A fost odat\u0103 o bab\u0103, b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103. Abia z\u0103rea de b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 ce era. \u015ei m\u00e2inile \u00eei umblau la ciorap, iar \u00een g\u00e2ndul ei se ruga la Dumnezeu s-o d\u0103ruiasc\u0103 cu un copil, c\u0103 n-avea dec\u00e2t pe unchia\u015ful ei. \u015ei unchia\u015ful, ba la p\u0103dure, ba la arie, ba la t\u00e2rg, iar baba sta singur\u0103 cuc, c\u0103 toat\u0103 ziulica i-ar fi \u0163iuit t\u0103cerea \u00een fundul urechilor dac\u0103 n-ar fi str\u0103nutat \u015fi n-ar fi tu\u015fit c\u00e2teodat\u0103. Ba uneori, ca s\u0103-\u015fi mai \u0163ie de ur\u00e2t, tot ea vorbea \u015fi tot ea r\u0103spundea. \u015ei r\u00e2dea ea de ea, ca \u015fi cum ar fi r\u00e2s ea de altcineva, \u00een\u015fir\u00e2nd ochiurile pe c\u00e2rlige.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei, ce n-ar pl\u0103ti un fl\u0103c\u0103u la b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163ile noastre!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2t, de? c\u00e2t?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cehi, \u00eehi, mult de tot!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Adic\u0103 ce, nu te-ai mul\u0163umi \u015fi c-o fat\u0103 mare?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba, ce s\u0103 zic, bine ar fi \u015f-o fat\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, dar la fat\u0103 vrea zestre.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S-ar g\u0103si, c\u0103 eu \u015fi unchia\u015ful avem ce ne trebuie \u015fi nu ne trebuie mult, trei co\u0163i de p\u00e2nz\u0103 alb\u0103 \u015fi c\u00e2te un co\u015fciug; iar boii mo\u015fului, iar plugul mo\u015fului, iar casa mo\u015fului \u015fi a babei, toate ar fi ale fetei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, m\u0103tu\u015f\u0103, bine, da\u2019 de unde \u015fi fat\u0103? Tu nu \u015ftii c\u0103 copacii usca\u0163i nu mai dau de la r\u0103d\u0103cin\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei b\u0103tr\u00e2na \u00eencepu s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103 \u015fi s\u0103 ofteze: “hi, hi, hi, ooof, of!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, toate se \u00eentorc, \u015fi apele se \u00eentorc de la Dumnezeu, numai tinere\u0163ile ba. Ce nu e la timp nu mai e niciodat\u0103. M-a\u015f mul\u0163umi eu \u015fi pe un prichindel de b\u0103iat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba te-ai mul\u0163umi \u015fi pe-o codan\u0103. Tu s\u0103-n\u015firi, \u015fi ea s\u0103 de\u015fire, tu s\u0103 cerni, \u015fi ea s\u0103 risipeasc\u0103, tu s\u0103 pui de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, \u015fi ea s\u0103 r\u0103stoarne c\u0103ldarea pe foc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dac\u0103 e pe-a\u015fa, m-a\u015f mul\u0163umi \u015fi pe-un copil c\u00e2t ghemul, numai s-aud \u00een cas\u0103 “mam\u0103”, c\u0103 mult e pustiu c\u00e2nd u\u015fa se \u00eenchide peste doi b\u0103tr\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 dac\u0103 ar fi mai mic?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fie \u015fi mai mic. \u015ei b\u0103tr\u00e2na \u00eencepu s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce neroad\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba neroad\u0103, nu glum\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar dac\u0103 ar fi c\u00e2t un bob de maz\u0103re? \u015ei tocmai c\u00e2nd da b\u0103tr\u00e2na capul peste cap de r\u00e2s, odat\u0103 tres\u0103ri c\u0103, de dup\u0103 u\u015f\u0103, se-auzi un glas ascu\u0163it \u015fi \u00een\u0163epat:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar dac\u0103 ar fi c\u00e2t o neghini\u0163\u0103? B\u0103tr\u00e2na se uit\u0103, se uit\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 se \u00eenchine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, bine, zise acela\u015fi glas, v\u0103d eu c\u0103 nu-\u0163i trebuie copii\u2026 Baba \u00ee\u015fi lu\u0103 inima \u00een din\u0163i \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba-mi trebuie\u2026 da\u2019 unde e\u015fti\u2026 cine e\u015fti?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine sunt? Neghini\u0163\u0103, g\u00e2ndul lumii. De mic ce sunt, p\u0103trund \u00een urechile oamenilor \u015fi-i ascult cum g\u00e2ndesc. Adineauri eram \u00een urechea ta a dreapt\u0103, apoi am trecut \u00een a st\u00e2ng\u0103, \u015f-am r\u00e2s de m-am pr\u0103p\u0103dit c\u00e2nd am v\u0103zut ce-\u0163i trec prin minte\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, a\u015f! Ce mi-a trecut? Nimic!