A fost ce-a fost; dac\u0103 n-ar fi fost, nici nu s-ar povesti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen mijlocul codrilor; l\u00e2ng\u0103 drumul cel mare, l\u00e2ng\u0103 drumul cel de \u0163ar\u0103, pe unde umbl\u0103 \u015fi trece \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu voinicii s\u0103i, era odinioar\u0103 o cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103, la cr\u00e2\u015fma aceea era o cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103; cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a avea o fat\u0103, \u015fi pe fat\u0103 o chema Flori\u0163a. Fata asta nu era \u00eens\u0103 fiica cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163ei, \u015fi cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103 nu era mama fetei: fata era fat\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 p\u0103rin\u0163i, \u015fi cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103 maic\u0103 de suflet a fetei\u2026 Cine s\u0103 fi fost p\u0103rin\u0163ii fetei chiar nici cei mai b\u0103tr\u00e2ni \u015fi mai cu sfat oameni nu pot s-o spun\u0103; asta nimeni n-a putut s-o \u00een\u0163eleag\u0103\u2026 \u00eentr-o bun\u0103 diminea\u0163\u0103, cr\u00e2\u015fmarul s-a dus dup\u0103 lemne la p\u0103dure\u2026 \u015fi\u2026 iac\u0103 ce s\u0103 vezi: pe o poian\u0103 limpede \u015fi plin\u0103 de flori a aflat o feti\u0163\u0103 ce se juca cu ni\u015fte pui de c\u0103prioar\u0103. Cum, c\u00e2nd \u015fi de unde s\u0103 fi ajuns copili\u0163a asta prin codru, aceea minte p\u0103m\u00e2nteasc\u0103 nu poate s-o priceap\u0103. Doar a crescut ca \u015fi florile din p\u0103m\u00e2nt; doar a c\u0103zut ca \u015fi stelele din cer; sau s-a pref\u0103cut cumva, pe nepricepute, din v\u0103zduhul curat. Destul cum c-at\u00e2ta era de frumoas\u0103 feti\u0163a asta, \u00eenc\u00e2t, de-ar fi fost s\u0103 fie din om, ar fi trebuit s\u0103 fie cel pu\u0163in \u2013 fat\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat. Cine \u015ftie? vreun \u00eemp\u0103rat ce domne\u015fte \u00een ascuns prin ad\u00e2ncul codrilor\u2026 Cr\u00e2\u015fmarul s-a l\u0103sat de lemne, a luat fata \u00een bra\u0163e, a dus-o acas\u0103\u2026 \u015fi de aici \u00eenainte a fost fata de suflet a lui \u015fi a cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa a crescut apoi fata la cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103. \u00cen toat\u0103 ziua se f\u0103cea mai mare, \u015fi cu c\u00e2t se f\u0103cea mai mare, cu at\u00e2ta mai frumoas\u0103 la fa\u0163\u0103, mai pl\u0103cut\u0103 la f\u0103ptur\u0103 \u015fi mai dulce \u015fi mai \u00een\u0163eleapt\u0103 la vorb\u0103. Pentru aceea oamenii o numeau Floare, \u2013 Floarea cea frumoas\u0103 de la cr\u00e2\u015fma din codru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu numai Flori\u0163a, ci \u015fi maic\u0103-sa, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103, era \u00eens\u0103 frumoas\u0103. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103 nu era \u00eens\u0103 a\u015fa de frumoas\u0103 ca \u015fi Flori\u0163a, \u015fi Flori\u0163a altfel iar\u0103, nu ca \u015fi cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103 era frumoas\u0103 ca \u015fi o pan\u0103 de p\u0103un; Flori\u0163a era frumoas\u0103 ca \u015fi o floare ce cre\u015fte ascuns\u0103 \u00een umbra tufelor. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103 era frumoas\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t nimeni nu se putea r\u0103bda ca s\u0103 nu vorbeasc\u0103 cu ea \u015fi nimeni nu cuteza s\u0103 priveasc\u0103 la ea; Flori\u0163a era frumoas\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t nimeni nu se putea r\u0103bda ca s\u0103 nu priveasc\u0103 la ea \u015fi nimeni nu cuteza s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103 cu ea. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a at\u00e2ta era de frumoas\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t, dac\u0103-i vedeai fa\u0163a oglindit\u0103 \u00een fa\u0163a vinului, \u0163i se p\u0103rea cum c\u0103 vinul e mai tare \u015fi mai \u00eenfocat; Flori\u0163a at\u00e2ta era de frumoas\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t, dac\u0103-i vedeai fa\u0163a oglindit\u0103 \u00een fa\u0163a vinului, \u0163i se p\u0103rea cum c\u0103 vinul e mai dulce \u015fi mai moale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A mers dar\u0103 vestea \u00een lume \u015fi \u00een \u0163ar\u0103 cum c\u0103 la cr\u00e2\u015fma din codru se bea vinul cel mai bun, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a din codru e cea mai frumoas\u0103 cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163\u0103 din \u0163ar\u0103, \u015fi cum c\u0103 Floarea Codrilor e cea mai frumoas\u0103 fat\u0103 din lume. C\u00e2\u0163i drume\u0163i treceau prin \u0163ar\u0103, to\u0163i se opreau la cr\u00e2\u015fma din codru, gustau un strop de vin, vorbeau o vorb\u0103 cu cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a \u015fi aruncau o privire la Flori\u0163a, \u015fi apoi, c\u00e2t tr\u0103iau pe lume, vinul cel bun, vorba cea dulce \u015fi fa\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103 nu le ie\u015fea din minte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi de diminea\u0163\u0103 trece vestea din gur\u0103 \u00een gur\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunge la cr\u00e2\u015fma din codru cum c\u0103 peste ziu\u0103 are s\u0103 treac\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul pe aici pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cr\u00e2\u015fma, cu voinici, cu curte \u015fi cu mare lucru \u015fi treab\u0103\u2026, precum trec adec\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163ii. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a\u2026 acuma \u015ftim noi cum sunt muierile! D\u0103 \u00een dreapta, d\u0103 \u00een st\u00e2nga, sparge, \u015fterge, cur\u0103\u0163e\u015fte, s-a chitit, s-a piept\u0103nat\u2026 cum fac adec\u0103 muierile c\u00e2nd nu e ca totdeauna. Din zori de zi p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een pr\u00e2nzul cel mare nu s-a mai mi\u015fcat de la c\u0103ut\u0103toare: tot s-a sucit \u015fi dessucit, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd nici ea singur\u0103 nu \u015ftia ce are s\u0103 mai fac\u0103. C\u00e2nd se sim\u0163i g\u0103tit\u0103 cum se cade, ea se puse \u00eenaintea c\u0103ut\u0103toarei, privi \u00eendelungat \u015fi cu drag la fa\u0163a sa, apoi gr\u0103i:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103 sunt, oglind\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103, z\u0103u, r\u0103spunse c\u0103ut\u0103toarea; pe de o sut\u0103 \u015fi pe de o mie de ori e \u00eens\u0103 mai frumoas\u0103 Flori\u0163a, pentru c\u0103 ea are fa\u0163\u0103 ca zorile dimine\u0163ii, ochi ca \u015fi c\u00e2mpul cerului \u015fi trup ca raza soarelui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a nu mai asculta nici o vorb\u0103, ci ie\u015fi afar\u0103, izbi u\u015fa, intr\u0103 \u00een cr\u00e2\u015fma \u015fi se puse cu vorb\u0103 aspr\u0103 \u015fi ne\u00eemp\u0103cat\u0103 la Flori\u0163a: c\u0103 nu e bun\u0103, c\u0103 e proast\u0103, c\u0103 e lene\u015f\u0103 \u2013 c\u0103 e toate, numai a\u015fa nu, precum ar trebui s\u0103 fie. Dup\u0103 ce i s-a f\u0103cut apoi destul de vorbe, a dat porunc\u0103 aspr\u0103 ca Flori\u0163a de aici \u00eenainte \u00een toat\u0103 ziua s\u0103 se scoale dis-de-diminea\u0163\u0103, s\u0103 m\u0103ture casa, cr\u00e2\u015fma, curtea, s\u0103 fiarb\u0103 m\u00e2ncare\u2026 \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103ture, s\u0103 spele, s\u0103 taie lemne, s\u0103 fac\u0103 foc \u015fi m\u00e2ncare \u2013 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s-o face noapte; iar dac\u0103 s-a f\u0103cut noapte, s\u0103 se suie \u00een podul casei, s\u0103-\u015fi coboare un sac de gr\u00eeu necernut \u015fi s-aleag\u0103 gunoiul din el, ca numai semin\u0163ele curate s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103; numai dup\u0103 ce va sf\u00e2r\u015fi toate aceste lucruri \u00eei era iertat s\u0103 se culce \u015fi s\u0103 doarm\u0103 pe trei sc\u00e2nduri de goron.