{"id":2966,"date":"2020-05-12T15:00:54","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T12:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.povesti-nemuritoare.ro\/?p=2966"},"modified":"2023-06-11T11:13:43","modified_gmt":"2023-06-11T08:13:43","slug":"departe-departe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/departe-departe\/","title":{"rendered":"Departe, departe"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sub castanii din via p\u0103r\u0103sit\u0103, mai mul\u0163i copila\u015fi, \u00een c\u0103m\u0103\u015fi albe, m\u0103 \u00eenconjuraser\u0103. Stam pe p\u0103m\u00e2ntul cald, cu m\u00e2inile sub cap, privind ad\u00e2ncul cerului albastru, \u015fi povesteam.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O feti\u0163\u0103 \u00eemi sorbea cuvintele, d\u00e2nd \u00eentr-o parte \u015fi alta, pletele negre ce-i acopereau ochii ei mari \u015fi verzi\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Departe, departe, era odat\u0103 un palat de marmur\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 un lac ad\u00e2nc, limpede \u015fi lini\u015ftit; \u015fi \u00een lac tremura r\u0103sturnat palatul \u015fi gr\u0103dina lui cu naramzi \u015fi portocali.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei nici o leb\u0103d\u0103 nu se l\u0103sa pe lac, nici o privighetoare nu c\u00e2nta \u00een portocali. Nimic nu se auzea \u00een curte, nimic \u00een palat. U\u015file nu se deschideau. Por\u0163ile cur\u0163ii, totdeauna \u00eencuiate. V\u00e2ntul nu b\u0103tea pe-aici, oprit de cine \u015ftie cine, departe de aceste locuri \u00een ve\u015fnic\u0103 odihn\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numai, hei, uneori, la miez de noapte, s-auzea pocnind \u00een por\u0163ile de stejar. Por\u0163ile se deschideau \u0163ip\u00e2nd, ca \u015fi cum ar fi fost vii \u015fi le-ar fi b\u0103tut cineva.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cine b\u0103tea \u00een por\u0163i la miezul nop\u0163ii? Cine deschidea por\u0163ile la miezul nop\u0163ii? Adormisem la umbra zidului. Pe la miezul nop\u0163ii, speriat de ni\u015fte lovituri \u00eenfrico\u015fate, s\u0103rii \u00een picioare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O umbr\u0103 intr\u0103 pe por\u0163ile \u00eenalte; \u015fi por\u0163ile se \u00eenchiser\u0103 \u00een urma ei. Apoi auzii o u\u015f\u0103 tr\u00e2ntindu-se, \u015fi alta, \u015fi alta, \u00eencet, mai \u00eencet, mai \u00eencet, p\u00e2n\u0103 nu \u015ftiu bine dac\u0103 mai auzeam sau mi se p\u0103rea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A cui s\u0103 fie umbra?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vreo stafie? \u00cen\u0103untru pl\u00e2nge cineva\u2026 se roag\u0103, a le\u015finat\u2026 nu se mai aude. E \u00eentuneric. Mi se bate inima. De n-ar fi stafie! \u015ei ame\u0163ii pe marginea lacului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi m\u0103 de\u015fteptai. Soarele ardea. \u00cen lac tremura r\u0103sturnat palatul de marmur\u0103 cu gr\u0103dinile sale. \u00cencepui s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenchin, fericit c\u0103 era cald \u015fi lumin\u0103\u2026 M\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam acas\u0103 \u015fi mi-era dor, mi-era dor de mama de nu mai puteam\u2026 S\u0103raca, o fi crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 m-am \u00eenecat\u2026 \u015fi m-o fi pl\u00e2ns\u2026 c\u00e2t m-o fi pl\u00e2ns, s\u0103raca\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O rupsei la fug\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 uitai \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t; v\u0103zui palatul mic \u015fi fumuriu; apoi \u00eencepui s\u0103-mi caut drumul cu ochii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Eu \u015ftiam ni\u015fte plopi \u00eenal\u0163i\u2026 a\u015fa venisem, din plop \u00een plop\u2026. unde s\u0103 fie? M\u0103 uit \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile\u2026nimic, nic\u0103ieri\u2026 Suisem ni\u015fte dealuri\u2026 unde s\u0103 fie? M\u0103 uit \u00een toate p\u0103r\u0163ile\u2026 nimic, nic\u0103ieri.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M-am dus, m-am tot dus, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd palatul de marmur\u0103 nu se mai vedea dec\u00e2t ca o juc\u0103rie de copii. \u015ei am c\u0103utat, am c\u0103utat, doar de-oi g\u0103si o c\u0103rare umblat\u0103 de picior omenesc, \u015fi nici o f\u00e2\u015fie de drum n-am \u00eent\u00e2lnit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei c\u00e2nd mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 palatul se \u015fterge de pe fa\u0163a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, o rupsei la fug\u0103 \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t, c\u0103ci ce m-a\u015f fi f\u0103cut \u00een a\u015fa pustietate? \u015ei de ce goneam, de ce palatul se ridica u\u015for din gr\u0103dinile fumurii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lacul e ro\u015fu ca s\u00e2ngele. Apune soarele. M\u0103 rezemai de-o salcie scorburoas\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepui s\u0103 m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc. Mi-e foame. Ce s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nc? M\u0103 uitai \u00een ap\u0103. V\u0103zui p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een fund. \u00cen aer, nici o pas\u0103re, \u00een ap\u0103, nici un pe\u015fte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S\u0103 sar zidurile gr\u0103dinii ca s\u0103 fur portocale? Dac\u0103 m-oi \u00eent\u00e2lni cu ea, cu umbra pe care o v\u0103zusem intr\u00e2nd, la miezul nop\u0163ii, \u00een curtea palatului? \u015ei zidurile sunt a\u015fa de \u00eenalte\u2026 M-am \u00eencercat, dar mi-am \u00eentors unghiile pe dos \u015fi mi-am s\u00e2ngerat degeaba buricele de\u015ftelor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Stele nu r\u0103sar. Nici luna. \u015ei nu e pic de nor. Ce fel de cer se \u00eentinde pe deasupra acestui palat adormit? Unde sunt? De fric\u0103, m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103 m\u0103 duc p\u00e2n\u2019 la por\u0163ile mari \u015fi s\u0103 bat \u00een ele. Dibuind zidul, ocolii gr\u0103dina \u015fi ajunsei \u00een dreptul por\u0163ilor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0S\u0103 bat sau nu? Dar dac\u0103 \u00eemi va deschide ea, umbra pe care o v\u0103zusem intr\u00e2nd la miezul nop\u0163ii?