\u00a0I se ur\u00e2se \u015fi lui P\u0103cal\u0103 s\u0103 tot umble r\u0103zle\u0163 prin lume, a\u015fa f\u0103r\u0103 de nici o treab\u0103, numai ca s\u0103 \u00eencurce trebile altora \u015fi s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103 de prostia oamenilor. Se hot\u0103r\u00ee dar s\u0103 se fac\u0103 \u015fi el om a\u015fezat, ca to\u0163i oamenii de treab\u0103, s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eentemeieze casa lui, s\u0103-\u015fi agoniseasc\u0103 o mo\u015fioar\u0103, \u2013 vorb\u0103 scurt\u0103, \u2013 s\u0103 se ast\u00e2mpere odat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei fiindc\u0103 rom\u00e2nul zice c\u0103 nu e nic\u0103ieri mai bine ca \u00een satul lui, P\u0103cal\u0103 se \u00eentoarse \u015fi el \u00een satul lui \u015fi \u00eencepu cum \u00eencep to\u0163i oamenii care n-au nimic, adic\u0103 f\u0103cu ce f\u0103cu de-\u015fi agonisi o vi\u0163elu\u015f\u0103 \u015fi o trimise la p\u0103\u015fune \u00een izlazul satului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103ci a\u015fa se facea averea. P\u0103sc\u00e2nd, vi\u0163elu\u015fa se face vi\u0163ea, vi\u0163eaua se face junc\u0103, junca se face vac\u0103, vaca fat\u0103, iar vaca cu vi\u0163elul o vinzi ca din pre\u0163ul ei s\u0103 cumperi \u015fapte vi\u0163elu\u015fe \u015fi s\u0103 le trimi\u0163i \u015fi pe ele la p\u0103\u015fune \u00een izlazul satului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De ce e oare izlazul izlaz, dac\u0103 nu pentru ca s\u0103-l pasc\u0103 vi\u0163elu\u015fele oamenilor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103\u015ftea dar vi\u0163elu\u015fa lui P\u0103cal\u0103, p\u0103\u015ftea, \u015fi cu c\u00e2t mai mult p\u0103\u015ftea, cu at\u00e2ta mai v\u00e2rtos cre\u015ftea, \u00eenc\u00e2t nu era \u00een tot satul vi\u0163ea care s-o \u00eentreac\u0103, iar c\u00e2nd ajunse \u015fi ea vi\u0163ea, nici juncile nu se puteau potrivi cu ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i! ziceau vecinele lui P\u0103cal\u0103, ce lucru s\u0103 mai fie \u015fi \u0103sta? vi\u0163eaua asta le \u00eentrece pe toate! Ce-i va fi d\u00e2nd oare s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce? Ce soi o fi de cre\u015fte a\u015fa de frumos?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu era nici soiul vreun soi deosebit, nici hrana mai de-a c\u0103tarea; vi\u0163eaua era \u00eens\u0103 vi\u0163eaua lui P\u0103cal\u0103, iar P\u0103cal\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi c\u0103uta de treab\u0103, n-avea vreme s-o mai p\u0103zeasc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 nu rup\u0103 c\u00e2teodat\u0103 \u015fi din holdele oamenilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajung\u00e2nd juninc\u0103, vi\u0163eaua lui P\u0103cal\u0103 se f\u0103cu st\u0103p\u00e2n\u0103 pe \u00eentregul hotar. Umbla \u015fi ea cum umblase \u015fi st\u0103p\u00e2nul ei mai nainte de a se fi ast\u00e2mp\u0103rat, \u015fi unde n-o c\u0103utai, acolo d\u0103deai de ea, mai prin lanul de gr\u00e2u, mai prin porumbi\u015fte, mai \u015ftie bunul Dumnezeu pe unde.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 P\u0103cal\u0103 li se pl\u00e2ngea oamenilor c\u0103 prea i s-a f\u0103cut r\u0103zlea\u0163\u0103 juninca \u015fi c\u0103 are treab\u0103 \u015fi nu poate umbla dup\u0103 ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu-i vorb\u0103, oamenii s-ar fi pl\u00e2ns \u015fi ei, dar nu mai aveau cui s\u0103 i se pl\u00e2ng\u0103 c\u00e2nd P\u0103cal\u0103 \u00eei lua pe dinainte \u015fi li se pl\u00e2ngea de te prindea mila de el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 dar c\u0103 juninca lui P\u0103cal\u0103 \u00een cur\u00e2nd are s\u0103 fie vac\u0103, oamenii se puser\u0103 pe g\u00e2nduri. \u015etiau ei cum au s\u0103 urmeze lucrurile mai departe. Vedeau parc\u0103 cele \u015fapte vi\u0163elu\u015fe cum se fac vi\u0163ele, juninci, cum ajung \u00een cele din urm\u0103 vaci \u015fi ele, \u015fi cum le vinde P\u0103cal\u0103 \u015fi pe ele \u015fi se \u00eentoarce de la t\u00e2rg cu o spuz\u0103 de vi\u0163elu\u015fe, toate fl\u0103m\u00e2nde, toate pornite din fire s\u0103 se fac\u0103 vi\u0163ele, juninci \u015fi vaci \u00een cele din urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i! strigar\u0103 ei, \u0103sta ne m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 \u015fi urechile din cap cu vi\u0163elu\u015fa lui, ne seac\u0103, ne face \u00eentregul hotar b\u0103t\u0103tur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar ce puteau s\u0103-i fac\u0103 lui P\u0103cal\u0103? El nu era de vin\u0103 \u015fi avea treab\u0103, nu putea s\u0103-\u015fi piard\u0103 vara umbl\u00e2nd dup\u0103 coada junincei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se sf\u0103tuir\u0103 dar \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii \u015fi iar se sf\u0103tuir\u0103, se tot sf\u0103tuir\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce n-ajunser\u0103 a se dumeri c\u0103 toat\u0103 carnea pe care a pus-o vi\u0163elu\u015fa ca s\u0103 se fac\u0103 vi\u0163ea \u015fi din vi\u0163ea juninc\u0103 e carne adunat\u0103 din nutre\u0163ul de pe hotarul lor, adic\u0103 dup\u0103 toat\u0103 dreptatea carne din care ar fi fost s\u0103 fie a lor \u015fi numai pielea e a lui P\u0103cal\u0103, fiindc\u0103 piele avuse juninca \u015fi c\u00e2nd venise ca vi\u0163elu\u015f\u0103 \u00een sat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dumeri\u0163i odat\u0103 astfel, t\u0103iar\u0103 juninca, \u00eei luar\u0103 carnea \u015fi o m\u00e2ncar\u0103, iar\u0103 pielea o aruncar\u0103 peste gard \u00een curtea lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu-i vorb\u0103, a fost cam scurt\u0103 socoteala aceasta, dar \u00een satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103 multe se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103cal\u0103, de! ce s\u0103 fac\u0103! Dac\u0103 ar fi voit, ar fi g\u0103sit el ac pentru cojocul s\u0103tenilor; el \u00eens\u0103 nu voia. Avea tragere de inim\u0103 penru oamenii din satul lui. Nu! pe oamenii din satul lui nu putea el s\u0103-i \u00eencurce, cum ar fi \u00eencurcat a bun\u0103oar\u0103 pe oamenii din satul lui T\u00e2ndal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centinse dar pielea s\u0103 se usuce, iar dup\u0103 ce se usc\u0103, o