\u2014 Domnule, \u00eemi zisese p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 la plecare, nu era r\u0103u s\u0103 mai fi z\u0103bovit d-voastr\u0103 c\u00e2teva zile la noi, c\u0103-i tocmai la primenitul luminii \u0219i vremea poate s\u0103 se schimbe; \u0219i de v-a apuca ploaia-n p\u0103dure, apoi are s\u0103 v\u0103 fie greu de tot; \u0219i, mai ales, cum nu cunoa\u0219te\u021bi d-voastr\u0103 drumul, se poate \u00eent\u00e2mpla s\u0103 r\u0103t\u0103ci\u021bi, c\u0103 potecile se taie \u0219i se-ncruci\u0219eaz\u0103 \u00eentre ele, de nu le mai dai de cap\u0103t.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Cu-at\u00e2ta mai bine, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, \u00eei r\u0103spunsesem eu \u00eenc\u0103lec\u00e2nd, c\u0103 doar n-am plecat de-acas\u0103 cu g\u00e2ndul s\u0103 merg pe drum b\u0103tut \u0219i nici n-am f\u0103cut \u00eenvoial\u0103 cu stihiile ca s\u0103-\u0219i ieie c\u0103ciula dinaintea mea; treaba potecilor, s\u0103 se taie \u0219i s\u0103 se \u00eencruci\u0219eze \u00eentre ele c\u00e2t or pofti; \u0219i treaba luminii, s\u0103 se primeneasc\u0103, dac-o g\u00e2dilentre spate.<\/p>\n
\u2014 C-apoi drept \u021bi-oi spune, domnule, c\u0103 chisnovat om mai e\u0219ti. De eram sau nu chisnovat, treaba p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103; iar de nu-mi p\u0103sa de \u00eencruci\u0219atul potecilor \u0219i de primenitul luminii, aceasta era treaba mea. \u0218i cum s\u0103 nu fi fost treaba mea, c\u00e2nd, mai ales, desagii mei se lecuiser\u0103 pe deplin de oftiga de care z\u0103cuser\u0103 \u0219i-\u0219i rec\u0103p\u0103taser\u0103 din nou vechea \u0219i \u00eembel\u0219ugata lor rotunjime… Pentru leafa pe c\u00e2teva luni \u00eenainte, p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00eengr\u0103m\u0103dise, pe fundul unuia dintr-\u00een\u0219ii, foi late de podbal rotund, pe care st\u0103teau a\u0219ternute \u0219i mumificate, dup\u0103 cum pe fiecare aici le apucase vremea \u0219i le \u00eencremenise fierbin\u021beala vetrii, popoare \u00eentregi de zgl\u0103voace c\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2noase \u0219i de boi\u0219teni cu ochii holba\u021bi. O leg\u0103tur\u0103 cu felii de pere \u0219i de mere zv\u00e2ntate la soare, mai p\u00e2ntecoas\u0103 dec\u00e2t un egumen, \u021binea cump\u0103n\u0103, \u00een cel\u0103lalt desag, zgl\u0103voacelor \u0219i boi\u0219tenilor dimpotriv\u0103; \u0219i, tot pentru cump\u0103neal\u0103, \u00eemp\u0103r\u021bise p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, de o parte \u0219i de alta, ou\u0103le r\u0103scoapte de la g\u0103inile unui sat \u00eentreg; iar golurile dintre calabal\u00e2cul meu de tot soiul erau \u00eendeplinite cu nuci guralive, care frec\u00e2ndu-se \u00eentre ele, tu\u0219eau \u00een cor \u0219i \u00een caden\u021b\u0103, b\u0103t\u00e2nd parc\u0103 tactul gebelei leg\u0103nate a Pisicu\u021bei mele. Pisicu\u021ba, de alt\u0103 parte, nedumerit\u0103 asupra g\u0103l\u0103giei ce se f\u0103cea \u00eend\u0103r\u0103tul s\u0103u, \u00eentorcea capul din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd \u0219i \u00eempungea cu botul \u00een desagi, ca \u0219i cum ar fi voit s\u0103 pun\u0103 nucile la ascultare; nucile \u00eens\u0103, ca \u0219i cum i-ar fi f\u0103cut \u00een ciud\u0103, tu\u0219eau mai tare \u0219i \u021bipau mai ascu\u021bit. Iar de cumva se oprea \u00een loc \u0219i se scutura, voind s\u0103 arunce c\u00e2t colo acel bucluc de la spatele sale, nucile \u021bipau \u0219i mai ascu\u021bit \u0219i f\u0103ceau o g\u0103l\u0103gie infernal\u0103; \u0219i astfel Pisicu\u021ba, neputincioas\u0103 \u0219i dezn\u0103d\u0103jduit\u0103, dup\u0103 ce st\u0103tea un minut pe g\u00e2nduri, \u00ee\u0219i relua, indignat\u0103, gebeaua \u00eentrerupt\u0103, iar nucile, scobor\u00e2nd glasul, tu\u0219eau \u00een cor \u0219i \u00een caden\u021b\u0103 \u0219i b\u0103teau \u00eenainte, vesele parc\u0103, tactul gebelei leg\u0103nate a Pisicu\u021bei mele. Vreo trei p\u00e2ini cu gingini aspre \u0219i un \u0219ip de rachiu c\u0103lug\u0103resc, cu \u00eengrijire astupat \u0219i pus la loc mai de fereal\u0103, alc\u0103tuiau, cu \u00eendestulare \u0219i prisosin\u021b\u0103, proviantul de drum al pribegiei mele.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Iaca, domnule, mai zise p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, v\u00e2r\u00e2ndu-mi \u0219i o secure \u00een desagi, iaca, poate s\u0103 ave\u021bi nevoie de t\u0103iat vreun lemn pentru foc ori pentru alt\u0103ceva… Nu \u0219tii cum vine vremea \u00een p\u0103dure; c\u00e2nd pleci la drum, nu-i r\u0103u s\u0103 te \u00eengrije\u0219ti de toate…<\/p>\n
Bietul p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103!… Ar fi fost \u00een stare s\u0103-mi dea \u0219i rasa din spate… At\u00e2ta dragoste prinsese el pentru mine \u00eentr-un timp a\u0219a de scurt!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Foarte mul\u021bumesc, p\u0103rinte Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, foarte mul\u021bumesc, mai r\u0103m\u00e2i s\u0103n\u0103tos \u0219i s\u0103 ne vedem cu bine, zisesem eu, d\u00e2nd c\u0103lc\u00e2ie Pisicu\u021bei.<\/p>\n
