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\u00a0A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u2013 un \u00eemp\u0103rat mare \u015fi puternic; \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lui era at\u00e2t de mare, \u00eenc\u00e2t nici nu se \u015ftia unde se \u00eencepe \u015fi unde se sf\u00e2r\u015fe\u015fte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unii ziceau c\u0103 ar fi f\u0103r\u0103 de margini. Iar al\u0163ii spuneau c\u0103 \u0163in minte de a fi auzit din b\u0103tr\u00e2ni c\u0103 s-ar fi b\u0103tut odinioar\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul cu vecinii s\u0103i, din care unii erau \u015fi mai mari \u015fi mai puternici, iar\u0103 al\u0163ii mai mici \u015fi mai slabi dec\u00e2t d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Despre \u00eemp\u0103ratul acesta a fost mers vorba c\u00e2t e lumea \u015fi \u0163ara, cum c\u0103 cu ochiul cel de-a dreapta tot r\u00e2de, iar\u0103 cu cel de-a st\u00e2nga tot l\u0103cr\u0103meaz\u0103 ne\u00eencetat. \u00cen zadar se \u00eentreba \u0163ara, c\u0103 oare ce lucru s\u0103 fie acela, c\u0103 ochii \u00eemp\u0103ratului nu se pot \u00eemp\u0103ca unul cu altul. Dac\u0103 mergeau voinicii la \u00eemp\u0103ratul, ca s\u0103-l \u00eentrebe, el z\u00e2mbea a r\u00e2de \u015fi nu le zicea nimic. A\u015fa r\u0103mase vrajba dintre ochii \u00eemp\u0103ratului o tain\u0103 mare despre care nu \u015ftia nimeni nimic, afar\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Crescur\u0103 feciorii \u00eemp\u0103ratului. Ce feciori! Ce feciori! Trei feciori \u00een \u0163ar\u0103 ca trei luceferi pe cer! Florea, cel mai b\u0103tr\u00e2n era de un st\u00e2njen de \u00eenalt, cu ni\u015fte umeri \u00eenc\u00e2t nu l-ai putea m\u0103sura cu patru p\u0103lmi cruci\u015f.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cu totul alta era Costan: mic la statur\u0103, \u00eendesat la f\u0103ptur\u0103, cu bra\u0163ul de b\u0103rbat, cu pumnul \u00eendesat. Al treilea \u015fi cel mai t\u00e2n\u0103r fecior al \u00eemp\u0103ratului e Petru: \u00eenalt, dar sub\u0163ire, mai mult fat\u0103 dec\u00e2t fecior. Petru nu face mult\u0103 vorb\u0103: el r\u00e2de \u015fi c\u00e2nt\u0103, c\u00e2nt\u0103 \u015fi r\u00e2de de diminea\u0163\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een sear\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai c\u00e2te odat\u0103-l vede omul mai \u00eentunecat, d\u0103 cu m\u00e2na pletele \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga de pe frunte \u015fi atunci \u0163i se pare c\u0103 vezi pe un b\u0103tr\u00e2n din sfatul \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i Floreo, tu e\u015fti acum mare; du-te \u015fi \u00eentreab\u0103 pe taica, pentru ce-i pl\u00e2nge lui un ochi, iar altul r\u00e2de pururea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa zise Petru c\u0103tre frate-s\u0103u Florea \u00eentr-o bun\u0103 diminea\u0163\u0103. Dar Florea nu s-a dus: el \u015ftia \u00eenc\u0103 de mic c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul se sup\u0103r\u0103, dac\u0103-l \u00eentreb\u0103 cineva de ast\u0103 treab\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tot a\u015fa o p\u0103\u0163i Petru \u015fi cu frate-s\u0103u Costan.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu cuteaz\u0103 nici unul; las\u0103 c-oi cuteza eu, zise la urm\u0103 Petru. Vorba fu zis\u0103; lucrul fu gata. Petru merse ca s\u0103 \u00eentrebe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Oarb\u0103-\u0163i fie mum\u0103-ta! ce treab\u0103 ai tu de aceea?! \u00eei zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul m\u00e2nios, \u015fi-i dete o palm\u0103 pe de-a dreapta \u015fi alta pe de-a st\u00e2nga.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru se duse sup\u0103rat \u015fi spuse fra\u0163ilor s\u0103i cum a p\u0103\u0163it-o cu tat\u0103l s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De c\u00e2nd a \u00eentrebat Petru de treaba ochilor, se p\u0103rea cum c\u0103 ochiul cel din st\u00e2nga pl\u00e2nge mai pu\u0163in, iar\u0103 cel de-a dreapta r\u00e2de mai mult.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru \u00ee\u015fi \u00eent\u0103ri inima \u015fi mai merse o dat\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103ratul. O palma e o palma \u015fi dou\u0103-s dou\u0103! G\u00e2ndi \u015fi f\u0103cu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O p\u0103\u0163i din nou, cum a mai p\u0103\u0163it-o.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ochiul cel din st\u00e2nga l\u0103cr\u0103ma acuma numai din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, iar\u0103 cel din dreapta se p\u0103rea a fi \u00eenjunit cu zece ani.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 e treaba a\u015fa, g\u00e2ndi acum Petru, apoi \u015ftiu eu ce-oi face. At\u00e2ta m\u0103 duc, at\u00e2ta \u00eentreb, at\u00e2ta rabd la p\u0103lmi, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu vor r\u00e2de am\u00e2ndoi ochii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A zis-o, a \u015fi f\u0103cut-o! Petru nu zicea nimic de dou\u0103 ori.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 F\u0103tul meu, Petre! zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, acuma mai bl\u00e2nd \u015fi r\u00e2z\u00e2nd cu am\u00e2ndoi ochii. Eu v\u0103d c\u0103 \u0163ie nu-\u0163i iese grija din cap; \u0163i-oi spune dar treaba cu ochii mei. Vezi, ochiul acesta r\u00e2de de bucurie, c\u00e2nd v\u0103d c\u0103 am a\u015fa trei feciori ca voi; iar cel\u0103lalt pl\u00e2nge pentru c\u0103 m\u0103 tem c\u0103 voi nu ve\u0163i fi \u00een stare s\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163i\u0163i \u00een pace \u015fi s\u0103 ap\u0103ra\u0163i \u0163ara de vecinii cei vicleni. Dac\u0103-mi ve\u0163i aduce \u00eens\u0103 ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2na Z\u00e2nei Zorilor, ca s\u0103 m\u0103 sp\u0103l cu ea pe ochi, \u00eemi vor r\u00e2de am\u00e2ndoi ochii, c\u0103ci voi \u015fti c\u0103 am feciori voinici, pe care m\u0103 pot r\u0103zema.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Petru-\u015fi lu\u0103 p\u0103l\u0103ria de pe prisp\u0103 \u015fi se duse s\u0103 spun\u0103 fra\u0163ilor s\u0103i ce-a auzit. Feciorii \u00eemp\u0103ratului se puser\u0103 la sfat \u015fi g\u0103tir\u0103 lucrul pe scurt, cum se cade \u00eentre fra\u0163ii cei buni. Florea, ca cel mai b\u0103tr\u00e2n dintre cei trei, se duse \u00een grajd, alese calul cel mai bun \u015fi mai frumos puse \u015faua pe el \u015fi apoi lu\u0103 ziua-bun\u0103 de la cas\u0103 \u015fi mas\u0103. “M\u0103 duc, zise c\u0103tre fra\u0163ii s\u0103i, \u015fi dac\u0103 nu voi veni \u00eentr-un an, o lun\u0103, o s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi o zi cu ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2na Z\u00e2nei Zorilor s\u0103 vii tu Costane dup\u0103 mine”. Se duse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i Florea nu mai st\u0103tu; calul zbur\u0103 ca n\u0103luca peste mun\u0163i \u015fi peste v\u0103i p\u00e2n\u0103 ce n-ajunse la marginile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jur \u00eemprejur pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ie era o prapastie ad\u00e2nc\u0103 \u015fi peste aceast\u0103 pr\u0103pastie o singur\u0103 punte. La puntea asta mai st\u0103tu Florea o dat\u0103: s\u0103 priveasc\u0103 \u00eenapoi, apoi s\u0103 ia “ziua-bun\u0103” de la \u0163ar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu \u015fi pe sufletul p\u0103g\u00e2n de aceea ce v\u0103zu Florea acum, c\u00e2nd era s\u0103 plece mai departe. Un balaur! dar balaur cu trei capete, cu ni\u015fte fe\u0163e grozave, cu o falc\u0103-n cer, cu una \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Florea nici nu mai a\u015ftept\u0103 ca balaurul s\u0103-l scalde \u00een v\u0103paie, ci dete pinteni la cal \u015fi se duse ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd nici n-ar fi fost aici.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Balaurul suspin\u0103 o dat\u0103 \u015fi pieri f\u0103r\u0103 de urm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecu o s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103! Florea nu mai veni; trecur\u0103 dou\u0103; de Florea nu se mai auzea nimic. Trecu o lun\u0103; Costan \u00eencepu a alege \u00eentre cai. C\u00e2nd cr\u0103par\u0103 zorile de un an,o lun\u0103, o s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi o zi, Costan se sui pe cal, \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 ziua-bun\u0103 de la frate-s\u0103u mai mic. “S\u0103 vii \u015fi tu, dac\u0103 voi pieri \u015fi eu” zise \u015fi se duse cum s-a fost dus frate-s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Balaurul de la punte era acum mai \u00eenfrico\u015fat; capetele lui erau mai \u00eengrozitoare \u015fi fuga voinicului mai repede.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu se mai auzi de am\u00e2ndoi fra\u0163ii: Petru r\u0103mase singur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103 duc \u015fi eu \u00een urma fra\u0163ilor mei, zise el \u00eentr-o zi c\u0103tre tat\u0103l s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Apoi mergi cu Dumnezeu, \u00eei zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, doar\u0103 vei avea mai mult noroc dec\u00e2t fra\u0163ii t\u0103i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei cel mai t\u00e2n\u0103r fecior al \u00eemp\u0103ratului lu\u0103 dar\u0103 “ziua-bun\u0103” \u015fi porni c\u0103tre marginea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe puntea cea mare st\u0103tea acum un balaur \u015fi mai mare \u015fi mai grozav, cu f\u0103lcile \u015fi mai \u00eenfrico\u015fate \u015fi mai deschise. Balaurul avea acum nu trei, ci \u015fapte capete.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru st\u0103tu \u00een loc c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu dihania asta \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u0103. “Feri din cale!” strig\u0103 apoi. Balaurul nu feri. Petru mai strig\u0103 o dat\u0103 \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 de a treia oar\u0103; dup\u0103 aceea se repezi la el cu sabia scoas\u0103. \u00cendat\u0103 i se \u00eentunec\u0103 cerul de nu v\u0103zu alta dec\u00e2t foc! Foc \u00een dreapta, foc \u00een st\u00e2nga, foc pe dinainte, foc pe dinapoi. Balaurul arunca la foc din toate \u015fapte capetele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Calul \u00eencepu a horc\u0103ni \u015fi a se arunca \u00een dou\u0103 picioare \u00eenc\u00e2t voinicul nu putea s\u0103 lupte cu sabia. “Stai! c-a\u015fa nu-i bine!” zise el \u015fi se cobor\u00ee de pe cal. \u00cen m\u00e2na st\u00e2nga calul, \u00een m\u00e2na dreapta sabia. Nici a\u015fa nu merse: F\u0103t-Frumos nu vedea alta dec\u00e2t foc \u015fi v\u0103paie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acas\u0103 dup\u0103 alt cal mai bun! Petru zise, \u00eenc\u0103lec\u0103 \u015fi se duse ca iar\u0103\u015fi s\u0103 vin\u0103. C\u00e2nd sosi acas\u0103, \u00eel a\u015ftept\u0103 l\u0103pt\u0103toarea sa baba Birsa \u00een poarta cur\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Hei f\u0103tul meu Petre! am \u015ftiut cum c\u0103 iar\u0103 ai s\u0103 vii fiind-c\u0103 n-ai plecat bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum s\u0103 fi plecat dar\u0103? \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru pe jum\u0103tate sup\u0103rat, pe jum\u0103tate trist.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi, dragul meu Petre, \u00eencepu a-l \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a acuma baba, tu nu vei putea merge la f\u00e2nt\u00e2na Z\u00e2nei Zorilor dec\u00e2t dac\u0103 vei c\u0103l\u0103ri pe calul pe care a c\u0103l\u0103rit tat\u0103-t\u0103u \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00een tinere\u0163ea sa; mergi, \u00eentreab\u0103 unde \u015fi care e calul acela. Dup\u0103 aceea \u00eencalec\u0103 \u015fi te du.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru mul\u0163umi de \u00eenv\u0103\u0163\u0103tur\u0103 \u015fi apoi se duse, ca s\u0103 \u00eentrebe de treaba calului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Neagra-\u0163i fie lumina! se r\u0103sti acum \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Cine te-a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at ca s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eentrebi tu pe mine a\u015fa? Cu de-a bun\u0103 sam\u0103 vrajitoarea cea de Birsa. Ai tu minte? Au trecut cincizeci de ani de c\u00e2nd am fost eu june: cine \u015ftie pe unde au putrezit oasele murgului meu de atuncea?! \u00cen podul grajdului \u00eemi pare, cum c\u0103 mai e o curea din fr\u00e2u. At\u00e2ta am \u015fi mai mult nimic din cal.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru icni sup\u0103rat \u015fi spuse babei “cum \u015fi ce”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fteapt\u0103 numai \u2013 strig\u0103 baba r\u00e2z\u00e2nd de bucurie. Dac\u0103 st\u0103 lucrul a\u015fa, apoi st\u0103 bine. Du-te \u015fi ad\u0103 bucata din fr\u00e2u. Doar\u0103 voi \u015fti eu face un lucru cu cale din ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Podul era plin de fr\u00e2ie, de \u015fele \u015fi de curele. Petru alese cele mai roase, mai ruginite \u015fi mai ne\u00eengrijite \u015fi le duse babei, ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 precum a fost zis. Baba lu\u0103 fr\u00e2iele, le afum\u0103 cu fum de t\u0103m\u00e2ie, zise peste ele o zic\u0103l\u0103 din cuvinte m\u0103run\u0163ele \u015fi gr\u0103i dup\u0103 aceea c\u0103tre Petru:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia fr\u00e2iele \u015fi d\u0103 cu ele de poarta casei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru f\u0103cu precum i se zise ca s\u0103 fac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vraja babei a fost bun\u0103. Abia dete Petru cu fr\u00e2iele de poart\u0103 se \u015fi \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103\u2026 nu \u015ftiu cum\u2026 un lucru \u00eenaintea c\u0103ruia Petru stete uimit\u2026 Un cal st\u0103tea \u00eenaintea lui dec\u00e2t care lumea n-a v\u0103zut mai frumos! Cu o \u015fa plina de aur \u015fi pietre scumpe cu ni\u015fte fr\u00e2ie, la care s\u0103 nu prive\u015fti c\u0103-\u0163i piere lumina ochilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Frumos cal frumoas\u0103 \u015fa \u015fi frumoase fr\u00e2ie pentru F\u0103t-Frumos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sari voinice \u00een spatele Murgului, strig\u0103 baba fac\u00e2nd cruce peste cal \u015fi c\u0103l\u0103re\u0163: mai zise apoi o zical\u0103 de c\u00e2teva cuvinte \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce Petru s\u0103ri pe cal sim\u0163ea cum c\u0103 de trei ori este mai puternic la bra\u0163 \u015fi de at\u00e2tea ori mai pietros la inim\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 te \u0163ii bine st\u0103p\u00e2ne, c-avem cale lung\u0103 \u015fi trebuie s\u0103 mergem iute. A\u015fa zise Murgul; dar \u015fi-a aflat voinicul\u2026 Se duser\u0103\u2026 se duser\u0103, zburar\u0103 \u2013 cum nu s-a dus \u015fi nici n-a zburat cal \u015fi vonic \u00eenainte de aceea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe punte st\u0103tea acuma un balaur cum n-a mai stat, un balaur cu dou\u0103sprezece capete, grozave, mai pline de v\u0103paie! Hei! dar \u015fi-a aflat voinicul. Petru nu se \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103, ci \u00eencepu a se sufleca la m\u00e2neci \u015fi a scuipa \u00een palme: “Feri din cale!” Balaurul \u00eencepu a scuipa la foc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru nu mai f\u0103cu dar\u0103 mult\u0103 vorb\u0103, ci scoase sabia \u015fi se gr\u0103bi s\u0103 se repead\u0103 spre punte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai! ast\u00e2mp\u0103r\u0103-te st\u0103p\u00e2ne!, gr\u0103i acuma Murgul, “f\u0103 cum zic: \u00een\u0163epene\u015fte-te cu pintenii la mine \u00een br\u00e2u, scoate sabia \u015fi stai gata, c\u0103 avem s\u0103 s\u0103rim peste punte \u015fi balaur. C\u00e2nd vei vedea apoi c\u0103 suntem tocmai pe deasupra balaurului, taie capul cel mai mare, \u015fterge cu m\u00e2neca sabia de s\u00e2nge \u015fi o b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een teac\u0103, ca s\u0103 fii gata pe c\u00e2nd ajungem la p\u0103m\u00e2nt”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru str\u00e2nse din pinteni, scoase sabia, t\u0103ie capul, \u015fterse s\u00e2ngele, b\u0103g\u0103 fierul \u00een teac\u0103 \u015fi fu gata pe c\u00e2nd sim\u0163i p\u0103m\u00e2ntul sub picioarele calului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa trecur\u0103 puntea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 mergem mai departe, \u00eencepu Petru vorba dup\u0103 ce mai privi o dat\u0103 \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t la \u0163ara sa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 mergem! \u00eei r\u0103spunse Murgul. Numai spune-mi acuma st\u0103p\u00e2ne cum s\u0103 mergem? S\u0103 mergem ca v\u00e2ntul? S\u0103 mergem ca g\u00e2ndul? S\u0103 mergem ca dorul? Sau s\u0103 mergem chiar ca blestemul?