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centorsei capul. Din \u00eentuneric se desf\u0103cur\u0103 o mul\u0163ime de idoli u\u015furei, care goneau \u00een v\u0103zduhul de cerneal\u0103. Atunci izbii cu pumnul \u00een por\u0163i. Por\u0163ile sunar\u0103. Sunetul se duse departe, departe, \u015fi \u00een toate u\u015file palatului mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 aud lovitura mea\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine e? Ah! ce glas!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine e?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine, tu?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u015ftiu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine te-a trimis?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce cau\u0163i?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce vrei?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mi-e frig, mi-e fric\u0103, mi-e foame!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Por\u0163ile se desf\u0103cur\u0103 \u00een dou\u0103. O b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 cu p\u0103rul alb, galben\u0103 ca ceara, c-o v\u0103pai\u0163\u0103 \u00een m\u00e2n\u0103\u2026 \u00eencolo, nimic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cenchisei ochii \u015fi c\u0103zui mototol, ca o c\u00e2rp\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd m\u0103 de\u015fteptai, era ziu\u0103. Ce bine e \u00eentr-un pat moale \u015fi cald! Pe un scaun, l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, b\u0103tr\u00e2na r\u0103sucea un fir de borangic. Cum m\u0103 sim\u0163i c\u0103 deschisesem ochii, \u00eencepu s\u0103 m\u0103 m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie. M\u00e2n\u0103 uscat\u0103, u\u015foar\u0103, bl\u00e2nd\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eram cu p\u0103rul ca p\u0103cura de c\u00e2nd n-am mai v\u0103zut om ca to\u0163i oamenii, \u015fi azi sunt alb\u0103 ca z\u0103pada, zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na, \u015fi m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 pe frunte.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Parc\u0103-mi luase frica cu m\u00e2na. M\u0103 \u00eentorsei spre ea \u015fi o \u00eentrebai:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2t e de-atunci?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u015ftiu, bunico, nu \u015ftiu, c\u0103 pomii nu s-au mai scuturat de frunze \u015fi de rod; p\u0103s\u0103rile au adormit \u015fi nu s-au mai mi\u015fcat \u00een frunzi\u015ful lor. \u00cen palat, de atunci \u015fi p\u00e2n\u0103 acum, nimeni nu s-a schimbat. Afar\u0103 de mine, care am albit, tot ce vezi aici e ca o cadr\u0103 pe h\u00e2rtie: toate stau cum le-a prins ceasul somnului din urm\u0103. Nimeni nu a intrat \u015fi nimeni nu a ie\u015fit pe por\u0163ile pe care ai intrat tu, dragul mamei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni nu a intrat?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni nu a ie\u015fit?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar cine a b\u0103tut alalt\u0103ieri, la miezul nop\u0163ii, \u00een por\u0163ile palatului?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni, r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na, uit\u00e2ndu-se \u00een jos.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine a deschis por\u0163ile palatului alalt\u0103ieri, la miezul nop\u0163ii?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni, r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na, \u015fi rupse firul de borangic \u015fi arunc\u0103 fusul \u00een fundul od\u0103ii.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fusul se \u00eenv\u00e2rti \u00een jurul m\u0103ciuliei.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar eu am auzit\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162i s-a p\u0103rut! zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na, scul\u00e2ndu-se \u00een picioare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei am v\u0103zut o umbr\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ti s-a p\u0103rut! r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na, plimb\u00e2ndu-se prin odaie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pe urm\u0103, cineva pl\u00e2ngea \u015fi se ruga, se ruga\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Taci! zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na, taci! Ah! ce minut fericit \u00eemi risipi\u015fi, dragul mamei\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencepui s\u0103 tremur. \u00cenchisei ochii. Mi-era frig. Mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 plutesc \u00een aer. Mama o fi crez\u00e2nd c\u0103 m-am \u00eenecat \u015fi m-o fi pl\u00e2ns\u2026 c\u00e2t m-o fi pl\u00e2ns, s\u0103raca?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A\u015f fi crezut c\u0103 v\u0103d ni\u015fte ochi ro\u015fii de stafie\u2026 \u015fi ochii ei erau buni \u015fi m\u00e2ng\u00e2ietori, ca ai mamei. Se a\u015fez\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, \u00eemi lu\u0103 m\u00e2inile \u00een m\u00e2inile ei \u015fi-mi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu, dragul mamei, n-ai s\u0103 te mai \u00eentorci de unde ai plecat, e at\u00e2t de departe de-aici p\u00e2n\u0103 acolo, c\u0103 drumul e mai lung ca via\u0163a ta\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencepui s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pl\u00e2ngi, dragul mamei, pl\u00e2ngi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u00e2n\u0103 m\u0103 f\u0103cui bine, b\u0103tr\u00e2na dormi la capul meu pe un je\u0163 vechi, negru de vechi ce era.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 d\u0103dui jos din pat. Ea m\u0103 lu\u0103 de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi-mi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103-\u0163i ar\u0103t palatul. Ce coridoare lungi \u015fi triste! Prin umbrele lor, s\u0103ge\u0163i de lumin\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015etii, \u00eemi zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na, c\u0103 aici nimic nu se mi\u015fc\u0103, ci st\u0103 a\u015fa cum au apucat s\u0103 stea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen fa\u0163a noastr\u0103, o perdea. Vrusei s-o dau la o parte; perdeaua era \u00eempietrit\u0103; vrusei s-o turtesc de perete; cutele ei, ca ni\u015fte drugi de fier. Pusei m\u00e2na pe un scaun nalt \u015fi sub\u0163irel, degeaba; nu putui s\u0103-l mi\u015fc. La o scar\u0103 de marmur\u0103 m\u0103 oprii speriat: un c\u00e2ine mare sta cu ochii \u0163int\u0103 la mine \u015fi cu gura c\u0103scat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce, \u0163i-e fric\u0103? zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na z\u00e2mbind. A\u015fa a r\u0103mas, tocmai cum l\u0103tra.