lu\u0103 \u00een v\u00e2rf de b\u0103\u0163 \u015fi plec\u0103 cu ea la t\u00e2rg, ca s-o v\u00e2nd\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa ajunse P\u0103cal\u0103 iar pe drumuri. Se duse \u015fi tot se duse mereu, de diminea\u0163\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la pr\u00e2nz \u015fi de la pr\u00e2nz p\u00e2n\u0103 seara. C\u00e2nd era pe \u00eenserate, el se opri \u00eentr-un sat de la marginea drumului \u015fi se uit\u0103 \u00eemprejurul s\u0103u, ca s\u0103-\u015fi g\u0103seasc\u0103 vreo cas\u0103 la care s\u0103 m\u00e2ie, vreo v\u0103duv\u0103 ori vreo femeie al c\u0103rei b\u0103rbat nu-i acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu poate, c\u0103 \u2013 Doamne fere\u015fte! \u2013 ce, dar P\u0103cal\u0103, ca om umblat prin lume, \u015ftia c\u0103 sunt fricoase femeile, li se ur\u0103\u015fte a\u015fa singure, \u015fi sunt bucuroase de oaspe\u0163i, numai ca s\u0103 \u015ftie c\u0103 e peste noapte picior de om la casa lor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei g\u0103si P\u0103cal\u0103 chiar mai la marginea satului o femeie, al c\u0103reia b\u0103rbat se dusese la p\u0103dure s\u0103 aduc\u0103 lemne. Nu-i vorb\u0103, muierea \u00eei spunea mereu c\u0103 teac\u0103, c\u0103 pung\u0103, c\u0103 nu-i este b\u0103rbatul acas\u0103, c\u0103 ce va zice lumea; P\u0103cal\u0103 \u0163inea \u015fi el s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 a\u015fa \u00eentr-un unghi al casei, \u00eentr-un \u015fopron, \u00een pridvor, unde o fi, numai ca s\u0103 nu fie casa pustie. N-avea biata muiere \u00eencotro, trebuia s\u0103-l primeasc\u0103, dar \u00eei \u015fi spuse s\u0103 se culce \u015fi s\u0103 doarm\u0103, c-o fi ostenit de drum, s\u0103rmanul de el!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Ce-o s\u0103 mai fie \u015fi asta?!” gr\u0103i P\u0103cal\u0103. El \u015ftia c\u0103 muierile sunt \u015fi vorb\u0103re\u0163e, \u015fi doritoare de a le \u015fti toate c\u00e2te sunt \u00een cer \u015fi pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt, iar muierea aceasta nici nu-i povestea nimic, nici nu-l \u00eentreba de unde vine, cum a umblat, ce-a mai f\u0103cut, ce mai \u015ftie\u2026 Aici trebuia dar s\u0103 fie ceva la mijloc, \u015fi P\u0103cal\u0103, \u00een loc de a adormi, tr\u0103gea c\u00e2nd cu ochiul drept, c\u00e2nd cu cel st\u00e2ng, ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 cele ce se petrec \u00een cas\u0103 \u015fi \u00eemprejurul casei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici nu se \u00eenser\u0103 bine, \u015fi muierea \u00eencepu s\u0103 fiarb\u0103, s\u0103 frig\u0103, s\u0103 coac\u0103, s\u0103 g\u0103teasc\u0103 fel de fel de m\u00e2nc\u0103ri, \u015fi pl\u0103cinte, \u015fi un purcel fript, \u015fi o coast\u0103 op\u0103rit\u0103 cu varz\u0103 c\u0103lit\u0103. \u015ei apoi rachiuri, \u015fi apoi vinuri. Osp\u0103\u0163, nu alta!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-ar fi fost P\u0103cal\u0103 om p\u0103\u0163it dac\u0103 n-ar fi \u015ftiut c\u0103 toate aceste nu pentru b\u0103rbatul ei le f\u0103cea muierea cea harnic\u0103, fiindc\u0103 mai era \u015fi ea g\u0103tit\u0103 ca de nunt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici nu le f\u0103cea pentru b\u0103rbatul ei, ci pentru vornicul satului, pe care-l a\u015ftepta nevasta cum \u00ee\u015fi a\u015fteapt\u0103 fetele mari pe\u0163itorii, ie\u015find mereu \u00een u\u015f\u0103 \u015fi \u00een porti\u0163\u0103, ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 dac\u0103 vine, dac\u0103 nu mai vine, dac\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2rzie, dac\u0103 sose\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu care cumva s\u0103 cread\u0103 cineva c\u0103 Doamne fere\u015fte ce! Nu! ci fiindc\u0103 vornicul era cel mai de frunte om din sat \u015fi nu putea s\u0103-l primeasc\u0103 la casa ei ca pe ori\u015ficine, iar peste zi vornicul, om cu multe treburi, nu putuse s\u0103 vie, ci le f\u0103cea cinstea acum, mai pe sear\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Alt nimic nu era la mijloc, Doamne fere\u015fte! Era gata nevasta cu toate: purcelul era frumos \u015fi rumen de-\u0163i pocnea \u015foricul \u00een din\u0163i, costi\u0163ele erau op\u0103rite, varza era c\u0103lit\u0103, pl\u0103cintele abureau, rachiul era a\u015fezat pe mas\u0103, vinul st\u0103tea \u00een ap\u0103 rece, nu mai lipsea dec\u00e2t dumnealui vornicul. Numai vornicul lipsea, c\u00e2nd deodat\u0103 \u2013 s\u0103 te miri, nu alta! \u2013 se \u00eentoarse b\u0103rbatul. I se fr\u00e2nsese, s\u0103rmanul de el, o osie \u00een drum, \u015fi nu-i r\u0103m\u0103sese dec\u00e2t s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103, s\u0103 pun\u0103 alt\u0103 osie la car \u015fi s\u0103 plece m\u00e2ine din nou la p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Muierea bun\u0103 \u015fi credincioas\u0103 \u00ee\u015fi cunoa\u015fte b\u0103rbatul dup\u0103 mers, din tu\u015fite \u015fi str\u0103nuturi, ba chiar \u015fi din pocnetul biciului, iar nevasta la care \u00ee\u015fi luase P\u0103cal\u0103 conac era \u015fi ea muiere bun\u0103 \u015fi credincioas\u0103. Ea \u00ee\u015fi cunoscu b\u0103rbatul din sc\u00e2r\u0163\u00e2itul roatelor de la car, iar sc\u00e2r\u0163\u00e2itul roatelor se auzea de departe, destul de departe pentru ca o muiere harnic\u0103 precum era d\u00e2nsa s\u0103-\u015fi r\u00e2nduiasc\u0103 treburile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea lu\u0103 purcelul cel frumos \u015fi rumen \u015fi-l ascunse iute dup\u0103 cuptor, lu\u0103 pl\u0103cinta \u015fi o puse iute-iute pe cuptor, lu\u0103 costi\u0163ele cu varz\u0103 c\u0103lit\u0103 \u015fi le v\u00e2r\u00ee \u00een cuptor, mai v\u00e2r\u00ee tot iute-iute \u015fi rachiul sub perina de la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iul patului, iar vinul sub pat, \u015fi pe c\u00e2nd carul cu boii intrar\u0103 \u00een curte, toate erau \u00een cea mai bun\u0103 r\u00e2nduial\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu poate c\u0103 Doamne fere\u015fte ce! dar de! tot era mai bine s\u0103 nu afle b\u0103rbatul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se acas\u0103, b\u0103rbatul, ca tot omul p\u0103guba\u015f, \u00eencepu s\u0103 se pl\u00e2ng\u0103, nevasta, ca toat\u0103 muierea bun\u0103 \u015fi credincioas\u0103, \u00eel m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia cu vorbe bune, iar P\u0103cal\u0103, ca tot omul cumsecade, ie\u015fi \u015fi el din unghiul lui, ca s\u0103-i spun\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nului de cas\u0103 c\u0103 e \u015fi el aici, s\u0103-i cear\u0103 iertare c\u0103 a \u00eendr\u0103znit \u015fi s\u0103-l mai roage \u015fi pe el de conac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 F\u0103 muiere, gr\u0103i b\u0103rbatul dup\u0103 ce se mai \u00eenc\u0103lzi \u00een cuibul lui, mie mi-e foame; n-ai tu ceva de m\u00e2ncare?