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru privi \u00eenainte \u015fi nu v\u0103zu alta dec\u00e2t cer \u015fi p\u0103m\u00e2nt\u2026 un pustiu la a c\u0103rui vedere i se ridicar\u0103 perii \u00een v\u00e2rful capului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 mergem tot una dup\u0103 alta, nici prea tare s\u0103 nu ne obosim, nici peste m\u0103sura s\u0103 nu ne \u00eent\u00e2rziem. Zise\u2026 apoi merser\u0103\u2026 o zi ca v\u00e2ntul, una ca g\u00e2ndul, una ca dorul \u015fi una ca blestemul. P\u00e2n\u0103 ce n-ajunser\u0103, \u00een cr\u0103patul zorilor zilei a patra la marginile pustiului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai acum! D\u0103 \u00een pa\u015fi! S\u0103 v\u0103d ce n-am mai v\u0103zut, strig\u0103 Petru \u015fterg\u00e2ndu-se la ochi ca omul care se treze\u015fte din somn, sau ca acela care vede ceva \u015fi-i pare c\u0103 numai \u00eei pare\u2026 \u2018Naintea lui Petru se \u00eentindea o p\u0103dure de aram\u0103\u2026 cu copaci, pomi \u015fi poame de aram\u0103, cu frunze de aram\u0103, cu tufi\u015furi, iarb\u0103 \u015fi flori care de care mai frumoase tot de aram\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru st\u0103tu \u015fi privi cum prive\u015fte adic\u0103 omul, care vede ce n-a mai v\u0103zut \u015fi despre ce n-a mai auzit. Intr\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Florile de pe marginile c\u0103ii \u00eencepur\u0103 a se l\u0103uda \u015fi a \u00eendemna pe Petru ca s\u0103 le rup\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103-\u015fi fac\u0103 cunun\u0103 din ele\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia-m\u0103 pe mine, c\u0103 eu-s mai frumoas\u0103 \u015fi dau putere celui ce m\u0103 rupe, zicea una.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba ia-m\u0103 pe mine, c\u0103 cine m\u0103 pune \u00een p\u0103l\u0103rie pe acela-l iube\u015fte cea mai frumoas\u0103 nevast\u0103 din lume, zicea alta\u2026 \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi se mi\u015fc\u0103 alta\u2026 \u015fi alta\u2026 care de care mai frumoas\u0103 \u015fi mai dulce la vorb\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce n-ademenir\u0103 pe Petru ca s\u0103 le rup\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Murgul s\u0103ri \u00een l\u0103turi c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2nul s\u0103u pleac\u0103 dup\u0103 flori..<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru ce nu r\u0103m\u00e2i \u00een pace?! zise Petru cam cu r\u0103stita.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu rupe, c\u0103 nu e bine s\u0103 rupi! zise Murgul sf\u0103tos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru ce s\u0103 nu fie bine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pe florile acestea zace blestemul: cine rupe din ele acela are s\u0103 se lupte cu V\u00e2lva p\u0103durii!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce v\u00e2lv\u0103?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum d\u0103-mi pace! Ascult\u0103 de mine: prive\u015fte la flori; nu rupe \u00eens\u0103 din ele, ci r\u0103m\u00e2i \u00een pace. A\u015fa zise calul, \u015fi mersera \u00een pa\u015fi mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru o \u015ftia din p\u0103\u0163ite cum c\u0103 e bine s-asculte de Murgul; \u00ee\u015fi rupse dar g\u00e2ndul de la flori. \u00cen zadar \u00eens\u0103! Dac\u0103 se pune odata necazul pe capul cuiva, nu sc\u0103pa de s-ar \u015fi feri din toate puterile\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Florile tot i se \u00eembiau \u015fi el tot \u00eentr-una sl\u0103bea din inim\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fie ce e dat s\u0103 fie! zise Petru de la o vreme. Barem voi vedea \u015fi V\u00e2lva p\u0103durilor. S\u0103 v\u0103d, ce e? Cu cine am de lucru? Dac\u0103-mi va fi ursita s\u0103 mor de ea, voi muri \u015fi a\u015fa; dac\u0103 nu\u2026 apoi scap\u2026 s\u0103 fie o sut\u0103 \u015fi-o mie de iele! Se puse la rupt de flori\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-ai f\u0103cut bine! zise acum Murgul plin de grij\u0103. Dac\u0103 ai f\u0103cut-o, \u00eens\u0103 e f\u0103cut\u0103! te \u00eencinge acuma \u015fi fii gata de lupt\u0103, c\u0103 acu\u015f, vine V\u00e2lva!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia rosti Murgul vorba, abia fu Petru gata cu cununa\u2026 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi \u00eencepu un v\u00e2nt u\u015for din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile.. Din v\u00e2nt se f\u0103cu vifor\u2026 Viforul crescu\u2026 crescu p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu se v\u0103zu alta dec\u00e2t \u00eentunerec \u015fi noapte\u2026 \u015fi iar\u0103 numai noapte \u015fi \u00eentunerec\u2026 Lui Petru \u00eei p\u0103rea, cum c\u0103 a luat cineva lumea \u00een spate \u015fi a \u00eenc\u0103rc\u0103t-o la fuga cu ea, a\u015fa se cutremura p\u0103m\u00e2ntul sub el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fric\u0103 \u0163i-e? \u00eentreb\u0103 murgul scutur\u00e2nd din coam\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba! r\u0103spunse Petru \u00eent\u0103rindu-se pe inima, de\u015fi spatele \u00eencepu a-i furnica. Dac\u0103 e acuma a\u015fa, a\u015fa apoi fie cum e!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nici nu-\u0163i fie fric\u0103! \u00eencepu a-l \u00eendemna Murgul. Ia fr\u00e2ul de la mine din cap \u015fi umbl\u0103 ca s\u0103 \u00eenfr\u00e2ni V\u00e2lva cu el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Alta nu mai zise, c\u0103ci Petru nici nu avu timp s\u0103 desfr\u00e2ne cum se cade p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi ajunse V\u00e2lva la ei\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru nu putea privi la ea\u2026 a\u015fa era de grozav\u0103 \u015fi de \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cap n-are\u2026 dar nici f\u0103r\u0103 cap nu e\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Prin aer nu zboar\u0103\u2026 dar nici pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt nu umbl\u0103\u2026 Are coam\u0103 ca \u015fi calul, coarne ca cerbul, fa\u0163\u0103 ca ursul, ochii ca dihorul \u015fi trupul e de toate\u2026 numai de fiin\u0163\u0103 nu\u2026 A\u015fa era V\u00e2lva c\u00e2nd se repezi c\u0103tre Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru se sprijini \u00een fere, se ridic\u0103 \u00een picioare \u015fi \u00eencepu a lucra c\u00e2nd cu sabia, c\u00e2nd cu bra\u0163ul, iar sudorile mergeau dup\u0103 el c\u0103 p\u00e2r\u00e2ul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trecu o zi \u015fi o noapte; lupta nu mai ajunse la cap\u0103t.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai\u2026 S\u0103 ne mai \u00eent\u0103rim oleac\u0103! zise V\u00e2lva r\u00e2sufl\u00e2nd cu greu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u0103t-Frumos l\u0103s\u0103 spada \u00een jos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu sta! strig\u0103 murgul cu gr\u0103bita.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru iar\u0103\u015fi \u00eencepu a lucra din toate puterile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2lva r\u00e2nchez\u0103 acuma o dat\u0103 ca \u015fi calul\u2026 apoi url\u0103 ca lupul\u2026 \u015fi se repezi din nou la Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lupta mai curse o zi \u015fi o noapte \u015fi mai \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u0103 ca p\u00e2n\u0103 acuma. Petru sim\u0163ea abia c\u0103 se mai poate mi\u015fca de obosit ce era.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai acuma, c\u0103 v\u0103d c\u0103 am cu om de lucru! Stai, zise V\u00e2lva \u015fi de-a dou\u0103 oar\u0103. Stai! S\u0103 ne \u00eemp\u0103c\u0103m.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru se lupt\u0103 mai departe de\u015fi abia mai putea r\u0103sufla.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu sta! vorbi Murgul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dar nici V\u00e2lva nu se mai repezi ca p\u00e2n\u0103 acuma, ci \u00eencepu a se purta mai cu cale \u015fi treab\u0103, cum se poart\u0103 adic\u0103 toate c\u00e2nd nu mai simt putere \u00een sine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa curse lupta p\u00e2n\u0103-n zorile de-a treia zi. C\u00e2nd \u00eencepur\u0103 zorile a crepe\u0163i, Petru f\u0103cu ce f\u0103cu, destul c\u0103 arunc\u0103 fr\u00e2ul \u00een capul V\u00e2lvei obosite\u2026 Deodata se f\u0103cu din V\u00e2lva un cal, cel mai frumos din lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dulce-\u0163i fie via\u0163a, c\u0103 m\u0103 sc\u0103pa\u015fi de la robie! zise acuma V\u00e2lva pref\u0103cut\u0103 \u00een cal \u015fi \u00eencepu a se dezmierda cu Murgul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mai \u00een urm\u0103 \u00een\u0163elese Petru din vorb\u0103 \u015fi cuv\u00e2nt cum c\u0103 V\u00e2lva nu fusese alta dec\u00e2t un frate al Murgului, pe care l-a blestemat Sf\u00e2nta Miercure \u00eenainte de asta, cu at\u00e2tea \u015fi at\u00e2tea sute de ani.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru leg\u0103 V\u00e2lva de calul s\u0103u, se sui pe ea \u015fi se puse din nou pe cale\u2026 Cum a mers? Nici nu e nevoie s\u0103 spun. Repede a mers\u2026 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce n-a ie\u015fit din p\u0103durea cea de aram\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stati pe loc! Da\u0163i \u00een pa\u015fi s\u0103 v\u0103d ce n-am v\u0103zut! zise Petru mai odat\u0103 c\u00e2nd ie\u015fir\u0103 din p\u0103durea cea de aram\u0103. Inaintea lui se \u00eentindea acuma o p\u0103dure \u00eenc\u0103 mai minunat\u0103 dec\u00e2t cea de aram\u0103, cu tufi\u015f mai str\u0103lucitor, cu flori mai frumoase \u015fi mai ademenitoare \u2013 el intr\u0103 \u00een p\u0103durea de argint.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Florile \u00eencepur\u0103 a vorbi \u00eenc\u0103 mai dulce, mai \u00eendemn\u0103tor dec\u00e2t cele din p\u0103durea de aram\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu mai rupi din flori zise V\u00e2lva cea legat\u0103 de Murgul, c\u0103ci frate-meu e de \u015fapte ori mai puternic dec\u00e2t mine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu se opri \u00eens\u0103 F\u0103t-Frumos cel f\u0103r\u0103 de fric\u0103! Abia trecu una dou\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce Petru \u015fi \u00eencepu a rupe flori \u015fi a le \u00eempleti \u00een cunun\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se f\u0103cu vifor mai turbat, noapte mai neagr\u0103, p\u0103m\u00e2ntul se cutremura mai tare dec\u00e2t \u00een p\u0103durea de aram\u0103; V\u00e2lva p\u0103durii de argint se repezi la Petru c-o groz\u0103vie de \u015fapte ori mai mare dec\u00e2t cum a fost \u00een p\u0103durea de aram\u0103. Nici el nu fu \u00eens\u0103 lene\u015f! Lupta mai curse o dat\u0103 trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i; \u015fi-n crepetul zorilor zilei a patra, Petru \u00eenfr\u00e2na \u015fi pe a doua V\u00e2lva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dulce-\u0163i fie fericirea, c\u0103 m-ai scos de la robie! zise \u015fi ast\u0103-dat\u0103 V\u00e2lva, apoi se \u00eentinser\u0103 la cale cum s-au mai \u00eentins \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 acum.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ho, sta\u0163i pe loc! Da\u0163i \u00een pa\u015fi!. S\u0103 v\u0103d, ce n-am mai v\u0103zut \u00eenc\u0103, strig\u0103 c\u0103l\u0103re\u0163ul acuma de a treia oar\u0103, puse dup\u0103 aceea palma pe ochi, fiindc\u0103 se temea c\u0103-i va pieri lumina de razele ce veneau din p\u0103durea cea de aur.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0El mai vazuse lucruri minunate, dar despre a\u015fa ceva nici nu a visat p\u00e2n\u0103 acuma.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 st\u0103m pe loc! C\u0103 nu e bine, strigar\u0103 caii deodat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru ce s\u0103 nu fie bine? \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu iar\u0103\u015fi ai s\u0103 rupi din flori. \u015etiu c\u0103 nu te va r\u0103bda firea! \u015ei fratele nostru cel mai t\u00e2n\u0103r e de \u015faptezeci \u015fi \u015fapte de ori mai puternic \u015fi mai grozav dec\u00e2t noi to\u0163i trei laolalt\u0103. S\u0103 \u00eenconjur\u0103m dar p\u0103durea! A\u015fa vorbi Murgul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu! r\u0103spunse Petru, s\u0103 mergem! S\u0103 le vedem pe toate dac\u0103 am v\u0103zut ceva. N-ave\u0163i fric\u0103, nici eu n-am!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu e nevoie s\u0103 spun, cum c\u0103 Petru iar\u0103\u015fi a f\u0103cut f\u0103cut-o\u2026 Doamne! dar cum s\u0103 nu o fac\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia \u00eempletit\u0103 cununa, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 fie ceva cum n-a mai fost\u2026 Acuma nu era mai mult vifor, nu mai mult \u00eentunecos; p\u0103m\u00e2ntul nu se cutremura mai mult. Se f\u0103cea nu \u015ftiu ce \u015fi nu \u015ftiu cum\u2026 destul c\u0103 lui Petru \u00eei p\u0103rea c-a intrat cineva \u00een miezul lumii \u015fi a \u00eenceput s-o \u00eentoarc\u0103 pe dos. Grozav era ce era \u015fi \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u2026 \u015fi\u2026 s\u0103 fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi a\u015fa! zise Murgul sup\u0103rat, dac\u0103 n-ai putut r\u0103m\u00e2nea \u00een pace.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru v\u0103zu c\u0103 nu mai vede nimic, \u00eencepu a sim\u0163i c\u0103 nu mai simte nimic \u015fi dete a pricepe c\u0103 nu mai are ce s\u0103 priceapa; t\u0103cu dar\u0103 \u015fi nu zise nimic, ci se \u00eencinse \u015fi se f\u0103cu gata de lupt\u0103. Vie acuma V\u00e2lva! strig\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea. Sau mor sau \u00eei pun fr\u00e2ul \u00een cap!