…\u0218i, o bucat\u0103 de vreme, botul ascu\u021bit al babei, cu muste\u021bile lui sure \u0219i lungi, \u0219i gu\u0219a noduroas\u0103 a Ani\u021bei, cu fanfara ei cu tot, st\u0103p\u00e2nir\u0103 \u00eengrozita mea \u00eenchipuire; cum \u00eens\u0103 eram silit de r\u0103coarea \u0219i umezeala dimine\u021bii, \u00eemi aruncasem peste umeri mantaua mea imens\u0103, de sub ale c\u0103rei poale lungi \u0219i r\u0103sfirate \u00eemprejur, cel mult dac\u0103 se mai iveau spre afar\u0103 urechile mici, drepte \u0219i ascu\u021bite \u0219i botul negru \u0219i fin al Pisicu\u021bei… P\u0103truns\u0103 \u0219i st\u0103p\u00e2nit\u0103 parc\u0103 \u0219i ea de solemna m\u0103re\u021bie a \u00eemprejurimilor, c\u0103lca cuminte oarecum \u0219i m\u0103surat, \u0219i mergea cu pas m\u0103runt, domol \u0219i meditativ. \u0218i, de m-a\u0219 fi luat dup\u0103 mi\u0219carea plin\u0103 de \u00een\u021belegere \u0219i \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile a urechilor ei, ar fi trebuit s\u0103 cred c\u0103 auzul ei, cu mult mai mare destoinicie dec\u00e2t al meu, prindea, din dep\u0103rt\u0103ri nem\u0103surate, feluritele glasuri nehot\u0103r\u00e2te \u0219i c\u0103 se \u00eembat\u0103 \u0219i ea de \u0219optirile tainice \u0219i pline de farmec, ce \u00eenso\u021besc, de pretutindeni, \u00een faptul curat al zilei, ne\u021b\u0103rmurita de\u0219teptare a Firii… Pierdut c\u00e2teodat\u0103 \u00een larga \u0219i neprih\u0103nita singur\u0103tate a naturii, cine n-a ascultat graiul duios \u0219i mistic, \u00een care adierile c\u0103l\u0103toare ale dimine\u021bii \u00ee\u0219i dest\u0103inuiesc frunzelor adormite ale codrului eterna lor dragoste? Al cui suflet n-a \u00eentinerit \u00een fa\u021ba unei pic\u0103turi de rou\u0103, ce \u00eendoaie, sub greutatea r\u0103coroas\u0103 \u0219i sc\u00e2nteietoare, fruntea \u00eenc\u0103rcat\u0103 parc\u0103 de g\u00e2nduri a unei flori? Cu m\u0103sura scurt\u0103 \u0219i ne\u00eendestul\u0103toare a inimii sale, cine n-a c\u0103utat totu\u0219i s\u0103 socoteasc\u0103 nem\u0103rginitul ad\u00e2nc al patimii nevinovate, cu care o und\u0103 zglobie \u00ee\u0219i las\u0103 str\u0103lucitoarea-i goliciune \u00een voia dezmierd\u0103rilor \u0219\u0103galnice ale unei raze de lumin\u0103, spre a-\u0219i arunca \u00een urm\u0103, peste pudoarea-i parc\u0103 jignit\u0103, haina de umbr\u0103 a p\u0103durilor? De c\u00e2te ori, \u00een mijlocul arborilor mu\u021bi \u0219i neclinti\u021bi, nu ne-am sim\u021bit ca \u00een tov\u0103r\u0103\u0219ia unor vechi \u0219i buni prieteni guralivi! De c\u00e2te ori nu le-am dest\u0103inuit lor durerile noastre \u0219i de c\u00e2te ori, mai cu seam\u0103, nu ne-au alinat ei aceste dureri! Din nenum\u0103ratele genera\u021biuni de foi putrede \u0219i \u00eengr\u0103m\u0103dite de vremuri unele peste altele, cine n-a v\u0103zut cum \u00ee\u0219i ridic\u0103 fruntea, rar \u0219i sfios, o floare albastr\u0103 sau ro\u0219ie, \u0219i cine, iar\u0103\u0219i, n-a \u00een\u021beles cum r\u0103sare via\u021ba din p\u0103turile eterne ale mor\u021bii?… \u0218i, \u00een fa\u021ba ve\u0219nicei nimiciri, \u0219i \u00een fa\u021ba ve\u0219nicei re\u00eenvieri, cine nu s-a sim\u021bit el \u00eensu\u0219i lunec\u00e2nd pe rostul fatal al lucrurilor spre \u00eens\u0103\u0219i ne\u00eenl\u0103turata \u0219i des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219ita sa nefiin\u021b\u0103?… \u0218i cine n-a \u00eendreptat atunci, din nestatornicia lumii acestea, o dureroas\u0103 amintire spre lumea de ve\u0219nic\u0103 odihn\u0103 a celor ce nu mai sunt?… \u0218i… al cui suflet n-a sim\u021bit r\u0103s\u0103rindu-i, f\u0103r\u0103 de voie, o lacrim\u0103 cald\u0103 la cap\u0103tul cuget\u0103rilor sale?…<\/p>\n
\u0218i botul ascu\u021bit al babei, cu muste\u021bile lui sure \u0219i lungi, \u0219i gu\u0219a noduroas\u0103 a Ani\u021bei, cu fanfara ei cu tot, \u00ee\u0219i topir\u0103 fiin\u021ba \u0219i se mistuir\u0103 parc\u0103 \u00een valurile ad\u00e2nci ale unui soi de cald\u0103 filozofie melancolic\u0103 \u0219i vis\u0103toare; iar de pe dep\u0103rt\u0103rile \u00eenalte ale p\u0103durilor, un prelung \u0219uier ascu\u021bit \u0219i melodic str\u0103b\u0103tu p\u00e2n\u0103 la mine… Un mierloi saluta \u2014 se vede \u2014 cu glas prevestitor \u00eent\u00e2ile raze ale zorilor ce deschideau, \u00een calea soarelui, por\u021bile \u00eenfl\u0103c\u0103rate ale r\u0103s\u0103ritului… \u00centr-o clip\u0103, peste tot cerul din st\u00e2nga, p\u0103ienjenit de re\u021beaua rar \u00eentre\u021besut\u0103 a p\u0103durilor, se desf\u0103\u0219ur\u0103 \u0219i se \u00eentinse, din miaz\u0103zi spre miaz\u0103noapte, o imens\u0103 perdea de lumin\u0103 trandafirie, ale c\u0103rei margini de deasupra se topeau sus de tot \u0219i se pierdeau pe nesim\u021bite \u00een \u00een\u0103l\u021bimile limpezi \u0219i largi ale v\u0103zduhului vioriu de diminea\u021b\u0103. De dup\u0103 dep\u0103rt\u0103rile umbroase ale p\u0103m\u00e2ntului se deschise, ca un colosal semicerc de aur \u00eenfl\u0103c\u0103rat, geana aprins\u0103 a soarelui \u0219i, c\u00e2t ai clipi, trunchiurile neclintite \u0219i netede ale brazilor se poleir\u0103 de o lumin\u0103 curat\u0103 \u0219i rece… Iar \u00een solemna \u00eencremenire a firii, nu se mi\u0219ca, \u00eencet \u0219i g\u00e2nditor, dec\u00e2t doar chipul meu t\u0103iat \u00een umbr\u0103 pe fundul de lumin\u0103 al ad\u00e2ncului p\u0103durilor din dreapta… De pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt la ceruri, t\u0103cerea sf\u00e2nt\u0103 de pretutindeni se \u00eendrepta ca un imn de imens\u0103 rug\u0103ciune a f\u0103pturii c\u0103tre Ziditorul s\u0103u… \u0218i fu un moment c\u00e2nd Pisicu\u021ba nu mai sim\u021bi, desigur, nici o povar\u0103 pe spatele sale… Sau sunt momente, cel pu\u021bin, c\u00e2nd “con\u0219tiin\u021ba de sine” desprinz\u00e2ndu-se ca o lipitoare s\u0103tul\u0103 \u0219i c\u0103z\u00e2ndu-\u021bi de pe suflet, \u00eentreaga ta fiin\u021b\u0103 se desface, se tope\u0219te, se \u00eempr\u0103\u0219tie \u0219i, ca un prinos curat \u0219i neprih\u0103nit, se \u00eenal\u021b\u0103 pe trepte de v\u0103zduh \u0219i de lumin\u0103 c\u0103tre Dumnezeul s\u0103u etern… Atomul devine imensitate! Te cau\u021bi \u0219i nu te g\u0103se\u0219ti nic\u0103ieri, sau te cau\u021bi \u0219i te g\u0103se\u0219ti pretutindeni!…<\/p>\n
Deodat\u0103 Pisicu\u021ba, ca \u00eengrozit\u0103 parc\u0103 de o vedenie fioroas\u0103, se opri ca tr\u0103snit\u0103 din mers, \u00eencepu a sfor\u0103i \u0219i a se smunci \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t, v\u0103dind dorin\u021ba de a m\u0103 scutura jos de pe spatele sale \u0219i a m\u0103 arunca c\u00e2t colo la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, cu tot calabal\u00e2cul meu sentimental de vis\u0103toare filozofie… Toate \u00eendemnurile \u0219i silin\u021bele mele de a hot\u0103r\u00ee s\u0103-\u0219i urmeze calea fur\u0103 zadarnice; iar c\u00e2nd v\u0103zui, \u00een cele din urm\u0103, c\u0103 echilibrul meu e aproape primejduit, desc\u0103lecai \u0219i, t\u00e2r\u00e2nd-o de d\u00e2rlogi, cercai a o \u00eendemna s\u0103 p\u0103\u0219easc\u0103 peste stavila nev\u0103zut\u0103 ce din senin parc\u0103 se ridicase \u00een fa\u021ba ei; dar nici \u00een ruptul capului nu se d\u0103du urnit\u0103 din loc cu un pas m\u0103car \u00eenainte: ba, dimpotriv\u0103, ea se \u00eencumeta s\u0103 m\u0103 t\u00e2rasc\u0103 pe mine \u00eenapoi. O l\u0103sai un minut s\u0103 se lini\u0219teasc\u0103; tremura cum \u00eei varga \u0219i, sfor\u0103ind, se uita cu ochii speria\u021bi \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile. N\u0103zatic\u0103 n-o \u0219tiam \u0219i, prin urmare, numi puteam da cu socoteala ce se \u00eent\u00e2mplase cu d\u00e2nsa… M\u0103 mul\u021bumii deci, deocamdat\u0103, s\u0103 stau locului \u0219i s\u0103 m\u0103 lupt cu smunciturile ei, spre a n-o sc\u0103pa din m\u00e2ini. Oboseala o mai lini\u0219ti pu\u021bin: m\u0103 d\u0103dui pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 ea, o b\u0103tui u\u0219or pe g\u00e2t, o sc\u0103rpinai pe sub b\u0103rbie, o m\u00e2ng\u00e2iai pe ochi, o netezii pe obraz… Ca de obicei, \u00ee\u0219i rezem\u0103 capul pe um\u0103rul meu \u0219i, pentru un moment, om \u0219i cal alc\u0103tuir\u0103, \u00een lini\u0219tea p\u0103durilor, un grup din toate privin\u021bele vrednic de dalta unui Fidias sau Praxiteles… Cum \u00eens\u0103 n-aveam nici g\u00e2ndul, nici gustul \u0219i nici timpul de a trece la nemurire pe calea aceasta, c\u0103utai s\u0103-mi t\u0103lm\u0103cesc pricina acestor n\u0103z\u0103reli sau poate chiar\u00a0marafeturi<\/i>\u00a0ale Pisicu\u021bei. Iat\u0103 pentru ce, cu drept sau f\u0103r\u0103 drept, b\u0103nuii c\u0103 vreo s\u0103lb\u0103t\u0103ciune de lup sau de urs trecuse pe acolo cu pu\u021bin mai \u00eenainte, c\u0103 str\u0103b\u0103tuse de-a curmezi\u0219ul peste drum \u0219i c\u0103 l\u0103sase, pe urma ei, o d\u00e2r\u0103 de miros \u00een aer, pe care nasul Pisicu\u021bei, cu mult mai priceput dec\u00e2t al meu, o descoperise \u0219i peste care ea, mai pu\u021bin curajoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t mine, nu \u00eendr\u0103znea s\u0103 treac\u0103. \u00cemi veni \u00een minte o idee genial\u0103: v\u00e2r\u00e2i m\u00e2na \u00een desagi \u0219i scosei iute prosopul meu de drum c\u00e2t toate zilele de lung, al c\u0103rui miros heteroclit eram \u00eencredin\u021bat c\u0103 va cov\u00e2r\u0219i \u0219i se va \u00een\u0103l\u021ba victorios peste toate miresmele acre \u0219i s\u0103lbatice ale tuturor fiarelor universului… Nu degeaba st\u0103tuse el at\u00e2ta vreme sub ocrotirea desagilor mei, \u00een str\u00e2ns\u0103 vecin\u0103tate cu tot soiul de m\u0103sline vechi \u0219i zb\u00e2rcite, cu usturoiul \u0219i ceapa greu mirositoare, ce alc\u0103tuiau temelia merindelor mele de drum, cu co\u0219cogea oaie pref\u0103cut\u0103 \u00een c\u0103ciul\u0103 de vremuri grele \u0219i, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, cu c\u00e2te alte opinci nearg\u0103site, cu c\u00e2te soiuri de br\u00e2nz\u0103 c\u0103r\u0103mizie, cu c\u00e2te feluri de unsori de ciubote, cu c\u00e2\u021bi piepteni, rari odat\u0103 \u0219i lungi \u00een din\u021bi, dar ajun\u0219i acuma de\u0219i, cu din\u021bii scur\u021bi de tot!…\u0218i c\u00e2nd prosopul meu \u00ee\u0219i destinse spre p\u0103m\u00e2nt jilava, unsuroasa, bo\u021bita \u0219i g\u0103lbia sa lungime, m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021bai \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 c\u0103, pentru \u00eent\u00e2ia oar\u0103 \u00een via\u021ba mea, \u00eemi \u00eencol\u021bise \u00een minte o idee genial\u0103… Iute \u0219i c\u00e2t ai clipi, capul Pisicu\u021bei \u00eentreg disp\u0103ru sub lungimea \u00eentors\u0103turilor late \u0219i de mai multe ori ale nesf\u00e2r\u0219itului meu prosop… Iar c\u00e2nd f\u0103cui din d\u00e2rlogi Pisicu\u021bei chip s\u0103 p\u0103\u0219easc\u0103 \u00eenainte, ea p\u0103\u0219i, f\u0103r\u0103 fric\u0103 \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2nare, peste ne\u00eenvinsa \u0219i \u00eengrozitoarea stavil\u0103 aerian\u0103, ce, cu o clip\u0103 mai \u00eenainte, p\u0103rea c\u0103 se ridicase \u00een fa\u021ba ei. \u0218i iat\u0103 cum, mul\u021bumit\u0103 atotputerniciei f\u0103c\u0103toare de minuni a prosopului meu, ie\u0219ii din o nea\u0219teptat\u0103 \u0219i grea \u00eencurc\u0103tur\u0103, \u0219i iat\u0103 pentru ce \u00eenc\u0103, \u00een tot lungul drumului, nu \u00eendr\u0103znii a atinge c\u00e2tu\u0219i de pu\u021bin \u0219i nu profanai deloc sacrosanta \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219are a smeritului meu prosop… Cine \u0219tie? Poate c\u0103-mi era scris, \u00een pribegia mea f\u0103r\u0103 de \u021bint\u0103, s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2lnesc cu diferite dih\u0103nii… m-a\u0219 fi \u00eenf\u0103\u0219urat atunci cu minunatul meu prosop, dup\u0103 cum se \u00eenf\u0103\u0219ura Iris cu minunata sa cing\u0103toare \u0219i, ca sub o egid\u0103 de biruin\u021b\u0103, a\u0219 fi str\u0103b\u0103tut, ca \u0219i d\u00e2nsa, \u00een lung \u0219i \u00een lat, lumile largi ale bunului Dumnezeu!… Toate puteau s\u0103 fie a\u0219a; dar, p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci, nu \u0219tiu pentru ce m\u0103 uitam adesea \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t \u0219i c\u0103utam cu ochi speria\u021bi \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile… Nici v\u00e2ntul, \u00eencremenit pe cre\u0219tetul \u00eenalt al p\u0103durilor, nu-\u0219i mai c\u00e2nta frunzelor eterna sa elegie, nici florile mici \u0219i sfioase nu-\u0219i mai \u00eendreptau ochii lor alba\u0219tri \u0219i limpezi, din ad\u00e2ncul umbrelor presurate cu nestatornici fulgi de lumin\u0103, spre vechiul \u0219i credinciosul lor amant… din susurul t\u0103cerii netulburate, glasuri str\u0103ine \u0219i fioroase mi se p\u0103reau c\u0103 se desprind \u00een r\u0103stimpuri, \u0219i inima mea, ca \u00een\u021bepat\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 veste de ceva ascu\u021bit, le \u00eensemna pe toate cu b\u0103t\u0103i pripite \u0219i repezi; \u00een preajma ochilor mei \u0219i \u00een oglinda \u00eenchipuirii mele muncite de vedenii, gheburile cr\u00e2mpeielor de putregaiuri, acoperite cu ierburi s\u0103lbatice, sau \u0219oldurile goale ale unei st\u00e2nci, cu haina ei de mu\u0219chi sf\u00e2\u0219iet\u0103 de vijelie, se \u00eenfiripau \u0219i tr\u0103iau via\u021ba scurt\u0103 a unei n\u0103luciri apocaliptice, care mi se p\u0103rea c\u0103 se mi\u0219c\u0103 \u00eencet, se t\u00e2r\u0103\u0219te furi\u0219, vine, ajunge \u0219i \u00eentinde spre mine o ghear\u0103 fl\u0103m\u00e2nd\u0103 \u0219i uciga\u0219\u0103… M\u0103 feream \u00een l\u0103turi speriat… era o creang\u0103 mai \u00eendr\u0103znea\u021b\u0103, care sau c\u0103uta s\u0103-mi m\u00e2ng\u00e2ie fa\u021ba, sau n\u0103zuia chiar s\u0103-mi rad\u0103 p\u0103l\u0103ria de pe cap…<\/p>\n