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul veni, gust\u0103 o pic\u0103tur\u0103 de vin, gr\u0103i o vorb\u0103 cu cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103 \u015fi-\u015fi merse mai departe \u00een cale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Flori\u0163a \u2013 s\u0103rmana de Flori\u0163a! \u2013 ea trei luni, trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni \u015fi trei zile trase-n jugul cel aspru f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 gr\u0103iasc\u0103 o vorb\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 o lacrim\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-nceteze a-\u015fi c\u00e2nta c\u00e2ntecele vesele\u2026 \u015ei pe c\u00e2t muncea mai mult, pe at\u00e2ta \u0163i se p\u0103rea mai rumen\u0103 la fa\u0163\u0103, mai vie la privire \u015fi mai harnic\u0103, \u015fi mai sprinten\u0103, \u015fi mai dr\u0103g\u0103stoas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste trei luni, trei s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni \u015fi trei zile iar\u0103\u015fi sosi vestea cum c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul era s\u0103 treac\u0103 cu voinicii pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103, Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a se g\u0103ti \u00eenc\u0103 mai cu \u0163or\u0163oi dec\u00e2t \u00een cel dint\u00e2i r\u00e2nd \u015fi, c\u00e2nd se sim\u0163i g\u0103tit\u0103, iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eentreb\u0103 pe c\u0103ut\u0103toare:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103 sunt, oglind\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103, z\u0103u! r\u0103spunse c\u0103ut\u0103toarea, dar pe de o sut\u0103 \u015fi pe de o mie de ori e mai frumoas\u0103 Flori\u0163a, pentru c\u0103 ea are fa\u0163a ca m\u0103rul, ochi ca \u015fi c\u0103prioara \u015fi trup ca \u015fi crini\u015forii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce vorbe a zis, ce vorbe n-a zis cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a c\u0103tre Flori\u0163a, aceea nici n-o mai spun: \u015ftie acuma fiecare cum c\u0103, z\u0103u! muierile n-aleg la vorbe c\u00e2nd li-a trecut de glum\u0103\u2026 Vai \u015fi amar d-acela care \u00een lume n-a avut parte de bine, care n-are maic\u0103, n-are taic\u0103, n-are fra\u0163i, n-are surori, ci st\u0103 a\u015fa singur\u0103, ca \u015fi frunza ag\u0103\u0163at\u0103 d-un p\u0103ianjen\u2026 Bag sama, a\u015fa e dat\u0103, ca unul s\u0103 str\u00e2ng\u0103 \u015fi altul s\u0103 fr\u00e2ng\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a \u00een sup\u0103rarea ei cea mare, porunci ca Flori\u0163a de aci \u00eenainte s\u0103 nu mai ias\u0103 la fa\u0163a soarelui, ci tot \u00een pivni\u0163a cea mare din fundul gr\u0103dinii s\u0103 munceasc\u0103. L\u0103s\u0103 apoi s\u0103 se fac\u0103 un r\u0103zboi cum nici \u00eenainte de aceea, nici dup\u0103 aceea n-a fost altul: numai suveica era at\u00e2ta de mare, \u00eenc\u00e2t voinic trebuie s\u0103 fie acela care s\u0103 \u0163i-o ridice de la p\u0103m\u00e2nt. Cum au trebuit apoi s\u0103 fie celelalte! Pe acest r\u0103zboi a trebuit apoi s\u0103 \u0163ese Flori\u0163a pe toat\u0103 ziua nou\u0103 co\u0163i \u00een lung, o p\u00e2nz\u0103 \u00een care urzeala era din fire \u00eenc\u00e2t nu le vedeai cu ochii, iar n\u0103s\u0103deala din funii, pe care nici cele mai s\u0103lbatice fiare nu le-ar fi putut rupe, \u015fi apoi s\u0103 \u0163eas\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t nici n\u0103s\u0103deala s\u0103 nu se vad\u0103 prin urzeal\u0103, nici \u00een urzeal\u0103 s\u0103 nu se fac\u0103 cr\u00e2mpi\u0163\u0103. Dac\u0103 Flori\u0163a \u015fi-a f\u0103cut lucrul, ea are s\u0103 capete o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de p\u00e2ne, f\u0103cut\u0103 jum\u0103tate din pazme, jum\u0103tate din cenu\u015f\u0103, \u015fi un ulcior de ap\u0103 clocit\u0103 la soare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul a venit, \u015fi-a gustat pic\u0103tura de vin, \u015fi-a gr\u0103it vorba c\u0103tre cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103 \u015fi \u015fi-a f\u0103cut calea mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Flori\u0163a nou\u0103 luni, nou\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni \u015fi nou\u0103 zile a muncit, s\u0103rmana de Flori\u0163a, \u00een \u00eentuneric, ascuns\u0103 sub p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi chinuit\u0103, \u015fi fl\u0103m\u00e2nzit\u0103, \u015fi batjocorit\u0103 ca vai \u015fi amar de ea!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste nou\u0103 luni, nou\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni \u015fi nou\u0103 zile, acuma de-a treia oar\u0103, iar\u0103\u015fi sosi vestea cum c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul vrea s\u0103 treac\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103 cum \u00eenainte de asta n-a trecut \u00eenc\u0103, adec\u0103 cu mare lucru \u015fi treab\u0103 cu mult\u0103 socoteal\u0103\u2026 Era ca ast\u0103 dat\u0103 nu numai copitele, ci \u015fi cozile \u015fi coamele cailor s\u0103 fie aurite\u2026 \u015fi fel de fel de lucruri, de care \u00eenainte de asta nici nu s-a vorbit\u2026 Era adec\u0103 s\u0103 fie lucru mare \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc! Se zicea cum c-acuma vine \u015fi feciorul \u00eemp\u0103ratului, un voinic\u2026 voinic ca \u015fi un fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a? trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i ea n-a stat \u00een loc\u2026 \u00een zorile de-a treia ziu\u0103 cr\u00e2\u015fma era mai curat\u0103 dec\u00e2t ghiocelul \u015fi cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a mai chitit\u0103 \u015fi mai hoscocorat\u0103 dec\u00e2t ce-a fost ea \u00eens\u0103\u015fi c\u00e2ndva. \u015ei apoi, a\u015fa cum era, se puse, acuma de-a treia oar\u0103, \u00eenaintea c\u0103ut\u0103toarei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103 sunt, oglind\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103, z\u0103u! gr\u0103i c\u0103ut\u0103toarea, dar pe de-o sut\u0103 \u015fi de-o mie de ori mai frumoas\u0103 Flori\u0163a, pentru c\u0103 ea are fa\u0163\u0103 ca \u015fi fagurele topit, ochi ca \u015fi nevasta unui \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi trup ca \u015fi rou\u015foara de pe flori. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a nu mai zise nici o vorb\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi \u00eenghi\u0163i m\u00e2nia, \u015fi, plin\u0103 de g\u00e2nduri amare \u015fi de necaz nest\u00e2mp\u0103rat, se a\u015fez\u0103 pe prispa de dinaintea casei pentru ca s-a\u015ftepte \u015fi s\u0103 vad\u0103 sosirea \u00eemp\u0103ratului\u2026 Iac\u0103 \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu, cam pe c\u00e2nd st\u0103 soarele la pr\u00e2nzul cel mic, se v\u0103zu din dep\u0103rtare c\u0103 vine, c\u0103 s-apropie, c-acu\u015fi s-ajung\u0103 ceva ca \u015fi un nor str\u0103lucit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Venea \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu voinicii \u015fi cu feciorul s\u0103u, venea, \u00eens\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t copitele cailor nici nu f\u0103ceau colb \u015fi pulbere, ci numai a\u015fa\u2026 din str\u0103lucitul aurului celui mult sim\u0163eai cum c\u0103 acu\u015fi va s\u0103 fie aici\u2026 C\u00e2nd cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103rita \u015fi oamenii ce st\u0103teau de vorb\u0103 \u00eenaintea casei v\u0103zur\u0103 cum c\u0103 de aici \u00eenainte nu e glum\u0103 \u015fi r\u00e2s, ci chiar va s\u0103 fie ceva, ei cu to\u0163ii se scular\u0103 \u00een picioare \u015fi f\u0103cur\u0103 adec\u0103 cum fac oamenii de treab\u0103 c\u00eend are s\u0103 fie lucru cu cinste \u015fi mare\u2026 Po\u0163i \u015fti acuma ce e aceea c\u00e2nd vine chiar \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu oamenii \u015fi cu feciorul s\u0103u! Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a \u00ee\u015fi tocmi c\u0103trin\u0163a, se scutur\u0103 de colb \u015fi se supse la buze; oamenii \u00ee\u015fi luar\u0103 p\u0103l\u0103riile din cap \u015fi se netezir\u0103 la p\u0103r\u2026 Iar\u0103 Flori\u0163a toca din r\u0103zboi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia fur\u0103 g\u0103ti\u0163i, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce sosi \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi n\u0103v\u0103li cu ceata cea str\u0103lucit\u0103 asupra cr\u00e2\u015fmei. \u00eemp\u0103ratul, feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi voinicii cei m\u00e2ndri se cobor\u00e2r\u0103 to\u0163i cu to\u0163ii de pe cai, ziser\u0103 “bun\u0103 ziua” \u015fi b\u0103ur\u0103 vin de cela bun\u2026 Dup\u0103 ce \u015fi-au b\u0103ut vinul \u015fi \u015fi-au zis vorbele, \u00eenc\u0103lecar\u0103 apoi \u015fi se duser\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 mai repede dec\u00e2t cum au fost venit\u2026 De Flori\u0163a\u2026 nimeni n-a \u00eentrebat, nimeni nu s-a \u00eengrijit\u2026 Numai feciorului de \u00eemp\u0103rat i se p\u0103rea cum c\u0103 nu e precum ar trebui s\u0103 fie: cum c\u0103 vinul nu e ca lauda, cum c\u0103, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103rita nu e ca vestea\u2026 Ce s\u0103 faci \u00eens\u0103? \u015ei el \u00ee\u015fi dete pinteni la cal \u015fi se repezi mai departe cu ceata cea str\u0103lucit\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce \u00eemp\u0103ratul, voinicii \u015fi feciorul de \u00eemp\u0103rat s-au fost dep\u0103rtat, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103rita chem\u0103 la sine pe Baba Boan\u0163a, o vr\u0103jitoare vestit\u0103, care era at\u00e2ta de b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u0163inea minte c\u00e2nd codrii erau ca iarba, mun\u0163ii ca mu\u015funoiul \u015fi v\u0103ile ca \u015fi cre\u0163\u0103turile la ea pe fa\u0163\u0103\u2026 at\u00e2t de b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 era Boan\u0163a\u2026 \u015fi de c\u00e2nd tr\u0103ie\u015fte n-a f\u0103cut alta dec\u00e2t vr\u0103ji \u015fi alte lucruri ascunse \u015fi nepricepute\u2026 Acuma era vorba ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce va face cu s\u0103rmana de Flori\u0163a.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 mult\u0103 vorb\u0103 \u015fi \u00eendelungat\u0103 sf\u0103tuire, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103rita se \u00een\u0163elese cu Boan\u0163a ca asta s\u0103 lege pe Flori\u0163a la ochi, s-o duc\u0103 \u00een codru, s\u0103-i scoat\u0103 ochii \u015fi s-o lase acolo, ca s-o m\u0103n\u00e2nce fiarele \u015fi alte groz\u0103venii de acelea din p\u0103dure \u015fi de prin guduroaiele \u00eentunecoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mult sfat nu s-a f\u0103cut dup\u0103 aceea. Boan\u0163a merse \u00een pivni\u0163\u0103, leg\u0103 pe Flori\u0163a la ochi\u2026 si f\u0103cu precum i s-a fost zis.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00eend ele ajunser\u0103 \u00een ad\u00e2ncul codrului, pe unde fiin\u0163\u0103 ome neasc\u0103 n-a c\u0103lcat de c\u00eend e lumea, Boan\u0163a scoase cu\u0163itul cel mare, dezleg\u0103 leg\u0103toarea cea neagr\u0103 de pe ochii Flori\u0163ei \u015fi f\u0103cu, ca s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 treaba\u2026 Abia privi \u00eens\u0103 la Flori\u0163a \u00een fa\u0163\u0103 \u015fi \u00een ochi, ea sc\u0103p\u0103 cu\u0163itul din m\u00een\u0103 \u015fi stete uimit\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencremenit\u0103 \u2013 cura st\u0103 omul c\u00eend mare lucru i se pune \u00een cale\u2026 Mul\u0163i ani a tr\u0103it \u015fi mult\u0103 lume a umblat Baba Boan\u0163a: pe Fio ri\u0163a n-a v\u0103zut-o dec\u00e2t odat\u0103\u2026 De frumoas\u0103 ce-o vedea, \u00eei p\u0103 rea cum c\u0103 nici n-o vede, ci numai \u015fi-o g\u00e2nde\u015fte\u2026 Flori\u0163a\u2026 sta \u015fi ea uimit\u0103 de ce vedea: ea \u2013 s\u0103rmana! \u2013 nu \u015ftia ce are s\u0103 i se fac\u0103, ce are s\u0103 p\u0103\u0163easc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum Flori\u0163a \u015fi Boan\u0163a st\u0103teau a\u015fa uimite, deodat\u0103, ca din pu\u015fc\u0103, s\u0103ri o c\u0103prioar\u0103 dintr-un tufar, \u015fi cum s\u0103ri, cum trecu pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 Flori\u0163a, cum privi la ea, a\u015fa privi, \u00eenc\u00e2t ochii am\u00e2ndoi, \u015fi cel de-a dreapta, \u015fi cel de-a st\u00e2nga, \u00eei s\u0103rir\u0103 din cap \u015fi c\u0103zur\u0103 la Flori\u0163a \u00een poal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba Boan\u0163a mul\u0163umi lui Dumnezeu cum c\u0103 nu e silit\u0103 s\u0103 fac\u0103 un p\u0103cat mare, lu\u0103 ochii cei de c\u0103prioar\u0103 \u015fi-i duse, ca s\u0103 spuie c\u00e2rcium\u0103ri\u0163ei cum c\u0103 i-a scos de la Flori\u0163a din cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Flori\u0163a r\u0103mase singur\u0103 \u015fi p\u0103r\u0103sit\u0103\u2026 Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? Porni \u00eencotro o duser\u0103 ochii \u015fi norocul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Multe zile \u015fi multe nop\u0163i a pribegit Flori\u0163a a\u015fa singur\u0103 prin codru, f\u0103r\u0103 s-aud\u0103 grai p\u0103m\u00e2ntesc, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vad\u0103 fiin\u0163\u0103 omeneasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd i se ivea c\u00e2te o fiar\u0103 s\u0103lbatic\u0103 \u00een cale \u015fi asta r\u0103m\u00e2nea \u00eens\u0103 privind din dep\u0103rtare, o urma o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 de cale \u015fi apoi se ascundea \u00een tufele dese. Flori\u0163a mergea c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd mai departe\u2026 Unde \u2013 nici ea singur\u0103 nu \u015ftia\u2026 Mergea\u2026 mergea\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-at\u00e2tea \u015fi at\u00e2tea zi, tocmai \u00een rev\u0103rsatul zorilor, pe c\u00e2nd se dezvelea ziua din noapte, v\u0103zu cum c\u0103 vede ceva, a\u015fa ca \u015f-o cas\u0103, z\u0103rindu-se printre frunzele copacilor. \u00cenaintea casei lucra un om ghebos ceva \u2013 nu \u015ftiu ce \u2013 aplecat la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, dar lucra, \u00eenc\u00e2t nici cu tr\u0103snetul n-ai fi putut s\u0103-l treze\u015fti de la lucru\u2026 Dar cum lucra? \u2013 nu ca alt\u0103 lume. Toate le f\u0103cea \u00eentoarse \u015fi sucite, ca \u015fi omul adec\u0103 care nu pricepe lucrul de care s-a prins. El lucra la un pui\u2026 Mai \u00eenainte \u00eel ciupeli \u015fi numai dup\u0103 aceea \u00eel op\u0103ri cu ap\u0103 fiart\u0103 \u2013 mai \u00eenainte \u00eel drese \u015fi numai dup\u0103 aceea \u00eel ciupeli \u015fi op\u0103ri\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00eend Flori\u0163a v\u0103zu c\u00e2t de necioplit mi se mi\u015fca ghebosul, ea nu se putu r\u0103bda ca s\u0103 nu mearg\u0103 s\u0103-l \u00eenve\u0163e \u015fi s\u0103-i ajute\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun lucru, b\u0103di\u0163\u0103! gr\u0103i Flori\u0163a bl\u00e2nd ca totdeauna\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ghebosul privi \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t c\u00e2nd auzi, a\u015fa ca prin vis, vorba cea dulce a Flori\u0163ei, \u015fi c\u00e2nd privi \u015fi v\u0103zu ce vede\u2026 poate acuma fiecare s\u0103 \u015ftie ce trebuie s\u0103 fie atunci c\u00e2nd un ghebos prive\u015fte \u00een fa\u0163a Flori\u0163ei, Ghebosul sc\u0103p\u0103 \u015fi cu\u0163itul, \u015fi puiul, \u015fi toate le sc\u0103p\u0103 din m\u00e2n\u0103, \u015fi sta \u00eenaintea Flori\u0163ei, \u00eenc\u00e2t i se p\u0103rea c-acuma nici nu e ghebos mai mult\u2026 Dar nici Flori\u0163a nu sta la flori \u015fi frunze! Ghebosul era at\u00e2t de h\u00e2d, c\u00e2t Flori\u0163a de frumoas\u0103: cu gura ca grapa, cu ochii ca ceapa, cu nasul c\u00e2rlig, cu p\u0103rul p\u00eerlit\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce ai de g\u00eend cu puiul? \u00e2ntreb\u0103 Flori\u0163a dup\u0103 ce-i mai trecu ame\u0163eala.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Am s\u0103-l frig pentru tovar\u0103\u015fi, r\u0103spunse ghebosul cam cu jum\u0103tate de gur\u0103, ca omul din care sco\u0163i vorba cu fric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce tovar\u0103\u015fi? \u00eel \u00eentreb\u0103 Florica.