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia zise vorba p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi v\u0103zu apropiindu-se c\u0103tre d\u00e2nsul\u2026 o negur\u0103 deas\u0103 venea c\u0103tre Petru. A\u015fa era de deas\u0103 negura asta, \u00eenc\u00e2t Petru nici pe sine \u00eensu\u015fi nu se putea vedea \u00een ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e asta?! strig\u0103 el cam \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2ntat c\u00e2nd \u00eencepu a sim\u0163i c\u0103-l doare din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile. Se \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2nt\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 \u015fi mai tare, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 nici el singur nu-\u015fi aude vorba \u00een negura cea deas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencepu dar a da cu sabia \u00een dreapta \u015fi \u00een st\u00e2nga pe dinainte \u015fi pe dind\u0103r\u0103t a da din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile \u015fi din toate puterile care le mai avea\u2026 cum face adic\u0103 omul, care vede c\u0103 acuma nu e bine. A\u015fa lucra el o zi \u015fi o noapte f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vad\u0103 alta dec\u00e2t negru \u00eenaintea ochilor s\u0103i, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 aud\u0103 alta dec\u00e2t cursul sudorilor sale de pe trupurile cailor.. De la o vreme chiar \u015fi \u00eencepu a crede c\u0103 nici nu mai tr\u0103ie\u015fte, ci a murit acuma de mult.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Deodat\u0103 \u00eencepu a se desface negura\u2026 \u00cen zorile zilei a doua, negura se resfir\u0103 de tot, \u015fi pe c\u00e2nd se ridic\u0103 soarele pe cer, \u00eenaintea ochilor lui Petru era lumin\u0103 ca lumina.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lui \u00eei p\u0103ru acuma c\u0103 se n\u0103scuse din nou. V\u00e2lva? peri ca-n palm\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Rasufl\u0103 acuma o dat\u0103, c\u0103 iar\u0103 va s\u0103 \u00eenceap\u0103 lupta din nou! zise Murgul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce-a fost asta? \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 V\u00e2lva, r\u0103spunse Murgul, V\u00e2lva a fost pref\u0103cut\u0103 \u00een negur\u0103\u2026 R\u0103sufl\u0103 numai c\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi vine!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici n-a zis-o bine Murgul asta, nici n-avu Petru vreme ca s\u0103 r\u0103sufle p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi v\u0103zu c\u0103 vede ceva venind deoparte, ceva despre ce nu \u015ftia ce e\u2026 o ap\u0103, \u00eens\u0103 nu e ca ap\u0103 c\u0103-\u0163i pare c\u0103 nu curge pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt, ci zboar\u0103 cumva sau ce face\u2026 destul c\u0103 urme nu are \u015fi pe sus nu zboara\u2026 A\u015fa ceva ce nu e!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vai! strig\u0103 Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ine-te \u015fi d\u0103, nu sta! zise Murgul\u2026, \u015fi nu mai zise dup\u0103 aceea nimica, c\u0103-i astup\u0103 apa gura.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lupta se \u00eencepu din nou\u2026 Petru d\u0103du o zi \u015fi o noapte necurmat f\u0103r\u0103 ca s\u0103 fi \u015ftiut \u00een ce \u015fi se lupt\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftie cu cine\u2026 C\u00e2nd se apropiar\u0103 zorile zilei a doua, \u00eencepu a sim\u0163i cum c\u0103 sl\u0103be\u015fte din picioare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acuma pier! strig\u0103 cam sup\u0103rat; \u00eens\u0103 pentru aceea \u00eencepu a-\u015fi \u00eent\u0103ri inima \u015fi a da \u00eenc\u0103 mai \u0163ap\u0103n\u2026 Soarele r\u0103s\u0103ri pe cer, apa pieri f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se \u015ftie cum \u015fi c\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 R\u0103sufl\u0103! gr\u0103i Murgul, r\u0103sufl\u0103 c\u0103 n-ai mult\u0103 vreme, V\u00e2lva vine pe loc! Petru nu mai zise nimic, c\u0103 nici nu \u015ftia s\u0103racul de el ce s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 de obosit ce era. Se a\u015fez\u0103 dar\u0103 mai bine \u00een \u015fa, str\u00e2nse mai bine de sabie \u015fi a\u015ftept\u0103 a\u015fa g\u0103tit, ca s\u0103 ajung\u0103 ce vedea c\u0103 vine\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa cum, nu \u015ftiu cum, ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd se viseaz\u0103 omul, c\u0103 vedea ceva ce n-are ce are \u015fi are ce n-are, a\u015fa \u00eei parea lui Petru c\u0103 ar fi V\u00e2lva acum. O! Doamne! O! Doamne! Cum poate fi V\u00e2lva p\u0103durii de aur c\u00e2nd s-a dus de dou\u0103 ori cu ru\u015fine?! Zbura pe picioare \u015fi umbla pe aripi\u2026 era cu capul dinapoi \u015fi cu coada dinainte, cu ochii \u00een piept \u015fi cu pieptul \u00een frunte\u2026 \u015fi cum mai era \u00eenc\u0103 \u2013 numai Dumnezeu ar \u015fti s-o spun\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe Petru \u00eel trecur\u0103 fiorii o dat\u0103 din sus \u00een jos, o dat\u0103 din jos \u00een sus, o dat\u0103 cruci\u015f, \u015fi o dat\u0103 curmezi\u015f; dup\u0103 aceea \u00eent\u0103ri inima \u015fi \u00eencepu a lucra cum a mai lucrat \u015fi\u2026 n-a mai lucrat. Trecu ziua. Petru \u00eencepu a sl\u0103bi din puteri. Trecu amurgul serii; lui Petru \u00eencepur\u0103 a i se \u00eemp\u0103ienjeni ochii. C\u00e2nd ajunse la miezul nop\u0163ii, Petru sim\u0163i cum c\u0103 nu e mai mult c\u0103lare. Nici el singur nu \u015ftia cum \u015fi c\u00e2nd a ajuns la p\u0103m\u00e2nt; destul c\u0103 nu mai era pe cal. C\u00e2nd \u00eencepu a se dezveli ziua din noapte, Petru nu mai putea sta \u00een picioare, ci se l\u0103s\u0103 \u00een genunchi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te l\u0103sa; mai \u0163ine-o \u00eenc\u0103 oleac\u0103! strig\u0103 Murgul c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 sl\u0103besc puterile st\u0103p\u00e2nului s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru se \u015fterse cu m\u00e2neca c\u0103m\u0103\u015fii de sudori. \u00ce\u015fi \u00eencord\u0103 toate puterile \u015fi se ridic\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 \u00een picioare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Love\u015fte acuma V\u00e2lva cu fr\u00e2ul peste bot! zise Murgul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru f\u0103cu precum \u00eei zise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2lva r\u00e2nchez\u0103 o dat\u0103 ca arm\u0103sarul, \u00eenc\u00e2t lui Petru \u00eei p\u0103rea c-o s\u0103 asurzeasc\u0103, apoi s\u0103ri la Petru, de\u015fi abia se mi\u015fca \u015fi ea de obosit\u0103 ce era.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lupta nu mai curse mult. Petru f\u0103cu ce f\u0103cu \u015fi puse fr\u00e2ul \u015fi la ast\u0103 V\u00e2lva pe cap\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe c\u00e2nd se f\u0103cea ziua cum se cade, F\u0103t-Frumos c\u0103l\u0103rea pe al patrulea cal.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Frumoas\u0103-\u0163i fie nevasta, c\u0103 m-ai scos de la robie! zise V\u00e2lva.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Plecar\u0103, se duser\u0103 \u015fi pe c\u00e2nd se \u00eenv\u0103luia ziua cu noaptea ajunser\u0103 spre marginea p\u0103durii de aur. Cum mergeau a\u015fa pe cale, lui Petru \u00eencepu a i se ur\u00ee \u015fi ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u015fi el ceva, dete a privi la cununile cele frumoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fac cu trei cununi? \u00eencepu a vorbi a\u015fa singur. Destul \u00eemi fie una. \u0162iu pe cea mai frumoas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Arunc\u0103 dar cea de aram\u0103, apoi cea de argint \u015fi \u0163inu numai pe cea de aur la sine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai! zise Murgul. Nu arunca cununile. Descalec\u0103 \u015fi le ridic\u0103 c\u0103-\u0163i vor prinde \u00eenc\u0103 bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru f\u0103cu precum i se zise \u015fi merse mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd era soarele de-o palm\u0103 de la p\u0103m\u00e2nt a\u015fa de c\u0103tre sear\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eencep musculi\u0163ele a se aduna, c\u0103l\u0103re\u0163ul nostru ajunse chiar la marginea p\u0103durii. Naintea lui se \u00eentindea un pustiu mare\u2026 mare\u2026 c\u00e2t vedeai cu ochii nu vedeai nimic pe el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Caii se oprir\u0103 \u00een loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e? \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu e bine! r\u0103spunse Murgul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pentru ce s\u0103 nu fie bine?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Intr\u0103m \u00een \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Sfintei Miercuri. C\u00e2t vom merge prin ea, nu vom da de alta dec\u00e2t de frig \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi de frig. Pe marginile c\u0103ii vor fi focuri din focuri \u015fi eu m\u0103 tem c\u0103 tu vei merge s\u0103 te \u00eenc\u0103lze\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei pentru ce s\u0103 nu m\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103lzesc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu e bine s\u0103 te \u00eenc\u0103lze\u015fti! r\u0103spunse Murgul cu grij\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Intr\u0103! gr\u0103i Petru f\u0103r\u0103 fric\u0103, dac\u0103 trebuie, voi \u015fti r\u0103bda la frig.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe c\u00e2t Petru intra mai ad\u00e2nc \u00een \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Sfintei Miercuri, pe at\u00e2ta sim\u0163ea mai tare c\u0103 nu e bine cum e. La tot pasul era mai frig, mai ger\u2026 Dar frig \u015fi ger \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eenghe\u0163a m\u0103duva \u00een oase\u2026 Dar nici Petru nu era f\u0103cut de picioroange! Voinic a fost la lupt\u0103, voinic r\u0103mase \u015fi la r\u0103bdare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe marginea c\u0103ii tot foc din foc \u015fi l\u00e2ng\u0103 focuri tot oameni din oameni care chemau pe Petru la sine, care de care cu vorbe mai frumoase \u015fi mai ademenitoare. Lui Petru \u00eencepu a i se \u00eenghe\u0163a r\u0103suflarea din gur\u0103, dar el nu se l\u0103s\u0103, ci \u00eens\u0103 porunci Murgului ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la pas.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2t\u0103 vreme a r\u0103bdat voinicul nostru la ger \u015fi frig, nici nu se poate spune, c\u0103ci fiecare \u015ftie cum c\u0103 \u00een \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Sfintei Miercuri nu e frig\u2026 numai iac-a\u015fa, ci frig, frig\u2026, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eenghea\u0163a \u015fi vi\u0163elul \u00een vac\u0103\u2026 \u00eenc\u00e2t cr\u0103p\u0103 \u015fi st\u00e2ncile de ger ce e\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa z\u0103u e acolo! Dar nici Petru n-a crescut f\u0103r\u0103 necaz\u2026 scr\u00e2\u015fnea din din\u0163i \u015fi nimic mai mult, de\u015fi a fost \u00een\u0163epenit, \u00eenc\u00e2t nici nu mai putea clipi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa ajunser\u0103 la Sf\u00e2nta Miercuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru cobor\u00ee de pe cal, arunc\u0103 fr\u00e2ul \u00een capul Murgului \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een coliba Sfintei Miercuri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Buna ziua, Maic\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mul\u0163umim, voinic friguros!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru r\u00e2se o dat\u0103 dar nu r\u0103spunse nimic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Voinic ai fost, \u00eei zise acuma Sf\u00e2nta Miercuri b\u0103t\u00e2ndu-l pe umeri. Acuma s\u0103-\u0163i dau c\u00e2\u015ftigul. Se duse dup\u0103 aceea, deschise un serin ferecat \u015fi scoase din el o cutie mic\u0103: iac\u0103, zise mai departe, cutia e dat\u0103 din b\u0103tr\u00e2ni ca s\u0103 nu o poarte dec\u00e2t acela care a trecut prin \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia frigului. Na-\u0163i-o \u015fi poart\u0103 grij\u0103 de ea c\u0103-\u0163i va prinde \u00eenc\u0103 bine. C\u00e2nd o deschizi, \u00ee\u0163i vine veste de unde tu numai vrei \u015fi \u015ftire adevarat\u0103 din \u0163ara ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru mul\u0163\u0103mi de vorb\u0103 \u015fi de dar \u015fi se sui pe cal \u015fi porni mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se depart\u0103 de o azv\u00e2rlit\u0103 bun\u0103, deschise cutia cea vr\u0103jit\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e porunc\u0103? \u00eentreb\u0103 nu \u015ftiu ce din cutie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Veste \u00eemi ad\u0103 de la taica, porunci Petru cam cu fric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015eade la sfat cu b\u0103tr\u00e2nii! r\u0103spunse cutia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Merge-i bine?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Z\u0103u aci cam r\u0103u, c\u0103-i sup\u0103rat!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine \u00eel sup\u0103r\u0103? \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru acum mai aspru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fra\u0163ii t\u0103i Costan \u015fi Florea! r\u0103spunse iar\u0103\u015fi din cutie. Pe cum \u00eemi pare mie cer \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia de la el \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2nul zice c\u0103 n-ar fi vrednici de ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mergi Murgule, c\u0103 nu e vreme de pierdut! strig\u0103 acuma Petru. \u00cenchise dup\u0103 aceea cutia \u015fi o b\u0103g\u0103 \u00een traist\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se duser\u0103 cum se ducea n\u0103luca, cum umbl\u0103 v\u00e2ntoasele \u015fi gonesc \u00een miezul nop\u0163ii pricolicii. C\u00e2t au mers a\u015fa nici nu se poate spune\u2026 Au mers mult\u2026 foarte mult!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai! s\u0103-\u0163i mai dau un sfat! zise Murgul \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S-auzim! gr\u0103i Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai avut necaz cu frigul, acuma ai s\u0103 dai de o c\u0103ldur\u0103 cum n-a mai fost. S\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2i voinic! S\u0103 nu te tragi la r\u0103coare c\u0103 nu e bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mergi! r\u0103spunse Petru. Nu-\u0163i fie fric\u0103, dac\u0103 n-am \u00eenghe\u0163at nici nu m\u0103 voi topi. Hm! aici era o c\u0103ldur\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t se tope\u015fte \u015fi m\u0103duva \u00een oase\u2026 C\u0103ldur\u0103 adec\u0103 cum nu poate fi dec\u00e2t \u00een \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Sfintei Joi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe c\u00e2t mergeau mai departe, cu at\u00e2t c\u0103ldura era mai mare\u2026 De la o vreme \u00eencepur\u0103 a se topi chiar \u015fi potcoavele de la Murgul de pe copite. Hei! dar nici Petru nu se l\u0103s\u0103! \u00eei curgeau sudorile vale, el se \u015ftergea cu m\u00e2neca \u015fi m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een goan\u0103 mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De cald ar mai fi fost cum ar fi fost, era \u00eens\u0103 \u015fi un alt lucru care pe Petru \u00eel sup\u0103r\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 mai tare. Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cale tot c\u00e2te la o azv\u00e2rlitur\u0103 bun\u0103 de departe una de alta erau ni\u015fte v\u0103i r\u0103coroase cu ni\u015fte izvoare reci \u015fi ast\u00e2mp\u0103r\u0103toare. C\u00e2nd Petru privea la ele, sim\u0163ea c\u0103 i-a secat inima \u015fi i s-a uscat limba \u00een gur\u0103 de sete ce-i era.