De la o vreme \u00eens\u0103 b\u0103gai de seam\u0103 c\u0103, dac\u0103 eu m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam cu tot dinadinsul la fel de fel de dih\u0103nii, ele, \u00een schimb, habar n-aveau de existen\u021ba persoanei mele pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt…<\/p>\n
N-a\u0219 putea spune c\u00e2t mersesem; at\u00e2ta \u0219tiu c\u0103, potrivit pornirilor mele, c\u0103utai s\u0103 m\u0103 ridic iar\u0103\u0219i spre cerurile din care m\u0103 scobor\u00e2sem cu pu\u021bin mai \u00eenainte… Sufletul meu \u00ee\u0219i destinse aripile, ochii mei se \u00een\u0103l\u021bar\u0103 \u0219i, prin bol\u021bile de umbr\u0103 \u00eenalt\u0103 ale p\u0103durilor, c\u0103utar\u0103 s\u0103 deschid\u0103 g\u00e2ndului meu un drum spre largul limpede al v\u0103zduhurilor!… Uitasem \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 soarele nu e alc\u0103tuit de Cel Atotputernic numai ca s\u0103-\u0219i fac\u0103 zilnica sa c\u0103l\u0103torie de la r\u0103s\u0103rit spre apus, ci c\u0103 i s-a mai dat \u0219i menirea de a \u00eensemna, din \u00eenaltul t\u0103riilor, pr\u00e2nzul oamenilor de pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u0219i, \u00een popasurile sale cere\u0219ti, de a se mai opri c\u00e2teodat\u0103 \u0219i drept inima cuiva, f\u0103r\u0103 ceas hot\u0103r\u00e2t… Astfel, c\u00e2nd privirea mea p\u0103m\u00e2ntean\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2lni cu el \u00een ceruri, mi-l g\u0103sii oprit “drept inim\u0103”. \u0218i iat\u0103 cum, din ceruri m\u0103 v\u0103zui silit a m\u0103 scobor\u00ee iar\u0103\u0219i pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt; de ast\u0103 dat\u0103 \u00eens\u0103 drept \u00een fundul desagilor mei… S\u0103rmanii mei desagi!… ei \u00een\u0219i\u0219i erau fl\u0103m\u00e2nzi \u0219i costelivi, ei \u00een\u0219i\u0219i aveau coapsele de\u0219elate \u0219i p\u00e2ntecele lipit de spate… Trecuser\u0103 frumoasele lor zile de \u00eembel\u0219ugat\u0103 rotunjime, dup\u0103 cum trecute erau \u0219i pentru mine frumoasele zile de la… Aranjuez; iar c\u00e2nd m\u0103 ab\u0103tui din potec\u0103 sub o umbr\u0103 mai deas\u0103 \u0219i-i luai din spatele Pisicu\u021bei, mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 vor s\u0103 zboare \u00een sus cu mine cu tot, \u00een loc de a cump\u0103ni spre p\u0103m\u00e2nt… at\u00e2ta erau de u\u0219ori… \u00cei pusei totu\u0219i cu de-a sila jos \u0219i scotocii cu deam\u0103nuntul prin fundurile lor… pustiu, s\u0103r\u0103cie \u0219i nimic! \u0218i totu\u0219i, de c\u00e2te ori o ceap\u0103, un c\u0103\u021bel de usturoi \u0219i o coaj\u0103 preistoric\u0103 de p\u00e2ine nu \u021bi-ar \u00eenlesni n\u0103lucirea de o clip\u0103 a unui osp\u0103\u021b vitellian! De c\u00e2te ori dou\u0103-trei m\u0103sline zb\u00e2rcite n-ar trage mai mult, \u00een cump\u0103na fl\u0103m\u00e2ndei disper\u0103ri, dec\u00e2t ochii negri, umezi \u0219i volupto\u0219i ai celei mai molatice hetaire!… \u0218i degetele mele, cuprinse de frigurile foamei, scotoceau tremur\u00e2nd fundurile ad\u00e2nci ale desagilor \u0219i, \u00een \u00eenchipuirea lor h\u0103mesit\u0103 \u0219i oarb\u0103, luau opincile scorojite drept ni\u0219te imense coji de p\u00e2ine uscat\u0103, ghemul de t\u00e2rs\u00e2ne drept o ceap\u0103 c\u00e2t un cap de motan, iar pieptenii mei drept cine \u0219tie ce \u0219u\u0219\u0103ni\u021bi de str\u0103veche pastram\u0103 r\u0103mas\u0103 de pe vremuri \u0219i sc\u0103pat\u0103, ca prin minune, de furia fl\u0103m\u00e2nd\u0103 a din\u021bilor mei… \u0218i c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam eu c\u0103 \u00eentru nimic nu eram mai prejos dec\u00e2t to\u021bi eroii tuturor odiseelor homerice, \u0219i c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam eu c\u0103 vicleanul fecior al lui Laerte \u00eenghi\u021bise, \u00een pribegia lui fatal\u0103, at\u00e2tea spate de boi gra\u0219i sau de berbeci cu l\u00e2na de argint… ei bine, m\u0103 sim\u021beam nedrept\u0103\u021bit… Cel pu\u021bin de mi-ar fi ie\u0219it un urs \u00eenainte!… l-a\u0219 fi m\u00e2ncat tot, de la v\u00e2rful unghiilor p\u00e2n\u0103 la ascu\u021bi\u0219ul urechilor… sau, de m-ar fi m\u00e2ncat el pe mine, ei bine, tot eu m-a\u0219 fi \u021binut cel s\u0103tul!… at\u00e2ta eram de fl\u0103m\u00e2nd! \u0218i, \u00een fundul desagilor mei, nimica, s\u0103r\u0103cie \u0219i pustiu… R\u0103m\u0103sei ab\u0103tut, \u0219i toat\u0103 putin\u021ba mea de cugetare se scobor\u00ee din cap \u00een p\u00e2ntece… Ce s\u0103 faci? S\u0103 te apuci, ca Moartea, de ros smicele tinere de pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 r\u0103d\u0103cina copacilor b\u0103tr\u00e2ni? S\u0103 te \u00een\u0219iri la r\u00e2nd cu Pisicu\u021ba \u0219i, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-\u021bi gura ap\u0103, s\u0103 ron\u021b\u0103ie\u0219ti cu deliciu firele ro\u0219ietice \u0219i rare de chir s\u0103lbatic? S\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nci?… Da ce s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nci?… De-ar fi fost, cel pu\u021bin, a\u0219ternut\u0103 p\u0103durea pe jos cu jir \u00een loc de cucuruzi de brad, calea-valea… Dar a\u0219a?… \u0218i, \u00een str\u0103\u0219nicia dezn\u0103d\u0103jduitei mele st\u0103ri, m\u0103 apuc\u0103 un r\u00e2s nebun… Ce \u021bi-i \u0219i cu amintirile c\u00e2teodat\u0103!…<\/p>\n
Nu mai \u0219tiu cu c\u00e2\u021bi ani \u00eenainte, dar, \u00een tot cazul, cam demult, fusesem pe coclauri cu un mare naturalist, mititel \u0219i iute ca un titirez \u0219i v\u00e2njos ca o varg\u0103 de o\u021bel; el, dup\u0103 buruieni ating\u0103toare de flora Moldovei \u00een general, \u0219i a Ceahl\u0103ului \u00eendeosebi, eu, de teleleu-T\u0103nase; iar, ca apendice, cu cordele \u0219i zurg\u0103l\u0103i, dna naturalist\u0103, \u00eenso\u021bit\u0103 de micul \u0219i nedesp\u0103r\u021bitul s\u0103u Bijuc\u0103, alb \u0219i flocos \u0219i cu boti\u0219orul dumisale totdeauna rece, trandafiriu \u0219i umed.<\/p>\n
Plecasem din zori, cu sloboda, cu g\u00e2nd s\u0103 ne \u00eentoarcem, pe la pr\u00e2nz, iar\u0103\u0219i la gazda noastr\u0103 de pe schit, la S\u0103l\u0103geanu, vestitul \u00eenv\u0103\u021b\u0103tor al muntelui, pe acele vremuri… Trecuse pr\u00e2nzul de mult \u0219i soarele, care n-avea de f\u0103cut nici o erboriza\u021bie pe plaiurile cere\u0219ti, p\u0103\u0219ise dincolo de amiaz\u0103 \u0219i-\u0219i c\u0103uta lini\u0219tit de drumul s\u0103u \u00eenspre apus…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine,\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>, \u00eentreba, din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, dna naturalist\u0103 cu glas ridicat \u0219i ascu\u021bit, bine, drag\u0103, da n-o s\u0103 mai sf\u00e2r\u0219e\u0219ti odat\u0103 cu buruienile tale? Uite, e t\u00e2rziu \u0219i Bijuc\u0103 nu mai poate de foame, mititelul; o s\u0103 trebuiasc\u0103 s\u0103-l duc \u00een bra\u021be p\u00e2n\u0103 devale; nici nu mai poate merge, s\u0103r\u0103cu\u021bul!\u00a0Bijou, mon pauvre petit, viens ici!<\/i>…<\/p>\n
\u0218i Bijuc\u0103, care se trezise de mic tot \u00eentre lume sub\u021bire \u0219i aleas\u0103 \u0219i care nu \u0219tia prin urmare dec\u00e2t fran\u021buze\u0219te, \u00ee\u0219i l\u0103sa de multe ori trebile sale \u0219i, \u00een sunet de zurg\u0103l\u0103i \u0219i \u00een tremur\u0103turi de cordele ro\u0219ii, alerga m\u0103runt, cu l\u0103bu\u021be albe \u0219i mici, la chemarea duioas\u0103 a st\u0103p\u00e2nei sale; iar limba lui \u00eei at\u00e2rna afar\u0103 din bot, ca o molatic\u0103 \u0219i tremur\u0103toare foaie de trandafir b\u0103tut\u0103 de v\u00e2nt…<\/p>\n
\u0218i\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>, care n-auzea sau se f\u0103cea c\u0103 nu aude, mic \u0219i sub\u021bire cum era, \u0219i cu picioare sub\u021biri de o\u021bel, pe jum\u0103tate acoperit de sarcina imens\u0103 a herbariului s\u0103u de h\u00e2rtie sug\u0103toare, zbura din buruian\u0103 \u00een buruian\u0103, se pleca din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, smulgea c\u00e2te una, se ridica, o privea, o mirosea, o studia o clip\u0103 \u0219i sau o arunca c\u00e2t colo ca netrebuincioas\u0103, sau o a\u0219eza la r\u00e2nd, cu \u00eengrijire \u0219i sfin\u021benie, ca pe o comoar\u0103 nepre\u021buit\u0103, \u00eentre doctele foi late \u0219i lungi ale p\u00e2ntecosului s\u0103u herbarium de h\u00e2rtie sug\u0103toare!<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine,\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>, da n-auzi? \u0218i\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>\u00a0n-auzea.
\n\u2014 Iaca, domnule, \u00eemi zicea de multe ori doamna naturalist\u0103. Iaca, a\u0219a-mi face \u00een fiecare var\u0103; m\u0103 ia cu d\u00e2nsul pe coclauri \u0219i m\u0103 poart\u0103 prin toate pr\u0103p\u0103stiile dup\u0103 buruieni… Of! Doamne!… C\u00e2nd ai \u0219ti!<\/p>\n
\u0218i, \u00een acest “of Doamne!”, ner\u0103bd\u0103tor \u0219i nervos, \u0219i, mai ales, \u00een acest “c\u00e2nd ai \u0219ti”, urmat de o tr\u0103g\u0103nat\u0103 \u0219i oarecum confiden\u021bial\u0103 \u0219i dureroas\u0103 reticen\u021b\u0103, un t\u0103lm\u0103citor de g\u00e2nduri omene\u0219ti ar fi putut citi \u00eentreaga istorie a unui suflet dezgustat…<\/p>\n
\u2014 D\u0103, cuconi\u021b\u0103 drag\u0103, \u00eei r\u0103spundeam eu cu glas m\u00e2ng\u00e2ietor, rece \u0219i p\u0103rintesc; d\u0103, mata ai putea, mai la urm\u0103, s\u0103 la\u0219i prea bine pe domnul doctor s\u0103 plece singur \u00een escursiunile sale \u0219tiin\u021bifice; d-sa, pe c\u00e2t se vede, e un alpinist f\u0103r\u0103 pereche; \u0219i o constitu\u021bie ginga\u0219\u0103 \u0219i pu\u021bin rezistent\u0103, cum e cea femeiasc\u0103, nu poate r\u0103spunde la “tururile de for\u021b\u0103” cu care domnul doctor se pare obi\u0219nuit. Nu vezi mata cu c\u00e2t\u0103 u\u0219urin\u021b\u0103 suie \u0219i scoboar\u0103? parc\u0103-i un titirez de o\u021bel. Eu \u00eel admir \u0219i, oric\u00e2t de deprins m\u0103 simt \u0219i eu cu asemenea lucruri, m-a\u0219 l\u0103sa totu\u0219i b\u0103tut, f\u0103r\u0103 lupt\u0103 \u0219i pe toat\u0103 linia, de domnul doctor. M\u0103 mir c\u0103 mata ai curajul s\u0103-l urmezi; eu, unul, drept s\u0103 v\u0103 spun…<\/p>\n
\u2014 O! Domnule, domnule! zise ea, \u00eentrerup\u00e2ndu-m\u0103, da crezi dumneata c\u0103 vrea s\u0103 plece singur? zice c\u0103-i e ur\u00e2t f\u0103r\u0103 mine; \u0219i… uite, m\u0103 ia a\u0219a, pe toate coclaurile, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 vreau.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i eu cred, cuconi\u021b\u0103 drag\u0103, c\u0103 \u2014 dac\u0103 lucrul st\u0103 a\u0219a \u2014 apoi doctorul are deplin\u0103 dreptate.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Deplin\u0103 dreptate?… \u0218i de ce, m\u0103 rog?… zise ea cu un glas sub\u021bire \u0219i pref\u0103cut de ascendent\u0103 mirare interogativ\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Pentru cuv\u00e2ntul foarte simplu c\u0103 s-ar sim\u021bi nemul\u021bumit f\u0103r\u0103 tov\u0103r\u0103\u0219ia dumneavoastr\u0103 de fiece minut; sunt \u0219i lucruri pe care mata nu le \u00een\u021belegi sau nu \u0219tii cel pu\u021bin s\u0103 le apreciezi \u00eendestul.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Lucrurile, scumpul meu domn, se \u00een\u021beleg \u0219i se apreciaz\u0103 dup\u0103 valoarea \u0219i dup\u0103 pl\u0103cerea ce-\u021bi pricinuiesc, zise ea, scutur\u00e2nd cu cap\u0103tul ascu\u021bit al umbrelei ceva imaginar de pe v\u00e2rful fin \u0219i lustruit al unuia din pantofii s\u0103i mici ca de copil.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Tocmai, tocmai! \u0219i ar fi prilej, prin urmare, ca mata s\u0103 te sim\u021bi foarte m\u0103gulit\u0103, dac\u0103 nu \u0219i chiar foarte fericit\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014\u00a0Merci bien!… J’en ai assez de ces chozes-l\u0155.<\/i>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/i>Si t\u00f4t?…\u00a0\u0218i ca \u0219i cum ar fi lunecat \u00eenadins pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 punctul meu de \u00eentrebare, se plec\u0103 \u00een mod foarte firesc, \u0219i, cu o m\u0103iastr\u0103 u\u0219urin\u021b\u0103,<\/i>\u00a0rupse un mare \u0219i frumos fir de romani\u021b\u0103 alb\u0103 ce tocmai se \u00eent\u00e2mplase r\u0103zle\u021b \u00een calea ei.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Sunt a\u0219a de frumoase florile de munte, zise ea sco\u021b\u00e2nd un bold \u2014 ea \u0219tie de unde \u2014 \u0219i prinz\u00e2ndu-\u0219i floarea pe s\u00e2n cu degete sub\u021biri, u\u0219oare \u0219i \u00eendem\u00e2natice.<\/p>\n
O privii z\u00e2mbind, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-i r\u0103spund.
\n\u2014 Nu-i a\u0219a? \u00eentreb\u0103 ea cu glas ml\u0103dios \u0219i st\u0103ruitor.
\n\u2014 Frumuse\u021bea, cuconi\u021b\u0103 drag\u0103, e lucru cu totul relativ… \u0219i dac\u0103 florile, cochete \u0219i ginga\u0219e cum sunt ele, \u0219i-ar \u00een\u021belege adev\u0103rata lor menire, ar trebui s\u0103-\u0219i aleag\u0103 drept patrie un alt loc, iar nu p\u0103m\u00e2ntul rece \u0219i umbra posomor\u00e2t\u0103 \u0219i umed\u0103 a p\u0103durilor.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cred c\u0103 ele fac aceasta pentru ca s\u0103 tr\u0103iasc\u0103 mai mult.