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu e adev\u0103rat, r\u0103spunse Neghini\u0163\u0103 r\u00e2z\u00e2nd, omul spune mai pu\u0163in dec\u00e2t g\u00e2nde\u015fte. Dac\u0103 nu-\u0163i \u015fopteam eu c\u0103 copacul uscat nu mai d\u0103 de la r\u0103d\u0103cin\u0103, cine \u015ftie ce-ai mai fi spus\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Baba se f\u0103cu ca para focului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Z\u0103u a\u015fa\u2026 nu te ru\u015fina, mam\u0103, nu z\u0103u\u2026 A\u015fa e omul. C\u00e2nd e mic face nebunii fiindc\u0103 e mic; c\u00e2nd e la tinere\u0163e face nebunii fiindc\u0103 e t\u00e2n\u0103r, iar la b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e se g\u00e2nde\u015fte la nebunii fiindc\u0103 nu le poate face\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tr\u00e2na pierdu sfiala \u015fi r\u0103bdarea \u015fi se r\u0103sti c\u00e2t putu:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Neghini\u0163\u0103, ci tac\u0103-\u0163i gura \u015fi vin s\u0103 te v\u0103d! \u015ei pe loc se-auzi un \u0163\u00e2\u015ft ca de l\u0103cust\u0103 \u015fi un b\u00e2z\u00e2it ca de albin\u0103. B\u0103tr\u00e2na sim\u0163i pe m\u00e2n\u0103 o pic\u0103tura cald\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103t\u0103-m\u0103 \u015fi pe mine!\u2026 Biata femeie f\u0103cu ni\u015fte ochi mari c\u00e2t toate zilele \u015fi se mir\u0103 toat\u0103 de ce v\u0103zu pe m\u00e2n\u0103, c\u0103 cerul de i s-ar fi deschis nu s-ar fi minunat mai mult.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Neghini\u0163\u0103 era frumos ca o piatr\u0103 scump\u0103; \u015fi era mic c\u00e2t o neghin\u0103; \u015fi avea ni\u015fte ochi\u015fori ca dou\u0103 sc\u00e2ntei albastre, \u015fi ni\u015fte m\u00e2ini \u015fi picioru\u015fe ca ni\u015fte firi\u015foare de p\u0103iajen.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tr\u00e2na d\u0103du s\u0103-l s\u0103rute. Neghini\u0163\u0103, \u0163\u00e2\u015fti pe nas, \u0163\u00e2\u015fti iar pe m\u00e2n\u0103!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cencet, mam\u0103, \u00eencet, c\u0103 m\u0103 strive\u015fti, zise Neghini\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 te s\u0103rut, c\u0103-mi umplu\u015fi casa cu dragoste c\u00e2nd \u00eemi zise\u015fi mam\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cencet, s\u0103 nu m\u0103 sorbi. \u00cel s\u0103rut\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum m\u0103n\u00e2nci tu, Neghini\u0163\u0103 al maic\u0103i?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu? Eu m\u0103 satur din fum. P\u00e2n\u0103 acum am m\u00e2ncat la mese \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103te\u015fti f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u015ftie nimeni. \u015ei ce-am mai r\u00e2s c\u00e2nd ceilal\u0163i tremurau \u00eenaintea \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163ilor, iar eu m\u0103 plimbam prin urechile lor \u015fi le aflam g\u00e2ndul.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine o fi de ei, Neghini\u0163\u0103 mam\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015f, binele focului! S\u0103racii mor de foame, iar ei mor de m\u00e2ncare. De s\u0103raci e r\u0103u c\u0103 n-au cui s\u0103 porunceasc\u0103, \u015fi de ei e r\u0103u c\u0103 trebuie s\u0103 porunceasc\u0103 la mul\u0163i. Pe ceilal\u0163i oameni c\u00e2nd \u00eei min\u0163i te iau de guler \u015fi te judec\u0103 judecat\u0103 dreapt\u0103; pe ei \u00eei min\u0163i \u015fi dau din cap; ba \u015fi mai \u015fi: ei \u015ftiu c\u0103-i min\u0163i, \u015fi tac, \u015fi \u00eenghit, \u015fi n-au ce face, ca s\u0103 nu se strice trebile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2019 bine, Neghini\u0163\u0103, \u0163ie-\u0163i trebuie un an ca s\u0103 umbli c\u00e2t altul umbl\u0103 \u00eentr-o zi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da? Ei, nu e a\u015fa deloc. Eu m\u0103 las pe-o adiere \u015fi plutesc ca pe ap\u0103, \u015fi m\u0103 ml\u0103dii pe apa v\u00e2ntului ca pe valurile m\u0103rii. Ba uneori \u00eentrec r\u00e2ndunelele ca o s\u0103geat\u0103 de argint.