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la gur\u0103. \u015ei mai st\u00e2nd Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 oleac\u0103 \u00een preajma f\u00e2nt\u00e2nii, numai iaca ce vede c\u0103 vine ursul cu o falc\u0103 \u00een cer \u015fi cu una \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt, morn\u0103ind \u00eenfrico\u015fat. \u015ei cum ajunge la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, cum \u00eencepe a bea lacom la ap\u0103 \u015fi a-\u015fi linge buzele de dulcea\u0163a \u015fi bun\u0103tatea ei. \u015ei mai st\u0103 din b\u0103ut, \u015fi iar \u00eencepe a morn\u0103i; \u015fi iar mai bea c\u00e2te un r\u0103stimp, \u015fi iar morn\u0103ie\u015fte, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce, de la o vreme, \u00eencep a-i sl\u0103bi puterile \u015fi, cuprins de ame\u0163eal\u0103, pe loc cade jos \u015fi adoarme mort, de puteai s\u0103 tai lemne pe d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-l a\u015fa, \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 se duce \u015fi, de\u015ftept\u00e2nd pe Harap-Alb chiar \u00een miezul nop\u0163ii, \u00eei zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cembrac\u0103-te iute \u00een pielea cea de urs, care o ai de la tat\u0103- t\u0103u, apuc\u0103 pe ici tot \u00eenainte, \u015fi cum \u00eei ajunge \u00een r\u0103scrucile drumului, ai s\u0103 dai de Gr\u0103dina Ursului. Atunci sai repede \u00eenl\u0103untru de-\u0163i ia s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i \u00eentr-ales, \u015fi c\u00e2te-i vrea de multe, c\u0103ci pe urs l-am pus eu la cale. Dar, la toat\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplarea, de-i vedea \u015fi-i vedea c\u0103 s-a trezit \u015fi n\u0103v\u0103le\u015fte la tine, zv\u00e2rle-i pielea cea de urs \u015fi apoi fugi \u00eencoace spre mine c\u00e2t \u00eei putea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb face cum \u00eei zice Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103. \u015ei cum ajunge \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103, odat\u0103 \u00eencepe a smulge la s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i \u00eentr-ales \u015fi leag\u0103 o sarcin\u0103 mare, mare, c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 n-o poat\u0103 ridica \u00een spinare. \u015ei c\u00e2nd s\u0103 ias\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsa din gr\u0103din\u0103, iaca ursul se treze\u015fte, \u015fi dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul, Gavrile! Harap-Alb, dac\u0103 vede reaua, i-arunc\u0103 pielea cea de urs, \u015fi apoi fuge c\u00e2t ce poate cu sarcina \u00een spate, tot \u00eenainte la Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103, sc\u0103p\u00e2nd cu obraz curat.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceasta, Harap-Alb, mul\u0163umind Sfintei Duminici pentru binele ce i-a f\u0103cut, \u00eei s\u0103rut\u0103 m\u00e2na, apoi \u00ee\u015fi ia s\u0103l\u0103\u0163ile \u015fi, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u00e2nd, porne\u015fte spre \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, Dumnezeu s\u0103 ne \u0163ie, c\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul din poveste, \u00eenainte mult mai este.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei merg\u00e2nd tot cum s-a dus, de la o vreme ajunge la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie \u015fi d\u0103 s\u0103l\u0103\u0163ile \u00een m\u00e2na Sp\u00e2nului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u015fi fetele sale, v\u0103z\u00e2nd aceasta, le-a fost de-a mirarea. Atunci Sp\u00e2nul zice \u00eeng\u00e2mfat:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, mo\u015fule, ce mai zici?, Ce s\u0103 zic, nepoate? Ia, c\u00e2nd a\u015f av\u00e9 eu o slug\u0103 ca aceasta, nu i-a\u015f trece pe dinainte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-apoi de ce mi l-a dat tata de-acas\u0103? numai de vrednicia lui, zise Sp\u00e2nul; c\u0103ci altfel nu-l mai luam dup\u0103 mine, ca s\u0103-mi \u00eencurce zilele.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La vro c\u00e2teva zile dup\u0103 aceasta, \u00eemp\u0103ratul arat\u0103 Sp\u00e2nului ni\u015fte pietre scumpe, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nepoate, mai v\u0103zut-ai pietre nestemate a\u015fa de mari \u015fi frumoase ca acestea de c\u00e2nd e\u015fti?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am v\u0103zut eu, mo\u015fule, felurite pietre scumpe, dar ca aceste, drept s\u0103-\u0163i spun, n-am v\u0103zut. Oare pe unde se pot g\u0103si a\u015fa pietre?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pe unde s\u0103 se g\u0103seasc\u0103, nepoate! Ia, \u00een P\u0103durea Cerbului. \u015ei cerbul acela este b\u0103tut tot cu pietre scumpe, mult mai mari \u015fi mai frumoase dec\u00e2t aceste. Mai \u00eent\u00e2i, cic\u0103 are una \u00een frunte, de str\u0103luce\u015fte ca soarele. Dar nu se poate apropia nimene de cerb, c\u0103ci este solomonit \u015fi nici un fel de arm\u0103 nu-l prinde; \u00eens\u0103 el, pe care l-a z\u0103ri, nu mai scap\u0103 cu via\u0163\u0103. De-aceea fuge lumea de d\u00e2nsul de-\u015fi scoate ochii; \u015fi nu numai at\u00e2ta, dar chiar c\u00e2nd se uit\u0103 la cineva, fie om sau orice dihanie a fi, pe loc r\u0103m\u00e2ne moart\u0103. \u015ei cic\u0103 o mul\u0163ime de oameni \u015fi de s\u0103lb\u0103t\u0103ciuni zac f\u0103r\u0103 suflare \u00een p\u0103durea lui numai din ast\u0103 pricin\u0103: se vede c\u0103 este solomonit, \u00eentors de la \u0163\u00e2\u0163\u0103, sau dracul mai \u015ftie ce are de-i a\u015fa de primejdios. Dar cu toate aceste, trebuie s\u0103 \u015ftii, nepoate, c\u0103 unii oameni \u00ees mai al dracului dec\u00e2t dracul; nu se ast\u00e2mp\u0103r\u0103 nici \u00een ruptul capului; m\u0103car c\u0103 au p\u0103\u0163it multe, tot cearc\u0103 prin p\u0103durea lui, s\u0103 vad\u0103, nu l-or putea g\u0103bui cumva? \u015ei care dintre ei are \u00eendr\u0103zneala mare \u015fi noroc \u015fi mai mare, umbl\u00e2nd pe acolo, g\u0103se\u015fte din \u00eent\u00e2mplare c\u00e2te o piatr\u0103 de aceste, picat\u0103 de pe cerb, c\u00e2nd se scutur\u0103 el la \u015fapte ani o dat\u0103, \u015fi apoi aceluia om nu-i trebuie alt\u0103 negustorie mai bun\u0103. Aduce piatra la mine \u015fi i-o pl\u0103tesc c\u00e2t nu face; ba \u00eenc\u0103 sunt bucuros c\u0103 o pot c\u0103p\u0103ta. \u015ei afl\u0103, nepoate, c\u0103 asemene pietre fac podoaba \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei mele, nu se g\u0103sesc altele mai mari \u015fi mai frumoase dec\u00e2t aceste la nici o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, \u015fi de-aceea s-a dus vestea despre ele \u00een toat\u0103 lumea. Mul\u0163i \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi crai \u00eenadins vin s\u0103 le vad\u0103, \u015fi li-i de-a mirarea de unde le am.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, mo\u015fule! zise atunci Sp\u00e2nul; s\u0103 nu te superi, dar nu \u015ftiu ce fel de oameni frico\u015fi ave\u0163i pe aici. Eu pun r\u0103m\u0103\u015fag pe ce vrei c\u0103 sluga mea are s\u0103-mi aduc\u0103 pielea cerbului aceluia, cu cap cu tot, a\u015fa \u00eempodobit cum este.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-odat\u0103 cheam\u0103 Sp\u00e2nul pe Harap-Alb \u015fi-i zice:, Du-te \u00een P\u0103durea Cerbului, cum \u00eei \u015fti tu, \u015fi m\u0103car f\u0103 pe dracul \u00een patru, sau orice-i face, dar numaidec\u00e2t s\u0103-mi aduci pielea cerbului, cu cap cu tot, a\u015fa b\u0103tute cu pietre scumpe, cum se g\u0103sesc. \u015ei doar te-a \u00eempinge p\u0103catul s\u0103 clinte\u015fti vreo piatr\u0103 din locul s\u0103u, iar\u0103 mai ales acea mare din fruntea cerbului, c-apoi at\u00e2ta \u0163i-i leacul! Hai, porne\u015fte iute, c\u0103 nu-i vreme de pierdut!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb vede el bine unde merge treaba, c\u0103 doar nu era din butuci; dar neav\u00e2nd \u00eencotro, iese m\u00e2hnit, se duce iar \u00een grajd la cal \u015fi, netezindu-l pe coam\u0103, \u00eei zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dragul meu c\u0103lu\u0163, la grea belea m-a v\u00e2r\u00e2t iar Sp\u00e2nul! De-oi mai sc\u0103pa \u015fi din asta cu via\u0163\u0103, apoi tot mai am zile de tr\u0103it. Dar nu \u015ftiu, z\u0103u, la c\u00e2t mi-a sta norocul!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-i nimica, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, zise calul. Capul de-ar fi s\u0103n\u0103tos, c\u0103 belelele curg g\u00e2rl\u0103. Poate ai primit porunc\u0103 s\u0103 jupe\u015fti piatra morii \u015fi s\u0103 duci pielea la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu, c\u0103lu\u0163ul meu; alta \u015fi mai \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u0103, zise Harap- Alb.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vorb\u0103 s\u0103 fie, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, c\u0103 tocmeala-i gata, zise calul. Nu te teme, \u015ftiu eu n\u0103zdr\u0103v\u0103nii de ale Sp\u00e2nului; \u015fi s\u0103 fi vrut, de demult i-a\u015f fi f\u0103cut pe obraz, dar las\u0103-l s\u0103-\u015fi mai joace calul. Ce g\u00e2nde\u015fti? \u015ei unii ca ace\u015ftia sunt trebuitori pe lume c\u00e2teodat\u0103, pentru c\u0103 fac pe oameni s\u0103 prind\u0103 la minte\u2026 Zi \u015fi d-ta c\u0103 ai avut s\u0103 tragi un p\u0103cat str\u0103mo\u015fesc. Vorba ceea: “P\u0103rin\u0163ii m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 agurid\u0103, \u015fi fiilor li se strepezesc din\u0163ii”. Hai, nu mai sta la g\u00e2nduri; \u00eencalec\u0103 pe mine \u015fi pune-\u0163i n\u0103dejdea \u00een Dumnezeu, c\u0103 mare-i puterea Lui; nu ne-a l\u0103sa el s\u0103 suferim \u00eendelung. Cum vrei. “Ce-i e scris omului \u00een frunte-i e pus.” Doar\u2019 mare-i Cel-de-sus! S-or sf\u00e2r\u015fi ele \u015fi aceste de la o vreme\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb atunci \u00eencalec\u0103, \u015fi calul porne\u015fte la pas, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce iese mai \u00eencolo departe, ca s\u0103 nu-i ia lumea la ochi. \u015ei apoi, \u00eencord\u00e2ndu-se \u015fi scutur\u00e2ndu-se o dat\u0103 voinice\u015fte, iar\u0103-\u015fi arat\u0103 puterile, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ine-te zdrav\u0103n, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, c\u0103 iar am s\u0103 zbor:<\/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\u00cen \u00eenaltul cerului,<\/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\u00a0V\u0103zduhul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului;<\/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 deasupra codrilor,<\/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\u00a0Peste v\u00e2rful mun\u0163ilor,<\/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\u00a0Prin cea\u0163a m\u0103gurilor,<\/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\u00a0Spre noianul m\u0103rilor,<\/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\u00a0La cr\u0103iasa z\u00e2nelor,<\/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\u00a0Minunea minunilor,<\/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\u00a0Din ostrovul florilor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei zic\u00e2nd aceste, odat\u0103 \u015fi zboar\u0103 cu Harap-Alb<\/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\u00cen \u00eenaltul cerului,<\/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\u00a0V\u0103zduhul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului;<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015fi o ia de-a curmezi\u015f:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De la nouri c\u0103tre soare,<\/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\u00a0Printre lun\u0103 \u015fi luceferi,<\/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\u00a0Stele m\u00e2ndre lucitoare,<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015fi apoi se las\u0103 lin ca v\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\u00a0\u00cen ostrovul florilor,<\/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\u00a0La cr\u0103iasa z\u00e2nelor,<\/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\u00a0Minunea minunilor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei c\u00e2nd v\u00e2ntul a aburit, iaca \u015fi ei la Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 iar au sosit. Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 era acas\u0103 \u015fi, cum a v\u0103zut pe Harap-Alb poposind la u\u015fa ei, pe loc l-a \u00eent\u00e2mpinat \u015fi i-a zis cu bl\u00e2nde\u0163e:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, Harap-Alb, a\u015fa-i c\u0103 iar te-a ajuns nevoia de mine?, A\u015fa este, m\u0103icu\u0163\u0103, r\u0103spunse Harap-Alb, cufundat \u00een g\u00e2nduri \u015fi galben la fa\u0163\u0103, de parc\u0103-i luase p\u00e2nza de pe obraz. Sp\u00e2nul vrea s\u0103-mi r\u0103pun\u0103 capul cu orice pre\u0163. \u015ei de-a\u015f muri mai degrab\u0103, s\u0103 scap odat\u0103 de zbucium: dec\u00e2t a\u015fa via\u0163\u0103, mai bine moarte de o mie de ori!