\n\u2014 Pre\u021buie\u0219te mai mult o clip\u0103 de str\u0103lucire dec\u00e2t o eternitate de \u00eentuneric… Dar bietele flori nu \u0219tiu aceasta…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da\u00a0Alexandre?… Alexandre?…<\/i>\u00a0zise ea uit\u00e2ndu-se \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile cu un fel de spaim\u0103 pref\u0103cut\u0103, oare ce s-a f\u0103cut? N-ai b\u0103gat de seam\u0103 \u00eencotro s\u0103 fi apucat?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu; dar, \u00een tot cazul, cred c\u0103 la deal. \u00cencepur\u0103m a urca.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D\u0103-mi voie, te rog, s\u0103 m\u0103 sprijin de dumneata, zise ea apuc\u00e2ndu-mi bra\u021bul; nu mai pot; am presim\u021birea c-o s\u0103-mi sf\u00e2r\u0219esc zilele \u00een vreo pr\u0103pastie din pricina buruienilor lui\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Aceasta ar fi o idil\u0103 pe c\u00e2t de \u0219tiin\u021bific\u0103, pe at\u00e2t \u0219i de funebr\u0103, drag\u0103 cuconi\u021b\u0103, dar totu\u0219i o idil\u0103; \u0219-apoi… c\u00e2nd e \u00een cer at\u00e2ta lumin\u0103, pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt at\u00e2ta umbr\u0103, at\u00e2ta lini\u0219te pretutindeni \u0219i…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bijou! Ah, petit m\u00e9chant! viens ici!…<\/i>\u00a0Trebuie s\u0103 \u0219tii, domnule, c\u0103 Bijuc\u0103 al meu e un nesuferit; uite cum r\u0103m\u00e2ne ve\u0219nic \u00een urm\u0103 \u0219i m\u0103 las\u0103 singur\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u0218i Bijuc\u0103, \u00een sunet de zurg\u0103l\u0103i \u0219i \u00een tremur\u0103turi de cordele ro\u0219ii, alerga m\u0103runt la deal cu l\u0103bu\u021be albe \u0219i mici, la chemarea de duioas\u0103 mustrare a st\u0103p\u00e2nei sale; iar limba lui \u00eei at\u00e2rna afar\u0103 din bot ca o molatic\u0103 \u0219i tremur\u0103toare foaie de trandafir b\u0103tut\u0103 de v\u00e2nt…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Foarte frumos, domnule Bijuc\u0103, zisei eu, adres\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 c\u0103\u021belului c\u00e2nd fu l\u00e2ng\u0103 noi, foarte frumos! Te-ai apucat, ho\u021bule, de f\u0103cut pesemne idile cu florile \u0219i cu buruienile, \u0219i-\u021bi p\u0103r\u0103se\u0219ti st\u0103p\u00e2na; dar dac\u0103 vine vreun urs \u0219-o m\u0103n\u00e2nc\u0103, vagabondule, cine s\u0103 dea socoteal\u0103? Ia f\u0103 bine, te rog, \u0219i stai de paz\u0103 mai pe aproape.<\/p>\n
Doamna naturalist\u0103 \u00eemi arunc\u0103 o privire ironic\u0103 \u0219i ghidu\u0219\u0103, cum numai femeile \u0219tiu s\u0103 arunce.<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u0219a-i c\u0103-s grea?… A\u0219a-i c\u0103 nu m\u0103 mai po\u021bi duce?… zise ea, la un moment dat, at\u00e2rn\u00e2ndu-se mai sim\u021bitor de bra\u021bul meu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Sunt \u00een lumea aceasta, drag\u0103 cuconi\u021b\u0103, \u0219i greut\u0103\u021bi negative, care, adic\u0103, \u00een loc s\u0103 te at\u00e2rne spre p\u0103m\u00e2nt, te ridic\u0103 spre cer; s-ar p\u0103rea atunci c\u0103, \u00eentocmai ca zeit\u0103\u021bilor antice, \u021bi-au r\u0103s\u0103rit aripi la umeri \u0219i c\u0103 ai putea s\u0103 str\u0103ba\u021bi cu ele v\u0103zduhurile spre…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Spre\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>? nu-i a\u0219a? zise ea, \u00eentrerup\u00e2ndu-m\u0103, spre\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>?…<\/p>\n
\u0218i, ca \u0219i cum ar fi stat s\u0103 cad\u0103, \u00eempiedic\u00e2ndu-se, \u00ee\u0219i \u00eempreun\u0103 degetele am\u00e2nduror m\u00e2inilor \u0219i se at\u00e2rn\u0103 mai greu de bra\u021bul meu \u00een jos.<\/p>\n
Au femeile, c\u00e2teodat\u0103, ni\u0219te fantezii!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Desigur c\u0103 spre\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>! dec\u00e2t vezi mata, cuconi\u021b\u0103 drag\u0103, se poate prea u\u0219or s\u0103 r\u0103t\u0103ce\u0219ti drumul \u0219i, \u00een loc s\u0103 te po\u021bi \u021binea de zborul lui u\u0219or dup\u0103 flori \u0219i buruieni, se poate \u00eent\u00e2mpla, prea lesne, s\u0103 te treze\u0219ti, ca Alexandru Machedon, la por\u021bile raiului…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine… Bine… zise ea, privind nehot\u0103r\u00e2t \u00eenainte \u0219i ap\u0103s\u00e2nd pe fiecare vorb\u0103; bine, dar dac\u0103 sf\u00e2ntul Petru, care am auzit c\u0103 e un b\u0103tr\u00e2n moroc\u0103nos \u0219i hursuz, nu-\u021bi deschide ca s\u0103 po\u021bi intra \u00een\u0103untru, a\u0219a-i c\u0103 tremuri de foame \u0219i de frig la por\u021bile raiului?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 O! o!… deloc, drag\u0103 cuconi\u021b\u0103; sf\u0103r\u00e2mi por\u021bile \u0219i intri \u00een rai, r\u0103m\u00e2n\u00e2nd ca sf\u00e2ntul Petru s\u0103 se burzuluiasc\u0103 \u00een urm\u0103 c\u00e2t a pofti…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i \u021bi s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat de multe ori s\u0103 sf\u0103r\u00e2mi por\u021bile raiului \u0219i s\u0103 \u00eenfrun\u021bi m\u00e2nia pr\u0103p\u0103ditoare a sfin\u021bilor s\u0103i p\u0103zitori?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dac\u0103 nu m\u0103 \u00een\u0219el, drag\u0103 cuconi\u021b\u0103, zisei eu, uit\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 la ea de sus \u00een jos, mata ai aerul de a s\u0103pa prea ad\u00e2nc \u00een sufletele omene\u0219ti; ave\u021bi, pe c\u00e2t se pare, apuc\u0103turi arheologice.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Uite, uite! zise ea, \u00eentrerup\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 \u0219i str\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 speriat\u0103 de bra\u021b, uite,\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>\u00a0a c\u0103zut jos; hai mai iute… i s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat ceva…<\/p>\n
Ca la o zv\u00e2rlitur\u0103 de b\u0103\u021b \u00eenaintea noastr\u0103, doctorul, al\u0103turea cu p\u00e2ntecosul s\u0103u herbarium, st\u0103tea lungit cu fa\u021ba-n jos \u0219i, rezemat pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103 coatele, f\u0103cea el \u0219tie ce, foarte grav \u0219i ad\u00e2nc cufundat parc\u0103 \u00een ceva de mare \u00eensemn\u0103tate.<\/p>\n
Ne apropiar\u0103m, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 ne simt\u0103; iar c\u00e2nd fur\u0103m l\u00e2ng\u0103 el \u0219i ne \u00eencredin\u021bar\u0103m cu ce se \u00eendeletnicea, ne bufni pe am\u00e2ndoi, deodat\u0103, \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 voie, un r\u00e2s nebun…<\/p>\n
Nici mai mult, nici mai pu\u021bin, doctorul p\u0103\u0219tea sau, cel pu\u021bin, dintr-o rari\u0219te de iarb\u0103 s\u0103lbatic\u0103, ciupea pe alese o anumit\u0103 buruian\u0103 \u00een trei foi mici, rotunde \u0219i de un verde-deschis, cu coada lung\u0103, sub\u021bire \u0219i ro\u0219iatic\u0103 \u0219i… o m\u00e2nca.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd ne auzi r\u00e2z\u00e2nd la spatele sale, \u00eentoarse capul, ne privi foarte serios un moment; apoi, ca \u0219i cum lucrul ar fi fost cu des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219ire firesc, \u00ee\u0219i urm\u0103 \u00eenainte \u0219i cu b\u0103gare de seam\u0103 \u0219tiin\u021bifica sa cin\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 zic\u0103 nimic…<\/p>\n
\u2014\u00a0Alexandre…<\/i>\u00a0bine,\u00a0Alexandre<\/i>, ce faci? pentru Dumnezeu! o s\u0103 te otr\u0103ve\u0219ti… Ce te-ai apucat s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nci buruieni pe inima goal\u0103? \u00eencepu s\u0103 strige ca speriat\u0103 doamna naturalist\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u00cemi era sete, Natalie, \u0219i am dat aici peste\u00a0Oxallis acetosella,<\/i>\u00a0le pain du bon Dieu<\/i>, o plant\u0103 de un gust acri\u0219or \u0219i foarte pl\u0103cut, care taie setea; uite, gust\u0103 \u0219i tu.<\/p>\n
\u0218i zic\u00e2nd acestea, \u00eei \u00eentinse un mic smoc de\u00a0Oxallis acetosella,<\/i>\u00a0le pain du bon Dieu…<\/i><\/p>\n
Gust\u0103 ea, \u00eemi d\u0103du \u0219i mie… \u0218i, la un moment dat, ne trezir\u0103m pe p\u00e2ntece, p\u0103sc\u00e2nd foarte con\u0219tiincios iarba fraged\u0103 a p\u0103durilor…<\/p>\n
Iar Bijuc\u0103, neclintit \u0219i \u021bap\u0103n pe l\u0103bu\u021bele sale albe \u0219i mici, sucindu-\u0219i privirea c\u00e2nd \u00eentr-o parte, c\u00e2nd \u00een alta, se uita \u021bint\u0103 la noi \u0219i c\u0103uta s\u0103-\u0219i dea socoteal\u0103 cam ce ni se \u00eent\u00e2mplase… \u0218i limba lui \u00eei at\u00e2rn\u0103 afar\u0103 din bot ca o molatic\u0103 \u0219i tremur\u0103toare foaie de trandafir b\u0103tut\u0103 de v\u00e2nt…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Afl\u0103, doctore, ziceam eu p\u0103sc\u00e2nd, c\u0103 de va fi s\u0103-mi scriu vreodat\u0103 amintirile, apoi s\u0103 \u0219tii c\u0103 am s\u0103 te ridic cel pu\u021bin la treapta de proroc al evreilor; c\u0103ci, mai la urm\u0103, nu cred s\u0103 fi fost \u00eentru nimic mai presus minunea marelui jidov, care a ad\u0103pat, \u00een chip miraculos, cu ap\u0103 de st\u00e2nc\u0103 pe turma \u00eensetat\u0103 a poporului lui Dumnezeu, dec\u00e2t minunea dumitale cu\u00a0Oxallis acetosella<\/i>. \u0218i mare lucru s\u0103 nu se fi \u00eencheiat, mai la urm\u0103, dumnezeiasca putere a divinului Moise \u00een descoperirea prin pustiile Arabiei a vreunei buruieni de soiul\u00a0acetosellei<\/i>dumitale… M\u0103 rog, n-ai putea s\u0103-mi spui dumneata dac\u0103 \u00een \u021bara fericit\u0103 a miresmelor se g\u0103se\u0219te m\u0103cri\u0219ul iepurelui…\u00a0id est, Oxallis acetosella<\/i>? C\u0103ci, drept s\u0103-\u021bi spun, \u00een\u00a0Pentateuc<\/i>, pe care l-am citit din scoar\u021b\u0103 \u00een scoar\u021b\u0103, n-am g\u0103sit amintindu-se nimic despre a\u0219a ceva.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Fiecare clim\u0103 cu flora ei, r\u0103spunse el scurt \u0219i senten\u021bios, urm\u0103rindu-\u0219i netulburat p\u0103scutul s\u0103u. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<\/p>\n
Era de mult de-atunci, dar \u00een oglinda \u00eenchipuirii se p\u0103streaz\u0103 vii \u0219i ne\u0219terse unele amintiri ale trecutului; iat\u0103 pentru ce, \u00een str\u0103\u0219nicia dezn\u0103d\u0103jduit\u0103 a st\u0103rii mele de fa\u021b\u0103, r\u00e2deam singur ca un nebun…<\/p>\n
Totu\u0219i de la o vreme se sf\u00e2r\u0219i cu r\u00e2sul \u0219i ochii mei r\u0103t\u0103ci\u021bi c\u0103utau \u00een jos spre iarb\u0103… Parc\u0103 era un f\u0103cut: multe din buruienile ale c\u0103ror nume sucite \u00eemi r\u0103m\u0103seser\u0103 \u00een minte de la doctor se \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219au privirilor mele; numai\u00a0Oxallis acetosella<\/i>\u00a0p\u0103rea c\u0103-\u0219i pusese pe cap chitia dracului…<\/p>\n
Ce-mi folosea mie, de pild\u0103, c\u0103\u00a0Geum montanum<\/i>\u00a0\u00eemi a\u021binea calea cu florile sale galbene \u0219i mari? Ce m\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103lzea pe mine c\u0103\u00a0Potentilla aurea<\/i>\u00a0\u00ee\u0219i r\u0103sf\u0103\u021ba sub ochii mei florile sale portocalii?… \u00cen zadar\u00a0Campanula abietina<\/i>\u00a0se uita la mine cu ochi alba\u0219tri \u0219i limpezi; \u00een zadar\u00a0Cortusa matthioli<\/i>\u00a0sc\u00e2nteia ro\u0219 \u00een calea mea… \u0218i dac\u0103\u00a0Impatiens noli tangere<\/i>\u00a0\u00eemi p\u0103ienjenea drumul cu trunchiul s\u0103u zvelt \u0219i r\u0103sfirat, apoi nu f\u0103cea aceasta dec\u00e2t ca s\u0103-\u0219i bat\u0103 joc de mine \u2014 pentru ca, adic\u0103, s\u0103-mi arunce \u00een nas toate semin\u021bele sale, de \u00eendat\u0103 ce m-a\u0219 fi atins de una m\u0103car din p\u0103st\u0103rile ei!…\u00a0Hedysarum alpinum<\/i>\u00a0\u0219i\u00a0Dryas<\/i>\u00a0octopetala<\/i>\u00a0aveau aerul s\u0103-mi dea de veste c\u0103 m\u0103 aflu pe piscuri de mun\u021bi vecine cu cerul; iar\u00a0Aconitum napellus<\/i>\u00a0\u0219i\u00a0Aconitum moldavicum<\/i>, cu ochi alba\u0219tri \u00eenchi\u0219i, \u00eentindeau posomor\u00e2\u021bi parc\u0103 spre mine potirul lor cu venin; numai\u00a0Papaver alpinum<\/i>, cu fa\u021ba lui alb\u0103 \u0219i oftigoas\u0103, m\u0103 \u00eendemna s\u0103 m\u0103 culc \u0219i s\u0103 dorm, av\u00e2nd aerul de a c\u0103uta s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021beze c\u0103 somnul \u021bine de foame…<\/p>\n
\u0218i de-a\u0219 fi fost m\u0103car cine \u0219tie ce mare filozof grecesc! A\u0219 fi m\u00e2ncat, f\u0103r\u0103 mult\u0103 vorb\u0103, cucut\u0103 sau ceapa ciorii \u0219i, scurt, a\u0219 fi p\u0103\u0219it fie\u00a0ad inferos<\/i>, fie la nemurire; m-a\u0219 fi mul\u021bumit chiar cu smerita glorie a lui Pythagoras, care m\u00e2nca bob \u0219i n\u0103scocea table de socoteli… dar a\u0219a!\u00a0!… Eu, simplu muritor din timpul meu!… Cel mult dac\u0103\u00a0Atropa belladonna, aliter\u00a0<\/i>m\u0103tr\u0103guna, \u00ee\u0219i mai deschidea, cu dragoste, \u00een calea mea, bra\u021bele sale albe de femeie viclean\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u0218i c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam eu c\u0103, tot \u00eempreun\u0103 cu marele, dar micul \u0219i v\u00e2njosul meu naturalist, \u0219i tot cu pl\u0103p\u00e2nda \u0219i eterica sa jum\u0103tate, \u0219i tot cu Bijuc\u0103 cel mic, flocos \u0219i alb, sub privirile iscoditoare ale lunii pline, ce-\u0219i cump\u0103nea, \u00een miez de noapte, mersu-i \u00eenalt deasupra v\u0103c\u0103riei M\u00e2n\u0103stirii Neam\u021bului, m\u00e2ncasem, \u00een lips\u0103 de p\u00e2ine, \u0219i cu o foame pantagruelic\u0103, sardele de cutie cu m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 cald\u0103! \u0218i c\u00e2nd, mai ales, \u00eemi aminteam c\u0103, mai pe urm\u0103 cu c\u00e2\u021biva ani, doamna naturalist\u0103, din fundul unui molatic fotoliu de Bucure\u0219ti, m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021ba c\u0103 niciodat\u0103 nu osp\u0103tase mai cu deliciu dec\u00e2t atunci!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218-apoi, ce odihn\u0103 sf\u00e2nt\u0103! ad\u0103ugam eu cuprins de melancolia p\u0103rerilor de r\u0103u, ce dulce dormeam noi cu to\u021bii, \u00eenmorm\u00e2nta\u021bi \u00eentr-o moale \u0219i \u00eemb\u0103ls\u0103mat\u0103 c\u0103pi\u021b\u0103 de f\u00e2n r\u0103sfirat\u0103 ca saltea, sub privirile m\u00e2ng\u00e2ioase ale stelelor!! Cu ce farmec negr\u0103it eram leg\u0103na\u021bi de simfoniile t\u0103cerii ad\u00e2nci, \u00eentrerupte \u00een r\u0103stimpuri de \u021b\u00e2r\u00e2itul dep\u0103rtat al greierilor de noapte!!… \u0218i era a\u0219a de frig… \u0219i era a\u0219a de cald!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Desigur… desigur… observa ea rar \u0219i g\u00e2nditor, cu privirile pierdute parc\u0103 \u00een dep\u0103rt\u0103rile altor lumi, desigur c\u0103 trecutul e un frumos apus de soare… \u0219i c\u00e2nd te g\u00e2nde\u0219ti c\u0103, de nic\u0103ieri, o alt\u0103 raz\u0103 de lumin\u0103 nu va mai veni s\u0103 dea str\u0103lucire norilor posomor\u00e2\u021bi ai vie\u021bii!…<\/p>\n
\u0218i, \u00eentrerup\u00e2ndu-se, ridica spre podele ochii ei ad\u00e2nci \u0219i umezi…
\n\u2014 De ce? o \u00eentrebam eu cu glas mi\u0219cat \u0219i cu privirile pierdute \u00een lumea privirilor ei, de ce am jeli numai soarele ce apune \u0219i n-am n\u0103d\u0103jdui \u0219i \u00een soarele ce va s\u0103 r\u0103sar\u0103?… Oare, dac\u0103 o frunz\u0103 se scutur\u0103, o alt\u0103 frunz\u0103 mai plin\u0103 de via\u021b\u0103 nu r\u0103sare la loc? \u0218i dac\u0103 o floare se vesteje\u0219te, oare alt\u0103 floare nu re\u00eenvie mult mai str\u0103lucitoare \u00een prim\u0103var\u0103?…<\/p>\n
\u00centorcea molatic capul spre mine \u0219i m\u0103 privea cu z\u00e2mbet amar.
\n\u2014 Crezi \u00eenc\u0103 \u00een prim\u0103veri \u0219i \u00een r\u0103s\u0103rituri de soare, \u00een frunze care renasc \u0219i \u00een flori care re\u00eenfloresc? Desigur… desigur… e\u0219ti un om fericit!<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cred, cel pu\u021bin, c\u0103, \u00een putrejunea din care suntem alc\u0103tui\u021bi, este \u0219i ceva etern…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i acel ceva? …\u00cei s\u0103rutam m\u00e2na \u0219i plecam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<\/p>\n
Ei bine, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam la toate acestea, m\u0103 apuca ame\u021beala; \u0219i m\u0103 uitam, \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile, pe jos, dup\u0103\u00a0Oxallis acetosella, le pain<\/i>\u00a0du bon Dieu; sau, cum s-ar zice, dup\u0103 m\u0103cri\u0219ul iepurelui; dar<\/i>\u00a0m\u0103cri\u0219ul iepurelui \u00ee\u0219i pusese pe cap chitia dracului.<\/p>\n
M\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103-mi fur c\u0103ciula ca \u021biganul. A\u0219ezai \u0219aua la r\u0103d\u0103cina unui brad, a\u0219ternui mantaua, m\u0103 lungii cu fa\u021ba-n sus \u0219i m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103-mi \u00eenchipui c\u0103 nu mi-e foame… \u021aiai g\u0103sit! Avea Pisicu\u021ba un a\u0219a talent la ron\u021b\u0103it iarba \u0219i la ucis \u00eentre din\u021bi v\u00e2rfurile tinere \u0219i fragede ale crengilor, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00ee\u021bi l\u0103sa gura ap\u0103.<\/p>\n
Deodat\u0103, Pisicu\u021ba se opri din p\u0103scut \u0219i, cu un smoc de iarb\u0103 \u00eenflorit\u0103 ce-i at\u00e2rna afar\u0103 din bot, se uit\u0103 \u021bint\u0103 \u0219i speriat\u0103, oarecum, la deal…<\/p>\n
“Vreo dihanie!…” \u00eemi fulger\u0103 mie prin minte. \u0218i pun\u00e2nd m\u00e2na pe revolver, m\u0103 sculai iute \u0219i drept \u00een picioare. Un c\u0103lug\u0103r scobora \u00eencet, pe potec\u0103 la vale, cu o mare \u0219i umflat\u0103 traist\u0103 la \u0219old.<\/p>\n
“M\u00e2ntuirea ta prin tine, Israele” cugetai eu \u00eentorc\u00e2nd cam pe dos versetul biblic, ceea ce, potrivit \u00eemprejur\u0103rii, \u00eensemna c\u0103 m\u00e2ntuirea mea st\u0103tea \u00een traista umflat\u0103 de la \u0219oldul c\u0103lug\u0103rului.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Blagoslove\u0219te, p\u0103rin\u021bele, \u0219i cale bun\u0103, zisei eu, c\u00e2nd c\u0103lug\u0103rul fu \u00een dreptul meu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mul\u021bumim d-voastr\u0103, domnule, mul\u021bumim d-voastr\u0103, Domnul!…<\/p>\n
\u0218i \u00eendrept\u00e2ndu-\u0219i spre mine fa\u021ba-i palid\u0103 \u0219i slab\u0103, m\u0103 privi smerit \u0219i sfios, str\u00e2ng\u00e2ndu-\u0219i \u00eengrijit, cu degete aspre, noduroase \u0219i tremur\u0103toare, rasa la piept.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u00cei fi ostenit, p\u0103rin\u021bele; vii de departe? Ia mai \u0219ezi colea oleac\u0103, de te hodine\u0219te.<\/p>\n
\u0218i-i ar\u0103tai spre locul unde \u0219ezusem eu lungit cu capul pe \u0219a.