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce bucurie pe unchia\u015ful meu, zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na, c\u00e2nd o afla c\u0103 are \u015fi el un copil. Desear\u0103 o s\u0103 se \u00eembete de bucurie.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba e vorb\u0103, r\u0103spunse Neghini\u0163\u0103, eu vreau s\u0103 v\u0103d pe tata acu\u015fi-acu\u015fic!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei b\u0103tr\u00e2na, c\u00e2nd auzi cuv\u00e2ntul tat\u0103, se bucur\u0103 de bucuria mo\u015fului \u015fi \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Aria mo\u015fului este c\u00e2t vezi cu ochiul de departe, pus\u0103 pe-un deal mare \u015fi \u00eentins. Unde-i vedea \u015fase cai murgi treier\u00e2nd gr\u00e2u, acolo s\u0103 te opre\u015fti, c\u0103 dai peste unchia\u015ful babei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iat\u0103, plec. Cum \u00eei deschise u\u015fa, Neghini\u0163\u0103 se arunc\u0103, cu m\u00e2inile \u00eentinse \u015fi cu picioru\u015fele deschise, \u00eentr-o und\u0103 de adiere. \u015ei se f\u0103cu nev\u0103zut, ca un strop de lumin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe drum \u00eent\u00e2lni o ciread\u0103 de vaci. De minunici ce era, se dete afund \u00eentr-o urm\u0103 de vac\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103i v\u0103cari, m\u0103i, veni\u0163i de m\u0103 scoate\u0163i din inima p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, c\u0103 v\u0103 fac pe voia g\u00e2ndului!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0V\u0103carii se luar\u0103 dup\u0103 glas, p\u00e2n\u0103 deter\u0103 peste Neghini\u0163\u0103. Unul, mai r\u0103u \u015fi mai prost dintre ei, vru s\u0103-l striveasc\u0103 \u015fi-\u015fi repezi c\u0103lc\u00e2iul din b\u0103ierile inimii. Neghini\u0163\u0103 \u0163\u00e2\u015fti, \u015fi s\u0103ri al\u0103turea, iar v\u0103carul, lovind cu sete p\u0103m\u00e2ntul, \u00ee\u015fi scrinti piciorul \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 se vaiete. Ceilal\u0163i \u00eencepur\u0103 cu m\u0103ciuca \u015fi, cum izbeau, r\u0103m\u00e2neau cu jum\u0103tatea \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103, iar ailalt\u0103 se ducea zb\u00e2rn\u00e2ind.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu v\u0103 p\u0103zi\u0163i vacile, cum v\u0103 p\u0103zi\u0163i min\u0163ile. Cruce lat\u0103, minte \u00eentunecat\u0103, urechi de v\u0103car, urechi de m\u0103gar! le zise Neghini\u0163\u0103, \u015fi se d\u0103du v\u00e2ntului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ajunse la unchia\u015f. I se sui pe nas, ca s\u0103-l vad\u0103 mai bine. Unchia\u015ful se bucur\u0103, dar nu ca baba, iar Neghini\u0163\u0103 se \u00eentrist\u0103. Dar ca s\u0103 se-arate grozav, zise unchia\u015fului:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu c\u0103ta c\u0103-s mititel. Calul nu e mai mare ca copilul? \u015fi-l \u00eencalec\u0103 copilul. Bivolul nu e mai mare ca omul? \u015fi-l \u00eenjug\u0103 omul. Mun\u0163ii nu-s mai mari ca oile? \u015fi-i pasc turmele. P\u0103m\u00e2ntul nu e mai mare ca fierul plugului? \u015fi-l despic\u0103 fierul plugului. Codrul nu e mai mare ca un topor? \u015fi-l culc\u0103 toporul la p\u0103m\u00e2nt. Tu nu e\u015fti mai mare ca mine? \u015fi te-au ostenit murgii \u00een arie. Ia s\u0103 vezi cum \u00eei dau eu la arie, f\u0103r\u0103 bici, f\u0103r\u0103 nimic.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unchia\u015ful, minunat, \u00eel duse la arie. Cum ajunse, Neghini\u0163\u0103 s\u0103ri pe-un cal \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige: “Hi, h\u0103i, hi, h\u0103i!” Ciupe\u015fte pe unul, ciupe\u015fte pe altul, caii \u00eencepur\u0103 s\u0103 fug\u0103, dar ce fug\u0103, parc-ar fi avut dou\u0103zeci de bice pe \u015falele lor. \u015ei cum se crucea mo\u015ful, iat\u0103 \u015fi un negustor care trecea la scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mo\u015fule, \u00eei zise negustorul, cine m\u00e2n\u0103 caii a\u015fa de grozav, c\u0103 eu aud “hi-h\u0103i, hi-h\u0103i” \u015fi nu v\u0103d pe nimeni!”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, tat\u0103, r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2nul, m-a d\u0103ruit Dumnezeu cu un copil ca o neghin\u0103, da\u2019 cu mintea c\u00e2t zece ca mine \u015fi ca d-ta.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Neghini\u0163\u0103 opri caii \u015fi s\u0103ri \u00een palma unchia\u015fului. Cum \u00eel v\u0103zu negustorul, se g\u00e2ndi s\u0103 duc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului a\u015fa minune.