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai de mine \u015fi de mine, Harap-Alb, zise Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103; parc\u0103 nu te-a\u015f fi crezut a\u015fa slab de \u00eenger, dar, dup\u0103 c\u00e2t v\u0103d, e\u015fti mai fricos dec\u00e2t o femeie! Hai, nu mai sta ca o g\u0103in\u0103 plouat\u0103! r\u0103m\u00e2i la mine \u00een ast\u0103 noapte \u015fi \u0163i-oi da eu vrun ajutor. Mare-i Dumnezeu! N-a mai fi el dup\u0103 g\u00e2ndul Sp\u00e2nului. \u00cens\u0103 mai rabd\u0103 \u015fi tu, f\u0103tul meu, c\u0103 mult ai avut de r\u0103bdat \u015fi pu\u0163in mai ai. P\u00e2n-acum \u0163i-a fost mai greu, dar de-acum \u00eenainte tot a\u015fa are s\u0103-\u0163i fie, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce-i ie\u015fi din slujba Sp\u00e2nului, de la care ai s\u0103 tragi \u00eenc\u0103 multe necazuri, dar ai s\u0103 scapi din toate cu capul teaf\u0103r, pentru c\u0103 norocul te ajut\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poate a\u015fa s\u0103 fie, m\u0103icu\u0163\u0103, zise Harap-Alb, dar prea multe s-au \u00eengr\u0103m\u0103dit deodat\u0103 pe capul meu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2te a dat Dumnezeu, Harap-Alb, zise Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103; a\u015fa a trebuit s\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2mple, \u015fi n-ai cui b\u0103nui: pentru c\u0103 nu-i dup\u0103 cum g\u00e2nde\u015fte omul, ci-i dup\u0103 cum vrea Domnul. C\u00e2nd vei ajunge \u015fi tu odat\u0103 mare \u015fi tare, \u00eei c\u0103uta s\u0103 judeci lucrurile de-a fir-a-p\u0103r \u015fi vei crede celor asupri\u0163i \u015fi nec\u0103ji\u0163i, pentru c\u0103 \u015ftii acum ce e necazul. Dar p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci, mai rabd\u0103, HarapAlb, c\u0103ci cu r\u0103bdarea \u00eei frigi pielea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb, nemaiav\u00e2nd ce zice, mul\u0163ume\u015fte lui Dumnezeu, \u015fi de bine, \u015fi de r\u0103u, \u015fi Sfintei Duminici pentru buna g\u0103zduire \u015fi ajutorul f\u0103g\u0103duit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, acum mai vii de-acas\u0103, f\u0103tul meu! Zic\u0103 cine-a zice \u015fi cum a vrea s\u0103 zic\u0103, dar c\u00e2nd este s\u0103 dai peste p\u0103cat, dac\u0103-i \u00eenainte, te sile\u015fti s\u0103-l ajungi, iar dac\u0103-i \u00een urm\u0103, stai \u015fi-l a\u015ftep\u0163i. M\u0103 rog, ce mai la deal, la vale? a\u015fa e lumea asta \u015fi, de-ai face ce-ai face, r\u0103m\u00e2ne cum este ea; nu po\u0163i s-o \u00eentorci cu um\u0103rul, m\u0103car s\u0103 te pui \u00een ruptul capului. Vorba ceea: “Zi-i lume \u015fi te m\u00e2ntuie”. Dar ia s\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m toate la o parte \u015fi, p\u00e2n\u0103 la una-alta, hai s\u0103 vedem ce-i de f\u0103cut cu cerbul, c\u0103 Sp\u00e2nul te-a fi a\u015ftept\u00e2nd cu ner\u0103bdare. \u015ei, d\u0103, st\u0103p\u00e2n nu-i? trebuie s\u0103-l ascul\u0163i. Vorba ceea: “Leag\u0103 calul unde zice st\u0103p\u00e2nul”.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei odat\u0103 scoate Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 obr\u0103zarul \u015fi sabia lui Statu-Palm\u0103-Barb\u0103-Cot, de unde le avea \u015fi, d\u00e2ndu-le lui Harap-Alb, zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ine aceste, c\u0103 au s\u0103-\u0163i fie de mare trebuin\u0163\u0103 unde mergem. \u015ei chiar haidem, cu ajutorul Domnului, s\u0103 ispr\u0103vim odat\u0103 \u015fi trebu\u015foara asta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei pe la c\u00e2ntatul cuco\u015filor se ia Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 \u00eempreun\u0103 cu Harap-Alb \u015fi se duc \u00een P\u0103durea Cerbului. \u015ei cum ajung \u00een p\u0103dure, sap\u0103 o groap\u0103 ad\u00e2nc\u0103 de un stat de om, l\u00e2ng\u0103 un izvor, unde \u00een fiecare zi pe la amiaz\u0103 venea cerbul de bea ap\u0103, apoi se culca acolo pe loc \u015fi dormea c\u00e2t un bei, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce asfin\u0163ea soarele. \u015ei dup\u0103 aceea, scul\u00e2ndu-se, o lua \u00een porneal\u0103 \u015fi nu mai da pe la izvor iar p\u00e2n\u0103 a doua zi pe la amiaz\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei! acum groapa este gata, zise Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103. Tu, Harap-Alb, r\u0103m\u00e2i aici \u00eentr-\u00eensa, toat\u0103 ziua, \u015fi iaca ce ai de f\u0103cut: pune-\u0163i obr\u0103zarul cum se pune, iar\u0103 sabia s\u0103 n-o sl\u0103be\u015fti din m\u00e2n\u0103; \u015fi de-amiaz\u0103, c\u00e2nd a veni cerbul aici la izvor s\u0103 bea ap\u0103 \u015fi s-a culca \u015f-a adormi, cu ochii deschi\u015fi, cum i-i fele\u015fagul, tu, \u00eendat\u0103 ce l-\u00eei auzi hor\u0103ind, s\u0103 ie\u015fi \u00eenceti\u015for \u015fi s\u0103 potrive\u015fti a\u015fa ca s\u0103-i zbori capul dintr-o singur\u0103 lovitur\u0103 de sabie, \u015fi apoi repede s\u0103 te arunci \u00een groap\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 \u015fezi acolo \u00eentr-\u00eensa p\u00e2n\u0103 dup\u0103 asfin\u0163itul soarelui. Capul cerbului are s\u0103 te strige p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci mereu pe nume, ca s\u0103 te vad\u0103, dar tu nu cumva s\u0103 te \u00eendupleci de rug\u0103mintea lui \u015fi s\u0103 te i\u0163e\u015fti la d\u00e2nsul, c\u0103 are un ochi otr\u0103vit \u015fi, c\u00e2nd l-a pironi spre tine, nu mai tr\u0103ie\u015fti. \u00cens\u0103, cum a asfin\u0163i soarele, s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 a murit cerbul. \u015ei atunci s\u0103 iei f\u0103r\u0103 fric\u0103 s\u0103-i jupe\u015fti pielea, iar\u0103 capul s\u0103-l iei a\u015fa \u00eentreg, cum se g\u0103se\u015fte, \u015fi apoi s\u0103 vii la mine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa, Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103 se ia \u015fi se \u00eentoarn\u0103 singur\u0103 acas\u0103. Iar\u0103 Harap-Alb r\u0103m\u00e2ne la p\u00e2nd\u0103 \u00een groap\u0103. \u015ei, c\u00e2nd pe la amiaz\u0103, numai iaca ce aude Harap-Alb un muget \u00een\u0103du\u015fit: cerbul venea bonc\u0103luind. \u015ei ajung\u00e2nd la izvor, odat\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepe a bea h\u00e2lpav la ap\u0103 rece; apoi mai bonc\u0103luie\u015fte, \u015fi iar mai bea c\u00e2te un r\u0103stimp, \u015fi iar mai bonc\u0103luie\u015fte, \u015fi iar mai bea, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu mai poate. Dup\u0103 aceea \u00eencepe a-\u015fi arunca \u0163\u0103rn\u0103 dup\u0103 cap, ca buhaiul, \u015fi apoi, scurm\u00e2nd de trei ori cu piciorul \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt, se tologe\u015fte jos pe paji\u015fte, acolo pe loc, mai rumeg\u0103 el c\u00e2t mai rumeg\u0103, \u015fi pe urm\u0103 se a\u015fterne pe somn, \u015fi unde nu \u00eencepe a m\u00e2na porcii la jir.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb, cum \u00eel aude hor\u0103ind, iese afar\u0103 \u00eenceti\u015for \u015fi, c\u00e2nd \u00eel croie\u015fte o dat\u0103 cu sabia pe la mijlocul g\u00e2tului, \u00eei \u015fi zboar\u0103 capul c\u00e2t colo de la trup \u015fi apoi Harap-Alb se arunc\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 sine \u00een groap\u0103, dup\u0103 cum \u00eel pov\u0103\u0163uise Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103. Atunci s\u00e2ngele cerbului odat\u0103 a \u015fi-nceput a curge g\u00e2lg\u00e2ind \u015fi a se r\u0103sp\u00e2ndi \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, \u00eendrept\u00e2ndu-se \u015fi n\u0103boind \u00een groap\u0103 peste Harap-Alb, de c\u00e2t pe ce era s\u0103-l \u00eenece. Iar\u0103 capul cerbului, zv\u00e2rcolindu-se dureros, striga cu jale, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Harap-Alb, Harap-Alb! De nume \u0163i-am auzit, dar de v\u0103zut nu te-am v\u0103zut. Ie\u015fi numai oleac\u0103 s\u0103 te v\u0103d \u00eencaltea, vrednic e\u015fti de comoara ce \u0163i-o las, \u015fi apoi s\u0103 mor cu pl\u0103cere, dragul meu!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar Harap-Alb t\u0103cea molcum \u015fi de-abia \u00ee\u015fi putea descle\u015fta picioarele din s\u00e2ngele \u00eenchegat, care era mai-mai s\u0103 umple groapa. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, mai strig\u0103 el, capul cerbului, c\u00e2t mai strig\u0103, \u00eens\u0103 Harap-Alb nici nu r\u0103spunde, nici se arat\u0103, \u015fi de la o vreme se face t\u0103cere. \u015ei a\u015fa, dup\u0103 asfin\u0163itul soarelui, Harap-Alb iese din groap\u0103, jupe\u015fte pielea cerbului cu b\u0103gare de seam\u0103, s\u0103 nu sminteasc\u0103 vreo piatr\u0103 din locul ei, apoi ia capul \u00eentreg, a\u015fa cum se g\u0103sea, \u015fi se duce la Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, Harap-Alb, zise Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103, a\u015fa-i c\u0103 am scos-o la cap\u0103t \u015fi asta?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa; cu ajutorul lui Dumnezeu \u015fi cu al sfin\u0163iei-voastre, r\u0103spunse Harap-Alb, am izbutit, m\u0103icu\u0163\u0103, s\u0103 facem \u015fi acum pe cheful Sp\u00e2nului, r\u0103m\u00e2nere-a\u015f p\u0103guba\u015f de d\u00e2nsul s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n, \u015fi s\u0103-l v\u0103d c\u00e2nd mi-oi vedea ceafa; atunci, \u015fi nici atunci, c\u0103 tare mi-i negru \u00eenaintea ochilor!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103-l, Harap-Alb, \u00een plata lui Dumnezeu, c\u0103 \u015fi-a da el Sp\u00e2nul peste om vrodat\u0103; pentru c\u0103 nu-i nici o fapt\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 plat\u0103, zise Sf\u00e2nta Duminic\u0103. Mergi de i le du \u015fi acestea, c\u0103 i-or r\u0103m\u00e2nea ele de cap odat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb, mul\u0163umind Sfintei Duminici, \u00eei s\u0103rut\u0103 m\u00e2na, apoi \u00eencalec\u0103 pe cal \u015fi porne\u015fte tot cum a venit, merg\u00e2nd spre \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, Dumnezeu s\u0103 ne \u0163ie, c\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul din poveste, \u00eenainte mult mai este\u2026 \u015ei pe unde trecea, lumea din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile \u00eel \u00eenghesuia: pentru c\u0103 piatra cea mare din capul cerbului str\u0103lucea de se p\u0103rea c\u0103 Harap-Alb soarele cu el \u00eel ducea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mul\u0163i crai \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i ie\u015feau \u00eenaintea lui Harap-Alb, \u015fi care dincotro \u00eel ruga, unul s\u0103-i dea b\u0103n\u0103rit, c\u00e2t a cere el, altul s\u0103-i dea fata \u015fi jum\u0103tate de \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie; altul s\u0103-i dea fata \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia \u00eentreag\u0103 pentru asemene odoare. Dar HarapAlb ca de foc se ferea \u015fi, urm\u00e2ndu-\u015fi calea \u00eenainte, la st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u le ducea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei \u00eentr-una din seri, cum \u015fedea Sp\u00e2nul \u00eempreun\u0103 cu mo\u015fus \u0103u \u015fi cu verele sale sus \u00eentr-un foi\u015for, numai iaca ce z\u0103resc \u00een dep\u0103rtare un sul de raze sc\u00e2nteietoare, care venea \u00eenspre d\u00e2n\u015fii; \u015fi de ce se apropia, de ce lumina mai tare, de le fura vederile. \u015ei deodat\u0103 toat\u0103 suflarea s-a pus \u00een mi\u015fcare: lumea de pe lume, fiind \u00een mare nedumerire, alerga s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce minune poate s\u0103 fie. \u015ei, c\u00e2nd colo, cine era? Harap-Alb, care venea \u00een pasul calului, aduc\u00e2nd cu sine pielea \u015fi capul cerbului pe care le-a \u015fi dat \u00een m\u00e2na Sp\u00e2nului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La vederea acestei minun\u0103\u0163ii, to\u0163i au r\u0103mas \u00eencremeni\u0163i \u015fi, uit\u00e2ndu-se unii la al\u0163ii, nu \u015ftiau ce s\u0103 zic\u0103. Pentru c\u0103 \u00een adev\u0103r era \u015fi lucru de mirare!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar Sp\u00e2nul, cu viclenia sa obicinuit\u0103, nu-\u015fi pierde cump\u0103tul. \u015ei, lu\u00e2nd vorb\u0103, zice \u00eemp\u0103ratului:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, mo\u015fule, ce mai zici? adeveritu-s-au vorbele mele?, Ce s\u0103 mai zic, nepoate?! r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul uimit. Ia, s\u0103 am eu o slug\u0103 a\u015fa de vrednic\u0103 \u015fi credincioas\u0103 ca HarapAlb, a\u015f pune-o la mas\u0103 cu mine, c\u0103 mult pre\u0163uie\u015fte omul acesta!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba s\u0103-\u015fi pun\u0103 pofta-n cui! r\u0103spunse Sp\u00e2nul cu glas r\u0103ut\u0103cios. Asta n-a\u015f face-o eu de-ar mai fi el pe c\u00e2t este; doar nu-i frate cu mama, s\u0103-l pun \u00een capul cinstei! Eu \u015ftiu, mo\u015fule, c\u0103 sluga-i slug\u0103 \u015fi st\u0103p\u00e2nu-i st\u0103p\u00e2n; s-a m\u00e2ntuit vorba. Na, na, na! d-apoi pentru vrednicia lui mi l-a dat tata, c\u0103ci altfel de ce l-a\u015f fi luat cu mine. Hei, hei! Nu \u015fti\u0163i d-voastr\u0103 ce poam-a dracului e Harap-Alb aista! P\u00e2n\u0103 l-am dat la brazd\u0103, mi-am stupit sufletul cu d\u00e2nsul. Numai eu \u00eei vin de hac. Vorba ceea: “Frica p\u0103ze\u015fte bost\u0103n\u0103ria”. Alt st\u0103p\u00e2n \u00een locul meu nu mai face br\u00e2nz\u0103 cu Harap-Alb, c\u00e2t \u00eei lumea \u015fi p\u0103m\u00e2ntul. Ce te potrive\u015fti, mo\u015fule? Cum v\u0103d eu, d-ta prea intri \u00een voia supu\u015filor. De-aceea nu-\u0163i dau cerbii pietre scumpe \u015fi ur\u015fii s\u0103l\u0103\u0163i. Mie unuia \u015ftiu c\u0103 nu-mi sufl\u0103 nimene \u00een bor\u015f: c\u00e2nd v\u0103d c\u0103 m\u00e2\u0163a face m\u0103razuri, \u0163i-o str\u00e2ng de coad\u0103, de m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 \u015fi mere p\u0103dure\u0163e, c\u0103ci n-are \u00eencotro\u2026 Dac\u0103 \u0163i-a ajuta Dumnezeu s\u0103 m\u0103 r\u00e2nduie\u015fti mai degrab\u0103 \u00een locul d-tale, \u00eei vedea, mo\u015fule drag\u0103, ce prefacere are s\u0103 ia \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia; n-or mai \u015fedea lucrurile tot a\u015fa moarte cum sunt. Pentru c\u0103 \u015ftii vorba ceea: “Omul sfin\u0163e\u015fte locul!”\u2026 Fost-ai \u015fi d-ta la tinere\u0163e, nu zic. Dar acum \u00ee\u0163i cred. D\u0103, b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e nu-s? Cum n-or sta trebile balt\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, Sp\u00e2nului \u00eei mergea gura ca pup\u0103za, de-a ame\u0163it pe \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eenc\u00e2t a uitat \u015fi de Harap-Alb, \u015fi de cerb, \u015fi de tot.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eens\u0103 priveau la veri\u015for\u2026 cum prive\u015fte c\u00e2inele la m\u00e2\u0163\u0103, \u015fi le era drag ca sarea-n ochi: pentru c\u0103 le spunea inima ce om f\u0103r\u0103 de lege este Sp\u00e2nul. Dar cum erau s\u0103 ias\u0103 ele cu vorba \u00eenaintea tat\u0103lui lor? Sp\u00e2nul n-avea de cine\u2026 Vorba ceea: “G\u0103sise un sat f\u0103r\u0103 c\u00e2ini \u015fi se primbla f\u0103r\u0103 b\u0103\u0163”. C\u0103 alt\u0103, ce pot s\u0103 zic?