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 izvoare erau tot crini, viorele \u015fi trandafiri, prin iarba cea molcu\u0163\u0103 \u015fi pe ele odihneau ni\u015fte fete, frumoase, doamne! \u00eenc\u00e2t nici nu pot fi mai frumoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lui Petru \u00eei venea s\u0103 \u00eenchid\u0103 ochii, ca s\u0103 nici nu mai vad\u0103 a\u015fa lucruri ademenitoare. \u2013 Vino, voinice, la r\u0103coare! Vino! Stai de vorba! \u00eel chemau feti\u0163ele.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru d\u0103dea din cap \u015fi nici nu zicea nimic, c\u0103 i s-a oprit \u015fi graiul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mult au mers a\u015fa, foarte mult!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Deodata sim\u0163ir\u0103 c\u0103 \u00eencepe c\u0103ldura a se mai st\u00e2mp\u0103ra. Din departe, pe un deal se vedea o colib\u0103; aici locuia Sf\u00e2nta Joi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru trase spre ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd erau s\u0103 ajung\u0103 la colib\u0103, Sf\u00e2nta Joi le ie\u015fi \u00een cale \u015fi-i zise “Ziua bun\u0103” lui Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru \u00eei mul\u0163umi\u2026 precum e acuma datina la oameni cu cinste \u015fi n\u0103r\u0103veal\u0103, prinser\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea vorba\u2026 cum prind adic\u0103 oamenii ce nu s-au mai v\u0103zut \u00eenc\u0103. Petru spuse veste de la Sf\u00e2nta Miercuri, vorbi despre patimile sale \u015fi despre calea \u00een care a pornit \u015fi lu\u0103 ziua bun\u0103, c\u0103 z\u0103u! el nu prea avea vreme de pierdut\u2026 Hm! cine \u015ftie c\u00e2t mai avea s\u0103 mearg\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la Z\u00e2na Zorilor!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai stai oleac\u0103! gr\u0103i Sf\u00e2nta Joie, s\u0103-\u0163i mai zic o vorb\u0103. Acum intri \u00een \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia S\u00e2ntei Vineri: s\u0103 treci \u015fi pe la ea \u015fi s\u0103-i spui “s\u0103n\u0103tate \u015fi voie bun\u0103” de la mine. C\u00e2nd vei merge apoi c\u0103tre cas\u0103, s\u0103 vii iar\u0103\u015fi pe la mine, c\u0103 am s\u0103-\u0163i dau ceva, care \u00ee\u0163i va prinde bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru mul\u0163\u0103mi de vorba \u015fi de toate, plec\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia merser\u0103 cam a\u015fa c\u00e2t \u0163ine o pip\u0103 de tutun p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi ajunser\u0103 \u00eentr-o \u0163ar\u0103 nou\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aci nu era cald, dar nici nu era frig, ci\u2026 a\u015fa cumva \u00eentre ele\u2026 cum e colea prim\u0103vara, c\u00e2nd \u00eencep a se \u00een\u0163\u0103rca mieii. Petru \u00eencepu acum a r\u0103sufla mai st\u00e2mp\u0103rare. Era \u00eens\u0103 un pustiu\u2026 numai nisip \u015fi scai. Oare ce s\u0103 fie aceea? \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru d\u00e2nd cu ochii de a\u015fa ceva ca \u015fi o cas\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 departe\u2026 foarte departe! tocmai p\u00e2n\u0103 unde ajung ochii lui peste pustiul cel gol.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aceea e casa Sfintei Vineri, r\u0103spunse Murgul. Dac\u0103 mergem bine poate ajungem \u00eenc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce se \u00eentunec\u0103 deplin.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa \u015fi fu\u2026 Noaptea se f\u0103cu noapte. F\u0103t-Frumos se apropie cu \u00eencetul de casa cea dep\u0103rtat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peste pustiu se vedeau o mul\u0163ime de n\u0103luci ce se goneau pe din dreapta, din st\u00e2nga, pe dinaintea \u015fi pe dindosul lui Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 n-ai nici o fric\u0103! zise Murgul. Aceste sunt fetele v\u00e2ntoaselor\u2026 Se joac\u0103 prin aer a\u015ftept\u00e2nd s\u0103 vin\u0103 \u015fi v\u00e2rcolacii. A\u015fa ajunser\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la casa Sfintei Vineri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cobori acuma \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103! zise Murgul. Petru voi s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce i se zise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai nu fi a\u015fa gr\u0103bit, vorbi Murgul mai departe. S\u0103 te \u00eenv\u0103\u0163 mai nainte ce \u015fi cum s\u0103 faci. La Sf\u00e2nta Vineri nu po\u0163i intra, c\u0103 e p\u0103zit\u0103 jur \u00eemprejur de V\u00e2ntoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fac dar\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ia cununa cea de aram\u0103 \u015fi te du cu ea vezi colo departe pe colina ceea. C\u00e2nd vei fi acolo \u00eencepe a striga: Vai, ce fete frumoase! ce \u00eengeri! ce suflete de z\u00e2na! Dup\u0103 aceea ridic\u0103 cununa \u00een sus \u015fi zi: Dac\u0103 a\u015f \u015fti c\u0103 ar primi careva cununa asta de la mine! dac\u0103 a\u015f \u015fti! \u015fi arunc\u0103 cununa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei pentru ce s\u0103 fac a\u015fa?, \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru\u2026 cum \u00eentreab\u0103 adic\u0103 omul, care vrea s\u0103 \u015ftie c\u0103 pentru ce face.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Taci, du-te \u015fi f\u0103! zise Murgul pe scurt \u015fi Petru nu mai lungi vorba, ci f\u0103cu precum i se zise. Abia arunc\u0103 Petru cununa c\u00e2nd se \u015fi \u00eengr\u0103m\u0103dir\u0103 V\u00e2ntoasele peste ea \u015fi \u00eencepur\u0103 a se bate, ca s\u0103 o aiba care de care.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru o lu\u0103 acuma c\u0103tre cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai! strig\u0103 Murgul \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103. \u00cenc\u0103 nu \u0163i le-am spus pe toate. Ia cununa cea de argint apoi te du \u015fi bate la fereastra Sfintei Vineri\u2026 Dac\u0103 te \u00eentreab\u0103 baba, cine e? tu s\u0103 zici c\u0103 ai r\u0103t\u0103cit prin pustiu. Ea te va m\u00e2na \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t. Tu s\u0103 nu te mi\u015fti, ci s\u0103 zici: Ba z\u0103u! eu nu voi merge, c\u0103 de c\u00e2nd am fost mic tot am auzit de frumuse\u0163ea Sfintei Vineri \u015fi nu mi-am f\u0103cut opinci de o\u0163el cu curele de vi\u0163el, nu am venit de nou\u0103 ani \u015fi nou\u0103 luni, nu m-am luptat pentru cununa asta de argint, care voiesc s\u0103 i-o dau ei, nu le-am f\u0103cut \u015fi p\u0103\u0163it toate astea pentru ca s\u0103 merg \u00eenapoi c\u00e2nd voi ajunge la ea\u2026 A\u015fa s\u0103 faci \u015fi a\u015fa s\u0103 zici; de aici \u00eencolo grija ta s\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru nu mai f\u0103cu vorb\u0103, ci porni spre cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum era a\u015fa de noapte, Petru nici nu vedea casa Sfintei Vineri, ci merse numai pe razele luminii ce str\u0103b\u0103teau din fereastr\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la el. Ajungand la cas\u0103, ni\u015fte c\u0103ini \u00eencepur\u0103 a l\u0103tra, c\u00e2nd sim\u0163i ceva str\u0103in prin apropiere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine se m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 cu c\u00e2ini? amar\u0103 i-ar fi via\u0163a! strig\u0103 Sf\u00e2nta Vineri m\u00e2nioas\u0103 cum se cade.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu sunt, Sf\u00e2nt\u0103 Vineri, eu! zise Petru r\u0103sufl\u00e2nd o dat\u0103 cu greu, ca omul care ar vrea s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce face. Am r\u0103t\u0103cit prin pustiu \u015fi n-am unde s\u0103 dorm peste noapte. Aici t\u0103cu, nu cutez\u0103 s\u0103 zic\u0103 mai mult.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde \u0163i-ai l\u0103sat calul?, \u00eentreb\u0103 Sf\u00e2nta Vineri cam aspru. Petru sta \u00een chibzuri, nu \u015ftia s\u0103 minta ori s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103 vorb\u0103 dreapt\u0103. Nu r\u0103spunse nimic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mergi cu Dumnezeu, f\u0103tul meu! Eu n-am loc s\u0103-\u0163i dau, zise Sf\u00e2nta Vineri \u015fi se retrase de la fereastr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru zise acuma ce i-a fost zis Murgul s\u0103 zic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abia-\u015fi sf\u00e2r\u015fi Petru zicala p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi v\u0103zu, cum c\u0103 Sf\u00e2nta Vineri deschise fereastra vorbind c\u0103tre el cu vorb\u0103 dulce \u015fi bl\u00e2nda:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 v\u0103d cununa f\u0103tule! Petru-i \u00eentinse cununa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vino \u00een cas\u0103! zise Sf\u00e2nta Vineri, nu te teme de c\u00e2ini, c\u0103 ei \u00een\u0163eleg voin\u0163a mea. A\u015fa \u015fi f\u0103cu\u2026 C\u00e2inii \u00eencepur\u0103 a mi\u015fca din coad\u0103 merg\u00e2nd \u00een urma lui Petru, cum merg dup\u0103 om c\u00e2nd vine seara de la \u0163arin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru zise “bun\u0103 seara”, c\u00e2nd intr\u0103 \u00een cas\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi puse p\u0103l\u0103ria pe v\u00e2rful cuptorului \u015fi se a\u015fez\u0103 pe pomnol dup\u0103 ce i se zise s\u0103 \u015fad\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acuma se vorbi\u2026 iaca despre lucruri de toate zilele, despre lume, despre r\u0103utatea oamenilor \u015fi despre alte lucruri ca astea\u2026 f\u0103r\u0103 nici o treab\u0103 \u015fi pre\u0163\u2026 Precum se vedea, Sf\u00e2nta Vineri era foarte sup\u0103rat\u0103 pe oameni; iar Petru-i d\u0103dea \u00een toate dreptate, cum se cade adic\u0103 omului care \u015fade la masa altuia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Doamne! dar \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 era baba asta!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Eu nu \u015ftiu de ce privea junele de Petru a\u015fa de-a-deochiul la ea. Doara voia s\u0103-i numere cre\u0163urile din fa\u0163\u0103?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Poate! Ar fi trebuit \u00eens\u0103, ca s\u0103 se nasc\u0103 de \u015fapte ori c\u00e2t un om \u00eentr-o via\u0163\u0103 pentru ca s\u0103 poat\u0103 ajunge la cap\u0103t cu num\u0103ratul\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sfintei Vineri \u00eei r\u00e2dea inima de bucurie, c\u00e2nd vedea cum c\u0103 Petru se pierde cu totul \u00een privirea ei. C\u00e2nd nu era \u00eenc\u0103 ce este, \u00eencepu Sf\u00e2nta Vineri vorba, c\u00e2nd lumea \u00eenc\u0103 nu era lume, atunci m-am n\u0103scut eu, \u015fi eram at\u00e2t de frumoas\u0103 fiind copil\u0103, \u00eenc\u00e2t p\u0103rin\u0163ii mei au l\u0103sat s\u0103 fie lume, ca s\u0103 fie cine s\u0103 se minuneze de frumuse\u0163ea mea\u2026 C\u00e2nd s-a f\u0103cut apoi lumea, eu eram fat\u0103 mare, \u015fi de minunat ce s-a minunat de frumuse\u0163ea mea, lumea m-a deochiat\u2026 De atunci se face pe toat\u0103 suta de ani c\u00e2te o crest\u0103tur\u0103 pe fruntea mea\u2026 \u015fi acuma-s b\u0103tr\u00e2na. Sf\u00e2nta Vineri nu mai putu vorbi mai departe despre aceasta de trist\u0103 \u015fi de sup\u0103rat\u0103, ci vorbind mai departe, \u00eei spuse apoi lui Petru, cum c\u0103 tat\u0103-s\u0103u era odat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103rat mare \u015fi puternic, \u015fi n\u0103sc\u00e2ndu-se vrajba \u00eentre el \u015fi Z\u00e2na Zorilor, care \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fte \u00een \u0163ara vecin\u0103, fusese batjocorit, cum nu se cade, de c\u0103tre vicleana de vecin\u0103. \u00cencepu apoi a vorbi c\u00e2te rele toate despre Z\u00e2na Zorilor\u2026 Petru ce s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 \u015fi el? Asculta \u015fi el. Dac\u0103 mai zicea \u015fi el c\u00e2teodat\u0103: A\u015fa e z\u0103u aici! Ce alta se poate face?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar s\u0103-\u0163i dau un lucru, dac\u0103 e\u015fti voinic \u015fi vrei s\u0103 mi-l faci, gr\u0103i Sf\u00e2nta Vineri cam pe c\u00e2nd \u00eencepur\u0103 a fi somnoro\u015fi. Este la Z\u00e2na Zorilor o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103. Cine bea din apa ei, acela \u00eenflore\u015fte ca trandafirul \u015fi ca viorelele. S\u0103-mi aduci un ulcior din aceast\u0103 ap\u0103\u2026 Lucrul e greu! Ce e drept e drept! \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Z\u00e2nei Zorilor e p\u0103zit\u0103 de fel de fel de fiare \u015fi zmei \u00eengrozitori. S\u0103-\u0163i spun \u00eens\u0103 ceva \u015fi s\u0103-\u0163i dau un lucru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce vorbi a\u015fa, Sf\u00e2nta Vineri se duse la un scrin ferecat din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile \u015fi scoase din el un fluiera\u015f mic micu\u0163. Vezi tu fluiera\u015ful ista? gr\u0103i c\u0103tre Petru, mi l-a dat un mo\u015f b\u0103tr\u00e2n \u00eenc\u0103 de c\u00e2nd eram t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103. Cine aude sunetul acestuia acela adoarme\u2026 doarme\u2026 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu-l mai aude. Tu s\u0103 iei fluiera\u015ful \u015fi s\u0103 tot c\u00e2n\u0163i din el c\u00e2t vei fi \u00een \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Z\u00e2nei Zorilor. Nimeni nu te va atinge, c\u0103ci toat\u0103 lumea va dormi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru spuse acuma \u00een ce cale a pornit \u015fi ce treab\u0103 cearc\u0103. Sf\u00e2nta Vineri se bucur\u0103 \u015fi mai tare. N-au mai stat mult de vorb\u0103\u2026 Dar cum s\u0103 \u015fi stea c\u00e2nd a fost trecut acuma miezul nop\u0163ii bine, bini\u015for. Petru lu\u0103 “noapte bun\u0103”, b\u0103g\u0103 fluiera\u015ful \u00een teac\u0103 \u015fi se sui \u00een podul casei, ca s\u0103 mai doarm\u0103 \u015fi el de la o vreme. Pe c\u00e2nd se rev\u0103rsau zorile, Petru era \u00een picioare; luceaf\u0103rul boului nici nu s-a fost ridicat bine pe cer, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd el s-a \u015fi fost sculat\u2026 Lu\u0103 un troc mare, \u00eel umplu de j\u0103ratec \u015fi se duse ca s\u0103 hr\u0103neasc\u0103 caii. Dup\u0103 ce Murgul m\u00e2nc\u0103 c\u00e2te de trei ori trei, iar\u0103 ceilal\u0163i cai c\u00e2te trei trocuri pline de jar. Petru trase la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, ad\u0103p\u0103 \u015fi se f\u0103cu gata de cale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai! strig\u0103 Sf\u00e2nta Vineri de la fereastr\u0103. Mai am s\u0103-\u0163i zic o vorb\u0103! S\u0103-\u0163i mai dau un sfat\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru s-apropie de fereastr\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103 un cal aici \u015fi pleac\u0103 numai cu trei. Mergi apoi \u00eencet p\u00e2n\u0103 ce vei ajunge la \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Zorilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aici descalec\u0103 \u015fi intr\u0103 pe jos\u2026 C\u00e2nd vei veni apoi \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t, a\u015fa s\u0103 vii, ca to\u0163i trei caii s\u0103-\u0163i r\u0103m\u00e2na \u00een cale, s-ajungi pe jos.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa am s\u0103 fac! gr\u0103i Petru voind s\u0103 plece.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu te gr\u0103bi, c\u0103 n-am g\u0103tit \u00eenc\u0103, vorbi Sf\u00e2nta Vineri mai departe. S\u0103 nu prive\u015fti la Z\u00e2na Zorilor c\u0103 ea are ochi care vr\u0103jesc \u015fi priviri care r\u0103pesc min\u0163ile. E ur\u00e2t\u0103, at\u00e2ta de ur\u00e2t\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t nici nu-\u0163i pot spune. Are ochi de buh\u0103, fa\u0163\u0103 de vulpe \u015fi gheare de m\u00e2\u0163a. Auzi?! s\u0103 nu prive\u015fti la ea\u2026 \u015ei Dumnezeu s\u0103 te aduc\u0103 \u00eentreg \u015fi s\u0103n\u0103tos, f\u0103tul meu Petre!