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mo\u015fule, zise negustorul, \u00ee\u0163i dau o pung\u0103 de bani pe el. Neghini\u0163\u0103, sf\u00e2r, \u00een urechea mo\u015fului \u015fi \u00eei \u015fopti ce s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103. \u015ei mo\u015ful zise, crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 de la el zice:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu, care vinzi \u015fi cumperi, ai cump\u0103rat vreun suflet pe-o pung\u0103 de bani?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00ce\u0163i dau\u2026 dou\u0103. \u015ei iar mo\u015ful, dup\u0103 Neghini\u0163\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dou\u0103 pungi\u2026 pentru un suflet?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00ce\u0163i dau\u2026 zece. Mo\u015ful \u00eeng\u0103lbeni \u015fi zise, iar dup\u0103 \u015foapta lui Neghini\u0163\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sufletele se d\u0103ruiesc Domnului \u015fi se v\u00e2nd Necuratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00ce\u0163i dau\u2026 dou\u0103zeci! \u015ei mo\u015ful, c\u0103lc\u00e2nd \u00een gura l\u0103comiei, t\u0103cu, cu toate \u015foaptele bietului Neghini\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Neghini\u0163\u0103 v\u0103zu l\u0103comia, da\u2019 tot el \u015fopti mo\u015fului:: “Fie!” \u015ei mo\u015ful zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fie! B\u0103tu palm\u0103 \u00een palm\u0103 cu negustorul. Tocmeala se f\u0103cuse. Negustorul pl\u0103ti \u015fi lu\u0103 pe Neghini\u0163\u0103, v\u00e2ndut de bun\u0103voie. Negustorul plec\u0103. Neghini\u0163\u0103 strig\u0103 mo\u015fului:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mo\u015fule, mo\u015fule, ai fost s\u0103 n-ai copii, iar biat\u0103 bab\u0103, da!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul era la mare \u015fi la greu sfat cu to\u0163i c\u0103rturarii, c\u0103 b\u00e2ntuia seceta \u015fi molima. \u015ei dac\u0103 negustorul \u00eei spuse c\u0103 are un copil ca o neghini\u0163\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103ratul r\u0103mase \u00eenm\u0103rmurit, \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a\u0163ii \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei c\u0103scar\u0103 ochii mari \u015fi se traser\u0103 de b\u0103rbile lungi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se poate, m\u0103ria-ta, a\u015fa ceva nu scrie la carte.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba se poate, zise Neghini\u0163\u0103, s\u0103rind pe masa sfatului, c\u0103 multe se pot \u015fi nu stau \u00een c\u0103r\u0163i; \u015fi mult mai multe sunt altfel de cum sunt ticluite din condei. \u015ei dup\u0103 ce se minunar\u0103 c\u00e2t se minunar\u0103, \u00eencepu sfatul. Neghini\u0163\u0103 se sui pe m\u00e2na \u00eemp\u0103ratului, pe um\u0103r, apoi \u00een cre\u015ftetul capului, \u015fi de-acolo zise r\u00e2z\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cenva\u0163\u0103, m\u0103ria-ta, c\u0103 cei mai mici sunt cei mai mari. \u00cemp\u0103ratul, cam de voie, cam de nevoie, r\u0103spunse:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa e, Neghini\u0163\u0103, a\u015fa e. Iar c\u0103rturarii \u00ee\u015fi deter\u0103 ghies pe sub mas\u0103 \u015fi plecar\u0103 ochii \u00een jos. \u00cemp\u0103ratul porunci s\u0103-i toarne lui Neghini\u0163\u0103 o cas\u0103 cu zece caturi, c\u00e2t o nuc\u0103 de mare, toat\u0103 din aur-lamur \u015fi \u00eempodobit\u0103 cu pietre scumpe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Neghini\u0163\u0103 r\u0103mase la sfat \u015fi se pierdu din ochii tuturora, numai ca s\u0103 se \u0163ie de n\u0103zdr\u0103v\u0103nii. \u015ei, \u00eencet-\u00eencet, p\u00e2\u015fi-p\u00e2\u015fi, p\u00e2n\u0103 intr\u0103 \u00een urechea \u00eenv\u0103\u0163atului care c\u0103uta \u00een stele cu ocheanele. Acolo ascult\u0103 ce ascult\u0103, \u015fi \u00een\u0163elese c\u0103 acest vestit c\u0103rturar, \u00een loc s\u0103 se g\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 la sfat, se g\u00e2ndea c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul are nasul cam mare. Se duse bini\u015for \u015fi intr\u0103 \u00een urechea c\u0103rturarului care zicea c\u0103 \u015ftie m\u0103runtaiele omului \u015fi leacurile bolilor. \u0102sta se g\u00e2ndea nu la sfat, ci c\u0103-i pl\u0103cea