\u2014 S\u0103 merge\u021bi s\u0103n\u0103to\u0219i \u0219i Domnul s\u0103 v\u0103 aib\u0103 \u00een paza sa, \u00eencheiese p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, \u00eenchin\u00e2ndu-se p\u00e2n\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u0219i ridic\u00e2nd mecanice\u0219te dreapta spre com\u0103nac, ca \u0219i cum ar fi voit s\u0103-\u0219i ieie c\u0103ciula din cap.<\/p>\n
\u0218i leg\u0103nat de eterna gebea a Pisicu\u021bei, m\u0103 \u00eendreptam, odat\u0103 cu zorile, spre t\u0103riile dimpotriv\u0103 ale mun\u021bilor din miaz\u0103zi.<\/p>\n
Iar c\u00e2nd, din dep\u0103rtare ca de-o b\u0103taie de pu\u0219c\u0103, \u00eentorsei capul \u0219i m\u0103 uitai \u00eend\u0103r\u0103t, z\u0103rii pe p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u00een poarta schitului, st\u00e2nd \u00eenc\u0103 neclintit \u0219i uit\u00e2ndu-se cu jind \u00een urma mea; apoi, cenu\u0219iu \u0219i m\u0103runt cum era, se topi \u00een zarea cenu\u0219ie a dep\u0103rt\u0103rii…<\/p>\n
Mergeam singur \u0219i t\u0103cut. Respira\u021bia aburoas\u0103 \u0219i nem\u0103rginit\u0103 a nop\u021bii aruncase un lin\u021boliu sub\u021bire \u0219i str\u0103veziu de neguri albe peste p\u00e2r\u0103ul care, tremur\u00e2nd parc\u0103 de frig pe pietrele-i reci, luneca cu murmur gr\u0103bit \u0219i, ca o \u00eengust\u0103 n\u0103fram\u0103 \u00eentins\u0103 pe lungul nesf\u00e2r\u0219it al v\u0103ii largi, \u00ee\u0219i pierdea cursul \u00een taina dep\u0103rtat\u0103 a r\u0103s\u0103ritului…<\/p>\n
Noianul de lumin\u0103 trandafirie al zorilor cuprinsese tot cerul din calea soarelui ce se vestea, iar peste ad\u00e2ncurile albastre ale v\u0103zduhului, ca ni\u0219te iu\u021bi \u0219i trec\u0103toare g\u00e2nduri amare ce ar fi umbrit \u00een r\u0103stimpuri ochiul nem\u0103rginit \u0219i limpede al lui Dumnezeu, fulgi singuratici de nouri albi, tivi\u021bi cu lumin\u0103 pe margini, lunecau molatic \u0219i t\u0103cut pe dep\u0103rtate \u0219i nesim\u021bite adieri de v\u00e2nturi… Firea toat\u0103 p\u0103rea cuprins\u0103 de o solemn\u0103 \u00eencremenire \u0219i florile r\u0103zle\u021be care \u00eensufle\u021beau \u00eentinderea cu multe fe\u021be a prundi\u0219ului mort, sfioase \u0219i nemi\u0219cate, \u00ee\u0219i \u00eenclinau spre p\u0103m\u00e2nt fruntea lor str\u0103lucit\u0103, sub greutatea sc\u00e2nteietoare a bobi\u021belor de rou\u0103… Ai fi zis c\u0103 fecioarele \u00ee\u0219i plecau cu evlavie spre \u00eenchinare, \u00een templul sf\u00e2nt al Naturii, capul lor virginal \u00een fa\u021ba Celui-Atotputernic…<\/p>\n
Iar spre t\u0103riile cerului \u00eenalt, ca \u0219i at\u00e2tea f\u0103clii aprinse de f\u0103ptur\u0103 \u00een cinstea Ziditorului s\u0103u, se ridicau, drepte \u0219i neclintite, v\u00e2rfurile ascu\u021bite ale brazilor, poleite de \u00eent\u00e2ile raze ale soarelui curat \u0219i rece…<\/p>\n
\u0218i glasul de pretutindeni al t\u0103cerii sfinte \u0219i netulburate, ca \u0219i o c\u00e2ntare umilit\u0103 de laud\u0103, izvor\u00e2t\u0103 din ad\u00e2ncul inimii neprih\u0103nit al firii, se \u00eendrepta, \u00een accente misterioase, c\u0103tre \u00eendurarea f\u0103r\u0103 de hotare a Celui-Prea\u00eenalt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<\/p>\n
L\u0103sasem de mult \u00eend\u0103r\u0103tul meu orice urm\u0103 de via\u021b\u0103 omeneasc\u0103 \u0219i, rezemat pe cuno\u0219tin\u021bele geografice ale Pisicu\u021bei, urcam \u00een pas de voie \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 grij\u0103 sui\u0219ul c\u00e2nd mai repede, c\u00e2nd mai tr\u0103g\u0103nat al c\u00e2te unei poteci, ce-\u0219i furi\u0219a \u0219erpuitu-i umbros sub taina netulburat\u0103 a p\u0103durilor… N-am fost niciodat\u0103 grozav de tare \u00een \u0219tiin\u021ba gromolnicelor \u0219i nici \u00een a m\u00e2inii lui Damaschin; \u0219i putea, prin urmare, lumina s\u0103 se primeneasc\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 \u0219tirea mea, oric\u00e2t ar fi poftit \u0219i, tot f\u0103r\u0103 \u0219tirea mea, s\u0103-\u0219i \u00eencrunte cerurile spr\u00e2nceana \u0219i s\u0103-\u0219i verse urgia lor asupra capului meu… Ceea ce \u00eens\u0103 \u00eencepea s\u0103 se adevereasc\u0103 erau potecile, care \u2014 dup\u0103 spusa p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 \u2014 se \u00eencruci\u0219au \u0219i se t\u0103iau \u00eentre ele, de nu le mai d\u0103deai de cap\u0103t…<\/p>\n
\u0218i, de\u0219i \u00een \u00eemprejur\u0103ri grele filozofia nu m-a p\u0103r\u0103sit, cu alte cuvinte, de\u0219i eram \u00eencredin\u021bat c\u0103 \u0219i potecile, ca orice lucru \u00een lumea asta trebuiau s\u0103 aib\u0103 mai la urm\u0103 un cap\u0103t \u0219i un sf\u00e2r\u0219it, totu\u0219i o nem\u0103rginit\u0103 \u0219i neputincioas\u0103 ciud\u0103 m\u0103 cuprindea c\u00e2nd vreuna din ele, cu apuc\u0103turile ei de femeie viclean\u0103, m\u0103 purta dup\u0103 voie \u0219i de nas p\u00e2n\u0103 la hotarele murelor sau ale ciupercilor, \u0219-apoi deodat\u0103, ca \u0219i cum cineva i-ar fi t\u0103iat capul, se curma, \u00ee\u0219i d\u0103dea sufletul \u0219i murea la marginea vreunui desi\u0219 \u00eenc\u00e2lcit \u0219i \u00eentunecos al p\u0103durilor…<\/p>\n