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tr\u00e2na b\u0103g\u0103 m\u00e2na printre din\u0163ii lui ascu\u0163i\u0163i \u015fi lucio\u015fi. C\u00e2inele nu se clinti, uit\u00e2ndu-se \u00eenainte, l\u0103sat pe picioarele dinapoi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cen v\u00e2rful sc\u0103rii, o pisic\u0103 neagr\u0103, cu laba aruncat\u0103 dup\u0103 un fluture alb cu bobi\u0163e albastre. Fluturele plutea nemi\u015fcat \u00een aer, cu aripile \u00eentinse. Pisica se uita cu ni\u015fte ochi vii \u015fi lacomi.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2\u0163i, zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na, nu se asem\u0103n\u0103 cu pisica asta!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum?\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u00centre ei \u015fi ceea ce vor, \u00eenc\u0103 ni\u0163el, \u00eenc\u0103 ni\u0163el, \u015fi \u0103st ni\u0163el nu se mai ispr\u0103ve\u015fte\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103tr\u00e2na vorbea \u015fi eu r\u00e2deam de pisic\u0103: “Prinde-l, motane, ah! ce bun ar fi\u2026 ce frumos e\u2026 \u00eenc\u0103 ni\u0163el, \u00eenc\u0103 ni\u0163el, \u015fi aripioarele lui vor curge ca ni\u015fte flori m\u0103runte”\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vrei s\u0103 vezi masa \u00eemp\u0103ratului?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Masa \u00eemp\u0103ratului?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vreau, dar mi-e fric\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De ce \u0163i-e fric\u0103?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 nu fie oameni\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A, nu! r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na d\u00e2nd din cap. Oamenii au pierit ca fumul, au r\u0103mas numai tac\u00e2murile\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tac\u00e2murile?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da. Tot este gata. C\u00e2nd s-or umplea locurile goale, cu\u0163itele au s\u0103 sune \u015fi paharele or s\u0103 se ciocneasc\u0103, vinul are s\u0103 curg\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar cine a \u00eentins masa?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cei care s-au dus.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei n-au m\u00e2ncat tot?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa cred oamenii, c-or m\u00e2nca tot\u2026 \u015ei, ne\u00een\u0163eleg\u00e2nd nimic, ajunser\u0103m la ni\u015fte u\u015fi poleite. Deasupra lor, o scorpie de aur, cu aripile gata s\u0103 izbeasc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum intrar\u0103m pe u\u015f\u0103, m\u0103 minunai de ce-mi v\u0103zur\u0103 ochii. O mas\u0103 mare. \u00cen mijlocul ei, un cerb fript. Fusese cald, c\u0103ci aburii \u00eenchegaser\u0103 \u00eemprejurul lui. O mul\u0163ime de furculi\u0163e cu buc\u0103\u0163i de carne \u015fi de pahare cu vin st\u0103teau aplecate \u00een aer, ca \u015fi cum cineva le-ar fi adus la gur\u0103. De la un pahar \u00een jos, un \u015fir de pic\u0103turi de vin ca ni\u015fte boabe de rubin.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acolo era locul \u00eemp\u0103ratului. A fost cel din urm\u0103 pahar pe care l-a b\u0103ut, zise b\u0103tr\u00e2na, f\u0103c\u00e2nd cu de\u015ftul, capul, m\u00e2inile \u015fi trupul \u00eemp\u0103ratului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei de\u015ftul ei parc\u0103 l\u0103sa dungi \u00een aer. \u00cenchisei ochii, o apucai de mijloc \u015fi-i zisei tremur\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 L-am v\u0103zut! Ea se uit\u0103 drept \u00een ochii mei \u015fi-mi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Peste zece zile, la miezul nop\u0163ii, o s\u0103-l vezi \u015fi mai bine. M\u0103 \u00eenfiorai. O rugai s\u0103 ne cobor\u00e2m \u00een odaia noastr\u0103. Se \u00eentunecase. \u00cen dreptul unor u\u015fi cu lan\u0163uri groase \u015fi cu lac\u0103te c\u00e2t plosca auzii un oftat lung \u015fi n\u0103bu\u015fit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine-a oftat?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni, r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na, iu\u0163indu-\u015fi pa\u015fii, nimeni, \u0163i s-a p\u0103rut. Nici vorb\u0103 c\u0103 s\u0103risem \u00eenaintea ei. S\u0103 m\u0103 fi t\u0103iat, nu m-a\u015f fi uitat \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 \u00eentinsei \u00een pat. Ea aprinse o fe\u015ftil\u0103 \u00eentr-o scoic\u0103 de argint. Flac\u0103ra galben\u0103 juca \u00een v\u00e2rful fe\u015ftilei. \u00cen fundul urechilor mi se oprise acel oftat n\u0103bu\u015fit. B\u0103tr\u00e2na trase je\u0163ul \u015fi se a\u015fez\u0103 la capul meu. \u00cencet-\u00eencet, m\u0103 lini\u015ftii. \u00cei s\u0103rutai m\u00e2na. Era rece. Vroiam s\u0103 \u015ftiu unde m\u0103 aflam. Ce s-a petrecut \u00een acest palat de marmur\u0103? Cine oftase \u00een odaia pecetluit\u0103 cu lan\u0163uri?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine e \u00eenchis acolo?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde? r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na tres\u0103rind.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acolo\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162i s-a p\u0103rut, n-ai auzit nimic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Atunci, spune-mi unde sunt. B\u0103tr\u00e2na se plec\u0103 pe capul meu, m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 pe frunte \u015fi-mi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 V\u0103d eu c\u0103 nu adormi p\u00e2n\u2019 nu \u0163i-oi spune o poveste<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ridicai capul din pern\u0103 \u015fi b\u0103tr\u00e2na \u00eencepu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A fost odat\u0103, c\u00e2nd \u015fi pe-aici b\u0103tea v\u00e2ntul \u015fi se mi\u015fca apa, a fost un \u00eemp\u0103rat mare \u015fi viteaz, dar r\u0103u, c\u0103 moartea de om la el era juc\u0103rie. \u015ei b\u0103tr\u00e2ni, \u015fi femei, \u015fi copii despicase \u00een dou\u0103. C\u00e2nd ie\u015fea la plimbare, to\u0163i c\u0103deau cu frun\u0163ile la p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u00eendat\u0103 ce-l z\u0103reau. \u015ei mergea cu capul \u00een piept \u015fi c-o m\u00e2n\u0103 pe m\u00e2nerul palo\u015fului. Privirea lui era crunt\u0103 \u015fi zalele se scuturau pe el, lucind ca soarele la soare. \u00cen palatul de marmur\u0103 era r\u0103coare, dar c\u00e2nd intra el pe to\u0163i \u00eei apucau fiorii. \u015ei avea o \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103 frumoas\u0103, frumoas\u0103, \u015fi bl\u00e2nd\u0103, bl\u00e2nd\u0103, ca un miel pl\u0103p\u00e2nd. Doar de-o vedea pe ea se descre\u0163ea fruntea \u00eemp\u0103ratului \u015fi i se oprea \u00een must\u0103\u0163i un sur\u00e2s de care \u0163i-era fric\u0103. \u015ei trecu un an, trecur\u0103 doi de la cununie, \u015fi n-avur\u0103 copil.