\n\u2014 Mul\u021bumim d-voastr\u0103, domnule, mul\u021bumim d-voastr\u0103, \u00eeng\u00e2n\u0103 el pe o not\u0103 oarecare din pisaltichie, r\u0103sfir\u00e2ndu-\u0219i pe piept degetele ruginite ale st\u00e2ngii sale, iar cu dreapta netezindu-\u0219i sfios \u0219i smerit de sus \u00een jos barba-i sur\u0103 \u0219i \u00eenc\u00e2lcit\u0103; dar ne-am gr\u0103bi, c\u0103 suntem cam de departe, \u00eencheie el, \u00eenclin\u00e2ndu-se cu oarecare evlavie \u00eenaintea mea.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da ia \u0219ezi; c-un ceas mai devreme ori c-un ceas mai t\u00e2rziu, n-o s\u0103 fie mare treab\u0103; \u0219ezi!<\/p>\n
M\u0103 pusei jos, se puse \u0219i c\u0103lug\u0103rul.
\n\u2014 Vii de departe?
\n\u2014 Tocmai din fundul Ciungului, domnule.
\n\u2014 E\u0219ti de pe la vreun schit din apropiere, nu-i a\u0219a?
\n\u2014 Tocmai de la Nichit, domnule.
\n\u2014 Da ce? Nichitul e a\u0219a de departe de aici?
\n\u2014 Apoi tot a mai fi cale ca de-o jum\u0103tate de zi.
\n\u2014 \u0218i dup\u0103 ce-ai fost sf.-ta tocmai prin fundul Ciungului?
\n\u2014 Apoi dup\u0103 oleac\u0103 de bure\u021bi; ia mai usc\u0103m \u0219i noi pentru iarn\u0103, c\u0103, d\u0103, cu de-aiste ne mai \u021binem \u0219i noi via\u021ba.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218-apoi tocmai prin fundul Ciungului dup\u0103 bure\u021bi?
\n\u2014 Apoi nu sunt mai pe-aproape, c\u0103-i culeg \u021bigancele, de-i duc la t\u00e2rg.<\/p>\n
\u0218i umblam cu vorba \u00eemprejurul tr\u0103istii c\u0103lug\u0103rului, cum umbla vulpea \u00eemprejurul g\u0103r\u0103fii cu m\u00e2ncare a cocost\u00e2rcului.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da nu mi-i vinde \u0219i mie vreo c\u00e2\u021biva dintr-\u00een\u0219ii, drag\u0103 p\u0103rin\u021bele?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da, m\u0103 rog, pofti\u021bi, iaca; se gr\u0103bi s\u0103 zic\u0103 c\u0103lug\u0103rul, sco\u021b\u00e2nd traista din g\u00e2t \u0219i pun\u00e2ndu-mi-o dinainte; iaca, lua\u021bi c\u00e2t v\u0103 trebuie, c\u0103 eu m\u0103 pot duce s\u0103-mi mai culeg al\u021bii \u0219i \u00een alt\u0103 zi.<\/p>\n
\u0218i fa\u021ba c\u0103lug\u0103rului se \u00eensenin\u0103 de bucurie la ideea c\u0103 poate \u00ee\u0219i r\u0103scump\u0103rase pielea cu pre\u021bul a c\u00e2\u021biva bure\u021bi.<\/p>\n
Ce bure\u021bi!… erau ni\u0219te hribi ar\u0103mii, fragezi \u0219i mici, de-\u021bi venea s\u0103-i m\u0103n\u00e2nci de cruzi.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi, dac\u0103-i a\u0219a vorba, p\u0103rin\u021bele, ia s\u0103 facem noi colea un foc ca acela \u0219i s\u0103-i tragem o fa\u021b\u0103 de m\u00e2ncare, s\u0103 se duc\u0103 vestea. Trebuie s\u0103 \u0219tii, drag\u0103 p\u0103rin\u021bele, c\u0103-s rupt de foame; vin \u0219i eu cam de departe \u0219-am r\u0103t\u0103cit pe meleagurile aistea ale sf.-tale; de-asear\u0103 n-am pus nimic \u00een gur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u0218i \u00een toat\u0103 aceast\u0103 p\u0103c\u0103toas\u0103 \u0219i nevoia\u0219\u0103 stare de lucruri, nota epic\u0103 nu lipsea…<\/p>\n
Astfel, c\u00e2nd iscusitul meu c\u0103lug\u0103r, cu un am\u00e2nar de o\u021bel \u00een form\u0103 de scoab\u0103 veche, prinse a scoate din vinele mute \u0219i negre ale unei cremene reci un izvor de sc\u00e2ntei luminoase \u0219i c\u00e2nd, mai ales, din frunzele uscate \u0219i \u00eengr\u0103m\u0103dite peste iasca aprins\u0103, \u00eencepu s\u0103 se ridice \u00een sus fumul negru \u0219i \u00een\u0103du\u0219it, mi se p\u0103ru c\u0103 st\u0103 \u00een fa\u021ba mea Achates, cel mai mare me\u0219ter al vechimii \u00een sc\u0103p\u0103rat cu am\u00e2narul \u0219i cel mai iute \u0219i \u00eendem\u00e2natic alc\u0103tuitor de focuri din vreascuri \u0219i din frunze uscate al vremurilor de demult… \u0218i c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 zbor pe aripile n\u0103r\u0103vitei mele \u00eenchipuiri, spre clasice pustiuri arz\u0103toare \u0219i g\u0103lbii \u0219i c\u00e2t pe ce s\u0103 \u00eenfiripez, din st\u00e2ncile \u00eemprejmuitoare mie, o lume de mon\u0219tri aeroceraunici, care, din fundul negru al umbrei p\u0103durilor, m-ar fi privit cu ochi \u00eencrunta\u021bi \u0219i ar fi r\u00e2njit fioros la mine cu gingini vinete \u0219i goale!…<\/p>\n
\u0218i vreascurile n-apucaser\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 s\u0103 se prefac\u0103 \u00een j\u0103ratic \u0219i hribii nu fuseser\u0103 pu\u0219i \u00eenc\u0103 pe rug, \u0219i eu mai c\u0103 suflasem \u00een g\u00e2nd aproape toate ciupercile din traista c\u0103lug\u0103rului…<\/p>\n
\u0218i de cumva, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 \u0219oaptele tainice \u0219i \u00eenalte ale v\u00e2ntului cu frunzele, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 murmurul etern al apelor str\u0103vezii cu pietrele peste care curg \u0219i trec \u00een calea lor fatal\u0103, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 orchestra\u021bia aerian\u0103 \u0219i plin\u0103 de farmec, pe care o alc\u0103tuiesc, \u00een miezul \u00eenfl\u0103c\u0103rat al zilei, muzican\u021bii \u00eenaripa\u021bi \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 de num\u0103r ai lui D-zeu, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 at\u00e2tea melodii ale v\u0103zduhului, izvor\u00e2te de pretutindeni din nev\u0103zute harfe eoliene, mai adaugi \u0219i “hangul” unison, pe care-l \u021bine, cu glas \u00eenalt de tri\u0219c\u0103 cr\u0103pat\u0103, sf\u00e2r\u00e2itul hribilor pe c\u0103rbuni, apoi v\u0103 pot \u00eencredin\u021ba c\u0103 muzic\u0103 mai serafimic\u0103 n-a\u021bi auzit!… \u0218i eu cred c\u0103, dac\u0103 simfoni\u0219tii clasici ai vremurilor noastre n-au atins \u00eenc\u0103 nici unul culmea me\u0219te\u0219ugului lor, apoi aceasta nu se datore\u0219te dec\u00e2t \u00eemprejur\u0103rii c\u0103 nici unul din ei n-a m\u00e2ncat ciuperci fripte la umbra p\u0103durilor!<\/p>\n
\u0218i hribii, a\u0219eza\u021bi pe spate \u0219i cu p\u00e2ntecele-n sus, sf\u00e2r\u00e2iau pe c\u0103rbuni, iar m\u0103runtul meu c\u0103lug\u0103r \u00eei presura pe piept cu sare \u0219i piper \u0219i punea \u00een aceast\u0103 \u00eendeletnicire at\u00e2ta m\u0103sur\u0103 \u0219i chibzuial\u0103 \u0219i, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-\u0219i dea seama, a\u0219a \u00ee\u0219i \u021buguia buzele pe linia \u00eentins\u0103 a celor dou\u0103 degete, cu care-i presura, \u00eenc\u00e2t ai fi zis c\u0103 vrea s\u0103-i s\u0103rute pe to\u021bi, de r\u00e2nd. Din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd, c\u00e2te un hrib mai pu\u021bin r\u0103bd\u0103tor la usturimea focului ridica dintr-un \u0219old, pocnea \u0219i, a\u0219ez\u00e2ndu-se iar\u0103\u0219i pe c\u0103rbuni, sf\u00e2r\u00e2ia \u00eenainte.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gata friptura, p\u0103rin\u021bele? \u00eentrebam eu de departe, cum st\u0103team lungit cu fa\u021ba-n sus, cu capul pe \u0219a \u00een loc de c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i \u0219i cu degetele am\u00e2nduror m\u00e2inilor \u00eencle\u0219tate la ceaf\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gata, acu, numai s\u0103 se mai frig\u0103 oleac\u0103, c-apoi cade greu la inim\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u0218i \u00een privegherea diriguitoare \u0219i cu mult\u0103 b\u0103gare de seam\u0103 a acestei fripturi anahoretice, nu rareori se \u00eent\u00e2mpla ca m\u0103runtul meu c\u0103lug\u0103r s\u0103-\u0219i trag\u0103 iute m\u00e2na de pe c\u00e2te un hrib ce nu st\u0103tea tocmai cuminte pe j\u0103ratic, s\u0103 scuipe pripit pe cele dou\u0103 degete diriguitoare \u0219i s\u0103-\u0219i scuture \u00een aer m\u00e2na de ele, ca \u0219i cum ar fi voit s\u0103 le arunce c\u00e2t colo, spre a ostoi, cu chipul acesta, usturimea mu\u0219c\u0103turii arz\u0103toare a vreunui c\u0103rbune mai \u00eendr\u0103zne\u021b. Ba, de multe ori, \u00ee\u0219i aplica singur un fel de autoflagela\u021biune, pe partea corpului care-i c\u0103dea mai la \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ia seama, p\u0103rin\u021bele, ia seama, strigam eu de departe, ori de c\u00e2te ori se frigea c\u0103lug\u0103rul; ia seam\u0103 s\u0103 nu m\u00e2nc\u0103m degete fripte \u00een loc de hribi; azi e sf\u00e2nta vineri \u0219i ar fi p\u0103cat, m\u0103car c\u0103 degetele de c\u0103lug\u0103r trebuie s\u0103 fie de post…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu te teme, domnule, nu te teme; suntem noi deprin\u0219i cu de-aistea… \u0218i scuipa c\u0103lug\u0103rul, de parc\u0103 desc\u00e2nta de deochi tuturor stihiilor de la cele patru v\u00e2nturi…<\/p>\n
Dar \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it friptura fu gata. \u0218i dac\u0103 soarele, ce sta s\u0103 cump\u0103neasc\u0103 dincolo de amiaz\u0103, ar fi putut, din \u00een\u0103l\u021bime, s\u0103 str\u0103bat\u0103 cu privirea prin desi\u0219ul \u00eentunecos al bol\u021bii de umbr\u0103 ce ne ocrotea de pretutindeni, apoi ar fi v\u0103zut \u00eentins\u0103 pe rari\u0219tea de iarb\u0103 \u00eenflorit\u0103 a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului n\u0103frama alb\u0103neagr\u0103-v\u00e2n\u0103t\u0103 a c\u0103lug\u0103rului, sor\u0103 mai mic\u0103 \u00een lungime, dar mai mare \u00een cur\u0103\u021benie, cu imensul meu prosop; iar pe ea t\u0103b\u0103r\u00e2\u021bi la \u00eent\u00e2mplare hribii frip\u021bi, \u00eentocmai cum ar t\u0103b\u0103r\u00ee o turm\u0103 de oi obosite, \u00een popas de odihn\u0103, pe drumul g\u0103lbiu \u0219i plin de colb; \u0219i, dup\u0103 cum de l\u00e2na oilor se aca\u021b\u0103, \u00een treac\u0103t, curnu\u021bii \u0219i scaii p\u00e2rloagelor, tot a\u0219a se ac\u0103\u021baser\u0103 c\u0103rbunii stin\u0219i ai focului de spatele hribilor mei; \u0219i dac\u0103 ceea ce albea pe la sub\u021biorile scorojite ale fiec\u0103rui hrib nu era tocmai sare nemistuit\u0103, apoi era, cel pu\u021bin, cenu\u0219\u0103 nescuturat\u0103, lucru care totu\u0219i nu \u00eempiedica pe m\u0103runtul meu c\u0103lug\u0103r de a-\u0219i da ifose profesionale de Moschion sau de Labdacus.<\/p>\n
Oricum, eu m\u0103 d\u0103dusem pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 n\u0103frama cu hribi, \u00eemi \u00eensemnasem cele patru puncte cardinale ale persoanei mele cu o larg\u0103 \u0219i smerit\u0103 cruce potrivit\u0103 \u00eemprejur\u0103rii, \u00eemi luasem p\u0103l\u0103ria de pe cap \u0219i, scutur\u00e2nd, pe c\u00e2t era cu putin\u021b\u0103, de c\u0103rbuni \u0219i de cenu\u0219\u0103 c\u00e2te un hrib, \u00eei f\u0103ceam v\u00e2nt \u00een pustiul \u00eentunecos \u0219i fl\u0103m\u00e2nd al gurii mele.<\/p>\n
\u0218i poate c\u0103, \u00een scurt, a\u0219 fi ajuns cu \u00eenghi\u021bitul la cap\u0103tul cel\u0103lalt al n\u0103fr\u0103mii, dac\u0103 nu m\u0103 oprea la timp m\u0103runtul meu c\u0103lug\u0103r.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da-\u021bi mai avea oleac\u0103 de r\u0103bdare, domnule, zise el, m\u00e2n\u00e2nd \u00eenspre d\u00e2nsul, cu un b\u0103\u021b p\u00e2rlit la cap\u0103t, cel de pe urm\u0103 hrib ce mai r\u0103m\u0103sese r\u0103zle\u021b printre c\u0103rbuni, poate-om g\u0103si \u0219i vreo f\u0103r\u00e2m\u0103tur\u0103 de p\u00e2ine.<\/p>\n
\u0218i cu v\u00e2rful p\u00e2rlit al b\u0103\u021bului, f\u0103cu hribului v\u00e2nt pe n\u0103fram\u0103. De la sine se \u00een\u021belege c\u0103 pusei strun\u0103 fl\u0103m\u00e2ndei \u0219i pr\u0103p\u0103ditoarei mele porniri.<\/p>\n
Iute \u0219i harnic, dup\u0103 cum era \u0219i de m\u0103runt, scotoci usc\u0103\u021bivul meu c\u0103lug\u0103r, printre hribii r\u0103ma\u0219i \u00een traist\u0103 \u0219i scoase la iveal\u0103 o p\u00e2ine oache\u0219\u0103, destul de mare, cu gingini zdren\u021buroase de am\u00e2ndou\u0103 p\u0103r\u021bile \u0219i \u00eenceput\u0103 la un cap\u0103t; iar c\u00e2nd d\u0103dui s\u0103 rup din ea, \u00een\u021belesei c\u0103 \u0219i o p\u00e2ine poate avea odiseea \u0219i nefericirile sale; fire de l\u00e2n\u0103 sure \u0219i lungi, luate \u00een hiol\u0103 din \u021bes\u0103tura moale a tr\u0103istii, st\u0103teau ac\u0103\u021bate de col\u021burile uscate, \u021bepoase \u0219i ascu\u021bite ale ginginilor p\u00e2inii, ca de din\u021bii unui darac; f\u0103r\u00e2m\u0103turi m\u0103runte \u0219i albe de hribi mijeau neclintite de printre ad\u00e2ncurile rupturii aspre a cap\u0103tului \u00eenceput; iar c\u00e2nd prinsei a o bate la spate spre a scutura dintr-\u00eensa pulberea m\u0103runt\u0103 \u0219i alb\u0103 de hribi, o sumedenie de furnici \u00eencepur\u0103 a curge de prin toate ascunz\u0103torile p\u00e2inii, ca o ploaie neagr\u0103 \u0219i fin\u0103 \u0219i a fugi speriate \u0219i nedumerite care \u00eencotro…\u00a0“Si licet exemplis in parvo grandibus uti,<\/i>\u00a0Haes facies Trojae, cum caperetur, erat!…”\u00a0<\/i>1<\/i><\/p>\n
A\u0219a de speria\u021bi \u0219i de nedumeri\u021bi mi-nchipui c\u0103 trebuie s-o fi \u00eempuns de fug\u0103 troienii lui Priamus, c\u00e2nd \u00eei lu\u0103 Achille cu j\u0103rdia de la spate!…<\/p>\n
S\u0103rmanele furnici!… erau \u0219i ele menite s\u0103-\u0219i duc\u0103, de acum \u00eenainte, pe \u021b\u0103rmuri str\u0103ine \u0219i dep\u0103rtate, nem\u00e2ng\u00e2iatul dor de patrie; le era \u0219i lor, se vede, scris s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce p\u00e2inea amar\u0103 a pribegiei, \u0219i cine \u0219tie dac\u0103 nostalgia dup\u0103 fundurile Ciungului nu era s\u0103 pun\u0103, sub alte apusuri \u0219i sub alte r\u0103s\u0103rituri de soare, cap\u0103t zbuciumatei lor vie\u021bi!\u00a0!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da bine, p\u0103rin\u021bele, zisei eu, b\u0103t\u00e2nd \u00een p\u00e2ine ca-ntr-o pern\u0103 \u0219i scul\u00e2ndu-m\u0103, de jos, ca s\u0103 nu m\u0103 umple furnicile; bine, te-ai apucat de dus furnici de pr\u0103sil\u0103 din fundurile Ciungului tocmai \u00een gura Nichitului? Ce? Pe la Nichit n-ave\u021bi furnici?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da, bat\u0103-le pustia, domnule, s\u0103 le bat\u0103, parc\u0103 te po\u021bi feri de ele? Se v\u00e2r\u0103 pes’tot locul dup\u0103 m\u00e2ncare… ia, \u0219i ele, ca toate lighioanele lui D-zeu, unde v\u0103d mas\u0103-ntins\u0103, hop \u0219i ele!… Dac\u0103 ne este \u00eeng\u0103duit a ne folosi \u00een cele mici de exemple m\u0103re\u021be,<\/p>\n
Aceasta este \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219area Troiei, c\u00e2nd a fost cucerit\u0103 (Ovidiu).<\/i> \r\n<\/pre>\n\u2014 Ai dreptate, p\u0103rin\u021bele, ai dreptate! ia s\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m noi viii cu viii \u0219i mor\u021bii cu mor\u021bii \u0219i s\u0103 ne c\u0103ut\u0103m mai bine de suflet, zisei eu, a\u0219ez\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 \u00eentr-un cot de-a lungul n\u0103fr\u0103mii.<\/p>\n
Rupsei p\u00e2inea, d\u0103dui c\u0103lug\u0103rului, \u00eemi oprii \u0219i mie \u0219i \u00eencepui a m\u00e2nca.