Ce s\u0103 faci \u00een asemenea \u00eemprejur\u0103ri?… Stai nedumerit \u0219i, cel mult, dac\u0103-\u021bi este \u00eeng\u0103duit s\u0103 dore\u0219ti de a te afla \u0219i tu sub pielea biblic\u0103 a vreunui profet, spre a-\u021bi fi \u0219i \u021bie dat s\u0103 pui soarelui m\u00e2na la piept, s\u0103-l \u021bintuie\u0219ti \u00een loc pe ceruri \u0219i s\u0103-l \u00eendatore\u0219ti de a nu se mi\u0219ca un pas mai mult, p\u0103n\u0103 ce nu vei fi g\u0103sit o potec\u0103 cinstit\u0103 \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 viclenie \u00een suflet, care s\u0103 te scoat\u0103 cu ziua la vreun limpezi\u0219.<\/p>\n
Astfel m\u0103 socotii foarte jignit de p\u0103rtinirea drept\u0103\u021bii cere\u0219ti, care h\u0103r\u0103ze\u0219te darurile atotputerniciei sale numai celor ale\u0219i… Dar, \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, ceva trebuia s\u0103 fac, \u0219i f\u0103cui! m\u0103 l\u0103sai la pronia \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rii, un fel de zeitate oarb\u0103, dar care vede mult mai bine dec\u00e2t zeit\u0103\u021bile cu ochi \u0219i cu care totdeauna m-am \u00een\u021beles ca \u0219i cu un vechi \u0219i credincios prieten…<\/p>\n
Mul\u021bumit\u0103 deci acestei zeit\u0103\u021bi prielnice mie, m\u0103 trezii peste pu\u021bin cu Pisicu\u021b\u0103 cu tot \u00een inima unor codri de dou\u0103 ori seculari, de unde orice urm\u0103 de potec\u0103 aproape disp\u0103ruse de sub copitele Pisicu\u021bei…<\/p>\n
Desc\u0103lecai s\u0103 odihnesc… \u0218i de unde m\u0103 a\u0219teptam ca fiorii reglementari de groaz\u0103 ai pustiului \u0219i ai singur\u0103t\u0103\u021bii s\u0103-mi str\u0103pung\u0103 inima cu un fier aprins, dimpotriv\u0103, o lini\u0219te senin\u0103, un soi de cereasc\u0103 beatitudine \u00eemi cuprinse fiin\u021ba mea \u00eentreag\u0103… O p\u0103tur\u0103 groas\u0103 de \u00eentuneric greu \u00eemi p\u0103ru c\u0103 se desprinde \u0219i c\u0103 mi se ridic\u0103 de pe suflet \u0219i de pe inima mea care, u\u0219urat\u0103 ca de sub lan\u021burile zgomotoase ale unei grele \u00eenchisori, \u00eencepu s\u0103 bat\u0103 \u00een voie, cuprins\u0103 de sim\u021biri str\u0103ine de d\u00e2nsa p\u00e2n\u0103 atunci… \u0218i de ce n-ar fi fost a\u0219a? Oare nu scuturasem eu de pe suflet \u0219i de pe inim\u0103 grijile cic\u0103litoare \u0219i ridicole ale vie\u021bii de toate zilele? Oare din ochii mei nu se \u0219tersese, ca prin desc\u00e2ntec, priveli\u0219tea de\u0219\u0103n\u021bat\u0103 \u0219i vrednic\u0103 de mil\u0103 a nemerniciei \u0219i stric\u0103ciunii omene\u0219ti? Nu eram eu slobod s\u0103 cuget, s\u0103 simt, s\u0103 r\u00e2d, s\u0103 pl\u00e2ng, s\u0103 \u021bip, s\u0103 m\u0103 mi\u0219c sau s\u0103 m\u0103 dau de-a tumba \u00een toate chipurile \u0219i dup\u0103 toate \u00eemboldirile nestrunite ale propriei mele firi? Cine avea mai nem\u0103surat\u0103 putere dec\u00e2t mine asupra nem\u0103rginirii mute \u0219i solemne a singur\u0103t\u0103\u021bii \u0219i a pustiului? Mi se p\u0103rea c\u0103 firea \u00eentreag\u0103, de la \u021b\u00e2n\u021bar \u0219i p\u00e2n’la urs, datoare era s\u0103 cinsteasc\u0103 \u00een mine pe regele s\u0103u atotputernic; c\u0103ci singurul st\u0103p\u00e2nitor de ob\u00e2r\u0219ie divin\u0103 eram numai eu \u00een ceasul acela! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<\/p>\n
\u00cenc\u0103lecai \u0219i \u00eencepui a urca la deal pe drum aproape f\u0103r\u0103 de urm\u0103… Pisicu\u021ba se opintea din greu \u0219i r\u0103sufla des… Deodat\u0103 se opri, ca tr\u0103snit\u0103, din mers \u0219i eu tres\u0103rii ca de\u0219teptat f\u0103r\u0103 de veste din somn. O st\u00e2nc\u0103 ame\u021bitor de \u00eenalt\u0103 \u0219i dreapt\u0103 ca un perete c\u0103zuse parc\u0103 n\u0103prasnic din cer \u0219i t\u0103iase capul drumului pe care urcam la deal… Iar \u00een timp ce eu m\u0103 sc\u0103rpinam, de ciud\u0103, \u00een cre\u0219tetul capului \u0219i peste p\u0103l\u0103rie, Pisicu\u021ba, fiindc\u0103 nu se putea sc\u0103rpina \u0219i ea ca mine, cu copita, apoi cu potcoava \u0219i tot de ciud\u0103 sc\u0103rpina \u0219i ea p\u0103m\u00e2ntul din care pietre m\u0103runte, m\u0103cin\u00e2ndu-se \u0219i ciuruind, curgeau de-a rostogolul la vale.<\/p>\n
Dar, cum nu po\u021bi, cu ciuda \u0219i cu sc\u0103rpinatul, s\u0103 \u00eendupleci pe o st\u00e2nc\u0103 f\u0103r’ de inim\u0103 \u0219i f\u0103r’ de suflet s\u0103 \u021bi se dea din drum \u00een l\u0103turi \u0219i s\u0103-\u021bi deschid\u0103 calea mai departe, de aceea \u0219i Pisicu\u021ba \u0219i eu, dup\u0103 o scurt\u0103, dar temeinic\u0103 chibzuin\u021b\u0103, ne hot\u0103r\u00e2r\u0103m s\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m \u00eencolo \u0219i ciud\u0103 \u0219i sc\u0103rpinat \u0219i s\u0103 a\u0219tept\u0103m cu r\u0103bdare voile mai bl\u00e2nde ale \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rii… \u0218-apoi era \u0219i timpul. Soarele mai c\u0103 p\u0103\u0219i\u0219e peste r\u0103scrucile cerului \u0219i foamea, care se \u00eenv\u00e2rte\u0219te \u2014 se vede \u2014 \u00een jurul omului, ca \u0219i soarele \u00een jurul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, sosise \u0219i ea drept r\u0103scrucile stomacului meu \u0219i, f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eendoial\u0103, c\u0103 \u0219i drept r\u0103scrucile stomacului Pisicu\u021bei…<\/p>\n