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se posomor\u00ee. Chem\u0103 pe to\u0163i doctorii \u015fi le zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Iac\u0103 o pung\u0103 cu diamante \u015fi palo\u015ful meu. C\u0103ruia o ghici leacul, ca s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa grea, punga, iar de nu, palo\u015ful.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trei ani de-a r\u00e2ndul izbi cu m\u00e2na lui c\u00e2te zece capete de doftori, \u015fi capetele se rostogoleau pe marmur\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi era la chef mare. \u015ei b\u0103u, b\u0103u, c\u0103 ochii din cap erau ca dou\u0103 pic\u0103turi de s\u00e2nge, parc\u0103 s\u0103 pice pe masa de borangic galben. Se ridic\u0103 \u00een picioare. Trase palo\u015ful \u015fi-l \u00eenv\u00e2rti pe deasupra \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei. P\u0103rul ei se lumin\u0103 ca de fulger. \u015ei \u00eemp\u0103ratul, b\u0103g\u00e2nd palo\u015ful \u00een teac\u0103, zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Muiere, mai a\u015ftept un an! Mesenii \u00eenm\u0103rmurir\u0103. \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa se f\u0103cu alb\u0103 ca h\u00e2rtia. P\u00e2n\u0103 la ispr\u0103vitul mesei, \u00eemp\u0103ratul t\u0103cu \u015fi b\u0103u, uit\u00e2ndu-se drept \u00eenainte. C\u00e2nd se scul\u0103 de la mas\u0103, se opri \u00een prag, se uit\u0103 la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103 \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Un an mai a\u015ftept! \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa oft\u0103. Dou\u0103 lacrimi mari \u00eei picar\u0103 din am\u00e2ndoi ochii: pic, pic. \u015ei se duse \u00een odaia ei de culcare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acolo \u00eengenunche la icoane \u015fi se rug\u0103, se rug\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd adormi \u00een genunchi. Pe la miezul nop\u0163ii, trei femei b\u0103tr\u00e2ne intrar\u0103 la d\u00e2nsa. Slabe, uscate, de\u015firate. Se pip\u0103i s\u0103 vad\u0103 dac\u0103 viseaz\u0103. D\u0103du s\u0103 \u0163ipe, dar nu putu. Babele o \u00eentrebar\u0103 pe r\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vrei un copil?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vrei un copil?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vrei un copil?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine! ziser\u0103 tustrele, \u015fi ie\u015fir\u0103 pe u\u015f\u0103 afar\u0103. Dar s-au oprit. Vorbesc \u00eentre ele. \u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa le aude.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 fie fat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 semene m\u0103-sii, c\u0103 la 16 ani \u00eemp\u0103ratul s\u0103 cread\u0103 c\u0103 e m\u0103-sa.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 fie.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 fie muma ei \u015fi fata ei, \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul bunic fiului \u015fi tat\u0103 nepotului s\u0103u\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Numai atunci c\u00e2nd fata \u00eei va \u00eentinde dou\u0103 m\u00e2ini, c-o m\u00e2n\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei tot ce-o fi r\u0103u s\u0103 piar\u0103 \u015fi ce nu o fi r\u0103u s\u0103-ncremeneasc\u0103, iar el s\u0103 fie umbr\u0103 \u015fi ve\u015fnic s\u0103 cear\u0103 iertare, \u015fi iertare s\u0103 nu aib\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa d\u0103du un \u0163ip\u0103t \u015fi c\u0103zu le\u015finat\u0103. A doua zi c\u00e2nd se de\u015ftept\u0103 \u00eenm\u0103rmuri, v\u0103z\u00e2nd pe \u00eemp\u0103rat l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eencepu s-o m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie, iar ea \u00eei zise pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Oh! M\u0103ria-ta, m\u0103ria-ta, mai bine mi-ai fi t\u0103iat capul dec\u00e2t s\u0103 te fi culcat l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine! \u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eencepu s\u0103 r\u00e2d\u0103\u2026 \u015fi ce r\u00e2s!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nu trecu mult, \u015fi toat\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u0163ia afl\u0103 c\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa r\u0103m\u0103sese grea.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Eu, de bucurie, \u00eei s\u0103rutai m\u00e2na \u015fi \u00eei zisei:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ai sc\u0103pat, m\u0103ria-ta.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 De-o fi b\u0103iat, am sc\u0103pat, da\u2019 vai de mine de-o fi fat\u0103\u2026 \u015ei-o podidi pl\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei dac\u0103 ar fi fat\u0103?\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Va fi muma ei \u015fi fata ei, \u015fi \u00eemp\u0103ratul bunic fiului \u015fi tat\u0103 nepotului lui\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei-mi spuse tot ce vorbise cele trei femei, iar eu m\u0103 g\u00e2ndii c\u0103 femeile grele aiureaz\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd \u00eei sosi ceasul, abia apuc\u0103 s\u0103 nasc\u0103, \u015fi \u00eentreb\u0103 pe \u00eemp\u0103rat:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce e, m\u0103ria-ta, b\u0103iat ori fat\u0103?