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De! ce s\u0103-i faci? omul fl\u0103m\u00e2nze\u015fte la drum. Nu-i vorb\u0103, mai era \u00een traist\u0103 merindea pe care o luase la drum; dar acas\u0103 la el omul nu m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 bucuros merindea cu care se \u00eentoarce din drum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai, s\u0103raca de mine! r\u0103spunse nevasta, dar de unde s\u0103 am? Eram s\u0103 te a\u015ftept m\u00e2ine. O s\u0103-\u0163i fac \u00eens\u0103 o m\u0103m\u0103ligu\u0163\u0103 bun\u0103, ca s-o m\u0103n\u00e2nci cu o z\u0103mu\u0163\u0103 de usturoi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103m\u0103ligu\u0163\u0103 s\u0103 fie! gr\u0103i b\u0103rbatul. C\u00e2nd e fl\u0103m\u00e2nd, omul se bucur\u0103 \u015fi de m\u0103m\u0103ligu\u0163\u0103. Om umblat prin lume, P\u0103cal\u0103 \u015ftia c\u0103 o s\u0103-l pofteasc\u0103 \u015fi pe el la cin\u0103, ca s\u0103 mai steie de vorb\u0103, \u015fi nici c\u0103-i p\u0103rea r\u0103u lui P\u0103cal\u0103, fiindc\u0103 tot drume\u0163 era \u015fi el, tot fl\u0103m\u00e2nd \u2013 ca ori\u015fice om sosit din drum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cum st\u0103teau de vorb\u0103 \u00een vreme ce nevasta g\u0103tea m\u0103m\u0103ligu\u0163a, P\u0103cal\u0103, care nu era cap sec, se g\u00e2ndea mereu cum s\u0103 fac\u0103 el ca s\u0103 nu m\u0103n\u00e2nce m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, ci purcel fript, frumos \u015fi rumen de-\u0163i pocne\u015fte \u015foricul \u00een din\u0163i, costi\u0163e cu varz\u0103 c\u0103lit\u0103 \u015fi pl\u0103cinte de cele bune; cum ar face ca s\u0103 bea o gur\u0103 de rachiu \u015fi s\u0103 guste m\u0103car o dat\u0103 din vinul cel vechi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El se \u00eencrunt\u0103 o dat\u0103 \u015fi trase cam pe furi\u015f cu b\u0103\u0163ul \u00een piele. \u015ei las\u0103 pe P\u0103cal\u0103, c\u0103 nu e nici el de ieri, de alalt\u0103ieri! Sim\u0163ise o dat\u0103 mirosul, \u015fi grija lui mai departe\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ca om drume\u0163, \u00ee\u015fi \u0163inea b\u0103\u0163ul la \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103, iar pielea cea de juninc\u0103, marfa lui, toat\u0103 averea lui, \u00eei era la picioare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103rbatul se cam mira c\u0103 ce va fi av\u00e2nd cu pielea, dar nu zise nimic. Al lui era b\u0103\u0163ul, a lui era pielea; treaba lui era ce f\u0103cea cu ele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste c\u00e2tva timp P\u0103cal\u0103 iar trase una cu b\u0103\u0163ul, ba mai se \u015fi r\u0103sti la piele:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ine-\u0163i gura, sluto! B\u0103rbatul iar t\u0103cu. P\u0103cal\u0103 dete de a treia oar\u0103, \u015fi acum se r\u0103sti \u015fi mai r\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce ai cu pielea aceea? \u00eentreb\u0103 omul nostru. P\u0103cal\u0103 mai dete din um\u0103r, mai se codi, mai se rug\u0103 de iertare c\u0103 nu poate s\u0103 spun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi, gr\u0103i el cam cu anevoie \u00een cele din urm\u0103, piele-ar fi de piele, dar, a\u015fa cum o vezi, nu e piele, ci proroc, care \u015ftie toate cele ne\u015ftiute \u015fi vrea mereu s\u0103 spun\u0103 lucruri de nespus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei ce vrea s\u0103 spun\u0103? \u00eentreb\u0103 mirat b\u0103rbatul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Uite! gr\u0103i P\u0103cal\u0103, \u015fi puse urechea la piele. Mare minune! Zice s\u0103 cau\u0163i la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iul patului, c-o s\u0103 g\u0103se\u015fti rachiu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103rbatul c\u0103ut\u0103 \u015fi g\u0103si.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mare minune! Cine l-o fi pus oare?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 E tain\u0103! r\u0103spunse P\u0103cal\u0103, asta nu se poate \u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei ce mai zice prorocul?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 cau\u0163i dup\u0103 cuptor, c\u0103 vei g\u0103si un purcel fript, zise P\u0103cal\u0103, dup\u0103 ce puse iar urechea la piele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Auzi dumneata lucru ciudat! Ce mai zice prorocul?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Caut\u0103 sub pat, c\u0103 g\u0103se\u015fti vinul. Astfel \u00eenainte \u2013 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu ie\u015fir\u0103 la iveal\u0103 costi\u0163ele \u015fi pl\u0103cintele, \u00eenc\u00e2t numai de-un drag s\u0103 te ui\u0163i la masa \u00eenc\u0103rcat\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 te a\u015fezi la ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se mira b\u0103rbatul, se mira mai v\u00e2rtos nevasta, s-ar fi mirat satul \u00eentreg, dac\u0103 ar fi fost de fa\u0163\u0103; numai P\u0103cal\u0103 nu se mira, fiindc\u0103 el \u00ee\u015fi cuno\u015ftea marfa \u015fi \u015ftia de ce e bun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi de! zicea el mereu, \u0103sta-i proroc, nu fleac, \u015fi-\u0163i scoate \u015fi c\u00e2rti\u0163a din fundul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Va fi fost ori nu a\u015fa, destul c\u0103 P\u0103cal\u0103 s-a s\u0103turat ca un pa\u015f\u0103 turcesc, \u00eenc\u00e2t abia-l mai \u0163ineau curelele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 treab\u0103 prorocul \u0103sta! gr\u0103i b\u0103rbatul nevestei dup\u0103 ce se s\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi el. Nu cumva \u0163i-e de v\u00e2nzare?