N-aveam din\u021bii Zgrip\u021buroaicei din poveste \u0219i, prin urmare, nu puteam sfredeli st\u00e2nca r\u0103s\u0103rit\u0103 \u00een calea mea, spre a trece mai departe; de aceea hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103 m\u0103 opresc \u0219i s\u0103-mi fac aici zilnicul \u0219i obi\u0219nuitul meu popas. Desc\u0103lecai, d\u0103dui jos toat\u0103 povara din spatele Pisicu\u021bei, \u00eei luai fr\u00e2ul din cap \u0219-o l\u0103sai slobod\u0103, spre a-\u0219i c\u0103uta de suflet, ceea ce, de altmintrelea, m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103 fac \u0219i eu… \u0218i, cum m\u0103 uitam \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile, ca s\u0103 fac mai aproape cuno\u0219tin\u021b\u0103 cu locul h\u0103r\u0103zit mie de \u00eent\u00e2mplare pentru vremelnicul meu popas, m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021bai \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103 c\u0103 tot \u00een\u021belepciunea \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rii c\u00e2rmuie\u0219te \u0219i reguleaz\u0103 rostul \u00eentreg al tuturor lucrurilor…<\/p>\n
Dreapt\u0103 cum era st\u00e2nca, de parc\u0103 era tras\u0103 la cump\u0103n\u0103, avea totu\u0219i jos \u0219i cam la mijloc o scobitur\u0103 destul de ad\u00e2nc\u0103, \u00een care cineva s-ar fi putut ad\u0103posti \u00een larg, pentru orice \u00eemprejurare. Pe c\u00e2t de sus se pierdea cre\u0219tetul ei acoperit de p\u0103duri \u00een ad\u00e2ncul cerului, pe at\u00e2t, de la fa\u021ba potecii, \u00een jos, se deschideau, pe dreapta \u0219i pe st\u00e2nga, spre fundul p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, dou\u0103 pr\u0103p\u0103stii cu ad\u00e2ncimi fioroase, ple\u0219uve, aspre \u0219i cu pov\u00e2rni\u0219uri st\u00e2ncoase, unde zmeuri\u0219ul lui Dumnezeu cre\u0219tea \u00een deplina \u0219i netulburata lui voie; cu alte cuvinte, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 proviantul meu de ou\u0103, de zgl\u0103voace \u0219i de nuci, \u00eenlesnit mie de p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 cu at\u00e2ta d\u0103rnicie, \u00eent\u00e2mplarea \u00eemi mai punea la \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i zmeura r\u0103coritoare \u0219i \u00eemb\u0103ls\u0103mat\u0103 a mun\u021bilor s\u0103i… Foarte bine! “Dar, m\u0103 g\u00e2ndeam eu, unde se afl\u0103 zmeur\u0103 \u0219i st\u00e2nci, acolo se \u021bin \u0219i ur\u0219ii”; \u0219i, drept vorbind, eroismul meu se sim\u021bea cam la str\u00e2mtoare, c\u00e2nd mi-nchipuiam c\u0103 vreun moroc\u0103nos sihastru al pustiului putea veni la mine foarte grav \u0219i pe patru labe ca s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eentrebe de s\u0103n\u0103tate, pe mine, care n-aveam dec\u00e2t dou\u0103!… \u0218i, \u00eentr-un punct anumit, mi se p\u0103rea chiar c\u0103 zmeuri\u0219ul e v\u00e2nzolit de o vietate puternic\u0103, ba… mi se mai p\u0103rea c\u0103 \u0219i un morm\u0103it, plin de rele prevestiri, str\u0103bate dep\u0103rt\u0103rile p\u00e2n\u0103 la mine… Era v\u00e2ntul care cl\u0103tina \u00eentinderea trandafirie \u0219i plin\u0103 de soare a smidului de zmeur\u0103, \u0219i poate c\u0103 vreun brad sau paltin, cu \u00eencheieturile sl\u0103bite de b\u0103tr\u00e2ne\u021be, se leg\u0103na sc\u00e2r\u021b\u00e2ind la suflarea aceluia\u0219i v\u00e2nt… Din \u00eenchipuire se na\u0219te frica, din judecat\u0103 b\u0103rb\u0103\u021bia… Cea \u00eent\u00e2i ve\u0219nic era cu mine, cea de a doua… mai pe apucate. Totu\u0219i, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce s\u0103-mi iau m\u0103surile pentru ce era s\u0103 fie mai t\u00e2rziu, g\u0103sii cu cale s\u0103-mi a\u0219ez \u00een scobitura st\u00e2ncii tarhatul meu \u00eentreg \u0219i s\u0103 priponesc pe Pisicu\u021ba \u00eentr-o a\u0219ez\u0103tur\u0103 mai larg\u0103 \u0219i plin\u0103 cu iarb\u0103 \u00eenalt\u0103, de pe pov\u00e2rni\u0219ul uneia din pr\u0103p\u0103stii; c\u0103ci, de-a\u0219 fi l\u0103sat-o slobod\u0103, apoi, fantastic\u0103 cum era \u0219i iubitoare, ca \u0219i mine, de pribegie, s-ar fi luat dup\u0103 florile ce sc\u00e2nteiau pe nem\u0103rginirea pr\u0103pastiei, \u00een lumina soarelui de amiaz\u0103, \u0219i s-ar fi pr\u0103bu\u0219it la vale de pe vreuna din nenum\u0103ratele muchii de st\u00e2nc\u0103, ce st\u0103teau ascunse cu viclenie sub ad\u0103postul de umbr\u0103 netulburat\u0103 al ierburilor \u00eenalte…<\/p>\n
… \u0218i s\u0103 fi \u00eendr\u0103znit cineva s\u0103 t\u0103g\u0103duiasc\u0103 c\u0103 toate cele nou\u0103 fericiri nu d\u0103duser\u0103 peste mine!… Dezlegai desagii, scosei dintr\u00een\u0219ii vestitul meu prosop \u0219i, a\u0219tern\u00e2ndu-l pe iarb\u0103, la intrarea vremelnicei mele locuin\u021be, in\u00a0propatulo<\/i>\u00a0, cum ar zice antichitatea, \u00eel ridicai sau, mai degrab\u0103, \u00eel scobor\u00e2i la treapta de fa\u021b\u0103 de mas\u0103… Am, c\u00e2teodat\u0103, \u0219i eu toanele mele de lux; dec\u00e2t mi se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 aceasta tocmai atunci c\u00e2nd lucrul se potrive\u0219te mai pu\u021bin… Iar La vedere.<\/p>\n
