Stau c\u00e2teodat\u0103 \u015fi-mi aduc aminte ce vremi \u015fi ce oameni mai erau \u00een p\u0103r\u0163ile noastre pe c\u00e2nd \u00eencepusem \u015fi eu, dr\u0103g\u0103li\u0163\u0103-Doamne, a m\u0103 ridica b\u0103ie\u0163a\u015f la casa p\u0103rin\u0163ilor mei, \u00een satul Humule\u015fti, din t\u00e2rg drept peste apa Neam\u0163ului; sat mare \u015fi vesel, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163it \u00een trei p\u0103r\u0163i, care se \u0163in tot de una: Vatra satului, Delenii \u015fi Bejenii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015e-apoi Humule\u015ftii, \u015fi pe vremea aceea, nu erau numai a\u015fa, un sat de oameni f\u0103r\u0103 c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i, ci sat vechi r\u0103z\u0103\u015fesc, \u00eentemeiat \u00een toat\u0103 puterea cuv\u00e2ntului: cu gospodari tot unul \u015fi unul, cu fl\u0103c\u0103i voinici \u015fi fete m\u00e2ndre, care \u015ftiau a \u00eenv\u00e2rti \u015fi hora, dar \u015fi suveica, de vuia satul de vatale \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile; cu biseric\u0103 frumoas\u0103 \u015fi ni\u015fte preo\u0163i \u015fi dasc\u0103li \u015fi poporeni ca aceia, de f\u0103ceau mare cinste satului lor. \u015ei p\u0103rintele Ioan de sub deal, Doamne, ce om vrednic \u015fi cu bun\u0103tate mai era! Prin \u00eendemnul s\u0103u, ce mai pomi s-au pus \u00een \u0163intirim, care era \u00eengr\u0103dit cu z\u0103plaz de b\u00e2rne, stre\u015finit cu \u015findil\u0103, \u015fi ce chilie durat\u0103 s-a f\u0103cut la poarta bisericii pentru \u015fcoal\u0103; \u015f-apoi, s\u0103 fi v\u0103zut pe neobositul p\u0103rinte cum umbla prin sat din cas\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103, \u00eempreun\u0103 cu b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile a Ilioaei, dasc\u0103lul bisericii, un holtei zdrav\u0103n, frumos \u015fi voinic, \u015fi sf\u0103tuia pe oameni s\u0103-\u015fi dea copiii la \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103. \u015ei unde nu s-au adunat o mul\u0163ime de b\u0103ie\u0163i \u015fi fete la \u015fcoal\u0103, \u00eentre care eram \u015fi eu, un b\u0103iat priz\u0103rit, ru\u015finos \u015fi fricos \u015fi de umbra mea. \u015ei cea dint\u00e2i \u015fcol\u0103ri\u0163\u0103 a fost \u00eens\u0103\u015fi Sm\u0103r\u0103ndi\u0163a popii, o zg\u00e2tie de copil\u0103 ager\u0103 la minte \u015fi a\u015fa de silitoare, de \u00eentrecea mai pe to\u0163i b\u0103ie\u0163ii \u015fi din carte, dar \u015fi din nebunii. \u00cens\u0103 p\u0103rintele mai \u00een toat\u0103 ziua da pe la \u015fcoal\u0103 \u015fi vedea ce se petrece\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei ne pomenim \u00eentr-una din zile c\u0103 p\u0103rintele vine la \u015fcoal\u0103 \u015fi ne aduce un scaun nou \u015fi lung, \u015fi dup\u0103 ce-a \u00eentrebat de dasc\u0103l, care cum ne purt\u0103m, a stat pu\u0163in pe g\u00e2nduri, apoi a pus nume scaunului Calul Balan \u015fi l-a l\u0103sat \u00een \u015fcoal\u0103. \u00cen alt\u0103 zi ne trezim c\u0103 iar vine p\u0103rintele la \u015fcoal\u0103, cu mo\u015f Fotea, cojocarul satului, care ne aduce, dar de \u015fcoal\u0103 nou\u0103, un dr\u0103gu\u0163 de biciu\u015for de curele, \u00eempletit frumos, \u015fi p\u0103rintele \u00eei pune nume Sf\u00e2ntul Nicolai, dup\u0103 cum este \u015fi hramul bisericii din Humule\u015fti\u2026 Apoi pofte\u015fte pe mo\u015f Fotea c\u0103, dac\u0103 i-or mai pica ceva curele bune, s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 a\u015fa, din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, c\u00e2te unul, \u015fi ceva mai grosu\u0163, dac\u0103 se poate\u2026 B\u0103di\u0163a Vasile a z\u00e2mbit atunci, iar\u0103 noi, \u015fcolarii, am r\u0103mas cu ochii holba\u0163i unii la al\u0163ii. \u015ei a pus p\u0103rintele pravil\u0103 \u015fi a zis c\u0103 \u00een toat\u0103 s\u00e2mb\u0103ta s\u0103 se prociteasc\u0103 b\u0103ie\u0163ii \u015fi fetele, adic\u0103 s\u0103 asculte dasc\u0103lul pe fiecare de tot ce-a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at peste s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103; \u015fi c\u00e2te gre\u015feli va face s\u0103 i le \u00eensemne cu c\u0103rbune pe ceva, iar la urma urmelor, de fiecare gre\u015feal\u0103 s\u0103-i ard\u0103 \u015fcolarului c\u00e2te un sf\u00e2nt-Nicolai. Atunci copila p\u0103rintelui, cum era sprin\u0163ar\u0103 \u015fi plin\u0103 de incuri, a bufnit \u00een r\u00e2s. P\u0103catul ei, s\u0103rmana!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia, poftim de \u00eencalec\u0103 pe Balan, jup\u00e2neas\u0103! zise p\u0103rintele, de tot posomor\u00e2t, s\u0103 facem pocinog sf\u00e2ntului Nicolai cel din cui. \u015ei cu toat\u0103 st\u0103ruin\u0163a lui Mo\u015f Fotea \u015fi a lui b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile, Sm\u0103r\u0103ndi\u0163a a m\u00e2ncat papara, \u015fi pe urm\u0103 \u015fedea cu m\u00e2inile la ochi \u015fi pl\u00e2ngea ca o mireas\u0103, de s\u0103rea c\u0103m\u0103\u015fa de pe d\u00e2nsa. Noi, c\u00e2nd am v\u0103zut asta, am r\u0103mas \u00eenlemni\u0163i. Iar p\u0103rintele, ba azi, ba m\u00e2ine, aduc\u00e2nd pitaci \u015fi colaci din biseric\u0103, a \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163it la fiecare, de ne-a \u00eembl\u00e2nzit, \u015fi treaba mergea strun\u0103; b\u0103ie\u0163ii schimbau tabla \u00een toate zilele, \u015fi s\u00e2mb\u0103ta procitanie. Nu-i vorb\u0103, c\u0103 noi tot ne f\u0103ceam felul, a\u015fa, c\u00e2teodat\u0103; c\u0103ci, din b\u0103\u0163ul \u00een care era a\u015fezat\u0103 fila cu cruce-ajut\u0103 \u015fi buchile scrise de b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile pentru fiecare, am ajuns la tr\u0103taji, de la tr\u0103taji la ceaslov, \u015f-apoi, d\u0103, Doamne, bine! \u00een lipsa p\u0103rintelui \u015fi a dasc\u0103lului intram \u00een \u0163interim, \u0163ineam ceaslovul deschis, \u015fi, cum erau filele cam unse, tr\u0103geau mu\u015ftele \u015fi bondarii la ele, \u015fi, c\u00e2nd cl\u0103mp\u0103neam ceaslovul, c\u00e2te zece-dou\u0103zeci de suflete pr\u0103p\u0103deam deodat\u0103; potop era pe capul mu\u015ftelor! \u00centr-una din zile, ce-i vine p\u0103rintelui, ne caut\u0103 ceasloavele\u015fi, c\u00e2nd le vede a\u015fa s\u00e2ngerate cum erau, \u00ee\u015fi pune m\u00e2inile \u00een cap de necaz. \u015ei cum afl\u0103 pricina, \u00eencepe a ne pofti pe fiecare la Balan \u015fi a ne m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia cu sf\u00e2ntul ierarh Nicolai pentru durerile cuvioaselor mu\u015fte \u015fi ale cuvio\u015filor bondari, care din pricina noastr\u0103 au p\u0103timit. Nu trece mult dup\u0103 asta, \u015fi-ntr-o zi, prin luna lui mai, aproape de Mo\u015fi, \u00eendeamn\u0103 p\u0103catul pe b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile t\u00e2ntul, c\u0103 mai bine nu i-oi zice, s\u0103 pun\u0103 pe unul, Nic-a lui Costache, s\u0103 m\u0103 prociteasc\u0103. Nic\u0103, b\u0103iat mai mare \u015fi \u00eenaintat \u00een \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la genunchiul broa\u015ftei, era sf\u0103dit cu mine din pricina Sm\u0103r\u0103ndi\u0163ei popii, c\u0103reia, cu toat\u0103 p\u0103rerea mea de r\u0103u, i-am tras \u00eentr-o zi o bleand\u0103, pentru c\u0103 nu-mi da pace s\u0103 prind mu\u015fte\u2026 \u015ei Nic\u0103 \u00eencepe s\u0103 m\u0103 asculte; \u015fi m\u0103 ascult\u0103 el, \u015fi m\u0103 ascult\u0103, \u015fi unde nu s-apuc\u0103 de \u00eensemnat la gre\u015feli cu ghiotura pe o drani\u0163\u0103: una, dou\u0103, trei, p\u00e2n\u0103 la dou\u0103zeci \u015fi nou\u0103. M\u0103i!!! s-a trecut de \u015fag\u0103, zic eu, \u00een g\u00e2ndul meu; \u00eenc\u0103 nu m-a g\u0103tit de ascultat, \u015fi c\u00e2te au s\u0103 mai fie! \u015ei unde n-a \u00eenceput a mi se face negru pe dinaintea ochilor \u015fi a tremura de m\u00e2nios\u2026 Ei, ei! acu-i acu. Ce-i de f\u0103cut, m\u0103i Nic\u0103? \u00eemi zic eu \u00een mine. \u015ei m\u0103 uitam pe furi\u015f la u\u015fa m\u00e2ntuirii \u015fi tot sc\u0103p\u0103ram din picioare, a\u015ftept\u00e2nd cu neast\u00e2mp\u0103r s\u0103 vin\u0103 un lainic de \u015fcolar de afar\u0103, c\u0103ci era porunc\u0103 s\u0103 nu ie\u015fim c\u00e2te doi deodat\u0103; \u015fi-mi cr\u0103pa m\u0103seaua-n gur\u0103 c\u00e2nd vedeam c\u0103 nu mai vine, s\u0103 m\u0103 scutesc de c\u0103l\u0103ria lui Balan \u015fi de blagoslovenia lui Nicolai, f\u0103c\u0103torul de v\u00e2n\u0103t\u0103i. Dar adev\u0103ratul sf\u00e2nt Nicolai se vede c\u0103 a \u015ftiut de \u015ftirea mea, c\u0103 numai iaca ce intr\u0103 afurisitul de b\u0103iat \u00een \u015fcoal\u0103. Atunci eu, cu voie, f\u0103r\u0103 voie, plec spre u\u015f\u0103, ies repede \u015fi nu m\u0103 mai \u00eencurc primprejurul \u015fcolii, ci o iau la s\u0103n\u0103toasa spre cas\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd m\u0103 uit \u00eenapoi, doi hojm\u0103l\u0103i se \u015fi luaser\u0103 dup\u0103 mine; \u015fi unde nu \u00eencep a fugi de-mi sc\u0103p\u0103rau picioarele; \u015fi trec pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 casa noastr\u0103, \u015fi nu intru acas\u0103, ci cotigesc \u00een st\u00e2nga \u015fi intru \u00een ograda unui megie\u015f al nostru, \u015fi din ograd\u0103 \u00een ocol, \u015fi din ocol \u00een gr\u0103dina cu p\u0103pu\u015foi, care erau chiar atunci pr\u0103\u015fi\u0163i de-al doilea, \u015fi b\u0103ie\u0163ii dup\u0103 mine; \u015fi, p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 ajung\u0103, eu, de fric\u0103, cine \u015ftie cum, am izbutit de m-am \u00eengropat \u00een \u0163\u0103rn\u0103 la r\u0103d\u0103cina unui p\u0103pu\u015foi. \u015ei Nic-a lui Costache, du\u015fmanulmeu, \u015fi cu Toader a Catinc\u0103i, alt hojm\u0103l\u0103u, au trecut pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine vorbind cu mare ciud\u0103; \u015fi se vede c\u0103 i-a orbit Dumnezeu de nu mau putut g\u0103bui. \u015ei de la o vreme, nemaiauzind nici o fo\u015fnitur\u0103 de p\u0103pu\u015foi, nici o scurm\u0103tur\u0103 de g\u0103in\u0103, am \u0163\u00e2\u015fnit odat\u0103 cu \u0163\u0103rna-n cap, \u015fi tiva la mama acas\u0103, \u015fi am \u00eenceput a-i spune, cu lacrimi, c\u0103 nu m\u0103 mai duc la \u015fcoal\u0103, m\u0103car s\u0103 \u015ftiu bine c\u0103 m-or omor\u00ee!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi \u00eens\u0103 a venit p\u0103rintele pe la noi, s-a \u00een\u0163eles cu tata, m-au luat ei cu bini\u015forul \u015fi m-au dus iar la \u015fcoal\u0103. C\u0103, d\u0103, e p\u0103cat s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2i f\u0103r\u0103 leac de \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103, zicea p\u0103rintele; doar ai trecut de bucheludeazla \u015fi bucheri\u0163azdra: e\u015fti acum la ceaslov, \u015fi m\u00e2ine-poim\u00e2ine ai s\u0103 treci la psaltire, care este cheia tuturor \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103turilor, \u015fi, mai \u015ftii cum vine vremea? poate s\u0103 te faci \u015fi pop\u0103 aici, la biserica Sf\u00e2ntului Nicolai, c\u0103 eu pentru voi m\u0103 str\u0103d\u0103nuiesc. Am o singur\u0103 fat\u0103 \u015f-oi vedea eu pe cine mi-oi alege de ginere. Hei, hei! c\u00e2nd aud eu de pop\u0103 \u015fi de Sm\u0103r\u0103ndi\u0163a popii, las mu\u015ftele \u00een pace \u015fi-mi iau alte g\u00e2nduri, alte m\u0103suri: \u00eencep a m\u0103 da la scris, \u015fi la f\u0103cut cadelni\u0163a \u00een biseric\u0103, \u015fi la \u0163inut isonul, de parc\u0103 eram b\u0103iat. \u015ei p\u0103rintele m\u0103 ia la dragoste, \u015fi Sm\u0103r\u0103ndi\u0163a \u00eencepe din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd a m\u0103 fura cu ochiul, \u015fi b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile m\u0103 pune s\u0103 ascult pe al\u0163ii, \u015fi alt\u0103 f\u0103in\u0103 se macin\u0103 acum la moar\u0103. Nic-a lui Costache, cel r\u0103gu\u015fit, balc\u00e2z \u015fi r\u0103ut\u0103cios, nu mai avea st\u0103p\u00e2nire asupra mea. Dar nu-i cum g\u00e2nde\u015fte omul, ci-i cum vrea Domnul. \u00centr-una din zile, \u015fi chiar \u00een ziua de Sf\u00e2ntul Foca, scoate vornicul din sat pe oameni la o clac\u0103 de dres drumul. Se zicea c\u0103 are s\u0103 treac\u0103 Vod\u0103 pe acolo spre m\u0103n\u0103stiri. \u015ei b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile n-are ce lucra? Hai \u015fi noi, m\u0103i b\u0103ie\u0163i, s\u0103 d\u0103m ajutor la drum, s\u0103 nu zic\u0103 Vod\u0103, c\u00e2nd a trece pe aici, c\u0103 satul nostru e mai lene\u015f dec\u00e2t alte sate. \u015ei ne lu\u0103m noi de la \u015fcoal\u0103 \u015fi ne ducem cu to\u0163ii. \u015ei care s\u0103pau cu cazmalele, care c\u0103rau cu t\u0103r\u0103boan\u0163ele, care cu c\u0103ru\u0163ele, care cu cove\u0163ile, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, lucrau oamenii cu tragere de inim\u0103. Iar vornicul Nic-a Petric\u0103i, cu paznicul, v\u0103t\u0103manul \u015fi c\u00e2\u0163iva nesp\u0103la\u0163i de mazili se purtau printre oameni de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo, \u015fi c\u00e2nd deodat\u0103 numai iaca vedem \u00een prund c\u00e2\u0163iva oameni claie peste gr\u0103mad\u0103, \u015fi unul din ei mugind puternic. Ce s\u0103 fie acolo? ziceauoamenii, alerg\u00e2nd care de care din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. Pe b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile \u00eel prinsese la oaste cu arcanul, \u00eel cetluiau acum zdrav\u0103n \u015fi-l puneau \u00een c\u0103tu\u015fe, s\u0103-l trimit\u0103 la Piatra\u2026 Iaca pentru ce scosese atunci vornicul oamenii la clac\u0103. A\u015fa, cu am\u0103gele, se prindeau pe vremea aceea fl\u0103c\u0103ii la oaste\u2026 Afurisit\u0103 priveli\u015fte mai fu \u015fi asta! Fl\u0103c\u0103ii ceilal\u0163i pe dat\u0103 s-au f\u0103cut nev\u0103zu\u0163i, iar\u0103 noi, copiii, neam \u00eentors pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd pe la casele noastre. Afurisit s\u0103 fie c\u00e2inerul de vornic, \u015fi cum a ars el inima unei mame, a\u015fa s\u0103-i ard\u0103 inima Sf\u00e2ntul Foca de ast\u0103zi, lui \u015fi tuturor p\u0103rta\u015filor s\u0103i! blestemau femeile din sat, cu lacrimi de foc, \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. Iar mama lui b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile \u00ee\u015fi petrecea b\u0103iatul la Piatra, bocindu-l ca pe un mort! Las\u2019, mam\u0103, c\u0103 lumea asta nu-i numai c\u00e2t se vede cu ochii, zicea b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile m\u00e2ng\u00e2ind-o; \u015fi \u00een oaste tr\u0103ie\u015fte omul bine, dac\u0103 este vrednic. O\u015ftean a fost \u015fi Sf\u00e2ntul Gheorghe, \u015fi sf\u00e2ntul Dimitrie, \u015fi al\u0163i sfin\u0163i mucenici, care au p\u0103timit pentru dragostea lui Hristos, m\u0103car de-am fi \u015fi noi ca d\u00e2n\u015fii! Ei, ei! pe b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile l-am pierdut; s-a dus unde i-a fost scris. \u015ei p\u0103rintele Ioan umbla acum cu pletele \u00een v\u00e2nt s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 alt dasc\u0103l, dar n-a mai g\u0103sit un b\u0103di\u0163a Vasile, cuminte, harnic \u015fi ru\u015finos ca o fat\u0103 mare. Era \u00een sat \u015fi dasc\u0103lul Iordache, f\u00e2rn\u00e2itul de la strana mare, dar ce \u0163i-i bun? \u015etia \u015fi el glasurile pe dinafar\u0103 de biseric\u0103, nu-i vorb\u0103, dar cl\u0103mp\u0103nea de b\u0103tr\u00e2n ce era; \u015f-apoi mai avea \u015fi darul suptului\u2026 A\u015fadar, \u015fcoala a r\u0103mas pustie pentru o bucat\u0103 de vreme, \u015fi c\u00e2\u0163iva dintre noi, care ne \u0163ineam de p\u0103rintele Ioan, calea-valea: biserica deschide pe om. Duminicile b\u00e2z\u00e2iam la stran\u0103, \u015fi h\u00e2r\u015fti! c\u00e2te-un colac! \u015ei, c\u00e2nd veneau cele dou\u0103 ajunuri, c\u00e2te treizeci-patruzeci de b\u0103ie\u0163i fugeau \u00eenaintea popii, de rupeam om\u0103tul de la o cas\u0103 la alta, \u015fi la Cr\u0103ciun nechezam ca m\u00e2nzii, iar la Boboteaz\u0103 strigam chiraleisa de clocotea satul. \u015ei, c\u00e2nd ajungea popa, noi ne a\u015fezam \u00een dou\u0103 r\u00e2nduri \u015fi-i deschideam calea, iar\u0103 el \u00ee\u015fi tr\u0103gea barba \u015fi zicea cu m\u00e2ndrie c\u0103tre gazd\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai\u015ftia-s m\u00e2nzii popii, fiule. Ni\u015fte zile mari ca aceste le a\u015fteapt\u0103 \u015fi ei, cu mare bucurie, tot anul. G\u0103titu-le-a\u0163i ceva bob fiert, g\u0103lu\u015fte, turte cu julf\u0103 \u015fi v\u0103rzare? G\u0103tit, cinstite p\u0103rinte; poftim de ne blagoslovi\u0163i casa \u015fi masa \u015fi poftim de mai \u015fede\u0163i, s\u0103 ne \u015fad\u0103 pe\u0163itorii. C\u00e2nd auzeam noi de mas\u0103, t\u0103b\u0103ram pe d\u00e2nsa, \u015f-apoi, a\u0163ine-te, gur\u0103! Vorba ceea: De pl\u0103cinte r\u00e2de gura, de v\u0103rzare, \u015fi mai tare. Ce s\u0103 faci, c\u0103 doar numai de dou\u0103 ori pe an este ajunul! Ba la un loc, mi-aduc aminte, ne-am gr\u0103m\u0103dit a\u015fa de tare \u015fi am r\u0103sturnat masa omului, cu bucate cu tot, \u00een mijlocul casei, de i-am dogorit obrazul p\u0103rintelui de ru\u015fine. Dar el tot cu bun\u0103tate:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De unde nu-i, de-acolo nu se vars\u0103, fiilor; \u00eens\u0103 mai mult\u0103 b\u0103gare de seam\u0103 nu stric\u0103! Apoi la hramul bisericii se \u0163inea praznicul c\u00e2te-o s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eencheiat\u0103, \u015fi numai s\u0103 fi avut p\u00e2ntece unde s\u0103 pui coliva \u015fi bucatele, at\u00e2t de multe erau. \u015ei dasc\u0103li, \u015fi popi, \u015fi vl\u0103dici, \u015fi de tot soiul de oameni, din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, se adunau la hramul bisericii din Humule\u015fti, \u015fi to\u0163i ie\u015fau mul\u0163umi\u0163i. Ba \u015fi pe la casele oamenilor se osp\u0103tau o mul\u0163ime de str\u0103ini. \u015ei mama, Dumnezeu s-o ierte, stra\u015fnic se mai bucura c\u00e2nd se \u00eent\u00e2mplau oaspe\u0163i la casa noastr\u0103 \u015fi avea prilej s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eempart\u0103 p\u00e2inea cu d\u00e2n\u015fii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ori mi-or da feciorii dup\u0103 moarte de poman\u0103, ori ba, mai bine s\u0103-mi dau eu cu m\u00e2na mea. C\u0103, oricum ar fi, tot \u00ees mai aproape din\u0163ii dec\u00e2t p\u0103rin\u0163ii. S-au v\u0103zut de acestea! \u015ei c\u00e2nd \u00eenv\u0103\u0163am eu la \u015fcoal\u0103, mama \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a cu mine acas\u0103 \u015fi citea acum la ceaslov, la psaltire \u015fi Alexandria mai bine dec\u00e2t mine, \u015fi se bucura grozav c\u00e2nd vedea c\u0103 m\u0103 trag la carte. Din partea tatei, care ades \u00eemi zicea \u00een b\u0103taie de joc: Logofete, br\u00e2nza-n cui, lapte acru-n c\u0103l\u0103m\u0103ri, chiu \u015fi vai prin buzun\u0103ri!, puteam s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n cum era mai bine: Nic-a lui \u015etefan a Petrei, om de treab\u0103 \u015fi gospodar \u00een Humule\u015fti. 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\u00a0Dec\u00e2t coda\u015f \u00een ora\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\u00a0Mai bine-n satul t\u0103u frunta\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mama \u00eens\u0103 era \u00een stare s\u0103 toarc\u0103-n furc\u0103, \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 mai departe. \u015ei tot cih\u0103ia mama pe tata s\u0103 m\u0103 mai dea undeva la \u015fcoal\u0103, c\u0103ci auz ise ea spun\u00e2nd la biseric\u0103, \u00een Parimei, c\u0103 omul \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at \u00een\u0163elept va fi \u015fi pe cel ne\u00eenv\u0103\u0163at slug\u0103-l va avea. \u015ei afar\u0103 de aceasta, babele care trag pe fundul sitei \u00een 41 de bobi, to\u0163i zodierii \u015fi c\u0103rtur\u0103resele pe la care c\u0103utase pentru mine \u015fi femeile bisericoase din sat \u00eei b\u0103gase mamei o mul\u0163ime de bazaconii \u00een cap, care de care mai ciudate: ba c\u0103 am s\u0103 petrec \u00eentre oameni mari, ba c\u0103-s plin de noroc, ca broasca de p\u0103r, ba c\u0103 am un glas de \u00eenger, \u015fi multe alte minun\u0103\u0163ii, \u00eenc\u00e2t mama, \u00een sl\u0103b\u0103ciunea ei pentru mine, ajunsese a crede c\u0103 am s\u0103 ies un al doilea Cucuzel, podoaba cre\u015ftin\u0103t\u0103\u0163ii, care scotea lacrimi din orice inim\u0103 \u00eempietrit\u0103, aduna lumea de pe lume \u00een pustiul codrilor \u015fi veselea \u00eentreaga f\u0103ptur\u0103 cu viersul s\u0103u. Doamne, m\u0103i femeie, Doamne, mult\u0103 minte-\u0163i mai trebuie! zicea tata, v\u0103z\u00e2nd-o a\u015fa de ahotnic\u0103 pentru mine. Dac-ar fi s\u0103 ias\u0103 to\u0163i \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a\u0163i, dup\u0103 cum soco\u0163i tu, n-ar mai avea cine s\u0103 ne trag\u0103 ciubotele. N-ai auzit c\u0103 unul cic\u0103 s-a dus odat\u0103 bou la Paris, unde-a fi acolo, \u015fi a venit vac\u0103? Oare Grigore a lui Petre Luc\u0103i de la noi din sat pe la \u015fcoli a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at, de \u015ftie a spune at\u00e2tea bongoase \u015fi conoc\u0103ria pe la nun\u0163i? Nu vezi tu c\u0103, dac\u0103 nu-i glagore-n cap, nu-i, \u015fi pace bun\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa a fi, n-a fi a\u015fa, zise mama, vreau s\u0103-mi fac b\u0103iatul pop\u0103, ce ai tu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Numaidec\u00e2t pop\u0103, zise tata. Auzi, m\u0103i! Nu-l vezi c\u0103-i o tigoare de b\u0103iat, cob\u0103it \u015fi lene\u015f, de n-are pereche? Diminea\u0163a, p\u00e2n\u0103-l scoli, \u00ee\u0163i stupe\u015fti sufletul. Cum \u00eel scoli, cere dem\u00e2ncare. C\u00e2t \u00eei mic, prinde mu\u015fte cu ceaslovul \u015fi toat\u0103 ziulica bate prundurile dup\u0103 sc\u0103ldat, \u00een loc s\u0103 pasc\u0103 cei c\u00e2rlani \u015fi s\u0103-mi dea ajutor la trebi, dup\u0103 c\u00e2t \u00eel ajut\u0103 puterea. Iarna, pe ghea\u0163\u0103 \u015fi la s\u0103niu\u015f. Tu, cu \u015fcoala ta, l-ai deprins cu n\u0103rav. C\u00e2nd s-a face mai m\u0103ri\u015for, are s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 a-i mirosi a catrin\u0163\u0103, \u015fi cu ast\u0103 r\u00e2nduial\u0103 n-am s\u0103 am folos de el niciodat\u0103. \u015ei dup\u0103 cum am cinste a v\u0103 spune, mult\u0103 vorb\u0103 s-a f\u0103cut \u00eentre tata \u015fi mama pentru mine, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce a venit \u00een vara aceea, pe la august, \u015fi cinstita holer\u0103 de la \u201948 \u015fi a \u00eenceput a secera prin Humule\u015fti \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga, de se auzea numai chiu \u015fi vai \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. \u015ei eu, neast\u00e2mp\u0103rat cum eram, ba ie\u015feam la p\u00e2rlaz, c\u00e2nd trecea cu mortul pe la poarta noastr\u0103 \u015fi-l boscorodeam cu cimilitura:<\/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\u00a0Chi\u0163igaie, gaie, ce ai \u00een tigaie?<\/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\u00a0Papa puilor duc \u00een valea socilor.<\/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\u00a0Ferice de gangur, c\u0103 \u015fede \u00eentr-un v\u00e2rf de soc<\/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 se roag\u0103 rugului \u015fi se-nchin\u0103 cucului!<\/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\u00a0Nici pentru mine, nici pentru tine,<\/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\u00a0Ci pentru budihacea de la groap\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\u00a0S\u0103-i dai vac\u0103 de vac\u0103 \u015fi doi boi s\u0103 tac\u0103,<\/p>\n