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne fere\u015fte! \u00eei r\u0103spunse P\u0103cal\u0103. Cum a\u015f putea eu s\u0103 v\u00e2nd un lucru ca acesta? Se poate?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar dac\u0103 \u0163i-a\u015f da un pre\u0163 bun?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Auzi vorb\u0103! pre\u0163 bun? Un proroc ca \u0103sta e lucru nepre\u0163uit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Doritor cum era de a se hr\u0103ni bine \u015fi de a \u015fti totdeauna cele ce se petrec \u00een casa lui, omul nostru \u00eel apuc\u0103 pe P\u0103cal\u0103 la t\u00e2rg. \u00cei dete la \u00eenceput o pung\u0103 de galbeni, apoi dou\u0103, apoi trei, \u015fi a\u015fa mereu \u00eenainte, p\u00e2n\u0103 la \u015fapte pungi, bani frumo\u015fi chiar \u015fi pentru un om mai bogat dec\u00e2t P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fiindc\u0103 v\u0103d \u015fi v\u0103d c\u0103 \u0163ii cu orice pre\u0163 s\u0103 cumperi prorocul, gr\u0103i P\u0103cal\u0103 muiat, o s\u0103-\u0163i fac dup\u0103 dorin\u0163\u0103, dar nu pentru bani, ci fiindc\u0103 m-ai primit la cas\u0103, m-ai poftit la mas\u0103 \u015fi mi-ai zis o vorb\u0103 bun\u0103. Noroc s\u0103 ai de ea!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa gr\u0103i P\u0103cal\u0103, \u015fi-i dete pielea cea de juninc\u0103, pentru ca s\u0103 ieie cele \u015fapte pungi de galbeni \u2013 mul\u0163i bani chiar \u015fi pentru un om mai bogat dec\u00e2t P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei nu era pe lumea aceasta om mai fericit dec\u00e2t b\u0103rbatul nevestei, fiindc\u0103 putea de aici \u00eenainte s\u0103 \u015ftie toate cele ce se petrec \u00een casa lui \u015fi s\u0103 se mai \u015fi hr\u0103neasc\u0103 bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar P\u0103cal\u0103, dup\u0103 ce-\u015fi v\u00e2ndu pielea \u015fi puse bine banii, se culc\u0103 s\u0103 doarm\u0103, c\u0103 avea drum lung p\u00e2n\u0103 acas\u0103 \u00een satul lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ziua urm\u0103toare \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 P\u0103cal\u0103 r\u0103mas bun \u015fi plec\u0103 iar acas\u0103. \u015ei cum mergea pe drum \u015fi cum se sim\u0163ea a\u015fa \u00eenc\u0103rcat de bani, cum nu mai fusese niciodat\u0103 \u00een via\u0163a lui, \u00ee\u015fi puse tare \u015fi cu adev\u0103rat de g\u00e2nd c\u0103 de aici \u00eenainte nu mai v\u00e2\u015fc\u0103 nici la dreapta, nici la st\u00e2nga, ci merge drept \u00eenainte, nu mai umbl\u0103 cu minciuna, nu mai caut\u0103 s\u0103 trag\u0103 folos din partea altora \u2013 nu! nu! nu! ci se face om ca to\u0163i oamenii care vor s\u0103 aib\u0103 obrazul curat, se ast\u00e2mp\u0103r\u0103, se pune \u00een r\u00e2nd cu fruntea satului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai dac\u0103 n-ar fi fost la mijloc muierea cea harnic\u0103! Ea, s\u0103rmana, nu mai avea ast\u00e2mp\u0103r, \u015fi parc\u0103 i se surpa casa \u00een cap c\u00e2nd se g\u00e2ndea c\u0103 prorocul a r\u0103mas \u00een paza ei. Nu poate c\u0103 Doamne fere\u015fte ce! dar muierile sunt fricoase \u015fi nu prea se simt bine c\u00e2nd se afl\u0103 aproape de ni\u015fte lucruri cum era pielea lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea f\u0103cu dar ce f\u0103cu, \u015fi-\u015fi trimise b\u0103rbatul iar la p\u0103dure, apoi, dup\u0103 ce r\u0103mase ea singur\u0103, puse, ca muiere harnic\u0103 ce era, furca \u00een br\u00e2u \u015fi porni \u00een urma lui P\u0103cal\u0103 \u015fi gr\u0103bi \u015fi alerg\u0103 ca s\u0103-l ajung\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103-l \u00eentrebe ce are s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi cum s\u0103 dreag\u0103, ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 din piele piele ca toate pieile \u015fi s\u0103-i ieie darul prorociei?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103cal\u0103, de! ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi el?! De pagub\u0103 se fere\u015fte omul, dar de c\u00e2\u015ftig niciodat\u0103; mai lu\u0103 \u015fi de la femeie \u015fapte pungi \u015fi \u00eei spuse c\u0103 n-are dec\u00e2t s\u0103 op\u0103reasc\u0103 pielea cu ap\u0103 de izvor strecurat\u0103 prin o sit\u0103 deas\u0103, \u015fi-\u015fi urm\u0103 calea ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd nimic nu i s-ar fi \u00eent\u00e2mplat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum z\u0103u c\u0103 m\u0103 fac om a\u015fezat, \u00eenc\u00e2t o s\u0103 ajung chiar vornic \u00een satul meu! gr\u0103i el dup\u0103 ce sosi acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u015fi f\u0103cu. \u00ce\u015fi zidi, Doamne, o cas\u0103 frumoas\u0103 de nu mai era \u00een tot satul cas\u0103 ca a lui, \u2013 colea, cu pridvor a\u015fezat pe st\u00e2lpi \u015fi cu cerdac mare, \u2013 \u00ee\u015fi cump\u0103r\u0103 p\u0103m\u00e2nturi, car cu patru boi, cal de c\u0103l\u0103rit, vac\u0103 cu lapte, oi de pr\u0103sil\u0103; \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, toate c\u00e2te se cuvin la casa unui om cu dare de m\u00e2n\u0103, toate erau la casa lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei nu era \u00een sat om mai a\u015fezat dec\u00e2t P\u0103cal\u0103. Numai oamenii din satul lui dac\u0103 n-ar fi fost tocmai a\u015fa de pro\u015fti cum erau!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103z\u00e2nd cum zide\u015fte P\u0103cal\u0103, cum cump\u0103r\u0103, iar cump\u0103r\u0103 \u015fi tot cump\u0103r\u0103, cum d\u0103 mereu f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 ieie, vecinele \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 \u015fopteasc\u0103 \u00eentre d\u00e2nsele \u015fi s\u0103tenii deter\u0103 cu socoteal\u0103 c\u0103 va fi av\u00e2nd mul\u0163i bani P\u0103cal\u0103 \u015fi c\u0103 banii ace\u015ftia \u00eei va fi g\u0103sit undeva, \u00eei va fi c\u0103p\u0103tat ori \u00eei va fi luat de la cineva. Destul c\u0103 voiau s\u0103 \u015ftie de unde are P\u0103cal\u0103 banii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i P\u0103cal\u0103, \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 dar unul dintre oameni, dar tu de unde ai at\u00e2ta spurc\u0103ciune de ban, de tot dai \u015fi nu mai sf\u00e2r\u015fe\u015fti?