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru mul\u0163\u0103mi de vorb\u0103 \u015fi \u00eenv\u0103\u0163atur\u0103 \u015fi nu se opri mai mult\u2026 Unde avea el vreme de a sta cu babele la vorb\u0103! L\u0103s\u0103 pe Murgul ca s\u0103 pasc\u0103, se \u00eentinse apoi la cale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Departe\u2026 departe\u2026 unde se las\u0103 cerul pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt, unde stau stelele de vorba cu florile, acolo se vedea o ro\u015fea\u0163\u0103 cam a\u015fa cum e cerul colea \u00een zorile de prim\u0103var\u0103, dar mai frumos \u015fi mai minunat! Acolo era cetatea Z\u00e2nei Zorilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De aci p\u00e2n\u0103 acolo, de acolo p\u00e2n\u0103 aci, nu era alta dec\u00e2t iarb\u0103 \u015fi flori\u2026 \u015fi apoi nu era nici cald, nici rece nici luminos, nici \u00eentunerec, ci a\u015fa cumva \u00eentre ele\u2026 cum e colea pe la Sf\u00e2ntu Petru c\u00e2nd te scoli ca s\u0103 m\u00e2ni vitele la turm\u0103\u2026 Petru numai de un drag umbla prin \u0163ara asta pl\u0103cut\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2t a mers F\u0103t-Frumosul nostru a\u015fa, aceea nu se poate spune cu vorb\u0103 omeneasc\u0103 fiindc\u0103 \u00eentr-aceast\u0103 \u0163ar\u0103 n-a urmat zilei noaptea \u015fi nop\u0163ii ziua, erau pururea zori cu v\u00e2nt moale \u015fi r\u0103coros, cu soarele ascuns \u015fi lumina de jum\u0103tate; \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia nop\u0163ii \u015fi a zilei se \u00eencepea numai de la casa Sfintei Vineri. Dup\u0103 mult mers \u015fi lung\u0103 c\u0103l\u0103torie. Petru v\u0103zu z\u0103rindu-se ceva alb printre ro\u015fea\u0163a cerului\u2026 Cu c\u00e2t se apropia mai mult, cu at\u00e2ta ceea ce vedea se desf\u0103\u015fura mai tare naintea ochilor lui. Asta era cetatea\u2026 Petru privi\u2026 privi\u2026 R\u0103sufl\u0103 apoi o dat\u0103 cu greu, ca omul care g\u00e2nde\u015fte “Doamne mul\u0163umescu-\u0163i!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2026 Dar \u015fi frumoas\u0103 era cetatea asta!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ni\u015fte turnuri nalte\u2026 nalte\u2026 p\u00e2n\u0103 dincolo de \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Norilor, ni\u015fte p\u0103re\u0163i albi ca ghioceii \u015fi ridica\u0163i mai sus dec\u00e2t cum st\u0103 soarele la pr\u00e2nzul cel mare, un acoperi\u015f de argint, dar cum de argint?! A\u015fa c\u0103 nici nu str\u0103lucea \u00een fa\u0163a soarelui, \u015fi fere\u015fti\u2026 tot din aer tors cu mult\u0103 maiestrie \u015fi \u0163esut \u00een gherghef de aur \u00eentunecos\u2026 Peste toate astea se jucau apoi razele vesele ale soarelui cum se joac\u0103 v\u00e2ntul cu umbra crengilor colea prim\u0103vara c\u00e2nd se mi\u015fc\u0103 de lene\u015f ce este.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru stete uimit \u00een loc, ca s\u0103 se poata minuna de at\u00e2ta frumuse\u0163\u0103 \u00eengr\u0103m\u0103dit\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mult n-a putut s\u0103 steie c\u0103 i-a fost degrab\u0103: desc\u0103lec\u0103 dar\u0103, l\u0103s\u0103 caii, ca s\u0103 pasc\u0103 pe iarba cea plin\u0103 de rou\u0103, \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 fluiera\u015ful precum i-a fost zis Sf\u00e2nta Vineri, zise o dat\u0103 “Doamne ajut\u0103” \u015fi plec\u0103 la lucru cel mai mare. Abia merse a\u015fa singur, pe jos o cale cam de trei azv\u00e2rlite bune, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi dete de un n\u0103zdr\u0103van adormit de dulcea\u0163a fluiera\u015fului. Acesta era unul dintre p\u00e2ndarii jurului cet\u0103\u0163ii Z\u00e2nei Zorilor\u2026 Oare Doamne cum a putut cre\u015fte at\u00e2t de lung?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum s-a putut \u00eentrupa at\u00e2ta de puternic?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum st\u0103tea a\u015fa culcat pe spate. Petru \u00eencepu s\u0103-l m\u0103soare cu pa\u015fii\u2026 Nu voiesc s\u0103 spun minciuna! a fost lung, foarte lung; at\u00e2ta de lung a fost \u00eenc\u00e2t Petru r\u0103sufl\u0103 o dat\u0103 cu greu c\u00e2nd ajunse de la picioare la cap\u2026 nu \u015ftiu acuma cu de-a bun\u0103 seam\u0103\u2026 de obosit, ori de uimit: nu e lun\u0103 la r\u0103s\u0103rit at\u00e2ta de mare, c\u00e2t era ochiul n\u0103zdr\u0103vanului. Apoi barem dac\u0103 ar fi fost \u015fi acesta ca la alt\u0103 lume, dar era tocmai \u00een mijlocul frun\u0163ii\u2026 A\u015fa era ochiul! Cum au putut apoi celelalte s\u0103 fie! Petru voinic de voinic, dar z\u0103u! el mul\u0163umi lui Dumnezeu fluiera\u015fului \u015fi Sfintei Vineri, cum c\u0103 n-a dat de r\u0103u cu acest om neom \u015fi plec\u0103 cu \u00eencetul mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa, cam c\u00e2t merge omul p\u00e2n\u0103 ce-i vine s\u0103 se a\u015feze la r\u0103coare mai merse Petru p\u00e2n\u0103 ce d\u0103du de alte lucruri \u015fi mai grozave\u2026 Ni\u015fte balauri tot cu c\u00e2te \u015fapte capete erau \u00eentin\u015fi la soare \u015fi adormi\u0163i ad\u00e2nc, c\u00e2nd pe de-a dreapta, c\u00e2nd pe de-a st\u00e2nga\u2026 Cum au fost ace\u015fti balauri, aceea n-o mai spun: \u015ftie anume toat\u0103 lumea c\u0103 balaurii nu-s treab\u0103 de glum\u0103 \u015fi de r\u00e2s\u2026 Asta era a dou\u0103 paz\u0103 a \u00eemprejurulul de curte\u2026 Petru trecu cam cu fuga nu \u015ftiu acuma de grab\u0103 ori de groaz\u0103\u2026 Nici n-ar fi fost \u00eens\u0103 minune dac\u0103 s-ar fi \u00eengrozit!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Balaurul e balaur!!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acum ajunse F\u0103t-Frumos la un r\u00e2u\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S\u0103 nu g\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 nimeni c\u0103 acesta ar fi fost r\u00e2u ca toate r\u00e2urile\u2026 Nu ap\u0103, ci lapte curgea aici nu peste nisip de piatr\u0103, ci peste pietre scumpe \u015fi m\u0103rg\u0103ritare\u2026 \u015fi nu curgea lin sau repede, ci lin \u015fi repede deodata cum curg zilele omului fericit\u2026 Acesta a fost r\u00e2ul, care curge jur \u00eemprejur pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 cetate\u2026 tot curge\u2026 tot curge\u2026 f\u0103r\u0103 a mai sta, f\u0103r\u0103 a mai merge mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe marginea r\u00e2ului dormeau tot cam de o s\u0103ritur\u0103 unul de altul ni\u015fte lei \u00eenghiera\u0163i\u2026 Ce lei \u00eens\u0103! Cu p\u0103rul de aur \u015fi pe din\u0163i \u015fi gheare tot cu ferec\u0103tura\u2026 Ace\u015ftia erau paza r\u00e2ului\u2026 Dincolo de cea parte de r\u00e2u era o gr\u0103din\u0103 frumoas\u0103\u2026 foarte frumoas\u0103\u2026 cum nu poate fi dec\u00e2t la Z\u00e2na Zorilor. Pe mal tot flori din flori, pe flori dormeau dulce \u015fi lin tot z\u00e2ne din z\u00e2ne care de care mai frumoase, mai vr\u0103jitoare \u015fi mai dulce la fa\u0163\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru nici nu cutez\u0103 ca s\u0103 priveasc\u0103 \u00eentr-acolo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0F\u0103t-Frumos se \u00eentreb\u0103 acuma cum s\u0103 treac\u0103 peste r\u00e2u. R\u00e2ul era lat \u015fi ad\u00e2nc, \u015fi peste r\u00e2u numai o punte, asta \u00eens\u0103 cum nu mai sunt pu\u0163ine \u00een asta lume. Dincoace \u015fi dincolo, pe un mal \u015fi pe altul, tot c\u00e2te o frunte de punte p\u0103zit\u0103 tot de c\u00e2te patru lei dormitori. Puntea \u00eens\u0103? peste punte nu poate trece suflet de om\u2026 O vezi cu ochii dar sim\u0163i golitate c\u00e2nd calci cu piciorul pe ea\u2026 Cine \u015ftie din ce o mai fi fost \u015fi asta f\u0103cut\u0103! Doar chiar dintr-un pui de nor?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Destul c\u0103 Petru r\u0103mase pe \u0163\u0103rmul r\u00e2ului. S\u0103 treac\u0103? nu poate. S\u0103 \u00eenoate? nu e treab\u0103. Ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 dar\u0103?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hai! S\u0103 nu fie grij\u0103 de Petru! Cu una cu dou\u0103 el n-o sf\u00e2r\u015fe\u015fte! se \u00eentoarce \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse la n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul cel mare. Ce va da t\u00e2rgul \u015fi norocul, g\u00e2ndi \u00een sine, s\u0103 stam dar\u0103 \u015fi la vorb\u0103! “Scoala voinice!” strig\u0103 apoi pe n\u0103zdr\u0103van tr\u0103g\u00e2ndu-l de m\u00e2neca surtucului. C\u00e2nd n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul se de\u015ftept\u0103 din somn \u00eentinse palma dup\u0103 Petru\u2026 a\u015fa ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd vrei s\u0103 prinzi o musc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru sufl\u0103 \u00een fluiera\u015f\u2026 N\u0103zdr\u0103vanul c\u0103zu iar\u0103\u015fi la p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa-l trezi \u015fi adormi Petru de trei ori una dup\u0103 alta, adic\u0103 de trei ori l-a trezit \u015fi de trei ori l-a adormit\u2026 C\u00e2nd fuse ca s\u0103 fie de a patra oar\u0103, Petru \u00ee\u015fi dezleg\u0103 n\u0103frama de la grumazi, lu\u0103 degetele cele mici ale n\u0103zdr\u0103vanului \u015fi le leg\u0103 cu ea laolalt\u0103, scoase sabia \u015fi prinz\u00e2nd pe n\u0103zdr\u0103van de piept mai strig\u0103 o dat\u0103: Scoala voinice! V\u0103z\u00e2ndu-se n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul at\u00e2t de r\u0103u batjocorit:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, zise c\u0103tre Petru, nu te lup\u0163i \u00een lupt\u0103 dreapt\u0103! Stai la lupt\u0103 dac\u0103 e\u015fti voinic!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai a\u015fteapt\u0103 oleac\u0103! Mai nainte am o vorb\u0103 cu tine, gr\u0103i Petru\u2026 Jur\u0103 c\u0103 m\u0103 vei trece peste r\u00e2u, \u015fi atunci te las s\u0103 vii la lupt\u0103. N\u0103zdr\u0103vanul f\u0103cu jur\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi Petru-l l\u0103s\u0103 s\u0103 se scoale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul se sim\u0163i de\u015fteptat se repezi la Petru ca s\u0103-l turteasc\u0103 c-o lovitur\u0103\u2026 \u015fi-a aflat \u00eens\u0103 omul!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici Petru nu era de ieri de alalt\u0103ieri, \u015fi el se repezi voinice\u015fte. Trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i se lupt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N\u0103zdr\u0103vanul dete cu Petru de intr\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la genunchi \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt; Petru dete cu n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een br\u00e2u; iar\u0103 dete n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul p\u00e2n\u0103 la piept. \u015ei mai \u00een urm\u0103 Petre p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een grumazi! C\u00e2nd n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul se sim\u0163i a\u015fa str\u00e2mtorat:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Las\u0103-m\u0103, strig\u0103 \u00eensp\u0103im\u00e2ntat, las\u0103-m\u0103 c\u0103 m\u0103 dau b\u0103tut!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Treci-m\u0103 peste r\u00e2u? \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Trec! r\u0103spunse cela din gur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce s\u0103 fac cu tine dac\u0103 \u00ee\u0163i calci vorba?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ucide-m\u0103, f\u0103 ce vrei cu mine, numai acuma m\u0103 las\u0103 s\u0103 tr\u0103iesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa s\u0103 fie dar\u0103! zise Petre, lu\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea m\u00e2na cea st\u00e2ng\u0103 a n\u0103zdr\u0103vanului \u015fi o leg\u0103 de piciorul cel drept \u00eei b\u0103g\u0103 n\u0103frama \u00een gur\u0103 ca s\u0103 nu strige, \u00eel leg\u0103 la ochi ca s\u0103 nu vad\u0103 \u015fi porni a\u015fa purt\u00e2ndu-l de m\u00e2n\u0103 c\u0103tre r\u00e2u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd ajunser\u0103 la r\u00e2u n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul p\u0103\u015fi cu un picior de o parte, cu altul de alta de r\u00e2u, lu\u0103 pe Petru \u00een palm\u0103 \u015fi-l puse frumos de cealalt\u0103 parte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acuma e bine! gr\u0103i Petru, sufl\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea \u00een fluiera\u015f \u015fi n\u0103zdr\u0103vanul c\u0103zu de-a lungul pe malul r\u00e2ului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa trecu Petre r\u00e2ul. C\u00e2nd z\u00e2nele cele ce se sc\u0103ldau \u00een laptele r\u00e2ului auzira sunetul fluiera\u015fului lui Petru, ele c\u0103zura somnoroase, ie\u015fir\u0103 din lapte \u015fi adormir\u0103 pe florile de pe mal. A\u015fa dormind le afl\u0103 Petru c\u00e2nd se cobor\u00ee din palma n\u0103zdr\u0103vanului\u2026-Nici nu cutez\u0103 s\u0103 steie mult\u0103 vreme la ele\u2026 Frumoase erau, doamne! Cum putea apoi s\u0103 fie \u00eens\u0103\u015fi Z\u00e2na Zorilor? Sau doar\u0103 ea e cea mai ur\u00e2t\u0103 dintre cele frumoase? F\u0103t-Framos nu se \u00eentreb\u0103 mult, ci porni ca s\u0103 vad\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd intr\u0103 \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103, \u00eencepu a se minuna din nou. C\u00e2t a umblat \u015fi p\u0103\u0163it at\u00e2ta frumuse\u0163\u0103 n-a mai v\u0103zut\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Las\u0103 c\u0103 arborii erau tot cu craci de aur, c\u0103 izvoarele curgeau mai limpede dec\u00e2t roua, c\u0103 v\u00e2nturile se mi\u015fcau c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd \u015fi florile vorbeau vorbe dulci \u015fi frumoase; dar Petru mai mult se mira de aceea c\u0103 \u00een \u00eentreag\u0103 aceast\u0103 gr\u0103din\u0103 nu era nici o floare desf\u0103cut\u0103, ci numai boboci\u2026 Parc\u0103 aici a fost stat lumea locului \u015fi era s\u0103 fie pururea tot prim\u0103var\u0103\u2026 Oare c\u00e2nd vor \u00eenflori florile acestea, dac\u0103 n-au avut vreme s\u0103 \u00eenfloreasc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 acuma? \u015fi dac\u0103 n-au \u00eenflorit pentru ce?