c\u00e2nd m\u0103 g\u0103sii a\u0219ezat turce\u0219te dinaintea \u00eembel\u0219ugatului meu osp\u0103\u021b cu tot soiul de merinde, m\u0103 sim\u021bii foarte nenorocit c\u0103 nu am prilejul de a pofti la masa mea pe vreun nevoia\u0219 de rege sau \u00eemp\u0103rat, care \u2014 o dat\u0103 m\u0103car \u00een via\u021ba lui \u2014 nu s-a \u00eenvrednicit s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nce o singur\u0103 frunz\u0103 de podbal, cu zgl\u0103voace cu tot, s\u0103 guste rachiu c\u0103lug\u0103resc cu mirodenii de inipere \u0219i izm\u0103 crea\u021b\u0103, sau cel pu\u021bin s\u0103 se fi lungit \u00eentr-un cot, f\u0103r\u0103 de grij\u0103, pe iarba verde \u0219i \u00eenflorit\u0103 de pe r\u0103scrucile p\u0103m\u00e2ntului!…<\/p>\n
Sf\u00e2r\u0219ii osp\u0103\u021bul meu cu mere zv\u00e2ntate \u0219i cu nuci, adic\u0103 cu fructe, \u0219i deci dup\u0103 toate regulile \u00eenalte ale celei mai rafinate gastronomii. Str\u00e2nsei r\u0103m\u0103\u0219i\u021bele pr\u00e2nzului \u00een desagi \u0219i v\u00e2r\u00e2i desagii \u00een fundul scobiturii…<\/p>\n
Nu \u0219tiu cum, dar m\u0103 sim\u021beam parc\u0103 “la mine acas\u0103”; \u0219i fiindc\u0103 oricine, la casa lui, trebuie s\u0103 fac\u0103 \u0219i ceva gospod\u0103rie \u2014 apoi, \u00een lips\u0103 de covoare de Persia, a\u0219ternui pe jos poclada de sub \u0219a, rezemai \u0219aua \u00een chip de pern\u0103 l\u00e2ng\u0103 unul din pere\u021bii l\u0103turalnici al scobiturii, aninai fr\u00e2ul la intrare, \u00eentr-o a\u0219chie mai r\u0103s\u0103rit\u0103 de st\u00e2nc\u0103; \u00een alta, \u0219i tot la intrare ag\u0103\u021bai mantaua; ba mi se pare c\u0103, cu un t\u00e2r\u0219 de brad \u00een loc de m\u0103tur\u0103, f\u0103cui \u0219i ceva cur\u0103\u021benie pe dinaintea u\u0219ii… \u0218i dac\u0103 st\u0103p\u00e2na ar fi fost acas\u0103, a\u0219 fi crezut c\u0103 \u00eent\u00e2mplarea \u00eendreptase pa\u0219ii lui Ulise spre pe\u0219tera zei\u021bei Calipso… Setea m\u0103 cuprinse; scobor\u00e2i \u00een zmeuri\u0219ul din care Pisicu\u021ba nu-\u0219i ar\u0103ta pe deasupra dec\u00e2t numai v\u00e2rful urechilor \u0219i, cu zmeur\u0103 \u00eemb\u0103ls\u0103mat\u0103 \u0219i r\u0103coritoare, o ast\u00e2mp\u0103rai \u0219i pe d\u00e2nsa.<\/p>\n
T\u0103iat \u00een fa\u021b\u0103 de trufa\u0219a \u0219i imensa st\u00e2nc\u0103 aerian\u0103, \u00eencins pe laturi de cele dou\u0103 pr\u0103p\u0103stii, ar fi trebuit, ca s\u0103 pot merge mai departe, sau s\u0103 m\u0103 \u00eenal\u021b la ceruri zbur\u00e2nd, sau s\u0103 m\u0103 cobor \u00een Tartar de-a rostogolul; dar, fiindc\u0103 nu eram gata \u00eenc\u0103 pentru nici unul din aceste dou\u0103 soiuri de c\u0103l\u0103torie, am\u00e2nai pentru mai t\u00e2rziu \u0219i pe una \u0219i pe alta. R\u0103m\u0103sei deci locului; cu alte cuvinte, de\u0219i a\u0219 fi putut ie\u0219i din \u00eencurc\u0103tur\u0103 \u00eentr-un chip oarecare, m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i totu\u0219i s\u0103 m\u0103 folosesc de ad\u0103postul h\u0103r\u0103zit mie de pronia \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103rii \u0219i s\u0103 a\u0219tept aici voile mai bl\u00e2nde ale ei. \u0218i aceasta cu at\u00e2t mai mult, cu c\u00e2t, dac\u0103 jum\u0103tate din prorocirile p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, cea cu potecile, se adeverise, de ce adic\u0103 nu s-ar fi adeverit \u0219i cealalt\u0103 jum\u0103tate, cu primenitul luminii? C\u0103ci luna, m\u0103car c\u0103 e lun\u0103, dar mai la urm\u0103 e tot femeie; \u0219i s\u0103 te fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu de primenitul femeilor!… Cu ce mai de nouri gro\u0219i \u0219i nestr\u0103b\u0103tu\u021bi ochiului iscoditor nu era s\u0103 astupe \u0219i s\u0103 z\u0103vorasc\u0103 ea u\u0219ile cere\u0219ti ale sanctuarului s\u0103u de misterioas\u0103 primeneal\u0103!… C\u00e2t\u0103 ap\u0103 din v\u0103zduhuri nu era s\u0103-i toarne sf\u00e2ntul Ilie din cap spre a se la \u0219i a se cur\u0103\u021bi de rugina groas\u0103, l\u0103sat\u0103 de negurile nop\u021bilor pe fa\u021ba ei b\u0103laie \u0219i \u00een p\u0103rul ei blond! C\u00e2t\u0103 hodorogeal\u0103 de tunete, ce mai v\u00e2nzoleal\u0103 \u0219i tr\u0103nc\u0103neal\u0103 de pretutindeni nu era s\u0103 zguduie, din temelie, gospod\u0103ria cereasc\u0103!… C\u00e2te lumini nu trebuiau s\u0103-i aprind\u0103 fulgerele \u00eenaintea oglinzilor ei de senin, spre a-\u0219i cerceta mai cu deam\u0103nuntul \u00een ele gre\u0219urile chipului s\u0103u gr\u0103suliu \u0219i spr\u00e2ncenat!… \u0218i c\u00e2nd te g\u00e2nde\u0219ti c\u0103 eu \u00eentru nimica nu eram vinovat s\u0103 duc \u00een spate urm\u0103rile acestei cochet\u0103rii cere\u0219ti!… Aprinsei o \u021bigar\u0103 \u0219i m\u0103 lungii \u00eentr-un cot dinaintea vizuniei mele…<\/p>\n