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La vro c\u00e2teva zile dup\u0103 asta, \u00eemp\u0103ratul f\u0103cu un osp\u0103\u0163 foarte mare \u00een cinstea nepotu-s\u0103u, la care osp\u0103\u0163 au fost pofti\u0163i cei mai str\u0103luci\u0163i oaspe\u0163i: \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i, crai, voievozi, c\u0103pitanii o\u015ftirilor, mai-marii ora\u015felor \u015fi alte fe\u0163e cinstite.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen ziua de osp\u0103\u0163, fetele \u00eemp\u0103ratului s-au pus cu rug\u0103mintea pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 Sp\u00e2n s\u0103 dea voie lui Harap-Alb ca s\u0103 slujeasc\u0103 \u015fi el la mas\u0103. Sp\u00e2nul, neput\u00e2ndu-le strica hat\u00e2rul, cheam\u0103 pe Harap-Alb de fa\u0163\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsele \u015fi-i \u00eenvoi aceasta, \u00eens\u0103 cu tocmal\u0103, ca \u00een tot timpul osp\u0103\u0163ului s\u0103 stea numai la spatele st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u \u015fi nici m\u0103car s\u0103-\u015fi ridice ochii la ceilal\u0163i meseni, c\u0103 de l-oi vedea obr\u0103znicindu-se cumva, acolo pe loc \u00eei \u015fi tai capul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Auzit-ai ce am spus, slug\u0103 netrebnic\u0103, zise Sp\u00e2nul, ar\u0103t\u00e2nd lui Harap-Alb t\u0103i\u015ful palo\u015fului, pe care jurase credin\u0163\u0103 \u015fi supunere Sp\u00e2nului la ie\u015firea din f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, r\u0103spunse Harap-Alb cu umilin\u0163\u0103; sunt gata la porunca lumin\u0103rii-voastre.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fetele \u00eemp\u0103ratului au mul\u0163umit Sp\u00e2nului \u015fi pentru at\u00e2ta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Amu, tocmai pe c\u00e2nd era temeiul mesei, \u015fi oaspe\u0163ii, tot gust\u00e2nd vinul de bun, \u00eencepuse a se chiurchiului c\u00e2te oleac\u0103, numai iaca o pas\u0103re m\u0103iastr\u0103 se vede b\u0103t\u00e2nd la fereastr\u0103 \u015fi zic\u00e2nd cu glas muieratic:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u00e2nca\u0163i, be\u0163i \u015fi v\u0103 veseli\u0163i, dar de fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f nici nu g\u00e2ndi\u0163i!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci, deodat\u0103, tuturor mesenilor pe loc li s-a stricat cheful \u015fi au \u00eenceput a vorbi care ce \u015ftia \u015fi cum \u00eei ducea capul: unii spuneau c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015f, av\u00e2nd inim\u0103 hain\u0103, nu se mai satur\u0103 de a v\u0103rsa s\u00e2nge omenesc; al\u0163ii spuneau c\u0103 fata lui este o farmazoan\u0103 cumplit\u0103, \u015fi c\u0103 din pricina ei se fac at\u00e2tea jertfe; al\u0163ii \u00eent\u0103reau spusele celorlal\u0163i, zic\u00e2nd c\u0103 chiar ea ar fi venit \u00een chip de pas\u0103re de a b\u0103tut acum la fereastr\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu lase \u015fi aici lumea \u00een pace. Al\u0163ii ziceau c\u0103, oricum ar fi, dar pas\u0103rea aceasta nu-i lucru curat; \u015fi c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie un trimis de undeva, numai pentru a iscodi casele oamenilor. Al\u0163ii, mai frico\u015fi, \u00ee\u015fi stupeau \u00een s\u00e2n, menind-o ca s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 pe capul acelui care a trimis-o. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, unii spuneau \u00eentr-un fel, al\u0163ii \u00een alt fel, \u015fi multe se ziceau pe seama fetei \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f, dar nu se \u015ftia care din toate acele vorbe este cea adev\u0103rat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sp\u00e2nul, dup\u0103 ce-i ascult\u0103 pe to\u0163i cu luare-aminte, cl\u0103tin\u0103 din cap \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 R\u0103u e c\u00e2nd ai a face tot cu oameni care se tem \u015fi de umbra lor! D-voastr\u0103, cinsti\u0163i oaspe\u0163i, se vede c\u0103 pa\u015fte\u0163i boboci, de nu v\u0103 pricepe\u0163i al cui fapt e acesta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci Sp\u00e2nul repede \u00ee\u015fi a\u0163inte\u015fte privirile asupra lui Harap-Alb \u015fi, nu \u015ftiu cum, \u00eel prinde z\u00e2mbind.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa\u2026 slug\u0103 viclean\u0103 ce-mi e\u015fti!? Vas\u0103zic\u0103, tu ai \u015ftiin\u0163\u0103 de asta \u015fi nu mi-ai spus. Acum degrab\u0103 s\u0103-mi aduci pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f, de unde \u015ftii \u015fi cum \u00eei \u015fti tu. Hai, porne\u015fte! \u015ei nu cumva s\u0103 faci de altfel, c\u0103 te-ai dus de pe fa\u0163a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb, ie\u015find plin de m\u00e2hnire, se duce \u00een grajd la cal \u015fi, netezindu-l pe coam\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103rut\u00e2ndu-l, zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dragul meu tovar\u0103\u015f, la grea nevoie m-a b\u0103gat iar Sp\u00e2nul! Amu a scornit alta: cic\u0103 s\u0103-i aduc pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f de unde-oi \u015fti. Asta-i curat vorba ceea: “Poftim pung\u0103 la mas\u0103, dac\u0103 \u0163i-ai adus de-acas\u0103.” Se vede c\u0103 mi s-a apropiat funia la par. Cine \u015ftie ce mi s-a mai \u00eent\u00e2mpla! Cu Sp\u00e2nul tot am dus-o cum am dus-o, c\u00e2ine-c\u00e2ine\u015fte, p\u00e2n\u0103 acum. Dar cu omul ro\u015f nu \u015ftiu, z\u0103u, la c\u00e2t mi-a sta capul. \u015e-apoi, unde s-a fi g\u0103sind acel \u00eemp\u0103rat Ro\u015f \u015fi fata lui, care cic\u0103 este o farmazoan\u0103 cumplit\u0103, numai Cel-de-pe-comoar\u0103 a fi \u015ftiind! Parc\u0103 dracul vr\u0103je\u015fte, de n-apuc bine a sc\u0103pa din una \u015fi dau peste alta! Se vede c\u0103 m-a n\u0103scut mama \u00eentr-un ceas r\u0103u, sau nu \u015ftiu cum s\u0103 mai zic, ca s\u0103 nu gre\u015fesc \u00eenaintea lui Dumnezeu. M\u0103 pricep eu tare bine ce ar trebui s\u0103 fac, ca s\u0103 se curme odat\u0103 toate aceste. Dar m-am deprins a t\u00e2r\u00e2i dup\u0103 mine o via\u0163\u0103 tic\u0103loas\u0103. Vorba ceea: “S\u0103 nu dea Dumnezeu omului c\u00e2t poate el suferi”.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2ne, zise atunci calul, nechez\u00e2nd cu \u00eenfocare, nu te mai olic\u0103i at\u00e2ta! Dup\u0103 vreme rea, a fi el vreodat\u0103 \u015fi senin. Dac\u2019ar sta cineva s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 seam\u0103 de toate cele, cum chite\u015fti d-ta, apoi atunci ar trebui s\u0103 vezi tot oameni mor\u0163i pe toate c\u0103r\u0103rile\u2026 Nu fi a\u015fa de ner\u0103bd\u0103tor! De unde \u015ftii c\u0103 nu s-or schimba lucrurile \u00een bine \u015fi pentru d-ta? Omul e dator s\u0103 se lupte c\u00e2t a putea cu valurile vie\u0163ii, c\u0103ci \u015ftii c\u0103 este o vorb\u0103: “Nu aduce anul ce aduce ceasul”. C\u00e2nd sunt zile \u015fi noroc, treci prin ap\u0103 \u015fi prin foc \u015fi din toate scapi nev\u0103t\u0103mat. Vorba c\u00e2ntecului:<\/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\u00a0F\u0103-m\u0103, mam\u0103, cu noroc,<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei m\u0103car m-arunc\u0103-n foc.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Las\u2019 pe mine, st\u0103p\u00e2ne, c\u0103 \u015ftiu eu pe unde te-oi duce la \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015f: pentru c\u0103 m-au mai purtat o dat\u0103 p\u0103catele pe acolo cu tatu-t\u0103u, \u00een tinere\u0163ile lui. Hai, \u00eencalec\u0103 pe mine \u015fi \u0163ine-te bine, c\u0103 acum am s\u0103-mi ar\u0103t puterile chiar de aici, de pe loc, \u00een ciuda Sp\u00e2nului, ca s\u0103-i punem venin la inim\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb atunci \u00eencalec\u0103, \u015fi calul, nechez\u00e2nd o dat\u0103 puternic, zboar\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul:<\/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\u00cen \u00eenaltul cerului,<\/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\u00a0V\u0103zduhul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului<\/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\u015fi o ia de-a curmezi\u015f:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De la nouri c\u0103tre soare,<\/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\u00a0Printre lun\u0103 \u015fi luceferi,<\/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\u00a0Stele m\u00e2ndre lucitoare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei apoi, de la o vreme, \u00eencepe a se l\u0103sa lin ca v\u00e2ntul, \u015fi lu\u00e2nd de-a lungul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, merg spre \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, Dumnezeu s\u0103 ne \u0163ie, c\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul din poveste, \u00eenainte mult mai este.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar ia s\u0103 vedem, ce se mai petrece la mas\u0103 dup\u0103 ducerea lui Harap-Alb?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei, hei! zise Sp\u00e2nul \u00een sine, tremur\u00e2nd de ciud\u0103: nu te-am \u015ftiut eu c\u0103-mi e\u015fti de ace\u015ftia, c\u0103 de mult \u00ee\u0163i f\u0103ceam felul! Dar tr\u0103ind \u015fi nemurind, te-oi sluji eu, m\u0103i badeo! Palo\u015ful ista are s\u0103-\u0163i \u015ftie de \u015ftire\u2026 Ei, vede\u0163i, mo\u015fule \u015fi cinsti\u0163i meseni, cum hr\u0103ne\u015fti pe dracul, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftii cu cine ai de-a face? Dac\u0103 nu-s \u015fi eu un pui\u015for de om \u00een felul meu, dar tot m-a tras Harap-Alb pe sfoar\u0103! Bine-a zis cine-a zis: “C\u0103 unde-i cetatea mai tare, acolo bate dracul r\u0103zboi mai puternic”.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, \u00eemp\u0103ratul, fetele sale \u015fi to\u0163i oaspe\u0163ii r\u0103maser\u0103 \u00eencremeni\u0163i, Sp\u00e2nul, bodrog\u0103nind din gur\u0103, nu \u015ftia cum s\u0103-\u015fi ascund\u0103 ura, iar\u0103 Harap-Alb, \u00eengrijit de ce i s-ar mai putea \u00eent\u00e2mpla \u00een urm\u0103, mergea tot \u00eenainte prin locuri pustii \u015fi cu greu de str\u0103b\u0103tut.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei c\u00e2nd s\u0103 treac\u0103 un pod peste o ap\u0103 mare, iaca o nunt\u0103 de furnici trecea \u015fi ea tocmai atunci podul. Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 HarapAlb? St\u0103 el oleac\u0103 \u015fi se sf\u0103tuie\u015fte cu g\u00e2ndul: “S\u0103 trec peste d\u00e2nsele, am s\u0103 omor o mul\u0163ime; s\u0103 dau prin ap\u0103, m\u0103 tem c\u0103 m-oi \u00eeneca, cu cal cu tot. Dar tot mai bine s\u0103 dau prin ap\u0103, cum a da Dumnezeu, dec\u00e2t s\u0103 curm via\u0163a at\u00e2tor g\u00e2zuli\u0163e nevinovate”. \u015ei zic\u00e2nd Doamne-ajut\u0103, se arunc\u0103 cu calul \u00een ap\u0103, o trece \u00eenot dincolo, la cela mal, f\u0103r\u0103 primejdie \u015fi apoi \u00ee\u015fi ia drumul \u00eenainte. \u015ei cum mergea el, numai iaca i se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 o furnic\u0103 zbur\u0103toare zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Harap-Alb, fiindc\u0103 e\u015fti a\u015fa de bun, de \u0163i-a fost mil\u0103 de via\u0163a noastr\u0103, c\u00e2nd treceam pe pod, \u015fi nu ne-ai stricat veselia, vreau s\u0103-\u0163i fac \u015fi eu un bine: na-\u0163i aripa asta, \u015fi c\u00e2nd \u00eei avea vrodat\u0103 nevoie de mine, s\u0103 dai foc aripei, \u015fi atunci eu \u00eempreun\u0103 cu tot neamul meu avem s\u0103-\u0163i venim \u00een ajutor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb, str\u00e2ng\u00e2nd aripa cu \u00eengrijire, mul\u0163ume\u015fte furnicii pentru ajutorul f\u0103g\u0103duit \u015fi apoi porne\u015fte tot \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei mai merge el c\u00e2t merge, \u015fi numai iaca ce aude o b\u00e2z\u00e2itur\u0103 \u00een\u0103du\u015fit\u0103. Se uit\u0103 el \u00een dreapta, nu vede nimica; se uit\u0103 \u00een st\u00e2nga, nici at\u00e2ta; \u015fi c\u00e2nd se uit\u0103 \u00een sus, ce s\u0103 vad\u0103? Un roi de albine se \u00eenv\u00e2rtea \u00een zbor pe deasupra capului s\u0103u \u015fi umblau bezmetice de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo, neav\u00e2nd loc unde s\u0103 se a\u015feze. Harap-Alb, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-le a\u015fa, i se face mil\u0103 de d\u00e2nsele \u015fi, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi p\u0103l\u0103ria din cap, o pune pe iarb\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, cu gura-n sus, \u015fi apoi el se d\u0103 \u00eentr-o parte. Atunci, bucuria albinelor; se las\u0103 jos cu toatele \u015fi se adun\u0103 ciotc\u0103 \u00een p\u0103l\u0103rie. Harap-Alb, afl\u00e2ndu-se cu p\u0103rere de bine despre asta, alearg\u0103 \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga \u015fi nu se las\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce g\u0103se\u015fte-un bu\u015ftihan putreg\u0103ios, \u00eel scobe\u015fte cu ce poate \u015fi-i face urdini\u015f; dup\u0103 aceea a\u015faz\u0103 ni\u015fte \u0163epu\u015fi \u00eentr-\u00eensul, \u00eel freac\u0103 pe din\u0103untru cu c\u0103tu\u015fnic\u0103, cu sulcin\u0103, cu m\u0103t\u0103ciune, cu poala s\u00e2nt\u0103-M\u0103riei \u015fi cu alte buruiene mirositoare \u015fi prielnice albinelor \u015fi apoi, lu\u00e2ndu-l pe um\u0103r, se duce la roi, r\u0103stoarn\u0103 albinele frumu\u015fel din p\u0103l\u0103rie \u00een bu\u015ftihan, \u00eel \u00eentoarce bini\u015for cu gura \u00een jos, \u00eei pune deasupra ni\u015fte capt\u0103lani, ca s\u0103 nu r\u0103zbat\u0103 soarele \u015fi ploaia \u00eenl\u0103untru, \u015fi apoi, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-l acolo pe c\u00e2mp, \u00eentre flori, \u00ee\u015fi caut\u0103 de drum.