ba \u00eel petreceam p\u00e2n\u0103 la biseric\u0103 \u015fi apoi veneam acas\u0103 cu s\u00e2nul \u00eenc\u0103rcat de covrigi, mere turture, nuci poleite, ro\u015fcove \u015fi smochine din pomul mortului, de se \u00eencruceau tata \u015fi mama c\u00e2nd m\u0103 vedeau cu d\u00e2nsele. \u015ei ca s\u0103 m\u0103 scape de belea, m-au trimis la st\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een dumbrava Agapiei, l\u00e2ng\u0103 podul C\u0103r\u0103gi\u0163ei, unde erau \u015fi oile noastre, s\u0103 \u015fed acolo p\u00e2n\u0103 s-a mai potoli boli\u015ftea. \u00cens\u0103 peste noapte a \u015fi dat holera peste mine \u015fi m-a fr\u0103m\u00e2ntat \u015fi m-a zg\u00e2rcit c\u00e2rcel; \u015fi-mi ardea sufletul \u00een mine de sete, \u015fi ciobanii \u015fi baciul habar n-aveau de asta, numai se \u00eentorceau pe ceea parte \u00een \u0163ipetele mele \u015fi hor\u0103iau mereu. Iar\u0103 eu m\u0103 t\u00e2r\u00e2iam cum puteam p\u00e2n\u0103 la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, \u00een dosul st\u00e2nei, \u015fi pe nimic\u0103 pe ceas beam c\u00e2te-un cof\u0103iel \u00eentreg de ap\u0103. Pot zice c\u0103 \u00een noaptea aceea la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 mi-a fost masul, \u015fi n-am \u00eenchis ochii nici c\u00e2t ai sc\u0103p\u0103ra din am\u00e2nar. Abia despre ziu\u0103 s-a \u00eendurat Vasile Bordeianu, strungarul nostru, de s-a dus \u00een Humule\u015fti, cale de dou\u0103 ceasuri cu piciorul, \u015fi a \u00een\u015ftiin\u0163at pe tata, de a venit cu c\u0103ru\u0163a \u015fi m-a luat acas\u0103. \u015ei pe drum, necontenit ceream ap\u0103, iar tata m\u0103 am\u00e2na cu momele de la o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 la alta, p\u00e2n\u0103 a dat Dumnezeu de am ajuns \u00een Humule\u015fti. \u015ei, c\u00e2nd colo, doftorii satului, mo\u015f Vasile \u0162andur\u0103 \u015fi altul, nu-mi aduc aminte, erau la noi acas\u0103 \u015fi pr\u0103jeau pe foc \u00eentr-un ceaun mare ni\u015fte ho\u015ftine cu s\u0103u; \u015fi dup\u0103 ce mi-au tras o frec\u0103tur\u0103 bun\u0103 cu o\u0163et \u015fi leu\u015ftean, mi-aduc aminte ca acum, au \u00eentins ho\u015ftinele ferbincioase pe o p\u00e2nz\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi m-au \u00eenf\u0103\u015fat cu ele peste tot, ca pe un copil; \u015fi nupot \u015fti c\u00e2t a fi trecut la mijloc p\u00e2n\u0103 ce am adormit mort, \u015fi d-abia a doua zi pe la toac\u0103 m-am trezit, s\u0103n\u0103tos ca to\u0163i s\u0103n\u0103to\u015fii; Dumnezeu s\u0103 odihneasc\u0103 pe mo\u015f \u0162andur\u0103 \u015fi pe tovar\u0103\u015ful s\u0103u! \u015ei, vorba ceea: Lucrul r\u0103u nu piere cu una, cu dou\u0103. P\u00e2n\u0103-n sear\u0103, am \u015fi colindat mai tot satul, ba \u015fi pe la sc\u0103ldat am tras o rait\u0103, cu prietenul meu Chiriac al lui Goian, un lainic \u015fi un pierde-var\u0103 ca \u015fi mine. Dar tata nu mi-a mai zis atunci nimica; m-a l\u0103sat \u00een voia mea pentru o bucat\u0103 de vreme. Peste iarn\u0103, mama iar s-a pus pe capul tatei, s\u0103 m\u0103 dea undeva la \u015fcoal\u0103. Dar tata spunea c\u0103 nu mai are bani de dat pentru mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Lui dasc\u0103lul Vasile a Vasilc\u0103i (\u00eei) pl\u0103team numai c\u00e2te un sorocov\u0103\u0163 pe lun\u0103. Iar postoronca de dasc\u0103lul Simeon Fosa din \u0162u\u0163uieni, numai pentru c\u0103 vorbe\u015fte mai \u00een t\u00e2lcuri dec\u00e2t al\u0163ii \u015fi sf\u00e2rc\u00e2ie\u015fte toat\u0103 ziua la tabac, cere c\u00e2te trei hus\u0103\u015fi pe lun\u0103; auzi vorb\u0103! Nu face b\u0103iatul ista at\u00e2\u0163ia hus\u0103\u015fi, cu straie cu tot, c\u00e2\u0163i am dat eu pentru d\u00e2nsul p\u00e2n\u0103 acum! C\u00e2nd a mai auzit mama \u015fi asta, s-a f\u0103cut foc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103rmane omule! Dac\u0103 nu \u015ftii boab\u0103 de carte, cum ai s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00een\u0163elegi? C\u00e2nd tragi sorocove\u0163ii la mustea\u0163\u0103, de ce nu te olic\u0103ie\u015fti at\u00e2ta? Petre Todosiic\u0103i, cr\u00e2\u015fmarul nostru, a\u015f\u0103-i c\u0103 \u0163i-a m\u00e2ncat nou\u0103 sute de lei? Vasile Roibu din Bejeni, mai pe-at\u00e2\u0163ia, \u015fi al\u0163ii c\u00e2\u0163i? Ru\u015ftei lui Valic\u0103 \u015fi M\u0103riuc\u0103i lui Onofrei g\u0103se\u015fti s\u0103 le dai \u015fi s\u0103 le r\u0103sdai? \u015etiu eu, s\u0103 nu crezi c\u0103 doarme Smaranda, dormire-ai somnul cel de veci s\u0103 dormi! \u015ei pentru b\u0103iat n-ai de unde da? M\u0103i omule, m\u0103i! Ai s\u0103 te duci \u00een fundul iadului, \u015fi n-are s\u0103 aib\u0103 cine te scoate, dac\u0103 nu te-i sili s\u0103-\u0163i faci un b\u0103iat pop\u0103! De spovedanie fugi ca dracul de t\u0103m\u00e2ie. La biseric\u0103 mergi din Pa\u015fti \u00een Pa\u015fti. A\u015fa cau\u0163i tu de suflet?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ian taci, m\u0103i femeie, c\u0103 biserica-i \u00een inima omului, \u015fi dac\u0103 voi muri, tot la biseric\u0103 am s\u0103 \u015fed, zise tata; nu mai face \u015fi tu at\u00e2ta vorb\u0103, ca fariseul cel f\u0103\u0163arnic. Bate-te mai bine cu m\u00e2na peste gur\u0103 \u015fi zi ca vame\u015ful: Doamne, milostiv fii mie, p\u0103c\u0103toasei, care-mi tot \u00eemb\u0103lorez gura pe b\u0103rbat degeaba. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, c\u00e2t s-a b\u0103l\u0103b\u0103nit mama cu tata din pricina mea, tot pe-amamei a r\u0103mas; c\u0103ci \u00eentr-o duminic\u0103, prin c\u00e2rneleaga, a venit tatul mamei, bunicu-meu David Creang\u0103 din Pipirig, la noi \u015fi, v\u0103z\u00e2nd cearta iscat\u0103 \u00eentre tata \u015fi mama din pricina mea, a zis:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u2019, m\u0103i \u015etefane \u015fi Sm\u0103r\u0103nduc\u0103, nu v\u0103 mai \u00eengriji\u0163i at\u00e2ta; c\u0103 azi e duminic\u0103, m\u00e2ine luni \u015fi zi de t\u00e2rg, dar mar\u0163i, de-om ajunge cu s\u0103n\u0103tate, am s\u0103 iau nepotul cu mine \u015fi am s\u0103-l duc la Bro\u015fteni, cu Dumitru al meu, la profesorul Nicolai Nanu de la \u015fcoala lui Balo\u015f, \u015fi-\u0163i vedea voi ce-a scoate el din b\u0103iat; c\u0103 de ceilal\u0163i b\u0103ie\u0163i ai mei, Vasile \u015fi Gheorghe, am r\u0103mas tare mul\u0163umit c\u00e2t au \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at acolo. De dou\u0103zeci \u015fi mai bine de ani, de c\u00e2nd port vornicia \u00een Pipirig, am dus-o cam anevoie numai cu r\u0103bu\u015ful. Ce folos c\u0103 citesc orice carte bisericeasc\u0103; dac\u0103 nu \u015ftii a \u00eensemna m\u0103car c\u00e2tu\u015fi de c\u00e2t, e greu. \u00cens\u0103 de c\u00e2nd mi-au venit b\u0103ie\u0163ii de la \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103, \u00eemi \u0163in socoteala ban cu ban \u015fi huzuresc de bine; acum zic \u015fi eu c\u0103 po\u0163i duce vornicia pe via\u0163\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 te sim\u0163i. Z\u0103u, mare poman\u0103 \u015fi-a mai f\u0103cut Alecu Balo\u015f cu \u015fcoala ceea a lui, cine vrea s\u0103 \u00een\u0163eleag\u0103! \u015ei, Doamne, peste ce profesor \u00een\u0163elept \u015fi iscusit a dat! A\u015fa vorbe\u015fte de bl\u00e2nd \u015fi prime\u015fte cu bun\u0103tate pe fiecare, de \u0163i-i mai mare dragul s\u0103 te duci la el! Ferice de p\u0103rin\u0163ii care l-au n\u0103scut, c\u0103 bun suflet de om este, n-am ce zice! \u015ei mai ales pentru noi, \u0163\u0103ranii munteni, este o mare facere de bine. C\u00e2nd am venit eu cu tata \u015fi cu fra\u0163ii mei, Petrea \u015fi Vasile \u015fi Nic\u0103, din Ardeal \u00een Pipirig, acum \u015fasezeci de ani trecu\u0163i, unde se pomeneau \u015fcoli ca a lui Balo\u015f \u00een Moldova? Doar la Ia\u015fi s\u0103 fi fost a\u015fa ceva \u015fi la M\u0103n\u0103stirea Neam\u0163ului, pe vremea lui mitropolitu Iacob, care era oleac\u0103 de cimotie cu noi, de pe Ciubuc Clopotarul de la M\u0103n\u0103stirea Neam\u0163ului, bunicul m\u00e2ne-ta, Sm\u0103rand\u0103, al c\u0103rui nume st\u0103 scris \u015fi ast\u0103zi pe clopotul bisericii din Pipirig. Ciubuc Clopotarul tot din Ardeal \u015ftia pu\u0163in\u0103 carte, ca \u015fi mine; \u015fi apoi a pribegit de-acolo, ca \u015fi noi, s-a tras cu bucatele \u00eencoace, ca \u015fi mo\u015f Dediu din V\u00e2n\u0103tori \u015fi al\u0163i mocani, din pricina papista\u015fiei mai mult, pe c\u00e2t \u015ftiu eu. \u015ei at\u00e2t era de cuprins, de s-au umplut mun\u0163ii: H\u0103l\u0103uca, Piatra lui Iepure, B\u0103rnariul, Cotn\u0103relul \u015fi Boam pele, p\u00e2n\u0103 dincolo peste P\u0103tru-Vod\u0103, de turmele \u015fi tamazl\u00e2curile lui. \u015ei se pomene\u015fte c\u0103 Ciubuc era om de omenie; fiecare oaspe ce tr\u0103gea la odaia lui era primit cu drag\u0103 inim\u0103 \u015fi osp\u0103tat cu \u00eendestulare. \u015ei se dusese vestea \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile despre bun\u0103tatea \u015fi bog\u0103\u0163ia sa. P\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi Vod\u0103 cic-ar fi tras odat\u0103 \u00een gazd\u0103 la Ciubuc, \u015fi \u00eentreb\u00e2ndu-l cu cine mai \u0163ine at\u00e2ta amar de bucate, el ar fi r\u0103spuns: Cu cei slabi de minte \u015fi tari de virtute, m\u0103ria-ta. Atunci Vod\u0103 nu s-a putut st\u0103p\u00e2ni de mirare, spun\u00e2ndnd: Ia, aista-i om, zic \u015fi eu; dear fi mul\u0163i ca d\u00e2nsul \u00een domnia mea, pu\u0163in\u0103 lips\u0103 ar duce \u0163ara la nevoi! \u015ei l-a b\u0103tut Vod\u0103 cu m\u00e2na pe um\u0103r, zic\u00e2ndu-i: Mo\u015fule, s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 de azi \u00eenainte e\u015fti omul meu, \u015fi la domnie \u0163i-i deschis\u0103 u\u015fa ori\u015fic\u00e2nd. \u015ei de atunci i-a mers lui Ciubuc numele de omul lui Vod\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 ast\u0103zi un deal, \u00een partea despre Plotunul, unde era mai mult a\u015fezarea lui Ciubuc, se cheam\u0103 Dealul Omului. Pe acest deal, Smarand\u0103, am fugit \u00een vremea zaverei, cu m\u0103-ta, cu tine \u015fi cu frate-t\u0103u Ioan, de frica unei cete de turci, care se b\u0103tuse chiar atunci cu volintirii la Secu \u015fi apoi se \u00eendreptar\u0103 spre Pipirig, dup\u0103 jefuit. Iar pe sor\u0103-ta Ioana, de gr\u0103bit ce-am fost, o uitasem acas\u0103, pe prisp\u0103, \u00een albiu\u0163\u0103. \u015ei m\u0103-ta, c\u00e2nd a dat de copil\u0103 c\u0103 nu-i, a \u00eenceput a-\u015fi smulge p\u0103rul din cap \u015fi a boci \u00eenn\u0103du\u015fit, zic\u00e2nd: Vai de mine \u015fi de mine, copila mea, au str\u0103puns-o turcii! Eu \u00eens\u0103 m-am suit \u00een v\u00e2rful unui brad \u015fi, cum am v\u0103zut c\u0103 apuc\u0103 turcii spre Plotinul, m-am azv\u00e2rlit f\u0103r\u0103 sine pe p\u0103rul unui cal, am alergat acas\u0103 \u015fi, c\u00e2nd colo, am g\u0103sit copila teaf\u0103r\u0103, \u00eens\u0103 r\u0103sturnat\u0103 cu albiu\u0163a de ni\u015fte porci, care groh\u0103iau \u00eemprejurul ei, c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 o rup\u0103. Iar pe la cap\u0103tul albiu\u0163ei am g\u0103sit c\u00e2teva rubele puse de turci, se vede, la capul copilei. Atunci am luat copila \u015fi, de bucurie, nici nu \u015ftiu c\u00e2nd am ajuns cu d\u00e2nsa la m\u0103-ta, \u00een Dealul Omului. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce mi-am venit pu\u0163in \u00een sine, am zis \u015fi eu \u00een am\u0103r\u0103ciune, ca mul\u0163i \u00eenainte de mine: cei care n-au copii nu \u015ftiu ce-i necazul. Bun\u0103 minte mai au unii, \u00een felul acesta, de nu se \u00eensoar\u0103! \u015ei unul dintr-ace\u015ftia a fost \u015fi Ciubuc mocanul, care,neav\u00e2nd femeie, nici copii, ce i-a venit mai t\u00e2rziu, de evlavia cea mult\u0103 ce avea, sau din alte \u00eemprejur\u0103ri, a \u00eenchinat toat\u0103 averea sa M\u0103n\u0103stirii Neam\u0163ului, \u015fi el s-a c\u0103lug\u0103rit, mai cu to\u0163i haid\u0103ii lui, f\u0103c\u00e2nd multe pomeniri c\u00e2t a fost \u00een via\u0163\u0103. Iar ast\u0103zi petrece \u00een lini\u015fte l\u00e2ng\u0103 zidurile m\u0103n\u0103stirii, Dumnezeu s\u0103-l ierte \u015fi s\u0103-l odihneasc\u0103 \u00eentru \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia cereasc\u0103! C\u0103ci \u015fi noi ca m\u00e2ine avem a ne duce acolo! A\u015fa-i c\u0103 voi habar n-ave\u0163i de toate aceste, de nu v-a\u015f fi spus eu? zise bunicul oft\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-i r\u0103u, m\u0103i \u015etefane, s\u0103 \u015ftie \u015fi b\u0103iatul t\u0103u oleac\u0103 de carte, nu numaidec\u00e2t pentru popie, cum chite\u015fte Smaranda, c\u0103 \u015fi popia are multe n\u0103c\u0103fale, e greu de purtat. \u015ei dec\u00e2t n-a fi cum se cade, mai bine s\u0103 nu fie. Dar cartea \u00ee\u0163i aduce \u015fi oarecare m\u00e2ng\u00e2iere. Eu, s\u0103 nu fi \u015ftiut a citi, de mult a\u015f fi \u00eennebunit, c\u00e2te am avut pe capul meu. \u00cens\u0103 deschid Vie\u0163ile sfin\u0163ilor \u015fi v\u0103d at\u00e2tea \u015fi at\u00e2tea \u015fi zic: Doamne, mult\u0103 r\u0103bdare ai dat ale\u015filor t\u0103i! Ale noastre sunt flori la ureche pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cele ce spune \u00een c\u0103r\u0163i. \u015e-apoi, s\u0103 fie cineva de tot bou, \u00eenc\u0103 nu este bine. Din c\u0103r\u0163i culegi mult\u0103 \u00een\u0163elepciune, \u015fi, la dreptul vorbind, nu e\u015fti numai a\u015fa, o vac\u0103 de muls pentru fiecare. B\u0103iatul v\u0103d c\u0103 are \u0163inere de minte \u015fi, numai dup\u0103 c\u00e2t a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at, c\u00e2nt\u0103 \u015fi cite\u015fte c\u00e2t se poate de bine. De aceste \u015fi altele ca aceste a vorbit bunicul David cu mama \u015fi cu tata, mai toat\u0103 noaptea, duminica spre luni \u015fi luni spre mar\u0163i; c\u0103ci la noi m\u00e2nea c\u00e2nd venea din Pipirig la t\u00e2rg s\u0103-\u015fi cumpere cele trebuitoare. Iar mar\u0163i dis-diminea\u0163\u0103 puse tarni\u0163ile \u015fi desagii pe cai \u015fi, leg\u00e2ndu-i frumu\u015fel cu c\u0103p\u0103strul: pe cel de-al doilea de coada celui \u00eent\u00e2i, pe cel de-al treilea de coada celui al doilea, pe cel de-al patrulea de coada celui al treilea, cum \u00eei leag\u0103 muntenii, a zis:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, m\u0103i \u015etefane \u015fi Sm\u0103r\u0103nduc\u0103, mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne\u0163i cu s\u0103n\u0103tate, c\u0103 eu m-am dusu-m-am. Hai, nepoate, gata e\u015fti?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Gata, bunicule, haidem, zisei, nec\u0103jindu-m\u0103 cu ni\u015fte costi\u0163e de porc afumate \u015fi cu ni\u015fte c\u00e2rna\u0163i frip\u0163i, ce mi-i pusese mama dinainte. \u015ei, lu\u00e2ndu-mi r\u0103mas bun de la p\u0103rin\u0163i, am purces cu bunicul spre Pipirig. \u015ei era un pui de ger \u00een diminea\u0163a aceea, de cr\u0103pau lemnele!\u015ei din sus de V\u00e2n\u0103tori, cum treceam puntea peste apa Neam\u0163ului, bunicul \u00een urm\u0103, cu caii de c\u0103p\u0103stru, \u015fi eu \u00eenainte, mi-au lunecat ciubotele \u015fi am c\u0103zut \u00een Ozan\u0103 c\u00e2t mi \u0163i-i b\u0103iatul! Noroc de bunicul! \u015ei scroambele iestea a voastre \u00ees pocite, zise el sco\u0163\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 repede, murat p\u00e2n\u0103 la piele \u015fi \u00eenghe\u0163at h\u0103t bine, c\u0103ci n\u0103boise apa \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile; \u015fi iute mi-a scos ciubotele din picioare, c\u0103 se f\u0103cuse bocn\u0103. Opinca-i bun\u0103, s\u0103raca! \u00ee\u0163i \u015fede piciorul hodinit, \u015fi la ger huzure\u015fti cu d\u00e2nsa. \u015ei p\u00e2n\u0103 a vorbit aceste, eram \u015fi \u00eenvelit \u00eentr-o saric\u0103 ghi\u0163oas\u0103 de Ca\u015fina, b\u0103gat \u00eentr-o desag\u0103 pe cal, purces pe drum, \u015fi hai la Pipirig. \u015ei c\u00e2nd m-a v\u0103zut bunica \u00een ce hal m\u0103 aflam, ghemuit \u00een desag\u0103, ca un pui de bogdaproste, c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 se pr\u0103p\u0103deasc\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd. \u00cenc\u0103 n-am v\u0103zut a\u015fa femeie, s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 de toate cele: era miloas\u0103 din caleafar\u0103. Carne de vit\u0103 nu m\u00e2nca \u00een via\u0163\u0103, tot din ast\u0103 pricin\u0103; \u015fi c\u00e2nd se ducea s\u0103rb\u0103toarea la biseric\u0103, bocea to\u0163i mor\u0163ii din \u0163intirim, fie rud\u0103, fie str\u0103in, f\u0103r\u0103 deosebire. Bunicul \u00eens\u0103 era a\u015fezat la mintea lui, \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103uta de trebi cum \u015ftia el \u015fi l\u0103sa pe bunica \u00eentr-ale sale, ca un cap de femeie ce se g\u0103sea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Oi, Doamne, Davide, cum nu te mai ast\u00e2mperi; de ce-ai scos b\u0103iatul din cas\u0103 pe vremea asta?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ca s\u0103 te miri tu, Nastasie, zise bunicul, sco\u0163\u00e2nd o piele de porc s\u0103lbatic din c\u0103mar\u0103 \u015fi croind c\u00e2te-o pereche de opinci pentru Dumitru \u015fi pentru mine; apoi le-a \u00eengruzit frumos \u015fi a petrecut c\u00e2te-o pereche de a\u0163\u0103 neagr\u0103 de p\u0103r de cal prin cele noji\u0163e. \u015ei a treia zi dup\u0103 asta, d\u00e2ndu-ne schimburi \u015fi c\u00e2te dou\u0103 perechi de obiele de suman alb, ne-am \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163at cu opincile bini\u015for \u015fi, s\u0103rut\u00e2nd m\u00e2na bunic\u0103i, am luat-o prin Boboie\u015fti, iar cu bunicul \u015fi cu Dumitru, fratele mamei cel mai mic, \u015fi suind pe la fundul H\u0103l\u0103ucii, am ajuns dup\u0103 un t\u00e2rziu \u00een F\u0103rca\u015fa, unde ne-a fost \u015fi masul, \u00eempreun\u0103 cu p\u0103rintele Dumitru de la P\u00e2r\u0103ul C\u00e2rjei, care avea o gu\u015f\u0103 la g\u00e2t c\u00e2t o plosc\u0103 de cele mari \u015fi g\u00e2r\u00e2ia dintr-\u00eensa ca dintr-un cimpoi, de n-am putut \u00eenchide ochii de r\u0103ul s\u0103u mai toat\u0103 noaptea. Nu era vinovat bietul preot, \u015fi, dup\u0103 cum spunea \u015fi el, e mai r\u0103u de cei ce au gu\u015f\u0103 \u00eencap dec\u00e2t de cei ce o poart\u0103 pe dinafar\u0103\u2026 A doua zi am purces din F\u0103rca\u015fa pe la Borca spre P\u00e2r\u0103ul C\u00e2rjei \u015fi Cot\u00e2rga\u015f, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce am ajuns \u015fi la Bro\u015fteni. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce ne-a a\u015fezat bunicul \u00een gazd\u0103, cu toat\u0103 cheltuiala lui, la una Irinuca, apoi ne-a dus pe la profesor \u015fi pe la biseric\u0103, de ne-a \u00eenchinat pe la icoane, \u015fi pe urm\u0103 ne-a l\u0103sat cu s\u0103n\u0103tate \u015fi s-a \u00eentors acas\u0103, trimi\u0163\u00e2ndu-ne din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd cele trebuitoare. \u015ei satul Bro\u015ftenii fiind \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftiat, mai ca toate satele de la munte, nu se ru\u015finau lupul \u015fi ursul a se ar\u0103ta ziua-miaza-mare prin el; o cas\u0103 ici, sub tih\u0103raia asta, alta dincolo de Bistri\u0163\u0103, sub alt\u0103 tih\u0103raie, m\u0103 rog, unde i-a venit omului \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 \u015fi-o fac\u0103. \u015ei Irinuca avea o cocioab\u0103 veche de b\u00e2rne, cu ferestrele c\u00e2t palma, acoperit\u0103 cu sc\u00e2nduri, \u00eengr\u0103dit\u0103 cu r\u0103zlogi de brad \u015fi a\u015fezat\u0103 chiar sub munte, pe malul st\u00e2ng al Bistri\u0163ei, aproape de pod. Irinuca era o femeie nici t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103, nici tocmai b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103; avea b\u0103rbat, \u015fi o fat\u0103 balc\u00e2z\u0103 \u015fi l\u0103l\u00e2ie, de-\u0163i era fric\u0103 s\u0103 \u00eennoptezi cu d\u00e2nsa \u00een cas\u0103. Noroc numai c\u0103 de luni diminea\u0163a \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u00e2mb\u0103t\u0103 seara n-o mai vedeai; se ducea cu tat\u0103-s\u0103u \u00een munte, la f\u0103cut ferestrea, \u015fi lucra toat\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2na ca un b\u0103rbat pentru nimica toat\u0103; doi oameni cu doi boi, la vreme de iarn\u0103, abia \u00ee\u015fi puteau scoate m\u0103m\u0103liga. Ba la mul\u0163i se \u00eent\u00e2mpla de veneau s\u00e2mb\u0103t\u0103 noaptea c\u00e2te cu un picior fr\u00e2nt sau cu boii st\u00e2lci\u0163i, \u015fi aceasta le era c\u00e2\u015ftig pe deasupra. Cocioaba de pe malul st\u00e2ng al Bistri\u0163ei, b\u0103rbatul, fata \u015fi boii din p\u0103dure, un \u0163ap \u015fi dou\u0103 capre slabe \u015fi r\u00e2ioase, ce dormeau pururea \u00een tind\u0103, era toat\u0103 averea Irinuc\u0103i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar \u015fi asta-i o avere, c\u00e2nd e omul s\u0103n\u0103tos. \u00cens\u0103 ce m\u0103 prive\u015fte? Mai bine s\u0103 ne c\u0103ut\u0103m de ale noastre. Noi, cum a plecat bunicul, a doua zi ne-am dus la \u015fcoal\u0103; \u015fi v\u0103z\u00e2nd profesorul c\u0103 purtam plete, a poruncit unuia dintre \u015fcolari s\u0103 ne tund\u0103. C\u00e2nd am auzit noi una ca asta, am \u00eenceput a pl\u00e2nge cu zece r\u00e2nduri de lacrimi \u015fi a ne ruga de to\u0163i Dumnezeii s\u0103 nu ne slu\u0163easc\u0103. Dar \u0163i-ai g\u0103sit; profesorul a stat l\u00e2ng\u0103 noi, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ne-a tuns chilug. Apoi ne-a pus \u00een r\u00e2nd cu ceilal\u0163i \u015fcolari \u015fi ne-a dat de \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at, dup\u0103 puterea noastr\u0103, \u00eentre una-alta, \u015fi \u00cengerul a strigat, pe dinafar\u0103.\u015ei am dus-o noi a\u015fa p\u00e2n\u0103 pe la Mezii-P\u0103resii. \u015ei unde nu ne trezim \u00eentr-o bun\u0103 diminea\u0163\u0103 plini ciucuri de r\u00e2ie c\u0103preasc\u0103 de la caprele Irinuc\u0103i! Ei, ei! ce-i de f\u0103cut? Dasc\u0103lul nu ne mai primea \u00een \u015fcoal\u0103, Irinuca nu ne putea vindeca, pe bunicul n-avea cine-l \u00een\u015ftiin\u0163a, merindele erau pe sf\u00e2r\u015fit, r\u0103u de noi! Nu \u015ftiu cum se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103, c\u0103, aproape de Buna-vestire, unde nu d\u0103 o c\u0103ldur\u0103 ca aceea, \u015fi se tope\u015fte om\u0103tul, \u015fi curg p\u00e2raiele, \u015fi se umfl\u0103 Bistri\u0163a din mal \u00een mal, de c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 ia casa Irinuc\u0103i. \u015ei noi, pe c\u0103ldurile celea, ne ungeam cu le\u015fie tulbure, \u015fedeam afar\u0103 la soare cu pielea goal\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 se usca cenu\u015fa pe noi, \u015fi apoi ne b\u0103gam \u00een Bistri\u0163a de ne sc\u0103ldam. A\u015fa ne \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase o bab\u0103 s\u0103 facem, ca s\u0103 ne treac\u0103 de r\u00e2ie. V\u0103 pute\u0163i \u00eenchipui ce va s\u0103 zic\u0103 a te sc\u0103lda \u00een Bistri\u0163a, la Bro\u015fteni, de dou\u0103 ori pe zi, tocmai \u00een postul cel mare! \u015ei nici tu junghi, nici tu friguri, nici alt\u0103 boal\u0103 nu s-a lipit de noi, dar nici de r\u00e2ie n-am sc\u0103pat. Vorba ceea: Se \u0163ine ca r\u00e2ia de om. \u00centr-o zi, fiind Irinuca dus\u0103 \u00een sat \u015fi av\u00e2nd obicei a \u015fedea uitat\u0103, ca fata v\u0103t\u0103manului, noi n-avem ce lucra? Ne suim pe munte, la deal de casa ei, c\u00e2te c-o bucat\u0103 de r\u0103zlog \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi cum curgeau p\u00e2raiele grozav, mai ales unul alb cum \u00eei laptele, ne pune dracul de urnim o st\u00e2nc\u0103 din locul ei, care era numai \u00een\u0163inat\u0103, \u015fi unde nu porne\u015fte st\u00e2nca la vale, s\u0103lt\u00e2nd tot mai sus de un stat de om; \u015fi trece prin gardul \u015fi prin tinda Irinuc\u0103i, pe la capre, \u015fi se duce drept \u00een Bistri\u0163a, de clocotea apa! Asta era \u00een s\u00e2mb\u0103ta lui Laz\u0103r, pe la amiaz\u0103. Ei, ei! ce-i de f\u0103cut? Gardul \u015fi casa femeii d\u0103r\u00e2mate la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, o capr\u0103 rupt\u0103 \u00een buc\u0103\u0163i, nu-i lucru de \u015fag\u0103. Uitasem acum \u015fi r\u00e2ie \u015fi tot de spaim\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Str\u00e2nge repede ce mai ai, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd nu vine baba, \u015fi hai s\u0103 fugim cu pluta ceea la frate-meu Vasile, \u00een Borca, zise Dumitru, c\u0103ci plutele \u00eencepur\u0103 a umbla. \u00cen\u015ff\u0103c\u0103m noi te miri ce mai aveam, ne ducem degrab\u0103 la plut\u0103, \u015fi pluta\u015fii, de cuv\u00e2nt, \u015fi pornesc. Ce-a fi zis Irinuca, \u00een urma noastr\u0103, ce n-a fi zis, nu \u015ftiu; dar \u015ftiu at\u00e2ta, c\u0103 eram cu ghea\u0163a-n spate, de fric\u0103, p\u00e2n-am ajuns la Borca, unde ne-a fost \u015fi masul. Iar a doua zi, \u00een duminica de Florii, dis-diminea\u0163\u0103 am plecat din Borca pe Plaiul-B\u0103tr\u00e2n, \u00eempreun\u0103 cu doi pl\u0103ie\u015fi c\u0103l\u0103ri, spre Pipirig. Era o zi frumoas\u0103 \u00een duminica aceea, \u015fi pl\u0103ie\u015fii spuneau c\u0103 n-au mai apucat a\u015fa prim\u0103var\u0103 devreme de c\u00e2nd \u00ees ei. Eu cu Dumitru \u00eens\u0103 o duceam \u00eentr-un c\u00e2ntec, str\u00e2ng\u00e2nd viorele \u015fi topora\u015fi de pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 plai, \u015fi mergeam tot zburd\u00e2nd \u015fi h\u00e2rjonindu-ne, de parc\u0103 nu eram noi r\u00e2io\u015fii din Bro\u015fteni, care f\u0103cusem at\u00e2ta bucurie la casa Irinuc\u0103i. \u015ei merg\u00e2nd noi tot a\u015fa, cam pe la amiaz\u0103, deodat\u0103 s-a schimbat vremea cea frumoas\u0103 \u00eentr-o vijelie cumplit\u0103, s\u0103 r\u0103stoarne brazii la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, nu alt\u0103ceva! Pesemne baba Dochia nu-\u015fi lep\u0103dase toate cojoacele. \u00cencepe a bura, apoi o \u00eentoarce \u00een lapovi\u0163\u0103, pe urm\u0103 o d\u0103 \u00een frig \u015fi ninsoare cumsecade \u015fi, \u00eentr-un buc, ne astup\u0103 drumul de nu \u015ftiai \u00eencotro s\u0103 mergi. \u015ei tot ninsoare \u015fi p\u00e2cl\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, de nu se vedea om pe om al\u0103ture fiind.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015f\u0103-i c\u0103 s-a deocheat vremea? zise unul dintre pl\u0103ie\u015fi oft\u00e2nd. M\u0103 miram eu s\u0103 fi m\u00e2ncat lupul iarna asta a\u015fa de \u00een prip\u0103. De pe la \u00cen\u0163\u0103rc\u0103tori am pr\u0103p\u0103dit drumul. De-acum s-o lu\u0103m de-a chioara, \u015fi unde ne-a fi scris, acolo vom ie\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 I-auzi\u0163i glasul unui cuco\u015f, zise cel\u0103lalt pl\u0103ie\u015f. Haide\u0163i s\u0103 apuc\u0103m \u00eentr-acolo \u015fi poate s\u0103 ie\u015fim \u00een sat undeva. \u015ei ne cobor\u00e2m noi, \u015fi ne tot cobor\u00e2m, cu mare greutate, pe ni\u015fte pov\u00e2rni\u015furi primejdioase, \u015fi ne \u00eencurc\u0103m printre ciritei de brad, \u015fi caii lunecau \u015fi se duceau de-a rostogolul, \u015fi eu cu Dumitru mergeam zgribuli\u0163i \u015fi pl\u00e2ngeam \u00een pumni de frig; \u015fi pl\u0103ie\u015fii numai icneau \u015fi-\u015fi mu\u015fcau buzele de necaz; \u015fi om\u0103tul se pusese pe une locuri p\u00e2n\u0103 la br\u00e2u, \u015fi \u00eencepuse a \u00eennopta c\u00e2nd am ajuns \u00eentr-o fund\u0103tur\u0103 de mun\u0163i, unde se auzea r\u0103sun\u00e2nd glasul unui p\u00e2r\u0103ua\u015f ce venea, ca \u015fi noi, din deal \u00een vale, pr\u0103v\u0103lindu-se \u015fi izbindu-se de cele st\u00e2nci f\u0103r\u0103 voin\u0163a sa\u2026 Numai at\u00e2ta, c\u0103 el a trecut mai departe \u00een drumul s\u0103u, iar noi am stat pe loc \u015fi am pus-o de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 ap\u0103. Ei, m\u0103i b\u0103ie\u0163i, ia amu trage\u0163i la aghioase, zise un pl\u0103ie\u015f, sc\u0103p\u0103r\u00e2nd \u015fi d\u00e2nd foc unui brad.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce \u0163i-i scris \u00een frunte \u0163i-i pus; chef \u015fi voie bun\u0103, zise cel\u0103lalt sco\u0163\u00e2nd o hrinc\u0103 \u00eenghe\u0163at\u0103 din desagi, p\u00e2rp\u00e2lind-o pe j\u0103ratic \u015fi d\u00e2ndu-ne \u015fi nou\u0103 c\u00e2te-o harchin\u0103. \u015ei a\u015fa luneca hrinca aceea de u\u015for pe g\u00e2t, parc\u0103 era uns\u0103 cu unt! Dup\u0103 ce ne-am pus bine-r\u0103u gura la cale, ne-am covrigit \u00eemprejurul focului; \u015fi deasupra ninsoare, dedesubt udeal\u0103; pe-o parte \u00eenghe\u0163ai, pe una te frigeai, ca la vremea \u015fi locul acela. \u015ei tot chinuindu-ne a\u015fa, era s\u0103 ne pasc\u0103 alt p\u0103cat: c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 ne toropeasc\u0103 bradul aprins, de nu b\u0103ga de seam\u0103 unul dintre pl\u0103ie\u015fi. Pesemne blestemul Irinuc\u0103i ne ajunsese. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, se face ziu\u0103 \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce ne sp\u0103l\u0103m cu om\u0103t \u015fi ne \u00eenchin\u0103m dup\u0103 obiceiul cre\u015ftinesc, apoi pornim cu pl\u0103ie\u015fii la deal, pe unde ne cobor\u00e2sem. Ninsoarea mai \u00eencetase, \u015fi dup\u0103 mult\u0103 trud\u0103 am g\u0103sit drumul; \u015fi hai, hai! hai, hai! c\u0103tre sear\u0103 am ajuns la bunicul David din Pipirig. \u015ei c\u00e2nd ne-a v\u0103zut bunica, de bucurie a \u015fi tras un bocet.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 David al meu are de g\u00e2nd s\u0103 m\u0103 bage de vie \u00een morm\u00e2nt, cu apuc\u0103turile lui, cum v\u0103d eu. Inca ce ran\u0103-i pe d\u00e2n\u015fii, s\u0103rmanii b\u0103ie\u0163i! Cum i-a m\u00e2ncat r\u00e2ia prin str\u0103ini, mititeii! \u015ei dup\u0103 ce ne-a c\u0103inat \u015fi ne-a pl\u00e2ns bunica, dup\u0103 obiceiul ei, \u015fi dup\u0103 ce ne-a dat dem\u00e2ncare tot ce avea mai bun \u015fi ne-a \u00eendopat bine, degrab\u0103 s-a dus \u00een c\u0103mar\u0103, a scos un ulcior cu dohot de mesteac\u0103n, ne-a uns peste tot trupul din cre\u015ftet p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een t\u0103lpi \u015fi apoi ne-a culcat pe cuptor la c\u0103ldur\u0103. \u015ei tot a\u015fa ne-a uns de c\u00e2te dou\u0103-trei ori pe zi cu noapte, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u00een Vinerea-Seac\u0103 ne-am trezit vindeca\u0163i taft\u0103. Dar p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci a venit \u015fi veste de la Bro\u015fteni despre stric\u0103ciunea ce f\u0103cusem, \u015fi bunicul, f\u0103r\u0103 vorb\u0103, a mul\u0163umit pe Irinuca cu patru galbeni. Apoi, \u00een S\u00e2mb\u0103ta Pa\u015ftilor, m-a trimis la p\u0103rin\u0163i acas\u0103 la Humule\u015fti. \u015ei \u00een ziua de Pa\u015fti am tras un \u00cengerul a strigat la biseric\u0103, de au r\u0103mas to\u0163i oamenii cu gurile c\u0103scate la mine. \u015ei mamei \u00eei venea s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenghit\u0103 de bucurie. \u015ei p\u0103rintele Ioan m-a pus la mas\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsul, \u015fi Sm\u0103r\u0103ndi\u0163aa ciocnit o mul\u0163ime de ou\u0103 ro\u015fii cu mine. \u015ei bucurie peste bucurie venea pe capul meu. Iar la \u00cenvierea a doua nu mi-a mai mers a\u015fa de bine, c\u0103ci toate fetele din sat, venind la biseric\u0103 \u015fi unele din ele fiind mai dr\u0103coase, cum au dat cu ochii de mine, le-a \u015fi bufnit r\u00e2sul, \u015fi au \u00eenceput a-mi zice: “Tunsul felegunsul, tunsul felegunsul, c\u00e2inii dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul!”<\/p>\n