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fat\u0103\u2026 \u015fi ce fat\u0103! r\u0103spunse \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u015fi se \u00eentoarse la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teas\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa era rece ca ghea\u0163a, cu m\u00e2inile \u00eencle\u015ftate peste am\u00e2ndoi ochii. \u00cemp\u0103ratul o pip\u0103i. Se c\u0103ut\u0103 la cing\u0103toare, \u015fi, v\u0103z\u00e2nd c\u0103 nu are palo\u015ful, strig\u0103 de se zgudui palatul de marmur\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Lua\u0163i-o de-aci, c\u0103-i turtesc capul! Eu \u00eenf\u0103\u015furai copila \u00eentr-un cear\u015faf cald \u015fi fugii cu d\u00e2nsa. M\u0103 \u00eenchisei \u00een iatacul acela pecetluit cu lan\u0163uri.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103r\u0103teasa oft\u0103 c\u00e2nd c\u0103zu p\u0103m\u00e2ntul peste ea. O auzir\u0103 to\u0163i, afar\u0103 de \u00eemp\u0103ratul, care privea cu m\u00e2na pe m\u00e2nerul palo\u015fului \u015fi zicea celor care aruncau p\u0103m\u00e2nt: “Mai iute! mai iute!”\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei fata cre\u015ftea \u015fi nu vedea soarele dec\u00e2t prin gratiile ferestrelor. Trecur\u0103 zece ani ca zece zile.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P\u0103rul b\u0103lai \u015fi lucios ca m\u0103tasea i se \u00eenvolta \u00een umeri; ochii ei ca smarandul priveau gale\u015f, a\u015ftept\u00e2nd ca din umbra portocalilor s\u0103 r\u0103sar\u0103 mama ei, de care \u00eentreba necontenit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O s\u0103 vie?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, bunico\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei un\u2019 s-a dus?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Departe, departe\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei c\u00e2nd s-a dus?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Demult, demult\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O s\u0103 vie?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vezi bine\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar tata? De ce nu m\u0103 las\u0103 prin gr\u0103din\u0103? El e c\u00e2nd aud zale zuruind?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 El, \u00eei r\u0103spunsei eu, \u015fi \u00eencepui s\u0103-i spun c\u00e2te-n luna \u015fi-n soare, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd o fur\u0103 somnul cu capul \u00een poala mea, \u00eentreb\u00e2nd necontenit prin vis: “0 s\u0103 vie?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Al\u0163i \u015fase ani, ca \u015fase zile.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se r\u0103zboise \u00een patru p\u0103r\u0163i ale lumii. Se \u00eentorcea biruitor. Pe zaua lui, stropi de s\u00e2nge. M\u0103 chem\u0103. D\u0103dui \u00een genunchi \u015fi \u00eentrebai, cu fruntea lipit\u0103 de pardoseal\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce porunce\u015fti?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mi-e dor de fat\u0103! N-o v\u0103zuse de la na\u015ftere. \u00centr-o clip\u0103 m\u0103 repezii pe sc\u0103ri, deschisei iatacul, o luai de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi-i zisei:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Te cheam\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Cum o v\u0103zu, s\u0103ri \u00een picioare. Scutur\u0103 zalele, \u015fi de pe ele c\u0103zur\u0103 c\u00e2teva pic\u0103turi de s\u00e2nge.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fata mea? Sem\u0103na at\u00e2t de mult\u2026 nu sem\u0103na\u2026 era chiar m\u0103-sa din cap p\u00e2n\u0103-n picioare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Fata mea? zise \u00eemp\u0103ratul, ca \u015fi cum l-ar fi sugrumat cineva. Am\u00e2ndou\u0103 \u00eencremenir\u0103m.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ie\u015fi\u0163i! strig\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul, \u015fi c\u0103zu pe un je\u0163 de argint.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cum intrar\u0103m \u00een odaie, fata \u00ee\u015fi rezem\u0103 capul de fereastr\u0103 \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103. Eu m\u0103 ghemuii \u00eentr-un col\u0163 \u015fi m\u0103 \u00eenfiorai aduc\u00e2ndu-mi aminte de vorbele \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103tesei: “Va fi muma \u015fi fata ei, iar \u00eemp\u0103ratul bunic fiului \u015fi tat\u0103 nepotului”\u2026 Cum m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam, fata tres\u0103ri \u015fi-mi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vin\u2019 de vezi\u2026 Privii pe geam. Pe malul lacului un cioban c\u00e2nta din fluier, \u015fi c\u00e2nta a\u015fa de duios, c\u0103 oile se str\u00e2nseser\u0103 \u00eemprejur \u015fi ascultau, uit\u00e2nd s\u0103 mai bea ap\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce frumos c\u00e2nt\u0103 \u015fi ce bine-mi face! Du-te \u015fi-i spune c\u0103 \u00een fiece zi s\u0103 c\u00e2nte sub ferestrele mele.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 \u00eentorceam de la cioban. Pe sc\u0103ri, \u00eemp\u0103ratul, galben ca ceara \u015fi dus pe g\u00e2nduri. Cum m\u0103 v\u0103zu, \u00eemi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce face fata? \u015ei, p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103-i r\u0103spund, se f\u0103cuse nev\u0103zut, tr\u00e2ntind u\u015fa dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi, abia se cr\u0103pase de ziu\u0103, \u015fi fata, la fereastr\u0103. Ciobanul se z\u0103rea \u00een dep\u0103rtare, \u00eentr-o cea\u0163\u0103 albastr\u0103. Turma, ca un nor t\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-se pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata \u00eemi petrecu am\u00e2ndou\u0103 m\u00e2inile pe dup\u0103 g\u00e2t, m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 \u015fi-mi zise pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce am, bunico, ce am? \u015ei ciobanul sosi pe malul lacului; \u00ee\u015fi arunc\u0103 p\u0103l\u0103ria; \u00ee\u015fi scutur\u0103 pletele \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 c\u00e2nte a\u015fa de frumos, c\u0103 oile uitar\u0103 s\u0103 mai bea ap\u0103. \u015ei de la picioarele lui \u00een jos, \u00een lacul luminat, un alt cioban \u0163inea fluierul la gur\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata se rumeni \u015fi nu mai zise nimic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00centr-o zi (tocmai \u00eei desf\u0103cusem coadele ca s\u0103 o piept\u0103n) intr\u0103 pe u\u015f\u0103 o roab\u0103, o ar\u0103poaic\u0103, \u015fi \u00eei spuse c\u0103 o cheam\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ea \u00eencepu s\u0103 tremure \u015fi plec\u0103. Nu trecu mult, \u015fi auzii un \u0163ip\u0103t ascu\u0163it, apoi ni\u015fte pa\u015fi m\u0103run\u0163i \u015fi repezi. Era ea. D\u0103du s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103 \u015fi nu putu. Dup\u0103 ce r\u0103sufl\u0103 bine, \u00eemi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 M-a str\u00e2ns \u00een bra\u0163e\u2026 o! a\u015fa m-a str\u00e2ns \u00een bra\u0163e\u2026 d\u0103-mi ni\u0163ic\u0103 ap\u0103\u2026 a\u015fa m-a str\u00e2ns\u2026 ni\u0163ic\u0103 ap\u0103, c\u0103 nu mai pot!