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum mergea el, mul\u0163umit \u00een sine pentru aceast\u0103 facere de bine, numai iaca i se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenainte cr\u0103iasa albinelor, zic\u00e2ndu-i:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Harap-Alb, pentru c\u0103 e\u015fti a\u015fa de bun \u015fi te-ai ostenit de ne-ai f\u0103cut ad\u0103post, vreau s\u0103-\u0163i fac \u015fi eu un bine \u00een via\u0163a mea: na-\u0163i aripa asta \u015fi, c\u00e2nd \u00eei avea vreodat\u0103 nevoie de mine, aprinde-o, \u015fi eu \u00eendat\u0103 am s\u0103-\u0163i vin \u00eentru ajutor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb, lu\u00e2nd aripa cu bucurie, o str\u00e2nge cu \u00eengrijire; apoi, mul\u0163umind cr\u0103iesei pentru ajutorul f\u0103g\u0103duit, porne\u015fte, urm\u00e2ndu-\u015fi calea tot \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai merge el c\u00e2t merge \u015fi, c\u00e2nd la poalele unui codru, numai iaca ce vede o dihanie de om, care se p\u00e2rp\u00e2lea pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 un foc de dou\u0103zeci \u015fi patru de st\u00e2njeni de lemne \u015fi tot atunci striga, c\u00e2t \u00eei lua gura, c\u0103 moare de frig. \u015ei-apoi, afar\u0103 de aceasta, omul acela era ceva de speriat; avea ni\u015fte urechi cl\u0103p\u0103uge \u015fi ni\u015fte buzoaie groase \u015fi d\u0103b\u0103l\u0103zate. \u015ei c\u00e2nd sufla cu d\u00e2nsele, cea deasupra se r\u0103sfr\u00e2ngea \u00een sus peste sc\u0103f\u00e2rlia capului, iar cea dedesubt at\u00e2rna \u00een jos, de-i acoperea p\u00e2ntecele. \u015ei, ori pe ce se oprea suflarea lui, se punea promoroaca mai groas\u0103 de-o palm\u0103. Nu era chip s\u0103 te apropii de d\u00e2nsul, c\u0103 a\u015fa tremura de tare, de parc\u0103-l zghihuia dracul. \u015ei dac-ar fi tremurat numai el, ce \u0163i-ar fi fost? Dar toat\u0103 suflarea \u015fi f\u0103ptura de primprejur \u00eei \u0163ineau hangul: v\u00e2ntul gemea ca un nebun, copacii din p\u0103dure se v\u0103ic\u0103rau, pietrele \u0163ipau, vreascurile \u0163iuiau \u015fi chiar lemnele de pe foc pocneau de ger. Iar\u0103 veveri\u0163ele, g\u0103vozdite una peste alta \u00een scorburi de copaci, suflau \u00een unghii \u015fi pl\u00e2ngeau \u00een pumni, blestem\u00e2ndu-\u015fi ceasul \u00een care s-au n\u0103scut. M\u0103 rog, foc de ger era: ce s\u0103 v\u0103 spun mai mult! HarapAlb, numai o \u0163\u00e2r\u0103 c\u00e2t a stat de s-a uitat, a f\u0103cut \u0163ur\u0163uri la gur\u0103 \u015fi, neput\u00e2ndu-\u015fi st\u0103p\u00e2ni r\u00e2sul, zise cu mirare:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Multe mai vede omul acesta c\u00e2t tr\u0103ie\u015fte! M\u0103i tartorule, nu m\u00e2nca haram \u015fi spune drept, tu e\u015fti Geril\u0103? A\u015f\u0103-i c\u0103 taci? Tu trebuie s\u0103 fii, pentru c\u0103 \u015fi focul \u00eenghea\u0163\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 tine, de arzuliu ce e\u015fti.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 R\u00e2zi tu, r\u00e2zi, Harap-Alb, zise atunci Geril\u0103 tremur\u00e2nd, dar, unde mergi, f\u0103r\u0103 mine n-ai s\u0103 po\u0163i face nimica.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hai \u015fi tu cu mine, dac\u0103 vrei, zise Harap-Alb; de-abia te-i mai \u00eenc\u0103lzi merg\u00e2nd la drum, c\u0103ci nu e bine c\u00e2nd stai locului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Geril\u0103 atunci se ia cu Harap-Alb \u015fi pornesc \u00eempreun\u0103. \u015ei merg\u00e2nd ei o bucat\u0103 \u00eenainte, Harap-Alb vede alt\u0103 dr\u0103c\u0103rie \u015fi mai mare: o namil\u0103 de om m\u00e2nca brazdele de pe urma a 24 de pluguri \u015fi tot atunci striga \u00een gura mare c\u0103 crap\u0103 de foame.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, apoi s\u0103 nu bufne\u015fti de r\u00e2s? zise Harap-Alb. M\u0103i, m\u0103i, m\u0103i! c\u0103 multe-\u0163i mai v\u0103d ochii! Pesemne c-aista-i Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103, foametea, sac f\u0103r\u0103 fund sau cine mai \u015ftie ce pricopseal\u0103 a fi, de nu-l poate s\u0103tura nici p\u0103m\u00e2ntul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 R\u00e2zi tu, r\u00e2zi, Harap-Alb, zice atunci Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103, dar, unde merge\u0163i voi, f\u0103r\u0103 mine n-ave\u0163i s\u0103 pute\u0163i face nici o isprav\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103-i a\u015fa, hai \u015fi tu cu noi, zise Harap-Alb, c\u0103 doar n-am a te duce \u00een spinare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103 atunci se ia dup\u0103 Harap-Alb \u015fi pornesc tustrei \u00eenainte. \u015ei mai merg\u00e2nd ei o postat\u0103, numai iaca Harap-Alb vede alt\u0103 minun\u0103\u0163ie \u015fi mai mare: o ar\u0103tare de om b\u0103use apa de la 24 de iazuri \u015fi o g\u00e2rl\u0103 pe care umblau numai 500 de mori \u015fi tot atunci striga \u00een gura mare c\u0103 se usuc\u0103 de sete.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, da\u2019 al dracului onanie de om e \u015fi acesta! zise HarapAlb. Grozav burd\u0103han \u015fi nes\u0103\u0163ios g\u00e2tlej, de nu pot s\u0103-i potoleasc\u0103 setea nici izvoarele p\u0103m\u00e2ntului; mare ghiol de ap\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie \u00een ma\u0163ele lui! Se vede c\u0103 acesta-i pr\u0103p\u0103denia apelor, vestitul Setil\u0103, fiul Secetei, n\u0103scut \u00een zodia ra\u0163elor \u015fi \u00eempodobit cu darul suptului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 R\u00e2zi tu, r\u00e2zi, Harap-Alb, zise atunci Setil\u0103, c\u0103ruia \u00eencepu a-i \u0163\u00e2\u015fni apa pe n\u0103ri \u015fi pe urechi, ca pe ni\u015fte l\u0103ptoace de mori, dar, unde v\u0103 duce\u0163i voi, f\u0103r\u0103 mine degeaba v\u0103 duce\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hai \u015fi tu cu noi, dac\u0103 vrei, zise Harap-Alb; de-abia nu te-ai mai linciuri at\u00e2ta \u00een cele ape, \u00eei sc\u0103pa de blestemul broa\u015ftelor \u015fi-i da r\u0103gaz morilor s\u0103 umble, c\u0103 destul \u0163i-ai f\u0103cut mendrele p\u00e2n\u0103 acum. Ce, Doamne iart\u0103-m\u0103, \u00eei face broa\u015fte \u00een p\u00e2ntece de at\u00e2ta ap\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Setil\u0103 atunci se ia dup\u0103 Harap-Alb \u015fi pornesc tuspatru \u00eenainte. \u015ei mai merg\u00e2nd ei o bucat\u0103, numai iaca ce vede Harap-Alb alt\u0103 minun\u0103\u0163ie \u015fi mai minunat\u0103: o schimonositur\u0103 de om avea \u00een frunte numai un ochi, mare c\u00e2t o sit\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd \u00eel deschidea, nu vedea nimica; da chior peste ce apuca. Iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eel \u0163inea \u00eenchis, dar fie zi, dar fie noapte, spunea c\u0103 vede cu d\u00e2nsul \u00een m\u0103runtaiele p\u0103m\u00e2ntului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iaca, \u00eencepu el a r\u0103cni ca un smintit, toate lucrurile mi se arat\u0103 g\u0103urite, ca siti\u015fca, \u015fi str\u0103vezii, ca apa cea limpede; deasupra capului meu v\u0103d o mul\u0163ime nenum\u0103rat\u0103 de v\u0103zute \u015fi nev\u0103zute; v\u0103d iarba cum cre\u015fte din p\u0103m\u00e2nt; v\u0103d cum se rostogole\u015fte soarele dup\u0103 deal, luna \u015fi stelele cufundate \u00een mare; copacii cu v\u00e2rful \u00een jos, vitele cu picioarele \u00een sus \u015fi oamenii umbl\u00e2nd cu capul \u00eentre umere; v\u0103d, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, ceea ce n-a\u015f mai dori s\u0103 vad\u0103 nimene, pentru a-\u015fi osteni vederea: v\u0103d ni\u015fte guri c\u0103scate uit\u00e2ndu-se la mine \u015fi nu-mi pot da seama de ce v\u0103 mira\u0163i a\u015fa, mira-v-a\u0163i de\u2026 frumuse\u0163e-v\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb atunci se bate cu m\u00e2na peste gur\u0103 \u015fi zice:, Doamne fere\u015fte de omul nebun, c\u0103 tare-i de j\u0103lit, s\u0103rmanul! Pe de-o parte \u00ee\u0163i vine a r\u00e2de \u015fi pe de alta \u00ee\u0163i vine a-l pl\u00e2nge. Dar se vede c\u0103 a\u015fa l-a l\u0103sat Dumnezeu. Poate c\u0103 acesta-i vestitul Ochil\u0103, frate cu Orbil\u0103, v\u0103r primare cu Chioril\u0103, nepot de sor\u0103 lui P\u00e2ndil\u0103, din sat de la Chitil\u0103, peste drum de Nimeril\u0103. Ori din t\u00e2rg de la S\u0103-l-ca\u0163i, megie\u015f cu C\u0103uta\u0163i \u015fi de urm\u0103 nu-i mai da\u0163i. M\u0103 rog, unu-i Ochil\u0103 pe fa\u0163a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, care vede toate \u015fi pe to\u0163i altfel de cum vede lumea cealalt\u0103; numai pe sine nu se vede c\u00e2t e de frumu\u015fel. Parc\u0103-i un bo\u0163, chilimbo\u0163 bo\u0163it, \u00een frunte cu un ochi, numai s\u0103 nu fie de deochi!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 R\u00e2zi tu, r\u00e2zi, Harap-Alb, zise atunci Ochil\u0103, uit\u00e2ndu-se \u00eenchiorchio\u015fat, dar, unde te duci, f\u0103r\u0103 de mine r\u0103u are s\u0103-\u0163i cad\u0103. Fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f nu se cap\u0103t\u0103 a\u015fa de lesne cum crezi tu. Din gardul Oancei \u0163i-a da-o \u00eemp\u0103ratul, dac\u0103 n-oi fi \u015fi eu pe-acolo.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hai \u015fi tu cu noi, dac\u0103 vrei, zise Harap-Alb, c\u0103 doar n-avem a te duce de m\u00e2n\u0103, ca pe un orb.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ochil\u0103 atunci se ia \u015fi el dup\u0103 Harap-Alb \u015fi pornesc tuscinci \u00eenainte. \u015ei mai merg\u00e2nd ei o bucat\u0103, numai iaca ce vede Harap-Alb alt\u0103 b\u00e2zd\u00e2ganie \u015fi mai \u015fi: o pocitanie de om umbla cu arcul dup\u0103 v\u00e2nat p\u0103s\u0103ri. \u015e-apoi, chiti\u0163i c\u0103 numai \u00een arc se \u00eencheia tot me\u015fte\u015fugul \u015fi puterea omului aceluia? \u0162i-ai g\u0103sit! Avea un me\u015fte\u015fug mai dr\u0103cos \u015fi o putere mai pe sus dec\u00e2t \u00ee\u015fi poate dracul \u00eenchipui: c\u00e2nd voia, a\u015fa se l\u0103\u0163ea de tare, de cuprindea p\u0103m\u00e2ntul \u00een bra\u0163e. \u015ei alt\u0103 dat\u0103, a\u015fa se de\u015fira \u015fi se lungea de grozav, de ajungea cu m\u00e2na la lun\u0103, la stele, la soare \u015fi c\u00e2t voia de sus. \u015ei dac\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2mpla s\u0103 nu nimereasc\u0103 p\u0103s\u0103rile cu s\u0103geata, ele tot nu sc\u0103pau de d\u00e2nsul; \u0163i le prindea cu m\u00e2na din zbor, le r\u0103sucea g\u00e2tul cu ciud\u0103 \u015fi apoi le m\u00e2nca a\u015fa, crude, cu pene cu tot. Chiar atunci avea un vraf de p\u0103s\u0103ri dinainte \u015fi osp\u0103ta dintr-\u00eensele cu l\u0103comie, ca un vultan h\u0103mesit. Harap-Alb, cuprins de mirare, zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar oare pe acesta cum mama dracului l-o fi mai chem\u00e2nd?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Zi-i pe nume, s\u0103 \u0163i-l spun, r\u0103spunse atunci Ochil\u0103, z\u00e2mbind pe sub must\u0103\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar te mai duce capul ca s\u0103-l botezi? S\u0103-i zici P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103\u2026 nu gre\u015fe\u015fti; s\u0103-i zici L\u0103\u0163il\u0103\u2026 nici at\u00e2ta; s\u0103-i zici Lungil\u0103\u2026 asemene; s\u0103-i zici P\u0103s\u0103ri-L\u0103\u0163i-Lungil\u0103, mi se pare c\u0103 e mai potrivit cu n\u0103ravul \u015fi apuc\u0103turile lui, zise Harap-Alb, \u00eenduio\u015fat de mila bietelor p\u0103s\u0103ri. Se vede c\u0103 acesta-i vestitul P\u0103s\u0103ri- L\u0103\u0163i-Lungil\u0103, fiul s\u0103get\u0103torului \u015fi nepotul arca\u015fului; br\u00e2ul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului \u015fi scara cerului; ciuma zbur\u0103toarelor \u015fi spaima oamenilor, c\u0103 altfel nu te pricepi cum s\u0103-i mai zici.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 R\u00e2zi tu de mine, r\u00e2zi, Harap-Alb, zise atunci P\u0103s\u0103ri-L\u0103\u0163i- Lungil\u0103, dar mai bine ar fi s\u0103 r\u00e2zi de tine, c\u0103ci nu \u015ftii ce p\u0103cat te pa\u015fte. Chite\u015fti c\u0103 fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f numai a\u015fa se cap\u0103t\u0103? Poate n-ai \u015ftiin\u0163\u0103 ce vidm\u0103 de fat\u0103 e aceea, c\u00e2nd vrea, se face pas\u0103re m\u0103iastr\u0103, \u00ee\u0163i arat\u0103 coada, \u015fi ia-i urma dac\u0103 po\u0163i! De n-a fi \u015fi unul ca mine pe-acolo, degeaba v\u0103 mai bate\u0163i picioarele duc\u00e2ndu-v\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hai \u015fi tu cu noi, dac\u0103 vrei, zise atunci Harap-Alb; de-abia mi-i lua pe Geril\u0103 de \u0163uluc \u015fi l-\u00eei purta cu nasul pe la soare, doar s-a \u00eenc\u0103lzi c\u00e2tu\u015fi dec\u00e2t \u015fi n-a mai cl\u0103n\u0163\u0103ni at\u00e2ta din m\u0103sele, ca un cocost\u00e2rc de cei b\u0103tr\u00e2ncio\u015fi, c\u0103 parc\u0103 m\u0103 str\u00e2nge \u00een spate c\u00e2nd \u00eel v\u0103d a\u015fa.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103s\u0103ri-L\u0103\u0163i-Lungil\u0103 se ia atunci dup\u0103 Harap-Alb \u015fi pornesc ei tus\u015fase \u00eenainte. \u015ei pe unde treceau, p\u00e2rjol f\u0103ceau: Geril\u0103 potopea p\u0103durile prin ardere. Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103 m\u00e2nca lut \u015fi p\u0103m\u00e2nt amestecat cu hum\u0103 \u015fi tot striga c\u0103 moare de foame. Setil\u0103 sorbea apa de prin b\u0103l\u0163i \u015fi iazuri, de se zb\u0103teau pe\u015ftii pe uscat \u015fi \u0163ipa \u015farpele \u00een gura broa\u015ftei de secet\u0103 mare ce era pe acolo. Ochil\u0103 vedea toate cele ca dracul, \u015fi numai \u00eenghe\u0163ai ce da dintr-\u00eensul:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103 e laie,<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103-i b\u0103laie;<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103 e ciut\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\u0103-i cornut\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 rog, nebunii de-a lui, c\u00e2te-n lun\u0103 \u015fi \u00een stele, de-\u0163i venea s\u0103 fugi de ele. Sau s\u0103 r\u00e2zi ca un nebun, crede\u0163i-m\u0103 ce v\u0103 spun!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, P\u0103s\u0103ri-L\u0103\u0163i-Lungil\u0103 ademenea zbur\u0103toarele \u015fi, jumulite, nejumulite, \u0163i le p\u0103pa pe rud\u0103, pe s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163\u0103, de nu se mai st\u0103vilea nimene cu p\u0103s\u0103ri pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cas\u0103 de r\u0103ul lui.