\n\u2014 Da o gur\u0103 de rachiu nu-\u021bi pofti? m\u0103 \u00eentreb\u0103 c\u0103lug\u0103rul, v\u00e2r\u00e2nd m\u00e2na \u00een s\u00e2n \u0219i sco\u021b\u00e2nd o sticlu\u021b\u0103 potrivit de mare \u0219i plin\u0103 p\u00e2n’ la jum\u0103tate cu ceva galben-ro\u0219.<\/p>\n\u2014 \u0218i dou\u0103, p\u0103rin\u021bele.
\n\u2014 Poftim. \u0218i a\u0219ez\u00e2ndu-se \u0219i el l\u00e2ng\u0103 n\u0103fram\u0103, mi-ntinse sticla. Era un rachiu dumnezeiesc.
\n\u2014 Da stra\u0219nic rachiu, p\u0103rin\u021bele, stra\u0219nic rachiu! De unde-l cumperi?<\/p>\n\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103-l facem noi, domnule, nu-l cump\u0103r\u0103m.
\n\u2014 M\u0103 rog, zisei eu, mai lu\u00e2nd o-nghi\u021bitur\u0103, nu m\u0103 po\u021bi \u00eenv\u0103\u021ba \u0219i pe mine cum se face?<\/p>\n\u2014 Da cum nu, domnule? faci ceai rusesc tare, cum se face ceaiul, \u0219i dup\u0103 ce se r\u0103ce\u0219te, pui jum\u0103tate ceai \u0219i jum\u0103tate spirt de cel bun, de vin; pui zah\u0103r, c\u00e2t vrei s\u0103 fie de dulce, pui inipere, izm\u0103 crea\u021b\u0103, anghelic\u0103 \u0219i coji de portocal\u0103, dac\u0103 ai, \u0219i la\u0219i a\u0219a de dospe\u0219te c\u00e2teva zile, \u0219-apoi \u00eencepi a bea din el.<\/p>\n
\u0218i, tr\u0103g\u00e2ndu-i \u0219i c\u0103lug\u0103rul un g\u00e2t, astup\u0103 cu \u00eengrijire sticla cu dopul, o v\u00e2r\u00ee \u00een s\u00e2n, \u00ee\u0219i lu\u0103 com\u0103nacul din cap \u0219i, pun\u00e2ndu-l al\u0103turea, \u00eencepu a m\u00e2nca cu smerenie \u0219i cump\u0103tat, f\u0103r\u0103 grab\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 pripire, potrivit darului s\u0103u.<\/p>\n
\u00cen c\u00e2teva minute, osp\u0103\u021bul nostru de anahoret fu gata.
\n\u2014 Da de ap\u0103 ce-om face, p\u0103rin\u021bele? Hribii au fost cam s\u0103ra\u021bi \u0219i s\u0103r\u0103tura face sete.<\/p>\n\u2014 Apoi este p\u00e2r\u00e2u devale, domnule; m\u0103 duc eu acu s-aduc ap\u0103 numaidec\u00e2t.<\/p>\n
\u0218i f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 mai a\u0219tepte vreun r\u0103spuns din parte-mi, \u00ee\u0219i \u0219i puse com\u0103nacul pe cap \u0219-o porni devale, de-a dreptul prin p\u0103dure, cu m\u00e2inile goale.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, p\u0103rin\u021bele, p\u0103rin\u021bele!\u00a0!… d\u0103dui eu s\u0103 strig; a\u0219i!\u00a0!… c\u0103lug\u0103rul \u00ee\u0219i \u0219i mistuise, \u00een desi\u0219ul dep\u0103rtat al p\u0103durii, m\u0103runta sa \u00eenchipuire; iar c\u00e2nd, de la cap\u0103tul privirilor mele, se rupse \u0219i se desprinse petecul \u00eengust \u0219i cafeniu al spatelor sale, r\u0103m\u0103sei nedumerit.<\/p>\n
“Da-n ce dracu are s-aduc\u0103 el ap\u0103?… \u00een gur\u0103?… \u00een pumni?… m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam eu, r\u0103mas \u00een picioare neclintit \u0219i uit\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 \u021bint\u0103 spre desi\u0219ul \u00eenc\u00e2lcit \u00een care se mistuise n\u0103luca m\u0103runt\u0103 \u0219i mohor\u00e2t\u0103 a c\u0103lug\u0103rului meu. Nu cumva s\u0103-mi fi f\u0103cut \u0219otia c\u0103lug\u0103rul naibii? Mai \u0219tii?… Te-i trezi numai c\u0103 i-a tr\u0103snit prin cap s\u0103 se tot duc\u0103 la Nichit \u0219i pe mine s\u0103 m\u0103 lase aici \u00een c\u00e2t m-a g\u0103sit…<\/p>\n
Ce s\u0103 faci? S\u0103 te iei dup\u0103 d\u00e2nsul? S\u0103 te-apuci de scotocit prin h\u0103l\u0103ciuga p\u0103durii o pi\u0219c\u0103tur\u0103 de c\u0103lug\u0103r \u00een floarea umbrelor, care \u0219i-ar fi putut tupila, ca o veveri\u021b\u0103, \u00eentreaga sa f\u0103ptur\u0103 dup\u0103 o cioat\u0103 sau la \u00eencheietura unei crengi?”<\/p>\n
Pisicu\u021ba ridic\u0103 capul \u0219i se opri din mestecat un smoc de iarb\u0103 \u00eenflorit\u0103, ce-i at\u00e2rna pe jum\u0103tate afar\u0103 din bot…<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd \u00eemi \u00eendreptai ochii pe linia de privire a Pisicu\u021bei, z\u0103rii desprinz\u00e2ndu-se treptat, de pe fundul de umbr\u0103 al p\u0103durii, \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219area gheboas\u0103, plecat\u0103 \u00eenainte \u0219i cu capul gol a c\u0103lug\u0103rului meu; iar \u00eentre m\u00e2inile-i \u00eentinse ducea parc\u0103 ceva, cu mare cump\u0103neal\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u00cemi ascu\u021bii privirea, dar nu putui deosebi ce ducea c\u0103lug\u0103rul cu at\u00e2ta sfin\u021benie \u0219i b\u0103gare de seam\u0103.<\/p>\n
Iar c\u00e2nd fu destul de aproape ca s\u0103-l pot vedea, m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021bai, spre marea mea nedumerire, c\u0103 \u021binea de o parte \u0219i de alta, \u00eentre degetele-i noduroase \u0219i r\u0103sfirate ale am\u00e2nduror m\u00e2inilor sale, un soi de tingire de tinichea, mai mult lung\u0103 dec\u00e2t larg\u0103 \u0219i plin\u0103 ochi cu ap\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da tingirea asta, \u00eel \u00eentrebai eu c\u00e2nd fu l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, de unde o g\u0103si\u0219i, p\u0103rin\u021bele? C\u0103 de-aici ai plecat cu m\u00e2inile goale?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da nu-i nici o tingire, domnule.
\n\u2014 Da cum nu-i tingire? Eu o v\u0103d c\u0103-i tingire ca toate tingirile; at\u00e2ta numai c\u0103-i de tinichea.<\/p>\n\u2014 Da nu-i nici o tingire, domnule; ia-i com\u0103nacul meu; d\u0103, \u00eel mai facem \u0219i noi de tabl\u0103 c\u00e2teodat\u0103; c\u0103 d\u0103! vine vremea fel de fel; poate c\u0103 ai c\u00e2teodat\u0103 nevoie, prin p\u0103dure, ba de-o ap\u0103, ba de-o m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, \u0219i, dac\u0103 n-ai \u00een ce, rabzi mult \u0219i bine \u0219i de sete, \u0219i de foame…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mare \u021bi-i minunea ta, Doamne! D-apoi eu nu te-am v\u0103zut cu tingirea-n cap, p\u0103rin\u021bele, eu te-am v\u0103zut cu com\u0103nac ca toate com\u0103nacele.<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u0219a-i, domnule, da vezi d-ta, i-am scos \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103mintea, c\u0103 doar nu era s-aduc eu ap\u0103 cu-mbr\u0103c\u0103mintea pe d\u00e2nsul.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, p\u0103rin\u021bele, da pozna asta n-am mai v\u0103zut-o niciodat\u0103!!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu-i fi v\u0103zut-o, domnule, c\u0103 nu-i fi umblat prin nevoi.
\n\u2014 Bine, da de ce nu iei sf.-ta \u00een traist\u0103, c\u00e2nd pleci la p\u0103dure, vreun pahar, vreo tingire ca toate tingirile?<\/p>\n\u2014 Da ce s\u0103 ne mai \u00eenc\u0103rc\u0103m noi cu at\u00e2ta tarhat, domnule, c\u00e2nd ne putem sluji cu com\u0103nacul \u0219i \u00een loc de tingire, \u0219i \u00een loc de pahar? Suntem b\u0103tr\u00e2ni, domnule, \u0219i nu putem duce \u00een spate at\u00e2ta j\u0103chil\u0103.<\/p>\n
Logica c\u0103lug\u0103rului \u00eemi \u00eenchise gura.
\n\u2014 Binecuv\u00e2nteaz\u0103, p\u0103rin\u021bele, zisei eu, sufl\u00e2nd \u00een cruce peste ap\u0103 \u0219i duc\u00e2nd com\u0103nacul la gur\u0103.<\/p>\n\u2014 Binecuv\u00e2ntat\u0103 fie \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u021bia Tat\u0103lui \u0219i a Fiului \u0219i a Sf. Duh, amin!…<\/p>\n
B\u0103ui jum\u0103tate de com\u0103nac.
\n\u2014 Ei, p\u0103rin\u021bele, ia s\u0103 plec\u0103m, c\u0103-i t\u00e2rziu \u0219i zici c\u0103 schitul e cam departe.<\/p>\n\u2014 Cam departe, domnule; da merge\u021bi la schit?
\n\u2014 Merg, p\u0103rin\u021bele, \u00eencotro v\u0103d cu ochii; \u0219i, fiindc\u0103 mi te-ai \u00eent\u00e2mplat sf.-ta \u00een cale, apoi merg \u0219i eu la schit; a\u0219 putea s\u0103 stau acolo c\u00e2teva zile?<\/p>\n\u2014 Da cum nu, domnule? Pute\u021bi sta \u0219i mai mult; pute\u021bi sta chiar la mine, dac\u0103 vi-i cu voia \u0219i vi-\u021bi \u00eemp\u0103ca.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da eu m\u0103-mpac cu toat\u0103 lumea, p\u0103rin\u021bele, \u0219i cu sf.-ta simt eu c-o s\u0103 m\u0103-mpac de minune.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi bine, domnule; atuncea s\u0103 plec\u0103m. C\u0103lug\u0103rul \u00ee\u0219i puse n\u0103frama-n traist\u0103 \u0219i traista la \u0219old, iar eu aruncai \u0219aua pe spatele Pisicu\u021bei \u0219i-o \u00eenchingai. Nu b\u0103gasem de seam\u0103, dar c\u00e2nd luai pe m\u00e2n\u0103 fr\u00e2ul Pisicu\u021bei \u0219i fu s\u0103 plec, c\u0103lug\u0103rul st\u0103tea gata \u0219i m\u0103 a\u0219tepta, cu com\u0103nac pe cap ca toate com\u0103nacele.<\/p>\n
\u0218i nu mai fu cu putin\u021b\u0103 s\u0103 mi-l \u00eenchipui, \u00een urm\u0103, pe p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 dec\u00e2t cu tingirea-n cap; iat\u0103 pentru ce, cum scoboram noi la vale, c\u0103lug\u0103rul cu sloboda \u0219i eu cu Pisicu\u021ba de d\u00e2rlogi, f\u0103r\u0103 voie, m\u0103 bufnea r\u00e2sul din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd.<\/p>\n
\u2014 R\u00e2zi de com\u0103nacul meu, domnule, v\u0103d eu bine!
\n\u2014 Cam a\u0219a, p\u0103rin\u021bele, drept \u021bi-oi spune. Cum naiba s\u0103-\u021bi vie \u00een minte sf.-tale s\u0103 faci com\u0103nac din tingire \u0219i tingire din com\u0103nac! Doar asta nu-i lucru u\u0219or; \u0219i, m\u0103 rog, egumenul are la \u0219tiin\u021b\u0103 treaba aceasta?<\/p>\n\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 egumenul parc\u0103 n-are \u0219i el tot a\u0219a; \u0219i parc\u0103 ceilal\u021bi vreo nou\u0103, c\u00e2\u021bi mai suntem, n-au \u0219i ei, to\u021bi, tot a\u0219a!<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, dar s\u0103 faci sf.-ta m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 \u00een com\u0103nac?!!
\n\u2014 Ei, domnule, doar m\u0103m\u0103liga nu-i lucru spurcat; \u0219i, chiar dac-ar fi, cele sfinte nu se spurc\u0103; \u0219-apoi, ce \u021bi-i c-a fi com\u0103nacul de tinichea, ce \u021bi-i c-a fi de h\u00e2rtie sclivisit\u0103? \u00cembr\u0103c\u0103mintea-i totul, domnule. Iac\u0103, \u00eembrac\u0103-te d-ta cu ras\u0103 \u0219i-\u021bi pune un com\u0103nac \u00een cap, \u0219i s\u0103 vedem: are s\u0103 \u0219tie cineva c\u0103 nu e\u0219ti c\u0103lug\u0103r? Tot a\u0219a \u0219i cu com\u0103nacul meu; cine \u0219tie c\u0103-i tingire?…<\/p>\n\u2014 Dac\u0103 are pe deasupra \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103mintea darului!… Nu-i a\u0219a? zisei eu, \u00eentrerup\u00e2ndu-i cugetarea.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi? Se-n\u021belege, domnule; \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103mintea-i totul…
\n\u2014 \u0218i darul, nimic?