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B\u0103u \u015fi m\u0103 \u00eentreb\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Sunt fata lui?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Doamne!\u2026 Doamne!\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cencepu s\u0103 se \u00eenchine. Se tr\u00e2nti \u00een pat. M\u0103 chem\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsa \u015fi m\u0103 rug\u0103 s\u0103-i spun adev\u0103rat cine a fost m\u0103-sa, cum a sosit ea pe lume \u015fi ce s\u0103 fac\u0103 ca s\u0103 scape de \u00eemp\u0103rat?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cei spusei tot. Cele trei femei, la \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa. Au vorbit la u\u015f\u0103. A r\u0103mas \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103teasa grea \u015fi a murit \u00eentr-o clip\u0103, \u00eendat\u0103 ce el i-a spus c\u0103 e fat\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Biata domni\u0163\u0103 \u015fopti podidit\u0103 de pl\u00e2ns: “S\u0103 fie muma ei \u015fi fata ei, iar \u00eemp\u0103ratul bunic fiului \u015fi tat\u0103 nepotului”\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unde am apucat am\u00e2ndou\u0103, acolo am r\u0103mas p\u00e2n\u0103-ntr-un t\u00e2rziu. Aprinsei o v\u0103pai\u0163\u0103. Ea s\u0103ri din pat. Se uit\u0103 la icoane.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum s\u0103-i \u00eentind dou\u0103 m\u00e2ini c-o m\u00e2n\u0103? Ce clip\u0103 fericit\u0103 ar fi aceea \u00een care ar pieri tot ce se mi\u015fc\u0103 \u00een acest palat de spaim\u0103 \u015fi de moarte!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apoi \u00eemi spuse c\u0103 alt\u0103 sc\u0103pare nu e: s\u0103 fug\u0103 cu ciobanul \u015fi s\u0103-\u015fi ia lumea-n cap.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A doua zi se scul\u0103, m\u0103 s\u0103rut\u0103 \u015fi ie\u015fi din odaie \u00een v\u00e2rful picioarelor. Nu se luminase bine de ziu\u0103, \u015fi ciobanul era pe malul lacului, \u015fi c\u00e2nta, c\u00e2nta s\u0103 adoarm\u0103 apele. Nu \u015ftia el\u2026 dac-ar fi \u015ftiut! Pas\u0103mite, \u00eemp\u0103ratul nu dormise toat\u0103 noaptea, fr\u0103m\u00e2ntat de urgia g\u00e2ndurilor. \u015ei auzind c\u00e2ntecul, deschisese fereastra, ca s\u0103 vad\u0103 de unde vine. Tocmai atunci ajunsese \u015fi domni\u0163a la cioban.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I-a v\u0103zut! Nu cred ca \u00eemp\u0103ratul la vreun m\u0103cel s\u0103 fi r\u0103cnit mai \u00eenfior\u0103tor. Mie mi s-a l\u0103sat o perdea peste am\u00e2ndoi ochii \u015fi m-am uitat, m-am uitat, dar n-am mai v\u0103zut nimic. Ca prin vis auzeam un fream\u0103t \u00een tot palatul. Nu-mi era nici fric\u0103, nici mil\u0103. Nu mai sim\u0163eam nimic. Uitasem tot.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Pe la pr\u00e2nz m\u0103 chem\u0103 \u00eemp\u0103ratul. Sta \u00eencruntat pe un scaun. Nu-mi aduc aminte dac\u0103 am c\u0103zut \u00een genunchi. \u015etiu c\u0103 mi-a dat o cheie \u015fi mi-a zis:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na, \u015fi du-te de-i spune c\u0103, de-o vrea s\u0103-mi fie so\u0163ie, scap\u0103 \u015fi ea \u015fi el. Trei zile a\u015ftept. Iar de nu, pe el \u00eel tai \u015fi pe ea o zidesc acolo.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Doi geala\u0163i m-au dus la beciul de piatr\u0103. Intrai. \u00cen \u00eentunericul beciului ea plutea ca o lumin\u0103. Cum m\u0103 v\u0103zu, m\u0103 pip\u0103i \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng\u0103 de bucurie c\u0103 trecuser\u0103 at\u00e2tea ceasuri \u015fi tot tr\u0103iam. Apoi mi-ar\u0103t\u0103 un zid \u015fi \u00eemi zise lini\u015ftit:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 El e aici. La noapte o s\u0103 c\u00e2nte. Ascult\u0103 cum vorbim. B\u0103tu de trei ori \u00een zid, \u015fi de dincolo se auzi b\u0103t\u00e2nd iar de trei ori.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce faci tu?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, dar tu?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vrei s\u0103 c\u00e2nt?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 La noapte, c\u0103 ne-aud. \u015ei n-apuc\u0103 s\u0103-i spun porunca \u00eemp\u0103ratului, c\u0103 ea \u00eei strig\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Pe tine or s\u0103 te taie\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, dar pe tine?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei pe mine\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103 c\u00e2nt?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, la noapte, c\u0103 ne-aud. \u00cencepui s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng, \u015fi ea zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, c\u00e2inele de \u00eemp\u0103rat nu va fi tat\u0103l nepotului \u015fi bunicul fiului s\u0103u!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd vrusei s\u0103 plec, \u00eemi spuse la ureche c\u0103 au \u00eenceput s\u0103 g\u0103ureasc\u0103 zidul, ca p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een trei zile el s\u0103-i s\u0103rute m\u00e2na ei \u015fi ea pe a lui, \u015f-apoi\u2026 Dumnezeu s\u0103 ierte p\u0103catele \u00eemp\u0103ratului\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul porunci o mas\u0103 mare; la mijlocul mesei era s\u0103-i aduc\u0103, pe tipsie, m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103 \u015fi capul ciobanului, cu fluierul \u00een gur\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul se puse la mas\u0103, \u00eempreun\u0103 cu sfetnicii s\u0103i. M\u0103 chem\u0103. \u00cemi dete o cheie \u015fi o tipsie \u015fi m\u0103 trimise, cu doi geala\u0163i, ca s\u0103 aduc m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103 \u015fi capul ciobanului cu fluierul \u00een gur\u0103. \u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eeng\u0103lbenise, se uscase, r\u00e2dea cu hohote, bea mereu, \u015fi de pe barba sa zb\u00e2rlit\u0103 curgeau pic\u0103turi de vin ro\u015fu ca s\u00e2ngele.