inelul \u00eemp\u0103ratului. A\u015fa afl\u0103, pe r\u00e2nd, c\u0103 unul se g\u00e2ndea la o cucoan\u0103 frumoas\u0103, c\u0103 altul se g\u00e2ndea cam ce lingu\u015feal\u0103 s\u0103 c\u00e2rpeasc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului, altul c\u0103 ce n-ar da el pentru o sticl\u0103 de vin, altul c\u0103 bine e s\u0103 fii \u00eemp\u0103rat, altul c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul e om ca to\u0163i oamenii, numai unul, cu fruntea c\u00e2t toate zilele, asculta cuvintele \u015fi \u00eentreb\u0103rile \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Neghini\u0163\u0103, cum afl\u0103 g\u00e2ndul tuturora, zbughi \u00een urechea \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi \u00eei \u015fopti tot, din fir p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een a\u0163\u0103. \u00cemp\u0103ratul, crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 singur, el de la el, a citit \u00een mintea lor, se m\u00e2nie foc \u015fi le zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, tu, care ca\u0163i \u00een stele, \u0163i-ai f\u0103cut ochii ochean \u015fi-mi vezi nasul c\u00e2t un bu\u015ftean. Astfel \u0163i-e g\u00e2ndul la sfatul domnesc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103rturarul se cutremur\u0103 \u015fi d\u0103du \u00een genunchi, cer\u00e2nd iertare.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu, se r\u0103sti \u00eemp\u0103ratul c\u0103tre doctor, dac\u0103 ai avea inelul meu, ai omor\u00ee mai pu\u0163ini oameni?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Doctorul se cutremur\u0103 \u015fi d\u0103du \u015fi el \u00een genunchi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul nec\u0103jit \u0103lorlal\u0163i, te g\u00e2nde\u015fti la sec\u0103turi \u015fi nu vezi c\u0103 e\u015fti cu un picior \u00een groap\u0103; tu \u00ee\u0163i preg\u0103te\u015fti limba ca s\u0103 m\u0103 min\u0163i; tu crezi c\u0103 \u00eentr-o sticl\u0103 cu vin este mai mult duh dec\u00e2t \u00een capul meu; tu nu \u015ftii c\u0103 un \u00eenv\u0103\u0163at pe scaunul domniei ar face mai multe boroboa\u0163e ca un neghiob; tu te pricepi c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul e om ca to\u0163i oamenii, da\u2019 nu te g\u00e2nde\u015fti c\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a\u0163ii sunt ca neoamenii; iar tu abia te \u0163ii s\u0103 nu ca\u015fti o gur\u0103 c\u00e2t s\u0103 \u00eenghi\u0163i \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia toat\u0103; numai \u0163ie \u0163i-e mintea la sfatul domnesc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cu to\u0163ii c\u0103zur\u0103 \u00een genunchi.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acum ce s\u0103 le fac, zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul m\u00e2nios, s\u0103 le tai capul? C\u0103rturarii murir\u0103 \u015fi \u00eenviar\u0103, iar Neghini\u0163\u0103, care se suise \u00een cre\u015ftetul \u00eemp\u0103ratului:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ferit-a Dumnezeu, m\u0103ria-ta, f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103\u0163a\u0163i cine s\u0103 mint\u0103 lumea?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu fie dec\u00e2t adev\u0103rul pe lume!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ferit-a Dumnezeu! Ce-ai face chiar m\u0103ria-ta f\u0103r\u0103 minciun\u0103? Apoi m\u0103ria-ta \u0163i-ai f\u0103cut socoteala vie\u0163ii? Mai multe ceasuri ai m\u00e2ncat, ai dormit, ai v\u00e2nat, \u0163i-ai socotit cazanele cu bani, ai petrecut, ba cu lumin\u0103\u0163ia-sa \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa, ba \u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 ea, dec\u00e2t te-ai nec\u0103jit cu trebile \u015fi cu nevoile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei. Cum ai sta m\u0103ria-ta pe scaunul lumii c\u00e2nd lumea ar afla adev\u0103rul?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul z\u00e2mbi, cu ciud\u0103, nu e vorb\u0103, dar z\u00e2mbi ca s\u0103 dreag\u0103 treaba \u015fi \u00eei iert\u0103 pe to\u0163i. V\u0103z\u00e2nd \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 cel din urm\u0103 c\u0103rturar, care se g\u00e2ndise la sfat, tremura mereu, \u00eei zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, dar tu, cel mai cuminte, de ce tremuri?