Nu \u015ftiu al\u0163ii cum sunt, dar eu, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc la locul na\u015fterii mele, la casa p\u0103rinteasc\u0103 din Humule\u015fti, la st\u00e2lpul hornului unde lega mama o \u015ffar\u0103 cu motocei la cap\u0103t, de cr\u0103pau m\u00e2\u0163ele juc\u00e2ndu-se cu ei, la prichiciul vetrei cel humuit, de care m\u0103 \u0163ineam c\u00e2nd \u00eencepusem a merge cop\u0103cel, la cuptorul pe care m\u0103 ascundeam, c\u00e2nd ne jucam noi, b\u0103ie\u0163ii, de-a mijoarca, \u015fi la alte jocuri \u015fi juc\u0103rii pline de hazul \u015fi farmecul copil\u0103resc, parc\u0103-mi salt\u0103 \u015fi acum inima de bucurie!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, Doamne, frumos era pe atunci, c\u0103ci \u015fi p\u0103rin\u0163ii, \u015fi fra\u0163ii \u015fi surorile \u00eemi erau s\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi, \u015fi casa ne era \u00eendestulat\u0103, \u015fi copiii \u015fi copilele megie\u015filor erau de-a pururea \u00een petrecere cu noi, \u015fi toate \u00eemi mergeau dup\u0103 plac, f\u0103r\u0103 leac de sup\u0103rare, de parc\u0103 era toat\u0103 lumea a mea! \u015ei eu eram vesel ca vremea cea bun\u0103 \u015fi sturlubatic \u015fi copil\u0103ros ca v\u00e2ntul \u00een tulburarea sa. \u015ei mama, care era vestit\u0103 pentru n\u0103zdr\u0103v\u0103niile sale, \u00eemi zicea cu z\u00e2mbet uneori, c\u00e2nd \u00eencepea a se ivi soarele dintre nori dup\u0103 o ploaie \u00eendelungat\u0103: Ie\u015fi, copile cu p\u0103rul b\u0103lan, afar\u0103 \u015fi r\u00e2de la soare, doar s-a \u00eendrepta vremea \u015fi vremea se \u00eendrepta dup\u0103 r\u00e2sul meu\u2026 \u015etia, vezi bine, soarele cu cine are de-a face, c\u0103ci eram feciorul mamei, care \u015fi ea cu adev\u0103rat c\u0103 \u015ftia a face multe \u015fi mari minun\u0103\u0163ii: alunga nourii cei negri de pe deasupra satului nostru \u015fi ab\u0103tea grindina \u00een alte p\u0103r\u0163i, \u00eenfing\u00e2nd toporul \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt, afar\u0103, dinaintea u\u015fii; \u00eenchega apa numai cu dou\u0103 picioare de vac\u0103, de se \u00eencrucea lumea de mirare; b\u0103tea p\u0103m\u00e2ntul, sau peretele, sau vrun lemn, de care m\u0103 p\u0103leam lacap, la m\u00e2n\u0103 sau la picior, zic\u00e2nd: Na, na!, \u015fi \u00eendat\u0103-mi trecea durerea\u2026 c\u00e2nd vuia \u00een sob\u0103 t\u0103ciunele aprins, care se zice c\u0103 f\u0103ce a v\u00e2nt \u015fi vreme rea, sau c\u00e2nd \u0163iuia t\u0103ciunele, despre care se zice c\u0103 te vorbe\u015fte cineva de r\u0103u, mama \u00eel mustra acolo, \u00een vatra focului, \u015fi-l buchisa cu cle\u015ftele, s\u0103 se mai potoleasc\u0103 du\u015fmanul; \u015fi mai mult dec\u00e2t at\u00e2ta: oleac\u0103 ce nu-i venea mamei la socoteal\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103tura mea, \u00eendat\u0103 preg\u0103tea, cu degetul \u00eemb\u0103lat, pu\u0163in\u0103 tin\u0103 din colbul adunat pe opsasul \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163\u0103rii ori, mai \u00een grab\u0103, lua funingine de la gura sobei, zic\u00e2nd: Cum nu se deoache c\u0103lc\u00e2iul sau gura sobei, a\u015fa s\u0103 nu mi se deoache copila\u015ful \u015fi-mi f\u0103cea apoi c\u00e2te-un benchi boghet \u00een frunte, ca s\u0103 nu-\u015fi pr\u0103p\u0103deasc\u0103 odorul! \u015fi altele multe \u00eenc\u0103 f\u0103cea\u2026 A\u015fa era mama \u00een vremea copil\u0103riei mele, plin\u0103 de minun\u0103\u0163ii, pe c\u00e2t mi-aduc aminte; \u015fi-mi aduc bine aminte, c\u0103ci bra\u0163ele ei m-au leg\u0103nat c\u00e2nd \u00eei sugeam \u0163\u00e2\u0163a cea dulce \u015fi m\u0103 alintam la s\u00e2nu-i, g\u00e2ngurind \u015fi uit\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 \u00een ochi-i cu drag! \u015ei s\u00e2nge din s\u00e2ngele ei \u015fi carne din carnea ei am \u00eemprumutat, \u015fi a vorbi de la d\u00e2nsa am \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at. Iar \u00een\u0163elepciunea de la Dumnezeu, c\u00e2nd vine vremea de a pricepe omul ce-i bine \u015fi ce-i r\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar vremea trecea cu am\u0103geli, \u015fi eu cre\u015fteam pe nesim\u0163ite, \u015fi tot alte g\u00e2nduri \u00eemi zburau prin cap, \u015fi alte pl\u0103ceri mi se de\u015fteptau \u00een suflet, \u015fi, \u00een loc de \u00een\u0163elepciune, m\u0103 f\u0103ceam tot mai neast\u00e2mp\u0103rat, \u015fi dorul meu era acum nem\u0103rginit; c\u0103ci sprin\u0163ar \u015fi \u00een\u015fel\u0103tor este g\u00e2ndul omului, pe ale c\u0103rui aripi te poart\u0103 dorul necontenit \u015fi nu te las\u0103 \u00een pace, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce intri \u00een morm\u00e2nt! \u00cens\u0103 vai de omul care se ia pe g\u00e2nduri! Uite cum te trage pe furi\u015f apa la ad\u00e2nc, \u015fi din veselia cea mai mare cazi deodat\u0103 \u00een ur\u00e2cioasa \u00eentristare! Hai mai bine despre copil\u0103rie s\u0103 povestim, c\u0103ci ea singur\u0103 este vesel\u0103 \u015fi nevinovat\u0103. \u015ei, drept vorbind, acesta-i adev\u0103rul. Ce-i pas\u0103 copilului c\u00e2nd mama \u015fi tata se g\u00e2ndesc la neajunsurile vie\u0163ii, la ce poate s\u0103 le aduc\u0103 ziua de m\u00e2ine, sau c\u0103-i fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u0103 alte g\u00e2nduri pline de \u00eengrijire. Copilul, \u00eenc\u0103lecat pe b\u0103\u0163ul s\u0103u, g\u00e2nde\u015fte c\u0103 se afl\u0103 c\u0103lare pe un cal de cei mai stra\u015fnici, pe care alearg\u0103, cuvoie bun\u0103, \u015fi-l bate cu biciul \u015fi-l strune\u015fte cu tot dinadinsul, \u015fi r\u0103cne\u015fte la el din toat\u0103 inima, de-\u0163i ia auzul; \u015fi de cade jos, crede c\u0103 l-a tr\u00e2ntit calul, \u015fi pe b\u0103\u0163 \u00ee\u015fi descarc\u0103 m\u00e2nia \u00een toat\u0103 puterea cuv\u00e2ntului\u2026 A\u015fa eram eu la v\u00e2rsta cea fericit\u0103, \u015fi a\u015fa cred c\u0103 au fost to\u0163i copiii, de c\u00e2nd \u00eei lumea asta \u015fi p\u0103m\u00e2ntul, m\u0103car s\u0103 zic\u0103 cine ce-a zice. C\u00e2nd mama nu mai putea de obosit\u0103 \u015fi se l\u0103sa c\u00e2te oleac\u0103 ziua, s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103, noi, b\u0103ie\u0163ii, tocmai atunci ridicam casa \u00een sl\u0103vi. C\u00e2nd venea tata noaptea de la p\u0103dure din Dumesnicu, \u00eenghe\u0163at de frig \u015fi plin de promoroac\u0103, noi \u00eel speriam s\u0103rindu-i \u00een spate pe \u00eentuneric. \u015ei el, c\u00e2t era de ostenit, ne prindea c\u00e2te pe unul, ca la baba-oarba, ne ridica \u00een grind\u0103, zic\u00e2nd:\u2019t\u00e2ta mare! \u015fi ne s\u0103ruta mereu pe fiecare. Iar dup\u0103 ce se aprindea opai\u0163ul, \u015fi tata se punea s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce, noi scoteam m\u00e2\u0163ele de prin ocni\u0163e \u015fi cotru\u0163\u0103 \u015fi le floc\u0103iam \u015fi le \u015fmotream dinaintea lui, de le mergea colbul; \u015fi nu puteau sc\u0103pa bietele m\u00e2\u0163e din m\u00e2inile noastre p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu ne zg\u00e2r\u00e2iau \u015fi ne stupeau ca pe noi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cenc\u0103 te ui\u0163i la ei, b\u0103rbate, zicea mama, \u015fi le dai paiale! A\u015f\u0103-i? Ha, ha! bine v-au mai f\u0103cut, pughibale spurcate ce sunte\u0163i! C\u0103 nici o lighioaie nu se poate aciua pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cas\u0103 de r\u0103ul vostru. Iaca, dac\u0103 nu v-am s\u0103celat ast\u0103zi, face\u0163i otrocol prin cele m\u00e2\u0163e \u015fi da\u0163i la om ca c\u00e2inii prin b\u0103\u0163. \u0102ra! d-apoi ave\u0163i la \u015ftiin\u0163\u0103 c\u0103 v\u0103 prea \u00eentrece\u0163i cu dedeochiul! Acu\u015f iau varga din coard\u0103 \u015fi v\u0103 croiesc de v\u0103 merg petecele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u0103-i \u015fi tu, m\u0103i nevast\u0103, las\u0103-i, c\u0103 se bucur\u0103 \u015fi ei de venirea mea, zicea tata, d\u00e2ndu-ne hu\u0163a. Ce le pas\u0103? Lemne la trunchi sunt; sl\u0103nin\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103in\u0103 \u00een pod este de-a volna; br\u00e2nz\u0103 \u00een putin\u0103, asemene; curechi \u00een poloboc, slav\u0103 Domnului! Numai de-ar fi s\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce \u015fi s\u0103 se joace acum, c\u00e2t \u00ees mititei; c\u0103 le-a trece lor zburd\u0103ciunea c\u00e2nd or fi mai mari \u015fi i-or lua grijile \u00eenainte; nu te teme, c\u0103 n-or sc\u0103pa de asta. \u015e-apoi nu \u015ftii c\u0103 este-o vorb\u0103: Dac\u0103-i copil, s\u0103 se joace; dac\u0103-i cal, s\u0103 trag\u0103; \u015fi dac\u0103-i pop\u0103, s\u0103 citeasc\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ie, omule, zise mama, a\u015fa \u0163i-i a zice, c\u0103 nu \u015fezi cu d\u00e2n\u015fii \u00een cas\u0103 toat\u0103 ziulica, s\u0103-\u0163i scoat\u0103 peri albi, m\u00e2nca-i-ar p\u0103m\u00e2ntul s\u0103-i m\u0103n\u00e2nce, Doamne, iart\u0103-m\u0103! De-ar mai veni vara, s\u0103 se mai joace \u015fi pe-afar\u0103, c\u0103 m-am s\u0103turat de ei ca de mere p\u0103dure\u0163e! C\u00e2te dr\u0103c\u0103rii le vin \u00een cap, toate le fac. C\u00e2nd \u00eencepe a toca la biseric\u0103, Zahei al t\u0103u cel cuminte fuga \u015fi el afar\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepe a toca \u00een stative, de p\u00e2r\u00e2ie pere\u0163ii casei \u015fi duduie fere\u015ftile. Iar strop\u015fitul de Ion, cu talanca de la oi, cu cle\u015ftele \u015fi cu v\u0103trarul, face o hodorogeal\u0103 \u015fi un t\u0103r\u0103boi, de-\u0163i ia auzul. Apoi \u00ee\u015fi pun c\u00e2te-o \u0163oal\u0103 \u00een spate \u015fi c\u00e2te-un coif de h\u00e2rtie \u00een cap \u015fi c\u00e2nt\u0103 aleluia \u015fi Doamne miluie\u015fte, popa prinde pe\u015fte, de te scot din cas\u0103. \u015ei asta \u00een toate zilele de c\u00e2te dou\u0103-trei ori, de-\u0163i vine, c\u00e2teodat\u0103, s\u0103-i co\u015fe\u015fti \u00een b\u0103taie, dac-ai sta s\u0103 te potrive\u015fti lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poi d\u0103, m\u0103i femeie, tot e\u015fti tu bisericoas\u0103, de s-a dus vestea; \u00eencaltea \u0163i-au f\u0103cut \u015fi b\u0103ie\u0163ii biseric\u0103 aici pe loc, dup\u0103 cheful t\u0103u, m\u0103car c\u0103-\u0163i intr\u0103 biserica \u00een cas\u0103, de departe ce-i\u2026 De-amu pune\u0163i-v\u0103 pe f\u0103cut privigheri de toat\u0103 noaptea \u015fi parascovenii c\u00e2te v\u0103 place, m\u0103i b\u0103ie\u0163i; dac\u0103 vi-i voia s\u0103 v\u0103 dea m\u0103-ta \u00een toate zilele numai colaci de cei un\u015fi cu miere de la Patruzeci de sfin\u0163i \u015fi coliv\u0103 cu miez de nuc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, apoi! minte ai, omule? M\u0103 miram eu, de ce-s \u015fi ei a\u015fa de cumin\u0163i, mititeii; c\u0103 tu le dai nas \u015fi le \u0163ii hangul. Ia prive\u015fte-i cum stau to\u0163i treji \u015fi se uit\u0103 \u0163int\u0103 \u00een ochii no\u015ftri, parc\u0103 au de g\u00e2nd s\u0103 ne zugr\u0103veasc\u0103. Ian s\u0103-i fi sculat la treab\u0103, \u015f-apoi s\u0103-i vezi cum se codesc, se dr\u00e2mboiesc \u015fi se sclifosesc, zise mama. Hai! la culcat, b\u0103ie\u0163i, c\u0103 trece noaptea; vou\u0103 ce v\u0103 pas\u0103, c\u00e2nd ave\u0163i dem\u00e2ncare sub nas! \u015ei dup\u0103 ce ne culcam cu to\u0163ii, noi, b\u0103ie\u0163ii, ca b\u0103ie\u0163ii, ne luam la h\u00e2rjoan\u0103, \u015fi nu puteam adormi de incuri, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce era nevoit\u0103 biata mam\u0103 s\u0103 ne fac\u0103 musai c\u00e2te-un \u015furub, dou\u0103 prin cap \u015fi s\u0103 ne dea c\u00e2teva tapangele la spinare. \u015ei tata, s\u0103tur\u00e2ndu-se c\u00e2teodat\u0103 de at\u00e2ta h\u0103l\u0103gie, zicea mamei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, taci, taci! ajung\u0103-\u0163i de-amu, herghelie! \u015etiu c\u0103 doar nu-s babe, s\u0103 chiroteasc\u0103 din picioare! \u00cens\u0103 mama ne mai da atunci c\u00e2teva pe deasupra, \u015fi mai \u00eendesate, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na-v\u0103 de cheltuial\u0103, ghiavoli ce sunte\u0163i! Nici noaptea s\u0103 nu m\u0103 pot odihni de incotele voastre? \u015ei numai a\u015fa se putea lini\u015fti biata mam\u0103 de r\u0103ul nostru, biat\u0103 s\u0103 fie de p\u0103cate! \u015e-apoi socoti\u0163i c\u0103 se m\u00e2ntuia numai cu-at\u00e2ta? \u0162i-ai g\u0103sit! A doua zi dis-diminea\u0163\u0103 le \u00eencepeam din cap\u0103t; \u015fi iar lua mama n\u0103na\u015fa, din coard\u0103, \u015fi iar ne jn\u0103p\u0103ia, dar noi parc\u0103 bindiseam de asta? Vorba ceea: Pielea rea \u015fi r\u0103p\u0103noas\u0103 ori o bate, ori o las\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2te nu ne venea \u00een cap, \u015fi c\u00e2te nu f\u0103ceam cu v\u00e2rf \u015fi \u00eendesate, mi-aduc aminte de parc\u0103 acum mi se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103. Mai pas\u0103 de \u0163ine minte toate cele \u015fi acum a\u015fa, dac\u0103 te sluje\u015fte capul, bade Ioane. La Cr\u0103ciun, c\u00e2nd t\u0103ia tata porcul \u015fi-l p\u00e2rlea, \u015fi-l op\u0103rea, \u015fi-l \u00eenvelea iute cu paie, de-l \u00eenn\u0103du\u015fa, ca s\u0103 se poat\u0103 rade mai frumos, eu \u00eenc\u0103lecam pe porc deasupra paielor \u015fi f\u0103ceam un chef de mii de lei, \u015ftiind c\u0103 mie are s\u0103-mi dea coada porcului s-o frig \u015fi be\u015fica s-o umplu cu gr\u0103un\u0163e, s-o umflu \u015fi s-o zur\u0103iesc dup\u0103 ce s-a usca; \u015f-apoi vai de urechile mamei, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu mi-o sp\u0103rgea de cap! \u015ei, s\u0103 nu-mi uit cuv\u00e2ntul! Odat\u0103, la un Sf\u00e2ntul Vasile, ne prindem noi vro c\u00e2\u0163iva b\u0103ie\u0163i din sat s\u0103 ne ducem cu plugul; c\u0103ci eram \u015fi eu m\u0103ri\u015for acum, din p\u0103cate. \u015ei \u00een ajunul Sf\u00e2ntului Vasile toat\u0103 ziua am stat de capul tatei, s\u0103-mi fac\u0103 \u015fi mie un buhai ori, de nu, bat\u0103r un harapnic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, ce harapnic \u0163i-oi da eu, zise tata de la o vreme. N-ai ce m\u00e2nca la casa mea? Vrei s\u0103 te bu\u015fasc\u0103 cei nandral\u0103i prin om\u0103t? Acu\u015f te descal\u0163! V\u0103z\u00e2nd eu c\u0103 mi-am aprins paie-n cap cu asta, am \u015fterpelit-o deacas\u0103 numai cu be\u015fica cea de porc, nu cumva s\u0103-mi ia tata ciubotele \u015fi s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n de ru\u015fine \u00eenaintea tovar\u0103\u015filor. \u015ei nu \u015ftiu cum s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat, c\u0103 nici unul din tovar\u0103\u015fi n-avea clopot. Talanca mea era acas\u0103, dar m\u0103 puteam duce s-o iau? \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, facem noi ce facem \u015fi sclipuim de cola o coas\u0103 rupt\u0103, de ici o c\u00e2rceie de t\u00e2njal\u0103, mai un v\u0103trar cu belciug, mai be\u015fica cea de porc a mea, \u015fi, pe dup\u0103 toac\u0103, ne pornim pe la case. \u015e-o lu\u0103m noi de la popa O\u015flobanu, tocmai din capul satului din sus, cu g\u00e2nd s\u0103 umbl\u0103m tot satul\u2026 C\u00e2nd colo, popa t\u0103ia lemne la trunchi afar\u0103 \u015fi, cum a v\u0103zut c\u0103 ne a\u015fez\u0103m la fereastr\u0103 \u015fi ne preg\u0103tim de urat, a \u00eenceput a ne trage c\u00e2teva na\u015fteri \u00eendesate \u015fi a zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De-abia s-au culcat g\u0103inile, \u015fi voi a\u0163i \u00eenceput? Ia sta\u0163i oleac\u0103, blestema\u0163ilor, s\u0103 v\u0103 dau eu! Noi, atunci, am p\u00e2rlit-o la fug\u0103. Iar el, zv\u00e2rr! cu o scurt\u0103tur\u0103 \u00een urma noastr\u0103, c\u0103ci era om hursuz \u015fi p\u00e2cli\u015fit popa O\u015flobanu. \u015ei din spaima ceea, am fugit noi mai jum\u0103tate de sat \u00eenapoi, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 avem c\u00e2nd \u00eei zice popii: Drele pe podele \u015fi bure\u0163i pe pere\u0163i; c\u00e2te pene pe cuco\u015fi, at\u00e2\u0163ia copii burduho\u015fi, cum obicinuiesc a zice plugarii pe la casele ce nu-i primesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, al dracului venetic \u015fi ceapc\u00e2n de pop\u0103! zicem noi, dup\u0103 ce ne adun\u0103m to\u0163i la un loc, \u00eenghe\u0163a\u0163i de frig \u015fi speria\u0163i. C\u00e2t pe ce era s\u0103 ne ologeasc\u0103 boaita cea \u00eendr\u0103cit\u0103, vedea-l-am dus pe n\u0103s\u0103lie la biserica Sf\u00e2ntului Dumitru de sub cetate, unde sluje\u015fte; curat Ucig\u0103-l-crucea l-a col\u0103cit s\u0103 vie \u015fi s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 budihacea cas\u0103 la noi \u00een sat. Fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu s\u0103 fie preo\u0163ii no\u015ftri a\u015fa, c\u0103 nu te-ai mai \u00eenfrupta cu nimica de la biseric\u0103 \u00een vecii vecilor! \u015ei p\u00e2n\u0103-l mai menim noi pe popa, p\u00e2n\u0103-l mai boscorodim, p\u00e2n\u0103 una alta, amurge\u015fte bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, amu, ce-i de f\u0103cut? Hai s\u0103 intr\u0103m ici, \u00een ograda asta, zise Zaharia lui G\u00e2tlan, c\u0103 ne trecem vremea st\u00e2nd \u00een mijlocul drumului. \u015ei intr\u0103m noi la Vasile-Ani\u0163ei \u015fi ne a\u015fez\u0103m la fereastr\u0103 dup\u0103 obicei. Dar parc\u0103 naiba vr\u0103je\u015fte: cela nu sun\u0103 coasa, c\u0103-i e frig; celuia c\u0103-i \u00eenghea\u0163\u0103 m\u00e2inile pe c\u00e2rceie; v\u0103ru-meu Ion Mogorogea, cu v\u0103trarul subsuoar\u0103, se punea de pricin\u0103 c\u0103 nu ur\u0103, \u015fi numa-\u0163i cr\u0103pa inima-n tine de necaz!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ur\u0103 tu, m\u0103i Chiriece, zic eu lui Goian; \u015fi noi, m\u0103i Zaharie, s\u0103 pufnim din gur\u0103 ca buhaiul; iar i\u015ftialal\u0163i s\u0103 strige: h\u0103i, h\u0103i! \u015ei-odat\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepem. \u015ei ce s\u0103 vezi? Unde nu se ia haps\u00e2na de nevasta lui Vasile-Ani\u0163ei cu cociorva aprins\u0103 dup\u0103 noi, c\u0103ci tocmai atunci tr\u0103gea focul, s\u0103 dea colacii \u00een cuptor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai, aprinde-v-ar focul, s\u0103 v\u0103 aprind\u0103! zise ea, burzuluit\u0103 grozav; dar cum se cheam\u0103 asta? \u00cen obrazul cui v-a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at! Atunci noi, la fug\u0103, b\u0103ie\u0163i, mai dihai dec\u00e2t la popa O\u015flobanu\u2026 Dar bun pocinog a mai fost \u015f-aista, zicem noi, oprindu-ne \u00een r\u0103scrucile drumului din mijlocul satului, aproape de biseric\u0103. \u00cenc\u0103 una-dou\u0103 de aiestea, \u015fi ne scot oamenii din sat afar\u0103 ca pe ni\u015fte l\u0103ie\u015fi. Mai bine s\u0103 mergem la culcare. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce ne arvonim noi \u015fi pe la anul, cu jur\u0103m\u00e2nt, s\u0103 umbl\u0103m tot \u00eempreun\u0103, ne-am desp\u0103r\u0163it unul de altul, r\u0103begi\u0163i de frig \u015fi h\u0103mesi\u0163i de foame, \u015fi hai fiecare pe la casa cui ne are, c\u0103 mai bine-i pare. \u015ei iaca a\u015fa ne-a fost umblarea cu plugul \u00een anul acela. D-apoi cu sm\u00e2nt\u00e2nitul oalelor, ce calamandros f\u0103ceam! C\u00e2nd punea mama laptele la prins, eu, fie post, fie c\u00e2\u015flegi, de pe-a doua zi \u015fi \u00eencepeam a linchi grosciorul de pe deasupra oalelor; \u015fi tot a\u015fa \u00een toate zilele, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce dam de chi\u015fleag. \u015ei c\u00e2nd c\u0103uta mama s\u0103 sm\u00e2nt\u00e2neasc\u0103 oalele, sm\u00e2nt\u00e2ne\u015fte, Smarand\u0103, dac\u0103 ai ce\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poate c-au luat strigoaicele mana de la vaci, m\u0103muc\u0103i, ziceam eu, \u015fez\u00e2nd \u00eenchincit \u015fi cu limba scoas\u0103 afar\u0103 dinaintea mamei, jos l\u00e2ng\u0103 oale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, prinde-l-voi strigoiul cela odat\u0103 la oala cu sm\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, zicea mama, uit\u00e2ndu-se lung la mine, \u015f-apoi las\u2019! N\u0103na\u015fa din grind\u0103 are s\u0103-i \u015ftie de \u015ftire, de nu l-or putea scoate din m\u00e2na mea tot neamul strigoilor \u015fi al strigoaicelor din lume! Se cunoa\u015fte el strigoiul, care a m\u00e2ncat sm\u00e2nt\u00e2na, de pe limb\u0103\u2026 Ur\u00e2t mi-a fost \u00een via\u0163a mea omul viclean \u015fi ling\u0103u, drept s\u0103-\u0163i spun, dragul mamei! \u015ei s\u0103 \u015ftii de la mine c\u0103 Dumnezeu n-ajut\u0103 celui care umbl\u0103 cu furti\u015fag, fie lucru de purtat, fie de-a m\u00e2nc\u0103rii, fie ori de ce-a fi. Ei, apoi! unde-o plesne\u015fte mama \u015fi unde crap\u0103! zic eu \u00een g\u00e2ndul meu, c\u0103 doar tot nu eram a\u015fa de prost p\u00e2n\u0103 pe-acolo, s\u0103 nu pricep at\u00e2ta lucru. D-apoi cu mo\u015f Chiorpec ciubotarul, megie\u015ful nostru, ce necaz aveam! Ba adic\u0103, drept vorbind, el avea necaz cu mine; c\u0103ci una-dou\u0103, m\u0103 duceam la om \u015fi-l tot suc\u0103leam s\u0103-mi dea curele, ca s\u0103-mi fac bici. \u015ei cele mai de multe ori g\u0103seam pe mo\u015f Chiorpec r\u0103buind ciubotele cu dohot de cel bun, care f\u0103cea pielea cum \u00eei bumbacul. \u015ei dac\u0103 vedea omul \u015fi vedea c\u0103 nu se poate descotorosi de mine cu vorbe, m\u0103 lua frumu\u015fel de b\u0103rbie cu m\u00e2na st\u00e2ng\u0103, iar cu cea dreapt\u0103 muia fele\u015ftiocul \u00een strachina cu dohot \u015fi-mi tr\u0103gea un pui de r\u0103buial\u0103 ca aceea pe la bot, de-i bufnea r\u00e2sul pe to\u0163i ucenicii din ciubot\u0103rie. \u015ei c\u00e2nd \u00eemi da drumul, m\u0103 duceam tot \u00eentr-o fug\u0103 acas\u0103 la mama, pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd \u015fi stupind \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga. Uite, mam\u0103, Chiorpecul dracului, ce mi-a f\u0103cut!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, parc\u0103 l-am \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at eu, zicea mama, cu p\u0103rere de bine; am s\u0103-l cinstesc, z\u0103u a\u015fa, c\u00e2nd l-oi \u00eent\u00e2lni; c\u0103 \u015fezi lipc\u0103 unde te duci \u015fi sco\u0163i sufletul din om cu obr\u0103zniciile tale, u\u015fernic ce e\u015fti! Dac\u0103 auzeam a\u015fa, m\u0103 sp\u0103lam bini\u015for pe la gur\u0103 \u015fi-mi c\u0103utam de nevoie\u2026 \u015ei cum uitam ciuda, fuga iar la mo\u015f Chiorpec dup\u0103 curele! \u015ei el, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 vedea intr\u00e2nd pe u\u015f\u0103, \u00eemi zicea cu chef: He, he! bineai venit, nepurcele! \u015ei iar m\u0103 r\u0103buia, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 de r\u00e2s; \u015fi eu iar fugeam acas\u0103, pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd, stupind \u015fi blestem\u00e2ndu-l. \u015ei mama avea un chin cu mine din pricina asta\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Of! De-ar veni iarna, s\u0103 te mai dau odat\u0103 la \u015fcoal\u0103 undeva, zicea mama, \u015fi s\u0103 cer dasc\u0103lului s\u0103-mi dea numai pielea \u015fi ciolanele de pe tine. Odat\u0103, vara, pe-aproape de Mo\u015fi, m\u0103 furi\u015fez din cas\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103 duc, ziua miaza-mare, la mo\u015f Vasile, fratele tatei cel mai mare, s\u0103 fur ni\u015fte cire\u015fe; c\u0103ci numai la d\u00e2nsul \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 la vro dou\u0103 locuri din sat era c\u00e2teun cire\u015f v\u0103ratic, care se cocea-p\u0103lea de Duminica Mare. \u015ei m\u0103 chitesc eu \u00een mine, cum s-o dau, ca s\u0103 nu m\u0103 prind\u0103. Intru mai \u00eent\u00e2i \u00een casa omului \u015fi m\u0103 fac a cere pe Ioan, s\u0103 ne ducem la sc\u0103ldat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-i acas\u0103 Ion, zise m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103rioara; s-a dus cu mo\u015fu-t\u0103u Vasile sub cetate, la o chiu\u0103 din Codreni, s-aduc\u0103 ni\u015fte sumani. C\u0103ci trebuie s\u0103 v\u0103 spun c\u0103 la Humule\u015fti torc \u015fi fetele \u015fi b\u0103ie\u0163ii, \u015fi femeile \u015fi b\u0103rba\u0163ii; \u015fi se fac multe giguri de sumani, \u015fi l\u0103i, \u015fi de noaten, care se v\u00e2nd \u015fi p\u0103nur\u0103, \u015fi cusute; \u015fi acolo, pe loc, la negustori armeni, veni\u0163i \u00eenadins din alte t\u00e2rguri: Foc\u015fani, Bac\u0103u, Roman, T\u00e2rgu-Frumos, \u015fi de pe aiurea, precum \u015fi pe la iarmaroace \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. Cu asta se hr\u0103nesc mai mult humule\u015ftenii, r\u0103ze\u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 p\u0103m\u00e2nturi, \u015fi cu negustoria din picioare: vite, cai, porci, oi, br\u00e2nz\u0103, l\u00e2n\u0103, oloi, sare \u015fi f\u0103in\u0103 de p\u0103pu\u015foi; sumane mari, genunchere \u015fi s\u0103rdace; i\u0163ari, bernevici, c\u0103me\u015foaie, l\u0103icere \u015fi scor\u0163uri \u00eenflorite; \u015ftergare din borangic alese, \u015fi alte lucruri, ce le duceau lunea \u00een t\u00e2rg de v\u00e2nzare, sau joia pe la m\u0103n\u0103stirile de maice, c\u0103rora le vine cam peste m\u00e2n\u0103 t\u00e2rgul. Apoi dar, mai r\u0103m\u00e2i s\u0103n\u0103toas\u0103, m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103 M\u0103rioar\u0103! vorba de dinioarea; \u015fi-mi pare r\u0103u c\u0103 nu-i v\u0103rul Ion acas\u0103, c\u0103 tare-a\u015f fi avut pl\u0103cere s\u0103 ne sc\u0103ld\u0103m \u00eempreun\u0103\u2026 Dar \u00een g\u00e2ndul meu: \u015etii c-am nimerit-o? bine c\u0103 nu-s acas\u0103; \u015fi, de n-ar veni degrab\u0103, \u015fi mai bine-ar fi! \u015ei, scurt \u015fi cuprinz\u0103tor, s\u0103rut m\u00e2na m\u0103tu\u015fei, lu\u00e2ndu-mi ziua bun\u0103, ca un b\u0103iat de treab\u0103, ies din cas\u0103 cu chip c\u0103 m\u0103 duc la sc\u0103ldat, m\u0103 \u015fupuresc pe unde pot \u015fi, c\u00e2nd colo, m\u0103 trezesc \u00een cire\u015ful femeii \u015fi \u00eencep a c\u0103r\u0103b\u0103ni la cire\u015fe \u00een s\u00e2n, crude, coapte, cum se g\u0103seau. \u015ei cum eram \u00eengrijit \u015fi m\u0103 sileam s\u0103 fac ce-oi face mai degrab\u0103, iaca m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103rioara, c-o jordie \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, la tulpina cire\u015fului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar bine, ghiavole, aici \u0163i-i sc\u0103ldatul? zise ea, cu ochii holba\u0163i la mine; coboar\u0103-te jos, t\u00e2lharule, c\u0103 te-oi \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a eu! Dar cum s\u0103 te cobori, c\u0103ci jos era pr\u0103p\u0103denie! Dac\u0103 vede ea \u015fi vede c\u0103 nu m\u0103 dau, zv\u00e2rr! de vro dou\u0103-trei ori cu bulg\u0103ri \u00een mine, dar nu m\u0103 chite\u015fte. Apoi \u00eencepe a se aburca pe cire\u015f \u00een sus, zic\u00e2nd: Stai, m\u0103i porcane, c\u0103 te c\u0103ptu\u015fe\u015fte ea, M\u0103rioara, acu\u015f! Atunci eu m\u0103 dau iute pe-o creang\u0103, mai spre poale, \u015fi odat\u0103 fac zup! \u00een ni\u015fte c\u00e2nep\u0103, care se \u00eentindea de la cire\u015f \u00eenainte \u015fi era crud\u0103 \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 la br\u00e2u de nalt\u0103. \u015ei nebuna de m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103rioara, dup\u0103 mine, \u015fi eu fuga iepure\u015fte prin c\u00e2nep\u0103, \u015fi ea pe urma mea, p\u00e2n\u0103 la gardul din fundul gr\u0103dinii, pe care neav\u00e2nd vreme s\u0103-l sar, o cotigeam \u00eenapoi, iar prin c\u00e2nep\u0103, fugind tot iepure\u015fte, \u015fi ea dup\u0103 mine p\u00e2n\u0103-n dreptul ocolului pe unde-mi era iar greu de s\u0103rit; pe de l\u0103turi iar gard, \u015fi h\u00e2rsita de m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103 nu m\u0103 sl\u0103bea din fug\u0103 nici \u00een ruptul capului! C\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 pun\u0103 m\u00e2na pe mine! \u015ei eu fuga, \u015fi ea fuga, \u015fi eu fuga, \u015fi ea fuga, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce d\u0103m c\u00e2nepa toat\u0103 palanc\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt; c\u0103ci, s\u0103 nu spun minciuni, erau vro zece-dou\u0103sprezece pr\u0103jini de c\u00e2nep\u0103, frumoas\u0103 \u015fi deas\u0103 cum \u00eei peria, de care nu s-a ales nimica. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce facem noi trebu\u015foara asta, m\u0103tu\u015fa, nu \u015ftiu cum, se \u00eenc\u00e2lce\u015fte prin c\u00e2nep\u0103, ori se \u00eempiedic\u0103 de ceva, \u015fi cade jos. Eu, atunci, iute m\u0103 r\u0103sucesc \u00eentr-un picior, fac vro dou\u0103 s\u0103rituri mai potrivite, m\u0103 azv\u00e2rl peste gard, de parc\u0103 nici nu l-am atins, \u015fi-mi pierd urma, duc\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 acas\u0103 \u015fi fiind foarte cuminte \u00een ziua aceea\u2026 Dar mai \u00een desear\u0103, iaca \u015fi mo\u015f Vasile, cu vornicul \u015fi paznicul, strig\u0103 pe tata la poart\u0103, \u00eei spun pricina \u015fi-l cheam\u0103 s\u0103 fie de fa\u0163\u0103 c\u00e2nd s-a isp\u0103\u015fi c\u00e2nepa \u015fi cire\u015fele\u2026 c\u0103ci, drept vorbind, \u015fi mo\u015f Vasile era un c\u0103rp\u0103nos \u015f-un pui de zg\u00e2rie-br\u00e2nz\u0103, ca \u015fi m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103rioara. Vorba ceea: A tunat \u015fi i-a adunat. \u00cens\u0103 degeaba mai cl\u0103mp\u0103nesc eu din gur\u0103: cine ce are cu munca omului? Stric\u0103ciunea se f\u0103cuse, \u015fi vinovatul trebuia s\u0103 pl\u0103teasc\u0103. Vorba ceea: Nu pl\u0103te\u015fte bogatul, ci vinovatul. A\u015fa \u015fi tata: a dat gloab\u0103 pentru mine, \u015fi pace bun\u0103! \u015ei dup\u0103 ce-a venit el ru\u015finat de la ispa\u015f\u0103, mi-a tras o chelf\u0103neal\u0103 ca aceea, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na! satur\u0103-te de cire\u015fe! De-amu s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 \u0163i-ai m\u00e2ncat liftiria de la mine, sp\u00e2nzuratule! Oare multe stric\u0103ciuni am s\u0103 mai pl\u0103tesc eu pe urma ta? \u015ei iaca a\u015fa cu cire\u015fele; s-a \u00eemplinit vorba mamei, s\u0103rmana, iute \u015fi degrab\u0103: C\u0103 Dumnezeu n-ajut\u0103 celui care umbl\u0103 cu furti\u015fag. \u00cens\u0103 ce \u0163i-i bun\u0103 poc\u0103in\u0163a dup\u0103 moarte? D-apoi ru\u015finea mea, unde o pui? Mai pas\u0103 de d\u0103 ochi cu m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103rioara, cu mo\u015f Vasile, cu v\u0103rul Ion \u015fi chiar cu b\u0103ie\u0163ii \u015fi fetele din sat; mai ales duminica la biseric\u0103, la hor\u0103, unde-i frumos de privit, \u015fi pe la sc\u0103ldat, \u00een Cierul Cucului, unde era b\u0103teli\u015ftea fl\u0103c\u0103ilor \u015fi a fetelor, dori\u0163i unii de al\u0163ii, toat\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2na, de pe la lucru! M\u0103 rog, mi se dusese buhul despre pozna ce f\u0103cusem, de n-aveai chip s\u0103 sco\u0163i obrazul \u00een lume de ru\u015fine; \u015fi mai ales acum, c\u00e2nd se ridicaser\u0103 c\u00e2teva fete frumu\u015fele \u00een sat la noi \u015fi \u00eencepuse a m\u0103 scormoli \u015fi pe mine la inim\u0103. Vorba ceea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i Ioane, dragi \u0163i-s fetele?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dragi!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar tu lor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei ele mie! \u00cens\u0103 ce-i de f\u0103cut? S-a trece ea \u015fi asta; obraz de scoar\u0163\u0103, \u015fi laso moart\u0103-n p\u0103pu\u015foi, ca multe altele ce mi s-au \u00eent\u00e2mplat \u00een via\u0163\u0103, nu a\u015fa \u00eentr-un an, doi \u015fi deodat\u0103, ci \u00een mai mul\u0163i ani \u015fi pe r\u00e2nd, ca la moar\u0103. \u015ei doar m\u0103 \u015fi feream eu, \u00eentr-o p\u0103rere, s\u0103 nu mai dau peste vro pacoste, dar parc\u0103 naiba m\u0103 \u00eempingea, de le f\u0103ceam atunci cu chiuita. \u015ei tocmai-mi-te! \u00cendat\u0103 dup\u0103 cea cu cire\u015fele, vine alta la r\u00e2nd. M\u0103 treze\u015fte mama \u00eentr-o diminea\u0163\u0103 din somn, cu vai-nevoie, zic\u00e2ndu-mi: Scoal\u0103, dugli\u015fule, \u00eenainte de r\u0103s\u0103ritul soarelui; iar vrei s\u0103 te pupe cucul armenesc \u015fi s\u0103 te spurce, ca s\u0103 nu-\u0163i mearg\u0103 bine toat\u0103 ziua? C\u0103ci a\u015fa ne am\u0103gea mama cu o pup\u0103z\u0103 care-\u015fi f\u0103cea cuib, de mul\u0163i ani, \u00eentr-un tei foarte b\u0103tr\u00e2n \u015fi scorburos, pe coasta dealului, la mo\u015f Andrei, fratele tatei cel mai mic. \u015ei numai ce-o auzeai vara: Pu-pu-pup! Pu-pu-pup! dis-diminea\u0163\u0103, \u00een toate zilele, de vuia satul. \u015ei cum m\u0103 scol, \u00eendat\u0103 m\u0103 \u015fi trimite mama cu dem\u00e2ncare \u00een \u0163arin\u0103, la ni\u015fte lingurari ce-i aveam tocmi\u0163i pr\u0103\u015fitori, tocmai \u00een Valea-Seac\u0103, aproape de Topoli\u0163a. \u015ei pornind eu cu dem\u00e2ncarea, numai ce \u015fi aud pup\u0103za c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pu-pu-pup! pu-pu-pup! pu-pu-pup! Eu, atunci, s\u0103 nu-mi caut de drum tot \u00eenainte? m\u0103 abat pe la tei, cu g\u00e2nd s\u0103 prind pup\u0103za, c\u0103ci aveam grozav\u0103 ciud\u0103 pe d\u00e2nsa: nu numaidec\u00e2t pentru pupat, cum zicea mama, ci pentru c\u0103 m\u0103 scula \u00een toate zilele cu noaptea-n cap din pricina ei. \u015ei cum ajung \u00een dreptul teiului, pun dem\u00e2ncarea jos \u00een c\u0103rare pe muchea dealului, m\u0103 sui \u00eenceti\u015for \u00een tei care te adormea de mirosul\u2026 florii, bag m\u00e2na \u00een scorbur\u0103, unde \u015ftiam, \u015fi norocul meu! g\u0103buiesc pup\u0103za pe ou\u0103 \u015fi zic plin de mul\u0163umire: Taci, leli\u0163\u0103, c\u0103 te-am c\u0103ptu\u015fit eu! \u00eei mai pupa tu \u015fi pe dracul de-acum! \u015ei c\u00e2nd aproape s\u0103 scot pup\u0103za afar\u0103, nu \u015ftiu cum se face, c\u0103 m\u0103 spariu de creasta ei cea rotat\u0103, de pene, c\u0103ci nu mai v\u0103zusem pup\u0103z\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci, \u015fi-i dau iar drumul \u00een scorbur\u0103. \u015ei cum stam eu acum \u015fi m\u0103 chiteam \u00een capul meu c\u0103 \u015farpe cu pene nu poate s\u0103 fie, dup\u0103 cum auzisem, din oameni, c\u0103 se afl\u0103 prin scorburi c\u00e2teodat\u0103 \u015fi \u015ferpi, unde nu m\u0103 \u00eemb\u0103rb\u0103tez \u00een sine-mi \u015fi iar bag m\u00e2na s\u0103 scot pup\u0103za\u2026 pe ce-a fi\u2026; dar ea, s\u0103rmana, se vede c\u0103 se mistuise de frica mea prin cotloanele scorburii, undeva, c\u0103ci n-am mai dat de d\u00e2nsa nic\u0103ieri; parc\u0103 intrase \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt. M\u0103i! anapod\u0103 lucru \u015f-aista! zic eu \u00eenciudat, sco\u0163\u00e2nd c\u0103ciula din cap \u015fi tuflind-o \u00een gura scorburii. Apoi m\u0103 dau jos, caut o lespede potrivit\u0103, m\u0103 sui cu d\u00e2nsa iar \u00een tei, \u00eemi iau c\u0103ciula \u015fi \u00een locul ei pun lespedea, cu g\u00e2nd c-a ie\u015fi ea pup\u0103za de undeva p\u00e2n\u0103 m-oi \u00eentoarce eu din \u0163arin\u0103. Dup\u0103 aceea m\u0103 dau iar jos \u015fi pornesc repede cu dem\u00e2ncarea la lingurari\u2026 \u015ei oric\u00e2t oi fi mers eu de tare, vreme trecuse la mijloc doar, c\u00e2t am umblat horh\u0103ind cine \u015ftie pe unde \u015fi c\u00e2t am bojb\u0103it \u015fi moco\u015fit prin tei, s\u0103 prind pup\u0103za, \u015fi lingurarilor, nici mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne cuv\u00e2nt, li se lungise urechile de foame a\u015ftept\u00e2nd. \u015e-apoi, vorba ceea: \u0162iganului, c\u00e2nd i-e foame, c\u00e2nt\u0103; boierul se primbl\u0103 cu m\u00e2inile dinapoi, iar \u0163\u0103ranul nostru \u00ee\u015fi arde luleaua \u015fi mocne\u015fte \u00eentr-\u00eensul. A\u015fa \u015fi lingurarii no\u015ftri: c\u00e2ntau acum \u00eendr\u0103cit pe ogor, \u015fez\u00e2nd \u00een coada sapei, cu ochii p\u0103injeni\u0163i de-at\u00e2ta uitat, s\u0103 vad\u0103 nu le vine m\u00e2ncarea dincotrova? C\u00e2nd, pe la pr\u00e2nzul cel mare, numai iacat\u0103m\u0103-s \u015fi eu de dup\u0103 un d\u00e2mb, cu m\u00e2ncarea sleit\u0103, veneam, nu veneam, auzindu-i l\u0103l\u0103ind a\u015fa de cu chef\u2026 Atunci au \u015fi t\u0103b\u0103r\u00e2t balaurii pe mine, \u015fi c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenghit\u0103, de nu era o chirand\u0103 mai t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii, s\u0103-mi \u0163ie de parte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hauileo, mo! ogoi\u0163i-v\u0103! ce toloc\u0103ni\u0163i b\u0103iatul? Cu tatul s\u0103u ave\u0163i ce-ave\u0163i, iar nu cu d\u00e2nsul! Atunci lingurarii, nemaipun\u00e2ndu-\u015fi mintea cu mine, s-au a\u015fternut pe m\u00e2ncare, t\u0103c\u00e2nd molcum. \u015ei sc\u0103p\u00e2nd eu cu obraz curat, \u00eemi iau traista cu blidele, pornesc spre sat, m\u0103 abat iar pe la tei, m\u0103 sui \u00eentr\u00eensul, pun urechea la gura scorburii \u015fi aud ceva zb\u0103t\u00e2ndu-se \u00een\u0103untru. Atunci iau lespedea cu \u00eengrijire, bag m\u00e2na \u015fi scot pup\u0103za, vl\u0103guit\u0103 de at\u00e2ta zbucium; iar ou\u0103le, c\u00e2nd am vrut s\u0103 le iau, erau toate numai o chis\u0103li\u0163\u0103. Dup\u0103 asta vin acas\u0103, leg pup\u0103za de picior c-o a\u0163\u0103 \u015f-o \u00eendosesc de mama vro dou\u0103 zile \u00een pod prin cele putini h\u00e2rbuite; \u015fi unadou\u0103, la pup\u0103z\u0103, de nu \u015ftiau cei din cas\u0103 ce tot caut prin pod a\u015fa des. \u00cens\u0103 a doua zi dup\u0103 asta, iaca \u015fi m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103riuca lui mo\u015f Andrei vine la noi, c-o falc\u0103-n cer \u015fi cu una \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u015fi se ia la ciond\u0103nit cu mama din pricina mea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai auzit-ai dumneata, cumnat\u0103, una ca asta, s\u0103 fure Ion pup\u0103za, care, zicea m\u0103tu\u015fa cu jale, ne treze\u015fte dis-diminea\u0163\u0103 la lucru de at\u00e2\u0163ia ani? Grozav era de tulburat\u0103, \u015fi numai nu-i venea s\u0103 l\u0103crimeze c\u00e2nd spunea aceste. \u015ei acum v\u0103d eu c\u0103 avea mare dreptate m\u0103tu\u015fa, c\u0103ci pup\u0103za era ceasornicul satului. \u00cens\u0103 mama, s\u0103rmana, nu \u015ftia de asta nici cu spatele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce spui, cumnat\u0103?! Da\u2019 c\u0103 l-a\u015f ucide \u00een b\u0103taie, c\u00e2nd a\u015f afla c\u0103 el a prins pup\u0103za, s-o chinuiasc\u0103. De-amu bine c\u0103 mi-ai spus, las\u2019 pe mine, c\u0103 \u0163i-l iau eu la dep\u0103nat!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nici nu te mai \u00eendoi despre asta, cumnat\u0103 Smarand\u0103, zise m\u0103tu\u015fa, c\u0103ci de zb\u00e2n\u0163uitul ista al dumnitale nimica nu scap\u0103! Ce mai at\u00e2ta? Mi-au spus mie cine l-au v\u0103zut c\u0103 Ion a luat-o; g\u00e2tul \u00eemi pun la mijloc! Eu, fiind ascuns \u00een c\u0103mar\u0103, cum aud unele ca aceste, iute m\u0103 sui \u00een pod, umflu pup\u0103za de unde era, sar cu d\u00e2nsa pe sub strea\u015fina casei \u015fi m\u0103 duc de-a dreptul \u00een t\u00e2rgul vitelor, s-o v\u00e2nd, c\u0103ci era tocmai lunea, \u00eentr-o zi de t\u00e2rg. \u015ei cum ajung \u00een iarmaroc, \u00eencep a m\u0103 purta \u0163an\u0163o\u015f printre oameni, de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo, cu pup\u0103za-n m\u00e2n\u0103, c\u0103 doar \u015fi eu eram oleac\u0103 de fecior de negustor. Un mo\u015fneag nebun, c-o vi\u0163ic\u0103 de funie, n-are ce lucra?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De v\u00e2nzare-\u0163i e g\u0103inu\u015fa ceea\u2026 m\u0103i b\u0103iate?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De v\u00e2nzare, mo\u015fule!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei c\u00e2t cei pe d\u00e2nsa?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2t crezi dumneata c\u0103 face!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia ad-o-ncoace la mo\u015ful, s-o dr\u0103m\u0103luiasc\u0103! \u015ei cum i-o dau \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, javra dracului se face a o c\u0103uta de ou \u015fi-i dezleag\u0103 atunci frumu\u015fel a\u0163a de la picior, apoi mi-o arunc\u0103-n sus, zic\u00e2nd: Iaca pozn\u0103, c-am sc\u0103pat-o! Pup\u0103za, zbrr! pe-o dughean\u0103 \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce se mai odihne\u015fte pu\u0163in, \u00ee\u015fi ia apoi drumul \u00een zbor spre Humule\u015fti \u015fi m\u0103 las\u0103 mare \u015fi devreme cu lacrimile pe obraz, uit\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsa! Eu atunci, ha\u0163! de sumanul mo\u015fneagului, s\u0103-mi pl\u0103teasc\u0103 pas\u0103rea\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce g\u00e2nde\u015fti dumneata, mo\u015fule? Te joci cu marfa omului? Dac\u0103 nu \u0163i-a fost de cump\u0103rat, la ce i-ai dat drumul? C\u0103 nu scapi nici cu junca asta de mine! \u00cen\u0163eles-ai? Nu-\u0163i par\u0103 lucru de \u015fag\u0103! \u015ei m\u0103 b\u0103gam \u00een ochii mo\u015fneagului, \u015fi f\u0103ceam un t\u0103r\u0103boi, de se str\u00e2nsese lumea ca la comadie \u00eemprejurul nostru; d\u0103, iarmaroc nu era?! Dar \u015ftii c\u0103 e\u015fti amarnic la via\u0163\u0103, m\u0103i b\u0103iate?! zise mo\u015fneagul de la o vreme, r\u00e2z\u00e2nd. \u00cen ce te bizui de te \u00eend\u00e2rje\u015fti a\u015fa, nepoate? Dec! nu cumva ai pofti s\u0103-mi iei vi\u0163ica pentr-un cuc armenesc? Pesemne te m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 spinarea, cum v\u0103d eu, m\u0103i \u0163ic\u0103, \u015fi ia acu\u015f te scarpin, dac\u0103 vrei, ba \u015f-un topor \u00ee\u0163i fac, dac\u0103 m\u0103 crezi, de-i zice aman, puiule! c\u00e2nd \u00eei sc\u0103pa de m\u00e2na mea!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D\u0103 pace b\u0103iatului, mo\u015fule, zise un humule\u015ftean de-ai no\u015ftri, c\u0103-i feciorul lui \u015etefan a Petrei, gospodar de la noi din sat, \u015fi \u0163i-i g\u0103si beleaua cu d\u00e2nsul pentru asta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 He, he! s\u0103 fie s\u0103n\u0103tos dumnealui, om bun; d-apoi chite\u015fti dumneata c\u0103 nu ne cunoa\u015ftem noi cu \u015etefan a Petrei? zise mo\u015fneagul; chiar mai dinioarea l-am v\u0103zut umbl\u00e2nd prin t\u00e2rg, cu cotul subsuoar\u0103, dup\u0103 cump\u0103rat sumani, cum \u00eei e negustoria, \u015fi trebuie s\u0103 fie pe-aici undeva, ori \u00een vro dughean\u0103, la b\u0103ut ad\u0103lma\u015ful. Apoi bine c\u0103 \u015ftiu a cui e\u015fti, m\u0103i \u0163ic\u0103! ian stai oleac\u0103, s\u0103 te duc eu la tat\u0103-t\u0103u \u015fi s\u0103 v\u0103d, el te-a trimis cu pup\u0103zi de v\u00e2nzare, s\u0103 spurci iarmarocul? Toate ca toatele, dar c\u00e2nd am auzit eu de tata, pe loc mi s-a muiat gura. Apoi \u00eencet-\u00eencet m-am furi\u015fat printre oameni, \u015fi unde-am croit-o la fug\u0103 spre Humule\u015fti, uit\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 \u00eenapoi s\u0103 v\u0103d, nu m\u0103 ajunge mo\u015fneagul? C\u0103ci \u00eemi era acum a sc\u0103pare de d\u00e2nsul, drept s\u0103 v\u0103 spun. Vorba ceea: Las\u0103-l, m\u0103i! L-a\u015f l\u0103sa eu, dar vezi c\u0103 nu m\u0103 las\u0103 el acum! Tocmai a\u015fa p\u0103\u0163isem \u015fi eu; ba eram \u00eenc\u0103 bucuros c\u0103 am sc\u0103pat numai cu-at\u00e2ta. Bine-ar fi s-o pot scoate la cap\u0103t, m\u0103car a\u015fa, cu mama \u015fi cu m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103riuca, g\u00e2ndeam eu, b\u0103t\u00e2ndu-mi-se inima, ca-ntr-un iepure, de fric\u0103 \u015fi de osteneal\u0103. \u015ei c\u00e2nd ajung acas\u0103, aflu c\u0103 tata \u015fi mama erau du\u015fi \u00een t\u00e2rg; \u015fi fra\u0163ii \u00eemi spun, cu spaim\u0103, c\u0103-i pozn\u0103 mare cu m\u0103tu\u015fa lui mo\u015f Andrei: a sculat mai tot satul \u00een picioare din pricina pupezei din tei; zice c\u0103 i-am fi luat-o noi, \u015fi pe mama a pus-o \u00een mare sup\u0103rare cu asta. \u015etii c\u0103 \u015fi m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103riuca e una din cele care scoate mahmurul din om; nu-i o femeie de \u00een\u0163eles, ca m\u0103tu\u015fa Anghili\u0163a lui mo\u015f Chiriac, s-a m\u00e2ntuit vorba. \u015ei cum \u00eemi spuneau ei \u00eengriji\u0163i, numai ce \u015fi auzim c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd \u00een tei:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pu-pu-pup! pu-pu-pup! pu-pu-pup! Sor\u0103-mea Catrina zise atunci cu mirare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 I-auzi, b\u0103di\u0163\u0103! Doamne, cum sunt unii de n\u0103p\u0103stuiesc omul chiar pe sf\u00e2nta dreptate!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai a\u015fa, surioar\u0103! Dar \u00een g\u00e2ndul meu: C\u00e2nd a\u0163i \u015fti voi c\u00e2te a p\u0103timit, sireaca, din pricina mea, \u015fi eu din pricina ei, i-a\u0163i pl\u00e2nge de mil\u0103! Zahei \u00eens\u0103 ne l\u0103sase vorbind \u015fi se ca\u2019 mai dusese \u00een t\u00e2rg, dup\u0103 mama, s\u0103-i spun\u0103 bucurie despre pup\u0103z\u0103\u2026 \u015ei a doua zi, mar\u0163i, taman \u00een ziua de l\u0103satul secului de postul S\u00e2nPetrului, f\u0103c\u00e2nd mama un cuptor zdrav\u0103n de alivenci \u015fi pl\u0103cinte cu poalele-n br\u00e2u, \u015fi p\u00e2rp\u00e2lind ni\u015fte pui tineri la frigare, \u015fi apoi t\u0103v\u0103lindu-i prin unt, pe la pr\u00e2nzul cel mic, cheam\u0103 pe m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103riuca lui mo\u015f Andrei la noi \u015fi-i zice cu drag\u0103 inim\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne, cumn\u0103\u0163ic\u0103-h\u0103i, cum se pot \u00eenvr\u0103jbi oamenii din nimica toat\u0103, lu\u00e2ndu-se dup\u0103 gurile cele rele! Ia poftim, soro, mai bine s\u0103 m\u00e2nc\u0103m ceva din ce-a da Dumnezeu, s\u0103 cinstim c\u00e2te-un pahar de vin \u00een s\u0103n\u0103tatea gospodarilor no\u015ftri \u015fi: Cele rele s\u0103 se spele, cele bune s\u0103 s-adune; vrajba dintre noi s\u0103 piar\u0103, \u015fi neghina din ogoare!C\u0103ci, dac-ai sta s\u0103 faci voie rea de toate, z\u0103u, ar trebui de la o vreme s-apuci c\u00e2mpii!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa, cumnat\u0103 drag\u0103, zise m\u0103tu\u015fa M\u0103riuca, str\u00e2ng\u00e2nd cu nedumerire din umere, c\u00e2nd se punea la mas\u0103. V\u0103zut-ai dumneata? S\u0103 mai pui alt\u0103 dat\u0103 temei pe vorbele oamenilor! Apoi \u00eencepem cu to\u0163ii a m\u00e2nca. \u015ei al\u0163ii ca al\u0163ii, dar eu \u015ftiu c\u0103 mi-am pus bine gura la cale, s\u0103-mi fie pe toat\u0103 ziua. \u015ei \u00eendat\u0103 ce m-am sculat de la mas\u0103, lu\u00e2ndu-mi r\u0103mas bun de la c\u0103lc\u00e2ie, fuga la sc\u0103ldat; \u015fi c\u00e2nd sar odat\u0103 voinice\u015fte de pe-un mal nalt \u00een \u015ftoaln\u0103, din gre\u015feal\u0103, drept cu fa\u0163a-n jos, numai sc\u00e2ntei s-au f\u0103cut pe dinaintea ochilor de durere; \u015fi am crezut c\u0103 mi-a plesnit p\u00e2ntecele, nu alt\u0103ceva. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce-am ie\u015fit cu mare greu din ap\u0103 \u015fi m-am pus pe mal, \u0163in\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 cu m\u00e2inile de inim\u0103, b\u0103ie\u0163ii s-au str\u00e2ns ciotc\u0103 \u00eemprejurul meu \u015fi m-au \u00eenmorm\u00e2ntat cu nisip, \u015fi m-au prohodit cum \u015ftiau ei, \u015fi de-abia mi-am venit \u00een sim\u0163ire peste vrun ceas; \u015f-apoi am \u00eenceput a m\u0103 sc\u0103lda\u00een tihn\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 pe la asfin\u0163itul soarelui, potrivind-o s\u0103 vin acas\u0103 odat\u0103 cu vacile \u015fi spun\u00e2nd mamei c\u0103, sc\u0103p\u00e2ndu-le v\u0103carul din ocol pe ale noastre la amiaz\u0103, eu singur le-am dus la p\u0103scut, \u015fi de-aceea m-am \u00eent\u00e2rziet p\u00e2n\u0103 acum. \u015ei mama, cre\u015ftin\u0103 bun\u0103, crez\u00e2ndu-le toate l\u0103ptoase, dup\u0103 r\u0103bu\u015f, cum i le spusesem eu cu m\u0103guleli, m-a l\u0103udat de vrednicia ce f\u0103cusem \u015fi mi-a dat \u015fi dem\u00e2ncare. Iar\u0103 eu, m\u00e2nc\u00e2nd lupe\u015fte, m\u0103 f\u0103ceam smerit \u015fi numai r\u00e2deam \u00een mine, mir\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 tot atunci de ghib\u0103cia minciunilor ce potrivisem, de-mi venea mai-mai s\u0103 le cred \u015fi eu singur pe jum\u0103tate. Iaca, a\u015fa se poate \u00een\u015fela omul de multe ori, c\u00e2nd nici n-a g\u00e2ndit, dac\u0103 nu \u015ftie a judeca bine. \u00cens\u0103 iar m\u0103 \u00eentorc \u015fi zic: Tot p\u0103\u0163itu-i priceput! \u00centr-o zi, pe-aproape de S\u00e2nt-Ilie, se \u00eengr\u0103m\u0103dise, ca mai totdeauna, o mul\u0163ime de trebi pe capul mamei: ni\u015fte sumani s\u0103-i scoat\u0103 din stative; al\u0163ii s\u0103-i nivideasc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 a-i \u0163ese din nou; un teanc de sumane croite, nalt p\u00e2n\u0103-n grind\u0103, a\u015ftepta cusutul; piept\u0103nu\u015fii \u00een lai\u0163\u0103 n-avea cine-i \u0163inea de coad\u0103; roata \u015fedea \u00een mijlocul casei, \u015fi canur\u0103 toars\u0103 nu era pentru b\u0103t\u0103tur\u0103! \u015e-apoi, vorba ceea: Nu \u015fedea, c\u0103-\u0163i \u015fede norocul; \u0163evi de f\u0103cut la sucal\u0103; copil de \u0163\u00e2\u0163\u0103 \u00een albie, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 al\u0163ii vro cinci-\u015fase, care a\u015fteptau s\u0103 le faci dem\u00e2ncare. Treab\u0103 era acolo, nu \u00eencurcal\u0103; \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 se cerea degrab\u0103, c\u0103ci venea cu fuga iarmarocul de F\u0103lticeni, care acela este ce este. \u015ei m\u0103 scoal\u0103 mama atunci mai diminea\u0163\u0103 dec\u00e2t alte d\u0103\u0163i \u015fi-mi zice cu toat\u0103 inima:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nic\u0103, dragul mamei! vezi c\u0103 tat\u0103-t\u0103u e dus la coas\u0103, c\u0103ci se scutur\u0103 ov\u0103sul cela pe jos; \u015fi eu asemene nu-mi v\u0103d capul de trebi; tu mai las\u0103 drumurile \u015fi stai l\u00e2ng\u0103 m\u0103muca, de-i f\u0103 \u0163evi \u015fi leag\u0103n\u0103 copilul; c-apoi \u015fi eu \u0163i-oi lua de la F\u0103lticeni o p\u0103l\u0103riu\u0163\u0103 cu t\u0103sma \u015f-o cur\u0103lu\u015f\u0103 de cele cu chimeri, \u015ftii cola, ca pentru tine!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, mam\u0103! dar, \u00een g\u00e2ndul meu, numai eu \u015ftiam. Toate ca toatele, dar la cusut \u015fi s\u0103r\u0103duit sumane \u015fi mai ales la roat\u0103, m\u0103 \u00eentreceam cu fetele cele mari din tors; \u015fi din ast\u0103 pricin\u0103, r\u0103ut\u0103cioasa de M\u0103riuca S\u0103vucului, care, drept s\u0103 v\u0103 spun, nu-mi era ur\u00e2t\u0103, f\u0103cea adeseori \u00een ciuda mea \u015fi-mi b\u0103tea din pumni, poreclindu-m\u0103 Ion Torc\u0103l\u0103u, cum \u00eei zicea unui \u0163igan din V\u00e2n\u0103tori. \u00cens\u0103 pentru asta tot \u00eemi era drag\u0103, \u015fi torceam \u00eempreun\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsa, la umbra nucului lor, c\u00e2te-o movil\u0103 de drugi de canur\u0103, de m\u0103 s\u0103ruta mama, c\u00e2nd i le ar\u0103tam seara acas\u0103. A\u015fa ne duceam b\u0103ie\u0163ii \u015fi fetele unii la al\u0163ii cu lucrul, ca s\u0103 ne lu\u0103m de ur\u00e2t, ceea ce la \u0163ar\u0103 se cheam\u0103 \u015fez\u0103toare \u015fi se face mai mult noaptea, lucr\u00e2nd fiecare al s\u0103u; cum torceam eu, de-a mai mare dragul pe \u00eentrecute cu M\u0103riuca, \u015fi cum sf\u00e2r\u00e2ia fusul ro\u0163ii, a\u015fa-mi sf\u00e2r\u00e2ia inima-n mine de dragostea M\u0103riuc\u0103i! Martor \u00eemi este Dumnezeu! \u015ei-mi aduc aminte c\u0103 odat\u0103, noaptea, la o clac\u0103 de dezghiocat p\u0103pu\u015foi, i-am scos M\u0103riuc\u0103i un \u015foarec din s\u00e2n, care era s-o bage \u00een boale pe biata copil\u0103, de n-a\u015f fi fost eu acolo. D-apoi vara, \u00een zilele de s\u0103rb\u0103toare, cu fetele pe c\u00e2mpie, pe colnice \u015fi mai ales prin luncile \u015fi dumbr\u0103vile cele pline de m\u00e2ndre\u0163e, dup\u0103 cules r\u0103chi\u0163ic\u0103 de f\u0103cut g\u0103lbenele, sov\u00e2rv de umplut flori, dumbravnic \u015fi sulcin\u0103 de pus printre straie, cine umbla? Povestea 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, Doamne, val de tei<\/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-arunc\u0103-ntre femei!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, scurt\u0103 vorb\u0103, unde erau trei, eu eram al patrulea. Dar c\u00e2nd auzeam de leg\u0103nat copilul, nu \u015ftiu cum \u00eemi venea; c\u0103ci tocmai pe mine c\u0103zuse p\u0103catul s\u0103 fiu mai mare \u00eentre fra\u0163i. \u00cens\u0103 ce era s\u0103 faci c\u00e2nd te roag\u0103 mama? Dar \u00een ziua aceea, \u00een care m\u0103 rugase ea, era un senin pe cer \u015fi a\u015fa de frumos \u015fi de cald afar\u0103, c\u0103-\u0163i venea s\u0103 te scalzi pe uscat, ca g\u0103inile. V\u0103z\u00e2nd eu o vreme ca asta, am \u015fparlit-o la balt\u0103, cu g\u00e2nd r\u0103u asupra mamei, c\u00e2t \u00eemi era de mam\u0103 \u015fi de nec\u0103jit\u0103. Adev\u0103r spun, c\u0103ci Dumnezeu e deasupra! De la o vreme, mama, crez\u00e2nd c\u0103-s prin livad\u0103 undeva, iese afar\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepe a striga, de da duhul dintr-\u00eensa: Ioane! Ioane! Ioane! Ioane! \u015fi Ion, pace! V\u0103z\u00e2nd ea c\u0103 nu dau r\u0103spuns de nic\u0103ieri, las\u0103 toate \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi se ia dup\u0103 mine la balt\u0103, unde \u015ftia c\u0103 m\u0103 duc; \u015fi, c\u00e2nd colo, m\u0103 vede tologit, cu pielea goal\u0103 pe nisip, c\u00e2t mi \u0163i-i gliganul; apoi, \u00een picioare, \u0163iind la urechi c\u00e2te-o lespejoar\u0103 fierbinte de la soare, cu argint printr-\u00eensele,\u015fi aci s\u0103ream \u00eentr-un picior, aci \u00een cel\u0103lalt, aci plecam capul \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga, spun\u00e2nd cuvintele:<\/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\u00a0Aura\u015f, p\u0103cura\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\u00a0Scoate apa din urechi,<\/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 \u0163i-oi da parale vechi;<\/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 \u0163i-oi sp\u0103la cofele<\/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 \u0163i-o bate dobele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceea zv\u00e2rleam pietrele, pe r\u00e2nd, \u00een \u015ftioalna unde m\u0103 sc\u0103ldam: una pentru Dumnezeu \u015fi una pentru dracul, f\u0103c\u00e2nd parte dreapt\u0103 la am\u00e2ndoi; apoi mai zv\u00e2rleam c\u00e2teva, de \u00eencuiam pe dracul \u00een fundul \u015ftioalnei, cu bulbuci la gur\u0103; \u015f-apoi, hu\u015ftiuliuc! \u015fi eu \u00een \u015ftioaln\u0103, de-a cufundul, s\u0103 prind pe dracul de un picior, c\u0103ci a\u015fa ne era obiceiul s\u0103 facem la sc\u0103ldat, de pe c\u00e2nd Adam-Babadam. Dup\u0103 asta, m\u0103 mai cufundam de trei ori \u00een r\u00e2nd, pentru Tat\u0103l, pentru Fiul \u015fi Duhul Sf\u00e2nt, \u015fi \u00eenc-o dat\u0103 pentru Amin. Apoi m\u0103 tr\u0103geam \u00eenceti\u015for pe-o coast\u0103, la marginea b\u0103l\u0163ii, c\u00e2t mi \u0163i-i moronul, \u015fi m\u0103 uitam pe furi\u015f cum se joac\u0103 apa cu picioru\u015fele cele m\u00e2ndre ale unor fete ce ghileau p\u00e2nza din susul meu. Mai frumos lucru nici c\u0103 se mai poate, cred!