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ghebosul privi lung la Florica, ca un om care ar vrea s\u0103 zic\u0103 ceva \u015fi nu \u015ftie cum s-o scoat\u0103 mai nimerit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi casa asta? zise el de la o vreme, mai cu inim\u0103. Asta e casa celor doisprezece ho\u0163i de codru. Ei s-au dus la ho\u0163it, \u015fi eu am r\u0103mas ca s\u0103 le fac de m\u00e2ncare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa e, doisprezece ho\u0163i \u2013 ho\u0163i de codru \u015fi grozavi, cu c\u0103pitanul lor cel \u00eenfrico\u015fat \u2013 au locuit \u00een ast\u0103 cas\u0103\u2026 \u015ei \u015ftie toat\u0103 lumea cum c\u0103 ho\u0163ii de codru se spal\u0103 \u00een toat\u0103 diminea\u0163a cu s\u00e2nge de copil nebotezat \u015fi s\u00e2nge de fete mari, iar \u00een fa\u0163\u0103 de om nu pot s\u0103 priveasc\u0103 pentru c\u0103 sim\u0163esc junghi \u00een spete, \u015fi-n cap, \u015fi pe toate laturile\u2026 Nu e minune, dar, dac\u0103 Flori\u0163a a cam tres\u0103rit c\u00eend a auzit vorbe at\u00e2t de mari\u2026 Hei! dar Flori\u0163a nu s-a \u00eenfrico\u015fat \u2013 z\u0103u nu s-a \u00eenfrico\u015fat, ci, cu vorb\u0103 vesel\u0103 \u015fi r\u00e2s pe buze, a zis c\u0103tre ghebos:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un pui pentru doisprezece ho\u0163i? Nici pe-o m\u0103sea n-are s\u0103 le ajung\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi bine c\u0103 doar\u0103 nu am eu at\u00e2ta pricepere, r\u0103spunse ghebosul f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se \u015fi el \u00een\u0163elept. Ieri le-am fript un juncan, \u015fi ei m-au b\u0103tut c-a fost prea mult: ast\u0103zi \u015ftiu c\u0103 nu m-or bate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iar azi te-or bate pentru c\u0103 le-ai fript prea pu\u0163in\u2026 Aide ca s\u0103 te \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 eu ce, cum \u015fi c\u00e2t s\u0103 faci, zise Flori\u0163a s\u0103rind sprinten\u0103, cum era ea, peste pragul casei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acuma t\u0103ie patru pui \u015fi-i fierse, t\u0103ie doi purcei \u015fi-i fripse, f\u0103cu o z\u0103mu\u0163\u0103 bun\u0103 \u015fi cald\u0103 \u015fi ar\u0103t\u0103 ghebosului cum are s\u0103 fac\u0103 de aici \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103 a\u015fa, dragul meu, \u015fi a\u015fa\u2026 \u015fi a\u015fa, \u2013 \u00eel \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a adec\u0103 precum \u00eenva\u0163\u0103 o maic\u0103 bun\u0103 \u015fi \u00eengrijitoare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ca nu cumva s\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2mple ceva cu ho\u0163ii, ghebosul spuse Flori\u0163ei cum c\u0103 s\u0103-i spuie lui pe c\u00e2nd are s\u0103 fie gata cu m\u00e2nc\u0103rile, s\u0103 fug\u0103 c\u00e2t o duc picioarele ca s\u0103 nu cad\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2inile ho\u0163ilor, c\u0103ci el numai atunci va c\u00e2nta din fluiera\u015ful cel mic, care cheam\u0103 pre ho\u0163i la pr\u00e2nz.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Flori\u0163a g\u0103ti m\u00e2ncarea, puse vasele pe mas\u0103, mai cura\u0163i, mai netezi, f\u0103cu casa, \u00eenc\u00e2t numai de-un drag s\u0103 \u015fezi \u00een ea, apoi se puse la vorb\u0103 cu ghebosul \u015fi vorbir\u0103\u2026 vorbir\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce uitar\u0103 de ho\u0163i, de fluieri\u0163\u0103, de toate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen ad\u00e2ncul codrului ho\u0163ii \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 fl\u0103m\u00e2nzeasc\u0103, s\u0103 se supere \u015fi, care de care mai cu greu g\u00e2nd la inim\u0103, s\u0103 por neasc\u0103 c\u0103tre cas\u0103\u2026 Hei! ghebosule, ghebosule, mare necaz \u0163i-ai f\u0103cut!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce se simte aici? \u00eentreb\u0103 Flori\u0163a sim\u0163ind ceva, ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd ar fi s\u00e2nge sau a\u015fa ceva\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai! s\u0103rmanul de mine! strig\u0103 ghebosul \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2ntat. Vin ho\u0163ii! Fugi! Ba nu fugi, c\u0103ci n-ai vreme de fug\u0103\u2026 Ascunde-te sub pat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Flori\u0163a \u2013 de fric\u0103, ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? \u2013 se ascunse sub pat. lar cei doisprezece ho\u0163i de codru veneau tot unul dup\u0103 altul, \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 din dep\u0103rtare s-auzea cum ziceau c\u0103 au s\u0103-l ucid\u0103, s\u0103-i turteasc\u0103, s\u0103-l taie buc\u0103\u0163ele pre ghebosul\u2026 Cum nu? c\u00eend ei r\u0103bdau de foame\u2026 ei\u2026 ho\u0163i ca d\u00e2n\u015fii!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ghebosul le ie\u015fi \u00een cale, ca s\u0103-i roage de iertare \u015fi s\u0103 le spun\u0103 cum c\u0103 le-a f\u0103cut m\u00e2nc\u0103ri bune.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 taci deloc! gr\u0103i c\u0103pitanul. Nu-mi prie\u015fte m\u00e2ncarea p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu m\u0103 sp\u0103l cu s\u00e2ngele t\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceea intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103 pentru ca s-aduc\u0103 cu\u0163itul cel mare; iar\u0103 ceilal\u0163i prinser\u0103 pe ghebos \u015fi-l f\u0103cur\u0103 nod. C\u00e2nd c\u0103pitanul intr\u0103 pe prag, el r\u0103mase st\u00e2nd uimit \u00een loc; i se p\u0103rea c\u0103 ast\u0103 cas\u0103 neted\u0103 \u015fi curat\u0103 nu e a lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0-M\u0103i oameni! gr\u0103i c\u0103tre cei de afar\u0103, veni\u0163i \u00eencoace!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e? \u00eentrebar\u0103 cei de-afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Veni\u0163i c\u00e2nd zic!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ho\u0163ii p\u0103\u015fir\u0103 pe prag, ei privir\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 mai uimi\u0163i dec\u00e2t c\u0103pitanul la casa lor\u2026 A\u015fa privind, le trecu de m\u00e2nie \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi le veni foamea; se a\u015fezar\u0103 unul dup\u0103 altul la mas\u0103. Ghebosul, ca \u015fi omul care era s-o p\u0103\u0163easc\u0103, se f\u0103cu sprinten, fugi la vatr\u0103 \u015fi intr\u0103 cu m\u00e2nc\u0103rurile \u00een cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd c\u0103pitanul s\u00eem\u0163i mirosul aburilor din zeam\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i! gr\u0103i c\u0103tre ghebos, pentru c\u0103 mi-ai cur\u0103\u0163it casa, te l\u0103s\u0103m p\u00e2n\u0103 dup\u0103 pr\u00e2nz.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceea lu\u0103 lingura, gust\u0103 din zeam\u0103 \u015fi o purt\u0103 prin gur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce m\u00e2ncare e asta? \u00eentreb\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Zeam\u0103, cu cinste s\u0103 fie zis, zeam\u0103 c\u0103ldu\u0163\u0103, r\u0103spunse ghebosul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 m\u00e2ncare! gr\u0103i c\u0103pitanul. Lu\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea lingura, dete la fiecare ho\u0163 c\u00e2te trei linguri, \u015fi ce r\u0103mase \u00ee\u015fi \u0163inu sie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ho\u0163ii \u00ee\u015fi m\u00e2ncar\u0103 p\u0103rticica \u015fi dup\u0103 aceea privir\u0103, ling\u00e2ndu-se pe buze, la p\u0103rticica c\u0103pitanului. Ghebosul intr\u0103 cu carnea cea de pui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e aceasta? \u00eentreb\u0103 c\u0103pitanul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pui, pui fript, r\u0103spunse ghebosul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103pitanul. \u00ee\u015fi t\u0103ie o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103, gust\u0103 \u015fi apoi gr\u0103i c\u0103tre ghebos:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i! asta s-o fi adus tu mai \u00eenainte! Pentru c\u0103 ne-ai f\u0103cut at\u00e2t de bune m\u00e2nc\u0103ri, noi cu to\u0163ii te iert\u0103m!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceea lu\u0103 cu\u0163itul, t\u0103ie la fiecare ho\u0163 c\u00e2te o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103 \u015fi ce r\u0103mase \u00ee\u015fi \u0163inu sie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ho\u0163ii \u00ee\u015fi m\u00e2ncar\u0103 buc\u0103\u0163elele, dup\u0103 aceea \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 priveasc\u0103 la buc\u0103\u0163ile c\u0103pitanului, ling\u00e2ndu-se pe degete\u2026 Iar\u0103 c\u0103pitanul de la o vreme \u00eencepu s\u0103 r\u0103sufle cu greu \u015fi s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce cu \u0163\u00e2r\u00e2ita, numai de ici, de colea c\u00e2te o buc\u0103\u0163ic\u0103, c\u00e2te un fir, ca \u015fi omul care ar m\u00e2nca \u015fi nu mai poate m\u00e2nca de s\u0103tul ce e, s\u0103racul\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frate c\u0103pitane, gr\u0103i unul dintre ho\u0163ii cei fl\u0103m\u00e2nzi, tu te-ai s\u0103turat: d\u0103-ne nou\u0103 ce a r\u0103mas! 5<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce? \u00eei zise c\u0103pitanul, sau n-a\u0163i avut \u015fi voi: asta o \u0163in pentru mine \u2013 pentru ca s-o m\u0103n\u00e2nc desear\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu fie sup\u0103rare, gr\u0103i ghebosul, mai sunt \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi alte m\u00e2nc\u0103ri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Auzi\u0163i voi? zise c\u0103pitanul, celelalte sunt ale voastre.