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103ria-ta, zise bietul b\u0103tr\u00e2n, mai bine s\u0103 spun \u015fi eu dec\u00e2t s\u0103 afli m\u0103ria-ta. Iat\u0103, socotesc c\u0103 nu \u015ftiu nimic \u015fi tot m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc c\u0103 mi-e leafa prea mic\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul r\u00e2se cu poft\u0103 \u015fi-i f\u0103g\u0103dui o leaf\u0103 mai mare, apoi sparse sfatul c\u0103rturarilor \u015fi plec\u0103 cu Neghini\u0163\u0103 \u00een cre\u015ftetul capului, nedumirit de cum ghicise g\u00e2ndurile tuturora.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa \u015fi cuconii ei, v\u0103z\u00e2nd pe Neghini\u0163\u0103, se minunar\u0103, dar, c\u00e2nd aflar\u0103 c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul, la vreme de b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e, ghice\u015fte g\u00e2ndurile oamenilor, se crucir\u0103 \u015fi tot nu le venea s\u0103 cread\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00cemp\u0103rate, zise \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa, z\u0103u a\u015fa, ghice\u015fte-mi \u015fi mie un g\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 vedem, r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul. \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa se g\u00e2ndi \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103\u2026 Neghini\u0163\u0103 o zbughise \u00een urechea \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei \u015fi-i aflase g\u00e2ndul: “C\u0103 ce bine-ar fi s\u0103 mai fie o dat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul t\u00e2n\u0103r!” \u015ei \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 intr\u0103 \u00een urechea dreapt\u0103 a \u00eemp\u0103ratului, \u015fi \u015fopa-\u015fopa-\u015fopa. \u00cemp\u0103ratul \u2013 pace! \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa r\u00e2dea \u015fi zicea:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi c\u0103 nu ghice\u015fti? vezi? Pas\u0103mite, \u00eemp\u0103ratul era cam tare de urechea dreapt\u0103. Neghini\u0163\u0103 \u00een\u0163elese, \u015fi \u0163\u00e2\u015fti \u00een urechea st\u00e2ng\u0103, \u015fi iar \u015fopa-\u015fopa.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se lumin\u0103 la fa\u0163\u0103, d\u0103du din cap, r\u00e2se cu hohote \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei\u2026 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103\u2026 da\u2019 tot muiere! De, bine te g\u00e2ndi\u015fi tu, da\u2019 nu se poate\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa se ru\u015fin\u0103, plec\u0103 ochii \u00een jos \u015fi se g\u00e2ndi: “Dar dac\u0103 o ghici \u015fi la ce m-oi fi g\u00e2ndit \u00eenainte, intru \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt! De c\u00e2te ori n-am dat dracului sfaturile \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei c\u00e2nd nu se mai ispr\u0103veau p\u00e2n\u0103 dup\u0103 miezul nop\u0163ii.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen sf\u00e2r\u015fit, ce-i veni lui Neghini\u0163\u0103, vru s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103 \u015fi de \u00eemp\u0103rat; \u015fi \u00ee\u015fi zise \u00eentr-o bun\u0103 diminea\u0163\u0103: “Vezi ce e omul! Spune-i orice, spune-i mereu acela\u015fi lucru\u2026 omul crede, c\u0103 omul e prost. Ce nu crede \u00eent\u00e2i crede mai pe urm\u0103. Am s\u0103-i fac una \u015fi bun\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratului, s\u0103-l las f\u0103r\u0103 sfetnicii cei credincio\u015fi \u015fi s\u0103-l \u00eencurc cu nebunii.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, de umbla \u00een fruntea o\u015ftilor, de sta la sfat mare, de se culca, de se scula, de m\u00e2nca, de-\u015fi m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia cuconii, un g\u00e2nd nu-l mai sl\u0103bea: “Nu vezi, omule de Dumnezeu, c\u0103 \u0163i-au \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2nit sfetnicii \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia merge r\u0103u?”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pas\u0103mite, Neghini\u0163\u0103 \u00eei intrase \u00eentr-o ureche. Azi a\u015fa, m\u00e2ine a\u015fa, p\u00e2n\u0103 nu mai avu \u00eencotro. Sparse sfatul cel vechi \u015fi chem\u0103 altul nou.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tot unu \u015fi unu!