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toate acestea le privea biata mam\u0103, uitat\u0103 cu m\u00e2inile subsuoar\u0103, cum e omul nec\u0103jit, de dup\u0103 un d\u00e2mb din prund, aproape de mine. Dar eu n-o vedeam pe d\u00e2nsa, c\u0103ci eram \u00een treab\u0103. \u00cen totului tot, a fi trecut la mijloc vro jum\u0103tate de ceas, c\u00e2t a z\u0103bovit mama acolo, mai vro trei-patru de c\u00e2nd fugisem de-acas\u0103, \u015f-ar fi trebuit s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 a mi se pune soarele drept inim\u0103, dup\u0103 cum se zice, c\u0103ci era trecut de amiaz\u0103. \u00cens\u0103 eu, \u00een starea \u00een care m\u0103 aflam, fiind cuprins de fericire, uitasem c\u0103 mai tr\u0103iesc pe lume! \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, mama, c\u00e2t era ea de tare de cap, de la o vreme pierde r\u0103bdarea \u015fi vine tiptil, \u00een v\u00e2rful degetelor, pe la spatele mele, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 uitam la fete, cum v\u0103 spun, \u00eemi ia toate hainele frumu\u015fel de pe mal \u015fi m\u0103 las\u0103 cu pielea goal\u0103 \u00een balt\u0103, zic\u00e2ndu-mi cu n\u0103duh:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cei veni tu acas\u0103, coropcarule, dac\u0103 te-a r\u0103zbi foamea, \u015f-apoi atunci vom avea alt\u0103 vorb\u0103! \u015ei se tot duce.Ei, ei! ce-i de f\u0103cut, Ioane? Fetele de la ghilit, care v\u0103zur\u0103 asta, numa-\u015fi dau ghiont una alteia \u015fi chicoteau pe socoteala mea, de r\u0103suna prundul. Iar\u0103 eu intram \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt de ru\u015fine, \u015fi c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenec, de ciud\u0103 ce-mi era. \u015ei din dragostea cea mare de mai dinioarea, \u00eemi venea acum s\u0103 le str\u00e2ng de g\u00e2t, nu alt\u0103ceva. Dar vorba ceea: Po\u0163i opri v\u00e2ntul, apa \u015fi gurile oamenilor? De-aceea le-am l\u0103sat \u015fi eu pe fete s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 li s-a duce gura la ureche, \u015fi p\u00e2ndind vreme pe c\u00e2nd \u015fed ele plecate \u015fi dau p\u00e2nza \u00een ap\u0103 la ghilit, fac \u0163u\u015fti! din balt\u0103 \u015f-o iau la s\u0103n\u0103toasa; \u015fi a\u015fa fugeam de tare pe prund, de s\u0103reau pietrele, pe care le st\u00e2rneam cu picioarele, c\u00e2t mine de sus. \u015ei fuga, \u015fi fuga, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 uit \u00een urm\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce dau \u00eentre hudi\u0163i, pe drumul care ducea la noi acas\u0103. Dar nu merg pe drum, de ru\u015fine s\u0103 nu \u00eent\u00e2lnesc vrun om, ci sar \u00een gr\u0103dina lui Costache \u015fi merg tupilu\u015f prin p\u0103pu\u015foi; apoi \u00eentr-o hudi\u0163\u0103, din hudi\u0163\u0103 \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103 la Tr\u0103snea, \u015fi iar prin p\u0103pu\u015foi; \u015fi c\u00e2nd aproape s\u0103 ies din gr\u0103din\u0103, m\u0103 sim\u0163esc c\u00e2inii lui Tr\u0103snea, \u015fi la mine, s\u0103 m\u0103 rup\u0103! Ce-i de f\u0103cut? Auzisem eu din oameni c\u0103, dac\u0103 vrei s\u0103 nu te mu\u015fte c\u00e2inii \u015fi s\u0103 te lase \u00een pace, cum \u00eei vezi c\u0103 sar la tine, s\u0103 te tupilezi jos la p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi s\u0103-i la\u015fi s\u0103 te latre c\u00e2t le place, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 te urne\u015fti din loc; c\u0103ci ei bat c\u00e2t bat \u015fi, de la o vreme, te p\u0103r\u0103sesc \u015fi se duc. \u015ei adev\u0103rat este, c\u0103ci a\u015fa am sc\u0103pat \u015fi eu de c\u00e2inii lui Tr\u0103snea, atunci c\u00e2nd am dat peste p\u0103cat cu ei \u015fi ei cu mine. Noroc din cer p\u00e2n\u0103-n p\u0103m\u00e2nt c\u0103 nu m-a prins melianul \u015fi haramninul de Tr\u0103snea, care avea mare ciud\u0103 pe mine, de c\u0103nd m\u0103 z\u0103psise \u00een gr\u0103dina lui la furat mere domne\u015fti \u015fi pere s\u00e2ntilie\u015fti, c\u0103ci m-ar fi snopit \u00een b\u0103taie. \u015e-apoi numai asta mi-ar mai fi trebuit acum, c\u00e2t eram de pricopsit! \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, dup\u0103 ce m-au l\u0103sat c\u00e2inii lui Tr\u0103snea \u00een pace, cum v-am spus, am s\u0103rit \u00een r\u0103spintenele unui drum; de acolo, \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103 la noi, \u015fi atunci mi s-a p\u0103rut c\u0103 m\u0103 aflu \u00een s\u00e2nul lui Dumnezeu. \u015ei merg eu acum f\u0103r\u0103 p\u0103sare prin p\u0103pu\u015foi, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een dreptul ogr\u0103zii, \u015fi m\u0103 uit printre gard \u015fi v\u0103d pe mama cum se da \u00een v\u00e2nt dup\u0103 trebi, c\u00e2nd \u00een cas\u0103, c\u00e2nd afar\u0103; \u015fi-mi era mai mare mila de d\u00e2nsa, dar \u015fi de p\u00e2ntecele meu cel stocit de ap\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 \u00eemi era mil\u0103. Vorba ceea: Mil\u0103mi e de tine, dar de mine mi se rupe inima de mil\u0103 ce-mi este. \u015einemaiput\u00e2nd suferi foamea, \u00eencep a m\u0103rn\u0103i ugilit printre gard: M\u0103muc\u0103i, iacat\u0103-m\u0103-s! \u015e-odat\u0103 \u015fi sar \u00een ograd\u0103, m\u0103 \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fez dinaintea mamei, a\u015fa chipos cum eram, \u00eei apuc m\u00e2na cu sila, o s\u0103rut \u015fi zic, sc\u00e2ncind: Mam\u0103, bate-m\u0103, ucide-m\u0103, sp\u00e2nzur\u0103-m\u0103, f\u0103 ce \u015ftii cu mine; numai d\u0103-mi ceva de m\u00e2ncare, c\u0103 mor de foame! Vorba ceea: Gol\u0103tatea \u00eenconjur\u0103, iar\u0103 foamea d\u0103 de-a dreptul. Ea, atunci, cum e mama cu bun\u0103tate, se uit\u0103 gale\u015f la mine \u015fi zice oft\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine-\u0163i \u015fede, co\u015fcogeme coblizan, s\u0103 umbli lela pe drumuri \u00een halul acesta \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103 la\u015fi tocmai la vremea asta f\u0103r\u0103 leac de ajutor! Hai de m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103, dar s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 mi te-ai leh\u0103metit de la inim\u0103; doar s\u0103 te por\u0163i de-acum tare bine, s\u0103 mai fiu ceea ce-am fost pentru tine; dar nu \u015ftiu, z\u0103u! \u015ei, scurt\u0103 vorb\u0103, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 m-am pus r\u0103u cu mama, \u00eei juruiesc eu c\u0103 ce-am f\u0103cut n-oi mai face. Apoi umblu tot cu bini\u015forul pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsa \u015fi nu ies din cuv\u00e2ntul ei afar\u0103 nici cu fapta, nici cu vorba, c\u0103ci: Vorba dulce mult aduce; la trebi-s h\u0103rnicu\u0163 c\u00e2t se poate: derdicam \u015fi m\u0103turam prin cas\u0103 ca o fat\u0103 mare, de n-avea mama grij\u0103 c\u00e2nd se ducea undeva. \u015ei-ntr-o zi o v\u0103z c\u0103 m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 \u015fi-mi zice cu bl\u00e2nde\u0163e:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dumnezeu s\u0103 te \u00eenzileasc\u0103, Ionic\u0103, dragul mamei, \u015fi s\u0103-\u0163i dea de toate darurile sale cele bogate dac\u0103 te-i purta cum v\u0103d c\u0103 te por\u0163i de-o bucat\u0103 de vreme \u00eencoace! Atunci eu, pe loc am \u00eenceput a pl\u00e2nge, \u015fi bucuria mea n-a fost proast\u0103. \u015ei mai mult\u0103 mustrare am sim\u0163it \u00een cugetul meu dec\u00e2t oric\u00e2nd. \u015ei de m-ar fi b\u0103tut mama cu toate gardurile \u015fi de m-ar fi izgonit de la cas\u0103 ca pe un str\u0103in, tot n-a\u015f fi r\u0103mas a\u015fa de umilit \u00een fa\u0163a ei, ca atunci c\u00e2nd m-a luat cu bini\u015forul! \u015ei s\u0103 nu crede\u0163i c\u0103 nu mi-am \u0163inut cuv\u00e2ntul de joi p\u00e2n\u0103 mai de-apoi, pentru c\u0103 a\u015fa am fost eu, r\u0103bd\u0103tor \u015fi statornic la vorb\u0103 \u00een felul meu. \u015ei nu c\u0103 m\u0103 laud, c\u0103ci lauda-i fa\u0163\u0103: prin somn nu ceream dem\u00e2ncare, dac\u0103 m\u0103 sculam, nu mai a\u015fteptam s\u0103-mi dea al\u0163ii; \u015fi c\u00e2nd era de f\u0103cut ceva treab\u0103, o cam r\u0103ream de pe-acas\u0103. \u015e-apoi mai aveam \u015fi alte bunuri: c\u00e2nd m\u0103 lua cineva cu r\u0103ul, pu\u0163in\u0103 treab\u0103 f\u0103cea cu mine; c\u00e2nd m\u0103 lua cu bini\u015forul, nici at\u00e2ta; iar c\u00e2nd m\u0103 l\u0103sa din capul meu, f\u0103ceam c\u00e2te-o dr\u0103gu\u0163\u0103 de trebu\u015foar\u0103 ca aceea, de nici sf\u00e2nta Nastasia, izb\u0103vitoarea de otrav\u0103, nu era \u00een stare a o desface cu tot me\u015fte\u015fugul ei. Povestea ceea: Un nebun arunc-o piatr\u0103 \u00een balt\u0103, \u015fi zece cumin\u0163i n-o pot scoate. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, ce mai at\u00e2ta vorb\u0103 pentru nimica toat\u0103? Ia, am fost \u015fi eu, \u00een lumea asta, un bo\u0163 cu ochi, o bucat\u0103 de hum\u0103 \u00eensufle\u0163it\u0103 din Humule\u015fti, care nici frumos p\u00e2n\u0103 la dou\u0103zeci de ani, nici cu minte p\u00e2n\u0103 la treizeci \u015fi nici bogat p\u00e2n\u0103 la patruzeci nu m-am f\u0103cut. Dar \u015fi s\u0103rac a\u015fa ca \u00een anul acesta, ca \u00een anul trecut \u015fi ca de c\u00e2nd sunt, niciodat\u0103 n-am fost!<\/p>\n
Nu mi-ar fi ciud\u0103, \u00eencaltea, c\u00e2nd ai fi \u015fi tu ceva \u015fi de te miri unde, \u00eemi zice cugetul meu, dar a\u015fa, un bo\u0163 cu ochi ce te g\u0103se\u015fti, o bucat\u0103 de hum\u0103 \u00eensufle\u0163it\u0103 \u00een sat de la noi, \u015fi nu te las\u0103 inima s\u0103 taci; asurze\u015fti lumea cu \u0163\u0103r\u0103niile tale!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu m\u0103 las\u0103, vezi bine, cugete, c\u0103ci \u015fi eu sunt om din doi oameni; \u015fi satul Humule\u015fti, \u00een care m-am trezit, nu-i un sat l\u0103turalnic, mocnit \u015fi lipsit de priveli\u015ftea lumii, ca alte sate; \u015fi locurile care \u00eenconjur\u0103 satul nostru \u00eenc\u0103-s vrednice de amintire. Din sus de Humule\u015fti vin V\u00e2n\u0103torii Neam\u0163ului, cu s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163\u0103 de oameni de aceia care s-au h\u0103r\u0163uit odinioar\u0103 cu Sobietski, craiul polonilor. \u015ei mai \u00een sus, m\u0103n\u0103stirile Secul \u015fi Neam\u0163ul, alt\u0103dat\u0103 fala bisericii rom\u00e2ne \u015fi a doua vistierie a Moldovei. Din jos vin satele Boi\u015ftea \u015fi Ghind\u0103oanii, care \u00eenjug\u0103 numai boi ungure\u015fti la carele lor, unde plugurile r\u0103m\u00e2n singurele pe brazd\u0103 \u00een \u0163arin\u0103, cu s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2nile, pris\u0103cile f\u0103r\u0103 pris\u0103car, holdele f\u0103r\u0103 jitar, \u015fi nime nu se atinge de ele; iar oamenii din aceste sate nu \u015ftiu ce-i judecata. Aproape de Boi\u015fte vine satul Blebea, care mai mult de jum\u0103tate, dup\u0103 ce-\u015fi scap\u0103 c\u0103ciula pe balt\u0103, zice: S\u0103 fie de sufletul tatei! \u00censpre apus miaz\u0103-zi vin m\u0103n\u0103stirile: Agapia, cea t\u0103inuit\u0103 de lume; V\u0103raticul, unde \u015fi-a petrecut via\u0163a Br\u00e2ncoveanca cea bogat\u0103 \u015fi milostiv\u0103, \u015fi satele Filioara, h\u0103\u0163a\u015ful c\u0103prioarelor cu spr\u00e2ncene sc\u0103pate din m\u0103n\u0103stire; B\u0103l\u0163\u0103te\u015ftii, cei plini de salamur\u0103, \u015fi Ceahl\u0103ie\u015ftii, Topoli\u0163a \u015fi Ocea, care alung\u0103 cioara cu perja-n gur\u0103 tocmai dincolo, peste hotar; iar spre criv\u0103\u0163, peste Ozana, vine T\u00e2rgul-Neam\u0163ului, cu mahalalele Pometea de sub dealul Cociorva, unde la toat\u0103 casa este livad\u0103 mare; \u0162u\u0163uienii, veni\u0163i din Ardeal, care m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 sl\u0103nin\u0103 r\u00e2nced\u0103, se \u0163in de coada oilor, lucreaz\u0103 l\u00e2na \u015fi sunt vesti\u0163i pentru teascurile de f\u0103cut oloi; \u015fi Condrenii, cu morile de pe Nem\u0163i\u015for \u015fi piu\u0103le de f\u0103cut sumani. Iar deasupra Condrenilor, pe v\u00e2rful unui deal nalt \u015fi plin de tih\u0103r\u0103i, se afl\u0103 vestita Cetatea Neam\u0163ului, \u00eengr\u0103dit\u0103 cu pustiu, acoperit\u0103 cu fulger, locuit\u0103 vara de vitele fug\u0103rite de strechie \u015fi str\u0103juit\u0103 de ceucele \u015fi vindereii care au g\u0103sit-o bun\u0103 de f\u0103cut cuiburi \u00eentr-\u00eensa. Dar asta nu m\u0103 prive\u015fte pe mine, b\u0103iat din Humule\u015fti. Eu am alt\u0103 treab\u0103 de f\u0103cut; vreau s\u0103-mi dau seam\u0103 despre satul nostru, despre copil\u0103ria petrecut\u0103 \u00een el, \u015fi at\u00e2ta-i tot. C\u00e2\u0163i domnitori \u015fi mitropoli\u0163i s-au r\u00e2nduit la scaunul Moldovei, de c\u00e2nd e \u0163ara asta, au trebuit s\u0103 treac\u0103 m\u0103car o dat\u0103 prin Humule\u015fti spre m\u0103n\u0103stiri. Apoi, unde pui cealalt\u0103 lume care s-a purtat prin satul nostru, \u015fi tot lume mai mult bogat\u0103 \u015fi aleas\u0103. M\u0103 rog, la M\u0103n\u0103stirea Neam\u0163ului: icoan\u0103 f\u0103c\u0103toare de minuni, cas\u0103 de nebuni, hram de Ispas \u015fi iarmaroc \u00een t\u00e2rg, tot atunci; apoi, tot pe aici, treac\u0103t spre iarmaroace: la Piatra de Duminica Mare, \u015fi la Folticeni de S\u00e2nt-Ilie; la Secu, hram de T\u0103ierea capului sf. Ioan Botez\u0103torul; la Agapia-n deal, hram de Schimbarea la fa\u0163\u0103; la Agapia-n vale, hram de Sf. Voievozi; \u015fi la V\u0103ratic, hram de S\u00e2nta Maria mare; lume \u015fi iar lume! \u015ei c\u00e2te t\u00e2rnosiri \u015fi sfin\u0163iri de biserici din nou, \u015fi c\u00e2te soboare \u015fi revizii de fe\u0163e biserice\u015fti \u015fi politice\u015fti, \u015fi c\u00e2\u0163i str\u0103ini din toat\u0103 lumea, \u015fi c\u00e2te inimi purtate de dor, \u015fi c\u00e2te suflete zdrobite \u015fi r\u0103t\u0103cite n-au trecut prin satul nostru spre m\u0103n\u0103stiri! Lume, lume \u015fi iar lume! \u015ei c\u00e2te o\u015ftiri str\u0103ine \u015fi o droaie de c\u0103tane c\u0103l\u0103ri, tot nem\u0163i de cei mari, \u00eembr\u0103ca\u0163i numai \u00een fir, au trecut \u00een vremea copil\u0103riei mele, cu s\u0103biile scoase, prin Humule\u015fti, spre m\u0103n\u0103stirile de maice, dup\u0103 N\u0103t\u0103li\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103! \u015ei au f\u0103cut nem\u0163ii mare t\u0103r\u0103boi prin m\u0103n\u0103stiri, \u015fi au r\u0103scolit de-a fir-a-p\u0103r toate chiliile maicelor, dar n-au g\u0103sit-o, c\u0103ci \u015fi beciul privighetorului Parvu din T\u00e2rgul-Neam\u0163ului putea s\u0103 t\u0103inuiasc\u0103 la nevoie o domni\u0163\u0103. \u015ei noroc de v\u0103r\u0103ticence, care au \u015ftiut a-i domoli lu\u00e2ndu-i cu bini\u015forul, \u015fi a-i face s\u0103-\u015fi bage s\u0103biile \u00een teac\u0103, spun\u00e2ndule c\u0103 cei ce scot sabia de sabie vor pieri! Dar ce-mi bat eu capul cu craii \u015fi cu \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163ii, \u015fi nu-mi caut de copil\u0103ria petrecut\u0103 \u00een Humule\u015fti \u015fi de nevoile mele? A\u015fa era cu cale s\u0103 fac de la \u00eenceput, dar am \u0163inut s\u0103 ar\u0103t c\u0103 humule\u015ftenii nu-s tr\u0103i\u0163i ca \u00een b\u00e2rlogul ursului, ci au fericirea de a vedea lume de toat\u0103 m\u00e2na. La 1852, \u00een ziua c\u00e2nd s-a sfin\u0163it paraclisul spitalului din T\u00e2rgulNeam\u0163ului \u015fi s-a deschis \u015fcoala domneasc\u0103 de acolo, eu, \u00eempreun\u0103 cu al\u0163i b\u0103ie\u0163i, isonari ai bisericii, stam aproape de Ghica-vod\u0103, care era fa\u0163\u0103 la acea serbare, \u00eenconjurat de o mul\u0163ime de lume, \u015fi nu ne mai s\u0103turam privindu-l. \u015ei el, frumos la chip \u015fi bl\u00e2nd cum era, v\u0103z\u00e2ndu-ne pe mai to\u0163i de-a r\u00e2ndul, \u00eembr\u0103ca\u0163i cu c\u0103me\u015fuice cusute cu bibiluri \u015fi albe cum e helgea, cu bondi\u0163e m\u00e2ndre, cu i\u0163ari de \u0163igaie \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163a\u0163i cu opincu\u0163e, sp\u0103la\u0163i curat \u015fi piept\u0103na\u0163i, cu ru\u015finea zugr\u0103vit\u0103 pe fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi cu frica lui Dumnezeu \u00een inim\u0103, arunc\u0103 o privire p\u0103rinteasc\u0103 spre noi \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103, copii, \u015fcoala \u015fi sf\u00e2nta biseric\u0103, izvoarele m\u00e2ng\u00e2ierii \u015fi ale fericirii suflete\u015fti; folosi\u0163i-v\u0103 de ele \u015fi v\u0103 lumina\u0163i, \u015fi pe Domnul l\u0103uda\u0163i! Aceste vorbe, rostite de gur\u0103 domneasc\u0103, au br\u0103zdat ad\u00e2nc inima norodului adunat acolo, \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2rziere \u015fcoala s-a umplut de b\u0103ie\u0163i dori\u0163i de \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103, \u00eentre care eram \u015fi eu, cel mai bun de h\u00e2rjoan\u0103 \u015fi sl\u0103vit de lene\u015f; lene\u015f f\u0103r\u0103 pereche m\u0103 f\u0103cusem, c\u0103ci mama, dup\u0103 c\u00e2t\u0103 minte avea, nu se \u00eendura s\u0103 m\u0103 mai trimit\u0103 acum nici la o cof\u0103 de ap\u0103, numai s\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 carte \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103 fac pop\u0103, ca p\u0103rintele Isaia Duhu, profesorul nostru. Bun mai era \u015fi p\u0103rintele Duhu, c\u00e2nd se afla \u00een toane bune, Dumnezeu s\u0103-l ierte! Pus-a el b\u0103ie\u0163ii \u00een r\u00e2nduial\u0103 cum nu mai v\u0103zusem p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci; cump\u0103ra-ne el vara, din banii s\u0103i, cofe de zmeur\u0103 \u015fi fel de fel de puricale de ne da s\u0103 m\u00e2nc\u0103m, \u015fi mai \u00een toat\u0103 s\u00e2mb\u0103ta ne \u00eenc\u0103rca \u00een o droag\u0103 de-a M\u0103n\u0103stirii Neam\u0163ului \u015fi ne ducea la st\u0103re\u0163ie, s\u0103 d\u0103m examen dinaintea stare\u0163ului Nionil, un b\u0103tr\u00e2n olog, care ne sf\u0103tuia cu duhul bl\u00e2nde\u0163ii s\u0103 ne \u0163inem de ceaslov \u015fi psaltire; c\u0103ci toate celelalte \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103turi, zicea el, sunt numai ni\u015fte ereticii, care mai mult am\u0103r\u0103sc inima \u015fi tulbur\u0103 sufletul omului. Dar fost-a scris p\u0103rintelui Duhu s\u0103 nu asculte \u00een totul sfaturile cuviosului stare\u0163, ci s\u0103 ne \u00eenve\u0163e \u015fi c\u00e2te oleac\u0103 de aritmetic\u0103, de gramatic\u0103, de geografie \u015fi din toate c\u00e2te ceva, dup\u0103 priceperea noastr\u0103. Odat\u0103, venind p\u0103rintele Duhu sup\u0103rat foc de la m\u0103n\u0103stire, ne dete la regula de trei tema urm\u0103toare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 o para luat\u0103 pe nedreptul \u00ee\u0163i m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 o sut\u0103 drepte, apoi \u015fase mii de lei (leafa mea pe un an), care mi-a oprit-o stare\u0163ul Nionil, pe nedreptul, c\u00e2te parale drepte vor m\u00e2nca de la M\u0103n\u0103stirea Neam\u0163ului?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dou\u0103zeci \u015fi patru de milioane de parale, cinstite p\u0103rinte, sau \u015fase sute de mii de lei, r\u0103spunse unul din noi, cu crida la tabel\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia s\u0103-mi fac\u0103 Nic\u0103 O\u015flobanu \u00eencredin\u0163area, zise p\u0103rintele Duhu. Nic\u0103 O\u015flobanu, ca de obicei, se scoal\u0103 \u00een picioare, c\u00e2t mi \u0163i-i melianul, \u015fi se roag\u0103 de iertare, spun\u00e2nd c\u0103-l doare capul. \u015ei atunci, nu \u015ftiu cum \u00eei cade un urs mare din s\u00e2n \u015fi\u2026 de-a dura prin clas\u0103; nu din cei pe care-i joac\u0103 ursarii, ci de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, umplut cu br\u00e2nz\u0103, rotund, pr\u0103jit pe j\u0103ratic \u015fi de pus drept inim\u0103, c\u00e2nd \u0163i-e foame. B\u0103ie\u0163ii dau s\u0103l prind\u0103, O\u015flobanu se arunc\u0103 \u00een mijlocul lor s\u0103 \u015fi-l ia, \u015fi se face o chirfosal\u0103 \u015f-un r\u00e2s \u00een \u015fcoal\u0103 din pricina ursului celuia, de-i pozn\u0103! Atunci, parc\u0103-l v\u0103d cum s-a plesnit p\u0103rintele Duhu cu palma peste frunte, zic\u00e2nd c-un oftat ad\u00e2nc:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pesemne p\u0103catele mele cele mari \u015fi grele m-au aruncat \u015fi aici, s\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 ni\u015fte \u0163op\u00e2rlani s\u0103lbatici! Mai fericit erai de-o mie de ori s\u0103 pa\u015fti porcii la Cogeasca-Veche, Isaie, dec\u00e2t s\u0103 mai fi ajuns \u015fi zilele aceste! Iar tu, moglanule de O\u015flobene, care te robe\u015fti p\u00e2ntecelui \u015fi nu-\u0163i dai c\u00e2tu\u015fi de pu\u0163in\u0103 osteneal\u0103 min\u0163ii, te-i face pop\u0103 ca tat\u0103-t\u0103u c\u00e2nd s-or pusnici to\u0163i bivolii din M\u0103n\u0103stirea Neam\u0163ului! O\u015flobanu, prost-prost, dar s\u0103 nu-l ating\u0103 cineva cu c\u00e2t e negru sub unghie, c\u0103-\u015fi azv\u00e2rle \u0163\u0103rn\u0103 dup\u0103 cap, ca buhaiul. Cum se duceseara acas\u0103, \u015fi spune t\u0103t\u00e2ne-s\u0103u ce a zis p\u0103rintele Isaia. \u015e-apoi, las\u2019 pe popa Niculai O\u015flobanu, c\u0103ci el nu prea \u015ftie multe; sluje\u015fte c\u00e2te trei liturghii pe zi \u015fi pomene\u015fte la hurt\u0103: pe monahi \u015fi ieromonahi, pe stare\u0163i, pe mitropoli\u0163i \u015fi pe so\u0163iile \u015fi copiii lor, de le merge colbul! \u00centr-o diminea\u0163\u0103, n-are ce lucra p\u0103rintele Duhu?! Ia pe Teofan, alt c\u0103lug\u0103r de la spital, \u015fi se duc \u00eempreun\u0103 la biserica Sf\u00e2ntului Laz\u0103r de sub dealul Cet\u0103\u0163ii. \u015ei cum intr\u0103 \u00een biseric\u0103, \u00eencep a c\u0103uta pricin\u0103 p\u0103rintelui O\u015flobanu, care slujea, c\u0103 nu se \u0163ine de tipic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tipic, boaite f\u0103\u0163arnice? Ia s\u0103 v\u0103 dau eu tipic! zise p\u0103rintele O\u015flobanu, l\u0103s\u00e2nd sfintele \u00eencolo. Ne-a\u0163i luat cu \u015fmecherie pe marele mucenic Dimitrie, izvor\u00e2torul de mir, \u015fi ne-a\u0163i dat, \u00een locul acestui sf\u00e2nt vestit, pe Laz\u0103r, un jidan trem\u0163uros, care tot moare \u015fi iar \u00eenvie, \u015fi \u00eenvie \u015fi iar moare, de nu mai \u015ftie nime de numele lui. Acesta-i hram? \u015ei dup\u0103 ce ne-a\u0163i calicit, lu\u00e2ndu-ne mo\u015fia \u015fi \u00eenchiz\u00e2ndu-ne biserica cu zid, \u00eenchide\u0163i acum \u00een ciud\u0103 \u015fi poarta spitalului; ba p\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi clopotele ni le-au oprit de tras c\u00e2inerii de doftori, tot din pricina voastr\u0103, de ni s-au \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftiat poporenii; nici chioar\u0103 de bab\u0103 nu mai d\u0103 pe la biseric\u0103! \u015ei \u00eenc\u0103 una: de \u015faizeci \u015fi mai bine de ani, de c\u00e2nd slujesc preo\u0163ia, voi ave\u0163i s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a\u0163i tipicul, pui de n\u0103p\u00e2rc\u0103 ce sunte\u0163i! Ia sta\u0163i oleac\u0103 s\u0103 v\u0103 scot eu g\u0103rg\u0103unii din cap! \u015ei zv\u00e2rr! cu pravila cea mare dup\u0103 c\u0103lug\u0103ri. Apoi, umfl\u00e2nd un sfe\u015fnic zdrav\u0103n de alam\u0103, dup\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii, s\u0103-i afuriseasc\u0103! \u015ei, na! p\u0103rintele Duhu \u015fi Teofan \u015fi-au pr\u0103p\u0103dit papucii, fugind mai mult pe br\u00e2nci dec\u00e2t \u00een picioare; chiar dup\u0103 tipic! A doua zi, Nic\u0103 O\u015flobanu ca mai ba s\u0103 dea pe la \u015fcoal\u0103; dar nici p\u0103rintele Duhu pe la biserica Sf\u00e2ntului Laz\u0103r, c\u0103 l-ar fi pironit p\u0103rintele O\u015flobanu pe cruce \u015fi l-ar fi pus \u00een podul bisericii, spre p\u0103strare, cu parte din icoanele r\u0103mase aici de la Cetatea Neam\u0163ului. \u015ei mi se pare c\u0103 avea mare dreptate bietul b\u0103tr\u00e2n, c\u0103ci \u00een locul bisericii Sf\u00e2ntului Laz\u0103r fusese alt\u0103 biseric\u0103, de lemn, al c\u0103rei hram era Sf\u00e2ntul Dimitrie, f\u0103cut\u0103 \u015fi \u00eenzestrat\u0103 cu mo\u015fie de Vasile Lupu-voievod, ca \u015fi cea de la noi din Humule\u015fti. \u00cens\u0103 M\u0103n\u0103stirea Neam\u0163ului, bun\u0103 mehenghe, c\u00e2nd a f\u0103cut spitalul din T\u00e2rgul-Neam\u0163ului, face \u015fibiserica Sf\u00e2ntului Dumitru de piatr\u0103, \u00eei schimb\u0103 hramul, numind-o Sf\u00e2ntul Laz\u0103r, o \u00eenchide cu zid \u00een cuprinsul spitalului, \u015fi hramul Sf\u00e2ntului Dumitru l-a pus la paraclisul de la spital, iar mo\u015fia preo\u0163ilor a p\u0103pat-o, ca \u015fi pe mo\u015fia Humule\u015ftii. \u015ei de aici sup\u0103rarea p\u0103rintelui O\u015flobanu ajunsese la culme; s\u0103 nu vad\u0103 s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163\u0103 de c\u0103lug\u0103r pe la biserica lui, c\u0103-i potope\u015fte! Ca prin urechile acului de n-a f\u0103cut mucenic pe p\u0103rintele Duhu, \u00een locul sf\u00e2ntului Dumitru, izvor\u00e2torul de mir. Peste c\u00e2teva zile dup\u0103 asta, auzim c\u0103 Nic\u0103 O\u015flobanu s-a dus s\u0103 \u00eenve\u0163e la \u015fcoala catihetic\u0103 din Folticeni, vorb\u0103 s\u0103 fie!