\u00cen golul \u00eenalt de sub picioarele mele, se \u00eentindea spre r\u0103s\u0103rit noianul f\u0103r\u0103 hotar al mun\u021bilor pitici, ce-\u0219i ridicau cu sfial\u0103 parc\u0103 piscurile lor viorii \u0219i v\u0103paia de aur a soarelui \u00eenfl\u0103c\u0103rat; aburi u\u0219ori \u0219i str\u0103vezii, ca o re\u021bea alburie \u0219i sub\u021bire de a\u021b\u0103 de paing\u0103n, \u00eemp\u00e2nzeau imensitatea nem\u0103rginirilor de\u0219erte… Albastrul \u0219ters al v\u0103zduhului topit ap\u0103sa greu peste p\u0103m\u00e2nt, iar sub ar\u0219i\u021ba cov\u00e2r\u0219itoare a miezului zilei, v\u00e2ntul adormise obosit; frunza codrilor nu se cl\u0103tina \u0219i t\u0103cerea netulburat\u0103 \u00ee\u0219i \u00eentinse pretutindeni ne\u021b\u0103rmurita ei st\u0103p\u00e2nire… Inima lucrurilor \u00eencetase de a mai bate \u0219i o sincop\u0103 colosal\u0103 ai fi zis c\u0103 t\u0103iase suflarea \u00een pieptul uria\u0219 al Naturii… Moartea p\u0103\u0219ise parc\u0103 peste hotarele vie\u021bii \u0219i via\u021ba se tupilase \u00een ad\u00e2ncurile cele mai dinl\u0103untru ale firii \u00eencremenite… \u0218i cine \u0219tie c\u00e2t\u0103 filozofie nes\u0103rat\u0103 \u0219i c\u00e2t\u0103 poezie sfor\u0103itoare n-a\u0219 mai fi f\u0103ptuit eu cu g\u00e2ndul \u00een fa\u021ba amor\u021bitei vie\u021bi universale, dac\u0103 pronia cereasc\u0103 nu m-ar fi d\u0103ruit cu o nepre\u021buit\u0103 \u00eensu\u0219ire: ori de c\u00e2te ori m\u0103 g\u0103sesc \u00een fa\u021ba priveli\u0219tilor mari ale Naturii lini\u0219tite, m\u0103 cuprinde numaidec\u00e2t sau melancolia, sau… somnul, dou\u0103 st\u0103ri ale persoanei mele, \u00eentre care niciodat\u0103 n-am f\u0103cut deosebire; c\u0103ci dup\u0103 cum melancolia e somnul sufletului, tot a\u0219a somnul e melancolia trupului; \u0219i fiindc\u0103 nu-mi era somn, m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n melancolic…<\/p>\n
Umbra st\u00e2ncii mele de ad\u0103post \u00eenmorm\u00e2ntase \u00eemprejur\u0103rile dep\u0103rtate \u00eentr-un soi de amurg prea timpuriu, care-\u0219i \u00eentindea lini\u0219tea sa netulburat\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la hotarele luminoase ale zilei ce ardea \u00eenc\u0103 \u00een toat\u0103 puterea canicular\u0103 a razelor soarelui… O suflare de v\u00e2nt r\u0103zlea\u021b\u0103 \u0219i molatic\u0103, furi\u0219\u00e2ndu-se din ascunz\u0103toarea-i r\u0103coroas\u0103 de frunzi\u0219 \u00eentunecos, se ab\u0103tu f\u0103r\u0103 de veste peste \u00eentinderea \u00eenflorit\u0103 din fa\u021ba mea; iar sub m\u00e2ng\u00e2ierea u\u0219oar\u0103 \u0219i trec\u0103toare, florile \u00ee\u0219i plecar\u0103 spre p\u0103m\u00e2nt fruntea lor dr\u0103g\u0103la\u0219\u0103, ca sub farmecul unei s\u0103rut\u0103ri cu dor a\u0219teptate; \u0219i poate c\u0103 ceea ce str\u0103lucea \u00eentre foile albastre ale uneia din ele era o pic\u0103tur\u0103 de rou\u0103 sau… poate chiar o lacrim\u0103 de bucurie sau de durere… Oare Ziditorul a toat\u0103 f\u0103ptura n-a a\u0219ezat c\u00e2te-o sc\u00e2nteie de via\u021b\u0103 \u0219i de sim\u021bire \u00een fiece lucru, de la om \u0219i p\u00e2n\u0103 la firul de nisip?… De ce dar n-ar pl\u00e2nge florile sau nu s-ar t\u00e2ngui cu glasuri de v\u00e2nt? \u0218i de ce, \u00eenc\u0103, n-ar geme r\u00e2urile cu eterne suspinuri de ape?… \u0218i era \u00een ceruri at\u00e2ta str\u0103lucire, pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt at\u00e2ta lini\u0219te sf\u00e2nt\u0103!…<\/p>\n
Un sfor\u0103it puternic \u0219i un nechezat ascu\u021bit al Pisicu\u021bei rupse firul melancolic al cuget\u0103rilor mele \u0219i m\u0103 f\u0103cu s\u0103 sar gr\u0103bit \u0219i drept \u00een picioare \u0219i s\u0103 alerg iute l\u00e2ng\u0103 d\u00e2nsa; poate c\u0103 sim\u021bise ceva… Cercetai cu de-am\u0103nuntul \u00eemprejurimile… nu era nimic…<\/p>\n
Ba cu una, ba cu alta, soarele se plecase sim\u021bitor \u00eenspre apus, \u0219i \u00eentunericul peste cur\u00e2nd avea s\u0103 soseasc\u0103. M\u0103 pusei deci \u00een cale s\u0103-mi iau m\u0103surile pentru siguran\u021ba deplin\u0103 a popasului meu de noapte, lucru pentru care, de altmintrelea, aveam \u00eenc\u0103 destul\u0103 vreme la \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103… Securea p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, ajutat\u0103 de puterea s\u0103lbatic\u0103 a bra\u021belor mele, f\u0103cu minuni… \u00cen mai pu\u021bin dec\u00e2t s-ar crede, p\u0103durile \u00eemprejmuitoare z\u0103ceau dobor\u00e2te la p\u0103m\u00e2nt!… \u0218i iar\u0103\u0219i, \u00een mai pu\u021bin dec\u00e2t i-ar trece cuiva prin minte, \u00een fa\u021ba pe\u0219terii mele \u0219i pe \u00eentinderea trebuitoare, p\u0103durile desfiin\u021bate se pref\u0103cur\u0103 \u00eentr-un val \u00eenalt \u0219i nestr\u0103b\u0103tut de trunchiuri de copaci, \u00eenc\u00e2lcite la un loc cu crengile lor. Pari lungi \u0219i de\u0219i, b\u0103tu\u021bi p\u00e2n\u0103 la p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u00een mijlocul valului, str\u0103juiau drep\u021bi \u0219i neclinti\u021bi, cu v\u00e2rfurile lor ascu\u021bite, creasta zburlit\u0103 a \u00eent\u0103riturilor mele; iar \u00eentre peretele st\u00e2ncii \u0219i unul din capetele arcuite ale valului meu, l\u0103sai o str\u00e2mt\u0103 deschiz\u0103tur\u0103, ca loc de intrare \u0219i de ie\u0219ire. Apoi t\u00e2r\u00e2ii \u00eenl\u0103untru un munte \u00eentreg de vreascuri \u0219i de usc\u0103turi, care ar fi fost \u00eendeajuns s\u0103 hr\u0103neasc\u0103 pentru ve\u0219nicie focul nestins pe altarele Vestei…<\/p>\n