\n\u2014 Ba a fi el \u0219i darul ceva; da parc\u0103 darul se vede? Doar darul \u00eei pentru noi, c\u0103lug\u0103rii, nu pentru ochii lumii; pentru ochii lumii, iaca: rasa, com\u0103nacul, barba; doar d-ta e\u0219ti om \u00eenv\u0103\u021bat; n-ai auzit de ho\u021bi de codru, care s-au \u00eembr\u0103cat \u00een straie c\u0103lug\u0103re\u0219ti, \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103 nu i-o prins, parc-o \u0219tiut cineva c\u0103-s ho\u021bi, ori c\u0103 nu-s c\u0103lug\u0103ri?…<\/p>\n\u2014 Doamne, p\u0103rinte, Doamne! S\u0103 te-aud\u0103 mitropolitul vorbind a\u0219a, ce mai gherl\u0103 \u021bi-ar tr\u00e2nti \u0219i ce mai ascultare \u021bi-ar r\u00e2ndui!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 D-zeu s\u0103 m\u0103 ierte, domnule… zise c\u0103lug\u0103rul, \u00eenso\u021bind aceast\u0103 reticen\u021b\u0103 de o mare \u0219i parc\u0103 izb\u0103vitoare cruce.<\/p>\n
\u0218i \u00een acest “D-zeu s\u0103 m\u0103 ierte”, \u0219i \u00een aceast\u0103 reticen\u021b\u0103 \u00eenso\u021bit\u0103 de o mare \u0219i parc\u0103 izb\u0103vitoare cruce, cineva ar fi putut citi o \u00eentreag\u0103 pagin\u0103 din istoria inedit\u0103 a sf\u00e2ntului nostru monahism.<\/p>\n
Era, pe vremea aceea, mitropolit fericitul \u00eentru pomenire Calinic Niclescu, acel asupra c\u0103ruia oftigosul c\u0103lug\u0103r Clement Neculau, profesor de grece\u0219te la Academie, tr\u0103sese focuri de revolver; dar fie c\u0103 nu-l nimerise, fie c\u0103 gloan\u021bele se turtiser\u0103 pe paftalele de aur ale colanului, cu care rangul \u00eencingea coapsele m\u0103runtului \u0219i sl\u0103b\u0103nogului cap al bisericii, c\u0103 nu se alese, din toat\u0103 aceast\u0103 dram\u0103 c\u0103lug\u0103reasc\u0103, dec\u00e2t mitropolitul cu spaima, iar Clement cu \u00eenchisoarea.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Eu a\u0219 socoti, domnule, zise c\u0103lug\u0103rul oprindu-se \u00een drum, s\u0103 t\u0103iem de-a dreptul devale, c\u0103 schitu-i cam departe \u0219i m\u0103 tem c-om \u00eennopta \u00een p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103 t\u0103iem, p\u0103rin\u021bele, pe unde soco\u021bi sfin\u021bia-ta; vorba e s\u0103 ajungem cu lumin\u0103 la schit.<\/p>\n
C\u0103lug\u0103rul coti la st\u00e2nga prin desi\u0219ul f\u0103r\u0103 urm\u0103. \u0218i nu-\u021bi venea s\u0103 crezi ochilor, c\u00e2nd te uitai la p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, cu c\u00e2t\u0103 \u00eendem\u00e2nare \u0219erpuia prin desi\u0219ul \u00eenc\u00e2lcit al p\u0103durii, cu c\u00e2t\u0103 nesilit\u0103 u\u0219urin\u021b\u0103 urca \u0219i scobora… l\u0103sat pe spate la vale, plecat \u00eenainte la deal, p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00ee\u0219i p\u0103stra netulburat centru-i de greutate \u00eenl\u0103untrul bazei sale; \u0219i ai fi zis c\u0103, \u00een calea lui, sui\u0219urile se scoborau \u0219i scobor\u00e2\u0219urile se suiau, spre a-i face drumul p\u00e2nz\u0103… \u0218i de n-ai fi stat cu privirile \u00eenfipte \u00een spatele lui \u00eenguste \u0219i cafenii, m\u0103runt, sub\u021bire \u0219i \u00een floarea umbrelor cum era, s-ar fi topit p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u0219i s-ar fi mistuit \u00een zarea \u00eenc\u00e2lcit\u0103 a crengilor, dup\u0103 cum, \u00een v\u0103zduhurile amurgului, se mistuie \u0219i se topesc unele vedenii de o clip\u0103, \u00eentrupate de \u00eenchipuirea cuprins\u0103 de fiorii pustii ai singur\u0103t\u0103\u021bii… Avea p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 ceva din firea \u0219op\u00e2rlei, pe care acum o vezi, acum n-o vezi, \u0219i ia-i urma, dac\u0103 po\u021bi, c\u00e2nd vrei s\u0103-i pui b\u0103\u021bul pe coad\u0103… \u0218i eu cred c\u0103 p\u0103durile au suflet \u0219i, \u00een sufletul lor, dragoste de mam\u0103 pentru toate viet\u0103\u021bile ce se ad\u0103postesc la umbra ocrotitoare a s\u00e2nului lor; \u0219i fiindc\u0103 p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 p\u0103\u0219ise demult spre starea de vietate a p\u0103durilor, apoi \u0219i p\u0103durea cu brazii s\u0103i uria\u0219i, cu v\u00e2n\u0103ta \u00eencremenire a st\u00e2ncilor sale, cu a\u0219ternutu-i moale \u0219i ruginiu de foi uscate \u0219i seci, cu neagra \u0219i frageda putrejune a vreascurilor sale, p\u0103rea cuprins\u0103 de clipa vie a unui fior de ocrotitoare dragoste \u00een calea gr\u0103bit\u0103 \u0219i sub pa\u0219ii m\u0103run\u021bi ai p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103… Sub mersul s\u0103u u\u0219or nici vreascurile nu trosneau, \u0219i nici a\u0219ternutul moale \u0219i ruginiu de foi uscate \u0219i seci nu fo\u0219nea sub lunecarea-i cotigit\u0103 de \u0219op\u00e2rl\u0103 ml\u0103dioas\u0103; \u021bes\u0103tura deas\u0103 a crengilor \u00eemp\u00e2nzite p\u0103stra totdeauna o sp\u0103rtur\u0103 \u00eengust\u0103, prin care p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 se strecura ca suveica printre i\u021be; iar c\u00e2nd firul sub\u021bire \u0219i cafeniu al persoanei sale se al\u0103tura pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 grosimea secular\u0103 sau luneca prin dreptul \u00een\u0103l\u021bimii ame\u021bitoare a vreunui brad \u00eencremenit pe temeliile sale, p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 se mistuia, pentru o clip\u0103, ca sorbit, ca \u00eenghi\u021bit parc\u0103 de trunchiul mohor\u00e2t al uria\u0219ului codrilor… De c\u00e2te ori nu-l pr\u0103p\u0103deam din ochi \u0219i de c\u00e2te ori nu-l vedeam, iar\u0103\u0219i, pe p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00eenfirip\u00e2ndu-se \u00een zare, ca izvor\u00e2t, ca r\u0103s\u0103rit, ca ie\u0219it parc\u0103 la lumin\u0103, cu com\u0103nac \u0219i cu ras\u0103 cu tot, acum de sub scoar\u021ba sur\u0103 a vreunui fag, acum din trupul ciuntit al vreunei fr\u00e2nturi sau al vreunui cr\u00e2mpei r\u0103mas \u00een picioare, pe urma unui brad r\u0103sturnat al\u0103turea de vreme sau de vijelii!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, p\u0103rinte, da stai mai \u00eencet, c\u0103-i valea mare \u0219i eu nu pot scobor\u00ee a\u0219a de iute cu iapa de d\u00e2rlogi…<\/p>\n
\u0218i biata Pisicu\u021b\u0103, zg\u00e2rcindu-\u0219i picioarele de dinapoi, lungindu-\u0219i g\u00e2tul dup\u0103 fr\u00e2u \u0219i \u00een\u021bepenindu-se pe picioarele \u00eentinse de dinainte, luneca de multe ori de-a s\u0103niu\u0219ul pe luciul foilor, ca pe un ghe\u021bu\u0219, c\u00e2nd valea scobora prea repede.<\/p>\n
P\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 se oprea un minut, m\u0103 a\u0219tepta \u0219i iar\u0103\u0219i o pleca la vale… Ai fi zis c\u0103 se pr\u0103p\u0103stuie\u0219te \u00een ne\u0219tire, ca sorbit de ad\u00e2ncimi, \u0219i te a\u0219teapt\u0103 s\u0103-l vezi, la fiecare pas, mistuindu-se \u00een umbr\u0103 ca o vedenie n\u0103scocit\u0103 de frigurile \u00eenchipuirii…<\/p>\n
Cu vai-nevoie m\u0103 \u021bineam de d\u00e2nsul c\u00e2t colea. Pu\u021bin mai avea soarele p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s\u0103 scapete dincolo de piscurile dep\u0103rtate \u0219i neguroase ale mun\u021bilor din urma noastr\u0103, c\u00e2nd ie\u0219ir\u0103m la limpezi\u0219 \u00een valea larg\u0103 a Nichitului.<\/p>\n
\u00cenc\u0103lecai, spre a m\u0103 putea \u021binea mai aproape de p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2t prindeai cu ochii spre r\u0103s\u0103rit, \u00eentre mun\u021bi de o parte \u0219i \u00eentre mun\u021bi de alta, p\u00e2r\u00e2ul Nichitului curgea gr\u0103bit \u0219i limpede, acum printre f\u00e2ne\u021be \u00eenflorite, acum printre lunci tinere de mesteac\u0103ni, de s\u0103lcii sau de arini, acum printre prundi\u0219uri \u00eentinse \u0219i sterpe de mozaic cu multe fe\u021be; iar razele soarelui ce c\u0103deau piezi\u0219 pe crestele fug\u0103toare ale undelor lui \u00eei d\u0103deau \u00eenf\u0103\u021bi\u0219area cotigit\u0103 a unei nesf\u00e2r\u0219ite cordele late de m\u0103tase moale, cu schimb\u0103toare sclipiri de aur…<\/p>\n
Amurgul \u00eencepuse a se ridica din ad\u00e2ncuri… iar \u00eentre piscurile \u00eenalte ale mun\u021bilor, ce se r\u0103sf\u0103\u021bau \u00eenc\u0103 \u00een pulberea de lumin\u0103 ro\u0219iatic\u0103 a celor din urm\u0103 raze ale apusului, v\u0103ile tupilate \u00eentunecau priveli\u0219tea, ca at\u00e2tea pete imense de umbr\u0103 viorie… Din ad\u00e2ncimi, din \u00een\u0103l\u021bimi, din taina p\u0103durilor, din \u00eentunericul codrilor, din v\u0103zduhuri, de pretutindeni, glasurile prelungi ale serilor de munte se ridicau treptat a lini\u0219te \u0219i a odihn\u0103… \u0218i, \u00eencet, \u00eencet, se str\u00e2ngeau toate \u0219i toate adormeau pe r\u00e2nd; \u0219i tot mai rar se desprindea din dep\u0103rt\u0103ri un l\u0103trat de c\u00e2ine, un sunet de talang\u0103, un glas de bucium… Numai p\u00e2r\u00e2ul, m\u00e2nat cu gr\u0103bire \u00een calea lui fatal\u0103 de o putere nev\u0103zut\u0103, mai \u00eensemna, \u00een amor\u021birea universal\u0103, eterna mi\u0219care a vie\u021bii \u00een vinele adormite ale lucrurilor… Departe, foarte departe, la r\u0103s\u0103ritul din fa\u021ba noastr\u0103, spre gura larg\u0103 a v\u0103ii, sclipea \u00eenc\u0103 ceva \u00een umbra amurgului, ca o stea c\u0103zut\u0103 din ceruri pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt… era cea de pe urm\u0103 raz\u0103 de lumin\u0103, ce c\u0103dea r\u0103t\u0103cit\u0103 \u0219i piezi\u0219 din dep\u0103rt\u0103rile apusului pe luciul metalic \u0219i \u00eenalt al turnului de la biserica schitului; iar c\u00e2nd aceast\u0103 stea se mistui \u0219i se stinse \u00een umbra p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, o alt\u0103 stea se aprinse \u00een t\u0103riile cele mai de sus ale cerului… Era luceaf\u0103rul de sear\u0103…<\/p>\n
Un sunet prelung \u0219i jalnic de aram\u0103 sun\u0103toare, lovit\u0103 \u00een r\u0103stimpuri deopotriv\u0103 de dep\u0103rtate, \u00eenfior\u0103 \u0219i f\u0103cu s\u0103 tremure umbrele singuratice ale v\u0103zduhului; \u0219i valea larg\u0103 se umplu, p\u00e2n\u0103 la marginile de deasupra ale mun\u021bilor s\u0103i, de glasul sf\u00e2nt al rug\u0103ciunii \u0219i al p\u0103cii… Era clopotul schitului, care vestea \u00eenchin\u0103torilor pustiului ceasul slujbei de sear\u0103…<\/p>\n
P\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 se opri din mers \u00een fa\u021ba r\u0103s\u0103ritului, \u00ee\u0219i lu\u0103 smerit, cu toate cele cinci degete r\u0103sfirate ale st\u00e2ngii sale, com\u0103nacul din cap; iar cu cele trei degete ini\u021biale \u0219i \u00eempreunate ale dreptei de trei ori \u00eensemn\u0103 larg, cu trei cruci evlavioase \u0219i mari, cele patru puncte sacramentale ale trupului s\u0103u; \u0219i ating\u00e2nd, dup\u0103 fiecare cruce, p\u0103m\u00e2ntul cu dosul m\u00e2inii de \u00eenchinare, de trei ori se plec\u0103, \u00een chip de m\u0103tanie, \u00een fa\u021ba atotputernicului \u0219i nev\u0103zutului s\u0103u D-zeu…<\/p>\n
\u0218i fa\u021ba lui slab\u0103 \u0219i ve\u0219ted\u0103, \u0219i cele dou\u0103 bucle sure \u0219i mari de p\u0103r \u00eempr\u0103\u0219tiat ce-i \u021b\u00e2\u0219neau pe t\u00e2mple de sub com\u0103nacu-i parc\u0103 prea str\u00e2mt, \u0219i barba lui c\u0103runt\u0103 ce se prelingea spre p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u00een lungi \u0219i pl\u00e2ng\u0103toare \u0219uvi\u021be de l\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eenc\u00e2lcit\u0103, \u0219i traista cu ciuperci de la \u0219old, \u0219i tingirea-i de tinichea de pe cap \u00eenvelit\u0103 cu p\u00e2sl\u0103, \u0219i \u00eentreaga lui f\u0103ptur\u0103 m\u0103runt\u0103 \u0219i cafenie, ca \u00eentr-o hain\u0103, se \u00eembr\u0103c\u0103, pentru o clip\u0103, \u00eentr-un fel de tainic\u0103 lumin\u0103… \u00cen extazul scurt al unei rug\u0103ciuni ce izvora, \u00een \u0219oapte neauzite \u0219i domoale, din buze umilite \u0219i p\u0103c\u0103toase, \u00eentreg sufletul p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, ca o flac\u0103r\u0103 u\u0219oar\u0103, se \u00een\u0103l\u021ba spre treptele tronului Celui Prea\u00eenalt… \u0218i aureola sfin\u021bilor mucenici \u00eenf\u0103\u0219ur\u0103, ca \u00eentr-un fel de str\u0103lucire, f\u0103ptura lui \u00eentreag\u0103…<\/p>\n
Ce mare \u0219i sublim era p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103!…<\/p>\n
Ce mic \u0219i netrebnic m\u0103 g\u0103seam eu fa\u021b\u0103 de d\u00e2nsul… F\u0103r\u0103 voie, \u00eemi descoperii capul \u0219i, \u00een imensitatea de\u0219art\u0103, t\u0103cut\u0103 \u0219i plin\u0103 de umbr\u0103, ca spre rug\u0103ciune plecai fruntea mea \u00een fa\u021ba r\u0103s\u0103ritului…<\/p>\n
Odat\u0103 cu noaptea sosir\u0103m \u0219i noi la schit. \u0218i de n-a\u0219 fi fost biruit de oboseal\u0103, a\u0219 fi avut poate destul\u0103 vreme s\u0103-mi las \u0219i inima, \u0219i sufletul s\u0103 guste farmecul tainic, cu care lini\u0219tea sf\u00e2nt\u0103 \u00eenv\u0103luie \u00een noapte acest ad\u0103post al rug\u0103ciunii \u0219i al p\u0103cii, pe care lep\u0103darea de cele lume\u0219ti l-a \u00eengr\u0103dit cu pr\u0103p\u0103stii f\u0103r\u0103 de fund \u0219i cu codri f\u0103r’ de lumin\u0103… \u0218i totu\u0219i, de la hotarele dinspre r\u0103s\u0103rit ale p\u0103m\u00e2ntului adormit, peste ad\u00e2ncurile oarbe ale nop\u021bii, geana lunii \u00eenfl\u0103c\u0103rate trimitea lungi raze de lumin\u0103 mut\u0103 \u0219i rece, care se topeau pe luciul aerian al turnului neclintit… Ai fi zis c\u0103, \u00een v\u0103zduhuri, m\u00e2na Celui atotputernic aprinsese o candel\u0103 de str\u0103juire pe un morm\u00e2nt pustiu \u0219i p\u0103r\u0103sit… De primprejur \u0219i din dep\u0103rt\u0103ri nehot\u0103r\u00e2te, umbre negre se desprindeau din noapte \u00een r\u0103stimpuri \u0219i, lunec\u00e2nd gr\u0103bite, se mistuiau pe r\u00e2nd \u00een u\u0219a luminat\u0103 \u0219i larg deschis\u0103 a bisericii, dup\u0103 cum, \u00een flac\u0103ra unei lumini aprinse \u00een \u00eentuneric, n\u0103v\u0103lesc \u0219i se mistuie, orbi, fluturii hipnotiza\u021bi… Din l\u0103untrul gol, \u00eenalt \u0219i sec al bisericii, glasuri, acum prelungi \u0219i tremur\u0103toare, acum trunchiate \u0219i repezi, porneau spre afar\u0103 \u0219i trezeau v\u0103zduhurile t\u00e2rzii \u0219i adormite… era ceasul al nou\u0103lea, ceasul de sear\u0103 al sfintei vecernii, care aduna spre rug\u0103ciune, \u00een casa Domnului, pe smeri\u021bii \u0219i credincio\u0219ii \u00eenchin\u0103tori ai pustiului…<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 p\u0103\u0219i din \u00eentuneric \u00een f\u00e2\u0219ia de lumin\u0103 ce izvora pe u\u0219a larg deschis\u0103 a bisericii, se opri pe loc, \u00ee\u0219i \u00eentoarse fa\u021ba spre catapeteasm\u0103, \u00ee\u0219i lu\u0103 com\u0103nacul din cap \u0219i, dup\u0103 toate regulile darului s\u0103u, de trei ori \u00ee\u0219i f\u0103cu cruce \u0219i de trei ori se \u00eenclin\u0103, ca spre m\u0103tanie, \u00een fa\u021ba icoanelor sfinte, ce p\u0103reau c\u0103-l v\u0103d \u0219i c\u0103 se uit\u0103 la el din fundul dep\u0103rtat al bisericii…<\/p>\n
Desc\u0103lecai dinaintea chiliei p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u0219i, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s\u0103 leg, deocamdat\u0103, pe Pisicu\u021ba de un st\u00e2lp al cerdacului, p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 scotoci nu \u0219tiu pe unde, g\u0103si \u0219i scoase cheia de la u\u0219\u0103, descuie \u0219i, c\u00e2nd fu s\u0103 intru \u0219i eu \u00eenl\u0103untru, p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, dup\u0103 ce-\u0219i anin\u0103 \u00eentr-un cui din tind\u0103 traista cu ciuperci, aprinse o lum\u00e2nare sub\u021bire de cear\u0103 galben\u0103, pe care o lipi de marginea \u0219tirb\u0103 de deasupra a unui sfe\u0219nic de alam\u0103, tot galben… N-a\u0219 putea hot\u0103r\u00ee cu un singur cuv\u00e2nt mirosul ce domne\u0219te \u00een orice chilie de c\u0103lug\u0103r; curat a t\u0103m\u00e2ie nu miroase \u0219i nici curat a piper negru, ba nici chiar curat a dohot; dar, desigur c\u0103 miroase curat a toate acestea la un loc!… \u0218i fiindc\u0103 p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, cu \u00eense\u0219i sl\u0103b\u0103noagele \u0219i muritoarele sale m\u00e2ini, \u00ee\u0219i cl\u0103dise chilia din d\u0103r\u00e2m\u0103turile uscate ale p\u0103durilor lui D-zeu, apoi chilia ie\u0219ise cam dup\u0103 m\u0103sura m\u0103runt\u0103 a harnicului ei \u00eentemeietor; \u0219i dac\u0103 intr\u00e2nd trebuia s\u0103 pleci capul, apoi aceasta nu \u00eensemna altceva dec\u00e2t c\u0103 p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00eei d\u0103duse ca \u00een\u0103l\u021bime \u00eentinderea f\u0103pturii sale \u00eense\u0219i, numai c\u00e2t cu com\u0103nac cu tot; \u0219i dac\u0103 erai silit s\u0103 te a\u0219ezi cam l\u0103turi\u0219 spre a-\u021bi strecura grosimea trupului prin \u00eengustimea u\u0219ii, apoi aceasta, iar\u0103\u0219i, nu \u00eensemna altceva dec\u00e2t c\u0103 tot p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 luase drept m\u0103sur\u0103 l\u0103\u021bimea tot a f\u0103pturii sale, numai c\u00e2t cu m\u00e2inile-n \u0219olduri… Drept \u00een fa\u021b\u0103, \u00eentr-un cui, un \u0219irag de m\u0103t\u0103nii de os cafeniu; deasupra, o icoan\u0103 \u00een stil rusesc \u00eenchipuind Maica Domnului \u00een culori, cu copilul Isus \u00een bra\u021be, \u0219i \u00eenchis\u0103 \u00eentre privazuri late de lemn negru \u0219i lustruit, la care p\u0103reau a se fi \u00eenchinat nenum\u0103rate neamuri de mu\u0219te b\u0103\u0219tina\u0219e, ce v\u0103zuser\u0103, pe r\u00e2nd, lumina vie\u021bii \u0219i \u00eentunericul mor\u021bii sub acoper\u0103m\u00e2ntul binecuv\u00e2ntat al p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103. \u00centre cele dou\u0103 fere\u0219ti de la st\u00e2nga, o mas\u0103 de brad, alb odat\u0103, dar mohor\u00e2t acum de vremuri; \u0219i pe masa pe c\u00e2t de scurt\u0103, pe at\u00e2ta \u0219i de \u00eengust\u0103, un mare ceaslov legat \u00een piele neagr\u0103, \u00eempodobit la mijloc cu o cruce, iar pe margini cu chenaruri de poleial\u0103 galben\u0103; \u00een col\u021bul st\u00e2ng de l\u00e2ng\u0103 u\u0219\u0103, un dulap \u00een canaturi \u0219i frate mai mic cu masa p\u0103stra poate, sub \u00eencuietoare, lucrurile mai ferite ale p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103; \u00een col\u021bul din fund \u0219i dinspre dreapta, patul cu macat de l\u0103vicer, cuprins deasupra \u0219i \u00eentocmai pe m\u0103sur\u0103 de o saltea sub\u021bire \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 cu pistr\u0103 v\u0103rgat\u0103 cu ro\u0219; la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i, un cultuc \u00eenf\u0103\u021bat cu cit, ale c\u0103rui flori albastre sau ro\u0219ii de-abia mai mijeau de sub lustrul problematic, pe care vremea sau poate chiar barba \u0219i p\u0103rul p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00eel a\u0219ternuse peste ele; drept perne de perete, \u00eensu\u0219i peretele g\u0103lbiu \u0219i co\u0219covit; iar \u00eentre cap\u0103tul de la picioarele patului \u0219i \u00eentre soba ce se tupila, \u00eenghemuit\u0103, \u00een col\u021bul din dreapta al chiliei, o lad\u0103 de Bra\u0219ov, cu zugr\u0103veli albastre, ro\u0219ii sau verzi, care \u00ee\u0219i avea \u00een regul\u0103 actul s\u0103u de v\u00e2rst\u0103 scris cu boia alb\u0103, din josul l\u0103c\u0103\u021bii p\u00e2ntecoase \u0219i ruginite, \u00een mari cifre ar\u0103be\u0219ti; cel pu\u021bin, veleatul 1793 nu putea s\u0103 \u00eensemne altceva dec\u00e2t mitrica de na\u0219tere \u0219i de botez a l\u0103zii cu multe zugr\u0103veli a p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103. Pe lada acoperit\u0103 cu o velin\u021b\u0103, st\u0103teau a\u0219ezate \u0219i frumos p\u0103turite straiele mai de zile mari ale p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103; iar deasupra, peste straie, str\u0103juia \u00een picioare \u0219i neadormit un com\u0103nac nou, \u00eembr\u0103cat cu \u0219iac cafeniu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218tii c\u0103-mi place grozav chilia sf.-tale, p\u0103rin\u021bele? zisei eu c\u0103lug\u0103rului, care se plecase pe un genunchi \u0219i umbla s\u0103 descuie l\u0103cata de la lad\u0103; mare lucru s\u0103 nu m\u0103 fac \u0219i eu c\u0103lug\u0103r, c\u00e2nd oi mai \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2ni.<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103-\u021bi ajute Dumnezeu, domnule; da… d\u0103, vezi dumneata, are \u0219i c\u0103lug\u0103ria necazurile \u0219i greut\u0103\u021bile ei, \u0219i n-o poate duce oricine cu toate ale ei.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ce necazuri? ce greut\u0103\u021bi, p\u0103rinte? S\u0103 te duci la biseric\u0103, s\u0103 te \u00eenchini, s\u0103 te rogi lui Dumnezeu… Alte, ce greut\u0103\u021bi \u0219i necazuri mai poate avea c\u0103lug\u0103ria?<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u0219a-i, domnule, a\u0219a-i; da… d\u0103, are \u0219i ea necazurile \u0219i greut\u0103\u021bile ei, mai afirm\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, sco\u021b\u00e2nd din lad\u0103 un ogheal aproape nou de buhur ro\u0219 \u0219i pun\u00e2ndu-l pe cap\u0103tul despre lad\u0103 al patului; c\u0103, d\u0103, urm\u0103 el, mai sco\u021b\u00e2nd \u0219i o pern\u0103 \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 tot cu cit \u00eenflorit \u0219i pun\u00e2nd-o peste ogheal, \u0219i c\u0103lug\u0103rii sunt oameni… C\u00e2nd se despart de lume, parc\u0103-\u0219i las\u0103 ei \u00een lume toate p\u0103catele lor, dup\u0103 cuv\u00e2ntul evanghelistului? Nu, domnule! Mai aduc dintr-\u00eensele \u0219i la c\u0103lug\u0103rie. D\u0103… suntem \u0219i noi oameni, \u00eencheie c\u0103lug\u0103rul \u00eencuind l\u0103cata \u0219i pun\u00e2nd cheia sub velin\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n
Puse perna la c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2i, cultucul mai deoparte, desf\u0103cu \u0219i \u00eentinse oghealul pe pat \u0219i a\u0219ternutul fu gata.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da cu iapa ce-om face, p\u0103rin\u021bele?