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu! gr\u0103ir\u0103 ho\u0163ii, noi vrem s\u0103 m\u00e2nc\u0103m din asta, c\u0103ci asta e bun\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vorb\u0103 din vorb\u0103: ho\u0163ii \u00eencepur\u0103 a se certa\u2026 Unii c\u0103 asta, al\u0163ii, c\u0103 ceea; treaba sta r\u0103u, \u015fi dac\u0103 ghebosul n-ar fi intrat cu purceii cei frip\u0163i \u00een cas\u0103, z\u0103u nu cred c\u0103 nu s-ar fi \u00eent\u00e2mplat un lucru nesf\u00e2r\u015fit. C\u00eend \u00eens\u0103 mirosul fripturii le intr\u0103 \u00een nas, \u00eendat\u0103 se st\u00e2mp\u0103rar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e aceea? \u00eentreb\u0103 c\u0103pitanul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Purcel, purcelu\u015f fript! r\u0103spunse ghebosul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103pitanul gust\u0103\u2026 A\u015fa ceva p\u00e2n\u0103 acuma nici \u00een vis n-a gustat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i prostule! gr\u0103i c\u0103tre ghebos, acuma trebuie s\u0103 aduci tu pe acesta? S\u0103 mi-l pui mie pe sar\u0103, \u015fi dete puii la ceilal\u0163i ho\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 ne dai purcel! gr\u0103ir\u0103 ho\u0163ii, ai zis c\u0103 ce vine e al nostru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce? sau n-a\u0163i zis voi c\u0103 puii s\u0103 vi-i dau? zise c\u0103pitanul m\u00e2niindu-se ur\u00e2t.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O vorb\u0103 nu zic mai mult! Hm! aceea nu e glum\u0103 c\u00e2nd c\u0103pitanul zice a\u015fa vorbe c\u0103tre tovar\u0103\u015fii s\u0103i fl\u0103m\u00eenzi\u2026 Poate acuma fiecare s\u0103 \u015ftie ce e aceea c\u00eend unsprezece ho\u0163i se bat cu c\u0103pitanul lor\u2026 S\u0103rmana de Flori\u0163a! dac\u0103 ar fi \u015ftiut ea cum c\u0103 asta are s\u0103 fie din m\u00e2nc\u0103rile cele bune\u2026 Zburau, Doamne, s\u0103biile, cu\u0163itele \u015fi fel de fel de lucruri, \u015fi se b\u0103teau ho\u0163ii precum se bat nourii \u00een capete \u015fi se pr\u0103p\u0103desc\u2026 A\u015fa lucru n-a fost \u00eenc\u0103 de c\u00e2nd e lumea!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei Flori\u0163a? Bun e sufletul bun! Doamne, bun e! bun ca \u015fi darul \u015fi m\u00e2na lui Dumnezeu! C\u00e2nd ho\u0163ii se b\u0103teau, sf\u0103r\u00e2mau \u015fi pr\u0103p\u0103deau mai a pieire, Flori\u0163a nu se mai putut r\u0103bda, ci ie\u015fi de sub pat \u015fi se puse tocmai \u00een mijlocul lor, \u015fi cum s-a pus, a stat acolo \u00eentre ei, \u00eentre ho\u0163ii cei \u00eenfrico\u015fa\u0163i, b\u0103t\u0103u\u015fi \u015fi ho\u0163i de codru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce-a fost dup\u0103 aceea, cum s-a f\u0103cut, cum s-a sf\u00e2r\u015fit, aceea e acuma treaba lor\u2026 Oare, Doamne\u2026 c\u00e2nd vede cineva pe Flori\u0163a, s-ar mai putea bate \u015fi sup\u0103ra, i-ar mai putea veni g\u00e2nd r\u0103u \u015fi ne\u00eemp\u0103cat? Ho\u0163ii steter\u0103 to\u0163i \u00eencremeni\u0163i, \u015fi amu\u0163ir\u0103, \u015fi sc\u0103par\u0103 s\u0103biile, cu\u0163itele \u015fi fel de fel de lucruri ce aveau \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103: li se p\u0103rea cum c\u0103 a venit pedeapsa lui Dumnezeu asupra capetelor lor, ca s\u0103-i trag\u0103 la socoteal\u0103 pentru p\u0103catele lor cele multe \u00een r\u0103utatea lor cea mare \u015fi \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u0103 \u015fi ho\u0163easc\u0103\u2026 Iar\u0103 Flori\u0163a le gr\u0103i \u00een graiul ei cel bl\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu v\u0103 sup\u0103ra\u0163i, b\u0103di\u015forilor, c\u0103, dac\u0103 dori\u0163i, iar\u0103\u015fi v\u0103 fac m\u00e2nc\u0103rile \u00eenc\u0103 mai bune \u015fi mai c\u0103ldu\u0163e dec\u00e2t cum au fost cele de ast\u0103zi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ho\u0163ilor li se p\u0103rea c\u0103 cerul s-a d\u0103r\u00e2mat asupra lor, \u015fi mun\u0163ii, \u015fi codrii, c\u00e2nd auzir\u0103 vorba Flori\u0163ei\u2026 De aici \u00eenainte Flori\u0163a r\u0103mase la casa ho\u0163ilor; \u00eei \u00eengriji, \u00eei cur\u0103\u0163i, le f\u0103cu m\u00e2nc\u0103ri bune, \u00eei \u0163inu la pove\u015fti frumoase \u015fi la vorbe bl\u00e2nde; iar ho\u0163ii nu se mai mi\u015fcar\u0103 de-acas\u0103. Le p\u0103rea c\u0103 de aici \u00eenainte nici n-au ce s\u0103 cerce \u00een lume\u2026 A\u015fa merse asta p\u00een\u0103 ce li se sf\u00e2r\u015fir\u0103 m\u00e2nc\u0103rile: ajunser\u0103 c\u0103 abia mai aveau bucate pentru trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i. Apoi nici unul nu voia s\u0103 se urneasc\u0103 de acas\u0103 pentru ca s\u0103 c\u00e2\u015ftige; fiecare voia s\u0103 taie lemne, s\u0103 fac\u0103 foc, s\u0103 spele, s\u0103 m\u0103ture, s\u0103 v\u0103ruiasc\u0103, s\u0103 \u00eengrijeasc\u0103 gr\u0103dina cea cu flori, s\u0103 fac\u0103 adec\u0103 dup\u0103 placul \u015fi dorin\u0163a Flori\u0163ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi, Flori\u0163a merse \u00een gr\u0103dina cea cu flori, ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 cum \u015fi ce, \u015fi afl\u0103 c\u0103 un porc s\u0103lbatec a f\u0103cut mare zguduire printre straturi \u015fi, afl\u00e2nd, tare \u015fi mult s-a \u00eentristat. Ho\u0163ii, cum auzir\u0103, to\u0163i cu to\u0163ii s\u0103rir\u0103 la pu\u015ftile cele ruginite \u015fi merser\u0103 \u015fi gonir\u0103 \u015fi nu se oprir\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu-l \u00eempu\u015fcar\u0103 pe porcul cei s\u0103lbatec. C\u00eend c\u0103pitanul, care era cel mai sprinten dintre to\u0163i, venea cu el \u00een spate, a\u015fa p\u0103\u015fea de f\u0103los, a\u015fa privea de m\u00e2ndru, \u00eenc\u00e2t erai s\u0103 crezi c-a stat de vorb\u0103 cu Sf. Petru\u2026 De aici \u00eenainte fiecare ho\u0163 voia s\u0103 fie cel mai harnic, mai de treab\u0103 \u015fi mai voinic. Ghebosul, cel mai \u00een\u0163elept dintre d\u00e2n\u015fii, \u00eei \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163i \u00een dou\u0103: \u015fase in\u015fi trebuiau s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u00een toat\u0103 ziua la, c\u00e2\u015ftig, iar al\u0163ii \u015fase aveau s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00een\u0103 acas\u0103 pentru ca s\u0103 lucreze dup\u0103 porunca ghebosului \u015fi dorin\u0163a Flori\u0163ei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cei mai iste\u0163i dintre ho\u0163i se duser\u0103 \u00een cetatea \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi cump\u0103rar\u0103 cu mul\u0163i bani fel de fel de lucruri frumoase \u015fi le aduser\u0103, ca s\u0103 le pun\u0103 la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iul Flori\u0163ei, a\u015fa ca nimeni s\u0103 nu \u015ftie cine le-a pus\u2026 \u015ei apoi li se \u00eennebuneau min\u0163ile c\u00eend vedeau cum c\u0103 Flori\u0163ei \u00eei sare inima de bucurie c\u00eend diminea\u0163a \u00ee\u015fi afla c\u00e2rpele cele frumoase la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iul patului. A\u015fa curgea traiul ho\u0163ilor de c\u00e2nd ei au dat de Flori\u0163a \u015fi a\u015fa traiul Flori\u0163ei de c\u00e2nd ea a dat de ho\u0163i. \u00ce\u0163i r\u00eede inima c\u00eend \u00ee\u0163i aduci aminte!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hei! dar lumea e rea! Bag sam\u0103, nici Dumnezeu nu vrea ca \u00een lume s\u0103 fie numai bine! Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a dup\u0103 mult\u0103 vreme iar\u0103\u015fi privi \u00een c\u0103ut\u0103toare, iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eentreb\u0103, c\u0103ut\u0103toarea iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eei r\u0103spunse \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi f\u0103cu vorb\u0103 cu Baba Boan\u0163a\u2026 Ce-\u0163i e muierea viclean\u0103! nici \u00een fundul lumii nu-\u0163i las\u0103 pace \u015fi trai bun\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba Boan\u0163a \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cu trebile, afl\u0103 cum \u015fi ce e cu Flori\u0163a \u015fi unde se afl\u0103 ea, porni apoi \u00een cale c\u0103tre codrul cel vestit\u2026 C\u00eend ea era s-ajung\u0103 la casa ho\u0163ilor, afl\u0103 c\u0103 vede ni\u015fte oameni vorbind: erau cei \u015fase ho\u0163i ce stau cu ghebosul la sfat. Ea lu\u0103 \u015fapte frunze verzi de pe creanga unui stejar, gr\u0103i asupra lor c\u00e2teva cuvinte ce sunau a vraj\u0103, sufl\u0103 de trei ori asupra lor. Baba n-a suflat bine, p\u00een\u0103 ce frunzele se ve\u015ftejir\u0103 \u015fi ho\u0163ii adormir\u0103 to\u0163i \u015fapte, unul dup\u0103 altul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acuma Baba Boan\u0163a intr\u0103 la Flori\u0163a \u00een cas\u0103, spuse cum c\u0103-i aduce “s\u0103n\u0103tate \u015fi voie bun\u0103” de la maica sa cea bun\u0103; \u00eei dete apoi un inel de aur, frumos \u015fi rotund. Flori\u0163a \u2013 dar de unde s\u0103 poat\u0103 g\u00e2ndi r\u0103u prin capul ei! \u2013 ea trase inelul pe degetul cel mijlociu \u015fi nici nu-l trase cum se trage, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi c\u0103zu la p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce Boan\u0163a \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cu treaba, ea \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 c\u00e2rja de dup\u0103 cuptor \u015fi o \u015fterse din cale. Nu-i venea la socoteal\u0103 ca s\u0103 stea \u00eenc\u0103 mult, fiindc\u0103 \u015ftia cum c\u0103 mult\u0103 vreme n-are s\u0103 treac\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ho\u0163ii se vor trezi din somn. \u015ei ho\u0163ii cei din codru, z\u0103u! nici pentru o Boan\u0163\u0103 nu sunt lucru de glum\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00eend ho\u0163ii intrar\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2nd ceilal\u0163i sosir\u0103, \u015ftie acuma fiecare ce e acea c\u00e2nd doisprezece ho\u0163i de codru pl\u00e2ng din ruptul sufletului, \u00e2nc\u00e2t pietrele se mi\u015fc\u0103\u2026 numai Flori\u0163a nu se mi\u015fca, c\u0103ci ea era moart\u0103; moart\u0103\u2026 ca \u015fi moart\u0103. \u00cen durerea lor cea mare, n-avur\u0103 \u00eencotro: hot\u0103r\u00e2r\u0103 s-o \u00eembrace frumos pe Flori\u0163a, s\u0103-i fac\u0103 un morm\u00e2nt, \u015fi\u2026 vai \u015f-amar c\u00eend vine p\u00een\u0103 \u00eentr-at\u00e2ta! Cum steteau ei \u00eens\u0103 a\u015fa l\u00e2ng\u0103 mort, v\u0103zur\u0103 ceva ce \u00eenc\u0103 n-au v\u0103zut: inelul Boan\u0163ei\u2026 C\u00e2t ce traser\u0103 inelul de pe deget, Flori\u0163a \u00ee\u015fi deschise ochii \u015fi se f\u0103cu mai vie dec\u00e2t ce a fost c\u00e2ndva. \u00cen bucuria lor cea mare, ho\u0163ii merser\u0103 \u00een cealalt\u0103 zi \u00een satul \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi cump\u0103rar\u0103 toate inelele \u015fi tot aurul ce se afla \u00een t\u00e2rg \u015fi-l deter\u0103 Flori\u0163ei, pentru ca s\u0103 nu mai primeasc\u0103 de la al\u0163ii. \u015ei apoi grijeau Doamne! cum pot numai ho\u0163ii s\u0103 grijeasc\u0103 pe Flori\u0163a, c\u00e2nd se tem c\u0103 o vor pierde.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste \u015fapte luni, \u015fapte s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni \u015fi \u015fapte zile, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a iar\u0103\u015fi privi \u00een c\u0103ut\u0103toare, iar\u0103\u015fi auzi vorbele sup\u0103r\u0103toare, iar\u0103\u015fi chem\u0103 la sine pe Baba Boan\u0163a \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi trimise primejdia asupra Flori\u0163ei. Boan\u0163a f\u0103cu ca \u015fi cel\u0103lalt r\u00e2nd, \u015fi dup\u0103 ce adormir\u0103 ho\u0163ii iar\u0103\u015fi intr\u0103 la Flori\u0163a, \u00eei zise “s\u0103n\u0103tate \u015fi voie bun\u0103” \u015fi \u00eei dete o rochie de m\u0103tase, gr\u0103ind:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103, \u0163i-a trimis-o maica ta cea bun\u0103 ca s\u0103 te \u00eempodobe\u015fti cu ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Flori\u0163a, de bucurie c\u0103 a primit veste de-acas\u0103, \u00eembrac\u0103 rochia ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 cum \u00eei \u015fade. Nici nu trebuie s\u0103 spun c\u0103 ast\u0103 dat\u0103 Flori\u0163a c\u0103zu mai moart\u0103. Boan\u0163a fugi mai iute, durerea ho\u0163ilor fu mai mare \u015fi \u00eenvierea mai puternic\u0103 \u015fi mai \u00eembucur\u0103toare dec\u00e2t \u00eenainte de asta cu at\u00e2te s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acum ho\u0163ii cump\u0103rar\u0103 toate m\u0103t\u0103surile \u015fi frumuse\u0163ile ce se aflau la negu\u0163\u0103torii cei mari \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti; iar \u00eengrijirea lor se f\u0103cu pe de \u015fapte ori c\u00e2te \u015fapte mai mare dec\u00e2t ce a fost c\u00e2ndva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste nou\u0103 luni, nou\u0103 s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2ni \u015fi nou\u0103 zile cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a, acuma de a treia oar\u0103, adec\u0103 de a doua oar\u0103 de a treia or\u0103, iar\u0103\u015fi se f\u0103li c\u0103tre c\u0103ut\u0103tore cu frumuse\u0163ea sa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 E\u015fti frumoas\u0103, \u00eei r\u0103spunse c\u0103ut\u0103toarea, dar Flori\u0163a e mai frumoas\u0103, de o sut\u0103 \u015fi o mie de ori mai frumoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t ce-a fost ea \u00eens\u0103\u015fi c\u00e2ndva, \u015fi tr\u0103ie\u015fte ca o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 aceste vorbe, cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a n-a mai chemat pe Boan\u0163a la sine, ci \u015fi-a legat catrin\u0163a \u015fi ea \u00eens\u0103\u015fi s-a dus la coliba babei. Ce-au vorbit, ce n-au vorbit, ce sfaturi au f\u0103cut, aceea nu se poate spune\u2026 Bune g\u00e2nduri cu de-a bun\u0103 seam\u0103 nu le-a trecut prin minte\u2026 Vai \u015fi amar de acela ce d\u0103 de r\u0103u cu muierile!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Boan\u0163a se suflec\u0103, acuma chiar de a treia oar\u0103, \u015fi aceea nu e glum\u0103 c\u00e2nd o vr\u0103jitoare ca \u015fi Boan\u0163a se suflec\u0103, cum \u00eenainte de asta nu s-a mai suflecat \u00eenc\u0103\u2026 De ast\u0103 dat\u0103 nici nu porni pe picioare, ci \u00een miez de noapte, c\u0103l\u0103rind pe o pr\u0103jin\u0103 str\u00e2mb\u0103\u2026 Mare primejdie trebuie s\u0103 fi fost \u00een g\u00e2ndul ei c\u0103 s-a opintit at\u00e2t de b\u0103be\u015fte!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De c\u00e2nd Flori\u0163a murise \u00een dou\u0103 r\u00e2nduri, ho\u0163ii nu mai dormeau nici ziua, nici noaptea, ci stau la paz\u0103, cum stai c\u00e2nd de mare necaz \u015fi primejdie te temi. Pentru ca nu cumva s\u0103-i cuprind\u0103 somnul, unul dintre ei totdeauna trebuia s\u0103 se culce pe un pat de spini, iar\u0103 subt pat era j\u0103ratec viu \u015fi \u00eenfocat\u2026 Boan\u0163a v\u0103zu c\u0103 acuma cu una, cu dou\u0103 n-are s-o ispr\u0103veasc\u0103; ea f\u0103cu dar lucruri, vr\u0103jitorii \u015fi fel de fel de taine, \u00eenc\u00e2t mintea curat\u0103 nici nu le putea g\u00e2ndi\u2026 Pentru ca s\u0103 adoarm\u0103 pe ho\u0163i, ea acuma nu f\u0103cu vraja cea mai mic\u0103, cu frunzele de stejar, ci vraja cea mai mare \u015fi nemaipomenit\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u0163i se ridic\u0103 perii \u00een v\u00e2rful capului c\u00e2nd g\u00e2nde\u015fti la ea. Lu\u0103 un ac sub\u0163irel \u015fi mic, dar mic \u015fi sub\u0163irel, \u00eenc\u00e2t nici cu v\u00eerful limbii nu puteai s\u0103-l sim\u0163e\u015fti, dar \u00eenc\u0103 s\u0103-l vezi cu ochii, \u00eempunse doisprezece stejari cu acest ac, gr\u0103i o mul\u0163ime de zic\u0103li \u00eenc\u00e2lcite, se-ntoarse de trei ori peste cap, \u015fi ho\u0163ii, to\u0163i doisprezece, \u00eempreun\u0103 cu ghebosul, chiar \u015fi acela de pe spini \u015fi j\u0103ratec, adormir\u0103 ca mor\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd Boan\u0163a intr\u0103, acuma de a treia oar\u0103, \u00een cas\u0103 la Flori\u0163a, ea nu zise numai “s\u0103n\u0103tate \u015fi voie bun\u0103”, ci alte vorbe care de care mai frumoase \u015fi mai dulci, cum vorbesc adec\u0103 babele c\u00eend voiesc s\u0103-\u0163i strice firea\u2026 iar\u0103 Flori\u0163ei \u00eei s\u0103rea inima de bucurie c\u00eend auzea at\u00e2ta veste bun\u0103 \u015fi frumoas\u0103 de la “ai s\u0103i”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 te \u00eempodobesc ca pe o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103, mi-a poruncit maic\u0103-ta cea bun\u0103, gr\u0103i Boan\u0163a \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu. S\u0103-\u0163i piept\u0103n eu p\u0103rul \u015fi s\u0103 \u0163i-l\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De unde ar putea Flori\u0163a s\u0103 nu fac\u0103 precum a dorit maic\u0103-sa cea dulce? Ea l\u0103s\u0103 ca Boan\u0163a s\u0103 o pieptene, \u015fi Boan\u0163a o piept\u0103n\u0103, at\u00e2ta de frumos o piept\u0103n\u0103, at\u00e2t de frumos \u00eei \u00eempleti p\u0103rul, \u00eenc\u00e2t i se \u00eencurcau ochii c\u00e2nd privea la ea \u015fi nu \u015ftia pe unde o vede mai frumoas\u0103. Dar Boan\u0163a nici nu fuse gata cu piept\u0103natul, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce Flori\u0163a \u015fi c\u0103zu moart\u0103, mai moart\u0103 dec\u00e2t ce a fost c\u00e2ndva \u00een via\u0163a ei\u2026 Boan\u0163a i-a fost \u00eempletit firul mor\u0163ii \u00een p\u0103r.