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103cal\u0103 \u015fedea \u00een cerdacul casei cu pipa \u00een gur\u0103 \u015fi privea la carul cel cu patru boi care intra \u00een curtea cea larg\u0103 \u015fi plin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De unde am at\u00e2ta ban? r\u0103spunse el. De unde, p\u0103catele mele, a\u015f putea s\u0103 am dac\u0103 nu din pre\u0163ul mo\u015fiei pe care am v\u00e2ndut-o?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce mo\u015fie, m\u0103i P\u0103cal\u0103, c\u0103 tu n-ai avut mo\u015fie?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi vorb\u0103?! Dar pielea jinincei a cui a fost, m\u0103i?! N-a fost a mea? Asta mi-a fost toat\u0103 averea: am v\u00e2ndut-o \u015fi am luat bani ca s\u0103-mi fac alt\u0103 avere \u00een locul ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 At\u00e2\u0163ia bani pentru o piele de juninc\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, dar greu mai e\u015fti la cap! gr\u0103i acum P\u0103cal\u0103, care \u0163inea s\u0103 nu mai umble cu minciuna. Nu \u00een\u0163elegi tu c\u0103 juninca aceea era juninc\u0103 de pr\u0103sil\u0103? Dac\u0103 o mai \u0163ineam, f\u0103ta, \u015fi vi\u0163elul cre\u015ftea, \u015fi el se f\u0103cea vac\u0103, \u015fi aveam dou\u0103 vaci, \u015fi dou\u0103 vaci f\u0103tau doi vi\u0163ei, \u015fi se f\u0103ceau patru vaci, iar din patru vaci se fac opt, din opt \u015fasesprezece \u015fi cu timpul o \u00eentreag\u0103 ciread\u0103 de vite. A\u015fa se face socoteala c\u00e2nd mergi la t\u00e2rg \u015fi \u015ftii cum s\u0103-\u0163i vinzi marfa. O avere \u00eentreag\u0103 nu se vinde numai iac-a\u015fa!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Omul dete din cap \u015fi deter\u0103 din cap \u015fi se puser\u0103 pe g\u00e2nduri to\u0163i oamenii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aveau \u015fi ei vi\u0163ele de pr\u0103sil\u0103. De ce adic\u0103 numai P\u0103cal\u0103 s\u0103-\u015fi v\u00e2nd\u0103 pielea cu pre\u0163? de ce s\u0103 fie ei mai pro\u015fti dec\u00e2t d\u00e2nsul? de ce s\u0103 deie ei o avere \u00eentreag\u0103 pentru un pre\u0163 de nimic?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se puser\u0103 dar degrab\u2019, \u00ee\u015fi t\u0103iar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii junincile de pr\u0103sil\u0103, m\u00e2ncar\u0103 c\u00e2t putur\u0103 din carnea lor, iar pieile le duser\u0103 la t\u00e2rg, s\u0103 le v\u00e2nd\u0103 \u015fi ei cum a v\u00e2ndut P\u0103cal\u0103 pe a lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai c\u0103 nu se nimere\u015fte totdeauna \u015fi nu \u015ftiu to\u0163i oamenii s\u0103-\u015fi v\u00e2nd\u0103 marfa ca P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Degeaba spuneau ei c\u0103 pielea e piele de juninc\u0103 de pr\u0103sil\u0103, c\u0103ci nimeni nu voia s\u0103 le deie pre\u0163ul la care r\u00e2vneau, \u015fi s-au \u00eentors ca vai de ei acas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vai de ei! dar vai \u015fi de P\u0103cal\u0103! C\u00e2nd se v\u0103zur\u0103 \u015fi cu pagub\u0103, \u015fi cu batjocur\u0103, oamenii se adunar\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi, se sf\u0103tuir\u0103 \u015fi tot se sf\u0103tuir\u0103 \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii, c\u0103 ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi ce s\u0103 dreag\u0103 ca s\u0103 scape de P\u0103cal\u0103, fiindc\u0103 nu mai r\u0103m\u00e2nea nici o \u00eendoial\u0103 c\u0103-i va pr\u0103p\u0103di pe to\u0163i dac\u0103 va mai r\u0103m\u00e2nea cu zile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O s\u0103-\u015fi deie foc la cas\u0103, ca s\u0103 ne d\u0103m \u015fi noi la ale noastre, gr\u0103i unul dintre cei mai prev\u0103z\u0103tori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O s\u0103-\u015fi fr\u00e2ng\u0103 vreun picior, ca s\u0103 ne fr\u00e2ngem \u015fi noi pe ale noastre, gr\u0103i altul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O s\u0103 sar\u0103 \u00een f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, ca s\u0103 s\u0103rim cu to\u0163ii dup\u0103 el! strigar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu mai r\u0103m\u00e2nea nici o \u00eendoial\u0103 c\u0103 trebuiau s\u0103 scape de el, dac\u0103 nu voiau s\u0103 piar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii ca vai de ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar cum s\u0103 scape? Asta era vorba. S\u0103-i taie boii, \u015fi vaca, \u015fi oile, \u015fi calul de c\u0103l\u0103rit, s\u0103-i deie foc la cas\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103-l goneasc\u0103 din sat. Asta s-at fi putut. Dar cine putea s\u0103 \u015ftie dac\u0103 nu se va mai \u00eentoarce?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trebuia s\u0103-i sting\u0103 lumina vie\u0163ii: numai a\u015fa erau sc\u0103pa\u0163i, cu adev\u0103rat sc\u0103pa\u0163i de el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Luar\u0103 dar hot\u0103r\u00e2rea s\u0103-l omoare pe P\u0103cal\u0103; fiind, \u00eens\u0103, c\u0103 nu voiau s\u0103 fac\u0103 nici v\u0103rsare de s\u00e2nge, nici moarte de om chiar cu m\u00e2na lor, se sf\u0103tuir\u0103 din nou \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii \u015fi dup\u0103 mult sfat au chibzuit s\u0103-l arunce \u00een Dun\u0103re, unde va fi apa mai ad\u00e2nc\u0103, pentru ca nici neam de neamul lui s\u0103 nu mai poat\u0103 ie\u015fi la lumina zilei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei dac\u0103 tot ar sc\u0103pa P\u0103cal\u0103 chiar \u015fi din fundul Dun\u0103rii? Asta era! \u015ei dac\u0103 tot ar sc\u0103pa?! Ce era atunci?! Nu mai r\u0103m\u00e2nea nici o \u00eendoial\u0103 c\u0103 trebuia s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce vor face ca P\u0103cal\u0103 s\u0103 nu poat\u0103 sc\u0103pa, dar deloc s\u0103 nu poat\u0103 sc\u0103pa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se puser\u0103 dar din nou \u015fi se sf\u0103tuir\u0103, \u015fi dup\u0103 mult\u0103 sf\u0103tuire mai chibzuir\u0103 s\u0103-l bage pe P\u0103cal\u0103 \u00eentr-un sac, s\u0103 str\u00e2ng\u0103 bine gura sacului \u015fi s\u0103 lege sacul cu P\u0103cal\u0103 cu tot de o piatr\u0103 de moar\u0103, pentru ca piatra de moar\u0103, rotund\u0103 cum este, s\u0103 mearg\u0103 de-a dura