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai Harap-Alb nu aducea nici o sup\u0103rare. \u00cens\u0103, ca tovar\u0103\u015f, era p\u0103rta\u015f la toate: \u015fi la pagub\u0103, \u015fi la c\u00e2\u015ftig, \u015fi prietenos cu fiecare, pentru c\u0103 avea nevoie de d\u00e2n\u015fii \u00een c\u0103l\u0103toria sa la \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015f, care, zice, cic\u0103 era un om p\u00e2cli\u015fit \u015fi r\u0103ut\u0103cios la culme: nu avea mil\u0103 de om nici c\u00e2t de un c\u00e2ine. Dar vorba ceea: “La unul f\u0103r\u0103 suflet trebuie unul f\u0103r\u0103 de lege”. \u015ei g\u00e2ndesc eu c\u0103 din cinci nesp\u0103la\u0163i c\u00e2\u0163i merg cu Harap-Alb, i-a veni el vreunul de hac; \u015f-a mai da \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015f \u015fi peste oameni, nu tot peste butuci, ca p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci. Dar iar m\u0103 \u00eentorc \u015fi zic: mai \u015ftii cum vine vremea? Lumea asta e pe dos, toate merg cu capu-n jos; pu\u0163ini suie, mul\u0163i coboar\u0103, unul macin\u0103 la moar\u0103. \u015e-apoi acel unul are atunci \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi p\u00e2inea, \u015fi cu\u0163itul \u015fi taie de unde vrea \u015fi c\u00e2t \u00eei place, tu te ui\u0163i \u015fi n-ai ce-i face. Vorba ceea: “Cine poate oase roade; cine nu, nici carne moale”. A\u015fa \u015fi Harap-Alb \u015fi cu ai s\u0103i; poate-ar izbuti s\u0103 ia fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f, poate nu, dar acum, deodat\u0103, ei se tot duc \u00eenainte \u015fi, mai la urm\u0103, cum le-a fi norocul. Ce-mi pas\u0103 mie? Eu sunt dator s\u0103 spun povestea \u015fi v\u0103 rog s\u0103 asculta\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Amu Harap-Alb \u015fi cu ai s\u0103i mai merg ei c\u00e2t merg \u015fi, \u00eentr-o t\u00e2rzie vreme, ajung la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, Dumnezeu s\u0103 ne \u0163ie, c\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul din poveste, \u00eenainte mult mai este. \u015ei cum ajung, odat\u0103 intr\u0103 buluc \u00een ograd\u0103, tus\u015fase. Harap-Alb \u00eenainte \u015fi ceilal\u0163i \u00een urm\u0103, care de care mai chipos \u015fi mai \u00eembr\u0103cat, de se t\u00e2r\u00e2iau a\u0163ele \u015fi curgeau obielele dup\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii, parc\u0103 era oastea lui Papuc Hogea Hogegarul. \u015ei atunci, Harap-Alb se \u015fi \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenaintea \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f, spun\u00e2ndu-i de unde, cum, cine \u015fi pentru ce anume au venit. \u00cemp\u0103ratului i-a fost de-a mirarea, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 ni\u015fte golani au asemene \u00eendr\u0103zneal\u0103, de vin cu neru\u015finare s\u0103-i cear\u0103 fata, fie din partea oricui ar fi. Dar, nevoind a le strica inima, nu le spune nici da, nici ba, ci le d\u0103 r\u0103spuns ca s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ie peste noapte acolo, \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 m\u00e2ine diminea\u0163\u0103 s-a mai g\u00e2ndi el ce trebuie s\u0103 fac\u0103\u2026 \u015ei pe alt\u0103 parte, \u00eemp\u0103ratul odat\u0103 cheam\u0103 \u00een tain\u0103 pe un credincios al s\u0103u \u015fi d\u0103 porunc\u0103 s\u0103-i culce \u00een casa cea de aram\u0103 \u00eenfocat\u0103, ca s\u0103 doarm\u0103 pentru ve\u015fnicie, dup\u0103 cum p\u0103\u0163ise \u015fi al\u0163i pe\u0163itori, poate mai ceva dec\u00e2t ace\u015ftia.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci credinciosul \u00eemp\u0103ratului se duce repede \u015fi d\u0103 foc casei celei de aram\u0103 pe dedesubt, cu 24 de st\u00e2njeni de lemne, de se face casa ro\u015fie cum e j\u0103raticul. Apoi, cum \u00eensereaz\u0103, vine \u015fi pofte\u015fte pe oaspe\u0163i la culcare. Geril\u0103 atunci, n\u0103zdr\u0103van cum era el, cheam\u0103 pe tovar\u0103\u015fii s\u0103i deoparte \u015fi le zice \u00eenceti\u015for:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, nu cumva s\u0103 v\u0103 \u00eemping\u0103 Mititelul s\u0103 intra\u0163i \u00eenaintea mea unde ne-a duce omul \u0163apului celui ro\u015f, c\u0103 nu mai ajunge\u0163i s\u0103 vede\u0163i ziua de m\u00e2ine. Doar unu-i \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015f, vestit prin meleagurile aceste pentru bun\u0103tatea lui cea nemaipomenit\u0103 \u015fi milostivirea lui cea neauzit\u0103. \u00cel \u015ftiu eu c\u00e2t e de primitor \u015fi de darnic la spatele altora. Numai de nu i-ar muri mul\u0163i \u00eenainte! s\u0103 tr\u0103iasc\u0103 trei zile cu cea de-alaltaieri! D-apoi feti\u015foara lui; a zis dracul \u015fi s-a f\u0103cut; buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 rupt\u0103 tat\u0103-s\u0103u \u00een picioare, ba \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi mai \u015fi. Vorba ceea: “Capra sare masa, \u015fi iada sare casa”. Dar las\u2019 c\u0103 \u015fi-au g\u0103sit ei omul. De nu le-oi veni eu de hac \u00een ast\u0103 noapte, nici mama dracului nu le mai vine!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa g\u00e2ndesc \u015fi eu, zise Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103; \u015fi-a pus el, \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015f, boii \u00een c\u00e2rd cu dracul, dar are s\u0103-i scoat\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 coarne.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba mi se pare c-a da el \u015fi teleag\u0103, \u015fi plug, \u015fi otic, \u015fi tot, numai s\u0103 scape de noi, zise Ochil\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia asculta\u0163i, m\u0103i! zise Geril\u0103: “Vorba lung\u0103, s\u0103r\u0103cia omului”. Mai bine haidem la culcare, c\u0103 ne a\u015fteapt\u0103 omul \u00eemp\u0103ratului cu masa \u00eentins\u0103, cu f\u0103cliile aprinse \u015fi cu bra\u0163ele deschise. Hai! Ascu\u0163i\u0163i-v\u0103 din\u0163ii \u015fi porni\u0163i dup\u0103 mine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei odat\u0103 pornesc ei, teleap, teleap, teleap! \u015ei, cum ajung \u00een dreptul u\u015fii, se opresc pu\u0163in. Atunci Geril\u0103 sufl\u0103 de trei ori cu buzi\u015foarele sale cele iscusite \u015fi casa r\u0103m\u00e2ne nici fierbinte, nici rece, cum e mai bine de dormit \u00eentr-\u00eensa. Apoi intr\u0103 cu to\u0163ii \u00eenl\u0103untru, se tologe\u015fte care unde apuc\u0103, \u015fi tac m\u0103 cheam\u0103. Iar\u0103 credinciosul \u00eemp\u0103ratului, \u00eencuind u\u015fa pe din afar\u0103 cu repejune, le zice cu r\u0103utate:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u2019 c\u0103 v-am g\u0103sit eu ac de cojoc. De-acum dormi\u0163i, dormire-a\u0163i somnul cel de veci, c\u0103 v-am a\u015fternut eu bine! V\u0103 ve\u0163i face scrum p\u00e2n\u0103 m\u00e2ine-diminea\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi \u00eei las\u0103 acolo \u015fi el se duce \u00een treaba lui. Dar HarapAlb \u015fi cu ai s\u0103i nici nu bindiseau de asta; ei, cum au dat de c\u0103lduric\u0103, pe loc li s-au muiat ciolanele \u015fi au \u00eenceput a se \u00eentinde \u015fi a se h\u00e2rjoni \u00een ciuda fetei \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f. Ba \u00eenc\u0103 Geril\u0103 se \u00eentindea de c\u0103ldur\u0103, de-i treceau genunchile de gur\u0103. \u015ei hojma moroc\u0103nea pe ceilal\u0163i, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Numai din pricina voastr\u0103 am r\u0103cit casa; c\u0103ci pentru mine era numai bun\u0103, cum era. Dar a\u015fa p\u0103\u0163e\u015fti dac\u0103 te iei cu ni\u015fte bicisnici. Las\u2019 c\u0103 v-a mai p\u0103li el berechetul acesta de alt\u0103 dat\u0103! \u015etii c\u0103 are haz \u015fi asta? Voi s\u0103 v\u0103 l\u0103f\u0103i\u0163i \u015fi s\u0103 huzuri\u0163i de c\u0103ldur\u0103, iar\u0103 eu s\u0103 crap de frig. Bu\u2026n\u0103 treab\u0103! S\u0103-mi dau eu lini\u015ftea mea pentru hat\u00e2rul nu \u015ftiu cui? Acu\u015fi v\u0103 t\u00e2rn\u00e2iesc prin cas\u0103, pe rud\u0103 pe s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163\u0103; \u00eencaltea s\u0103 nu se aleag\u0103 nimica nici de somnul meu, dar nici de al vostru.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia tac\u0103-\u0163i gura, m\u0103i Geril\u0103! ziser\u0103 ceilal\u0163i. Acu\u015fi se face ziu\u0103, \u015fi tu nu mai stinche\u015fti cu bra\u015foave de-ale tale. Al dracului lighioaie mai e\u015fti! Destul acum, c\u0103 ne-ai f\u0103cut capul c\u0103lindar. Cine-a mai dori s\u0103 fac\u0103 tov\u0103r\u0103\u015fie cu tine aib\u0103-\u015fi parte \u015fi poarte-\u0163i portul. C\u0103 pe noi \u015ftiu c\u0103 ne-ai ame\u0163it. Are cineva cap s\u0103 se lini\u015fteasc\u0103 de r\u0103ul t\u0103u? I-auzi-l-\u0103i: parc\u0103-i o moar\u0103 hodorogit\u0103. Numai gura lui se aude \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. Hojma toloc\u0103ne\u015fte pentru nimica toat\u0103, curat ca un nebun. Tu, m\u0103i, e\u015fti bun de tr\u0103it numai \u00een p\u0103dure, cu lupii \u015fi cu ur\u015fii, dar nu \u00een case \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti \u015fi \u00eentre ni\u015fte oameni cumsecade.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia asculta\u0163i, m\u0103i, dar de c\u00e2nd a\u0163i pus voi st\u0103p\u00e2nire pe mine? zise Geril\u0103. Apoi nu m\u0103 face\u0163i din cal m\u0103gar, c\u0103 v\u0103 ve\u0163i g\u0103si mantaua cu mine! Eu \u00ees bun c\u00e2t \u00ees bun, dar \u015fi c\u00e2nd m\u0103 scoate cineva din r\u0103bdare, apoi nu-i trebuie nici \u0163igan de laie \u00eempotriva mea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Z\u0103u, nu \u015fuguie\u015fti, m\u0103i Buzil\u0103? Da\u2019 amarnic mai e\u015fti la via\u0163\u0103; c\u00e2nd te m\u00e2nii, faci s\u00e2nge-n balig\u0103, zise Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103. Tare-mi e\u015fti drag! Te-a\u015f v\u00e2r\u00ee \u00een s\u00e2n, dar nu \u00eencapi de urechi\u2026 Ia mai bine ogoie\u015fte-te oleac\u0103 \u015fi mai str\u00e2nge-\u0163i buzi\u015foarele acas\u0103; nu de alta, dar s\u0103 nu-\u0163i par\u0103 r\u0103u pe urm\u0103, c\u0103 doar nu e\u015fti numai tu \u00een casa asta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, apoi! Vorba ceea: “F\u0103 bine, s\u0103-\u0163i auzi r\u0103u”, zise Geril\u0103. Dac\u0103 nu v-am l\u0103sat s\u0103 intra\u0163i aici \u00eenaintea mea, a\u015fa mi se cade; ba \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi mai r\u0103u dec\u00e2t a\u015fa. Cine-a face de alt\u0103 dat\u0103 ca mine, ca mine s\u0103 p\u0103\u0163easc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai dreptate, m\u0103i Geril\u0103, numai tu nu te cau\u0163i, zise Ochil\u0103. Dar cu prujituri de-a tale, ia acu\u015fi se duce noaptea, \u015fi vai de odihna noastr\u0103. M\u0103car tu s\u0103 fii acela, ce ai zice, c\u00e2nd \u0163i-a strica cineva somnul? Ba \u00eenc\u0103 ai dat peste ni\u015fte oameni ai lui Dumnezeu, dar, s\u0103 fi fost cu al\u0163ii, hei, hei! m\u00e2ncai papara p\u00e2n\u0103 acum.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar nu mai t\u0103ce\u0163i, m\u0103i? C\u0103 ia acu\u015fi trec cu picioarele prin pere\u0163i \u015fi ies afar\u0103 cu acoper\u0103m\u00e2ntul \u00een cap, zise L\u0103\u0163iLungil \u0103. Parc\u0103 nu face\u0163i a bine, de nu v\u0103 mai ast\u00e2mp\u0103r\u0103 dracul nici la vremea asta. M\u0103i Buzil\u0103, mi se pare c\u0103 tu e\u015fti toat\u0103 pricina g\u00e2lcevei dintre noi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba bine c\u0103 nu! zise Ochil\u0103. Are el noroc de ce are, dar \u015ftiu eu ce i-ar trebui.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, s\u0103-i faci chica topor, spinarea dob\u0103 \u015fi p\u00e2ntecele cobz\u0103, zise Setil\u0103, c\u0103ci altmintrelea nici nu e de chip s-o sco\u0163i la cap\u0103t cu bucluca\u015ful acesta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Geril\u0103, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 to\u0163i \u00eei stau \u00eempotriv\u0103, se m\u00e2nie atunci \u015fi unde nu tr\u00e2nte\u015fte o brum\u0103 pe pere\u0163i, de trei palme de groas\u0103, de au \u00eenceput a cl\u0103n\u0163\u0103ni \u015fi ceilal\u0163i de frig, de s\u0103rea c\u0103m\u0103\u015fa de pe d\u00e2n\u015fii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na! \u00eencaltea v-am f\u0103cut \u015fi eu pe obraz. De-acum \u00eenainte spune\u0163i ce v\u0103 place, c\u0103 nu mi-a fi ciud\u0103, zise Geril\u0103, r\u00e2z\u00e2nd cu hohot. Ei, apoi? Cic\u0103 s\u0103 nu te strici de r\u00e2s! De HarapAlb, nu zic. Dar voi, mangosi\u0163ilor \u015fi farfasi\u0163ilor, de c\u00e2te ori \u00ee\u0163i fi dormit \u00een stroh \u015fi pe t\u00e2rnomat\u0103, s\u0103 am eu acum at\u00e2\u0163ia bani \u00een pung\u0103 nu mi-ar mai trebui alt\u0103! Oare nu cumva v-a\u0163i face \u015fi voi, ni\u015fte feciori de ghind\u0103, f\u0103ta\u0163i \u00een tind\u0103, c\u0103 sunte\u0163i obraze sub\u0163iri?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iar cau\u0163i s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163\u0103 de vorb\u0103, m\u0103i Buzil\u0103? ziser\u0103 ceilal\u0163i. Al dracului s\u0103 fii cu tot neamul t\u0103u, \u00een vecii vecilor, amin!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De asta \u015fi eu m\u0103 anin \u015fi m\u0103 \u00eenchin la cinstita fa\u0163a voastr\u0103, ca la un codru verde, cu un poloboc de vin \u015fi cu unul de pelin, zise Geril\u0103. \u015ei hai de-acum s\u0103 dormim, mai acu\u015fi s\u0103 ne trezim, \u00eentr-un g\u00e2nd s\u0103 ne unim, pe Harap-Alb s\u0103-l slujim \u015fi tot prieteni s\u0103 fim; c\u0103ci cu vrajb\u0103 \u015fi urgie raiul n-o s\u0103-l dob\u00e2ndim.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, ce-or fi mai dond\u0103nit ei, \u015fi c\u00e2t or mai fi dond\u0103nit, c\u0103 numai iaca se face ziu\u0103! \u015ei atunci, credinciosul \u00eemp\u0103- ratului, crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 s-a cur\u0103\u0163it de oaspe\u0163i, vine cu g\u00e2ndul s\u0103 m\u0103ture scrumul afar\u0103, dup\u0103 r\u00e2nduial\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd ajunge mai aproape, ce s\u0103 vad\u0103? Casa cea de aram\u0103, \u00eenfocat\u0103 a\u015fa de stra\u015fnic de cu sar\u0103, era acum toat\u0103 numai un sloi de ghea\u0163\u0103, \u015fi nu se mai cuno\u015ftea pe din afar\u0103 nici u\u015f\u0103, nici u\u015fori, nici gratii, nici obloane la fere\u015fti, nici nimica; iar \u00eenl\u0103untru se auzea un t\u0103r\u0103boi grozav; to\u0163i boc\u0103neau la u\u015f\u0103 c\u00e2t ce puteau \u015fi strigau c\u00e2t le lua gura, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u015ftim ce fel de \u00eemp\u0103rat e acesta, de ne las\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 sc\u00e2nteie de foc \u00een vatr\u0103, s\u0103 deger\u0103m aicea\u2026 A\u015fa s\u0103r\u0103cie de lemne nu s-a v\u0103zut nici la bordeiul cel mai s\u0103r\u0103c\u0103cios. Vai de noi \u015fi de noi, c\u0103 ne-a \u00eenghe\u0163at limba \u00een gur\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103duva \u00een ciolane de frig!