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aiurit\u0103, m\u0103 cobor\u00e2i cu geala\u0163ii \u00een beciul ciobanului. El, cum m\u0103 v\u0103zu, zise bl\u00e2nd: “\u015etiu de ce a\u0163i venit”. \u015ei \u00eengenunche. Frumos \u015fi bl\u00e2nd, mai bl\u00e2nd ca mieii lui, care jeleau pe marginea lacului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Geala\u0163ii traser\u0103 palo\u015fele. \u00cen zidul de la mijloc se auzi b\u0103t\u00e2nd de trei ori. Geala\u0163ii se oprir\u0103. Domni\u0163a \u00eencepu s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Tu e\u015fti bine?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, r\u0103spunse ciobanul, dar tu?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei eu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u0162ie \u0163i-e dor?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, dar \u0163ie?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei mie!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da? ce aud z\u00e2ng\u0103nind?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimic, \u0163i se pare.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu e nimeni la tine?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nimeni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ah! ce frumos vis am visat ast-noapte!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Se f\u0103cea c\u0103 ne iertase \u015fi ne cununam\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dr\u0103gu\u0163a mea, \u0163i se izb\u00e2nde\u015fte visul\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 C\u00e2nd?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Chiar acum\u2026 Geala\u0163ii ridicar\u0103 palo\u015fele \u015fi \u00eei cerur\u0103 m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103. Eu \u00eenchisei ochii \u015fi auzii un v\u00e2j\u00e2it. M\u00e2na \u00eei c\u0103zu din um\u0103r pe tipsie, \u015fi tipsia r\u0103sun\u0103. S\u00e2ngele \u0163\u00e2\u015fni.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce faci tu? \u00eentreb\u0103 domni\u0163a de dincolo de zid.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Bine, r\u0103spunse ciobanul \u015fi se t\u00e2r\u00ee \u00een genunchi p\u00e2n\u2019 la zid. Cu st\u00e2nga izbi de mai multe ori \u015fi desfund\u0103 o gaur\u0103 \u015fi v\u00e2r\u00ee m\u00e2na p\u00e2n\u0103-n um\u0103r. \u00centr-o clip\u0103, geala\u0163ii \u00eei t\u0103iar\u0103 \u015fi m\u00e2na st\u00e2ng\u0103, apoi capul i se rostogoli \u00een tipsie bolborosind.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u0103zusem \u00een genunchi, \u015f-odat\u0103 mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 m\u00e2na st\u00e2ng\u0103 a ciobanului trece prin zid\u2026 \u015fi auzii un \u0163ip\u0103t sf\u00e2\u015fietor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Domni\u0163a s\u0103ruta, s\u0103ruta mereu \u015fi striga:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Spune\u0163i \u00eemp\u0103ratului, spune\u0163i-i c\u0103 vreau, vreau tot ce-o vrea el\u2026 s\u0103-i fiu tot, s\u0103-mi fie tot!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Alergai \u015fi spusei \u00eemp\u0103ratului ce zisese domni\u0163a. \u00cemp\u0103ratul porunci s-o g\u0103tesc ca pe-o mireas\u0103 \u015fi s-o aduc la mas\u0103. Fata nu vru s\u0103 ias\u0103 din beci p\u00e2n\u0103 nu s-o g\u0103ti \u015fi nu voi s-o ajute nimeni ca s\u0103 se \u00eembrace. Eu a\u015fteptam la u\u015f\u0103. Ea \u00eemi ceru un fir lung \u015fi gros de m\u0103tase. \u00cei adusei firul \u015fi r\u0103m\u0103sei iar la u\u015fa beciului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ie\u015fi\u2026 luminoas\u0103 ca o sf\u00e2nt\u0103\u2026 M\u00e2na dreapt\u0103 \u015fi-o \u00eenf\u0103\u015furase \u00een cutele rochiei. Mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 ascunde ceva.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ce ai, o \u00eentrebai eu, \u0163i s-a umflat m\u00e2na?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, ast-noapte am b\u0103tut prea tare \u00een zid, c\u0103ci el adormise mai greu ca acuma.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Acuma doarme?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, acum doarme bine\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd intrar\u0103m \u00een sala de m\u00e2ncare, to\u0163i se scular\u0103 \u00een picioare \u015fi ridicar\u0103 paharele pline.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00cemp\u0103ratul f\u0103cu un pas, aduse paharul spre gur\u0103 \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 D\u0103-mi s\u0103-\u0163i s\u0103rut m\u00e2na, fericirea celui mai viteaz dintre \u00eemp\u0103ra\u0163i!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fata se apropie de \u00eemp\u0103rat, scoase m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103 din cutele rochiei, i-o \u00eentinse \u015fi zise:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Na! s\u0103rut\u0103 \u015fi fii fericit! \u00cemp\u0103ratul \u00eei lu\u0103 m\u00e2na, o aduse la gur\u0103, \u015f-odat\u0103 \u00eencepu s\u0103 tremure.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103rut\u0103! strig\u0103 fata. \u00cemp\u0103ratul sc\u0103p\u0103 paharul.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103rut\u0103! \u00cemp\u0103ratul c\u0103zu pe scaun.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S\u0103rut\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ca prin minune, to\u0163i pierir\u0103, ca \u015fi cum n-ar fi fost nimic. De pe scaunul \u00eemp\u0103ratului o umbr\u0103 se ridic\u0103 cu o coroan\u0103 neagr\u0103 \u00een cap \u015fi se f\u0103cu nev\u0103zut\u0103, v\u0103iet\u00e2ndu-se.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei tot, din palatul de marmur\u0103 \u015fi dimprejurul lui \u00eencremeni, a\u015fa cum le apuc\u0103 ast\u0103 clip\u0103 din urm\u0103, iar fata c\u0103zu jos.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 apropiai de ea. Parc\u0103 era vie\u2026 cu ochii deschi\u015fi\u2026 privea fericit prin dou\u0103 lacrimi, prinse de gene ca dou\u0103 diamante.