p\u00e2n\u0103 la fundul Dun\u0103rii \u015fi s\u0103 duc\u0103 \u015fi sacul cu P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen\u0163eleg\u00e2ndu-se astfel ei, to\u0163i oamenii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103, cu mic, cu mare, cum erau, luar\u0103 sacul, luar\u0103 sfoara pentru gura sacului, luar\u0103 funia, ca s\u0103 lege sacul de piatr\u0103, luar\u0103 cea mai mare din pietrele de moar\u0103 pe care le putur\u0103 g\u0103si cale de trei zile de jur-\u00eemprejur \u015fi pornir\u0103 cu mic, cu mare, cum erau, asupra casei lui P\u0103cal\u0103, ca s\u0103-l ia, s\u0103-l ridice, s\u0103-l duc\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 nu se opreasc\u0103 cu el dec\u00e2t \u00een fundul Dun\u0103rii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103cal\u0103 \u015fedea cu pipa \u00een gur\u0103 \u00een cerdacul casei \u015fi se uita la carul cel cu patru boi, care intra \u00een curtea lui cea larg\u0103 \u015fi plin\u0103, \u2013 \u015fedea P\u0103cal\u0103 cu pipa \u00een gur\u0103 \u015fi se uita, \u2013 c\u00e2nd se pomeni cu satul \u00eentreg, mic \u015fi mare, de nu-i mai \u00eenc\u0103pea curtea cea larg\u0103 a lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103, s\u0103rmanul de el, ce s\u0103 fac\u0103?! Nu-i r\u0103m\u00e2nea dec\u00e2t s\u0103 se dea prins \u015fi legat, dac\u0103 n-a putut s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 pe unde fusese mai \u00eenainte, ci l-a pus p\u0103catul s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103 \u00een satul lui, s\u0103 se fac\u0103 om a\u015fezat \u015fi s\u0103 nu mai umble cu minciuna. Dar o via\u0163\u0103 are omul \u015fi o moarte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mi-a fost, se vede, r\u00e2nduit, gr\u0103i P\u0103cal\u0103, s\u0103 mor \u00een satul meu ca om de treab\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103ci mai de treab\u0103 de cum era nu se putea face P\u0103cal\u0103; asta o sim\u0163ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei p\u0103rea cu toate aceste cam r\u0103u c\u0103 trebuia s\u0103 moar\u0103 tocmai acum, c\u00e2nd avea \u015fi el casa lui, masa lui, carul lui cu patru boi, curtea lui larg\u0103, \u015fi ar fi voit P\u0103cal\u0103 s\u0103 scape dac\u0103 se poate f\u0103r\u0103 minciun\u0103, c\u0103ci era hot\u0103r\u00e2t odat\u0103 s\u0103 nu umble cu minciuni, dar nu se putea, fiindc\u0103 oamenii erau ne\u00eendura\u0163i \u015fi vicleni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se l\u0103sa dar P\u0103cal\u0103, se l\u0103sa, fiindc\u0103 n-avea \u00eencotro, s\u0103-l v\u00e2re ca pe un motan \u00een sac, s\u0103-l ia pe sus \u015fi s\u0103-l duc\u0103 la pierzare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El \u00een frunte, piatra de moar\u0103 dup\u0103 el, fruntea satului \u00een urm\u0103 \u015fi satul \u00eentreg, cu mic, cu mare, mai \u00een coad\u0103, ie\u015fir\u0103 din curtea cea larg\u0103, trecur\u0103 prin sat \u015fi o luar\u0103 peste c\u00e2mpul nisipos drept spre Dun\u0103rea cea mare \u015fi ad\u00e2nc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sta\u0163i, m\u0103i, strig\u0103 cel mai cu socoteal\u0103 dintre oamenii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se oprir\u0103 \u00een loc cu to\u0163ii, cu mic, cu mare, cum erau.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am uitat un lucru, gr\u0103i omul cel cu socoteal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce-am uitat? \u00eentrebar\u0103 ceilal\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pr\u0103jina, ca s\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103m fundul Dun\u0103rii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa-i, ziser\u0103 oamenii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103, am uitat pr\u0103jina, ca s\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103m fundul Dun\u0103rii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cel aveau acum pe P\u0103cal\u0103: cum puteau ei s\u0103-l arunce f\u0103r\u0103 ca s\u0103 \u015ftie unde-l arunc\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se \u00eentoarser\u0103 dar iar \u00een sat, c\u0103utar\u0103 cea mai lung\u0103 dintre toate pr\u0103jinile \u015fi numai apoi \u00eel duser\u0103 pe P\u0103cal\u0103 la Dun\u0103re, \u2013 pr\u0103jina \u00een frunte, sacul cu P\u0103cal\u0103, piatra de moar\u0103, fruntea satului \u015fi apoi satul \u00eentreg, cu mic, cu mare, cum erau.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sta\u0163i, m\u0103i! strig\u0103 iar omul cel cu socoteal\u0103. Iar se oprir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-l leg\u0103m de piatra de moar\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu fug\u0103, \u00een vreme ce noi c\u0103ut\u0103m cu pr\u0103jina fundul Dun\u0103rii!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-l leg\u0103m, strigar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii, ca s\u0103 nu fug\u0103! \u00cel legar\u0103 dar pe P\u0103cal\u0103 de piatra cea mare, apoi plecar\u0103 ca s\u0103 caute cu pr\u0103jina, unde e mai afund\u0103 Dun\u0103rea, ca acolo s\u0103-l arunce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cel mai cu socoteal\u0103 dintre oamenii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103 lu\u0103 el \u00eensu\u015fi pr\u0103jina, dete o dat\u0103 cu ea \u00een valuri, o izbi c\u00e2t nu mai putu \u00een jos, dar nu atinse cu ea fundul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aici, zise el, Dun\u0103rea nu are fund, trebuie s\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103m alt loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa e, strigar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii, trebuie s\u0103 c\u0103ut\u0103m alt loc, unde are Dun\u0103rea fund.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici c\u0103 se putea altfel. Vorba era ca piatra de moar\u0103 s\u0103 mearg\u0103 de-a dura \u015fi s\u0103 se opreasc\u0103 tocmai \u00een fundul Dun\u0103rii: unde se oprea piatra dac\u0103 Dun\u0103rea nu avea fund?