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce Boan\u0163a \u00ee\u015fi f\u0103cu p\u0103catul, ea se sui pe pr\u0103jina cea str\u00eemb\u0103 \u015fi se dep\u0103rta mai r\u0103pede dec\u00e2t V\u00e2ntoasele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ho\u0163ii aflar\u0103 cum c\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi nu e bine, ei defer\u0103 a fugi care \u00eencotro, a se opinti din ruptul sufletului, ca doar\u0103 cumva s\u0103 \u00eenvie pe Flori\u0163a \u015fi de a treia oar\u0103. \u00cei traser\u0103 inelele de pe degete, \u00eei dezbr\u0103car\u0103 rochia, \u00eei luar\u0103 salba de pe piept: dar Flori\u0163a r\u0103mase moart\u0103, \u015fi ho\u0163ii cei doisprezece \u2013 ho\u0163i grozavi din fundul codrului \u2013 \u00eencet-\u00eencet, unul dup\u0103 altul, \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103, nu cum pl\u00e2ng copiii, ci cum pl\u00e2nge omul c\u00e2nd vede c\u0103 acuma toate s-au sf\u00e2r\u015fit, c\u0103 de aci \u00eenainte nu mai are ce s\u0103 fac\u0103. C\u00e2nd Flori\u0163a fu cu totul dezbr\u0103cat\u0103, ho\u0163ii \u00eencetar\u0103 a pl\u00e2nge \u015fi r\u0103maser\u0103 cu to\u0163ii \u00eencremeni\u0163i: li se opri suflarea \u015fi-i p\u0103r\u0103si sufletul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S-o despletim! gr\u0103i ghebosul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu! r\u0103spunse c\u0103pitanul; a\u015fa de frumos numai ea \u015ftie \u00eempleti cu degetele ei cele m\u0103run\u0163ele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, da! ziser\u0103 ceilal\u0163i ho\u0163i! Dac\u0103 a venit acuma p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eentr-at\u00e2ta, s\u0103 fie m\u0103car \u015fi moart\u0103 precum a fost mai frumoas\u0103-n via\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De aci \u00eenainte ho\u0163ii mult\u0103 vorb\u0103 nu f\u0103cur\u0103; nici n-aveau ce s\u0103-\u015fi mai zic\u0103: \u00eembr\u0103car\u0103 pe Flori\u0163a \u00een cele mai frumoase giulgiuri, \u00eei puse fiecare c\u00e2te un crini\u015for pe frunte, aleser\u0103 cel mai frumos copac din codru, f\u0103cur\u0103 un co\u015fciug, cum ei \u00eel \u015ftiau a face mai frumos, a\u015fezar\u0103 pe Flori\u0163a \u00een co\u015fciug \u015fi-i aprinser\u0103 la cap o lumin\u0103 de cear\u0103 curat\u0103, topit\u0103 tocmai din fagurele \u00een care a fost s\u0103 fie matca albinilor\u2026 Dup\u0103 ce le g\u0103tir\u0103 astea, c\u0103utar\u0103 cea mai \u00eenalt\u0103 poian\u0103 din codru \u015fi unde erau cele mai multe flori, f\u0103cur\u0103 un morm\u00e2nt de trei ori mai ad\u00e2nc dec\u00e2t ce era de lat \u015fi de trei ori mai lat dec\u00e2t era de lung\u2026 \u015fi apoi\u2026 s\u0103rut\u0103 fiecare pe<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Flori\u0163a \u00een mijlocul frun\u0163ii \u015fi o luar\u0103, \u015fi o duser\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ho! sta\u0163i! gr\u0103i ghebosul c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 ho\u0163ii voiesc s\u0103 arunce p\u0103m\u00e2nt asupra Flori\u0163ei. P\u0103m\u00e2nt pe trupul ei? Nu v\u0103 teme\u0163i de maica lui Dumnezeu?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ho\u0163ii to\u0163i, unul dup\u0103 altul, l\u0103sar\u0103 p\u0103m\u00e2ntul din m\u00e2n\u0103; le venea s\u0103 intre \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt de ru\u015finea p\u0103catului ce era s\u0103 fac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd erau s\u0103 porneasc\u0103 c\u0103tre cas\u0103, nici unul nu putea s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u00eenceputul: erau lega\u0163i de p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi sim\u0163eau c\u0103 acas\u0103 nu au ce s\u0103 mai caute\u2026 Se a\u015fezar\u0103 dar jur \u00eemprejur pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 morm\u00e2ntul Flori\u0163ei \u015fi privir\u0103\u2026 privir\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce, privind, murir\u0103 to\u0163i doisprezece, unul dup\u0103 altul. Doisprezece ho\u0163i au murit \u015fi ghebosul \u00eempreun\u0103 cu d\u00e2n\u015fii\u2026 S\u0103rmanii de ei! mai c-au fost oameni de treab\u0103. Bag sama a\u015fa a fost s\u0103 fie\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mult\u0103, foarte mult\u0103 vreme a stat Flori\u0163a a\u015fezat\u0103 \u00een morm\u00e2nt; pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 morm\u00e2nt, peste p\u0103m\u00e2ntul ce sta \u00een jurul gropii, au fost crescut tot flori din flori, care de care mai frumoase \u015fi nemaipomenite, \u015fi florile nu cresc ca \u015fi bure\u0163ii peste noapte\u2026 Dup\u0103 mult\u0103 vreme dar\u0103, feciorul \u00eemp\u0103ratului a venit cu mul\u0163i oameni \u015fi cu mare treab\u0103 ca s\u0103 v\u00e2neze prin codru\u2026 Deodat\u0103 auzir\u0103 cum fac c\u00e2inii mare larm\u0103 \u015fi mult\u0103 l\u0103tr\u0103tur\u0103. Feciorul \u00eemp\u0103ratului trimise pe c\u00e2\u0163iva arga\u0163i dintre cei mai tari la inim\u0103, ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce e, cum \u015fi pentru ce.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Arga\u0163ii venir\u0103 \u015fi spuser\u0103 c\u0103 s-au adunat c\u00e2inii \u00eentr-o poian\u0103 \u00eenalt\u0103 \u015fi luminoas\u0103 \u015fi, suindu-se pe un d\u00e2mb cu flori, to\u0163i cu to\u0163ii, cu mic cu mare, au \u00eenceput nu s\u0103 latre, ci s\u0103 urle, cum url\u0103 c\u00e2inele c\u00e2nd vede bufni\u0163a strig\u00e2nd pe hornul casei, ori c\u00e2nd arde casa st\u0103p\u00e2nului s\u0103u, s\u0103 urle adec\u0103 a primejdie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u2013 fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat adec\u0103, care nu se mul\u0163ume\u015fte cu una, cu dou\u0103 \u2013 porunci arga\u0163ilor s\u0103-l a\u015ftepte \u015fi se duse ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 el cu ochii \u015fi s-aud\u0103 cu urechile lui de treaba c\u00e2nilor. C\u00e2nd sim\u0163ir\u0103 c\u00e2nii apropierea st\u0103p\u00e2nului lor, ei \u00eencetar\u0103 a da semn de primejdie \u015fi deter\u0103 a-\u015fi mi\u015fca cozile. Hei! dar din loc nu se mi\u015fcar\u0103 p\u00een\u0103 ce nu p\u0103\u015fi feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00een florile cele frumoase\u2026 Fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat, fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat\u2026 doisprezece oameni \u00eempietri\u0163i nu sunt glum\u0103! z\u0103u, \u015fi chiar un fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat trebuie s\u0103 tresar\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eei vede printre flori \u2013 \u015fi apoi c\u00e2nd privi \u00een morm\u00e2nt? Feciorului de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u00eei p\u0103ru cum c\u0103 chiar \u015fi al lui suflet a \u00eempietrit c\u00eend v\u0103zu pe Floa-rea Codrilor\u2026 El a v\u0103zut multe fete de \u00eemp\u0103rat: Flori\u0163a e \u00eens\u0103 Flori\u0163a\u2026 C\u00eend v\u0103zu dar c\u0103 Flori\u0163a e moart\u0103, el se \u00eentrista, dup\u0103 aceea se sup\u0103r\u0103 \u015fi, mai la urm\u0103, at\u00e2ta de grozav se am\u0103r\u00ee, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eei venea ca s\u0103 ia lumea \u00een gheare \u015fi a\u015fa s\u0103 deie cu ea de p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u00eenc\u00e2t toat\u0103 s\u0103 se sfarme, ca nici s\u0103m\u00e2n\u0163a s\u0103 nu r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 de ea!