\n\u2014 N-ave\u021bi grij\u0103, domnule, regul\u0103m noi toate, acu. \u0218i ie\u0219ind afar\u0103, se \u00eentoarse peste c\u00e2teva minute cu toat\u0103 j\u0103chila Pisicu\u021bei \u00een bra\u021be \u0219i-o puse jos \u00een tind\u0103, mai deoparte.<\/p>\nPeste alte c\u00e2teva minute, Pisicu\u021ba se g\u0103sea frumos \u0219i lini\u0219tit \u00eencvartirat\u0103 pentru noapte sub un mic \u0219opron de sc\u00e2nduri, legat\u0103 de un \u021b\u0103ru\u0219 b\u0103tut \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u0219i cu o sarcin\u0103 zdrav\u0103n\u0103 de iarb\u0103 proasp\u0103t\u0103 dinainte, adus\u0103 de p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, el \u0219tie de unde.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da poate va fi \u0219i dumneavoastr\u0103 foame, zise el, dup\u0103 ce ne \u00eentoarser\u0103m din \u0219opron \u00een chilie, dac\u0103-\u021bi vrea, s-a g\u0103si \u0219i pentru dumneavoastr\u0103 ceva.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Fiindc\u0103 sunt \u00een gazd\u0103 la sfin\u021bia-ta, p\u0103rin\u021bele, apoi vreau tot ce vrei \u0219i sfin\u021bia-ta; chiar m\u00e2ncare dac-ar fi.<\/p>\n
Lu\u0103 iute ceaslovul de pe mas\u0103 \u0219i-l rezem\u0103 \u00een picioare pe fereastr\u0103, descuie tot iute dulapul cel mic \u00een canaturi, \u0219i \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 masa fu gata; c\u00e2teva foi late \u0219i rotunde de podbal cu zgl\u0103voace \u0219i boi\u0219teni usca\u021bi pe vatr\u0103, c\u00e2teva m\u0103sline str\u0103vechi pe fundul unei farfurii cu margini albastre \u0219i cre\u021be; \u00een fundul unei str\u0103chini sm\u0103l\u021buite, c\u00e2\u021biva hribi cu untdelemn, o\u021bet \u0219i usturoi; mai deoparte, felii de pere \u0219i de mere uscate la soare, cu c\u00e2teva nuci printre ele; nelipsita p\u00e2ine cu gingini pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103 p\u0103r\u021bile, dar f\u0103r\u0103 furnicile \u0219i f\u0103rm\u0103turile albe de hribi reglementare; iar \u00een mijlocul tuturor \u0219i mai r\u0103s\u0103rit dec\u00e2t toate, se \u00een\u0103l\u021ba, cu oarecare con\u0219tiin\u021b\u0103 despre \u00eensemn\u0103tatea sa, \u0219ipul cu rachiu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi bine-am g\u0103sit, p\u0103rin\u021bele, noroc \u0219i bucurie s\u0103 dea Dumnezeu! Binecuv\u00e2nteaz\u0103! zisei eu, f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-mi cruce \u0219i pun\u00e2nd la gur\u0103 sticla cu rachiu.<\/p>\n
\u0218i p\u00e2n\u0103 ce p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 s\u0103-\u0219i fac\u0103 \u0219i el cruce \u0219i s\u0103 rosteasc\u0103 binecuv\u00e2ntarea cerut\u0103 de \u00eemprejurare, aproape un sfert din sticla cu rachiu se \u0219i mistui sf\u00e2r\u00e2ind \u00een ad\u00e2ncurile b\u00e2ntuite de secet\u0103 ale g\u00e2tului meu… Era un rachiu dumnezeiesc!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103 \u0219tii, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, c\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2t, m\u0103 fac c\u0103lug\u0103r c\u00e2nd oi mai \u00eemb\u0103tr\u00e2ni, zisei eu cu \u00eencredin\u021bare, \u00eentinz\u00e2ndu-i sticla cu rachiu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D\u0103, domnule, s\u0103-\u021bi ajute Cel-de-Sus, r\u0103spunse el, duc\u00e2nd sticla la gur\u0103; da… \u00eencheie p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, lu\u00e2nd sticla de la gur\u0103 \u0219i \u0219terg\u00e2ndu-\u0219i \u00een dou\u0103 p\u0103r\u021bi muste\u021bile-i \u00eenc\u00e2lcite cu m\u00e2neca cenu\u0219ie a antereului s\u0103u de l\u0103stric\u0103, vezi d-ta, are \u0219i c\u0103lug\u0103ria necazurile \u0219i neajunsurile ei…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Eeee!… Apoi asta-i chiar f\u0103\u021b\u0103rie, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103… Cu asemenea rachiu, cu asemenea zgl\u0103voace \u0219i, mai ales, cu asemenea salat\u0103 de hribi, ce mai vorbe\u0219ti sfin\u021bia-ta de necazuri \u0219i de neajunsuri? Da se vede c-a\u0219a-i f\u0103cut omul, s\u0103 c\u00e2rteasc\u0103 totdeauna \u0219i s\u0103 nu mai fie mul\u021bumit niciodat\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u0219a-i, domnule, da vezi d-ta, zgl\u0103voacele trebuie s\u0103 le prinzi de prin balt\u0103, hribii s\u0103-i aduci de la p\u0103dure, usturoiul s\u0103-l sameni \u0219i celelalte s\u0103 le cumperi… \u0219i c\u00e2nd n-ai cu ce?… Ia, vai de capul nostru, cum mai tr\u0103im \u0219i noi; chipurile, avem \u0219i noi c\u00e2te trei lei, o litr\u0103 de br\u00e2nz\u0103, o s\u00e2ngeac\u0103 de rachiu \u0219i 25 dramuri de untdelemn la luna \u0219i c\u00e2te-o p\u00e2ine la s\u0103pt\u0103m\u00e2na; d-apoi cu at\u00e2ta ce poate s\u0103 fac\u0103 un om?… s\u0103 moar\u0103 ori s\u0103 tr\u0103iasc\u0103?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Au doar\u0103 nu numai cu p\u00e2ine va tr\u0103i omul, ci \u0219i cu cuv\u00e2ntul lui Dumnezeu, zice evanghelistul, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103; de ce, prin urmare, n-ar posti un c\u0103lug\u0103r m\u0103car patruzeci de zile pe lun\u0103, dup\u0103 pilda M\u00e2ntuitorului \u0219i Dumnezeului nostru Isus Hristos \u00een de\u0219ert, f\u0103r\u0103 ca, cu toate acestea, s\u0103 poat\u0103 fi ispitit de Satana?<\/p>\n
\u0218i fiindc\u0103 boi\u0219tenii \u0219i zgl\u0103voacele, cu podbal cu tot, erau prea s\u0103rate \u0219i-mi f\u0103cuser\u0103 sete, \u00eemi mai ast\u00e2mp\u0103rai g\u00e2tul cu o du\u0219c\u0103 de rachiu… Era un rachiu dumnezeiesc!…<\/p>\n
\u0218i, iar\u0103\u0219i, fiindc\u0103 nucile uscate, pe care p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 le strica \u0219i le m\u00e2nca miezul cu o \u00eendem\u00e2nare de veveri\u021b\u0103, se vede c\u0103 iar\u0103\u0219i f\u0103ceau sete, apoi \u0219i p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00eei mai trase \u0219i el un g\u00e2t zdrav\u0103n tot de rachiu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi, vezi d-ta, domnule, r\u0103spunse el \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu, \u0219terg\u00e2ndu-\u0219i \u00een dou\u0103 p\u0103r\u021bi muste\u021bile-i \u00eenc\u00e2lcite cu m\u00e2neca cenu\u0219ie a antereului s\u0103u de l\u0103stric\u0103, vezi d-ta, pe vremea aceea se f\u0103ceau minuni, \u0219i sfin\u021bii apostoli \u0219i mucenici le ar\u0103tau oamenilor calea cea dreapt\u0103, \u0219i oamenii erau buni \u0219i drep\u021bi, nu ca ast\u0103zi, zavistnici, pizm\u0103tari\u021bi, clevetitori, hr\u0103p\u0103re\u021bi, r\u0103i \u0219i c\u00e2rtitori…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i, \u00eel \u00eentrerupsei eu, urm\u0103rindu-i mai departe reflexiunea sa biblic\u0103, se s\u0103turau noroadele cu cinci p\u00e2ini \u0219i doi pe\u0219ti pe malurile Ghenesaretului, \u0219i tot mai r\u0103m\u00e2neau dou\u0103sprezece co\u0219uri de f\u0103r\u00e2m\u0103turi; \u0219i lepro\u0219ii se lecuiau \u00een sc\u0103ld\u0103toarea oilor, \u0219i schivnicii se mul\u021bumeau cu l\u0103custele fripte, pe care le v\u00e2nau de prin nisipurile arz\u0103toare ale Iordanului, \u0219i p\u0103zitoarele de capre de prin v\u0103ile Chedronului n\u0103zuiau la treapta de sfinte muceni\u021be…<\/p>\n
\u0218i cine \u0219tie unde s-ar fi oprit av\u00e2ntul meu biblic, spre lauda sfintelor vremuri, dac\u0103 p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, c\u0103ruia \u00eencepuse a-i sticli ochii \u0219i a i se \u00eenro\u0219i v\u00e2rful nasului, nu m-ar fi \u00eentrerupt…<\/p>\n
\u2014 C\u0103 bine mai \u0219tii, domnule, cele biserice\u0219ti; parc\u0103 le zici de pe carte.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi, de-a puterea-hi, p\u0103rin\u021bele, sunt \u0219i eu oleac\u0103 de dasc\u0103l \u00een ora\u0219, zisei eu, m\u00e2ndru oarecum de treapta la care eu \u00eensumi m\u0103 \u00een\u0103l\u021bam.<\/p>\n
\u2014 La care biseric\u0103, domnule?
\n\u2014 La Sf\u00e2ntul Ioan Domnesc; \u0219tii… la biserica din deal…
\n\u2014 Ei, ei! \u0219tiu; unde-i \u0219i p\u0103rintele Ghi\u021b\u0103 \u0219i popa David…
\n\u2014 Da, da! sunt chiar oleac\u0103 de cimotie \u0219i cu popa David \u0219i cu p\u0103rintele Ghi\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n\u2014 Ce mai preo\u021bi de isprav\u0103, domnule! Parc\u0103-s ni\u0219te vl\u0103dici, a\u0219a giubele de m\u0103tas\u0103 bl\u0103nite cu samur au pe d\u00e2n\u0219ii!\u00a0!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ba \u00eenc\u0103 \u0219i ce antereie de cutnie, ca acelea.
\n\u2014 \u0218-apoi se poart\u0103 \u00eencin\u0219i cu colane de catifea cu paftale de argint suflate cu aur; m\u0103 rog, curat ni\u0219te vl\u0103dici; doar i-am v\u0103zut eu.<\/p>\n\u0218i-i mai traser\u0103m c\u00e2te un g\u00e2t de rachiu…
\n\u2014 Da potcapice! Ai v\u0103zut ce potcapice au, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103?<\/p>\n\u2014 De castor de cel bun \u0219i cu lustru pe d\u00e2nsele de str\u0103lucesc la soare de parc-ar fi unse… \u0218i cu cruce am\u00e2ndoi…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi se-n\u021belege, dac\u0103-s am\u00e2ndoi stavrofori!…
\n\u2014 Da barba popii David? Ce mai barb\u0103, domnule! leit sf\u00e2ntul Neculai…<\/p>\n\u0218i p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00eei mai trase un g\u00e2t de rachiu, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 m\u0103 mai pofteasc\u0103 \u0219i pe mine \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 ca, de ast\u0103 dat\u0103, s\u0103-\u0219i mai \u0219tearg\u0103 muste\u021bile \u00een dou\u0103 p\u0103r\u021bi cu m\u00e2neca cenu\u0219ie a antereului s\u0103u de l\u0103stric\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Barba p\u0103rintelui Ghi\u021b\u0103, urm\u0103 el, nu-mi place; \u00eei prea scurt\u0103 \u0219i sp\u00e2rlichet\u0103, \u0219-apoi rar\u0103, de i se vede pielea prin ea; nu-i vorb\u0103 c\u0103 nici nasul popii David nu-mi place, fiindc\u0103-i c\u00e2rn; nasul p\u0103rintelui Ghi\u021b\u0103-i mai frumos… Da nu mai gu\u0219ti oleac\u0103? zise el, \u00eentinz\u00e2ndu-mi sticla cu rachiu; gust\u0103, dasc\u0103le, c\u0103 doar aista-i rachiu c\u0103lug\u0103resc, nu bulearc\u0103 de care be\u021bi voi pe la t\u00e2rg; bea c\u00e2t vrei, c\u0103 doar mai am; nu s-o-ncheiet lumea-n sticla asta.<\/p>\n
Pusei sticla la gur\u0103 \u0219i gustai.