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Credinciosul \u00eemp\u0103ratului, auzind aceste, pe de-o parte l-a cuprins spaima, iar\u0103 pe de alta s-a \u00eendr\u0103cit de ciud\u0103. \u015ei d\u0103 el s\u0103 descuie u\u015fa, nu poate; d\u0103 s-o desprind\u0103, nici at\u00e2ta. Pe urm\u0103, ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? Alearg\u0103 \u015fi veste\u015fte \u00eemp\u0103ratului despre cele \u00eent\u00e2mplate. Atunci vine \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu o mul\u0163ime de oameni, cu cazmale ascu\u0163ite \u015fi cu cazane pline cu uncrop; \u015fi unii t\u0103iau ghea\u0163a cu cazmalele, al\u0163ii aruncau cu uncrop pe la \u0163\u00e2\u0163\u00e2nile u\u015fii \u015fi \u00een borta cheii \u015fi dup\u0103 mult\u0103 trud\u0103, cu mare ce h\u0103l\u0103duiesc de deschid u\u015fa \u015fi scot pe oaspe\u0163i afar\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd colo, ce s\u0103 vezi? To\u0163i erau cu p\u0103rul, cu barba \u015fi muste\u0163ile pline de promoroac\u0103, de nu-i cuno\u015fteai, oameni sunt, draci sunt, ori alte ar\u0103t\u0103ri. \u015ei a\u015fa tremurau de tare, de le d\u00e2rd\u00e2iau din\u0163ii \u00een gur\u0103. Iar\u0103 mai ales pe Geril\u0103 parc\u0103-l zghihuiau to\u0163i dracii; pozne f\u0103cea cu buzi\u015foarele sale, \u00eenc\u00e2t s-a \u00eengrozit \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015f c\u00e2nd l-a v\u0103zut f\u0103c\u00e2nd a\u015fa de frumu\u015fel.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb, ie\u015find dintre d\u00e2n\u015fii, se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 cuviincios \u00eenaintea \u00eemp\u0103ratului, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Prea \u00een\u0103l\u0163ate \u00eemp\u0103rate! Luminarea-sa, nepotul prea puternicului Verde-\u00eemp\u0103rat, m-a fi a\u015ftept\u00e2nd cu ner\u0103bdare. Deacum \u00eenainte, cred c\u0103 mi-\u0163i da fata, ca s\u0103 v\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m \u00een pace \u015fi s\u0103 ne ducem \u00een treaba noastr\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, voinice, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, uit\u00e2ndu-se la d\u00e2n\u015fii cam acru oarecum; a veni ea \u015fi vremea aceea\u2026 Dar acum, deodat\u0103, ia s\u0103 osp\u0103ta\u0163i ceva, ca s\u0103 nu zice\u0163i c\u0103 a\u0163i ie\u015fit din casa mea ca de la o cas\u0103 pustie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Parc\u0103 v-a ie\u015fit un sf\u00e2nt din gur\u0103, luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate, zise atunci Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103, c\u0103 ne ghior\u0103iesc ma\u0163ele de foame.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poate ni-\u0163i da \u015fi ceva de udeal\u0103, m\u0103ria-ta, zise Setil\u0103, c\u0103 ne sf\u00e2r\u00e2ie g\u00e2tlejul de sete.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia l\u0103sa\u0163i, m\u0103i, zise Ochil\u0103, clipocind mereu din gene, c\u0103 luminarea-sa \u015ftie ce ne trebuie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa cred \u015fi eu, zise P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103, doar, de-a putere-a hi, am c\u0103zut la cas\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc\u0103, s\u0103 nu v\u0103 teme\u0163i, c\u0103 are \u00een\u0103l\u0163imea-sa at\u00e2ta purtare de grij\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu fim chinui\u0163i cu frig, cu foame \u015fi cu sete.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne \u00eendoial\u0103 despre asta, zise Geril\u0103, tremur\u00e2nd cumplit. Dar n-ave\u0163i \u015ftiin\u0163\u0103 c\u0103 \u00een\u0103l\u0163imea-sa este tata fl\u0103m\u00e2nzilor \u015fi al \u00eenseta\u0163ilor? \u015ei tocmai de asta m\u0103 bucur \u015fi eu, c\u0103 de-abia m-oi mai \u00eenc\u0103lzi oleac\u0103 b\u00e2nd s\u00e2ngele Domnului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, tac\u0103-v\u0103 gura de-acum! zise Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103. Destul e o m\u0103ciuc\u0103 la un car de oale. Nu tot cet\u0103ra\u0163i pe m\u0103ria-sa, c\u0103 om e dumnealui. Pentru ni\u015fte s\u0103r\u0103cu\u0163i ca noi e greu de f\u0103cut trebi de acestea. Dar la o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, ca cum te-ar pi\u015fca un purice; nu se mai bag\u0103 \u00een seam\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Din partea mea, m\u00e2ncarea-i numai o z\u0103bav\u0103; b\u0103uturica mai este ce este, zise Setil\u0103; \u015fi a\u015f ruga pe luminarea-sa c\u0103, dac\u0103 are de g\u00e2nd a ne osp\u0103ta, dup\u0103 cum s-a hot\u0103r\u00e2t, apoi s\u0103 ne \u00eendeseasc\u0103 mai mult cu udeala, pentru c\u0103 acolo st\u0103 toat\u0103 puterea \u015fi \u00eendr\u0103zneala. Vorba ceea: “D\u0103-i cu cinstea, s\u0103 piar\u0103 ru\u015finea”. Dar mi se pare c\u0103 ne-am prea \u00eentins cu vorba, \u015fi luminarea-sa nu \u015ftie cum s\u0103 ne mai intre \u00een voie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum, de ne-ar da odat\u0103 ce ne-ar da, zise Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103, c\u0103ci m\u0103 roade inima de foame ce-mi e!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia mai \u00eeng\u0103dui\u0163i oleac\u0103, m\u0103i, zise Ochil\u0103, c\u0103 doar nu v-au mas \u015foarecii \u00een p\u00e2ntece. Acu\u015fi s-or aduce \u015fi bucatele, \u015fi vinul, \u015fi numai de-a\u0163i avea p\u00e2ntece unde s\u0103 le pune\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cendat\u0103 vi s-a aduce \u015fi dem\u00e2ncare, \u015fi b\u0103utur\u0103, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, numai de-\u0163i putea dovedi c\u00e2t v\u0103 voi da eu; c\u0103 de nu-\u0163i fi m\u00e2nc\u0103tori \u015fi b\u0103utori buni, v-a\u0163i g\u0103sit beleaua cu mine, nu v\u0103 par\u0103 lucru de \u015fag\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D e ne-ar da Dumnezeu tot at\u00e2ta sup\u0103rare, luminareavoastr \u0103, zise atunci Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103, \u0163in\u00e2ndu-se cu m\u00e2inile de p\u00e2ntece.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei \u00een\u0103l\u0163imei-voastre g\u00e2nd bun \u015fi m\u00e2n\u0103 slobod\u0103, ca s\u0103 ne da\u0163i c\u00e2t se poate mai mult\u0103 m\u00e2ncare \u015fi b\u0103uturic\u0103, zise Setil\u0103, c\u0103ruia \u00eei l\u0103sa gura ap\u0103, c\u0103 din m\u00e2ncare \u015fi b\u0103utur\u0103, las\u2019 dac\u0103 ne-a \u00eentrece cineva; numai la treab\u0103 nu ne prea punem cu to\u0163i nebunii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul t\u0103cea la toate aceste, \u00eei asculta cu dezgust \u015fi numai \u00eenghi\u0163ea noduri. Dar, \u00een g\u00e2ndul s\u0103u: “Bine, bine! Cerca\u0163i voi marea cu degetul, dar ia s\u0103 vedem cum i-\u0163i da de fund? V\u0103 vor ie\u015fi ele toate aceste pe nas”. Dup\u0103 aceea \u00eei las\u0103 \u015fi se duce \u00een cas\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, nu trece mult la mijloc, \u015fi numai iaca li se aduc 12 harabale cu p\u00e2ine, 12 ialovi\u0163e fripte \u015fi 12 bu\u0163i pline cu vin de cel hr\u0103nit, de care, cum bei c\u00e2te oleac\u0103, pe loc \u0163i se taie picioarele, \u00ee\u0163i sclipesc ochii \u00een cap, \u0163i se \u00eencleie limba \u00een gur\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepi a bolborosi turce\u015fte, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftii bechiu m\u0103car. Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103 \u015fi Setil\u0103 ziser\u0103 atunci celorlal\u0163i:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, m\u00e2nca\u0163i voi \u00eent\u00e2i \u015fi be\u0163i c\u00e2t ve\u0163i putea, dar nu cumva s\u0103 v\u0103 pune\u0163i mintea cu toat\u0103 m\u00e2ncarea \u015fi b\u0103utura, c-apoi al vostru e dracul!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb, Geril\u0103, Ochil\u0103 \u015fi P\u0103s\u0103ri-L\u0103\u0163i-Lungil\u0103 se pun ei de osp\u0103teaz\u0103 \u015fi beau c\u00e2t le trebuie. Dar ce are a face? parc\u0103 nici nu se cuno\u015ftea de unde au m\u00e2ncat \u015fi au b\u0103ut; c\u0103 doar m\u00e2ncare \u015fi b\u0103utur\u0103 era acolo, nu \u015fag\u0103; d\u0103, ca la o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hai, ia da\u0163i-v\u0103 deoparte, m\u0103i p\u0103c\u0103to\u015filor, c\u0103 numai a\u0163i cr\u00e2mpo\u0163it m\u00e2ncarea, ziser\u0103 atunci Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103 \u015fi Setil\u0103, care a\u015fteptau cu neast\u00e2mp\u0103r, fiind rup\u0163i \u00een co\u015f de foame \u015fi de sete.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci unde nu \u00eencepe Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103 a c\u0103r\u0103b\u0103ni deodat\u0103 \u00een gur\u0103 c\u00e2te o haraba de p\u00e2ine \u015fi c\u00e2te o ialovi\u0163\u0103 \u00eentreag\u0103, \u015fi repede mi \u0163i le-a \u00eenfulecat \u015fi le-a forfecat, de parc\u0103 n-au mai fost. Iar\u0103 Setil\u0103, d\u00e2nd fundurile afar\u0103 la c\u00e2te o bute, horp! \u0163i-o sugea dintr-o singur\u0103 sorbitur\u0103; \u015fi, repede-repede, mi \u0163i le-a supt pe toate de-a r\u00e2ndul, de n-a mai r\u0103mas nici m\u0103car pic\u0103tur\u0103 de vin pe doage.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceea, Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103 a \u00eenceput a striga \u00een gura mare c\u0103 moare de foame \u015fi a zv\u00e2rli cu ciolane \u00een oamenii \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti, care erau acolo de fa\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 Setil\u0103 striga \u015fi el c\u00e2t ce putea c\u0103 crap\u0103 de sete \u015fi zv\u00e2rlea cu doage \u015fi cu funduri de poloboc \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, ca un nebun.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul atunci, auzind vuiet tocmai din cas\u0103, iese afar\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd vede aceste, \u00ee\u015fi pune m\u00e2inile \u00een cap de necaz.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, m\u0103i, m\u0103i! Ace\u015ftia-s curat s\u0103r\u0103cie trimis\u0103 de la Dumnezeu pe capu meu, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00een sine, plin de am\u0103r\u0103ciune. Mi se pare c\u0103, ia acum, mi-am dat \u015fi eu peste oameni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb iese atunci din mijlocul celorlal\u0163i \u015fi iar se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenaintea \u00eemp\u0103ratului, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 tr\u0103i\u0163i, luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate! De-acum cred c\u0103 mi-\u0163i da fata, ca s\u0103 v\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m \u00een pace \u015fi s\u0103 ne ducem \u00een treaba noastr\u0103, c\u0103ci nepotul \u00eemp\u0103ratului Verde ne-a fi a\u015ftept\u00e2nd cu ner\u0103bdare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A veni ea \u015fi vremea aceea, voinice, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul cam cu jum\u0103tate de gur\u0103. Dar ia mai ave\u0163i pu\u0163in\u0103 r\u0103bdare, c\u0103ci fata nu-i de cele de pe drumuri, s-o lua\u0163i numai a\u015fa, cum s-ar \u00eent\u00e2mpla. Ia s\u0103 mai vedem cam cum ar veni trebu\u015foara asta. Nu-i vorb\u0103, de m\u00e2ncat a\u0163i m\u00e2ncat \u015fi de b\u0103ut a\u0163i b\u0103ut fiecare c\u00e2t \u015faptesprezece. \u00cens\u0103 de acum \u00eenainte mai ave\u0163i \u015fi ceva treab\u0103 de f\u0103cut: iaca, v\u0103 dau o mier\u0163\u0103 de s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163\u0103 de mac, amestecat\u0103 cu una de nisip m\u0103run\u0163el; \u015fi, p\u00e2n\u0103 m\u00e2ine diminea\u0163\u0103, s\u0103-mi alege\u0163i macul de-o parte, fir de fir, \u015fi nisipul de alt\u0103 parte; nu cumva s\u0103 g\u0103sesc vreun fir de mac printre nisip sau vreunul de nisip printre mac, c\u0103 atunci am stricat pacea. \u015ei dac\u0103-\u0163i putea scoate la cap\u0103t trebu\u015foara asta, atunci oi mai vedea eu\u2026 Iar\u0103 de nu, ve\u0163i pl\u0103ti cu capul obr\u0103znicia ce a\u0163i \u00eentrebuin\u0163at fa\u0163\u0103 cu mine, ca s\u0103 prind\u0103 \u015fi al\u0163ii la minte v\u0103z\u00e2nd de patima voastr\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei apoi, duc\u00e2ndu-se \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00een treaba lui, i-a l\u0103sat s\u0103-\u015fi bat\u0103 capul cum vor \u015fti.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb \u015fi cu ai s\u0103i au \u00eenceput a str\u00e2nge din umere, nepricep\u00e2ndu-se ce-i de f\u0103cut.