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pornir\u0103 dar cu to\u0163ii ca s\u0103 caute fundul Dun\u0103rii, pentru ca nu cumva s\u0103-l arunce la loc nepotrivit \u015fi s\u0103-l scape acum, dup\u0103 ce \u00eel aveau prins \u015fi legat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei trebuiau s\u0103 \u015ftie unde are s\u0103 se opreasc\u0103 piatra cu sacul \u015fi cu P\u0103cal\u0103 cel din sac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar P\u0103cal\u0103, vai de capul lui, r\u0103mase \u00een sac, legat de piatra cea de moar\u0103, cea mai mare pe care oamenii din satul lui o putuser\u0103 g\u0103si cale de trei zile de jur-\u00eemprejur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sta\u0163i! strig\u0103 omul cel cu socoteal\u0103. Iar se oprir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii. Ce era la mijloc? Ca oameni chibzui\u0163i, trebuiau s\u0103 fie cu mare b\u0103gare de seam\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 cerceteze bine mai nainte de a-l arunca pe P\u0103cal\u0103 \u00een Dun\u0103re.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unde s\u0103-l arunce? Mai la deal, de unde vine apa, ori mai la vale, unde se duce?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unii d\u0103deau cu socoteal\u0103 c\u0103 mai la deal e mai mult\u0103 ap\u0103, fiindc\u0103 de acolo vine apa \u015fi n-ar veni dac\u0103 n-ar fi destul\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Al\u0163ii \u00eens\u0103 erau de p\u0103rere c\u0103 la vale e mai mult\u0103, fiindc\u0103 acolo se str\u00e2nge apa, care vine de la deal, \u015fi dac\u0103 l-ar arunca la deal, cum vine apa \u015fi tot vine, se scurge \u015fi tot se scurge, s-ar pomeni c\u0103 P\u0103cal\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2ne pe uscat, iese din sac \u015fi vai de capul lor!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se adunar\u0103 dar cu to\u0163ii de se sf\u0103tuir\u0103 ca nu cumva s\u0103 fac\u0103 vreo prostie, \u015fi dup\u0103 mult\u0103 sf\u0103tuire se \u00een\u0163eleser\u0103 s\u0103 caute locul c\u00e2t mai devale, pentru ca toat\u0103 apa s\u0103 se str\u00e2ng\u0103 \u00een capul lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe c\u00e2nd oamenii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103 umblau s\u0103 caute fundul Dun\u0103rii cu pr\u0103jina cea lung\u0103, iat\u0103 c\u0103 vine un jelepar de vite, care ducea o ciread\u0103 de o mie de boi la t\u00e2rg, \u015fi cum mergea jeleparul de-a lungul malului, d\u0103 de sacul cu P\u0103cal\u0103 \u015fi se mir\u0103, cum s-ar mira tot omul c\u00e2nd ar vedea \u00een calea lui asemenea lucru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar tu, m\u0103i, \u00eentreb\u0103 jeleparul, cum ai intrat \u00een sac \u015fi ce cau\u0163i \u00een el?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-am intrat, r\u0103spunse P\u0103cal\u0103, ci m-au v\u00e2r\u00e2t al\u0163ii \u00een el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei de ce te-au v\u00e2r\u00e2t?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ca s\u0103 m\u0103 arunce \u00een Dun\u0103re.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei de ce s\u0103 te arunce?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103 \u2013 p\u0103catele mele! \u2013 r\u0103spunse P\u0103cal\u0103, fiindc\u0103 vor s\u0103 m\u0103 fac\u0103 vornic \u015fi eu nu vreau s\u0103 primesc\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei de ce nu vrei, m\u0103i?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi de! zise P\u0103cal\u0103. Fiindc\u0103 nu e satul de a-i fi vornic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei de ce nu e?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fiindc\u0103 are neveste multe, \u015fi b\u0103rba\u0163ii pleac\u0103 cu to\u0163ii la lucru, de nu se mai \u00eentorc cu s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2nile, \u015fi vornicul r\u0103m\u00e2ne el singur cu nevestele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei de ce nu vrei s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2i cu nevestele?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fiindc\u0103 sunt multe \u015fi toate tinere \u015fi sprintene ca furnicile \u015fi nu pot s\u0103 le st\u0103p\u00e2nesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd auzi asemenea vorbe, jeleparul se mir\u0103 prea mult, fiindc\u0103 el bucuros ar fi fost vornic \u00eentr-un sat ca satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i, dar prost mai e\u015fti tu, m\u0103i! gr\u0103i el. Un om mai cu minte ar primi cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un om mai cu minte e mai cuminte \u015fi poate c\u00e2nd nu poate prostul, \u00eei r\u0103spunse P\u0103cal\u0103. Haid\u2019! dac\u0103 te sim\u0163i destoinic, intr\u0103 \u00een sac \u015fi, c\u00e2nd vei vedea c\u0103 voiesc s\u0103 te arunce \u00een Dun\u0103re, spune-le c\u0103 prime\u015fti s\u0103 le fii vornic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei ei m\u0103 vor primi oare pe mine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai ales! \u00eei r\u0103spunse P\u0103cal\u0103. Cu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile! At\u00e2t \u00eei trebui jeleparului, care nu se temea de nevestele din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El dezleg\u0103 dar sacul, ca s\u0103 ias\u0103 P\u0103cal\u0103, apoi se v\u00e2r\u00ee el \u00eensu\u015fi \u00een sac. P\u0103cal\u0103 r\u0103sufl\u0103 o dat\u0103 u\u015for de tot, str\u00e2nse gura sacului, o leg\u0103 bine, apoi p-aci \u00eei fu drumul, nici c\u0103 se mai opri dec\u00e2t la cireada cea de boi, pe care o m\u00e2n\u0103 acas\u0103 la el, \u00een curtea cea larg\u0103, care putea s\u0103-i \u00eencap\u0103 pe to\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 jeleparul din sac r\u00e2dea \u00een el c\u00e2nd se g\u00e2ndea cum are s\u0103-i \u00een\u015fele pe pro\u015ftii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103, care nu \u015ftiau, bie\u0163ii de ei, c\u0103 nu mai e tot un prost ca d\u00e2n\u015fii \u00een sac.