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa se \u00eentreb\u0103 Petru; a\u015fa \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 \u015fi \u00eentr-alt chip, \u00een calea lui c\u0103tre cetate\u2026 Nimic nu-i st\u0103tea \u00een cale; nimic nu-i oprea g\u00e2ndirea: toat\u0103 lumea dormea; z\u00e2nele de pe la izvoare, p\u0103s\u0103rile de pe crengi, c\u0103prioarele dintre tufi\u015furi \u015fi fluturii de l\u00e2ng\u0103 flori. Toate erau duse de fluiera\u015ful lui Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Chiar nici v\u00e2ntul nu se mai juca cu frunzele, nici razele soarelui nu mai sorbeau roua de pe iarb\u0103 \u015fi r\u00e2urile \u00eencetar\u0103 de a mai curge\u2026 Singur Petru era treaz. Petru cu g\u00e2ndurile sale \u015fi Petru cu mirarea g\u00e2ndurilor sale. Ajunse la curte. Jur-\u00eemprejurul cur\u0163ii se \u00eentindea un ierbi\u015f frumos \u015fi des, un ierbi\u015f ce fugea ca v\u00e2ntul. Poarta era \u00een frunte: o poart\u0103 tot din flori \u015fi alte lucr\u0103ri frumoase. Pe sub poart\u0103 \u015fi pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 poart\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi flori, care de care mai frumoase, \u00eenc\u00e2t lui Petru i se p\u0103rea c\u0103 umbl\u0103 pe nouri c\u00e2nd c\u0103lc\u0103 pe ele. Pe de-a dreapta \u015fi pe de-a st\u00e2nga dormeau z\u00e2nele ce au fost s\u0103 p\u0103zeasc\u0103 intrarea \u00een curte. Petru privi \u00een toate l\u0103turile, mai zise o dat\u0103 “Doamne ajut\u0103” \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een cetate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce a v\u0103zut Petru \u00eentr-aceasta curte, aceea nici n-o mai spun, \u015ftie doar\u0103 toat\u0103 lumea c\u0103 curtea Z\u00e2nei Zorilor nu poate fi ceva lucru de r\u00e2nd. Jur-\u00eemprejur z\u00e2ne \u00eempietrite, pomi cu frunzele de aur \u015fi cu florile de m\u0103rgele \u015fi pietre scumpe, st\u00e2lpi de raze de soare \u015fi netezi ca \u015fi paltinul, trepte lucii \u015fi moi ca \u015fi culcu\u015ful fetelor de \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi un aer plin de miros dulce \u015fi adormitor\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici nu voiesc s\u0103 spun, c\u0103 numai grajdul \u00een care stau caii Sf\u00e2ntului Soare, era mai frumos dec\u00e2t cetatea celui mai mare \u00eemp\u0103rat din lume\u2026 A\u015fa era asta la Z\u00e2na Zorilor \u015fi nici n-ar fi putut fi altfel\u2026 Cum s\u0103 fie doar\u0103? Petru se sui pe trepte \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een cetate\u2026 Cele dint\u00e2i dou\u0103sprezece od\u0103i erau din p\u00e2nz\u0103, altele dou\u0103sprezece din m\u0103tase. Urmar\u0103 apoi dou\u0103sprezece de aur. Petru trecu cu iu\u0163eal\u0103 prin toate patruzeci \u015fi opt; aici afl\u0103 pe Z\u00e2na Zorilor \u00eentr-a patruzeci \u015fi nou\u0103lea, care era cea mai frumoas\u0103 dintre toate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ast\u0103 cas\u0103 era lung\u0103, lat\u0103, nalt\u0103, ca \u015fi o biseric\u0103 din cele mai frumoase\u2026 jur-\u00eemprejur p\u0103re\u0163ii erau acoperi\u0163i cu fel de fel de m\u0103t\u0103suri \u015fi alte lucruri minunate; pe jos, pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt, pe unde umblai cu picioarele, era nu \u015ftiu ce str\u0103lucitor ca oglinda \u015fi moale ca perina \u015fi\u2026 mai erau acum tot felul de lucruri frumoase, ca la Z\u00e2na Zorilor adec\u0103\u2026 Unde va fi doar\u0103 frumos, dac\u0103 nu aicea!.. Cum zic, lui Petru i se opri r\u0103suflarea, c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c\u0103 se vede \u00een mijlocul at\u00e2tor lucr\u0103ri a\u015fa grozav de frumoase\u2026 \u00cen mijlocul acestei biserici, sau ce era, v\u0103zu Petru f\u00e2nt\u00e2na cea vestit\u0103 pentru care a venit el at\u00e2ta lume de pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt\u2026 (f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 ca toate f\u00e2nt\u00e2nile \u015fi nimic mai mult! Te miri cum a \u015fi r\u0103bdat-o Z\u00e2na Zorilor \u00een casa ei! Avea ni\u015fte doage din mo\u015fi str\u0103mo\u015fi. Bag seam\u0103, a fost l\u0103sat ca a\u015fa s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2na! \u015fi acum ar trebui s\u0103 spun o vorb\u0103 mare!) L\u00e2nga f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 era chiar Z\u00e2na Zorilor aievea a\u015fa cum era!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Era doamne un leag\u0103n de aur \u015fi\u2026 numai Dumnezeu \u015ftie de ce \u00eenc\u0103, destul cum c\u0103 era frumos, aici \u00een leag\u0103n dormea Z\u00e2na Zorilor pe perini de m\u0103tas\u0103 umplute cu suflare de v\u00e2nt de prim\u0103var\u0103\u2026 Nici nu era frumoas\u0103\u2026 Dar de unde s\u0103 \u015fi fie! N-a zis doar\u0103 Sf\u00e2nta Vineri c\u0103 are fel de fel de lucruri ur\u00e2te \u015fi \u00eengrozitoare? Ce s\u0103 mai lungim doar\u0103 vorba? Poate c\u0103 Sf\u00e2nta Vineri a avut dreptate. Poate s\u0103 fie! Destul c\u00e2nd Petru privi la ea a\u015fa cum dormea \u00een leag\u0103n, el stete cu sufletul amor\u0163it \u015fi nu sufla mai mult \u00een fluiera\u015ful cel vr\u0103jit\u2026 Era \u00eencremenit de minunat ce se minuna\u2026 Ba! frumoas\u0103 era,\u2026 frumoas\u0103! Mai frumoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t chiar cum \u0163i-ar p\u0103rea c\u0103 ar fi s\u0103 fie Z\u00e2na Zorilor\u2026 Mai mult nu vreau s\u0103 zic!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe de-a dreapta \u015fi pe de-a st\u00e2nga leag\u0103nului dormeau c\u00e2te dou\u0103sprezece z\u00e2ne din cele mai alese. Bag sam\u0103 au adormit leg\u0103n\u00e2nd pe \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa lor\u2026 Petru nici nu le v\u0103zu de privit ce privea la Z\u00e2na Zorilor, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu tres\u0103rir\u0103 toate din somn, c\u00e2nd nu mai auzira fluiera\u015ful\u2026 Petru\u2026 tres\u0103ri dar\u0103 \u015fi el\u2026 \u015fi \u00eencepu a c\u00e2nta din nou \u00een fluiera\u015f\u2026 Iar\u0103\u015fi adormi lumea, \u015fi F\u0103t-Frumos p\u0103\u015fi cu trei pa\u015fi mai \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centre leag\u0103n \u015fi f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 era o mas\u0103, pe mas\u0103 un colac alb \u015fi moale, fr\u0103m\u00e2ntat cu lapte de c\u0103prioar\u0103, \u015fi un bocal de vin ro\u015fu \u015fi dulce ca visul de diminea\u0163\u0103\u2026 Acesta era colacul puterii, \u015fi cel\u0103lalt vinul june\u0163ei\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru privi o dat\u0103 la colac, o dat\u0103 la vin \u015fi o dat\u0103 la Z\u00e2na Zorilor, se apropie dup\u0103 aceea cu \u00eencetul, p\u0103\u015fi doi pa\u015fi c\u0103tre leag\u0103n, mas\u0103 \u015fi f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd Petru ajunse la leag\u0103n, \u00ee\u015fi pierdu min\u0163ile \u015fi nu se mai putu r\u0103bda \u015fi s\u0103rut\u0103 pe Z\u00e2na Zorilor\u2026 Z\u00e2na Zorilor deschise ochii \u015fi privi la Petru cu o privire \u00eenc\u00e2t el \u00ee\u015fi pierdu min\u0163ile \u00eenc\u0103 mai tare\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sufla dup\u0103 aceea \u00een fluiera\u015f, ca Z\u00e2na Zorilor s-adoarm\u0103; lu\u0103 cununa cea de aur \u015fi o puse pe fruntea Z\u00e2nei Zorilor; lu\u0103 o buc\u0103tur\u0103 din colacul de pe mas\u0103, b\u0103u o \u00eenghi\u0163itur\u0103 din vinul \u00eentineritor\u2026 \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi s\u0103rut\u0103 \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi lu\u0103 o \u00eembuc\u0103tur\u0103, iar\u0103\u015fi b\u0103u o \u00eenghi\u0163itur\u0103\u2026 A\u015fa de trei ori una dup\u0103 alta\u2026 de trei ori a s\u0103rutat pe Z\u00e2na Zorilor, de trei ori a \u00eembucat din colac \u015fi de trei ori a gustat din vin\u2026 Dup\u0103 aceea \u015fi-a umplut ulcioarele cu ap\u0103 din f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi a pierit cum piere vestea cea bun\u0103. C\u00e2nd Petru ajunse \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103, dete de o lume cu totul nou\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Florile erau flori; bobocii se desf\u0103cuser\u0103; izvoarele curgeau mai repede; razele soarelui se jucau mai vesel pe p\u0103re\u0163ii cet\u0103\u0163ii, z\u00e2nele aveau mai mult\u0103 pl\u0103cere \u00een fe\u0163ele lor. Toate aceste din trei s\u0103rut\u0103ri\u2026 Cum a intrat Petru a\u015fa a \u015fi ie\u015fit: printre z\u00e2ne \u015fi flori, pe palma n\u0103zdr\u0103vanului, printre lei, balauri \u015fi n\u0103zdr\u0103vani\u2026 C\u00e2nd fu apoi \u00een sear\u0103 privi o dat\u0103 \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t \u015fi v\u0103zu c\u0103 lumea \u00eentreag\u0103 s-a pornit \u00een urma lui\u2026 Hei! dar \u015fi-au dat de om! Nu ca v\u00e2ntul, nu ca g\u00e2ndul, nu ca dorul, nu ca blestemul, ci mai repede, cum trece fericirea s-a fost l\u0103sat Petru pe cale\u2026 Goana r\u0103mase \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t \u015fi Petru sosi pe jos la Sf\u00e2nta Vineri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sf\u00e2nta Vineri \u015ftia c\u0103 Petru o s-ajung\u0103, din r\u00e2nchezatul Murgului, care din cale de trei zile sim\u0163i apropierea st\u0103p\u00e2nului s\u0103u: \u00eei ie\u015fi dar\u0103 \u00een cale cu colac moale \u015fi cu vin ro\u015fu.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun ajuns, F\u0103t-Frumos!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun\u0103 ziua, sor\u0103 sf\u00e2nt\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru-i dete ulciorul cu ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2na Z\u00e2nei Zorilor. Sf\u00e2nta Vineri-i mul\u0163umi frumos. Mai vorbir\u0103 apoi c\u00e2teva cuvinte despre calea lui Petru, despre curtea Z\u00e2nei Zorilor \u015fi despre frumuse\u0163ea sorei Soarelui \u015fi Petru puse \u015faua pe Murgul, c\u0103 z\u0103u! el nu prea avea vreme de pierdut\u2026 Baba Vineri asculta c\u00e2nd cu dulce, c\u00e2nd cu amar, c\u00e2nd cu drag, c\u00e2nd cu necaz; v\u0103z\u00e2nd apoi cum c\u0103 Petru va s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u00eei pofti s\u0103n\u0103tate \u015fi noroc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru nici nu stete p\u00e2n\u0103 n-ajunse la Sf\u00e2nta Joie. Aici se cobor\u00ee de pe cal \u015fi intr\u0103; precum a fost vorb\u0103 s\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nici la Sf\u00e2nta Joie nu se prea opri; zise “bun\u0103 ziua”, mai f\u0103cu o vorb\u0103 scurt\u0103 \u015fi lu\u0103 “s\u0103n\u0103tate bun\u0103”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Stai! s\u0103-\u0163i mai spun una mai nainte de a porni \u00een cale, zise Sf\u00e2nta Joie cu grij\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-\u0163i ai grij\u0103 de via\u0163\u0103; s\u0103 nu legi vorb\u0103 cu om, s\u0103 nu mergi iute, gr\u0103bit; s\u0103 nu iei ap\u0103 de la m\u00e2n\u0103; s\u0103 nu crezi la vorb\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 fugi de buze dulci.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S\u0103 te duci cum ai venit\u2026 Calea e lung\u0103, lumea e rea \u015fi tu ai la tine lucru mare! Ascult\u0103 dar de mine: iaca-\u0163i dau o n\u0103fram\u0103; nu e de aur, nu-i de argint nici de m\u0103tas\u0103, nici de m\u0103rgele; e de p\u00e2nz\u0103 nes\u0103dit\u0103, s\u0103 o por\u0163i c\u0103 e vr\u0103jit\u0103\u2026 Cine-o poart\u0103, pe acela fulgerul nu-l ajunge, suli\u0163a nu-l p\u0103trunde, sabia nu-l taie \u015fi gloan\u0163ele sar de pe trupul lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa gr\u0103i Sf\u00e2nta Joie. Petru primi \u015fi ascult\u0103; se l\u0103s\u0103 apoi cu Murgul \u00een v\u00e2nt \u015fi se duse\u2026 se duse\u2026 cum se duc adic\u0103 Fe\u0163ii-Frumo\u015fi c\u00e2nd \u00eei m\u00e2na dorul de cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La Sf\u00e2nta Miercure Petru nici nu se mai cobor\u00ee de pe cal, ci zise “bun\u0103 ziua” din spatele calului \u015fi m\u00e2n\u0103 mai departe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o bun\u0103 vreme \u00eei veni cutia cea vr\u0103jit\u0103 \u00een minte \u015fi vr\u00e2nd s\u0103 aud\u0103 veste din lume, o scoase din teac\u0103. Nici nu o scoase bine, nici nu o deschise cum se cade, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi \u00eencepu a vorbi ce vorbea de acolo din ea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S-a sup\u0103rat Z\u00e2na Zorilor pentru c\u0103 i-ai furat ap\u0103\u2026 S-a sup\u0103rat Sf\u00e2nta Vineri pentru c\u0103 i s-a spart ulciorul\u2026 S-au sup\u0103rat fra\u0163ii t\u0103i Florea \u015fi Costan pentru c\u0103 le-ai luat \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru \u00eencepu a r\u00e2de c\u00e2nd auzi de at\u00e2ta sup\u0103rare. Nici nu \u015ftia ce s\u0103 \u00eentrebe mai \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum a spart Sf\u00e2nta Vineri ulciorul?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De bucurie ce i-a fost a \u00eenceput a juca \u015fi a c\u0103zut cu ulcior cu tot.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum am luat eu \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia de la fra\u0163ii mei?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cutia \u00eencepu acuma a spune c\u0103 fiind \u00eemp\u0103ratul b\u0103tr\u00e2n \u015fi orb de am\u00e2ndoi ochii, Florea \u015fi Costan s-au dus la el \u015fi au cerut ca s\u0103 \u00eempart\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia \u00eentre d\u00e2n\u015fii. \u00cemp\u0103ratul le-a spus c\u0103 numai acela va \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163i \u0163ara, care va aduce ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2na Z\u00e2nei Zorilor. \u00cen\u0163eleg\u00e2nd fra\u0163ii lucrul merser\u0103 la Baba Birsa \u015fi asta le spuse c\u0103 ai fost, ai f\u0103cut \u015fi ai pornit ca s\u0103 vii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fra\u0163ii se sf\u0103tuir\u0103 \u015fi acuma au pornit \u00een calea lui Petru, ca s\u0103-l ucid\u0103, s\u0103 ia ap\u0103 de la el \u015fi s\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasc\u0103 peste \u0163ar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Min\u0163i, cutie spurcat\u0103! strig\u0103 Petru m\u00e2nios c\u00e2nd le auzi toate acestea, \u015fi dete cu cutia de p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u00eenc\u00e2t cr\u0103p\u0103 \u00een \u015faptezeci \u015fi \u015fapte de buc\u0103\u0163i.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N-a mai mers mult p\u00e2n\u0103 ce \u015fi v\u0103zu nourii din \u0163ara sa, sim\u0163i suflarea v\u00e2nturilor de acas\u0103 \u015fi z\u0103ri din dep\u0103rtare pe ici colea c\u00e2te un munte de pe marginile \u0163\u0103rii\u2026 Petru stete \u00een loc ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 mai bine, c\u0103-i p\u0103rea c\u0103 nu e adev\u0103rat ce-i p\u0103rea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Era s\u0103 treac\u0103 peste puntea cea din marginea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu c-aude ceva din dep\u0103rtare\u2026 a\u015fa ceva ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd ar striga un om, \u015fi ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd l-ar striga chiar pe el dup\u0103 nume<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i Petre! Voi s\u0103 stea \u00een loc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mergi! m\u00e2na! strig\u0103 Murgul. Nu e bine s\u0103 stai!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba nu! stai! s\u0103 vedem ce e cine \u015fi pentru ce? S\u0103 d\u0103m fa\u0163a cu lumea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru zise \u015fi suci fr\u00e2ul Murgului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei Petre! Petre! Oare cine te-a \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at s\u0103 stai? Oare n-ar fi mai bine s\u0103 te pleci la sfatul Murgului? A\u015fa e lumea n-ai ce face!