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum venir\u0103, cum aruncar\u0103 pe bietul \u00eemp\u0103rat din scaunul neamului lui\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acu s\u0103-l vedem! zise \u00eempieli\u0163atul de Neghini\u0163\u0103. \u00cemp\u0103ratul ie\u015fi pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd din cetate. Neghini\u0163\u0103, sus pe um\u0103rul lui.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De ce pl\u00e2ngi, m\u0103ria-ta? \u0163ine-\u0163i firea, nu fi muiere.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei, Neghini\u0163\u0103, cum s\u0103 nu pl\u00e2ng?! Unde mi-e toiagul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ci taci, m\u0103ria-ta! Ia taie un corn \u015fi f\u0103-\u0163i, colea, o c\u00e2rj\u0103. Buzduganul e greu la b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u0163e, te doboar\u0103. C\u00e2rja te sprijin\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, ei, Neghini\u0163\u0103, unde mi-e scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesc pe care au stat at\u00e2\u0163ia mo\u015fi-str\u0103mo\u015fi ai mei?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ci taci, m\u0103ria-ta! \u00centinde-te colea, pe f\u00e2nul \u00eenflorit \u015fi moale, \u015fi s\u0103-mi spui drept care e mai dulce la oase? Scaunul cu scumpetea, sau f\u00e2nul cu frumuse\u0163ea?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 I, i, Neghini\u0163\u0103, unde mi-e coroana cu stemele \u015fi cu luminile?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ci taci, m\u0103ria-ta! Pune foaie lat\u0103 de lipan pe deasupra pletelor albe \u015fi spune-mi drept, care e mai u\u015foar\u0103, coroana cu grijile sau lipanul cu umbrele?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa o fi, Neghini\u0163\u0103, mai zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, oft\u00e2nd tocmai din b\u0103ierile inimii, a\u015fa o fi, se potrive\u015fte \u015f-a\u015fa, fiindc\u0103 \u015ftii tu s\u0103 le potrive\u015fti, dar c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc \u00een ce slav\u0103 eram ieri\u2026 \u00eemi vine s\u0103 scald tot p\u0103m\u00e2ntul cu lacrimile mele!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ci taci, m\u0103ria-ta! Adic\u0103 ce sl\u0103vire? Toat\u0103 via\u0163a, ba r\u0103zboaie, ba sfaturi, ba taie capul unuia, ba \u00eentinde la bice pe altul, ba cite\u015fte jalbele, ba ascult\u0103 p\u0103surile, ba c\u00e2te \u015fi mai c\u00e2te, \u015fi mai multe f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vrei de c\u00e2te pe vrute. M\u0103rire s\u0103 fi fost asta? Dar ia g\u00e2nde\u015fte-te m\u0103ria-ta c\u0103 un supus era supusul m\u0103riei-tale \u015f-avea un st\u0103p\u00e2n, iar m\u0103ria-ta, purt\u00e2nd grija tuturora, erai sluga tuturora. Vezi, de-aia m\u0103ria-ta ai fost cel mai slug\u0103, cel mai nevolnic din toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia. Curat\u0103 socoteal\u0103: erai \u00eemp\u0103rat, nu om; acum e\u015fti om, nu \u00eemp\u0103rat. \u015ei e\u015fti mai mare, c\u0103 unde-\u0163i spune g\u00e2ndul, acolo te duc picioarele. \u015e-apoi, cine \u015ftie? Socote\u015fti m\u0103ria-ta c\u0103 boierii pot ceva f\u0103r\u0103 prostime? S\u0103 cear\u0103 prostimea pe vechiul lor \u00eemp\u0103rat\u2026 \u015fi s\u0103 vezi m\u0103ria-ta\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Se mai \u00eembun\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul la cuv\u00e2ntul lui Neghini\u0163\u0103 \u015fi se duse, \u00een cruci\u015f \u015fi \u00een curmezi\u015f, \u00een toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia, c-o foaie de lipan pe cap \u015fi sprijinit pe-o c\u00e2rj\u0103 de corn. \u015ei de ce vedea se minuna \u015fi \u00eentreba pe Neghini\u0163\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Neghini\u0163\u0103, de ce-l bat pe \u0103la, de r\u0103cne\u015fte ca din gur\u0103 de \u015farpe?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fiindc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul e surd \u015fi n-aude, r\u0103spunse Neghini\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Neghini\u0163\u0103, de ce-or fi at\u00e2\u0163ia oameni goi \u015fi descul\u0163i?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fiindc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul e orb \u015fi nu vede.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Neghini\u0163\u0103, de ce b\u0103tr\u00e2nul \u0103la s-o fi muncind s\u0103 road\u0103 \u00een gingii o coji\u0163\u0103 uscat\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fiindc\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103 prea mult.