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0R\u00e2dea \u00eens\u0103 mai ales c\u00e2nd sim\u0163ea c\u0103 ei \u00eel ridic\u0103 pe sus, ca s\u0103-l duc\u0103 s\u0103-l arunce \u00een Dun\u0103re la locul pe care-l g\u0103siser\u0103 mai bine \u00eenfundat. Numai atunci c\u00e2nd sim\u0163i c\u0103-i dau av\u00e2nt ca s\u0103-l arunce, abia atunci el strig\u0103 tare c\u00e2t putu:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sta\u0163i, m\u0103i! To\u0163i se oprir\u0103, cuprin\u015fi de spaim\u0103 \u015fi de mirare, fiindc\u0103 \u00een\u0163elegeau \u015fi ei c\u0103 glasul care r\u0103suna din sac nu era glasul lui P\u0103cal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 L\u0103sa\u0163i-m\u0103, gr\u0103i jeleparul, c\u0103 primesc s\u0103 v\u0103 fiu vornic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Auzi vorb\u0103! strig\u0103 cel mai cu socoteal\u0103 dintre oamenii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103, care era chiar el vornic \u00een sat, \u00ee\u015fi preface glasul ca s\u0103 nu-l mai cunoa\u015ftem, voie\u015fte s\u0103 ne mai fie \u015fi vornic, ba te pomene\u015fti c-o s\u0103 ne spun\u0103 c\u0103 el nu mai e P\u0103cal\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi c\u0103 nici nu sunt! r\u0103spunse jeleparul. C\u00e2nd auzir\u0103 vorba aceasta, oamenii se sup\u0103rar\u0103, mare minune cum se sup\u0103rar\u0103, fiindc\u0103 \u00eel v\u0103zuser\u0103 ei \u00een\u015fi\u015fi cu ochii lor c\u00e2nd \u00eel v\u00e2r\u00e2ser\u0103 \u00een sac \u015fi ei \u00een\u015fi\u015fi cu m\u00e2inile lor legaser\u0103 gura sacului \u015fi, sup\u0103ra\u0163i cum erau, n\u0103v\u0103lir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii asupra lui, \u00eel ridicar\u0103 cu piatr\u0103 cu tot \u015fi \u2013 una! dou\u0103! trei! b\u00e2ld\u00e2b\u00e2c! \u2013 \u00eel aruncar\u0103 \u00een Dun\u0103re, ca nici neam din neamul lui s\u0103 nu mai poat\u0103 ie\u015fi la lumin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, Doamne! c\u00e2t se sim\u0163eau de u\u015fura\u0163i c\u00e2nd v\u0103zur\u0103 c\u0103 merge drept spre fundul Dun\u0103rii, c\u0103 nu mai iese la iveal\u0103 \u015fi c\u0103 apa curge mereu de la deal la vale \u015fi se \u00eengr\u0103m\u0103de\u015fte asupra lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 P\u0103cal\u0103 \u015fedea \u00een cerdacul casei \u015fi se uita la carul cel cu patru boi, care intra \u00een curtea lui cea larg\u0103 \u015fi plin\u0103 de vite frumoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sta\u0163i, m\u0103i! strig\u0103 omul cel cu socoteal\u0103. Sta\u0163i! strig\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ho, sta\u0163i! strigar\u0103 to\u0163i oamenii din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103 c\u00e2nd le v\u0103zur\u0103 ochii ceea ce mintea nu putea s\u0103 le \u00een\u0163eleag\u0103, \u015fi se oprir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii \u015fi r\u0103maser\u0103 \u00eencremeni\u0163i \u00een loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar tu, m\u0103i, cum ai ajuns aici? \u00eentreb\u0103 vornicul satului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa-i, ziser\u0103 cu to\u0163ii, cum ai ajuns tu aici?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mare lucru?! r\u0103spunse P\u0103cal\u0103. Cum s\u0103 fi ajuns, dac\u0103 nu tot cum a\u0163i ajuns \u015fi voi, venind de acolo p\u00e2n\u0103 aici?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar tu e\u015fti mort, m\u0103i? te-am aruncat \u00een Dun\u0103re!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015f! gr\u0103i P\u0103cal\u0103. Apa Dun\u0103rii e rece \u015fi te face mai sprinten de cum ai fost.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mare minune! strigar\u0103 oamenii. Cu \u0103sta nu e chip s-o sco\u0163i la cap\u0103t! \u00cel arunci legat de o piatr\u0103 de moar\u0103 \u00een Dun\u0103re, \u015fi se \u00eentoarce mai degrab\u0103 dec\u00e2t tine acas\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar vitele cele multe \u015fi frumoase de unde le ai? \u00eentrebar\u0103 ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De unde s\u0103 le am, r\u0103spunse P\u0103cal\u0103, dac\u0103 nu de acolo unde m-a\u0163i l\u0103sat voi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar cine \u0163i le-a dat?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine s\u0103 mi le dea? Le-am luat eu; ia omul c\u00e2t poate \u015fi ce nu poate lua mai las\u0103 \u015fi pentru al\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0At\u00e2t le trebui oamenilor din satul lui P\u0103cal\u0103! A\u015fa cum erau aduna\u0163i la casa lui P\u0103cal\u0103, plecar\u0103 cu to\u0163ii \u00eenapoi la Dun\u0103re \u015fi nu mai steter\u0103 la sfat, ci se aruncar\u0103 ca broa\u015ftele \u2013 b\u00e2ld\u00e2b\u00e2c! b\u00e2ld\u00e2b\u00e2c! \u2013 care mai de care mai iute \u00een valuri, ca s\u0103 ia fiecare c\u00e2t poate, iar nevestele lor r\u0103maser\u0103 pe \u0163\u0103rmure, a\u015ftept\u00e2ndu-\u015fi fiecare b\u0103rbatul cu turma de vite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Era, se \u00een\u0163elege, \u015fi popa \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii, \u015fi fiindc\u0103 popii sunt mai lacomi dec\u00e2t al\u0163i oameni, el se repezi mai tare dec\u00e2t ceilal\u0163i \u015fi s\u0103ri unde era mai afund\u0103 apa, dar potcapul tot \u00eei r\u0103mase pe deasupra.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Preoteasa, care st\u0103tea pe \u0163\u0103rmure, lacom\u0103 \u015fi ea, v\u0103z\u00e2nd potcapul, credea c\u0103 n-are popa destul\u0103 v\u00e2rtute ca s\u0103 se cufunde, \u015fi c\u0103 vor lua al\u0163ii toate vitele mai \u00eenainte de a fi ajuns \u015fi el la fund.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai la fund, p\u0103rinte! striga dar, mai la fund! c\u0103 acolo sunt cele coarne\u015fe!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A \u015fi intrat popa c\u00e2t de afund, dar nici nu s-a mai \u00eentors nici el, cum nu s-au mai \u00eentors nici ceilal\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa a r\u0103mas P\u0103cal\u0103 cel mai harnic, cel mai de treab\u0103, cel mai vrednic om \u00een satul lui, fiindc\u0103, de! era numai el singur cu nevestele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cine o \u015ftie mai departe, mai departe are s-o spun\u0103.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0I se ur\u00e2se \u015fi lui P\u0103cal\u0103 s\u0103 tot umble r\u0103zle\u0163 prin lume, a\u015fa f\u0103r\u0103 de nici o treab\u0103, numai ca s\u0103 \u00eencurce trebile altora \u015fi s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103 de prostia oamenilor. … <\/p>\n