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, apoi \u015fag\u0103 v\u0103 pare? Cu chi\u0163ibu\u015furi de aceste s\u0103 ne z\u0103bovim noi? P\u00e2cli\u015fit om e \u00eemp\u0103ratul Ro\u015f! se vede el, zise atunci Ochil\u0103. Eu, nu-i vorb\u0103, m\u0103car c\u0103 e a\u015fa de \u00eentuneric, deosebesc tare bine firele de mac din cele de nisip. Dar numai iu\u0163eal\u0103 \u015fi gur\u0103 de furnic\u0103 ar trebui s\u0103 aibi ca s\u0103 po\u0163i apuca, alege \u015fi culege ni\u015fte flecu\u015fte\u0163e ca aceste, \u00een a\u015fa scurt\u0103 vreme. Bine-a zis cine-a zis ca s\u0103 te fere\u015fti de omul ro\u015f, c\u0103ci e li\u015ftai dracul \u00een picioare, acum v\u0103d eu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb \u00ee\u015fi aduce atunci aminte de aripa cea de furnic\u0103, o scoate de unde-o avea str\u00e2ns\u0103, apoi scap\u0103r\u0103 \u015fi-i d\u0103 foc cu o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de iasc\u0103 aprins\u0103. \u015ei atunci, minune mare! Numai iaca au \u015fi \u00eenceput a curge furnicile cu droaia, c\u00e2t\u0103 pulbere \u015fi spuz\u0103, c\u00e2t\u0103 frunz\u0103 \u015fi iarb\u0103; unele pe sub p\u0103m\u00e2nt, altele pe deasupra p\u0103m\u00e2ntului \u015fi altele \u00een zbor, de nu se mai curmau venind. \u015ei, \u00eentr-un buc, au \u015fi ales nisipul de-o parte \u015fi macul de alt\u0103 parte; s\u0103 fi dat mii de mii de lei, nu g\u0103seai fir de mac printre nisip sau fir de nisip printre mac. \u015ei apoi, \u00een zori de ziu\u0103, c\u00e2nd e somnul mai dulce, de doarme \u015fi p\u0103m\u00e2ntul sub om, o mul\u0163ime de furnici de cele m\u0103run\u0163ele au str\u0103b\u0103tut \u00eenl\u0103untrul palatului \u015fi au \u00eenceput a pi\u015fca din somn pe \u00eemp\u0103ratul, de-l frigeau, nu alt\u0103ceva. \u015ei v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se el cuprins de a\u015fa usturime, s-a sculat cu nepus \u00een mas\u0103, c\u0103ci nu mai era de chip s\u0103 doarm\u0103, cum dormea alte d\u0103\u0163i, p\u00e2n\u0103 pe la amiaz\u0103, nesup\u0103rat de nimene. \u015ei, cum s-a sculat, a \u015fi \u00eenceput a c\u0103uta cu de-am\u0103nuntul prin a\u015fternut, s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce poate s\u0103 fie. Dar a g\u0103sit nimica toat\u0103, c\u0103ci furnicile parc\u0103 intrar\u0103 \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt; s-au mistuit, de nu se \u015ftie ce s-au mai f\u0103cut.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A dracului treab\u0103! Uite ce bl\u00e2nd\u0103 mi-a ie\u015fit pe trup. S\u0103 fi fost nimica\u2026 parc\u0103 nu-mi vine a crede. \u00cens\u0103 mai \u015ftiu eu? Ori p\u0103rerea m\u0103 \u00een\u015fal\u0103, ori s-a stricat vremea, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul; din dou\u0103, una trebuie s\u0103 fie numaidec\u00e2t. Dar, p\u00e2n\u0103 una-alta, ia s\u0103 m\u0103 duc s\u0103 v\u0103d: ales-au nisipul de mac acei nesp\u0103la\u0163i, care-mi rod urechile s\u0103 le dau fata?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei c\u00e2nd se duce \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi vede cum se \u00eendeplinise de bine porunca lui, se umple de bucurie\u2026 \u015ei, nemaiav\u00e2nd ce pricin\u0103 s\u0103 le caute, r\u0103m\u00e2ne pe g\u00e2nduri.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb iar iese din mijlocul celorlal\u0163i \u015fi se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Prea\u00een\u0103l\u0163ate \u00eemp\u0103rate, de-acum cred c\u0103 mi-\u0163i da fata, ca s\u0103 v\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m \u00een pace \u015fi s\u0103 ne ducem de unde am venit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A veni ea \u015fi vremea aceea, voinice, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u00eeng\u00e2n\u00e2nd vorba printre din\u0163i, dar p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci mai este \u00eenc\u0103 treab\u0103; iaca ce ave\u0163i de f\u0103cut: fata mea are s\u0103 se culce desar\u0103 unde se culc\u0103 totdeauna, iar\u0103 voi s\u0103 mi-o str\u0103jui\u0163i toat\u0103 noaptea. \u015ei dac\u0103 m\u00e2ine diminea\u0163\u0103 s-a afla tot colo, atunci poate s\u0103 \u0163i-o dau; iar\u0103 de nu, ce-i p\u0103\u0163i, cu nime nu-i \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163i\u2026 \u00cen\u0163eles-a\u0163i?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 tr\u0103i\u0163i, luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate, r\u0103spunse Harap-Alb, numai de n-ar fi mai mult\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2rziere, c\u0103ci st\u0103p\u00e2nul m\u0103 a\u015fteapt\u0103 \u015fi grozav\u0103 urgie poate s\u0103 cad\u0103 pe capul meu din ast\u0103 pricin\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 St\u0103p\u00e2nu-t\u0103u, ca st\u0103p\u00e2nu-t\u0103u; ce \u0163i-a face el, asta-i deosebit de ba\u015fc\u0103, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, uit\u00e2ndu-se chior\u00e2\u015f la d\u00e2n\u015fii. Ieie-v\u0103 macar \u015fi pielea de pe cap, ce am eu de-acolo? \u00cens\u0103 pe mine c\u0103uta\u0163i s\u0103 nu m\u0103 sminti\u0163i: fata \u015fi ochii din cap, c\u0103ci at\u00e2ta vi-i leacul; v-a\u0163i dus pe copce, cu toat\u0103 \u015fmecheria voastr\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceasta, \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00eei las\u0103 \u00eencurca\u0163i \u015fi se duce la ale sale.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aici \u00eenc\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 fie un drac la mijloc, zise Geril\u0103, cl\u0103tin\u00e2nd din cap.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba \u00eenc\u0103 de cei b\u0103tr\u00e2ni; s\u0103geata de noapte \u015fi dracul cel de amiaz\u0103zi, r\u0103spunse Ochil\u0103. Dar nu \u015fi-a juca el mendrele \u00eendelung, a\u015fa cred eu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, durai-vurai, seara vine, fata se culc\u0103 \u015fi HarapAlb se pune de straj\u0103 chiar la u\u015fa ei, iar\u0103 ceilal\u0163i se \u00een\u015fir\u0103 tot c\u00e2te unul-unul p\u00e2n\u0103 la poart\u0103, dup\u0103 porunc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, c\u00e2nd pe aproape de miezul nop\u0163ii, fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului se preface \u00eentr-o p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103 \u015fi zboar\u0103 nev\u0103zut\u0103 printre cinci str\u0103ji. Dar c\u00e2nd ajunge pe la str\u0103jerul Ochil\u0103, el, sireicanul, mi \u0163i-o vede \u015fi d\u0103 de \u015ftire lui P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, feti\u015foara \u00eemp\u0103ratului ne-a tras butucul. A dracului zg\u00e2tie de fat\u0103! s-a pref\u0103cut \u00een p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103, a zburat ca s\u0103geata pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 ceilal\u0163i \u015fi ei habar n-au despre asta. Ei, apoi? Las\u0103-te \u00een seama lor dac\u0103 vrei s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2i f\u0103r\u2019 de cap. De-acum, numai noi o putem g\u0103si \u015fi aduce la urma ei. Taci molcum \u015fi haidem dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa. Eu \u0163i-oi ar\u0103ta-o pe unde se ascunde, iar\u0103 tu s\u0103 mi-o prinzi cum \u0163i-i me\u015fte\u015fugul \u015fi s\u0103-i str\u00e2mbi g\u00e2tul oleac\u0103, s\u0103 se \u00eenve\u0163e ea de alt\u0103 dat\u0103 a mai purta lumea pe degete.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci, odat\u0103 \u015fi pornesc ei dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa, \u015fi nu merg tocmai mult \u015fi Ochil\u0103 zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103, iac\u0103t\u0103-o, ia! colo, \u00een dosul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, tupilat\u0103 sub umbra iepurelui; pune m\u00e2na pe d\u00e2nsa \u015fi n-o l\u0103sa!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103 atunci se l\u0103\u0163e\u015fte c\u00e2t ce poate, \u00eencepe a bojb\u0103i prin toate buruienile \u015fi, c\u00e2nd s\u0103 pun\u0103 m\u00e2na pe d\u00e2nsa, zbr! pe v\u00e2rful unui munte, \u015fi se ascunde dup\u0103 o st\u00e2nc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103t\u0103-oi, m\u0103i, colo, \u00een v\u00e2rful muntelui, dup\u0103 st\u00e2nca ceea, zise Ochil\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103 atunci se \u00eenal\u0163\u0103 pu\u0163in \u015fi \u00eencepe a cotrob\u0103i pe dup\u0103 st\u00e2nci; \u015fi c\u00e2nd s\u0103 pun\u0103 m\u00e2na pe d\u00e2nsa, zbr! \u015fi de acolo \u015fi se duce de se ascunde tocmai dup\u0103 lun\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103, iac\u0103t\u0103-oi, ia! colo, dup\u0103 lun\u0103, zise Ochil\u0103; c\u0103ci nu pot eu s-o ajung, s\u0103-i dau o sc\u0103rm\u0103n\u0103tur\u0103 bun\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103 se de\u015fir\u0103 odat\u0103 \u015fi se \u00eenal\u0163\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la lun\u0103. Apoi, cuprinz\u00e2nd luna \u00een bra\u0163e, g\u0103buie\u015fte p\u0103s\u0103rica, mi \u0163i-o \u00een\u015ffac\u0103 de coad\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103-i suceasc\u0103 g\u00e2tul. Ea atunci se preface \u00een fat\u0103 \u015fi strig\u0103 \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2ntat\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D\u0103ruie\u015fte-mi via\u0163a, P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103, c\u0103 te-oi d\u0103rui \u015fi eu cu mil\u0103 \u015fi cu daruri \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti, a\u015fa s\u0103 tr\u0103ie\u015fti!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba c\u0103 chiar c\u0103 erai s\u0103 ne d\u0103ruie\u015fti cu mil\u0103 \u015fi cu daruri \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti, dac\u0103 nu te vedeam c\u00e2nd ai pa\u015flit-o, farmazoan\u0103 ce e\u015fti! zise Ochil\u0103. \u015etiu c\u0103 am tras o durdur\u0103 bun\u0103 c\u0103ut\u00e2ndu-te. Ia, mai bine hai la culcu\u015f, c\u0103 se face ziu\u0103 acu\u015fi. \u015e-apoi, ce-a mai fi a mai fi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei odat\u0103 mi \u0163i-o \u00een\u015ffac\u0103 ei, unul de-o m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi altul de cealalt\u0103 \u015fi hai! hai, hai! \u00een zori de ziu\u0103 ajung la palat \u015fi, trec\u00e2nd cu d\u00e2nsa printre str\u0103ji, o silesc s\u0103 intre \u00een odaia ei, tot cum a ie\u015fit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, Harap-Alb, zise atunci Ochil\u0103, dac\u0103 nu eram eu \u015fi cu P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103, ce f\u0103cea\u0163i voi acum? Iaca a\u015fa, tot omul are un dar \u015fi un amar; \u015fi unde prisose\u015fte darul nu se mai bag\u0103 \u00een seam\u0103 amarul. Amar era s\u0103 fie de voi, de nu eram noi am\u00e2ndoi. \u015ei cu str\u0103juirea voastr\u0103, era vai de pielea noastr\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb \u015fi ceilal\u0163i, nemaiav\u00e2nd ce zice, pleac\u0103 capul ru\u015fina\u0163i, mul\u0163umind lui P\u0103s\u0103ril\u0103 \u015fi vestitului Ochil\u0103, c\u0103ci le-au fost ca ni\u015fte fra\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci, numai iaca \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul vine ca un leu-paraleu, s\u0103-\u015fi ia fata pe seam\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd o g\u0103se\u015fte sub straj\u0103, dup\u0103 cum nu se a\u015ftepta el, numa-i sc\u00e2nteiau ochii \u00een cap de ciud\u0103, dar nu avu ce face.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb iar se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenaintea \u00eemp\u0103ratului, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Luminate \u00eemp\u0103rate, de-acum cred c\u0103 mi-\u0163i da fata, ca s\u0103 v\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m \u00een pace \u015fi s\u0103 ne ducem \u00een treaba noastr\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, voinice, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul posomor\u00e2t; a veni ea \u015fi vremea aceea. \u00cens\u0103 eu mai am o fat\u0103, luat\u0103 de suflet, tot de o v\u00e2rst\u0103 cu fata mea; \u015fi nu e deosebire \u00eentre d\u00e2nsele nici la frumuse\u0163e, nici la stat, nici la purtat. Hai, \u015fi dac\u0103-i cunoa\u015fte-o care-i a mea adev\u0103rat\u0103, ia-\u0163i-o \u015fi duce\u0163i-v\u0103 de pe capul meu, c\u0103 mi-a\u0163i scos peri albi, de c\u00e2nd a\u0163i venit. Iaca, m\u0103 duc s\u0103 le preg\u0103tesc, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Tu vin\u0103 dup\u0103 mine, \u015fi, dac\u0103-i ghici-o, ferice de tine a fi. Iar\u0103 de nu, lua\u0163i-v\u0103 catrafusele \u015fi \u00eencepe\u0163i a v\u0103 c\u0103r\u0103b\u0103ni de la casa mea, c\u0103ci nu v\u0103 mai pot suferi!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei duc\u00e2ndu-se \u00eemp\u0103ratul, pune de piapt\u0103n\u0103 \u015fi \u00eembrac\u0103 la fel pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103 fetele \u015fi apoi d\u0103 porunc\u0103 s\u0103 vie Harap-Alb s\u0103 ghiceasc\u0103 fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se pus \u00een \u00eencurcal\u0103, nu mai \u015ftia ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencotro s\u0103-o dea ca s\u0103 nu gre\u015feasc\u0103 tocmai acum, la duc\u0103. \u015ei, mai st\u00e2nd el pe g\u00e2nduri oleac\u0103, cum e omul tulburat, \u00ee\u015fi aduce aminte de aripa cea de albin\u0103 \u015fi, sco\u0163\u00e2nd-o de unde-o avea str\u00e2ns\u0103, scap\u0103r\u0103 \u015fi-i d\u0103 foc cu o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de iasc\u0103 aprins\u0103. \u015ei atunci, numai iaca se pomene\u015fte cu cr\u0103iasa albinelor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce nevoie te-a ajuns de mine, Harap-Alb? zise ea, zbur\u00e2nd pe um\u0103rul s\u0103u. Spune-mi, c\u0103ci sunt gata s\u0103 te slujesc.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb \u00eencepe a-i spune toate cu de-am\u0103nuntul \u015fi o roag\u0103 de to\u0163i dumnezeii ca s\u0103-i dea ajutor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-ai grij\u0103, Harap-Alb, zise cr\u0103iasa albinelor; las\u2019 c\u0103 te fac eu s-o cuno\u015fti \u015fi dintr-o mie. Hai, intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103 cu \u00eendr\u0103zneal\u0103, c\u0103ci am s\u0103 fiu \u015fi eu pe-acolo. \u015ei cum \u00eei intra, stai pu\u0163in \u015fi te uit\u0103 la fete; \u015fi care-i vedea-o c\u0103 se ap\u0103r\u0103 cu n\u0103frama, s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 aceea este fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci Harap-Alb intr\u0103, cu albina pe um\u0103r, \u00een odaia unde era \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi cu fetele, apoi st\u0103 pu\u0163in deoparte \u015fi \u00eencepe a se uita c\u00e2nd la una, c\u00e2nd la alta. \u015ei cum sta el drept ca lum\u00e2narea \u015fi le privea, cu b\u0103gare de seam\u0103, cr\u0103iasa albinelor zboar\u0103 pe obrazul fetei \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Atunci ea, tres\u0103rind, odat\u0103 \u00eencepe a \u0163ipa \u015fi a se ap\u0103ra cu n\u0103frama, ca de un du\u015fman. Lui Harap-Alb at\u00e2ta i-a trebuit: \u00eendat\u0103 face c\u00e2\u0163iva pa\u015fi spre d\u00e2nsa, o apuc\u0103 frumu\u015fel de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi zice \u00eemp\u0103ratului:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Luminarea-voastr\u0103, de-acum cred c\u0103 nu mi-\u0163i mai face nici o \u00eempiedicare, pentru c\u0103 am adus \u00eentru \u00eendeplinire tot ceea ce ne-a\u0163i poruncit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Din partea mea po\u0163i s-o iei de-acum, Harap-Alb, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, ovilit \u015fi sarb\u0103d la fa\u0163\u0103 de sup\u0103rare \u015fi ru\u015fine; dac\u0103 n-a fost ea vrednic\u0103 s\u0103 v\u0103 r\u0103puie capul, fii m\u0103car tu vrednic s-o st\u0103p\u00e2ne\u015fti, c\u0103ci acum \u0163i-o dau cu toat\u0103 inima.