\n\u2014 Stra\u0219nic rachiu, p\u0103rin\u021bele, stra\u0219nic rachiu, zisei eu, dreg\u00e2ndu-mi glasul \u0219i pun\u00e2nd sticla pe mas\u0103.<\/p>\n\u0218i pentru ca s\u0103 se \u00eencredin\u021beze de adev\u0103rul ziselor mele, mai trase \u0219i el o du\u0219c\u0103; apoi, pun\u00e2nd sticla \u00een zarea lum\u00e2n\u0103rii, se uit\u0103 prin ea lung \u0219i t\u0103cut; apoi, d\u00e2ndu-i o tifl\u0103:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Na!… c\u0103 nu mai e\u0219ti bun\u0103 de nimic!…
\n\u2014 De\u0219ert\u0103ciunea de\u0219ert\u0103ciunilor; toate sunt de\u0219ert\u0103ciune pe lumea asta, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103; da ce \u021bi-a f\u0103cut biata sticl\u0103 de-i dai cu tifla?<\/p>\n\u2014 Na! zise el mai d\u00e2ndu-i o tifl\u0103; p\u0103c\u0103toaso \u0219i mangosito! Da a\u0219a te-am \u00eenv\u0103\u021bat eu s\u0103 fii? \u00ee\u00ee\u00ee!… p\u00e2rlita dracului! din ro\u0219ie \u0219i frumoas\u0103 ce erai, te-ai f\u0103cut galben\u0103 \u0219i oftigoas\u0103… ptiu!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 doar sfin\u021bia-ta ai oftigit-o; de ce oc\u0103r\u0103\u0219ti degeaba biata sticl\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u0218i ie\u0219ind iute cu d\u00e2nsa afar\u0103 din chilie, \u00eel auzii descuind ceva, \u00eencuind ceva, \u0219i iute se \u00eentoarse cu ea plin\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2014 C-apoi eu i-s doftoru, m\u0103i dasc\u0103le; ce credea ea, mangosita, c-are s\u0103-mi zac\u0103 de oftig\u0103 pe mas\u0103?… Trage-i, dasc\u0103le, c-aista-i proasp\u0103t.<\/p>\n
Pusei sticla la gur\u0103 \u0219i m\u0103 pref\u0103cui c\u0103-i trag; dar p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00eei trase cu toat\u0103 inima.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da tu, m\u0103 dasc\u0103le, ce hram ai la biserica lui Sf\u00e2ntu Ioan Domnesc, din deal, unde-i \u2014 \u00eel \u00eentrerupse un sughi\u021b \u2014 unde-i… cum \u00eei cheam\u0103? spune, dasc\u0103le… cel cu… \u2014 alt sughi\u021b \u2014 crucea \u0219i paftalele?…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Popa David…
\n\u2014 Cel \u2014 scuip\u0103 spre st\u00e2nga \u2014 cu barba sp\u00e2rlichet\u0103?
\n\u2014 Da, cel cu barba sp\u00e2rlichet\u0103…
\n\u2014 Da \u2014 alt sughi\u021b \u2014 cel cu potcap \u0219i cu na… has?…
\n\u2014 P\u0103rintele Ghi\u021b\u0103…
\n\u2014 Nu, m\u0103 da… hascale… cel cu nasul c\u00ee… h\u00e2rn.
\n\u2014 Apoi popa Ghi\u021b\u0103, cel cu barba ca sf. Neculai. Sticla cu rachiu \u00eencepuse a da iar \u00een oftig\u0103…
\n\u2014 Da tu la ce stran\u0103 c\u00ee… h\u00e2n\u021bi la Sf. Ioan din deal? \u0218i cu dreapta-i molatic\u0103, greoaie \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 cump\u0103neal\u0103, ar\u0103t\u0103, vag \u0219i cam cruci\u0219 cu \u00een\u0103l\u021bimea nasului s\u0103u, spre un deal \u00eenchipuit.<\/p>\n\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 doar eu nu-s la stran\u0103; eu \u00ees cu lum\u00e2n\u0103rile, cu clopotele, cu m\u0103turatul bisericii…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da ison \u0219tii tu s\u0103 \u021bii, m\u0103… h\u0103?
\n\u2014 Ei! A\u0219a, oleac\u0103 de ison!… \u0218i, de unde nici nu m\u0103 a\u0219teptam, numai unde nu mi se r\u0103stoarn\u0103 p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 pe speteaza scaunului, unde nu-\u0219i drege glasul \u0219i-\u0219i neteze\u0219te barba, unde nu-\u0219i \u00eenfige ochii s\u0103i alba\u0219tri, mici \u0219i sc\u00e2nteietori, \u00een podele \u0219i unde nu \u00eencepe:<\/p>\n\u2014 “Dooooaaa-goagoagoa-hoahoa-mneeee-ghee-gheeee-heee…” Da \u021bine, m\u0103 da… hascale, isonu…<\/p>\n
\u2014 N\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103…
\n\u2014 “Strriiii-gaaa-haaa-gaaa-taaaam c\u0103\u0103\u0103g\u0103\u0103\u0103-tr\u0103\u0103\u0103 tiii-ghii-ghiihii-hiii-neee-gheeee…” Mai sus, da… has-c\u0103le…<\/p>\n\u2014 N\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103… \u0219i \u021bineam isonul mai jos.
\n\u2014 “Aaaaa-gaaagaaa-haaahaa-uuuu-huuuziiii-m\u0103\u0103\u0103-g\u0103\u0103\u0103-g\u0103g\u0103 doaoaoa-goaoa-hoahoa-mneeee-ghee-ghe-he-hehee…” Mai jos isonu, da… hasc\u0103le.<\/p>\n\u2014 N\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103\u0103… \u0218i \u021bineam isonul mai sus.
\n\u2014 “\u0218iiii-ghiiii m\u0103\u0103-h\u0103\u0103hh\u0103 miiiiluuu-eeee-ghe-ghe-heheee \u0219teeee-gheee-heeee…”<\/p>\n\u2014 Da stra\u0219nic ghers, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103! Halal de organ!… A\u0219a mai \u00een\u021beleg \u0219i eu!…<\/p>\n
Un glas ascu\u021bit de o\u021bel at\u00e2rnat \u00een sec \u021bip\u0103 scurt, de afar\u0103, sub lovitura repede \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 de veste a unui ciocan metalic…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Toac\u0103, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103…
\n\u2014 Toa… toa-hoaoa-hoac\u0103 de polo… po… po looo looo… ploo… ho\u0219ni\u021b\u0103! las’ s\u0103 toa… hoace!…<\/p>\nVoia, adic\u0103, p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 s\u0103 spun\u0103 c\u0103 toac\u0103 de poluno\u0219ni\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n
La r\u0103stimpuri, \u0219i deopotriv\u0103 de dep\u0103rtate, acela\u0219i glas de o\u021bel at\u00e2rnat \u00een sec de trei ori \u021bip\u0103 de afar\u0103 sub lovitura de trei ori repetat\u0103 a aceluia\u0219i ciocan…<\/p>\n
O puternic\u0103 \u0219i nev\u0103zut\u0103 suflare, venit\u0103 parc\u0103 din dep\u0103rt\u0103ri misterioase, trecu pe fa\u021ba descompus\u0103 a p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, \u0219i ro\u0219a\u021ba v\u00e2n\u0103t\u0103 ce-o acoperea se mistui sub v\u0103lul palid al unei smerenii ce cuprinse chipul lui \u00eentreg; \u0219i, \u00een \u00eentreaga lui f\u0103ptur\u0103, o lupt\u0103 uria\u0219\u0103 ai fi zis c\u0103 s-a \u00eencins \u00eentre \u00eenger \u0219i demon. D\u0103du s\u0103-\u0219i fac\u0103 cruce \u0219i de-abia izbuti s\u0103 \u00eeng\u0103imeze \u0219i s\u0103 \u021bese, cu dreapta-i neputincioas\u0103, pe fa\u021ba trupului s\u0103u, chipul st\u00e2lcit al unei cruci…<\/p>\n
Gemu ca un taur… Apoi, pe o gam\u0103 fantastic\u0103 \u0219i cu iu\u021beala unei grindini metalice, un fel de melodie, alc\u0103tuit\u0103 din notele cele mai de sus ale sc\u0103rii muzicale, \u00eencepu a izvor\u00ee \u00een grupe me\u0219te\u0219ugite de \u021bipete ascu\u021bite, sub loviturile aceluia\u0219i ciocan pe o\u021belul at\u00e2rnat \u00een sec…<\/p>\n
P\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 d\u0103du s\u0103 se scoale \u0219i r\u0103mase pe loc… Capul \u00eei c\u0103zu pe piept… ai fi zis c\u0103 se roag\u0103 \u00een g\u00e2nd…<\/p>\n
\u00cenc\u0103 trei lovituri obosite, \u0219i glasul de o\u021bel al toacei se stinse \u00een noapte…<\/p>\n
P\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 ridic\u0103 \u00eencet capul \u0219i cu ochi stin\u0219i se uit\u0103 r\u0103t\u0103cit \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile… se apuc\u0103 cu o m\u00e2n\u0103 de speteaza scaunului, cu alta de col\u021bul mesei \u0219i st\u0103tu un moment… pl\u0103nuia ceva… Apoi, f\u0103r\u0103 veste, cu opintire dezn\u0103d\u0103jduit\u0103, se scul\u0103 \u00een picioare, r\u0103sturn\u00e2nd scaunul; se cump\u0103ni un minut, sprijinindu-se cu st\u00e2nga de col\u021bul mesei… apoi \u00ee\u0219i f\u0103cu v\u00e2nt \u0219i, cu un pas uria\u0219, ca pentru d\u00e2nsul, se repezi spre lad\u0103… s-ar fi sf\u0103r\u00e2mat de nu-l prindeam \u00een zbor… F\u0103cui ce putui: \u00eel luai \u00een bra\u021be ca pe un copil \u0219i \u00eel culcai pe lada prea lung\u0103 pentru el; luai straiele frumos p\u0103turite \u0219i le pusei pe dulap, iar sub cap \u00eei v\u00e2r\u00e2i cultucul cel mic de cit lustruit, \u0219i, \u00een mai pu\u021bin dec\u00e2t s-ar spune, lada \u00eencepu s\u0103 se cutremure sub hor\u0103itul cu multe gorgoane, izvor\u00e2t din organul puternic al p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103…<\/p>\n
Ad\u00e2ncurile t\u0103cute \u0219i largi ale miezului de noapte se umplur\u0103 deodat\u0103 de glasul jalnic \u0219i prelung al clopotului…<\/p>\n
\u0218i c\u0103lug\u0103rii, ca umbre negre rupte din \u00eentuneric, se mistuiau \u00een u\u0219a luminat\u0103 \u0219i larg deschis\u0103 a bisericii…<\/p>\n
\u0218i p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 dormea dus pe lada de Bra\u0219ov…<\/p>\n
\u0218i hor\u0103itul de tunet al p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 era parc\u0103 sf\u0103r\u00e2mat, \u00een r\u0103stimpuri, de urletul de aram\u0103 al clopotului…<\/p>\n
Ce mic \u0219i netrebnic era p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103!\u00a0!… Nu-i vorb\u0103, c\u0103 lucru tocmai mare nici eu nu eram! C\u00e2nd \u0219i cum, n-a\u0219 putea spune, destul c\u0103 m\u0103 trezii culcat \u00een pat, \u0219i v\u00e2r\u00e2t sub oghealul de buhur ro\u0219 al p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, cu capul pe perna \u00eembr\u0103cat\u0103 cu cit \u00eenflorit… Suflasem \u00een lum\u00e2nare… Adormii.<\/p>\n
Nu \u0219tiu hot\u0103r\u00e2t dac\u0103 \u0219i \u00een timpul somnului \u021binusem sau nu ison p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, c\u0103ci totul trecu\u00a0in ictu oculi<\/i>\u00a0, dup\u0103 cum toate trec, c\u00e2nd se nimice\u0219te con\u0219tiin\u021ba vie\u021bii reale.<\/p>\n
M\u0103 trezii cu soarele sus \u0219i cu p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 nic\u0103ieri; iar \u00een locul unde dormise el, pe lada de Bra\u0219ov, straiele lui mai de zile mari st\u0103teau a\u0219ezate \u0219i frumos p\u0103turite, av\u00e2nd deasupra lor, spre str\u0103juire, nelipsitul com\u0103nac nou \u00eembr\u0103cat cu \u0219iac cafeniu.<\/p>\n
Cea \u00eent\u00e2i vizit\u0103 pe care o f\u0103cui, ie\u0219ind din chilie, fu la Pisicu\u021ba sub \u0219opron. C\u00e2nd \u00eemi sim\u021bi pasul, \u00eentoarse capul \u0219i se uit\u0103 la mine cu toat\u0103 bun\u0103tatea inteligent\u0103 a ochilor s\u0103i negri \u0219i mari.<\/p>\n
P\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 avuse grij\u0103, de m\u00e2necate, s\u0103-i pun\u0103 dinainte un alt maldac de iarb\u0103 proasp\u0103t\u0103 \u0219i \u00eenflorit\u0103.<\/p>\n
Pe o porti\u021b\u0103 de dindos, ie\u0219ii \u00een gr\u0103dinile largi ale schitului. Din vale \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103-n zare, c\u00e2t puteai prinde cu ochii, pe \u00eenclinarea lin\u0103 a costi\u0219ei, copaci roditori de toate soiurile r\u0103s\u0103reau de la br\u00e2u \u00een sus, din f\u00e2na\u021bul \u00eenalt \u0219i \u00eenflorit; iar frunzi\u0219ul lor puternic, cu sclipiri de poleial\u0103 verde-nchis\u0103, se cl\u0103tina domol \u00een aerul limpede \u0219i larg, sub adierile u\u0219oare \u0219i nev\u0103zute ale unui v\u00e2nt de r\u0103s\u0103rit; sub m\u00e2ng\u00e2ierile acelora\u0219i adieri, f\u00e2na\u021bul ad\u00e2nc se ml\u0103dia \u00een valuri molatice, cu sc\u00e2nteieri de rou\u0103 aprins\u0103 \u00een lumin\u0103 de soare… Glasul sec al ierburilor trezite de v\u00e2nturi umplea dep\u0103rt\u0103rile, \u0219i fluturi rari, alba\u0219tri sau galbeni, ca at\u00e2\u021bia fulgi de cer sau de lumin\u0103, \u00eensufle\u021beau v\u0103zduhurile cu zborul lor nestatornic… \u00centr-o clip\u0103.<\/p>\n
Cu greu, dar totu\u0219i urcai, ca \u00eenot, prin aceast\u0103 mare ad\u00e2nc\u0103 de flori, p\u00e2n\u0103 pe spr\u00e2nceana \u00eenalt\u0103 \u0219i arcuit\u0103 a colinei. \u00cen fund, departe spre apus, mun\u021bii peste care c\u0103lcasem se desf\u0103\u0219urau p\u00e2n\u0103 dincolo de hotarele ochiului, ca un nem\u0103rginit amfiteatru fr\u0103m\u00e2ntat parc\u0103 de valuri uria\u0219e, peste a c\u0103ror \u00eentindere viorie r\u0103s\u0103ritul aruncase un v\u0103l str\u0103veziu \u0219i fin, \u021besut din raze sub\u021biri de soare… Jos, \u00een vale, schitul se tupil\u0103 dup\u0103 dese \u0219i \u00eenalte p\u00e2lcuri de verdea\u021b\u0103 \u0219i, numai prin rari\u0219tea frunzi\u0219ului mi\u0219c\u0103tor, albea\u021ba curat\u0103 a chiliilor mai str\u0103b\u0103tea, sclipind pe furi\u0219, p\u00e2n\u0103 la mine; iar \u00een de\u0219ertul cerului, crucea singuratic\u0103 a turnului bisericii se \u00een\u0103l\u021ba neclintit\u0103, ca o stea sc\u00e2nteietoare t\u0103iat\u0103 pe un fund de azur… Spre dreapta, din v\u0103ile umbroase ale mun\u021bilor Tazl\u0103ului, cu piscuri pierdute \u00een pulbere de lumin\u0103, negurile albe se \u00een\u0103l\u021bau spre v\u0103zduhuri \u0219i-\u0219i topeau \u00een aer cre\u0219tetele lor, ca fumul ce s-ar ridica din o jertf\u0103 colosal\u0103, aprins\u0103 de natur\u0103 pe altarele sale pentru Atotputernicul s\u0103u Ziditor!… O f\u00e2\u0219ie cotigit\u0103 \u0219i lung\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u0219it de aburi str\u0103vezii \u0219i albi \u00eensemna, din apus spre r\u0103s\u0103rit, cursul f\u0103r\u0103 odihn\u0103 al Nichitului, \u0219i numai sclipiri scurte \u0219i fug\u0103toare de lumin\u0103 vie mai v\u0103deau p\u00e2n\u0103 la mine lunecarea lui gr\u0103bit\u0103 \u0219i fatal\u0103… \u0218i peste toat\u0103 aceast\u0103 \u00eencremenire str\u0103lucit\u0103 \u0219i imens\u0103, ca peste \u00eent\u00e2ile ape ale Crea\u021biunii, un singur spirit mai plutea… era spiritul meu… \u0218i \u00een s\u00e2nul acestei firi r\u0103s\u0103rite ca sub puternicul\u00a0“Fiat”<\/i>\u00a0al lui Dumnezeu, o singur\u0103 inim\u0103 mai b\u0103tea… era inima mea!… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<\/p>\n
Venisem la schit cu hot\u0103r\u00e2rea s\u0103 stau c\u00e2teva zile, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 pun la socoteal\u0103 firea mea nestatornic\u0103 \u0219i iubitoare de pribegie… \u0218i c\u00e2nd \u00eemi aruncam ochii spre negurile mun\u021bilor din miaz\u0103zi \u0219i c\u00e2nd \u00eenchipuirea mea str\u0103b\u0103tea \u00een taina lor ad\u00e2nc\u0103 \u0219i lini\u0219tit\u0103, mi se p\u0103rea c\u0103 ceva m\u0103 soarbe, c\u0103 \u00eentreaga mea fiin\u021b\u0103 se sub\u021bie, ca supt\u0103 de o gur\u0103 nev\u0103zut\u0103, \u0219i c\u0103 nu r\u0103m\u00e2nea din ea dec\u00e2t ceva sec \u0219i ne\u00eensufle\u021bit. Niciodat\u0103 n-am sim\u021bit mai aievea \u00eendoita alc\u0103tuire a f\u0103pturii mele, dec\u00e2t atunci c\u00e2nd am privit din dep\u0103rtare taina ademenitoare a pustiului \u0219i a singur\u0103t\u0103\u021bii…<\/p>\n
A doua zi diminea\u021b\u0103, odat\u0103 cu zorile, leg\u0103nat de eterna gebea a Pisicu\u021bei, m\u0103 \u00eendreptam spre t\u0103riile neguroase ale mun\u021bilor din miaz\u0103zi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
…\u0218i, o bucat\u0103 de vreme, botul ascu\u021bit al babei, cu muste\u021bile lui sure \u0219i lungi, \u0219i gu\u0219a noduroas\u0103 a Ani\u021bei, cu fanfara ei cu tot, st\u0103p\u00e2nir\u0103 \u00eengrozita mea \u00eenchipuire; cum \u00eens\u0103 eram silit de r\u0103coarea \u0219i umezeala dimine\u021bii, \u00eemi aruncasem peste umeri mantaua mea imens\u0103, de sub ale c\u0103rei poale lungi \u0219i r\u0103sfirate \u00eemprejur, cel […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-calistrat-hogas-pe-drumuri-de-munte-1912","tag-calistrat-hogas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":268,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260\/revisions\/268"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}