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103ru-meu Ion Mogorogea, G\u00e2tlan, Tr\u0103snea \u015fi al\u0163i cunoscu\u0163i ai mei se duseser\u0103 tot acolo, mai de demult; bine\u00een\u0163eles, pe socoteala pungii p\u0103rin\u0163ilor lor. \u015ei eu, r\u0103m\u00e2n\u00e2nd f\u0103r\u0103 tovar\u0103\u015fi de isprav\u0103, \u015fi mai d\u00e2ndu-mi \u015fi p\u0103rintele Isaia un pui de b\u0103taie, a\u015fa din senin, cih\u0103iam pe mama s\u0103 se pun\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 tata, ca doar m-a da \u015fi pe mine la catihet, m\u0103car c\u0103 eram un ghibirdic \u015fi jum\u0103tate. Galbeni, stupi, oi, cai, boi \u015fi alte bagateluri de alde aceste, pref\u0103cute \u00een parale, trebuia s\u0103 duc\u0103 dasc\u0103lii poclon catihetului de la fabrica de popi din Folticeni; \u015f-apoi las\u0103-te \u00een conta sfin\u0163iei-sale, c\u0103 te scoate popone\u0163, ca din cutie\u2026 Pentru mine \u00eens\u0103 numai dou\u0103 mier\u0163e de orz \u015fi dou\u0103 de ov\u0103s a dat tata cui se cuvine, de am fost primit \u00een Folticeni, c\u0103ci \u015fcoala era numai de m\u00e2ntuial\u0103; boii s\u0103 ias\u0103! Ajung\u00e2nd acolo toamna t\u00e2rziu, m-am a\u015fezat \u00een gazd\u0103 la Pavel ciubotarul din uli\u0163a R\u0103d\u0103\u015fenii, unde erau \u015fi ceilal\u0163i tovar\u0103\u015fi ai mei. Catihetul, care f\u0103cea ziua noapte \u015fi noaptea zi, juc\u00e2nd stos, rar venea pe la \u015fcoal\u0103. Noi, dac\u0103 vedeam a\u015fa, ne duceam \u015fi mai rar; dar nebunii \u015ftiu c\u0103 f\u0103ceam de-ajuns! Pavel era holtei, \u015fi casa lui destul de \u00eenc\u0103p\u0103toare: lai\u0163e \u015fi paturi de jur \u00eemprejur; l\u00e2ng\u0103 sob\u0103, altul, \u015fi toate erau prinse. Iar\u0103 gazda, robotind zi \u015fi noapte, se prosl\u0103vea pe cuptor, \u00eentre \u015fanuri, calupuri, astr\u0103gaciu, bedreag, dichiciu \u015fi alte custuri t\u0103ioase, mu\u015fche\u0155, piedec\u0103, hasc\u0103 \u015fi clin, ace, sule, cle\u015fte, pil\u0103, ciocan, ghin\u0163, piele, a\u0163\u0103, h\u00e2rbul cuc\u0103lacan, clei \u015fi tot ce trebuie unui ciubotar. Cu noi \u015fedea \u015fi Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103, un mo\u015fneag f\u0103r\u0103 c\u0103p\u0103t\u0103i, \u00eens\u0103 de tot hazul. Pentru pu\u0163in\u0103 m\u00e2ncare \u015fi c\u00e2te-oleac\u0103 de pa\u015fc\u0103 de cea de trei oc\u0103 la para, slujea toat\u0103 casa: t\u0103ia lemne, a\u0163\u00e2\u0163a focul, aducea ap\u0103, m\u0103tura, ne spunea la pove\u015fti nop\u0163i \u00eentregi, \u015fez\u00e2nd cu nasul \u00een t\u0103ciuni, \u015fi ne c\u00e2nta din fluier: Doina, care te umple de fiori, Cor\u0103biasca, M\u0103riu\u0163a, Horodinca, Alivencile, \u0162iitura, Ca la u\u015fa cortului, hore \u015fi alte c\u00e2ntece scul\u0103\u0163ele ca aceste, de jucam p\u00e2n\u0103 ce asudau podelele \u015fi ne s\u0103reau talpele de la ciubote cu c\u0103lc\u00e2ie cu tot, c\u0103 doar acum o d\u0103dusem \u015fi eu pe ciubote. \u015ei din pricina lui Pepelea de mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103, Pavel mai nu le putea dovedi din c\u00e2rpit; ba \u015fi el, uneori, s\u0103rindu-\u015fi din min\u0163i, \u00ee\u015fi rupea ciubotele ferfeni\u0163\u0103, juc\u00e2nd \u00eempreun\u0103 cu noi. Odat\u0103 venise lui O\u015flobanu r\u00e2ndul s\u0103 cumpere lemne, \u015fi a\u015fa, cu toat\u0103 c\u0103rp\u0103no\u015fia lui, iese c\u00e2ine-c\u00e2ine\u015fte \u00een medean, aproape de gazda noastr\u0103, \u015fi g\u0103se\u015fte un \u0163\u0103ran de la Sasca, pare-mi-se, ori de la Baia, cu un car \u00eenc\u0103rcat cu lodbe de fag.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2t ceri pe car, bade? zise O\u015flobanu, c\u0103ruia nu-i era a cump\u0103ra lemne cum nu mi-e mie acum a m\u0103 face pop\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Trei hus\u0103\u015fi, dasc\u0103le.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce spui, b\u0103di\u015forule, pentru un bra\u0163 de lemne? Da\u2019 c\u0103 le duc \u00een spate pe toate odat\u0103 p\u00e2n-acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 le-i duce, dasc\u0103le, \u0163i le dau degeaba.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Z\u0103u, nu \u015fuguie\u015fti, bade?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nici o \u015fag\u0103, dasc\u0103le; s\u0103 vedem cum le-i duce, \u015fi halal s\u0103-\u0163i fie! O\u015flobanu ia atunci lemnele din carul omului c\u00e2te unul-unul \u015fi le reazem\u0103 \u00een picioare l\u00e2ng\u0103 bra\u0163u-i, dup\u0103 aceea descinge br\u00e2ul de pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 sine \u015fi le \u00eemprejur\u0103, leg\u00e2ndu-le frumu\u015fel, s\u0103 nu se hrentuiasc\u0103; apoi, s\u0103lt\u00e2ndu-le \u015fi aburc\u00e2ndu-le cam anevoie, le umfl\u0103-n spate \u015fi la gazd\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsele. Un b\u0103ietan nebunatic de-al\u0103turea, v\u0103z\u00e2nd asta, zise cu glas mare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dasc\u0103le-Trasc\u0103le, be-he-he; dracul s\u0103 te ia! Iar \u0163\u0103ranul, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-\u015fi cruce, a r\u0103mas cu gura c\u0103scat\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 ble\u015fteasc\u0103 un cuv\u00e2nt.Acum nu v\u0103 mai spun c\u00e2t era de \u00eenc\u0103rcat carul cu lemne, care, la a\u015fa loc, \u0163inea pe vremea aceea \u015fapte lei \u015fi jum\u0103tate, \u015fi c\u00e2t era de mare \u015fi de tare Nic\u0103 O\u015flobanu, \u015fi al\u0163i vro \u015faizeci ca d\u00e2nsul, \u00eentre care mul\u0163i, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-\u015fi nevestele c\u00e2te cu doi-trei copii acas\u0103, \u00een creierii mun\u0163ilor, venise la Folticeni s\u0103 se pricopseasc\u0103 de \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103\u2026 \u015e-apoi carte se \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a acolo, nu glum\u0103! Unii c\u00e2ntau la psaltichie, colea, cu ifos:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ison, oligon, petasti,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dou\u0103 chendime, homili,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0p\u00e2n\u0103 ce r\u0103gu\u015fau ca m\u0103garii; al\u0163ii, dintr-o r\u0103suflare, spuneau cu ochii \u00eenchi\u015fi cele \u015fapte taine din catihisul cel mare. G\u00e2tlan se certa \u015fi prin somn cu uria\u015ful Goliat. Musteciosul Davidic\u0103 de la F\u0103rca\u015fa, p\u00e2n\u0103 tip\u0103rea o m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, m\u00e2ntuia de spus pe de rost, repede \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 gre\u015f, toat\u0103 istoria Vechiului Testament de Filaret Scriban, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163it\u0103 \u00een perioade, \u015fi pronumele conjunctive de dativ \u015fi acuzativ din gramatica lui M\u0103c\u0103rescu:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mi-\u0163i-i, ni-vi-li, me-te-\u00eel-o, ne-ve-i-le; me-te-\u00eel-o, ne-ve-i-le, mi\u0163i-i, ni-vi-li. Ce-a fi aceea, duc\u0103-se pe pustiu! Unii dond\u0103neau ca nebunii, p\u00e2n\u0103-i apuca ame\u0163eal\u0103; al\u0163ii o duceau numai \u00eentr-un muget, citind p\u00e2n\u0103 le pierea vederea; la unii le umblau buzele parc\u0103 erau cuprin\u015fi de pedepsie; cei mai mul\u0163i umblau bezmetici \u015fi st\u0103teau pe g\u00e2nduri, v\u0103z\u00e2nd cum \u00ee\u015fi pierd vremea, \u015fi numai oftau din greu, \u015ftiind c\u00e2te nevoi \u00eei a\u015fteapt\u0103 acas\u0103. \u015ei turbare de cap \u015fi fr\u00e2ntur\u0103 de limb\u0103 ca la ace\u015fti neferici\u0163i dasc\u0103li nu mi s-a mai dat a vedea; cumplit me\u015fte\u015fug de t\u00e2mpenie, Doamne fere\u015fte! De-a mai mare dragul s\u0103 fi privit pe Davidic\u0103, fl\u0103c\u0103u de munte, cu barba \u00een furculi\u0163\u0103 \u015fi favorite frumoase, cu pletele cre\u0163e \u015fi negre ca pana corbului, cu fruntea lat\u0103 \u015fi senin\u0103, cu spr\u00e2ncenele tufoase, cu ochii mari, negri ca murele \u015fi sc\u00e2nteietori ca fulgerul, cu obrajii rumeni ca doi bujori, nalt la stat, lat \u00een spete, sub\u0163ire la mijloc, ml\u0103dios ca un mesteac\u0103n, u\u015for ca o c\u0103prioar\u0103 \u015fi ru\u015finos ca o fat\u0103 mare, Dumnezeu s\u0103-l ierte! c\u0103 n-avu parte s\u0103 se preo\u0163easc\u0103. A murit, s\u0103rmanul, \u00eenainte de vreme, \u00eenecat cu pronumele conjunctive, pieritu-le-ar fi numele s\u0103 le piar\u0103, c\u0103 au m\u00e2ncat juvaier de fl\u0103c\u0103u! Mai bun\u0103 minte avea Mir\u0103u\u0163\u0103 din Grum\u0103ze\u015fti, care umbla trelalela, \u00een puterea iernii, pe la t\u0103r\u0103bile jidove\u015fti, \u00eentreb\u00e2nd ba teac\u0103 de cosor, ba c\u0103pestre de purici, ba cuie de la corabia lui Noe, ba fragi \u015fi c\u0103p\u015fune pentru cineva care pornise \u00eentr-adaos, ba c\u00e2nta \u00een pilda jidovilor:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu-mi e ciud\u0103 de g\u00e2ndac, C-a m\u00e2ncat frunza de fag; Dar mi-e ciud\u0103 pe omid\u0103, C-a m\u00e2ncat frunza de crud\u0103: N-a l\u0103sat s\u0103 odr\u0103sleasc\u0103, Voinicii s\u0103 se umbreasc\u0103. \u015ei alte dr\u0103c\u0103rii ce-i tr\u0103sneau \u00een cap. Nebun era el s\u0103-\u015fi piard\u0103 via\u0163a din pricina lui mi-\u0163i-i, ni-vi-li, me-te-\u00eel-o, ne-ve-i-le, ca Davidic\u0103? Eu, ca \u015fi Mir\u0103u\u0163\u0103, nu m\u0103 prea osteneam p\u00e2n\u0103-ntr-at\u00e2ta, s\u0103 mor \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u00e2nd; c\u0103 doar nu-mi pl\u00e2ngeau copiii acas\u0103, nici d\u0103dusem catihetului cel poclon mare p\u00e2n\u0103 pe-acolo. Pentru dou\u0103 mier\u0163e de orz \u015fi dou\u0103 de ov\u0103s, nu era s\u0103 las copila popii de la Folticenii-Vechi nem\u00e2ng\u0103iat\u0103. Afar\u0103 de aceasta, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 uitam \u00een oglind\u0103, barb\u0103 \u015fi must\u0103\u0163i ca \u00een palm\u0103; \u015fi doar le \u015fi p\u00e2rleam eu \u00eentr-o privire \u015fi le ungeam \u00een toat\u0103 seara cu seu amestecat cu muc de lum\u00e2nare \u015fi alun\u0103 ars\u0103, dar degeaba munc\u0103! \u015e-apoi, intrat \u00een asemenea \u015fcoal\u0103, mai numai barba \u015fi punga, bat-o pustia, te f\u0103cea s\u0103 calci a pop\u0103! D-apoi lui Tr\u0103snea, s\u0103racul, ce-i p\u0103\u0163ea sufletul cu gramatica! Odat\u0103 \u00eemi zise el, plin de m\u00e2hnire:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015etef\u0103nescule (c\u0103ci a\u015fa m\u0103 numeam la Folticeni), ast\u0103zi nu mai mergem la \u015fcoal\u0103, c\u0103 nu \u015ftiu tabla \u015fi vreau s\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 pe m\u00e2ine la gramatic\u0103. M\u0103 rog \u0163ie, hai cu mine la c\u00e2mp spre Folticenii-Vechi; vom \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a \u00eempreun\u0103, sau c\u00e2te unul, eu la gramatic\u0103 \u015fi tu la ce-i vrea; apoi mi-i asculta, s\u0103 vedem, nu s-a prinde \u015fi de capul meu ceva? Las\u2019c\u0103 nici la celelalte nu prea pot \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a cu slova asta nou\u0103, care-a ie\u015fit, \u00eens\u0103 afurisita de gramatic\u0103 \u00eemi scoate peri albi, tr\u0103sni-o-ar fi s-o tr\u0103sneasc\u0103! Parc\u0103 ai ce face cu d\u00e2nsa la biseric\u0103? Dar dac\u0103 se cere! Am s-o iau \u015fi eu din cap\u0103t, \u015fi, poate, cu tine, care ai trecut pe la p\u0103rintele Duhu, s\u0103 m\u0103 pot deslu\u015fi\u2026 Fiindc\u0103 la Folticenii-Vechi era ceva m\u00e2ng\u00e2iere pentru mine, m\u0103 potrivesc lui Tr\u0103snea, \u015fi ne ducem \u00eempreun\u0103. \u015ei era un ger uscat prin luna lui noiembrie, \u015fi b\u0103tea un v\u00e2nti\u015for sub\u0163ire \u00een ziua aceea, de-\u0163i frigea obrazul! Cum ajungem la c\u00e2mp, Tr\u0103snea se tologe\u015fte pe-un hat \u015fi \u00eencepe la gramatic\u0103, din cap\u0103t, \u00eentrebarea \u015fi r\u0103spunsul \u00eent\u00e2i: \u00centrebare: Ce este gramatica rom\u00e2n\u0103? R\u0103spuns: Gramatica rom\u00e2n\u0103 este cartea ce ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 a vorbi \u015fi a scrie o limb\u0103 corect. Iar \u00een alt\u0103 edi\u0163ie: Gramatica este o \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103 ce ne arat\u0103 modul de a vorbi \u015fi de a scrie bine \u00eentr-o limb\u0103. Asta-i asta! Din ceaslov \u015fi psaltire, \u015fi acele b\u0103lm\u0103jite r\u0103u, ca vai de ele, s\u0103 treci la gramatic\u0103, \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 ce gramatic\u0103! Nu ca aceste de acum, puzderie de gramatici; unele ra\u0163ionate, altele dezvoltate \u015fi ticsite de complimente, care, trebuie spus f\u0103r\u0103 compliment, \u00ee\u0163i explic\u0103\u2026 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu se mai \u00een\u0163elege nimica; adic\u0103 f\u0103cute anume pentru copii, de se joac\u0103 cu d\u00e2nsele, de u\u015foare ce sunt! \u00cens\u0103 ce folos? Peste Tr\u0103snea n-a dat asemene noroc\u2026 s\u0103 umble \u00eentr-ales\u2026 El, p\u0103c\u0103tosul, uita\u0163i-v\u0103 ce fel de gramatic\u0103 trebuia s\u0103 \u00eenve\u0163e: artea, corect, \u00eentr-o limb\u0103; silab\u0103 numim un sunet deplin, simplu sau compus cu una din consune, sau \u015fi cu mai multe consune, care \u00eens\u0103 s\u0103 se pronun\u0163e cu o scoatere de voace. Iar \u00een alt\u0103 edi\u0163ie: Prin silab\u0103 \u00een\u0163elegem rostitura unei p\u0103r\u0163i de cuv\u00e2nt \u015f.c.l. Ei, ei! de-acum drege-\u0163i voacea \u015fi descurc\u0103-te, m\u0103i Tr\u0103sne, dac\u0103 po\u0163i! Iar, la a treia pagin\u0103, \u00eendat\u0103 alt\u0103 n\u0103zb\u00e2tie: \u00centrebare: C\u00e2te p\u0103r\u0163i are gramatica rom\u00e2n\u0103? R\u0103spuns: Gramatica rom\u00e2n\u0103 are patru p\u0103r\u0163i, care sunt: 1. Etimologia; 2. Sintaxa; 3. Ortografia \u015fi 4. Prosodia. \u00centrebare: Ce ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 fiecare din p\u0103r\u0163ile aceste? R\u0103spuns: 1. Etimologia ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 a cunoa\u015fte p\u0103r\u0163ile vorbei, adic\u0103 analisul gramatical. 2. Sintaxa ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 a lega p\u0103r\u0163ile vorbei dup\u0103 firea limbii noastre, adic\u0103 sintesul gramatical. 3. Ortografia ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 a scrie bine, adic\u0103 dup\u0103 regulile gramaticei.4. Prosodia ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 a accentua silabele \u015fi a le rosti dup\u0103 firea cuvintelor \u015fi scopul ce-l avem \u00een vorbire. Apoi: mi-\u0163i-i, ni-vi-li, me-te-\u00eel-o, ne-ve-i-le. \u015ei alte iznoave h\u0103zoase ca aceste! Mai pune la socoteal\u0103 c\u0103 \u015fi Tr\u0103snea era \u00eenaintat \u00een v\u00e2rst\u0103, bucher de frunte \u015fi t\u00e2mp \u00een felul s\u0103u; c\u0103 profesorul, care \u015fi el se mira cum a ajuns profesor, zicea: Lua\u0163i de ici p\u00e2n\u0103 ici, cum mi se pare c\u0103 se mai face pe une locuri \u015fi ast\u0103zi, \u015fi poate c\u0103 nu ve\u0163i aduce b\u0103nat nici gramaticului, nici profesorului, nici lui Tr\u0103snea, ci \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rii, care a f\u0103cut pe oameni a\u015fa cum sunt: ori cu\u0163ite de o\u0163el, ori de tinichea\u2026 \u015e-apoi g\u00e2ndi\u0163i c\u0103 Tr\u0103snea citea \u00eentrebarea \u015fi r\u0103spunsul, fiecare pe r\u00e2nd, rar \u015fi l\u0103murit, ca s\u0103 se poat\u0103 \u00een\u0163elege ceva? Nu a\u015fa, necredincio\u015filor, ci iat\u0103 cum: Ce este gramatica rom\u00e2n\u0103, este\u2026 ce este, este\u2026 este arata\u2026 nu arata, artea\u2026 artea\u2026 ce\u2026 ce\u2026 ce ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103, \u00eenva\u0163\u0103\u2026 \u00eenva\u0163\u0103\u2026 ce ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103; a vorbi\u2026 bi\u2026 bi\u2026 ce ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103\u2026 ce este, este\u2026 este arata, uite dracu! nu arata, artea ce ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103\u2026 ce este, este\u2026 \u015ei tot a\u015fa dond\u0103nind foarte repede, b\u00e2lb\u00e2it \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 pic de cugetare, p\u00e2n\u0103 la a scrie \u00eentr-o limb\u0103 corect rar ajungea, s\u0103rmanul! \u015ei dup\u0103 ce turba de cap h\u0103t bine, m\u0103 striga s\u0103-l ascult, c\u0103 \u015ftie. Luam eu cartea din m\u00e2na lui \u015fi-l \u00eentrebam: Ce este gramatica, m\u0103i Tr\u0103sne? Iar el, \u00eenchiz\u00e2nd ochii, r\u0103spundea iute, iute \u015fi morn\u0103it, cum cer calicii la pod:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce este gramatica rom\u00e2n\u0103, este\u2026 ce este, este\u2026 \u015fi celelalte, dup\u0103 obicei, schimonosind cuvintele \u015fi \u00eendrug\u00e2ndu-le f\u0103r\u0103 nici o noim\u0103, de-\u0163i venea s\u0103-i pl\u00e2ngi de mil\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu a\u015fa, m\u0103i Tr\u0103sne! Dar cum?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu mai zice rom\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi spune numai r\u0103spunsul; ce ai cu \u00eentrebarea? \u015ei se \u015fi opintea el, \u00eentr-o privire, s\u0103 r\u0103spund\u0103 bine, dar degeaba; se \u00eencurca \u015fi mai r\u0103u, \u00eencepea a ofta \u015fi-i venea s\u0103-\u015fi sparg\u0103 capul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai las\u0103-m\u0103 oleac\u0103, zicea el nec\u0103jit \u015fi, c\u00e2nd te-oi striga, s\u0103 vii iar s\u0103 m\u0103 ascul\u0163i; \u015fi de n-oi \u015fti nici atunci, apoi dracul s\u0103 m\u0103 ia! D\u0103, gramatica s\u0103 zicem c\u0103 n-o \u00een\u0163eleg \u015fi s-o l\u0103s\u0103m la o parte; artea, asemene; corect, tiji. D-apoi rom\u00e2n\u0103, este\u2026 ce\u2026 ne \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 a vorbi \u015fi a scrie bine \u00eentr-o limb\u0103 parc\u0103-s cuvinte rom\u00e2ne\u015fti, ce naiba! Numai \u015fi aici trebuie s\u0103 fie ceva: a vorbi \u015fi a scrie bine \u00eentr-o limb\u0103, \u00eendr\u0103cit lucru! Cum s\u0103 scrii \u00eentr-o limb\u0103? Poate cu limba, mai \u015ftii p\u0103catul? Pesemne c\u0103 noi, cum s-ar prinde, las\u2019 c\u0103, de scris, talpa g\u00e2\u015ftei, dar apoi \u015fi de vorbit, p\u0103catele noastre, se vede c\u0103 vorbim pogan \u015fi r\u0103u de tot; nu rom\u00e2ne\u015fte, ci \u0163\u0103r\u0103ne\u015fte\u2026 Doamne, Doamne! \u00cenv\u0103\u0163at mai trebuie s\u0103 fie \u015fi acel care face gramatici! \u00cens\u0103 \u015fi-n gramatic\u0103 stau eu \u015fi v\u0103d c\u0103 masa tot mas\u0103, casa tot cas\u0103 \u015fi boul tot bou se zice, cum le \u015ftiu eu de la mama. Poate celelalte b\u00e2zd\u00e2g\u0103nii: rostitur\u0103, artea, corect, pronun\u0163e, analisul, sintesul, prosodia, ortografia, sintaxa, etimologia, concrete, abstracte, conjunctive: mi-\u0163i-i, ni-vi-li, me-te\u00eel-o, ne-ve-i-le \u015fi altele de seama acestora s\u0103 fie mai rom\u00e2ne\u015fti\u2026 \u015fi noi, prostimea, habar n-aveam de d\u00e2nsele! Noroc mare c\u0103 nu ne pune s\u0103 le \u015fi c\u00e2nt\u0103m, c-ar fi \u015fi mai r\u0103u de capul nostru cel hodorogit! Dec\u00e2t \u0163\u0103ran, mai bine s\u0103 mori! Hai, du-te, \u015etef\u0103nescule, c\u0103 m-apuc de \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at! \u015ei l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-l, m-am dus \u015fi eu \u00een ciud\u0103 la fata popii, am g\u0103sit-o singur\u0103-singuric\u0103 \u015fi m-am jucat cu d\u00e2nsa \u00een ticn\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103-ndesear\u0103; c\u0103ci mam\u0103 n-avea, \u015fi tat\u0103-s\u0103u ca popa, umbla dup\u0103 c\u0103p\u0103tat\u2026 Apoi m-am \u00eentors la c\u00e2mp, cu zg\u0103rdi\u0163a de la g\u00e2tul copilei, c-o n\u0103fram\u0103 cusut\u0103 frumos cu flori de m\u0103tase \u015fi cu s\u00e2nul plin de mere domne\u015fti; \u015fi, c\u00e2nd colo, z\u0103rghitul de Tr\u0103snea dormea pe hat, cu gramatica sub nas, \u015fi habar n-avea de frig. S\u0103race, s\u0103race! nu e\u015fti nici de zeama ou\u0103lor; dec\u00e2t a\u015fa, mai bine te f\u0103cea m\u0103-ta un m\u00e2nz \u015fi te m\u00e2ncau lupii, zic eu \u00een mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 He! Tr\u0103snea, m\u0103! scoal\u0103! \u015ftii tabla? Sare el de jos, \u00eel ascult, clei. Haidem acas\u0103, m\u0103i Tr\u0103sne, c\u0103 m-au r\u0103zbit foamea \u015fi frigul, \u015fi mor de ur\u00e2t aicea pe c\u00e2mp!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, c\u0103 \u015fi eu\u2026 Duc\u0103-se dracului gramatica! Mi s-a \u00een\u0103crcit sufletul de d\u00e2nsa! \u015ei osebit de asta, nici nu-mi e bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un fel de lene, amestecat\u0103 cu sl\u0103b\u0103ciune, m\u0103i Tr\u0103sne, nu-i a\u015fa?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba chiar ai nimerit: un fel de le\u015fin la inim\u0103, amestecat cu \u00eentinsori, sau cam a\u015fa ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Poate fiorile gramaticii, zic eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai \u015ftii p\u0103catul? Poate c\u0103 \u015f-aceea s\u0103 fie, zise Tr\u0103snea; c\u0103ci, dracul s-o ia! cum pui m\u00e2na pe d\u00e2nsa, \u00eendat\u0103-\u0163i vine somn\u2026 Flecu\u015fte\u0163e de-aceste nu se potrivesc cu r\u00e2nduiala bisericii, s-a m\u00e2ntuit vorba\u2026 Osmoglasnicul este ce este\u2026 Vorba tatei: Condacul umple sacul, \u015fi troparul hambarul, m\u0103i b\u0103iate! Ce umbl\u0103m noi chinuindu-ne cu gramatica, \u015etef\u0103nescule? Haidem! \u015ei ne \u00eentoarcem noi la gazd\u0103 pe la asfin\u0163itul soarelui, m\u00e2nc\u0103m ce m\u00e2nc\u0103m \u015f-apoi rug\u0103m pe mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 s\u0103 ne c\u00e2nte; \u015fi unde nu se adun\u0103 o mul\u0163ime de d\u0103sc\u0103lime la noi, c\u0103ci aici era stani\u015ftea lor; \u015fi ne \u00eent\u0103rt\u0103m la joc, \u015ftii cola, ca la v\u00e2rsta aceea, de nici sim\u0163ir\u0103m c\u00e2nd a trecut noaptea. \u015ei a\u015fa am sc\u0103pat, \u015fi eu de ur\u00e2t, \u015fi Tr\u0103snea de bolborosit prin somn: ce este gramatica rom\u00e2n\u0103, este\u2026 ce este, este\u2026, ca alte d\u0103\u0163i. \u00cens\u0103 veselia nu s-a \u00eencheiat numai cu at\u00e2ta; alta \u015fi mai \u015fi s-a \u00eenceput din cap\u0103t. N-apucase mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 a lua bine fluierul de la gur\u0103, \u015fi iaca ne trezim cu popa Bulig\u0103, ce-i ziceau \u015fi Ciuc\u0103l\u0103u, din uli\u0163a Buciumenii, t\u0103m\u0103iat \u015fi aghezmuit gata dis-diminea\u0163\u0103. Dumnezeu s\u0103-l iepure! \u015ei cum ne binecuv\u00e2nteaz\u0103, dup\u0103 obiceiul s\u0103u, cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile, ca vl\u0103dicii, ne \u015fi trage c\u00e2te-un ibri\u015fin pe la nas despre fata popii de la Folticenii-Vechi: ba c\u0103-i fat\u0103 cuminte, ba c\u0103-i bun\u0103 de preoteas\u0103, ba car fi potrivit\u0103 cu mine, ba c\u0103 are s\u0103 mi-o lege tat\u0103-s\u0103u de g\u00e2t, \u015fi c\u00e2te ponosuri \u015fi t\u00e2lcuri de-a lui popa Bulig\u0103 cel bucluca\u015f, p\u00e2n-a \u00eenceput G\u00e2tlan a-l lua cu m\u0103guleli, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia las\u2019, las\u2019, cinstite p\u0103rinte! nu mai umbla \u015fi sfin\u0163ia-ta cu scornituri de-aceste chiar \u00een ziua de l\u0103satul secului. Mai c\u00e2nt\u0103 \u00eencaltea, mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103, un r\u0103stimp, s\u0103 ne veselim de-ajuns, c\u0103 p\u0103rintele a fi bun \u015fi ne-a ierta\u2026 Mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 de cuv\u00e2nt; iar \u00eencepe a c\u00e2nta, \u015fi la joc, b\u0103ie\u0163i! Popa Bulig\u0103, de\u015fi era b\u0103tr\u00e2n, dac\u0103 vede c\u0103 ni-i treaba de-a\u015fa, unde nu-\u015fi pune poalele antereului \u00een br\u00e2u, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Din partea mea, tot chef \u015fi voie bun\u0103 s\u0103 v\u0103 dea Domnul, fiilor, c\u00e2t a fi \u015fi-\u0163i tr\u0103i! Apoi zv\u00e2rle potcapul deoparte, \u015fi la joc de-a valma cu noi, de-i p\u0103l\u0103l\u0103iau pletele. \u015ei tragem un ropot, \u015fi dou\u0103, \u015fi trei, de era c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 scoatem sufletul din pop\u0103. \u015ei a\u015fa l-am vl\u0103guit, de-i era acum lehamete de noi. Dar vorba ceea: Dac\u0103 te-ai b\u0103gat \u00een joc, trebuie s\u0103 joci! De la o vreme, v\u0103z\u00e2nd bietul pop\u0103 c\u0103 s-a pus \u00een c\u00e2rd cu nebunii, \u00eencepe s-o \u00eentoarc\u0103 la \u015furub:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 a\u015fteapt\u0103 ni\u015fte fii de duhovnicie, dragii mei, \u015fi trebuie s\u0103 m\u0103 duc mort-copt, c\u0103ci acesta ni-i plugul. Pavel, gazda noastr\u0103, \u015fi pune atunci un talger de usc\u0103turi \u015f-o garaf\u0103 cu vin dinaintea p\u0103rintelui Bulig\u0103, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia poftim, cinstite p\u0103rinte, de-\u0163i lua din masa noastr\u0103 oleac\u0103 de gustare \u015f-un pahar, dou\u0103 de vin, \u015f-apoi v\u0103-\u0163i duce, dac\u0103 spune\u0163i c-ave\u0163i a\u015fa de mare grab\u0103. Sfin\u0163ia-sa, nemaipun\u00e2ndu-se de pricin\u0103, \u00eencruci\u015faz\u0103 m\u00e2inile, dup\u0103 obicei, \u00ee\u015fi drege glasul \u015fi spune cu smirenie: Binecuv\u00e2nteaz\u0103, Doamne, m\u00e2ncarea \u015fi b\u0103uturica robilor t\u0103i, amin! Dup\u0103 aceea ridic\u0103 un pahar, zic\u00e2nd: M\u0103 \u00eenchin, b\u0103ie\u0163i, la fa\u0163a voastr\u0103 cu s\u0103n\u0103tate, ca la un codru verde! C\u00e2nd ne-a fi mai r\u0103u, tot a\u015fa s\u0103 ne fie! \u015ei d\u0103 paharul de du\u015fc\u0103; apoi \u00eenc\u0103 vro dou\u0103-trei, \u015fi peste acele alte c\u00e2teva; dup\u0103 aceea ne binecuv\u00e2nteaz\u0103 iar cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile, zic\u00e2nd: Ei, b\u0103ie\u0163i, de-acum lini\u015fti\u0163i-v\u0103! \u015e-apoi ne las\u0103 \u00een pace \u015fi-\u015fi caut\u0103 de drum. \u00cens\u0103 noi, vor ba ceea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici toate-ale doftorului,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici toate-a duhovnicului;<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De ce petreci,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De ce-ai mai petrece!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cam pe \u00eenserate, ne lu\u0103m t\u00e2r\u00e2\u015f, cu mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 cu tot, \u015fi ne b\u0103g\u0103m \u00eentr-o cinstit\u0103 cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103, la fata vornicului de la R\u0103d\u0103\u015feni, unde mai mult\u0103 lume se aduna de dragostea cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163ei dec\u00e2t de dorul vinului; c\u0103ci era \u015fi frumoas\u0103, bat-o hazul s-o bat\u0103! \u015e-apoi, m\u0103ritat\u0103 de cur\u00e2nd dup\u0103 un v\u0103d\u0103oi b\u0103tr\u00e2n \u015f-un l\u0103-m\u0103, mam\u0103, cum e mai bine de tras la om \u00een gazd\u0103. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a, cum ne-a v\u0103zut, pe loc ne-a s\u0103rit \u00eenainte \u015fi ne-a dus deoparte, \u00eentr-o odaie mare, cu obloane la fere\u015fti \u015fi podit\u0103 pe jos, unde eram numai \u00eende noi \u015fi cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a, c\u00e2nd poftea, ca la casa ei. \u00centr-un col\u0163 al od\u0103ii, c\u00e2teva mier\u0163e de fasole; \u00een altul, s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163\u0103 de c\u00e2nep\u0103; \u00een al treilea, o movil\u0103 de mere domne\u015fti \u015fi pere de R\u0103d\u0103\u015feni, care tr\u0103iesc p\u00e2n\u0103 dup\u0103 Pa\u015fti; \u00een al patrulea, maz\u0103re \u015fi bob, desp\u0103r\u0163ite prin o sc\u00e2ndur\u0103 lat\u0103, iar al\u0103ture, ni\u015fte bostani turce\u015fti; \u00eentr-o putin\u0103, pere uscate \u015fi dulci ca smochinele; mai \u00eencolo, un teanc de chite de c\u00e2nep\u0103 \u015fi de in; pe-o grind\u0103, c\u0103lepe de tort \u015fi l\u00e2nuri boite fel de fel pentru scoar\u0163e \u015fi l\u0103icere; apoi c\u00e2l\u0163i, buci \u015fi alte lucruri, z\u0103h\u0103ite prin cele poli\u0163e \u015fi col\u0163are, ca la casa unui gospodar frunta\u015f de pe vremea aceea. \u015ei cum ne aflam noi \u00een aceast\u0103 binecuv\u00e2ntat\u0103 cas\u0103, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a iute a l\u0103sat obloanele \u00een jos, a aprins lum\u00e2narea \u015fi, c\u00e2t ai bate din palme, ni s-a \u015fi \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015fat cu o can\u0103 mare de lut, plin\u0103 cu vin de Odobe\u015fti; \u015fi turn\u00e2nd prin pahare, s\u0103reau stropii din vin de-o \u015fchioap\u0103 \u00een sus, de tare ce era. G\u00e2tlan, bun mehenghi, ia un pahar \u015fi-l \u00eentinde gazdei, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia poftim, puiculi\u0163\u0103, de cinste\u015fte dumneata \u00eent\u00e2i! s\u0103 vedem, poate c-ai pus ceva \u00eentr-\u00eensul. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103, lu\u00e2nd paharul, se \u00eenchin\u0103 la to\u0163i cu s\u0103n\u0103tate, r\u00e2z\u00e2ndu-i ochii, \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce gust\u0103 pu\u0163in, se roag\u0103 s\u0103 n-oz\u0103bovim, c\u0103 mai are \u015fi al\u0163i mu\u015fterii, \u015fi b\u0103rbatu-s\u0103u nu poate dovedi singur. Dar \u0163i-ai g\u0103sit; noi, a\u0163iindu-i calea, o pofteam, cu st\u0103ruin\u0163\u0103, s\u0103 cinsteasc\u0103 de la fiecare. \u015ei ea tot ar fi stat mai mult cu noi, dac\u0103 n-am fi alungat-o proste\u015fte, mul\u0163umindu-i c\u00e2te c-o s\u0103rutare plin\u0103 de foc!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa e tineritul ista, bat\u0103-l s\u0103-l bat\u0103, zise mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103, \u015fez\u00e2nd cucuiet pe ni\u015fte buci \u015fi molf\u0103ind la pere uscate. Ave\u0163i dreptate, b\u0103ie\u0163i, acum vi-i vremea!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei cum zici, mo\u015fule, r\u0103spunse cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a, intr\u00e2nd atunci pe u\u015f\u0103 c-o strachin\u0103 de pl\u0103cinte fierbin\u0163i, c-o g\u0103in\u0103 fript\u0103 \u015fi pun\u00e2ndu-le pe mas\u0103 dinaintea noastr\u0103. \u015ei, z\u0103u, mare poman\u0103 \u015fi-a f\u0103cut, c\u0103ci eram fl\u0103m\u00e2nzi ca ni\u015fte lupi! Dup\u0103 ce m\u00e2ntuim de b\u0103ut cana ceea, ni se aduce alta, pentru care mul\u0163umeam cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163ei tot cu s\u0103rut\u0103ri, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce se f\u0103cea c\u0103 se m\u00e2nie \u015fi iar fugea dintre noi. Mai pe urm\u0103 iar venea \u015fi iar fugea, c\u0103ci cam a\u015fa se vinde vinul, pe unde se vinde\u2026 Ori, mai \u015ftii p\u0103catul? Poate c\u0103 nici cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163ei nu-i era tocmai ur\u00e2t a sta \u00eentre noi, de ne cerca a\u015fa des. La urma urmelor, unde nu-i d\u0103 \u015fi Tr\u0103snea cel ur\u00e2cios un pupoi, f\u0103r\u0103 veste! C\u0103ci la de-aceste mai tot prostul se pricepe. \u015ei atunci, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103 curat c\u0103 s-a m\u00e2niat. Dar ce s\u0103-i facem? Vorba ceea: \u00cen care c\u0103ma\u015f\u0103 s-a m\u00e2niat, \u00eentr-aceea s-a dezm\u00e2nia. C\u0103 altfel n-ai cum s-o ghib\u0103ce\u015fti. De la o vreme, prinz\u00e2nd mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 la curaj, s\u0103 nu \u00eenceap\u0103 a c\u00e2nta din fluier o Cor\u0103biasc\u0103 de cele fr\u0103m\u00e2ntate \u00een loc? Noi, atunci, s\u0103 nu ne \u00eent\u0103rt\u0103m la joc? \u015ei a\u015fa o fierbeam de tare, de nu ne ajungea casa, \u015fi dam chior\u00e2\u015f prin fasole, prin mazere \u015fi bob, \u015fi s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163a de c\u00e2nep\u0103 se f\u0103cea oloi, p\u00e2r\u00e2ind sub t\u0103lpile noastre. Cam pe dup\u0103 miezul nop\u0163ii, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 ne-a p\u0103r\u0103sit, \u00eencepem \u015fi noi a ne strecura c\u00e2te unul, unul, spre gazd\u0103; eu, cu s\u00e2nul \u00eenc\u0103rcat de pere uscate \u015fi c-un bostan mare, ce mi l-a dat cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a, c\u0103ci pe c\u00e2t era de frumoas\u0103, pe at\u00e2ta era \u015fi de darnic\u0103, mititica! \u015ei c\u00e2nd ajung la gazd\u0103, ce s\u0103 vezi? mai fiecare tovar\u0103\u015f al meu furluase c\u00e2te ceva: unul mere domne\u015fti, altul pere de R\u0103d\u0103\u015feni; mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 pa\u015flise o gr\u0103mad\u0103 de buci pentru a\u0163\u00e2\u0163at focul, \u015fi Tr\u0103snea, s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163\u0103 de c\u00e2nep\u0103. Iar O\u015flobanu, cu ciubotele dintr-o vac\u0103 \u015fi cu t\u0103lpile din alta, venind mai \u00een urma tuturor, numai ce-l vedem c\u0103 se pune cu cre\u015ftetul pe pat \u015fi cu t\u0103lpile \u00een grind\u0103, a\u015fa \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163at \u015fi \u00eembr\u0103cat cum era; \u015fi, ce s\u0103-\u0163i mai vad\u0103 ochii? S\u0103 nu spun minciuni, dar peste o dimerlie de fasole i-au curs atunci din turetce, pe care de obicei le purta suflecate, iar atunci le desuflecase, anume pentru trebu\u015foara asta\u2026 Numai v\u0103ru-meu, Ioan Mogorogea, fecior de gospodar cinstit, nu luase nici un cap\u0103t de a\u0163\u0103. Iar Zaharia lui G\u00e2tlan se mul\u0163umise c-un s\u0103rutat din partea frumoasei cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163e. Mare m\u00e2ng\u00e2iere pentru un b\u0103iat str\u0103in, \u00een ziua de l\u0103satul secului! \u015ei ia acum \u00een\u0163eleg eu c\u0103 G\u00e2tlan, c\u0103ruia-i zicea \u00een \u015fcoal\u0103 Zaharia Simionescu, a fost mai cu minte dec\u00e2t noi to\u0163i; c\u0103ci el din cele aduse de noi s-a folosit; iar\u0103 noi, din fericirea lui, pace! Ei, ei, toate bune \u015fi frumoase la vremea lor; dar de-acum trebuie s\u0103 ne mai punem \u015fi c\u00e2te pe-oleac\u0103 de carte, c\u0103ci m\u00e2ine-poim\u00e2ine vine vacan\u0163a de Cr\u0103ciun, \u015fi noi stric\u0103m p\u00e2inea p\u0103rin\u0163ilor degeaba; nimic f\u0103r\u0103 cheltuial\u0103, \u015fi banii nu se iau din drum. Unul cu altul la un loc aveam acum, la \u00eenceputul postului, vro patru-cinci ulcioare de oloi, trei-patru saci de f\u0103in\u0103 de p\u0103pu\u015foi, c\u00e2teva oci de pe\u015fte s\u0103rat, perje uscate, fasole, maz\u0103re, bob, sare \u015fi lemne pentru c\u00e2teva s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni; c\u0103ci stam la mas\u0103 to\u0163i \u00eempreun\u0103, f\u0103c\u00e2nd m\u00e2ncare cu r\u00e2ndul, fiecare dintr-al s\u0103u pentru o zi. \u00cens\u0103 O\u015flobanu, care m\u00e2nca c\u00e2t \u015faptesprezece, ne cam pusese pe g\u00e2nduri. Tat\u0103-s\u0103u, popa Neculai, nu-i vorb\u0103, avea de unde s\u0103-i trimit\u0103; dar Ce-i \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 nu-i minciun\u0103. Multe sunt de f\u0103cut \u015fi pu\u0163ine de vorbit, dac\u0103 ai cu cine te \u00een\u0163elege. M\u0103 sf\u0103tuiesc eu \u00eentr-o zi cu G\u00e2tlan, c-aici ar trebui ceva de f\u0103cut, s\u0103 putem sc\u0103pa de c\u00e2\u0163iva m\u00e2nc\u0103i, c\u0103ci tov\u0103r\u0103\u015fia nu ni se p\u0103rea dreapt\u0103. \u015ei g\u0103sim un mijloc nu se poate mai nimerit: noaptea, c\u00e2nd vor dormi to\u0163i, s\u0103 punem po\u015ft\u0103 la t\u0103lpi cui vom socoti noi; mai ales c\u0103 vro c\u00e2\u0163iva adormeau du\u015fi, cum \u00eencepea mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 a spune la pove\u015fti. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce-am pus la cale unele ca aceste, p\u00e2ndim c\u00e2nd erau ceilal\u0163i du\u015fi de-acas\u0103 \u015fi ne apuc\u0103m de f\u0103cut po\u015fte, ca s-avem pe mai mult\u0103 vreme. C\u00e2teva p\u0103turi de h\u00e2rtie, lipite una peste alta cu seu de lum\u00e2nare topit pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 foc, puse \u00eencet la t\u0103lpi, c\u00e2nd doarme omul greu, \u015fi aprinse c-un chibrit, mai sf\u00e2nt lucru nici c\u0103 se poate! \u015ei fiindc\u0103 pe O\u015flobanu to\u0163i aveau ciud\u0103 mai mare, lui i-am f\u0103cut pocinog \u00eent\u00e2i. \u015ei c\u00e2nd l-a ajuns arsura la os, a s\u0103rit din somn, r\u0103cnind ca un taur, \u015fi nu\u015fi g\u0103sea loc prin cas\u0103, de usturime. Dar, neafl\u00e2nd care-i vinovatul \u015fi nebizuindu-se \u00een putere a se bate cu to\u0163i, se puse la f\u0103cut metanii \u015fi ne blestema, de-i curgea foc din gur\u0103. Noi \u00eens\u0103, cu toate blestemele lui, mai pun\u00e2ndu-i \u00een alte nop\u0163i c\u00e2teva po\u015fte \u015fi f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-i-se t\u0103lpile numai o ran\u0103, a fost nevoit s\u0103-\u015fi ia t\u0103lp\u0103\u015fi\u0163a spre Humule\u015fti, leh\u0103metindu-se de popie \u015fi l\u0103s\u00e2nd toate merindele sale \u00een st\u0103p\u00e2nirea noastr\u0103. \u00cendat\u0103 dup\u0103 asta, G\u00e2tlan scrise lui O\u015flobanu:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iubite O\u015flobene,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 \u00eenchin cu s\u0103n\u0103tate de la gol\u0103tate, despoie\u0163ii din urm\u0103. De n-ave\u0163i ce m\u00e2nca acolo, poftim la noi s\u0103 postim cu to\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Al t\u0103u voitor de bine,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zaharia,<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mare c\u0103pitan de po\u015fte<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste vro c\u00e2teva zile am mai t\u0103iat gustul de popie unuia, care venise \u00een gazd\u0103 la noi din proasp\u0103t; Nic-a lui Constantin a Cosmei, din Humule\u015fti, se duse \u015fi el cu t\u0103lpile b\u0103\u015ficate pe urma lui O\u015flobanu. \u015ei cu at\u00e2ta mai bine, c\u0103ci tot \u00ee\u015fi pierdeau vremea \u00een zadar. Iar Tr\u0103snea, fiind mai chilos \u015fi mai tare de cap, rabd\u0103 el c\u00e2t rabd\u0103 \u015fi, dac\u0103 vede c\u0103-l r\u0103zbim cu po\u015ftele, se mut\u0103 la alt\u0103 gazd\u0103, lu\u00e2ndu-\u015fi partea de merinde. \u015ei cu ast\u0103 r\u00e2nduial\u0103, am r\u0103mas noi acum numai trei la Pavel ciubotarul: eu, G\u00e2tlan, v\u0103ru-meu Ioan, poreclit Mogorogea, \u015fi mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 pe deasupra. V\u0103ru-meu, care v\u0103zuse de patima celorlal\u0163i,luase obicei \u00een toat\u0103 seara, la culcare, a-\u015fi coase m\u00e2necile cont\u0103\u015fului \u015fi, v\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-\u015fi picioarele \u00eentr-\u00eensele, dormea f\u0103r\u0103 grij\u0103. Vorba ceea: Paza bun\u0103 trece primejdia rea. Aproape de Cr\u0103ciun, Pavel f\u0103cu o pereche de ciubote de iuft v\u0103rului meu Ioan, cu care era prieten unghie \u015fi carne. Doi icusari pl\u0103tise Mogorogea lui Pavel pentru ciubote. Dar, ce-i drept, f\u0103ceau paralele acele, c\u0103ci pusese piele bun\u0103, talp\u0103 de fund, \u015fi erau cusute de tocmal\u0103. Numai sc\u00e2r\u0163 uitase Pavel s\u0103 pun\u0103\u2026 \u015fi pentru asta r\u0103u i s-a stricat inima lui Mogorogea! Noroc mare c\u0103 era o iarn\u0103 geroas\u0103, \u015fi om\u0103tul ajuta la sc\u00e2r\u0163\u00e2it. \u00cen vacan\u0163\u0103 ne duceam acas\u0103, \u015f-apoi, vorba \u0163iganului cu Cr\u0103ciunul s\u0103tulul\u2026 Costi\u0163e de porc afumate, chi\u015fte de buft umplut, trandafiri usturoia\u0163i \u015fi sl\u0103nin\u0103 de cea sub\u0163ire, f\u0103cute de cas\u0103, t\u0103iate la un loc, fripte bine \u00een tigaie \u015fi cu m\u0103m\u0103ligu\u0163\u0103 cald\u0103, se duc unse pe g\u00e2t. Mai face el \u0163\u0103ranul \u015fi alte feluri de m\u00e2nc\u0103ri gustoase, c\u00e2nd are din ce le face. \u015ei, mul\u0163umit\u0103 Domnului, p\u0103rin\u0163ii no\u015ftri aveau de unde, c\u0103ci s\u0103r\u0103cia nu se oplo\u015fise \u00eenc\u0103 la u\u015fa lor, pe c\u00e2nd \u015ftiu eu. \u015ei s\u0103 nu-mi uit cuv\u00e2ntul! Petrecem noi s\u0103rb\u0103torile frumos la p\u0103rin\u0163i, \u00een Humule\u015fti, \u015fi dup\u0103 Boboteaz\u0103 ne \u00eentoarcem iar \u00een Folticeni, la Pavel, gazda noastr\u0103. Pe la \u015fcoal\u0103 mai dam noi a\u015fa, c\u00e2teodat\u0103, de form\u0103. Dar, drept vorbind, nici n-aveam ce c\u0103uta, c\u0103ci bucheaua poate s-o \u00eenve\u0163e \u015fi acas\u0103 cine vrea. Iar cine nu, ferice de d\u00e2nsul! \u015ei eu, unul, eram dintr-acei ferici\u0163i: c\u00e2nd e vorba de credin\u0163\u0103, ce-\u0163i mai trebuie \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103? De la mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 zic \u015fi eu c\u0103 aveai ce \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a: fluierul s\u0103u te f\u0103cea s\u0103 joci f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vrei, \u015fi pove\u015ftile lui nu-\u0163i dau vreme de dormit. Afar\u0103 de asta, mai aveam noi cu ce ne trece vremea c\u00e2nd voiam: \u0163encu\u015fa, ba t\u0103b\u0103c\u0103reasca sau concina, ba alteori, noaptea, ne puneam la taclale p\u00e2n\u0103 se f\u0103cea ziua alb\u0103. Iar \u00een s\u0103rb\u0103tori, o luam h\u0103b\u0103uca prin cele sate, pe unde \u015ftiam c\u0103 se fac hore. \u00cen R\u0103d\u0103\u015feni, sat mare, frumos \u015fi bogat, am jucat la trei jocuri \u00eentr-o singur\u0103 zi: unul de fl\u0103c\u0103i tomnatici, la care venise fetele cele mai tinere; altul de fl\u0103c\u0103i tineri, la care venise fetele cele st\u0103tute; iar al treilea, de copilandri, la care venea cine poftea\u2026 Fl\u0103c\u0103ii abia se leg\u0103nau \u00een joc, \u015fi hora se \u00eenv\u00e2rtea foarte \u00eencet. Fetele nu sea\u015fteptau rugate, ca pe-aiurea, ci fiecare desprindea m\u00e2inile a doi fl\u0103c\u0103i, unde-i venea la socoteal\u0103, spunea bun\u0103 ziua! \u015fi urma jocul \u00eenainte. V\u0103ru-meu, fudulindu-se cu ciubotele cele nou\u0103, juca numai l\u00e2ng\u0103 fata vornicului, sor\u0103 cu cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103 din Folticeni. \u015ei G\u00e2tlan, care juca l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, \u00eemi spuse la ureche:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u2019 c\u0103-i vedea tu ce-am s\u0103-i fac lui Mogorogea; de i-a ticni ziua de azi, p\u0103cat s\u0103-mi fie!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Taci, m\u0103i, zic eu, ce mai vorbe\u015fti \u00een bobote, c\u0103 s-a m\u00e2nia omul \u015fi s-a duce \u015fi el acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, \u015f-apoi? Ce mare pagub\u0103? Vorba ceea: Dac\u0103 s-a da baba jos din c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, de-abia i-a fi mai u\u015for iepei. \u015ei juc\u0103m \u00eenainte. Seara ne \u00eentoarcem la gazd\u0103, \u015fi Mogorogea, b\u0103iat grijuliu, \u00ee\u015fi cur\u0103\u0163\u0103 ciubotele frumos \u015fi le pune la uscat pe vatr\u0103, deoparte, cum f\u0103cea totdeauna. A treia zi dup\u0103 asta, ciubotele v\u0103ru-meu se rup h\u0103buc \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile\u2026 \u015ei el, sup\u0103rat la culme, se leag\u0103 de Pavel s\u0103-i fac\u0103 altele \u00een locul acelora, ori s\u0103-i dea banii \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t numaidec\u00e2t.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mi-ai pus piele scoapt\u0103, c\u00e2rpaciule, zise Mogorogea \u00eenfuriat; a\u015fa fel de prieten \u00eemi e\u015fti? Haiti! alege-\u0163i una din dou\u0103, c\u0103ci altfel dai cinstea pe ru\u015fine; \u00ee\u0163i tr\u00e2ntesc scroambele de cap! Auzitu-m-ai? Pavel, ne\u015ftiindu-se vinovat, zise cu dispre\u0163:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia ascult\u0103, dasc\u0103le Mogoroge, nu te prea \u00eentrece cu vorba, c\u0103 nu-\u0163i \u015fede bine. Pe cine faci c\u00e2rpaci? Dup\u0103 ce-ai purtat ciubotele at\u00e2ta amar de vreme, umbl\u00e2nd toat\u0103 ziua \u00een pogheazuri, \u015fi le-ai scromb\u0103it pe la jocuri \u015fi prin toate corhanele \u015fi coclaurile, acum ai vrea s\u0103-\u0163i dau \u015fi banii \u00eenapoi, ori s\u0103-\u0163i fac pe loc altele nou\u0103? Dar \u015ftii c\u0103 e\u015fti ajuns de cap?! Nu-\u0163i e destul c\u0103 m-ai ame\u0163it, pun\u00e2ndu-\u0163i sf\u00e2rloagele pe calup, tr\u0103g\u00e2ndu-le la \u015fan, \u015fi ung\u00e2ndu-le aici, pe cuptor, la nasul meu, \u00een toate dimine\u0163ile? Ba de c\u00e2te ori mi-ai pus \u015fi po\u015fte la picioare, \u015fi eu, ca omul cel bun, tot am t\u0103cut \u015fi \u0163i-am r\u0103bdat. \u00cemi pare r\u0103u c\u0103 e\u015fti gros de obraz! Ei, las\u2019 c\u0103 te-oi sluji eu de-acum, dac\u0103 \u0163i-i vorba de-a\u015fa!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce spui, c\u00e2rpaciule? zise v\u0103ru-meu; \u015fi tu m\u0103 mogoroge\u015fti? D-apoi numa-n ciubotele tale am stat eu, bicisnicule? \u00cenc\u0103 te obr\u0103znice\u015fti? Acu\u015f te-oi ot\u00e2nji, cu ceva, de nu te-i putea hr\u0103ni \u00een toat\u0103 via\u0163a!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 P\u00e2n\u0103 ce mi-i ot\u00e2nji, zise Pavel, eu acu\u015f te cin\u0103tuiesc frumu\u015fel cu dichiciul; \u00een\u0163eles-ai? V\u0103z\u00e2nd noi c\u0103 era c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 se \u00eencaiere la b\u0103taie, ne punem la mijloc \u015fi-i \u00eemp\u0103c\u0103m cu mare greu: Ioan s\u0103 mai dea un irmilic lui Pavel, iar el s\u0103-i c\u0103puteze ciubotele, \u015fi pace bun\u0103! Mai glumeau ei dup\u0103 aceasta c\u00e2ine-c\u00e2ine\u015fte, dar lui Mogorogea nu-i ie\u015fa de la inim\u0103 afrontul ce i-l f\u0103cuse Pavel. \u00cen s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2na h\u00e2r\u0163ii, sau c\u00e2rneleaga, mo\u015f Vasile, venind la Folticeni, \u00eentre alte merinde, aduce feciorului s\u0103u \u015fi trei purcei griji\u0163i gata.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine-ai venit s\u0103n\u0103tos, tat\u0103, zise Ioan, s\u0103rut\u00e2ndu-i m\u00e2na. A\u015f\u0103-i c\u0103 ne-ai nimerit?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine v-am g\u0103sit s\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi, m\u0103i b\u0103ie\u0163i, r\u0103spunse mo\u015f Vasile. D-apoi, vorba ceea: Nimeresc orbii Suceava, \u015fi eu nu eram s\u0103 v\u0103 nimeresc? Apoi, din vorb\u0103 \u00een vorb\u0103, ne \u00eentreab\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ce mai zice Mecetul despre popia voastr\u0103? Are g\u00e2nd s\u0103 v\u0103 dea drumul degrab\u0103? C\u0103ci eu, drept s\u0103 v\u0103 spun, m-am s\u0103turat deat\u00e2ta zdruncen \u015fi cheltuial\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se zice mecet, ci catihet, tat\u0103, r\u0103spunse Ioan ru\u015finat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na, na, na, m\u0103ria-ta! parc\u0103 asta grij\u0103 am eu acum! vorba ceea: Nu-i Tanda, \u015fi-i Manda; nu-i tei-belei, ci-i belei-tei\u2026 de curmei. \u015ei ce mai at\u00e2ta \u00eenconjur? Mecet, Berechet, Ple\u015fcan, cum s-a fi chem\u00e2nd, Ioane, \u015ftiu c\u0103 ne jupe\u015fte bine, zise mo\u015f Vasile. \u015eapoi cic\u0103 popa-i cu patru ochi! Ia mai bine ruga\u0163i-v\u0103 cu toat\u0103 inima sf\u00e2ntului h\u0103r\u0103\u015fc Nicolai de la Humule\u015fti, doar v-a ajuta s\u0103 v\u0103 vede\u0163i popi odat\u0103; \u015f-apoi atunci\u2026 a\u0163i sc\u0103pat \u015fi voi deasupra nevoii: bir n-ave\u0163i a da, \u015fi havalele nu face\u0163i; la mese \u015fede\u0163i \u00een capul cinstei Ierarh. Atestat \u015fi m\u00e2nca\u0163i tot pl\u0103cinte \u015fi g\u0103ini fripte. Iar la urm\u0103 v\u0103 pl\u0103te\u015fte \u015fi din\u0163\u0103ritul\u2026 Vorba ceea: Picioare de cal, gur\u0103 de lup, obraz de scoar\u0163\u0103 \u015fi p\u00e2ntece de iap\u0103 se cer unui pop\u0103, \u015fi nu-i mai trebuie altceva. Binear fi, Doamne iart\u0103-m\u0103, ca fe\u0163ele biserice\u015fti s\u0103 fie mai altfel! dar\u2026 ve\u0163i fi auzit voi c\u0103 popa are m\u00e2n\u0103 de luat, nu de dat; el m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 \u015fi de pe viu, \u015fi de pe mort. Vede\u0163i c\u00e2t de bine tr\u0103ie\u015fte mecetul, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 munceasc\u0103 din greu ca noi\u2026 Numai\u2026 d\u0103! darul se cinste\u015fte! Ioane, eu \u0163i-am \u015fi ochit un potcapic, zise mo\u015f Vasile, la pornire. Cat\u0103 de nu te l\u0103sa pe t\u00e2njal\u0103, pune m\u00e2na pe afi\u015ftat mai repede \u015fi vin-acas\u0103; c\u0103ci Ioana lui Grigora\u015f Ro\u015fu, de la noi, a\u015fteapt\u0103 cu ner\u0103bdare s\u0103-\u0163i fie preoteas\u0103. Mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne\u0163i cu s\u0103n\u0103tate, dasc\u0103le Zaharie \u015fi nepoate, c\u0103 eu m-am dus!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Merge\u0163i s\u0103n\u0103tos, mo\u015f Vasile, zicem noi, petrec\u00e2ndu-l p\u00e2n\u0103 mai \u00eencolo, \u015fi v\u0103 rug\u0103m, spune\u0163i p\u0103rin\u0163ilor, din partea noastr\u0103, c\u0103 ne afl\u0103m bine \u015fi-i dorim. Dup\u0103 ce se duce mo\u015f Vasile, eu zic lui Ion cu bini\u015forul:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vere, ia s\u0103 frigem \u00een ast\u0103 sear\u0103 un purcel de ceia, c\u0103 tare mi-i dor! Mogorogea, n\u0103t\u00e2ng \u015fi zg\u00e2rcit cum era, \u00eencepe a striga la mine:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103! ia ascuta\u0163i; eu nu-s Nic\u0103 O\u015flobanu, s\u0103 m\u0103 suci\u0163i cum vre\u0163i voi\u2026 Cu ce m\u0103 hr\u0103ni\u0163i, cu aceea am s\u0103 v\u0103 hr\u0103nesc. Nu v\u0103 dau nici o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de purcel, m\u0103car s\u0103 cr\u0103pa\u0163i!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iar de nu, cel ce zice, r\u0103spunde G\u00e2tlan.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Amin, ble\u015ftesc eu cu jum\u0103tate de gur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei eu m\u0103 anin, spuse Pavel de dup\u0103 sob\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Amin, neamin, \u015fterge\u0163i-v\u0103 pe bot despre purcei, zise Mogorogea cu ciud\u0103; \u00een\u0163eles-a\u0163i? Nu tot umbla\u0163i dup\u0103 bun\u0103t\u0103\u0163i; mai m\u00e2nca\u0163i \u015fi r\u0103bd\u0103ri pr\u0103jite, c\u0103 nu v-a fi nimica!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia l\u0103sa\u0163i-l \u00eencolo, m\u0103i; sta-i-ar \u00een g\u00e2t pe ceea lume! zise Zaharia. \u015ei ne punem, drag\u0103 Doamne, la \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at. \u00cens\u0103, fie vorba \u00eentre noi, nu ne era a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a, cum nu i-e c\u00e2inelui a linge sare. \u00cen sob\u0103 arsese un foc stra\u015fnic; \u00eel \u00eenvelisem \u015fi astupasem, c\u0103ci era ger afar\u0103. Mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103 \u00eencurcase nu \u015ftiu pe unde \u00een seara aceea, \u015fi Pavel, neav\u00e2nd lucru ca alte d\u0103\u0163i, se culcase devreme. Iar Mogorogea, n\u0103d\u0103jduindu-se \u00een potcapicul t\u0103t\u0103ne-s\u0103u, adormise \u00eenaintea lui Pavel cu picioarele \u00een m\u00e2necile cont\u0103\u015fului, dup\u0103 obicei, \u015fi hor\u0103ia zdrav\u0103n. Vorba ceea: Las\u0103- m\u0103, s\u0103 te las! Mai t\u00e2rziu stingem \u015fi noi lum\u00e2narea \u015fi ne culc\u0103m; \u00eens\u0103 nu puteam adormi, g\u00e2ndindu-ne la purcel.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i Zaharie, nu mai ai tu vro po\u015ft\u0103 de cele undeva? zic eu \u00eencet.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, bre, r\u0103spunse Zaharia \u015fi mai \u00eencet; \u015fi, Doamne, ce bine-ar fi s\u0103 tr\u00e2ntim una lui Mogorogea! Dar, p\u00e2n\u0103 la po\u015ft\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 la nu \u015ftiu ce, na cu\u0163ita\u015ful meu, taie \u00eenceti\u015for custura de la m\u00e2neca lui Mogorogea, \u00een dreptul unei t\u0103lpi, d\u0103-i o p\u00e2rleal\u0103 bun\u0103 cu ni\u015fte chibrituri de ieste, care ard mocnind, \u015fi las\u2019 dac\u0103 i-or mai ticni purceii\u2026 Numai cat\u0103 de nu te moco\u015fi at\u00e2ta!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ad\u0103 cu\u0163ita\u015ful \u00eencoace, zic eu, \u015fi, la toat\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplarea, cred c\u0103 nu m\u0103 vei da prin \u015fperl\u0103 \u015fi nu-l vei l\u0103sa s\u0103 m\u0103 bat\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nici vorb\u0103 nu mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne, zise Zaharia; d\u0103-i p\u00e2rleal\u0103 \u00eenainte, f\u0103r\u0103 grij\u0103. Atunci\u2026 \u00eemi iau inima \u00een din\u0163i \u015fi fac tocmai a\u015fa cum fusesem pov\u0103\u0163uit de G\u00e2tlan; tai cusutura \u00eenceti\u015for \u015fi \u0163in c\u00eetu-\u0163i-i smocul de chibrituri aprinse la c\u0103lc\u00e2iul v\u0103ru-meu, unde era pielea mai groas\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce-l r\u0103zbe\u015fte focul. \u015ei c\u00e2nd r\u0103cne\u015fte odat\u0103 c\u00e2t ce poate, eu zvrrrr! chibriturile din m\u00e2n\u0103, \u0163u\u015fti! la spatele lui Zaharia \u015fi-ncepem a hor\u0103i, de parc\u0103 dormeam cine \u015ftie de c\u00e2nd\u2026 Ion \u00eens\u0103, \u00eempiedicat cu picioarele \u00een m\u00e2necile cont\u0103\u015fului, c\u0103zuse alivanta la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, zv\u00e2rcolinduse ca \u015farpele \u015fi blestem\u00e2ndu-ne cum \u00eei venea la gur\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai! os\u00e2ndi-v-ar Dumnezeu s\u0103 v\u0103 os\u00e2ndeasc\u0103, soiuri tic\u0103loase ce sunte\u0163i! Nime n-are chip s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103 \u00een casa asta de r\u0103ul vostru! Cine oare mi-a f\u0103cut \u015fotia? Pe Zaharia \u015fi Nic\u0103 \u00eei aud hor\u0103ind \u015fi nu cred s\u0103 fi \u00eendr\u0103znit\u2026 Numai c\u0103 ho\u0163omanul de Pavel mi-a f\u0103cut-o\u2026 be-l-ar t\u0103unii s\u0103-l beie, c\u00e2nd i-a fi somnul mai dulce! \u015ei \u00eenc\u0103 se preface c\u0103 doarme, tic\u0103losul! Ia s\u0103-l \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 eu a-\u015fi mai bate alt\u0103 dat\u0103 joc de om!\u015ei repede ia cu cle\u015ftele un c\u0103rbune aprins din vatr\u0103, \u015fi cu d\u00e2nsul pe cuptor la Pavel. \u015ei cum dormea, s\u0103rmanul, cu fa\u0163a \u00een sus, \u00eei pune c\u0103rbunele pe pieptul gol, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na! satur\u0103-te de f\u0103cut \u015fag\u0103 cu mine, c\u00e2rpaciule! Atunci se aude un r\u0103cnet sp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103tor, \u015fi, odat\u0103 cu r\u0103cnetul, Pavel, izbind cu picioarele \u00een sob\u0103, o \u015fi darm\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt. \u015ei \u00een buim\u0103ceala ceea, trezindu-se cu Ion fa\u0163\u0103 \u00een fa\u0163\u0103, unde nu se \u00eencinge \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii o b\u0103taie cr\u00e2ncen\u0103; \u015f-apoi st\u0103 de-i prive\u015fte, dac\u0103 te rabd\u0103 inima\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai, Zaharie, c\u0103 se face moarte de om \u00een casa asta, \u015fi noi avem s\u0103 d\u0103m seama! zic eu tremur\u00e2nd ca varga de fric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ho, m\u0103! ce v\u0103 este? zise Zaharia s\u0103rind ca un vultur \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii. Cas\u0103 de oameni de treab\u0103 se cheam\u0103 asta? Iar\u0103 eu, amandea pe u\u015f\u0103, afar\u0103, pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd, \u015fi \u00eencep a r\u0103cni c\u00e2t \u00eemi lua gura, strig\u00e2nd megie\u015fii. Oamenii s\u0103rir\u0103 buimaci, care dincotro, crez\u00e2nd c\u0103-i foc, ori ne taie c\u0103tanele, Doamne fere\u015fte! C\u0103ci era o\u015ftire nem\u0163easc\u0103 \u00een Folticeni pe vremea aceea. Dup\u0103 ce se m\u00e2ntuie cl\u0103cu\u015foara asta, lumea ne las\u0103 \u00een c\u00e2t ne-a g\u0103sit \u015fi se \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftie, huiduindu-ne. S\u0103 fi v\u0103zut ce blestem\u0103\u0163ie \u015fi g\u0103l\u0103moz era \u00een cas\u0103: fere\u015ftile sparte, soba d\u0103r\u00e2mat\u0103, smocuri de p\u0103r smuls din cap, s\u00e2nge pe jos, Pavel, cu pieptul ars, \u015fi Ion, cu c\u0103lc\u00e2iul fript, \u015fedeau la o parte g\u00e2fuind; eu cu Zaharia, de alta, mir\u00e2ndu-ne de cele \u00eent\u00e2mplate\u2026 iar nevinova\u0163ii purcei, fiind sp\u00e2nzura\u0163i \u00een tind\u0103, la r\u0103ceal\u0103, nu se \u015ftie ce s-au f\u0103cut! Zaharia, de la o vreme, voind a curma t\u0103cerea, zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2nt\u0103-le de-acuma, Ioane: cei f\u0103r\u0103 prihan\u0103, aliluia! \u015fi nu mai t\u00e2nji at\u00e2ta dup\u0103 d\u00e2n\u015fii; se vede c\u0103 a\u015fa le-a fost scris, mititeii!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia nu mai cl\u0103mp\u0103ni \u015fi tu din gur\u0103, m\u0103i, r\u0103spunse Ion, plin de n\u0103duh; a\u0163i tot strigat asupra lor, \u015fi iaca vi s-a f\u0103cut pe voie. \u00cen vorbele aceste, venind \u015fi mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103, chiurluit, \u00eencepe a-\u015fi face cruce de la u\u015f\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, mo\u015fule, zic eu, place-\u0163i cum ne-ai g\u0103sit? Pavel, care p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci \u015fezuse ca mut, uit\u00e2ndu-se prin cas\u0103 am\u0103r\u00e2t, zise: Ia asculta\u0163i, dasc\u0103lilor: ca s\u0103 se m\u00e2ntuie toat\u0103 dihonia, c\u0103r\u0103b\u0103ni\u0163i-v\u0103 de la mine, \u015fi m\u0103 l\u0103sa\u0163i \u00een pace! Noi, bucuro\u015fi c-am sc\u0103pat numai cu-at\u00e2ta, ne lu\u0103m ce mai aveam \u015fi ne mut\u0103m la un fierar peste drum, dimpreun\u0103 cu mo\u015f Bodr\u00e2ng\u0103, m\u00e2ng\u00e2ietorul nostru. Prin postul cel mare se r\u0103sp\u00e2nde\u015fte vuiet printre dasc\u0103li despre desfiin\u0163area catihe\u0163ilor \u015fi trecerea celor mai tineri dintre noi la Socola. Na-\u0163i-o bun\u0103, c\u0103 \u0163i-am fr\u00e2nt-o! zise Tr\u0103snea; c\u00e2nd la adic\u0103, nu-i nimic\u0103. Vorba ceea: Ne-am pricopsit cu cai cu tot\u2026 Dracul m\u0103 punea s\u0103-mi bat capul de gramatic\u0103? De \u015ftiam asta, mai bine \u015fedeam acas\u0103; \u015fi cu banii c\u00e2\u0163i s-au dat, pe ici, pe colea, \u00ee\u015fi prindea tata alt\u0103 nevoie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D-apoi noi, ziser\u0103 dasc\u0103lii cei \u00eensura\u0163i, oft\u00e2nd; ne-am calicit cu des\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fire: zim\u0163i, ba oi\u0163e, ba stupi, ba cai \u015fi boi s-au dus pe gura lupului! P\u0103rintele catihetul s\u0103 tr\u0103iasc\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia t\u0103ce\u0163i, bre, r\u0103spunse Zaharia; banu-i ochiul dracului, s-a m\u00e2ntuit vorba! Ce-l mai cislui\u0163i at\u00e2ta pe bietul catihet? Parc\u0103 numai el e de-aceia? \u015e-apoi \u015fi vou\u0103, nu \u015ftiu, z\u0103u, cum v-a mai intra cineva \u00een voie. Vorba ceea: Hai \u00een car! Bai! Hai \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bai! Hai \u00een teleag\u0103 Bai! Hai pe jos! Bai! Zice\u0163i mai bine c\u0103 v\u0103 trage\u0163i la teapa voastr\u0103, ca apa la matc\u0103. Eu-s mai bucuros c\u0103 s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat asta. La Socola s\u0103 mergem, dac\u0103 voim s\u0103 ie\u015fim dob\u0103 de carte! Acolo-s profesorii cei mai \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a\u0163i din lume, dup\u0103 cum aud eu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 La Socola! strig\u0103 dasc\u0103lii cei mai tineri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Duce\u0163i-v\u0103 pe pustiu, dac\u0103 v\u0103 place! duce-v-a\u0163i \u00eenv\u00e2rtindu-v\u0103 ca cioc\u00e2rlia! strig\u0103 cei b\u0103tr\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a\u015fa, aproape de Pa\u015fti, ne-am r\u0103zle\u0163it unii de al\u0163ii, \u015fi la Socola a r\u0103mas s\u0103 mearg\u0103 cine-a vrea \u00een toamna viitoare, anul 1855.<\/p>\n