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce se \u00eentoarse v\u0103zu, doamne, pe cine v\u0103zu! pe frate-s\u0103u Florea \u015fi pe frate-s\u0103u Costan\u2026 Am\u00e2ndoi erau \u015fi \u00eempreun\u0103 se apropiau c\u0103tre Petru\u2026 Petre! mergi! m\u00e2na! Sau nu \u0163i-a zis Sf\u00e2nta Joie s\u0103 nu legi vorba cu om? Sau nu \u015ftii ce veste \u0163i-a dat cutia Sfintei Miercuri? Fra\u0163ii veneau cu vorb\u0103 bun\u0103 \u015fi cu buze dulci\u2026 \u015ei Sf\u00e2nta Joie a fost zis\u2026 Petre! Petre! ai uitat, ce-a zis?! C\u00e2nd Petru v\u0103zu pe fra\u0163ii s\u0103i cei dulci zbur\u0103 din spatele Murgului la ei \u00een bra\u0163e. Doamne! Dar cum s\u0103 nu zboare! De c\u00e2nd n-a v\u0103zut el fa\u0163\u0103 de om? De c\u00e2nd n-a auzit vorb\u0103 p\u0103m\u00e2nteasc\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei a curs vorba cum curge \u00eentre fra\u0163i. Petre era vesel \u015fi fericit. Florea \u015fi Costan erau buni la vorb\u0103 \u015fi dulci la buze\u2026 Singur Murgul era trist, singur el \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 capul la p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce fra\u0163ii vorbir\u0103 multe de \u00eemp\u0103ratul b\u0103tr\u00e2n, de \u0163ar\u0103 \u015fi de calea lui Petru, Florea \u00eencepu a-\u015fi \u00eencre\u0163i fruntea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0-Frate Petre! Lumea e viclean\u0103! N-ar fi mai bine ca s\u0103 ne dai nou\u0103 apa ca s-o ducem noi? gr\u0103i fratele. \u0162ie-\u0163i iese unul \u00een cale, iar\u0103 pe noi nimeni nu ne \u015ftie, de unde venim, unde mergem \u015fi ce ducem.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da! da! gr\u0103i Costan, Florea vorbe\u015fte bine. Petru clatin\u0103 o dat\u0103\u2026 de dou\u0103 ori din cap \u015fi spuse fra\u0163ilor s\u0103i treaba cu n\u0103frama. Fra\u0163ii cei doi v\u0103zur\u0103 acuma c\u0103 pentru Petru nu este dec\u00e2t o moarte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Florea \u00eencepu dar a bate \u015faua ca s\u0103 priceapa iapa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cam de vreo trei azv\u00e2rlite d-acolea era o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 cu ap\u0103 limpede \u015fi rece.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u0163i-e \u0163ie sete m\u0103i Costane? gr\u0103i Florea tr\u0103g\u00e2nd o dat\u0103 cu ochiul c\u0103tre Costan.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da! r\u0103spunse Costan, pricep\u00e2nd ce \u015fi cum ar trebui s\u0103 fie. Hai, frate Petre s\u0103 ne st\u00e2mp\u0103r\u0103m o dat\u0103 setea \u015fi apoi s\u0103 pornim cu Dumnezeu. Noi vom merge \u00een urma ta \u015fi te vom p\u0103zi de necaz \u015fi primejdie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu merge Petre! Nu merge c\u0103 nu dai de bine! Murgul necheza o dat\u0103\u2026 Hei! Dar Petru nu l-a \u00een\u0163eles.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ce s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat dup\u0103 aceea!? Ce s\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2mple? Nimic nu s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat! F\u00e2nt\u00e2na era lat\u0103 \u015fi ad\u00e2nc\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fra\u0163ii pornir\u0103 cu apa c\u0103tre cas\u0103 ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd ei ar fi adus-o chiar de la Z\u00e2na Zorilor. Murgu mai nechez\u0103 o dat\u0103 a\u015fa de turbat \u015fi de dureros \u00eenc\u00e2t se \u00eenfiorar\u0103 \u015fi p\u0103durile\u2026 fugi p\u00e2n\u0103 la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103\u2026 \u015fi stete \u00eempietrit de durere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa fuse treaba cu Petru cel voinic \u015fi F\u0103t-Frumos viteaz! Bag sam\u0103 a\u015fa i-a fost ursita, ca s-ajung\u0103 \u00een ceas r\u0103u!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului se f\u0103cu osp\u0103\u0163 \u015fi veselie mare. Merse vestea \u00een \u0163ar\u0103, cum c\u0103 feciorii \u00eemp\u0103ratului Florea \u015fi Costan au adus ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2na Z\u00e2nei Zorilor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se sp\u0103l\u0103 cu ap\u0103 pe ochi \u015fi v\u0103zu, \u2013 cum om \u00eenc\u0103 n-a mai v\u0103zut\u2026 Era \u00een casa \u00eemp\u0103ratului pe dup\u0103 cuptor un vas cu curechi; \u00een doaga acestui vas \u015fedea un vierme: \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00eel v\u0103zu prin lemn, a\u015fa vedea de bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163i \u0163ara \u00eentre feciorii s\u0103i cei voinici, se retrase \u00een curtea sa cea mare, ca s\u0103-\u015fi tr\u0103iasc\u0103 zilele b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163elor \u00een pace.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa se sf\u00e2r\u015fi treaba cu apa de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2na Z\u00e2nei Zorilor: \u0162ara f\u0103cu un osp\u0103\u0163 de trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i \u015fi se puse iar\u0103\u015fi la lucru ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd nici nu s-ar fi \u00eent\u00e2mplat nimic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce Petru se dep\u0103rtase de la leag\u0103n, ie\u015fi din cas\u0103 \u015fi curte\u2026 dup\u0103 ce sunetul fluiera\u015fului nu se mai auzea, Z\u00e2na Zorilor \u00ee\u015fi veni \u00een fire, deschise ochii, ridic\u0103 capul \u015fi privi \u00een toate l\u0103turile c\u0103ut\u00e2nd nici ea singur\u0103 nu \u015ftia ce\u2026 Ce a fost? \u00eentreb\u0103 pe de jum\u0103tate \u00eenc\u0103 prin vis. Cine? I se p\u0103rea, cum c\u0103 a v\u0103zut ceva prin vis ba chiar aievea\u2026 ceva dulce, pl\u0103cut, o fiin\u0163\u0103\u2026 ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd ar fi omeneasc\u0103, \u00eens\u0103 mai puternic\u0103 \u00een privire, mai altfel dec\u00e2t ceea ce a fost v\u0103zut p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u015ftiti voi ce a fost? A\u0163i v\u0103zut \u015fi voi? Sau a\u0163i dormit? A\u0163i visat? a\u015fa le \u00eentreb\u0103 Z\u00e2na Zorilor pe z\u00e2ne\u2026 \u015fi se \u00eentreb\u0103 pe sine \u00eens\u0103\u015fi\u2026 \u00eei p\u0103rea c\u0103 de c\u00e2nd a v\u0103zut ce-a v\u0103zut chiar nici sufletul s\u0103u nu mai e tot acela\u2026 \u015fi nimenea nu-i r\u0103spundea, toat\u0103 lumea st\u0103tea uimit\u0103. V\u0103zu cununa\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce cunun\u0103 frumoas\u0103! Cine oare a cules florile din ea? Cine oare le-a \u00eempletit \u00een cunun\u0103? \u015ei cine oare a adus aici cununa \u015fi a l\u0103sat-o la mine pe leag\u0103n?! Z\u00e2na Zorilor se \u00eentrist\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103zu p\u00e2inea pe mas\u0103\u2026 Lipseau din ea trei buc\u0103\u0163ele; una de-a dreapta, una de-a st\u00e2nga \u015fi una din mijloc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Din vinul june\u0163ei lipseau asemenea trei \u00eenghi\u0163ituri: una de deasupra, una din fund \u015fi una din mijloc\u2026 A trebuit s\u0103 fi fost cineva aicea\u2026 Z\u00e2na Zorilor se \u00eentrist\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 mai tare; \u00eei p\u0103rea c\u0103 o doare ceva, \u015fi nu \u015ftia ce \u015fi unde\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apa din f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 era tulbure\u2026 Ap\u0103! ap\u0103 a dus cineva de aici! Z\u00e2na Zorilor se sup\u0103r\u0103. Cum a putut intra cineva f\u0103r\u0103 veste?!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unde e paza cea aspr\u0103? N\u0103zdr\u0103vanii? Balaurii? Ce au f\u0103cut leii fereca\u0163i?! \u015ei z\u00e2nele? \u015ei florile? \u015ei soarele? Nimeni n-a p\u0103zit? Nimeni n-a fost la locul s\u0103u?! Z\u00e2na Zorilor se sup\u0103r\u0103 pe deplin. \u2013 Lei, zmei, balauri, n\u0103zdr\u0103vani, porni\u0163i, goni\u0163i, ajunge\u0163i, prinde\u0163i \u015fi aduce\u0163i! porunci Z\u00e2na Zorilor \u00een sup\u0103rarea ei cea mare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porunca sun\u0103 \u015fi toat\u0103 lumea se puse \u00een mi\u015fcare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru s-a fost \u00eens\u0103 \u00eentins la fug\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t nici razele soarelui nu-l puteau ajunge.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To\u0163i venir\u0103 tri\u015fti, to\u0163i aduser\u0103 ve\u015fti triste. Petru a fost trecut peste marginile \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei Zorilor unde \u00eentreaga paz\u0103 nu mai avea putere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Z\u00e2na Zorilor \u00ee\u015fi uit\u0103 acuma sup\u0103rarea de trist\u0103 ce se f\u0103cu \u015fi trimise pe Sfantul Soare ca s\u0103 umble \u00een lume s\u0103 fac\u0103 din \u015fapte zile una\u2026 s\u0103 cerce s\u0103 afle \u015fi s-aduc\u0103 ve\u015fti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O zi din \u015fapte zile Z\u00e2na Zorilor n-a f\u0103cut alta dec\u00e2t a stat \u015fi privit \u00een calea Soarelui, a privit\u2026 privit\u2026 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce au \u00eenceput a-i curge lacrimile din ochi\u015fori, nu \u015ftim acuma de privitul cel mult ori de durerea \u015fi dorul ei cel mare!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iat\u0103-ntr-a \u015faptea zi Sfantul Soare se re\u00eentoarce\u2026 ro\u015fu, trist \u015fi obosit\u2026 iar\u0103\u015fi veste rea! Hei! c\u0103 Petru era unde razele soarelui nu pot p\u0103trunde!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce Z\u00e2na Zorilor v\u0103zu c\u0103 \u015fi cea din urm\u0103 \u00eencercare fu \u00een zadar, dete porunc\u0103 aspr\u0103 \u00een \u0163ar\u0103: Z\u00e2nele s\u0103 nu mai z\u00e2mbeasc\u0103, florile s\u0103 nu mai miroas\u0103, v\u00e2nturile s\u0103 nu mai mi\u015fte, izvoarele s\u0103 nu mai curga limpede \u015fi razele soarelui s\u0103 nu mai lumineze.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porunci apoi, ca \u00eentre lume \u015fi \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Zorilor s\u0103 se lase v\u0103lul cel mare al \u00eentunecimii prin care s\u0103 nu str\u0103bat\u0103 dec\u00e2t o singur\u0103 raz\u0103 de soare, care s\u0103 duc\u0103 vestea-n lume cum c\u0103 “p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu va veni acela care a dus ap\u0103 de la f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103, soarele s\u0103 nu se mai mi\u015fte pe cer”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A mers vestea \u00een lumea cea \u00eentunecoas\u0103\u2026 oamenii \u00een\u0163eleser\u0103 c\u0103 lumina cea grozav\u0103 nu e dec\u00e2t pentru lumina ochilor \u00eemp\u0103ratului\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nimeni nu vedea \u00een lume afar\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103ratul; nimeni nu vedea necazurile \u00eentunericului dec\u00e2t \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Dete dar fiilor s\u0103i Florea \u015fi Costan sfat \u015fi porunc\u0103, ca s\u0103 porneasc\u0103, s\u0103 mearg\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 m\u00e2ntuiasc\u0103 lumea de \u00eentunerec. Cine a min\u0163it una, minte \u015fi a doua; Florea se puse \u00een \u015fa \u015fi porni c\u0103tre \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Zorilor acuma c\u00e2nd Petru a fost cur\u0103\u0163it calea.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vine cineva? \u00eentreb\u0103 cam aspru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vine, r\u0103spunser\u0103 zmeii, ce stateau paz\u0103 la punte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum vine, peste punte ori pe sub punte? Puntea era, \u2013 acum \u015ftim noi \u2013 cum era! Florea trece pe sub punte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Voinicul vine pe sub punte! r\u0103spunser\u0103 zmeii cam \u00een glum\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Griji\u0163i de el, neagr\u0103 v\u0103 fie lumina! zise acuma Z\u00e2na \u015fi primi pe Florea s\u0103 intre.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe Florea-l trecur\u0103 fiorii c\u00e2nd v\u0103zu at\u00e2ta frumuse\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bun ajuns voinice! Tu ai furat ap\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 fie de bine! Z\u0103u eu am luat-o.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu ai b\u0103ut vinul? Florea stete mut.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu ai m\u00e2ncat p\u00e2inea? Florea zise “ba”.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu m-ai sarutat? Florea-\u015fi uit\u0103 vorba.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na! Oarba-\u0163i fie lumina! \u00cenva\u0163\u0103-te s\u0103 mai min\u0163i!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zise acuma Z\u00e2na sup\u0103r\u0103ta \u015fi-i dete lui Florea dou\u0103 p\u0103lmi, una pe de-a dreapta, una pe de-a st\u00e2nga, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u0103stuia i se \u00eentunecar\u0103 ochii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Doi zmei dusera apoi pe orbitul de Florea acas\u0103 \u015fi treaba se g\u0103ti.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porni \u015fi Costan \u00een urma fr\u0103\u0163ine-s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Porni, ajunse, o p\u0103\u0163i \u015fi re\u00eenturn\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen lume nu mai r\u0103mase acuma nici o raz\u0103 de lumin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa r\u0103mase lumea \u00eentreag\u0103 oarb\u0103 de dragul ochilor unui \u00eemp\u0103rat\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce Z\u00e2na Zorilor a v\u0103zut cum c\u0103 nu poate afla pe Petru, a chemat la sine pe \u00eentreaga \u0163ara sa, pe zmei, balauri, n\u0103zdr\u0103vani \u015fi lei, pe toate z\u00e2nele, pe toate florile, pe to\u0163i supu\u015fii i-a chemat la sine. Chiar \u015fi Sfantul Soare a trebuit s\u0103 se coboare de pe cer, s\u0103 desfr\u00e2ne caii de la c\u0103ru\u0163\u0103, s\u0103-i bage \u00een grajd \u015fi s\u0103 intre la Z\u00e2na Zorilor\u2026 C\u00e2nd au fost a\u015fa to\u0163i aduna\u0163i \u00eempreun\u0103, Z\u00e2na Zorilor nu le \u00eemp\u0103r\u0163i mai mult la porunci, ci trist\u0103 \u015fi mustrat\u0103 cum era, lu\u0103 ziua bun\u0103 de la to\u0163i supu\u015fii s\u0103i, le mul\u0163\u0103mi pentru iubire \u015fi credin\u0163\u0103 \u015fi-i trimise \u00een lume, ca s\u0103 mearg\u0103 s\u0103 fac\u0103 fiecare dup\u0103 capul \u015fi priceperea sa. Numai doi lei, doi zmei, doi balauri \u015fi tot at\u00e2\u0163ia n\u0103zdr\u0103vani opri la sine, ca s\u0103 fie cine s\u0103-i p\u0103zeasc\u0103 puntea. Trimise toate z\u00e2nele \u00een gr\u0103din\u0103 \u015fi l\u0103s\u0103, ca s\u0103 nu intre-n curte p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu o vor vedea pe ea senin\u0103; l\u0103s\u0103 ca florile s\u0103 miroas\u0103 d-aici \u00eenainte un miros, care \u00eembata orice fiin\u0163\u0103 omeneasc\u0103, ca v\u00e2nturile s\u0103 se mi\u015fte c\u00e2nt\u00e2nd at\u00e2ta de dureros \u00eenc\u00e2t orice suflet omenesc s\u0103 pl\u00e2nga c\u00e2nd le aude, ca izvoarele s\u0103 curga ap\u0103 amar\u0103, \u015fi l\u0103s\u0103 ca soarele pe toat\u0103 ziua dat\u0103 de Dumnezeu s\u0103 arunce c\u00e2te \u015fapte raze seci \u00een lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dup\u0103 ce toate acestea le r\u00e2ndui, se duse la roata cea mare, pe care era \u00eenv\u00e2rtit firul traiului omenesc \u015fi opri roata de a se mai \u00eentoarce \u015fi via\u0163\u0103 omeneasc\u0103 de a mai curge\u2026 Dup-aceea\u2026 Z\u00e2na Zorilor se ascunse din fa\u0163a lumii \u00een fundul cur\u0163ii celei mari, \u00een locul cel mai \u00eentunecos \u015fi mai ne\u00eengrijit\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Zmeii, balaurii \u015fi n\u0103zdr\u0103vanii ie\u015fir\u0103-n lume \u015fi de ru\u015fine ce le era, s-ascunser\u0103 \u00een cele mai ad\u00e2nci pustiuri, pe\u015fteri \u2013 ca ochiul omenesc s\u0103 nu-i mai vad\u0103! Leii-\u015fi lep\u0103dar\u0103 p\u0103rul de aur \u015fi ferec\u0103tura de pe gheare \u015fi din\u0163i, \u015fi de sup\u0103ra\u0163i ce erau se f\u0103cur\u0103 s\u0103lbatici; Z\u00e2nele s-ascunser\u0103 prin gr\u0103dini; florile, izvoarele \u015fi v\u00e2nturile se supuser\u0103 voin\u0163ei Z\u00e2nei Zorilor, \u015fi razele seci, f\u0103r\u0103 c\u0103ldur\u0103 \u015fi lumin\u0103, \u015fi ast\u0103zi se v\u0103d \u00eentinse pe cer colea \u00een nop\u0163ile de var\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Via\u0163a omeneasc\u0103 stete locului, \u015fi timpul \u00eenceta de-a mai curge\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Doi lei, doi zmei, doi balauri \u015fi doi n\u0103zdr\u0103vani se pusera paz\u0103 la punte\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2t a r\u0103mas \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Zorilor astfel, aceea nu se \u015ftie \u015fi nici nu se poate spune\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A trecut mult\u0103 vreme a\u015fa f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 fi curs!