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ei! dar feciorii cei de \u00eemp\u0103rat sunt scur\u0163i la vorb\u0103. “Dac\u0103 n-am v\u0103zut-o vie, s-o v\u0103d cel pu\u0163in moart\u0103”, \u00e2\u015fi zise el, \u015fi apoi merse la arga\u0163i, le porunci ca s\u0103 porneasc\u0103 c\u0103tre cas\u0103. Numai doi oameni credincio\u015fi \u0163inu la sine, \u015fi c\u00eend se f\u0103cu noapte, cu ace\u015fti doi \u00eempreun\u0103 scoaser\u0103 pe Flori\u0163a din morm\u00e2nt \u015fi o duser\u0103 prin ascuns la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului\u2026 Dup\u0103 ce Flori\u0163a fu bine pus\u0103, ca nimeni s\u0103 nu afle de ea, feciorul \u00eemp\u0103ratului porunci arga\u0163ilor s\u0103 tac\u0103 despre cele ce au f\u0103cut \u015fi v\u0103zut \u015fi n-au mai v\u0103zut, \u015fi-\u015fi f\u0103cu treaba mai departe. El alese cele mai frumoase dou\u0103sprezece case ce se aflau \u00een curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului, a\u015fez\u0103 pe Floarea Codrilor \u00een cea mai frumoas\u0103 dintre ele, porunci ca dou\u0103spreze fete, cele mai sprintene, s\u0103 grijeasc\u0103 pe Flori\u0163a zi \u015fi noapte, s\u0103 o a\u015feze \u00eentr-un leag\u0103n de aur \u015fi s\u0103 o legene ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd ar fi vie. Fa\u0163a Flori\u0163ei \u015fi acuma era rumen\u0103; crini\u015forii de pe fruntea ei nici acuma n-au ve\u015ftejit \u015fi p\u0103rul ei \u015fi acuma tot at\u00e2t de frumos era piept\u0103nat \u015fi \u00eempletit; feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat dete porunc\u0103 aspr\u0103 ca nimeni s\u0103 nu ating\u0103 fa\u0163a, crini\u015forii \u015fi p\u0103rul\u2026 De aici \u00eenainte, F\u0103t-Frumosul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc, de diminea\u0163\u0103 p\u00een\u0103 seara \u015fi de seara p\u00een\u0103 diminea\u0163a, nu se mi\u015fc\u0103 de la leag\u0103nul Flori\u0163ei: privea, privea \u00een fa\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103, p\u00een\u0103 ce adormea privind \u015fi cu ochii deschi\u015fi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cele dou\u0103sprezece fete ce aveau s\u0103 grijeasc\u0103 pe Flori\u0163a nu mai \u00eencetau a-\u015fi sparge capul asupra poruncii aspre ce li s-a dat. “Oare pentru ce s\u0103 nu atingem crini\u015forii \u015fi pentru ce s\u0103 nu-i despletim p\u0103rul? \u015fi dac\u0103 am face, ce s-ar face? cum ar fi?” se \u00eentrebau ele \u00een g\u00e2ndul lor. A\u015fa e muierea! n-are odihn\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu afl\u0103 ce ar dori s\u0103 \u015ftie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015eti\u0163i voi ce? gr\u0103i cea mai \u015fireat\u0103 dintre ele. Feciorul \u00eemp\u0103ratului doarme: aide s-atingem \u015fi s\u0103 despletim; p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd el se treze\u015fte, noi iar\u0103\u015fi facem precum a fost.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La astfel de lucruri mult\u0103 vorb\u0103 nu fac muierile: ele \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 despleteasc\u0103 pe Flori\u0163a, \u015fi cum o despletir\u0103, \u00eei scoaser\u0103 firul mor\u0163ii din p\u0103r; iar\u0103 Flori\u0163a, Floarea Codrilor, se f\u0103cu mai vie, mai frumoas\u0103 \u015fi mai sprinten\u0103 dec\u00e2t ce a fost c\u00e2ndva \u00een via\u0163a ei. C\u00eend fetele v\u0103zur\u0103 mor\u0163ii r\u00e2z\u00e2nd, ele, \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2ntate \u015fi \u00eenvr\u0103jbite, fugir\u0103 care \u00eencotro. Din larma ce f\u0103cur\u0103 se trezi \u015fi feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat. Acuma poate fiecare s\u0103 \u015ftie ce e aceea c\u00e2nd feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat vede pe Floarea Codrilor chiar vie, prive\u015fte \u00een ochii ei cei bl\u00e2nzi \u015fi aude vorba ei cea dulce. \u00cenfrico\u015fat, \u015fi grozav, \u015fi nemaipomenit de frumos lucru trebuie s\u0103 fie a\u015fa ceva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Feciorul \u00eemp\u0103ratului nici trei vorbe n-a gr\u0103it p\u00e2n\u0103 ce a \u015fi mers vestea \u00een curte cum c\u0103 “iac\u0103 a\u015fa \u015fi a\u015fa”, c\u0103 s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat adec\u0103 ce s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat cu minune \u015fi cu tain\u0103 nepriceput\u0103; \u015fi c\u00e2nd a venit \u00eemp\u0103ratul cel b\u0103tr\u00e2n ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce e, cum \u015fi pentru ce, el at\u00e2t de tare s-a speriat, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eei \u00eennegrir\u0103 perii capului \u015fi \u00eenjuni cu \u015faptezeci \u015fi \u015fapte de ani! Dup\u0103 ce oamenii se dezmeticir\u0103, Flori\u0163a stete de vorb\u0103 cu ei \u015fi le spuse cum \u015fi ce, de unde \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 unde, iac\u0103 \u00eencoace \u015fi \u00eencolo, adec\u0103 toat\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplarea \u015fi patimele ei. \u00cemp\u0103ratul cel b\u0103tr\u00e2n asculta, precum ascul\u0163i la copila\u015fi c\u00e2nd \u00eencep s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103, asculta adec\u0103 \u00e2nc\u00e2t \u00eei sta r\u0103suflarea \u00een loc, \u015fi precum asculta, el tare \u015fi foarte mult se sup\u0103ra c\u00eend auzea c\u00e2te toate despre suferin\u0163ele s\u0103rmanei de Flori\u0163a; iar\u0103 c\u00e2nd asta \u00eencet\u0103 cu vorba, el gr\u0103i c\u0103tre ea cu vorba lui cea bl\u00e2nd\u0103 \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 F\u0103tul meu, draga mea! bunul Dumnezeu a voit ca s\u0103 vii tu la casa mea, s\u0103 \u00eemi fii mie nor\u0103 \u015fi nevast\u0103 feciorului meu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Flori\u0163a nu zise nimic, ci privi numai a\u015fa cu coada ochiului la cel voinic frumos fecior de \u00eemp\u0103rat\u2026 iar\u0103 feciorului i se f\u0103cur\u0103 vorbele nod \u015fi cr\u00e2mpi\u0163\u0103 tocmai pe v\u00e2rful limbii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 ce zici “una, dou\u0103, trei”, vestea despre cununia feciorului de \u00eemp\u0103rat ajunse p\u00een\u0103 \u00een cele patru col\u0163uri ale lumii. P\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi orbii \u015fi \u015fchiopii pornir\u0103 \u00een cale, ca s\u0103 vin\u0103, s\u0103 vad\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 nu mai uite c\u00e2t vor tr\u0103i. Cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a cea frumoas\u0103 nici ea nu se putea s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 acas\u0103: se g\u0103ti dar, cum numai ea \u015ftia, \u015fi c\u00e2nd fuse g\u0103tit\u0103, iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eentreb\u0103 pe c\u0103ut\u0103toare, acuma de a \u015faptea oar\u0103, \u2013 de-a \u015faptea oar\u0103, asta nu e glum\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103, z\u0103u! r\u0103spunse c\u0103ut\u0103toarea, dar Flori\u0163a e mireas\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103rat!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00eend cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a auzi aceste vorbe, ea porunci ca s\u0103 lase tot vinul s\u0103 curg\u0103, s\u0103 sparg\u0103 toate vasele, \u015fi porni c\u0103tre fiica sa cea drag\u0103 \u015fi ginere-s\u0103u \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se f\u0103cu apoi o nunt\u0103, o cununie \u015fi un osp\u0103\u0163 dec\u00e2t care mai vestit \u015fi mai minunat de c\u00e2nd e lumea n-a fost: chiar \u015fi copiii cei de \u0163igan m\u00e2ncau cu linguri de aur, iar dup\u0103 ce-au m\u00e2ncat \u015fi le duceau cu sine acas\u0103, ca s\u0103 le aib\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 \u0163in\u0103 minte. Dup\u0103 nunt\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul porunci ca s\u0103 se fac\u0103 o cas\u0103 cu p\u0103re\u0163ii de oglind\u0103, s\u0103 se adune cele mai frumoase neveste din \u0163ar\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eenchid\u0103 pe cr\u00e2\u015fm\u0103ri\u0163a cea viclean\u0103 cu ele, pentru ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 \u015fi, v\u0103z\u00e2nd, s\u0103 se surpe \u00een g\u00e2ndul ei, cum c\u0103 nu-i ea cea mai frumoas\u0103 \u00een \u0163ar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar Flori\u0163a \u015fi feciorul cel de \u00eemp\u0103rat tr\u0103ir\u0103 ferici\u0163i \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 sup\u0103rare, cum tr\u0103iesc oamenii buni la suflet \u015fi \u00een\u0163elep\u0163i la minte, \u00eenc\u00e2t vestea despre ei ajunse chiar \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 la noi\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A fost ce-a fost; dac\u0103 n-ar fi fost, nici nu s-ar povesti. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen mijlocul codrilor; l\u00e2ng\u0103 drumul cel mare, l\u00e2ng\u0103 drumul cel de \u0163ar\u0103, pe unde umbl\u0103 \u015fi trece \u00eemp\u0103ratul … <\/p>\n