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Neghini\u0163\u0103, de ce-o munci unii \u015fi noaptea, de dau pe br\u00e2nci?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ca s\u0103 doarm\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u015fi ziua, de i-o veni poft\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Neghini\u0163\u0103, atunci de ce s\u0103 vie pe scaunul meu un \u00eemp\u0103rat \u015fi surd, \u015fi orb, \u015fi lacom, \u015fi somnoros?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, poi, \u00eenainte de-a fi \u00eemp\u0103rat, vedea, auzea, muncea, cump\u0103tat la m\u00e2ncare \u015fi la b\u0103utur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bietul pribeag st\u0103tu pe g\u00e2nduri, \u00een mijlocul unui ora\u015f mare, mare \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 I, i, Neghini\u0163\u0103, mult cuv\u00e2nt ai! Acum s-ajung \u00eemp\u0103rat, \u015fi a\u015f \u015fti eu s\u0103 fac cum e bine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei, ca din senin, abia sf\u00e2r\u015fise vorba de pe urm\u0103, \u015f-auzi o g\u0103l\u0103gie, un vaiet, o duduitur\u0103, c\u0103 parc\u0103 se cutremura p\u0103m\u00e2ntul. C\u00e2nd colo, ce s\u0103 fie? \u015etafet\u0103 mare. Ni\u015fte voinici, cu suli\u0163e lungi, aduceau vestea c\u0103 norodul a b\u0103gat la dub\u0103 pe \u00eemp\u0103ratul \u0103l nou, cu sfetnici cu tot, \u015fi c\u0103 cheam\u0103 iar\u0103\u015fi pe adev\u0103ratul \u00eemp\u0103rat. Cum auzi b\u0103tr\u00e2nul, zise voinicilor:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sta\u0163i, c\u0103 eu sunt! \u015ei-l cunoscur\u0103 to\u0163i, \u015fi \u00eei deter\u0103 \u00een genunchi. Iar Neghini\u0163\u0103, de colo, de pe um\u0103r:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M\u0103ria-ta, mai vezi, mai auzi, ori \u0163i s-a f\u0103cut foame \u015fi-\u0163i vine s\u0103 dormi?<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0La toate vine r\u00e2ndul, dup\u0103 cum se \u00eentoarce roata, c\u0103 de-aia e roat\u0103, s\u0103 se \u00eentoarc\u0103, iar nu s\u0103 stea locului. \u015ei-i veni r\u00e2ndul \u015fi lui Neghini\u0163\u0103, g\u00e2ndul lumii.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi vru s\u0103 glumeasc\u0103 cu \u00eemp\u0103ratul, s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 vreo dr\u0103cie. \u00cei intr\u0103 \u00een urechea dreapt\u0103, crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 e \u00een a st\u00e2ng\u0103. Cu st\u00e2nga n-auzea de loc. “Nu face nimic. Mi-e lene s\u0103 m\u0103 mut, se g\u00e2ndi Neghini\u0163\u0103. \u00cen loc s\u0103 \u015foptesc, voi striga.” \u015ei \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige din toate puterile \u00een urechea cu care \u00eemp\u0103ratul auzea de minune.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un \u00eemp\u0103rat dac\u0103 n-a \u015fti el de la el adev\u0103rul, nu-l mai afl\u0103 de la nimeni!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, auzind acest glas tare \u00een fundul urechii, \u00eei zv\u00e2cni inima \u015fi-\u015fi trase o palma c\u00e2t putu peste ureche, zic\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iiiii, s\u0103 \u015ftii c\u0103 ce credeam eu c\u0103-mi trece prin minte era numai \u00een ureche!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei c\u00e2nd \u00ee\u015fi scutur\u0103 urechea \u00een podul palmei\u2026 Neghini\u0163\u0103 c\u0103zu le\u015finat\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu mi-ai fost? Tu m-ai f\u0103cut s\u0103 cad din scaunul \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163iei? Bine! Am eu ac de cojocul t\u0103u!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul, \u00eenfuriat, porunci s\u0103-l lege de g\u00e2t cu un fir lung de m\u0103tase \u015fi-l cobor\u00ee de-l \u00eenec\u0103 \u00een pu\u0163ul din curtea domneasc\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015fa sf\u00e2r\u015fi bietul Neghini\u0163\u0103.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A fost odat\u0103 o bab\u0103, b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103. Abia z\u0103rea de b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 ce era. \u015ei m\u00e2inile \u00eei umblau la ciorap, iar \u00een g\u00e2ndul ei se ruga la Dumnezeu s-o d\u0103ruiasc\u0103 cu … <\/p>\n