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A \u00een\u0163eles \u015fi Sf\u00e2nta Vineri c\u0103 Z\u00e2na Zorilor s-a sup\u0103rat; raza cea pustie \u015fi v\u00e2ntoasele ce cutreierau lumea \u00eentreag\u0103 i-au fost adus \u015ftire de mult\u2026 S-a sup\u0103rat de jum\u0103tate, iar de cealalta jum\u0103tate s-a bucurat: s-a sup\u0103rat pentru c\u0103 nu mai putea s\u0103 mai priveasc\u0103 \u00een c\u0103ut\u0103toare \u015fi s-a bucurat pentru c\u0103 vedea pe F\u0103t-Frumosul s\u0103u cel voinic sc\u0103pat \u015fi pe vecina sa cea frumoas\u0103 trista\u2026 A mai fost apoi nec\u0103jit\u0103 pentru c\u0103 i s-a fost spart ulciorul cu apa cea minunat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd Sf\u00e2nta Vineri v\u0103zu \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 \u00eentunerecul nu mai \u00eenceteaz\u0103, lumina nu mai vine, \u015fi c\u00e2nd pieri \u015fi cea din urm\u0103 raz\u0103 de pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt, zic c\u00e2nd Sf\u00e2nta Vineri v\u0103zu c\u0103 Z\u00e2na Zorilor i-a trecut de glum\u0103, ea porunci v\u00e2ntoaselor ca s\u0103 porneasc\u0103 toate \u00eempreun\u0103, s\u0103 se izbeasc\u0103 \u00een v\u0103lul cel mare de la marginea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei s\u0103-l mi\u015fte din loc \u015fi s\u0103 fac\u0103 ca lumina s\u0103 curg\u0103 \u00een lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2ntoasele pornir\u0103\u2026 care de care mai turbate, care de care mai grozave \u015fi mai \u00eenfrico\u015fate,\u2026 cum merg adic\u0103 v\u00e2ntoasele\u2026 \u0162i se p\u0103rea c\u0103 au s\u0103 ia lumea cu sine \u015fi s\u0103 nu se mai opreasc\u0103 \u00een loc cu ea. Ajunser\u0103 la v\u0103l\u2026 se izbira \u00een el\u2026 \u015fi cum se izbira? V\u0103lul nu se mi\u015fc\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2ntoasele se mai izbira o dat\u0103\u2026 apoi \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103\u2026 adic\u0103 de trei ori una dup\u0103 alta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2026\u015ei apoi nu se izbira mai mult\u2026 v\u0103zur\u0103 cum c\u0103 v\u0103lul st\u0103 mai \u0163eap\u0103n dec\u00e2t p\u0103m\u00e2ntul \u00een \u0163\u00e2\u0163\u00e2nele sale\u2026 St\u0103tur\u0103 c\u00e2teva clipe locului \u2013 ru\u015finate \u015fi obosite se \u00eentoarser\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t \u015fi \u00eenconjurar\u0103 o dat\u0103 lumea \u00een m\u00e2nia lor cea turbat\u0103\u2026 Ce a fost calea lor? Acuma-\u015fi poate g\u00e2ndi fiecare ce a fost! Bine cu de-a-bun\u0103 seam\u0103-a putut fi! Vai \u015fi amar!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2ntoasele sosira acas\u0103 \u015fi spuser\u0103 Sfintei Vineri cum \u015fi ce e cu v\u0103lul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sf\u00e2nta Vineri se sup\u0103r\u0103 acuma \u015fi de cealalta jum\u0103tate: trimise v\u00e2nturile la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului ca s\u0103 duc\u0103 lui Petru vorb\u0103 \u015fi sfat: s\u0103 mearg\u0103 s\u0103 stea de vorba cu Z\u00e2na Zorilor \u015fi s\u0103 fac\u0103 ce va face, ca s\u0103 aduc\u0103 lumina \u00een lume.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2ntoasele pornir\u0103 de-a dou\u0103 oar\u0103\u2026 acuma ceva \u015fi mai \u00eencet\u2026 mai nepripit\u2026 ca \u015fi c\u00e2nd pleci adic\u0103 \u00een treab\u0103 bun\u0103 \u015fi la om\u2026 Ajunser\u0103 la curte\u2026 Petru nu e! V\u00e2ntoasele \u00eencepur\u0103 a se mi\u015fca mai a str\u0103in.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru a pierit \u00een cale.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u00e2ntoasele luar\u0103 curtea din st\u00e2nga\u2026 apoi din dreapta\u2026 apoi din mijloc\u2026 O \u00eentoarser\u0103, sucir\u0103, ridicar\u0103 \u015fi aruncar\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu se mai alese nimic din ea\u2026 Dup\u0103 aceea pornir\u0103 cu vestea despre moartea lui Petru c\u0103tre coliba Sfintei Vineri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Porni\u0163i cu to\u0163ii \u00een lume; mi\u015fca\u0163i tot ce e de mi\u015fcat \u015fi afla\u0163i pe Petru. Viu sau mort mi-l aduce\u0163i! porunci Sf\u00e2nta Vineri dup\u0103 ce auzi vestea cea trist\u0103. Trei zile \u015fi trei nop\u0163i v\u00e2ntoasele nu mai steter\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De trei ori scoaser\u0103 copacii din r\u0103d\u0103cini, de trei ori scoaser\u0103 r\u00e2urile din cursul lor; de trei ori sf\u0103r\u00e2mar\u0103 nourii izbindu-i de st\u00e2nci; de trei ori m\u0103turar\u0103 fundul m\u0103rii \u015fi de trei ori pr\u0103p\u0103dir\u0103 fa\u0163a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toate fur\u0103 \u00een zadar! Ele intrar\u0103 acas\u0103 care de care mai obosite care de care mai m\u00e2nioase \u015fi mai ru\u015finate.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai una n-a sosit \u00eenc\u0103; v\u00e2ntul cel de prim\u0103var\u0103, lene\u015f, moale \u015fi \u00eent\u00e2rziatic\u2026 Unde s\u0103 fi r\u0103mas? To\u0163i \u015ftiau c\u0103 mult\u0103 treaba n-o fi fost s\u0103 fac\u0103\u2026 Cine \u015ftie\u2026 de obosit ce-o fi fost s-a pus undeva la r\u0103coare\u2026 Nimeni nu-\u015fi b\u0103tea capul cu el.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iac-o dat\u0103 \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu dup\u0103 ce toat\u0103 lumea s-a mai rupt g\u00e2ndul de a mai afla pe Petru, frunzele \u00eencepur\u0103 a se mi\u015fca. Sf\u00e2nta Vineri sim\u0163i mol\u0103tatea sufl\u0103rii \u015fi ie\u015fi afar\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce veste aduci? \u00eentreb\u0103 pe cea mai drag\u0103 dintre v\u00e2ntoase.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Trist\u0103 e de trist\u0103 dar bun\u0103-i de bun\u0103, \u015fopti v\u00e2ntul cel t\u00e2n\u0103r. Dup\u0103 ce m-am fost obosit de at\u00e2ta cercetare, de at\u00e2ta spart \u015fi pr\u0103dare d\u0103dui de-o f\u00e2nt\u00e2n\u0103 seac\u0103 \u015fi cugetai s\u0103 intru \u00een ea ca scutit de surorile mele s\u0103 m\u0103 mai odihnesc mai nainte de a porni c\u0103tre cas\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei-n fundul f\u00e2nt\u00e2nei afla\u015fi pe Petru? strig\u0103 Sf\u00e2nta Vineri plin\u0103 de bucurie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da! \u015fi pe Murgul de o parte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dulce-\u0163i fie vorba, dragu-\u0163i fie sufletul, \u015fi pururea veste bun\u0103 s-aduci! zise acuma Sf\u00e2nta Vineri c\u0103tre v\u00e2ntul cel de prim\u0103var\u0103, \u00eei porunci apoi ca s\u0103 se repead\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la Sf\u00e2nta Joie \u015fi s\u0103-i spun\u0103 ca s\u0103 g\u0103teasc\u0103 cu tigaia de aur, c\u0103 de Petru nu e bine, s\u0103 sar\u0103 d-acolea p\u00e2n\u0103 la Sf\u00e2nta Miercure, \u015fi s\u0103-i spun\u0103 ca s\u0103 vin\u0103 la sf\u00e2nt\u0103 cu apa vie\u0163ii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cen\u0163eles-ai? \u00eei mai zice Sf\u00e2nta Vineri. S\u0103 fii cu-n picior aici, cu unul acolo! \u015ei pornir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii\u2026 Sosir\u0103 cu to\u0163ii la f\u00e2nt\u00e2na cea p\u0103r\u0103sit\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0De Petru nu era dec\u00e2t os \u015fi cenu\u015f\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sf\u00e2nta Miercure lu\u0103 oasele \u015fi le \u00eencheie laolalt\u0103\u2026 Nu lipsea nici unul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sf\u00e2nta Vineri porunci v\u00e2ntoaselor ca s\u0103 desfunde f\u00e2nt\u00e2na, s-arunce pulberea \u00een sus \u015fi s-adune cenu\u015fa lui Petru\u2026 Toate se f\u0103cur\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sf\u00e2nta Joie f\u0103cu foc, culese roua de pe frunze \u00een tigaia cea de aur\u2026 \u015fi puse tigaia pe foc\u2026 C\u00e2nd apa \u00eencepu a fierbe, Sf\u00e2nta Miercure zise trei vorbe\u2026 privi o dat\u0103 c\u0103tre r\u0103s\u0103rit, o dat\u0103 c\u0103tre apus, o dat\u0103 c\u0103tre miaz\u0103-zi, o dat\u0103 c\u0103tre miaz\u0103-noapte, apoi arunc\u0103 iarba vie\u0163ii \u00een apa cea fiart\u0103. Tot a\u015fa f\u0103cu \u015fi Sf\u00e2nta Vineri cu cenu\u015fa lui Petru. Sf\u00e2nta Joie num\u0103r\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea, unul, dou\u0103, trei \u015fi lu\u0103 tigaia de pe foc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Din cenu\u015fa lui Petru, din roua \u015fi din iarba vie\u0163ii s-a fost f\u0103cut o unsoare mirositoare. V\u00e2ntul cel de prim\u0103var\u0103 sufl\u0103 o dat\u0103 peste ea, \u015fi unsoarea se slei. Acuma unser\u0103 oasele lui Petru cu unsoarea de \u015fapte ori \u00een jos, de \u015fapte ori cruci\u015f, tot de atatea ori curmezi\u015f\u2026 \u015fi c\u00e2nd fuser\u0103 gata, Petru s\u0103ri \u00een picioare\u2026 pe de o sut\u0103 \u015fi pe de o mie de ori mai frumos dec\u00e2t cum a fost\u2026 pe de o sut\u0103 \u015fi pe de o mie de ori mai voinic \u015fi mai f\u0103los dec\u00e2t cum a fost!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103i pe cal, voinice! zise Sf\u00e2nta Vineri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cendat\u0103 ce Murgul sim\u0163i pe st\u0103p\u00e2nul s\u0103u \u00een spatele sale, \u00eencepu a necheza \u015fi a sc\u0103p\u0103ra din picioare\u2026 Era mai viu dec\u00e2t cum a fost c\u00e2ndva!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde pornim? \u00eentreb\u0103 vesel.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u0103tre cas\u0103! r\u0103spunse Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum s\u0103 mergem?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ca blestemul!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru mul\u0163\u0103mi de vorb\u0103 \u015fi treab\u0103, se \u00eentinse apoi la cale \u015fi merse\u2026 merse\u2026, cum merge adic\u0103 blestemul\u2026 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce ajunse la curtea \u00eemp\u0103ratului. De curte nu mai era dec\u00e2t locul\u2026 Nu vedeai urm\u0103 de om, de la care s\u0103 po\u0163i auzi o vorba sau o veste\u2026 iac\u0103 \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu Barsa ie\u015fi din fundul unei pivni\u0163i mucezite.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru \u00een\u0163elese ce e, cum din ce pricin\u0103, \u00eentoarse fr\u00e2ul Murgului \u015fi merse mai repede dec\u00e2t cum a venit\u2026 Nici nu r\u0103sufl\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Zorilor. C\u00e2t\u0103 vreme a trecut, de c\u00e2nd a r\u0103mas, cum a fost s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2na trebile-n \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia Zorilor, aceea cu vorb\u0103 \u015fi grai nu se poate spune\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Multa vreme a trebuit s\u0103 treac\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd Petru sosi la punte, \u00een soare nu mai erau dec\u00e2t trei raze luminoase, \u015fapte calde \u015fi nou\u0103 seci\u2026 celelalte toate le-a fost lep\u0103dat cu de-am\u0103nuntul\u2026 C\u00e2nd Petru se opri cu Murgul, toat\u0103 lumea se opri cu el ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 ce va fi s\u0103 fie acuma.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Z\u00e2na Zorilor sim\u0163i, cum c\u0103 ceva deosebit trebuie s\u0103 fie \u00een apropiere, c\u0103-i p\u0103rea c\u0103 tocmai acuma s-a de\u015fteptat din visul cel ce-a f\u0103cut-o trist\u0103\u2026 Ea dorea\u2026 nu \u015ftia ce\u2026 tocmai ca \u015fi atuncea\u2026 \u2013 Cine vine? \u00eentreb\u0103 cam cu jum\u0103tate de gur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ine-te bine st\u0103p\u00e2ne! zise Murgul. Petru str\u00e2nse din pinteni, trase din fr\u00e2u \u015fi nici nu se sim\u0163i p\u00e2n\u0103 ce fusese de cealalta parte de punte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Voinic vine peste punte! strigar\u0103 p\u0103zitorii ridic\u0103ndu-\u015fi p\u0103l\u0103riile din cap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Z\u00e2na Zorilor nu se mai mi\u015fc\u0103 din loc \u015fi nu mai gr\u0103i nici o vorb\u0103\u2026 Ca pe nev\u0103zute s\u0103ri Petru la ea, a cuprins-o \u00een bra\u0163e, \u015fi o s\u0103rut\u0103\u2026 cum s\u0103rut\u0103 adic\u0103 Fe\u0163ii Frumo\u015fi pe z\u00e2nele dr\u0103g\u0103stoase!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa Zorilor sim\u0163i c\u0103 simte ce n-a mai sim\u0163it\u2026 Nu mai vorbi, nu mai \u00eentreb\u0103, ci f\u0103cu semn ca s\u0103 bage pe Murgul \u00een grajdul soarelui \u015fi intr\u0103 cu Petru \u00een cas\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Z\u00e2nele \u00eencepur\u0103 a z\u00e2mbi vesel; florile \u00eencepur\u0103 a mirosi dulce; izvoarele deter\u0103 a curge limpede; v\u00e2nturile se pref\u0103cur\u0103 \u00een c\u00e2ntec de bucurie: roata vie\u0163ii \u00eencepu a se \u00eentoarce mai repede dec\u00e2t prisnelul; valul cel negru c\u0103zu la p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi soarele str\u0103lucitor se ridic\u0103 \u00een sus c\u0103tre ceruri\u2026 sus\u2026 mai sus dec\u00e2t cum a fost c\u00e2ndva.. \u015fi-n lume se f\u0103cu lumina ca fa\u0163a soarelui \u00eenc\u00e2t nou\u0103 ani, nou\u0103 luni \u015fi nou\u0103 zile oamenii nu v\u0103zur\u0103 nimic de lumina cea \u00eenfrico\u015fat\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru merse acas\u0103, aduse pe tat\u0103l s\u0103u cel b\u0103tr\u00e2n \u015fi pe mama sa cea b\u0103tr\u00e2na, f\u0103cu o nunt\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eei merse vestea-n nou\u0103zeci \u015fi nou\u0103 de \u0163\u0103ri \u015fi se f\u0103cu \u00eemp\u0103rat peste am\u00e2ndou\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iile.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Iar\u0103 fra\u0163ilor Florea \u015fi Costan li se dete lumina ochilor ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 \u015fi ei fericirea lui Petru.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Asta a fost, dragii mei cei buni, povestea lui Petru F\u0103t-Framos cu Z\u00e2na Zorilor din \u0162ara Soarelui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Petru a tr\u0103it \u015fi a \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163it cu pace \u015fi cu s\u0103n\u0103tate,\u2026 \u015fi doar\u0103 mai \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fte \u015fi ast\u0103zi cu ajutorul lui Dumnezeu.<\/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\u00a0A fost odat\u0103 un \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u2013 un \u00eemp\u0103rat mare \u015fi puternic; \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia lui era at\u00e2t de mare, \u00eenc\u00e2t … <\/p>\n