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C\u00e2nd vrusei s-o ridic, o sc\u0103pai din bra\u0163e\u2026 avea dou\u0103 m\u00e2ini \u00een um\u0103rul drept\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cum avea dou\u0103 m\u00e2ini \u00een um\u0103rul drept? R\u0103suflarea mi se oprise.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cu firul de m\u0103tase \u00ee\u015fi legase de m\u00e2na ei m\u00e2na ciobanului, r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015ei \u015ftii unde e acum?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Unde?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu \u0163i-aduci aminte de u\u015fa cu lan\u0163uri groase?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba da\u2026 am auzit un oftat n\u0103bu\u015fit\u2026 \u00cencepui s\u0103 tremur.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ei, da\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine ofta?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ea\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Cine\u2026 ea?\u2026 Capul \u00eemi c\u0103zu \u00een pern\u0103.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ea\u2026 n-a murit\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 N-a murit?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu, doarme, doarme de-a pururi, g\u0103tit\u0103 cu rochia alb\u0103 de mireas\u0103, \u00eentins\u0103 pe o f\u00e2\u015fie de catifea neagr\u0103. La cap \u00eei ard dou\u0103 lum\u00e2n\u0103ri de cear\u0103, adic\u0103 nu ard, ci au \u00eempietrit a\u015fa, cu dou\u0103 fl\u0103c\u0103ri galbene. \u015ei din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd se \u00eencearc\u0103 s\u0103 ridice m\u00e2inile, \u015fi nu poate, \u015fi ofteaz\u0103 lung \u015fi n\u0103bu\u015fit\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Brrr\u2026 ce frig e aici! Mai e mult p\u00e2n\u2019 s\u0103 r\u0103sar\u0103 soarele?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ti-e frig? r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na, \u015fi \u00eencepu s\u0103 m\u0103 m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie pe obraji.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u00e2inile ei erau ca ni\u015fte sloi de ghea\u0163\u0103. A\u015f fi vrut s\u0103 tac, dar gura mea, nu eu, o \u00eentreb\u0103:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar umbra \u00eemp\u0103ratului? Ce face umbra pe care am v\u0103zut-o intr\u00e2nd aici?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u2026 da\u2026 eu \u00eei deschid. Cum intr\u0103, m\u0103 ia de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi ne ducem \u00eempreun\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la poarta cu lan\u0163uri. \u00cendat\u0103 ce s-apropie, lan\u0163urile cad \u015fi r\u0103sun\u0103 tot palatul. U\u015fa se deschide. Umbra \u00eengenunche \u00eenaintea miresei, \u015fi se roag\u0103, se roag\u0103, \u015fi pl\u00e2nge, \u015fi-i cere iertare. Fata doarme, uneori vrea s\u0103 ridice m\u00e2inile, \u015fi nu poate, \u015fi ofteaz\u0103 lung \u015fi n\u0103bu\u015fit. C\u00e2nd c\u00e2nt\u0103 coco\u015fii, dinspre ziu\u0103, umbra se repede pe u\u015f\u0103 afar\u0103, url\u00e2nd. U\u015fa se \u00eenchide, parc-ar tr\u00e2nti-o cineva, \u015fi lan\u0163urile se prind la loc.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Mai e p\u00e2n\u2019 la ziu\u0103?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 S-a f\u0103cut ziu\u0103, r\u0103spunse b\u0103tr\u00e2na. Vrei s\u0103 ne plimbam la soare? Deschisei ochii \u015fi \u00eencepui s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenchin. Era soare, lumin\u0103 \u015fi c\u0103ldur\u0103. Ce binecuv\u00e2ntat\u0103 e lumina dup\u0103 o spaim\u0103 a\u015fa de lung\u0103!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0M\u0103 lu\u0103 de m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi plecar\u0103m \u00een gr\u0103dina cu portocali. Ce miros, ce c\u0103ldur\u0103, ce lumin\u0103! \u00cenviorat, \u00eencepui s\u0103 m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc la ceva, dar mi-era fric\u0103 s-o \u00eentreb.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 \u015etiu la ce te g\u00e2nde\u015fti, zise ea uit\u00e2ndu-se la mine.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Eu? Nu m\u0103 g\u00e2ndesc la nimic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Ba da, te g\u00e2nde\u015fti cum de eu n-am pierit ca ceilal\u0163i.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 A\u015fa e\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Dar de unde \u015ftii c\u0103 nu sunt o umbr\u0103?<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 O umbr\u0103? \u00cencepu s\u0103-mi zv\u00e2cneasc\u0103 inima. Eram pe malul lacului.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Da, o umbr\u0103\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Nu se poate\u2026 nu m-ai m\u00e2ng\u00e2iat\u2026 nu \u0163i-am s\u0103rutat m\u00e2na?\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Vrei s\u0103 vezi? \u015ei p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 zic “nu”, b\u0103tr\u00e2na m\u0103 lu\u0103 \u00een bra\u0163e \u015fi s\u0103ri cu mine drept \u00een mijlocul lacului\u2026 Ah!\u2026 privii \u00een sus\u2026 o mireas\u0103, ca o n\u0103luca alb\u0103, se \u00een\u0103l\u0163a la ceruri\u2026 lumin\u0103\u2026 \u00eengeri\u2026 apoi ad\u00e2nc\u2026 \u00eentuneric\u2026 ad\u00e2nc\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u015ei de-atunci nu m-am mai \u00eentors la palatul de marmur\u0103.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sub castanii din via p\u0103r\u0103sit\u0103, mai mul\u0163i copila\u015fi, \u00een c\u0103m\u0103\u015fi albe, m\u0103 \u00eenconjuraser\u0103. Stam pe p\u0103m\u00e2ntul cald, cu m\u00e2inile sub cap, privind ad\u00e2ncul cerului albastru, \u015fi povesteam. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O feti\u0163\u0103 … <\/p>\n

Continua\u021bi s\u0103 citi\u021bi<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[525,21],"tags":[526,529,69,758],"class_list":["post-2966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-barbu-stefanescu-delavrancea","category-povesti-pentru-copii","tag-barbu-stefanescu-delavrancea","tag-departe","tag-povesti","tag-povesti-pentru-copii","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-25"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2966"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2966\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scriem.ro\/povesti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}