Cum nu se d\u0103 scos ursul din b\u00e2rlog, \u0163\u0103ranul de la munte str\u0103mutat la c\u00e2mp, \u015fi pruncul, dezlipit de la s\u00e2nul mamei sale, a\u015fa nu m\u0103 dam eu dus din Humule\u015fti \u00een toamna anului 1855, c\u00e2nd veni vremea s\u0103 plec la Socola, dup\u0103 st\u0103ruin\u0163a mamei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei oare de ce nu m-a\u015f fi dat dus din Humule\u015fti, nici \u00een ruptul capului, c\u00e2nd mereu \u00eemi spunea mama c\u0103 pentru folosul meu este aceasta? Iaca de ce nu: dr\u0103g\u0103li\u0163\u0103 Doamne, eram \u015fi eu acum holtei, din p\u0103cate! \u015ei Ia\u015fii, pe care nu-i v\u0103zusem niciodat\u0103, nu erau aproape de Neam\u0163, ca F\u0103lticenii, de unde, toamna t\u00e2rziu \u015fi mai ales prin c\u00e2\u015flegile de iarn\u0103, fiind nop\u0163ile mari, m\u0103 puteam repezi din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, pa\u015flind-o a\u015fa cam de dup\u0103 toac\u0103, \u015fi tot \u00eenainte, seara pe lun\u0103, cu tovar\u0103\u015fii mei la cl\u0103ci \u00een Humule\u015fti, pe unde \u015ftiam noi, \u0163in\u00e2nd tot o fug\u0103, ca telegarii. \u015ei dup\u0103 c\u00e2te-un s\u0103rutat de la cele copile sprin\u0163are, \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103-n ziu\u0103 fiind ie\u015fi\u0163i din sat, cam pe la pr\u00e2nzul cel mare ne-aflam iar \u00een F\u0103lticeni, trec\u00e2nd descul\u0163i prin vad, \u00een dreptul Baiei, Moldova \u00eenghe\u0163at\u0103 pe la margini, \u015fi la dus \u015fi la \u00eentors, de ne degera m\u0103duva-n oase de frig! Inima \u00eens\u0103 ne era fierbinte, c\u0103 ce g\u00e2ndeam \u015fi izb\u00e2ndeam. De la Neam\u0163 la F\u0103lticeni \u015fi de la F\u0103lticeni la Neam\u0163 era pentru noi atunci o palm\u0103 de loc. Dar acum se schimba vorba: o cale scurt\u0103 de dou\u0103 po\u015fte, de la F\u0103lticeni la Neam\u0163, nu se potrive\u015fte c-o \u00eentindere de \u015fase po\u015fte, lungi \u015fi obositoare, de la Ia\u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 la Neam\u0163. C\u0103ci nu v\u0103 par\u0103 \u015fag\u0103: de la Neam\u0163 p\u00e2n\u0103 la Ia\u015fi e c\u00e2tu-i de la Ia\u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 la Neam\u0163, nici mai mult, nici mai pu\u0163in. \u015ei mai bine r\u0103m\u00e2i pe loc, Ioane, chiteam \u00een mintea mea cea proast\u0103, dec\u00e2t s\u0103 pl\u00e2ngi nem\u00e2ng\u00e2iat \u015fi s\u0103 te usuci, de dorul cui \u015ftiu eu, v\u0103z\u00e2nd cu ochii! Dar, vorba ceea: Ursul nu joac\u0103 de bun\u0103 voie. Mort-copt, trebui s\u0103 fac pe cheful mamei, s\u0103 plec f\u0103r\u0103 voin\u0163\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 las ce-mi era drag! Dragu-mi era satul nostru cu Ozana cea frumos curg\u0103toare \u015fi limpede ca cristalul, \u00een care se oglinde\u015fte cu m\u00e2hnire Cetatea Neam\u0163ului de at\u00e2tea veacuri! Dragi-mi erau tata \u015fi mama, fra\u0163ii \u015fi surorile, \u015fi b\u0103ie\u0163ii satului, tovar\u0103\u015fii mei din copil\u0103rie, cu care, \u00een zile geroase de iarn\u0103, m\u0103 desf\u0103tam pe ghea\u0163\u0103 \u015fi la s\u0103niu\u015f, iar vara, \u00een zile frumoase de s\u0103rb\u0103tori, c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd \u015fi chiuind, cutreieram dumbr\u0103vile \u015fi luncile umbroase, prundul cu \u015ftioalnele, \u0163arinile cu holdele, c\u00e2mpul cu florile \u015fi m\u00e2ndrele dealuri, de dup\u0103 care-mi z\u00e2mbeau zorile \u00een zburdalnica v\u00e2rst\u0103 a tinere\u0163ii! Asemenea, dragi-mi erau \u015fez\u0103torile, cl\u0103cile, horele \u015fi toate petrecerile din sat, la care luam parte cu cea mai mare \u00eensufle\u0163ire! De piatr\u0103 de-ai fi fost, \u015fi nu se putea s\u0103 nu-\u0163i salte inima de bucurie c\u00e2nd auzeai, uneori \u00een puterea nop\u0163ii, pe Mihai scripcarul din Humule\u015fti umbl\u00e2nd tot satul c\u00e2te c-o droaie de fl\u0103c\u0103i dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul \u015fi c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Frunz\u0103 verde de cicoare,<\/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\u00a0Ast\u0103 noapte pe r\u0103coare<\/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\u00e2nta o privighetoare<\/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\u00a0Cu viersul de fat\u0103 mare.<\/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 c\u00e2nta cu glas duios,<\/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 picau frunzele jos;<\/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 c\u00e2nta cu glas sub\u0163ire<\/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\u00a0Pentru-a noastr\u0103 desp\u0103r\u0163ire;<\/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 ofta \u015fi ciripea,<\/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\u00a0Inima de \u0163-o rupea!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei c\u00e2te \u015fi mai c\u00e2te nu c\u00e2nta Mihai l\u0103utarul din gur\u0103 \u015fi din scripca sa r\u0103sun\u0103toare, \u015fi c\u00e2te alte petreceri pline de veselie nu se f\u0103ceau pe la noi, de-\u0163i p\u0103rea tot anul zi de s\u0103rb\u0103toare! Vorba unei babe: S\u0103 dea D-zeu tot anul s\u0103 fie s\u0103rb\u0103tori \u015fi numai o zi de lucru, \u015fi atunci s\u0103 fie praznic \u015fi nunt\u0103. Apoi las\u0103-\u0163i, b\u0103iate, satul, cu tot farmecul frumuse\u0163ilor lui, \u015fi pas\u0103 de te du \u00een loc str\u0103in \u015fi a\u015fa dep\u0103rtat, dac\u0103 te las\u0103 p\u00e2rdalnica de inim\u0103! \u015ei doar m\u0103 sileam eu, \u00eentr-o p\u0103rere, s-o fac a \u00een\u0163elege pemama c\u0103 pot s\u0103 m\u0103 boln\u0103vesc de dorul ei\u2026 \u015fi s\u0103 mor printre str\u0103ini! c\u0103 v\u0103ru-meu Ion Mogorogea, Gheorghe Tr\u0103snea, Nic\u0103 O\u015flobanu \u015fi al\u0163ii s-au l\u0103sat de \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at \u015fi, despre asta, tot m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 p\u00e2ine pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 p\u0103rin\u0163ii lor. Dar zadarnic\u0103 trud\u0103! Mama avea alte g\u00e2nduri; ea \u00eemi preg\u0103tea cu \u00eengrijire cele trebuitoare, zic\u00e2ndu-mi de la o vreme cu asprime:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ioane, cat\u0103 s\u0103 nu d\u0103m cinstea pe ru\u015fine \u015fi pacea pe g\u00e2lceav\u0103! Ai s\u0103 pleci unde zic eu. \u015ei Zaharia lui G\u00e2tlan merge cu tine. Luca Mo\u015fneagu, megie\u015ful nostru, v\u0103 duce cu c\u0103ru\u0163a cu doi cai ca ni\u015fte zmei. Ia, mai bine, repezi-te p\u00e2n\u0103 la el de vezi, gata-i de drum? C\u0103 m\u00e2ine desdiminea\u0163\u0103, cu ajutorul Domnului, pleca\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu m\u0103 duc, mam\u0103, nu m\u0103 duc la Socola, m\u0103car s\u0103 m\u0103 omori! ziceam eu, pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd cu zece r\u00e2nduri de lacrimi. Mai tr\u0103iesc ei oamenii \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 popie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Degeaba te mai sclifose\u015fti, Ioane, r\u0103spunse mama cu nep\u0103sare! la mine nu se trec acestea\u2026 Pare-mi-se c\u0103 \u015ftii tu moarea mea\u2026 S\u0103 nu m\u0103 faci, ia acu\u015f, s\u0103 iau cule\u015ferul din ocni\u0163\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 te dezmierd c\u00e2t e\u015fti de mare! Apoi cheam\u0103 pe tata \u015fi-i zice hot\u0103r\u00e2tor:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Spune-i \u015fi d-ta b\u0103iatului, omule, ce se cuvine, ca s\u0103-\u015fi ia n\u0103dejdea \u015fi s\u0103-\u015fi caute de drum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne vorb\u0103 despre asta? zise tata posomor\u00e2t. Are s\u0103 urmeze cum \u015ftim noi, nu cum vrea el, c\u0103 doar nu-i de capul s\u0103u. C\u00e2nd m-ar bate numai at\u00e2ta grij\u0103, m\u0103i femeie, ce mi-ar fi? Dar eu m\u0103 lupt cu g\u00e2ndul cum s\u0103-i port de cheltuial\u0103, c\u0103ci banii nu se culeg de la trunchi, ca surcelele. \u015ei la i\u015fti vro \u015fase, afar\u0103 de d\u00e2nsul, dac\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n acas\u0103, nu le mai trebuie nimica? Dar fiind el cel mai mare, norocul s\u0103u; trebuie s\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103m a-l zbur\u0103t\u0103ci, c\u0103ci nu se \u015ftiu zilele omului! \u015ei poate vreodat\u0103 s\u0103 fie \u015fi el sprijin pentru i\u015ftialal\u0163i. V\u0103z\u00e2nd eu c\u0103 nu-i chip de stat \u00eempotriva p\u0103rin\u0163ilor, \u00eencepui a m\u0103 g\u00e2ndi la pornire, zic\u00e2nd \u00een sine-mi cu am\u0103r\u0103ciune: Ce necaz pe capul meu! Preo\u0163ii no\u015ftri din sat n-au mai trep\u0103dat pe la Socola, \u015fi mila sf\u00e2ntului! nu-i \u00eencape cureaua de p\u00e2nteco\u015fi ce sunt. Dapoi c\u0103lug\u0103rii, o adun\u0103tur\u0103 de zamparagii dugli\u015fi, din toat\u0103 lumea, cuib\u0103ri\u0163i prin m\u0103n\u0103stire, ce nu ajung? \u015ei eu s\u0103 \u00een\u015fir at\u00e2tea \u015fcoli: \u00een Humule\u015fti, la Bro\u015fteni \u00een crierii mun\u0163ilor, \u00een Neam\u0163, la F\u0103lticeni, \u015fi acum la Socola, pentru a c\u0103p\u0103ta voie s\u0103 m\u0103 fac, ia, acolo, un pop\u0103 prost, cu preoteas\u0103 \u015fi copii; prea mult mi se cere! Acu\u015f \u00eei spun mamei c\u0103 m\u0103 duc la c\u0103lug\u0103rie, \u00een Neam\u0163, ori la Secu. \u015ei cu c\u00e2t\u0103 carte \u015ftiu, cu c\u00e2t\u0103 nu \u015ftiu, peste c\u00e2\u0163iva ani pot s-ajung dichiu la vrun mitoc \u015fi s\u0103 str\u00e2ng un \u015ftiubei plin de galbeni, ca p\u0103rintele Chirila\u015f, de la jug\u0103rit, din V\u00e2n\u0103torii Neam\u0163ului. \u015e-apoi atunci\u2026 pune-\u0163i, cuvioase Ilarie, plosca cu rachiu la \u015fold, icri\u015foare moi c\u00e2t se poate de multe \u015fi altceva de gustare \u00een buzun\u0103rile dulamei, pistoalele \u00een br\u00e2u, pe sub ras\u0103, comanacul pe-o ureche, \u015fi, cu sabia Duhului \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi pletele \u00een v\u00e2nt, ia-o la papuc, peste Piciorul R\u0103u, spre C\u0103rarea afurisit\u0103 dintre Secu \u015fi Agapia din deal, unde toat\u0103 vara se aude c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd un glas \u00eengeresc:<\/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\u00a0Ici \u00een vale, la p\u0103r\u0103u,<\/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\u00a0Mielu\u015fa lui Dumnezeu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar c\u00e2te-un glas gros r\u0103spunde:<\/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\u00a0Hop \u015fi eu de la Dur\u0103u,<\/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\u00a0Berbecu lui Dumnezeu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103ci, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vreau, aflasem \u015fi eu, p\u0103c\u0103tosul, c\u00e2te ceva din tainele c\u0103lug\u0103re\u015fti\u2026 umbl\u00e2nd vara cu b\u0103ie\u0163ii dup\u0103\u2026 bure\u0163i prin p\u0103r\u0163ile acele, de unde prinsesem \u015fi gust de c\u0103lug\u0103rie\u2026 \u015etii, ca omul cuprins de evlavie. \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, ca s\u0103 nu-mi uit vorba, toat\u0103 noaptea cea dinainte de plecare, p\u00e2n\u0103 s-au rev\u0103rsat zorile, m-am fr\u0103m\u00e2ntat cu g\u00e2ndul, fel \u015fi chip, cum a\u015f putea \u00eendupleca pe mama s\u0103 m\u0103 dea mai bine la m\u0103n\u0103stire; \u015fi tocmai c\u00e2nd eram hot\u0103r\u00e2t a spune mamei acestea, iaca \u015fi soarele r\u0103sare, vestind o zi frumoas\u0103, \u015fi Luca Mo\u015fneagu, \u00eensur\u0103\u0163el de-al doilea, a c\u0103rui t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 nevast\u0103 avusese grij\u0103 s\u0103-l trezeasc\u0103 la timp \u015fi s\u0103-l preg\u0103teasc\u0103 de pornire\u2026 se \u015fi aude strig\u00e2nd afar\u0103: Gata sunte\u0163i? Haidem! c\u0103 eu v\u0103 a\u015ftept cu caii \u00eenh\u0103ma\u0163i. Mama atunci m\u0103 \u015fi ia repede-repede la pornit, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 am c\u00e2nd \u00eei spune de c\u0103lug\u0103rie. \u015ei, scurt\u0103 vorb\u0103, ne adun\u0103m, cu rudele lui Zaharia, cu ale mele, \u00een ograd\u0103 la mo\u015f Luca, s\u0103rut\u0103m noi m\u00e2na p\u0103rin\u0163ilor, lu\u00e2ndu-ne r\u0103mas bun cu ochii \u00eeneca\u0163i \u00een lacrimi \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce ne suim \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, sup\u0103ra\u0163i \u015fi pl\u00e2n\u015fi, ca vai de noi, Luca Mo\u015fneagu, harabagiul nostru, d\u0103 bici cailor, zic\u00e2nd nevestei sale, care \u00eenchidea poarta dup\u0103 noi: Olimbiad\u0103, ia sama bine de borta ceea! C\u0103ci ni\u015fte porci, sp\u0103rg\u00e2nd gardul \u00eentr-un loc, se \u00eenn\u0103dise \u00een gr\u0103dina lui la p\u0103pu\u015foi. Era diminea\u0163\u0103, \u00een ziua de T\u0103ierea capului lui Ioan Botez\u0103torul, c\u00e2nd ie\u015feam din Humule\u015fti, \u015fi fetele \u015fi fl\u0103c\u0103ii, g\u0103ti\u0163i frumos, ca \u00een zi de s\u0103rb\u0103toare, foiau prin sat \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, cu bucuria zugr\u0103vit\u0103 pe fe\u0163e! Numai eu cu Zaharia, ghemui\u0163i \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163a lui mo\u015f Luca, ne duceam surgun, dracului poman\u0103, c\u0103 mai bine n-oi putea zice.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Rogu-te, m\u00e2n\u0103 mai tare, mo\u015f Luca, zic eu, s\u0103 nu se mai uite satul ca la urs la noi! Luca Mo\u015fneagu, \u00eens\u0103, m\u00e2na cum \u015ftia el, c\u0103ci sm\u00e2r\u0163oagele lui de cai erau vl\u0103gui\u0163i din cale-afar\u0103, \u015fi slabi, \u015fi og\u00e2rji\u0163i ca ni\u015fte m\u00e2\u0163i de cei le\u015fina\u0163i, nu zmei, cum zicea mama, care nu \u015ftia cum s\u0103 m\u0103 urneasc\u0103 mai degrab\u0103 din cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fire-ar afurisit s\u0103 fie cine a mai desfiin\u0163at \u015fi catihe\u0163iile cele, tocmai acum \u00een vremea noastr\u0103! zise Zaharia lui G\u00e2tlan, plin de n\u0103duh, dup\u0103 ce-am ie\u015fit la drum, afar\u0103. C\u00e2nd s\u0103-\u0163i petreci \u015fi tu tinere\u0163ea, apuc\u0103-te de c\u0103rtur\u0103rie; parc\u0103 are omul zece vie\u0163i! Tot umbl\u00e2nd noi din \u015fcoal\u0103 \u00een \u015fcoal\u0103, mai mult, ia, a\u015fa de frunza fr\u0103sinelului, m\u00e2ine, poim\u00e2ine avem s\u0103 ne trezim ni\u015fte babal\u00e2ci gubavi \u015fi oftigo\u015fi numai buni de f\u0103cut popi, ie\u015fi\u0163i din Socola.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce zici dumneata, mo\u015f Luca, despre unele ca aceste?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 zic, dasc\u0103le Zaharia; \u015ftim noi cum vi-s formele? Eu trebuie s\u0103 v\u0103 duc la locul hot\u0103r\u00e2t, \u015fi, de-aici \u00eencolo, cum v-a sluji capul. Hi, c\u0103lu\u0163ii tatei, s\u0103 ne \u00eentoarcem c\u00e2t mai degrab\u0103 acas\u0103! Cum auzeam noi pe mo\u015f Luca pomenind cu drag de cas\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2nd mai vedeam cum r\u0103m\u00e2n satele \u015fi locurile frumoase \u00een urm\u0103, \u015fi tot altele necunoscute se \u00eenf\u0103\u0163i\u015faz\u0103 \u00eenainte-ne, sup\u0103rarea noastr\u0103 cre\u015ftea la culme! Pentru fiecare f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, p\u00e2r\u00e2u, v\u00e2lcic\u0103, dumbrav\u0103 \u015fi alte locuri dr\u0103g\u0103la\u015fe ce l\u0103sam \u00een urm\u0103-ne scoteam c\u00e2te-un suspin ad\u00e2nc din piepturile noastre! \u015ei, dup\u0103 mintea ce-o aveam, neam fi \u00eentors \u00eenapoi chiar atunci, de nu eram da\u0163i \u00een seama lui mo\u015f Luca, de care ne ru\u015finam ca \u015fi de p\u0103rin\u0163ii no\u015ftri. Dup\u0103 un scurt popas, f\u0103cut la podul de la Timi\u015fe\u015fti, de pe Moldova, pornim \u00eenainte spre Mo\u0163ca \u015fi suim \u00eencet-\u00eencet codrul P\u0103\u015fcanilor. Apoi, din v\u00e2rful acestui codru, mai arunc\u0103m, nemernicii de noi, c\u00e2te-o c\u0103ut\u0103tur\u0103 jalnic\u0103 spre mun\u0163ii Neam\u0163ului: uria\u015fii mun\u0163i, cu v\u00e2rfurile ascunse \u00een nouri, de unde purced izvoarele \u015fi se revars\u0103 p\u00e2raiele cu r\u0103pejune, \u015fopotind tainic, \u00een mersul lor ne\u00eencetat, \u015fi duc\u00e2nd, poate, cu sine multe-multe patimi \u015fi ahturi omene\u015fti, s\u0103 le \u00eenece-n Dun\u0103rea m\u0103rea\u0163\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei! m\u0103i Zaharie, zic eu, cobor\u00e2ndu-ne la vale spre P\u0103\u015fcani; de-acum \u015fi mun\u0163ii i-am pierdut din vedere, \u015fi \u00eenstr\u0103inarea noastr\u0103 este hot\u0103r\u00e2t\u0103 cine \u015ftie pentru c\u00e2t\u0103 vreme!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum ne-a fi scris de la Dumnezeu sf\u00e2ntul, zise Zaharia, cu glasul aproape stins, \u015f-apoi r\u0103mase dus pe g\u00e2nduri tot drumul, p\u00e2n\u0103 la Bl\u0103ge\u015fti, peste Siret, unde ne-a fost \u015fi masul \u00een noaptea aceea. Dar vai de masul nostru! Aici, pe prispa unui rotar, pu\u0163in de nu era s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2nem chiori. De cu sear\u0103 \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 dup\u0103 miezul nop\u0163ii am stat numai \u00eentr-o fum\u0103raie de baligi, ca la carantin\u0103, \u015fi tot ne-au co\u015fit \u0163\u00e2n\u0163arii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa-i via\u0163a c\u00e2mpeneasc\u0103, zise mo\u015f Luca, cio\u015fmolindu-se \u015fi \u00eenv\u00e2rtindu-se ca pe j\u0103ratic, de r\u0103ul \u0163\u00e2n\u0163\u0103rimii. Cum treci Siretul, apa-i rea \u015fi lemnele pe sponci; iar vara te \u00een\u0103du\u015fi de c\u0103ldur\u0103, \u015fi \u0163\u00e2n\u0163arii te chinuiesc amarnic. N-a\u015f tr\u0103i la c\u00e2mp, Doamne fere\u015fte! Halal pe la noi! Apele-s dulci, limpezi ca cristalul \u015fi reci ca ghea\u0163a; lemne, de-ajuns; vara, umbr\u0103 \u015fi r\u0103coare \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile; oamenii, mai s\u0103n\u0103to\u015fi, mai puternici, mai voinici \u015fi mai voio\u015fi, iar nu ca i\u015fti de pe c\u00e2mp: sarbezi la fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi zb\u00e2rci\u0163i, de parc\u0103 se hr\u0103nesc numai cu ciuperci fripte, \u00een toat\u0103 via\u0163a lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015etii una, mo\u015f Luca, zise Zaharia de la o vreme. G\u0103inu\u015fa-i spre asfin\u0163it, rari\u0163ile de-asemene, \u015fi luceaf\u0103rul de ziu\u0103 de-acum trebuie s\u0103 r\u0103sar\u0103; haidem s\u0103 pornim la drum!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103 bine zici, dasc\u0103le Zaharie! parc\u0103 \u0163-a ie\u015fit un sf\u00e2nt din gur\u0103! Dec\u00e2t ne-om tot \u00eenv\u00e2rti \u015fi cio\u015fmoli pe iast\u0103 prisp\u0103, mai bine s\u0103 scurt\u0103m din cale. C\u0103ci mare-i Dumnezeu, ne-a feri el de \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103ri! \u015ei a\u015fa, lu\u00e2ndu-ne r\u0103mas bun de la gazd\u0103, care era tot afar\u0103 culcat, pe alt\u0103 prisp\u0103, plec\u0103m. \u015ei cum ie\u015fim \u00een \u015fleah, p\u0103rerea noastr\u0103 de bine: \u00eent\u00e2lnim c\u00e2\u0163iva oameni, cu ni\u015fte care cu drani\u0163\u0103, merg\u00e2nd spre Ia\u015fi. Ne \u00eentov\u0103r\u0103\u015fim cu d\u00e2n\u015fii, de frica l\u0103ie\u015filor din Ruginoasa, \u015fi hai-hai, hai-hai, p\u00e2n\u0103-n ziu\u0103, iac\u0103-t\u0103-ne \u00een T\u00e2rgul-Frumos, unde-am \u015fi \u00eenjunghiat c\u00e2\u0163iva harbuji \u00eentr-ales, de ne-am potolit, deocamdat\u0103, \u015fi foamea, \u015fi setea. Apoi, dup\u0103 ce s-au hodinit caii, am pornit \u00eenainte, spre Podu-Leloaie; \u015fi de aici, tot \u00eenainte spre Ia\u015fi, mai mult pe jos dec\u00e2t \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, c\u0103ci zmeii lui mo\u015f Luca se muiaser\u0103 de tot; \u015fi \u0163\u0103ranii no\u015ftri, glume\u0163i cum sunt ei, ne tot \u015ffichiuiau, \u00een treac\u0103t, care dincotro, de ni-era mai mare ru\u015finea de ru\u015finea lui mo\u015f Luca. Iar, mai ales, pe la asfin\u0163itul soarelui, tocmai c\u00e2nd intram \u00een Ia\u015fi, pe rohatca P\u0103curari, un fl\u0103c\u0103uan al dracului ne-a luat \u00een r\u00e2s cum se cade, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mo\u015fule, ia sama de \u0163ine bine telegarii ceia, s\u0103 nu ia v\u00e2nt; c\u0103 Ia\u015ful ista-i mare \u015fi, Doamne fere\u015fte, s\u0103 nu faci vro primejdie! At\u00e2ta i-a trebuit lui mo\u015f Luca, \u015f-apoi las\u0103 pe d\u00e2nsul! c\u00e2te parastase \u015fi panaghii, toate i le-a ridicat\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iauzi, m\u0103i! Dac-ar \u015fti el, chiolh\u0103nosul \u015fi tic\u0103itul, de unde am pornit ast\u0103 noapte, \u015f-ar str\u00e2nge leoarba acas\u0103, n-ar mai d\u00e2rd\u00e2i degeaba asupra c\u0103i\u015forilor mei! \u015e-apoi doar nu vin eu acum \u00eent\u00e2ia\u015fi dat\u0103 la Ia\u015fi, s\u0103-mi dea pov\u0103\u0163 unul ca d\u00e2nsul ce r\u00e2nduial\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 p\u0103zesc. Patruzecile m\u00e2ne-sa de golan! Dac\u0103 n-a stat oleac\u0103, s\u0103-l \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 eu a mai lua de alt\u0103 dat\u0103 drume\u0163ii \u00een r\u00e2s! V\u0103z\u00e2nd noi c\u0103 ne iau oamenii tot peste picior \u015fi pe mo\u015f Luca tulburat din cale-afar\u0103, cum eram \u00een c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, ne acoperim peste tot c-un \u0163ol, zic\u00e2nd eu, cam cu sfial\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mo\u015f Luca, de te-a \u00eentreba cineva, de-acum \u00eenainte, de ce trag caii a\u015fa de greu, s\u0103 spui c\u0103 aduci ni\u015fte drobi de sare de la Ocn\u0103, \u015fi las\u2019 dac\u0103 nu te-a crede fiecare!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, apoi?! \u015etiutu-v-am eu c\u0103 \u015fi voi mi-a\u0163i fost de-ace\u015ftia? zise mo\u015f Luca, merg\u00e2nd pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cai, plin de n\u0103duh; nu m\u0103 face\u0163i, c\u0103 ia acu\u015f v\u0103 ard c\u00e2teva jordii prin \u0163olul cela, de v-a trece spurcatul! Auzind noi ce ni se preg\u0103te\u015fte, ghiontitu-ne-am unul pe altul, chicotind \u00eenn\u0103du\u015fit, \u015fi ca\u2019 mai ba s\u0103 zicem nici c\u00e2rc! \u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, dup\u0103 multe \u015ffichiuiri ce-a primit mo\u015f Luca de la unii-al\u0163ii, cum e lumea a dracului, merg\u00e2nd noi \u00een pasul cailor, din hop \u00een hop, tot \u00eenainte prin r\u0103t\u0103c\u0103nile de pe uli\u0163ele Ia\u015filor, am ajuns \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu, noaptea, \u00een cieriul Socolei \u015fi am tras cu c\u0103ru\u0163a sub un plop mare, undeam g\u0103sit o mul\u0163ime de d\u0103sc\u0103lime adunat\u0103 de pe la catihe\u0163i, din toate jude\u0163ele Moldovei: unii mai tineri, iar cei mai mul\u0163i cu ni\u015fte t\u00e2rsoage de barbe c\u00e2t badanalele de mari, \u015fez\u00e2nd pe iarb\u0103, \u00eempreun\u0103 cu p\u0103rin\u0163ii lor, \u015fi preo\u0163i \u015fi mireni, \u015fi m\u0103rturisindu-\u015fi unul altuia p\u0103catele!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Amintiri din copil\u0103rie I Stau c\u00e2teodat\u0103 \u015fi-mi aduc aminte ce vremi \u015fi ce oameni mai erau \u00een p\u0103r\u0163ile noastre pe c\u00e2nd \u00eencepusem \u015fi eu, dr\u0103g\u0103li\u0163\u0103-Doamne, a m\u0103 ridica b\u0103ie\u0163a\u015f la … <\/p>\n