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb mul\u0163ume\u015fte atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi apoi zice fetei:, De-acum putem s\u0103 mergem, c\u0103ci st\u0103p\u00e2nu-meu, luminarea-sa nepotul \u00eemp\u0103ratului Verde, a f i \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nit a\u015ftept\u00e2ndu-m\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia mai \u00eeng\u0103duie\u015fte pu\u0163in, ner\u0103bd\u0103torule, zise fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului, lu\u00e2nd o turturic\u0103 \u00een bra\u0163e, spun\u00e2ndu-i nu \u015ftiu ce la ureche \u015fi s\u0103rut\u00e2nd-o cu drag; nu te gr\u0103bi a\u015fa, Harap-Alb, c\u0103 te-i pripi. Stai, c\u0103 mai ai \u015fi cu mine oleac\u0103 de vorb\u0103: \u00eenainte de pornire, trebuie s\u0103 mearg\u0103 calul t\u0103u \u015fi cu turturica mea s\u0103-mi aduc\u0103 trei smicele de m\u0103r dulce \u015fi ap\u0103 vie \u015fi ap\u0103 moart\u0103 de unde se bat mun\u0163ii \u00een capete. \u015ei de-a veni turturica mea \u00eenainte cu smicelele \u015fi apa, ia-\u0163i n\u0103dejdea despre mine, c\u0103ci nu merg, fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu! Iar\u0103 de-i avea noroc \u015fi-a veni calul t\u0103u mai \u00eent\u00e2i \u015fi mi-o aduce cele poruncite, s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 merg cu tine, oriunde mi-i duce; s-a m\u00e2ntuit socoteala.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei atunci, odat\u0103 pornesc \u015fi turturica \u015fi calul, fugind pe \u00eentrecute, c\u00e2nd pe sus, c\u00e2nd pe jos, dup\u0103 cum cerea trebuin\u0163a.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar turturica, fiind mai u\u015foar\u0103, ajunge mai \u00eenainte; \u015fi p\u00e2ndind tocmai c\u00e2nd era soarele \u00een cruce, de se odihneau mun\u0163ii numai pentru o clipit\u0103, se repede ca prin foc \u015fi ia trei smicele de m\u0103r dulce \u015fi ap\u0103 vie \u015fi ap\u0103 moart\u0103, \u015fi apoi ca fulgerul se \u00eentoarce \u00eenapoi. \u015ei, c\u00e2nd pe la poarta mun\u0163ilor, calul \u00eei iese \u00eenainte, o prope\u015fte \u00een cale \u015fi o ia cu m\u0103gulelile, zic\u00e2ndu-i:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Turturic\u0103-ric\u0103, drag\u0103 p\u0103s\u0103ric\u0103, ad\u0103 la mine cele trei smicele de m\u0103r dulce, apa cea vie \u015fi cea moart\u0103, \u015fi tu du-te \u00eenapoi de-\u0163i ia altele \u015fi mi-i ajunge pe drum, c\u0103ci e\u015fti mai sprinten\u0103 dec\u00e2t mine. Hai, nu mai sta la \u00eendoial\u0103 \u015fi d\u0103-mi-le, c\u0103ci atunci are s\u0103 fie bine \u015fi de st\u0103p\u00e2nu-meu, \u015fi de st\u0103p\u00e2n\u0103-ta, \u015fi de mine, \u015fi de tine; iar\u0103 de nu mi li-i da, st\u0103p\u00e2nu-meu Harap-Alb este \u00een primejdie, \u015fi de noi \u00eenc\u0103 n-are s\u0103 fie bine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Turturica parc\u0103 n-ar fi voit. Dar calul n-o mai \u00eentreab\u0103 de ce-i e cojocul; se repede \u015fi-i ia apa \u015fi smicelele cu hapca \u015fi apoi fuge cu d\u00e2nsele la fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi i le d\u0103, de fa\u0163\u0103 cu Harap-Alb. Atunci lui Harap-Alb i s-a umplut inima de bucurie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vine ea \u015fi turturica mai pe urm\u0103, dar ce-\u0163i e bun\u0103?, Alei, \u0163olin\u0103 ce-mi e\u015fti, zise fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului; da\u2019 bine m-ai v\u00e2ndut. Dac\u0103 e a\u015fa, hai, porne\u015fte chiar acum la \u00eemp\u0103ratul Verde \u015fi veste\u015fte-i c\u0103 venim \u015fi noi \u00een urm\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci turturica porne\u015fte. Iar\u0103 fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u00eengenunche dinaintea t\u0103t\u00e2ne-s\u0103u \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Binecuv\u00e2nteaz\u0103-m\u0103, tat\u0103, \u015fi r\u0103m\u00e2i s\u0103n\u0103tos! Se vede c\u0103 a\u015fa mi-a fost sortit \u015fi n-am ce face; trebuie s\u0103 merg cu HarapAlb, \u015fi pace bun\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceasta, \u00ee\u015fi ia cele trebuitoare la drum, apoi \u00eencalec\u0103 \u015fi ea pe un cal n\u0103zdr\u0103van \u015fi st\u0103 gata de pornire. Iar\u0103 HarapAlb, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi oamenii s\u0103i, \u00eencalec\u0103 \u015fi el \u015fi pornesc spre \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie, Dumnezeu s\u0103 ne \u0163ie, c\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul din poveste, \u00eenainte mult mai este.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mers-au ei \u015fi zi \u015fi noapte, nu se \u015ftie c\u00e2t au mers; \u015fi, de la un loc, Geril\u0103, Fl\u0103m\u00e2nzil\u0103 \u015fi Setil\u0103, P\u0103s\u0103ri-L\u0103\u0163i-Lungil\u0103 \u015fi n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul Ochil\u0103 se opresc cu to\u0163ii \u00een cale, se opresc \u015fi zic cu jale:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Harap-Alb, mergi s\u0103n\u0103tos! De-am fost r\u0103i, tu ni-i ierta, c\u0103ci \u015fi r\u0103ul c\u00e2teodat\u0103 prinde bine la ceva.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Harap-Alb le mul\u0163ume\u015fte \u015f-apoi pleac\u0103 lini\u015ftit. Fata vesel \u00eei z\u00e2mbe\u015fte, luna-n cer a asfin\u0163it. Dar \u00een pieptul lor r\u0103sare\u2026 Ce r\u0103sare? Ia, un dor; soare m\u00e2ndru, luminos \u015fi \u00een sine arz\u0103tor, ce se na\u015fte din sc\u00e2nteia unui ochi fermec\u0103tor!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei mai merg ei c\u00e2t mai merg, \u015fi de ce mergeau \u00eenainte, de ce lui Harap-Alb i se tulburau min\u0163ile, uit\u00e2ndu-se la fat\u0103 \u015fi v\u0103z\u00e2nd-o c\u00e2t era de t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103, de frumoas\u0103 \u015fi plin\u0103 de vin\u0103-ncoace.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S\u0103l\u0103\u0163ile din Gr\u0103dina Ursului, pielea \u015fi capul cerbului le-a dus la st\u0103p\u00e2nu-s\u0103u cu toat\u0103 inima. Dar pe fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f mai nu-i venea s-o duc\u0103, fiind nebun de dragostea ei. C\u0103ci era boboc de trandafir din luna lui mai, sc\u0103ldat \u00een roua dimine\u0163ii, dezmierdat de cele \u00eent\u00e2i raze ale soarelui, leg\u0103nat de adierea v\u00e2ntului \u015fi neatins de ochii fluturilor. Sau, cum s-ar mai zice la noi \u00een \u0163\u0103r\u0103ne\u015fte, era frumoas\u0103 de mama focului; la soare te puteai uita, iar la d\u00e2nsa ba. \u015ei de-aceea Harap- Alb o pr\u0103p\u0103dea din ochi de drag\u0103 ce-i era. Nu-i vorb\u0103, \u015fi ea fura cu ochii, din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, pe Harap-Alb, \u015fi \u00een inima ei parc\u0103 se petrecea nu \u015ftiu ce\u2026 poate vreun dor ascuns, care nu-i venea a-l spune. Vorba c\u00e2ntecului:<\/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\u00a0Fugi de-acole, vin\u0103-ncoace!<\/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\u015eezi bini\u015for, nu-mi da pace!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sau mai \u015ftiu eu cum s\u0103 zic, ca s\u0103 nu gre\u015fesc? Dar \u015ftiu at\u00e2ta, c\u0103 ei mergeau f\u0103r\u0103 a sim\u0163i c\u0103 merg, p\u0103r\u00e2ndu-li-se calea scurt\u0103 \u015fi vremea \u015fi mai scurt\u0103; ziua ceas \u015fi ceasul clip\u0103; d\u0103, cum e omul c\u00e2nd merge la drum cu dragostea al\u0103turea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu \u015ftia s\u0103rmanul Harap-Alb ce-l a\u015fteapt\u0103 acas\u0103, c\u0103ci nu s-ar mai fi g\u00e2ndit la de-alde acestea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cens\u0103 vorba c\u00e2ntecului:<\/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\u00a0De-ar \u015fti omul ce-ar p\u0103\u0163i,<\/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\u00a0Dinainte s-ar p\u0103zi!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar iaca ce m-am apucat de spus. Mai bine v\u0103 spuneam c\u0103 turturica ajunsese la \u00eemp\u0103ratul Verde \u015fi-l \u00een\u015ftiin\u0163ase c\u0103 vine \u015fi Harap-Alb cu fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul Verde a \u015fi \u00eenceput a face preg\u0103tire, ca pentru o fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat, d\u00e2nd \u015fi porunc\u0103 s\u0103 le ias\u0103 \u00eentru \u00eent\u00e2mpinare. Iar\u0103 Sp\u00e2nul icnea \u00een sine \u015fi se g\u00e2ndea numai la r\u0103zbunare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, mai merge Harap-Alb cu fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului c\u00e2t mai merge, \u015fi de la o vreme ajung \u015fi ei la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, c\u00e2nd colo, numai iaca ce le ies \u00eenainte \u00eemp\u0103ratul Verde, fetele sale, Sp\u00e2nul \u015fi toat\u0103 curtea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103, ca s\u0103-i primeasc\u0103. \u015ei v\u0103z\u00e2nd Sp\u00e2nul c\u00e2t e de frumoas\u0103 fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f, odat\u0103 se repede s\u0103 o ia \u00een bra\u0163e de pe cal. Dar fata \u00eei pune atunci m\u00e2na pe piept, \u00eel br\u00e2nce\u015fte c\u00e2t colo \u015fi zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Lipse\u015fte dinaintea mea, Sp\u00e2nule! Doar n-am venit pentru tine, \u015f-am venit pentru Harap-Alb, c\u0103ci el este adev\u0103ratul nepot al \u00eemp\u0103ratului Verde.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Atunci \u00eemp\u0103ratul Verde \u015fi fetele sale au r\u0103mas \u00eencremeni\u0163i de ceea ce au auzit. Iar Sp\u00e2nul, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 i s-a dat vicle\u015fugul pe fa\u0163\u0103, se repede ca un c\u00e2ine turbat la Harap-Alb \u015fi-i zboar\u0103 capul dintr-o singur\u0103 lovitur\u0103 de palo\u015f, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na! a\u015fa trebuie s\u0103 p\u0103\u0163easc\u0103 cine calc\u0103 jur\u0103m\u00e2ntul! Dar calul lui Harap-Alb \u00eendat\u0103 se repede \u015fi el la Sp\u00e2n \u015fi-i zice:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 P\u00e2n-aici, Sp\u00e2nule! \u015ei odat\u0103 mi \u0163i-l \u00een\u015ffac\u0103 cu din\u0163ii de cap, zboar\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul \u00een \u00eenaltul cerului, \u015fi apoi, d\u00e2ndu-i drumul de-acolo, se face Sp\u00e2nul p\u00e2n\u0103 jos praf \u015fi pulbere. Iar\u0103 fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f, \u00een v\u0103lm\u0103\u015fagul acesta, repede pune capul lui Harap-Alb la loc, \u00eel \u00eenconjur\u0103 de trei ori cu cele trei smicele de m\u0103r dulce, toarn\u0103 ap\u0103 moart\u0103, s\u0103 stea s\u00e2ngele \u015fi s\u0103 se prind\u0103 pielea, apoi \u00eel strope\u015fte cu ap\u0103 vie, \u015fi atunci Harap-Alb \u00eendat\u0103 \u00eenvie \u015fi, \u015fterg\u00e2ndu-se cu m\u00e2na pe la ochi, zice suspin\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, da\u2019 din greu mai adormisem!, Dormeai tu mult \u015fi bine, Harap-Alb, de nu eram eu, zise fata \u00eemp\u0103ratului Ro\u015f, s\u0103rut\u00e2ndu-l cu drag \u015fi d\u00e2ndu-i iar palo\u015ful \u00een st\u0103p\u00e2nire.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei apoi, \u00eengenunchind am\u00e2ndoi dinaintea \u00eemp\u0103ratului Verde, \u00ee\u015fi jur\u0103 credin\u0163\u0103 unul altuia, primind binecuv\u00e2ntare de la d\u00e2nsul \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia totodat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceasta se \u00eencepe nunta, \u015f-apoi, d\u0103 Doamne bine!<\/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\u00a0Lumea de pe lume s-a str\u00e2ns de privea,<\/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\u00a0Soarele \u015fi luna din cer le r\u00e2dea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-apoi fost-au fost pofti\u0163i la nunt\u0103: Cr\u0103iasa furnicilor, Cr\u0103iasa albinelor \u015fi Cr\u0103iasa z\u00e2nelor, minunea minunilor din ostrovul florilor!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei mai fost-au pofti\u0163i \u00eenc\u0103: crai, cr\u0103iese \u015fi-mp\u0103ra\u0163i, oameni \u00een seam\u0103 b\u0103ga\u0163i, \u015f-un p\u0103cat de povestar, f\u0103r\u0103 bani \u00een buzunar. Veselie mare \u00eentre to\u0163i era, chiar \u015fi s\u0103r\u0103cimea osp\u0103ta \u015fi bea!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a \u0163inut veselia ani \u00eentregi, \u015fi acum mai \u0163ine \u00eenc\u0103; cine se duce acolo bea \u015fi m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103. Iar pe la noi, cine are bani bea \u015fi m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103, iar\u0103 cine nu, se uit\u0103 \u015fi rabd\u0103.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Amu cic\u0103 era odat\u0103 \u00eentr-o \u0163ar\u0103 un crai, care avea trei feciori. \u015ei craiul acela mai avea un frate mai mare, care era \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eentr-o alt\u0103 \u0163ar\u0103, mai dep\u0103rtat\u0103. \u015ei … <\/p>\n

Continua\u021bi s\u0103 citi\u021bi<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[316,21],"tags":[317,513,69,758],"class_list":["post-2922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ion-creanga","category-povesti-pentru-copii","tag-ion-creanga","tag-povestea-lui-harap-alb","tag-povesti","tag-povesti-pentru-copii","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-25"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2922\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}