N-aveam chip, n-aveam cu ce, dar \u00eentr-un par mai \u00eenalt a\u0219 fi aninat \u0219i clasica \u00een\u0219tiin\u021bare, pe care Romulus cu at\u00e2tea mii de ani o \u00eenfipsese, \u00eenainte de mine, pe zidul cet\u0103\u021bii sale:\u00a0Morietur quicumque transiliet moenia mea…<\/i>\u00a0\u0218i iat\u0103-m\u0103 deci \u00een stare s\u0103 stau de vorb\u0103, peste gard bine\u00een\u021beles, cu orice sihastru moroc\u0103nos \u0219i cu patru labe al pustiului mun\u021bilor, ba chiar, la nevoie, s\u0103 am destul\u0103 vreme de a-i frige \u0219i ochii cu t\u0103ciuni, de cumva s-ar fi \u00eencumetat la vreo c\u0103lcare de domiciliu… \u0218i dac\u0103 mai pui la socoteal\u0103 securea, adic\u0103 toporul p\u0103rintelui Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103, \u0219i cele \u0219ase focuri ale revolverului meu cazon, apoi \u00een\u021belege oricine c\u0103 m\u0103 g\u0103sii \u00eendrept\u0103\u021bit, dup\u0103 ce-mi sf\u00e2r\u0219ii treaba, s\u0103 m\u0103 primblu \u0219uier\u00e2nd, cu m\u00e2inile la spate, pe dinaintea iscusitelor mele ispr\u0103vi, \u0219i s\u0103 gust \u00een pace deplin\u0103 fericirile netulburate ale singur\u0103t\u0103\u021bii… Iar c\u00e2nd cele de pe urm\u0103 raze ro\u0219ietice ale soarelui de apus poleiau \u00eenc\u0103 hotarele de r\u0103s\u0103rit ale dep\u0103rt\u0103rilor neguroase, dezlegai pe Pisicu\u021ba din pripon \u0219-o v\u00e2r\u00e2i \u00eentre \u00eent\u0103rituri; \u00eei smulsei din zmeuri\u0219 \u0219i-i adusei, pentru noapte, un bra\u021b zdrav\u0103n de iarb\u0103 fraged\u0103 \u0219i \u00eenflorit\u0103, astupai intrarea cu trunchiuri de copaci bine \u00een\u021bepenite \u0219i pusei, cu chipul acesta, \u00eentre mine \u0219i pustiu, o stavil\u0103 nestr\u0103b\u0103tut\u0103… Eram acas\u0103 la mine. Oricine va trece peste zidurile mele va muri.<\/p>\n
Cur\u00e2nd sc\u0103p\u0103t\u0103 \u0219i soarele dup\u0103 cele mai de pe urm\u0103 trepte ale apusului, iar Dumnezeu umplu, \u00een urma lui, cu \u00eentuneric, cupa imens\u0103 a haosului s\u0103u, de la cele mai de jos ad\u00e2ncuri ale p\u0103m\u00e2ntului p\u00e2n\u0103 la marginile cele mai deasupra ale cerurilor… \u0218i formele schimb\u0103toare ale lucrurilor se topir\u0103 \u0219i se mistuir\u0103 \u00een noapte ca \u00eentr-o mare \u00eentunecoas\u0103 \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 de margini… Ceasul de pace \u0219i de lini\u0219te sun\u0103 t\u0103cut de pretutindeni, \u0219i Firea amor\u021bit\u0103 \u00ee\u0219i plec\u0103 spre odihn\u0103 capul s\u0103u… T\u0103cerea \u00ee\u0219i \u00eentinse ad\u00e2ncul tainei sale p\u00e2n\u0103 la hotarele cele mai de pe urm\u0103 ale nesf\u00e2r\u0219itului, iar din \u00eenaltul cerurilor m\u00e2na \u00eendur\u0103toare a Celui-Preaputernic aprinse milioanele sale de stele \u0219i, cu lumina lor str\u0103lucitoare, c\u0103l\u0103uzea, pe drumul fatal al ve\u0219nicei sale pribegii, calea oarb\u0103 a p\u0103m\u00e2ntului… Susurul domol, prelung \u0219i nehot\u0103r\u00e2t al t\u0103cerii mute se ridica peste abisuri, ca o c\u00e2ntare fermecat\u0103 de leag\u0103n, \u0219i lumile dormeau duse pe bra\u021be imense de \u00eentuneric… Iar peste tot \u0219i peste toate, se aprinse la r\u0103s\u0103rit, ca o candel\u0103 de str\u0103juire, luna plin\u0103 a sf\u00e2r\u0219itului de iulie \u0219i, prin rari\u0219tea neagr\u0103 a p\u0103durilor, \u00ee\u0219i trimise p\u00e2n\u0103 la mine \u00eent\u00e2ile luciri fantastice \u0219i mi\u0219c\u0103toare ale razelor sale argintii, piezi\u0219e \u0219i reci… \u00cemi descoperii capul \u0219i, plec\u00e2ndu-mi fruntea \u00eenaintea r\u0103s\u0103ritului, \u00eemi f\u0103cui semnul crucii…<\/p>\n
M\u0103 culcai \u0219i adormii repede. C\u00e2nd m\u0103 de\u0219teptai a doua zi, numai dup\u0103 o clip\u0103 parc\u0103 de somn, b\u0103gai de seam\u0103 c\u0103 soarele fusese cu mult mai harnic dec\u00e2t mine, c\u0103ci se p\u0103rea c\u0103 se \u00een\u0103l\u021base pe ceruri \u00een v\u00e2rful degetelor \u0219i, de peste \u00eent\u0103rituri, se uita furi\u0219 la mine, tocmai \u00een fundul pe\u0219terii. Focul somnoros mistuia, fumeg\u00e2nd, cel de pe urm\u0103 t\u0103ciune; Pisicu\u021ba, cu c\u00e2teva fire de iarb\u0103 afar\u0103 din bot, dormita pe toate cele patru picioare ale sale… D\u0103dui \u00een l\u0103turi stavila de la intrare \u0219i ie\u0219ii afar\u0103 din… vizunie. Lini\u0219te netulburat\u0103 \u00een cer \u0219i pretutindeni! \u0219i nici un v\u00e2nt din cele patru nu-\u0219i p\u0103r\u0103sise \u00eenc\u0103 culcu\u0219ul s\u0103u, spre a \u00eenvia codrii adormi\u021bi. Peste de\u0219ertul \u00eenalt \u0219i plin de lumin\u0103 al v\u0103ilor ad\u00e2nci, numai gaia, cu \u021bipet fl\u0103m\u00e2nd \u0219i ascu\u021bit, spinteca v\u0103zduhurile ca o s\u0103geat\u0103 neagr\u0103 \u0219i iute. \u0218i de\u0219i ziua era la \u00eenceput, soarele totu\u0219i ardea cu putere \u0219i prevestea o adev\u0103rat\u0103 zi de cuptor. \u00cen zadar cercetai cu privirea \u00eentinderea cerurilor p\u00e2n\u0103 la cele mai dep\u0103rtate margini ale sale: nici o pat\u0103 de nor nu plutea peste seninu-i albastru \u0219i limpede. Soarele \u00ee\u0219i acoperise fa\u021ba cu un zabranic de aburi ro\u0219ietici \u0219i stihiile p\u0103reau c\u0103 pl\u0103nuiesc ceva \u00een \u00eencremenirea lor. Astfel luai hot\u0103r\u00e2rea s\u0103 m\u0103 ast\u00e2mp\u0103r locului, p\u00e2n\u0103 se va alege la o parte. Potrivit, a\u0219adar, acestei hot\u0103r\u00e2ri, urma s\u0103 \u00eendeplinesc, pe ici pe colea, unele lipsuri ale vremelnicei mele gospod\u0103rii. Priponii pe Pisicu\u021ba \u00eentr-o a\u0219ez\u0103tur\u0103 cu iarb\u0103 \u00eenalt\u0103, mai larg\u0103 \u0219i pe \u00eendelete aleas\u0103; dobor\u00e2i din nou la p\u0103m\u00e2nt alte p\u0103duri seculare \u0219i, cu trunchiuri pe care nu m\u0103 pricep cum de le mai putea p\u0103m\u00e2ntul geui pe spatele sale, l\u0103rgii \u0219i \u00een\u0103l\u021bai \u00eent\u0103riturile mele, p\u00e2n\u0103 la punctul de a nu-i mai da m\u00e2na sf\u00e2ntului soare s\u0103 mi se oglindeasc\u0103 \u00eenl\u0103untru, dec\u00e2t doar la amiaz\u0103. V\u00e2nturile trebuiau s\u0103-\u0219i sf\u0103r\u00e2me furia lor vijelioas\u0103 de neclintirea zidurilor de lemn ale Genuclei mele; \u0219i fie c\u0103 ciclopii vor fi l\u0103sat sau nu vor fi l\u0103sat urme de trecerea lor pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u0219tiam \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103 cerurile \u0219i p\u0103m\u00e2nturile vor trece, dar… \u00eent\u0103riturile mele vor r\u0103m\u00e2nea!… Oricum, dar m\u0103 sim\u021beam m\u00e2ndru; \u0219i \u00eenc\u0103 cu drept cuv\u00e2nt; de aceea p\u0103\u0219ii mai departe spre \u00eendeplinirea altor lipsuri deopotriv\u0103 strig\u0103toare la cer. \u0218tiam eu, de pild\u0103, c\u00e2t\u0103 vreme era s\u0103 stau locului? \u0218-apoi proviantul pe care-l aveam la \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103 era s\u0103-mi fie de ajuns?… At\u00e2tea probleme care se cereau dezlegate numaidec\u00e2t. \u00cenarmat deci p\u00e2n\u0103-n din\u021bi, \u0219i cu parul cel ascu\u021bit \u00een dreapta, plecai \u00een p\u0103dure dup\u0103 ciuperci… Peste pu\u021bin, m\u0103 \u00eentorsei cu desagii plini de hribi, de r\u00e2\u0219covi \u0219i de nicore\u021bi; c\u00e2t despre zmeur\u0103, dac\u0103 mi-ar fi fost sete, n-a\u0219 fi avut dec\u00e2t s\u0103 \u00eentind m\u00e2na \u0219i s-o culeg chiar de sub labele ursului. Dar ceea ce b\u0103gam de seam\u0103 \u00een toiul tuturor acestor \u00eendeletniciri ale mele era dragostea ce prindeam, v\u0103z\u00e2nd cu ochii, pentru via\u021ba de s\u0103lbatic… Ba fu chiar un moment, c\u00e2nd n-a\u0219 fi putut spune cu siguran\u021b\u0103 dac\u0103 vreodat\u0103 fusesem \u00een alt\u0103 stare dec\u00e2t \u00een cea de fa\u021b\u0103; \u0219i dovad\u0103 despre aceasta e c\u0103 uitasem cu des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219ire deosebitele forme ale nasului deosebi\u021bilor mei prieteni din lumea cealalt\u0103. \u0218i mi se p\u0103rea mie c\u0103 tot ce tr\u0103ise alt\u0103dat\u0103 sub ochii mei nu putuse fi dec\u00e2t fantasmagoria bolnav\u0103 a unui vis sau, cel mult, amintirea neguroas\u0103 despre lumea fosilelor vreunei dep\u0103rtate perioade geologice, despre care sau citisem undeva, sau \u00eemi povestise c\u00e2ndva vreun funebru iscoditor de oseminte vechi \u0219i antedeluviane!…<\/p>\n
Diminea\u021ba trecuse c\u0103lduroas\u0103 \u0219i sosi de-amiaza ucig\u0103tor de arz\u0103toare. Soarele \u00ee\u0219i ridicase de pe fa\u021b\u0103 z\u0103branicul s\u0103u de aburi ro\u0219ietici, \u0219i, ajuns \u00een r\u0103scrucile cerurilor, \u00ee\u0219i cump\u0103nea, parc\u0103 neclintit, pe albastrul \u0219ters al ad\u00e2ncurilor, discul s\u0103u alb de lumin\u0103 topit\u0103; iar din ceruri peste p\u0103m\u00e2nt, ca din o sit\u0103 imens\u0103, m\u00e2ini colosale \u0219i nev\u0103zute cerneau o ploaie de foc mistuitor… \u0219i p\u0103m\u00e2ntul p\u0103rea cufundat \u00eentr-o genune de fl\u0103c\u0103ri… De prin ad\u00e2ncul v\u0103ilor, de peste \u00een\u0103l\u021bimea coamelor codrului, de pe \u00eentinderea sc\u00e2nteietoare a smidurilor \u00eenflorite, valuri str\u0103vezii de aburi sclipitori se ridicau \u00een unde cre\u021be \u0219i, tremur\u00e2nd \u00een zare, se topeau \u00een v\u0103paia \u00eenalt\u0103 a cerului aprins… \u00cen turbarea ei canicular\u0103, ar\u0219i\u021ba miezului \u00eenfl\u0103c\u0103rat al zilelor de iulie mu\u0219ca cu din\u021bi de foc de pretutindeni \u0219i \u00ee\u0219i ostoia setea sa cov\u00e2r\u0219itoare cu cele de pe urm\u0103 pic\u0103turi de via\u021b\u0103, umede \u0219i vii, sorbite din vinele ad\u00e2nci ale lucrurilor… \u0218i, de pretutindeni, toate, \u00eentr-un susur nedeslu\u0219it, sf\u00e2r\u00e2iau a usc\u0103ciune!… Codrii uria\u0219i, ca o m\u00e2n\u0103 de vreascuri netrebnice, se zv\u00e2rcoleau neputincio\u0219i \u0219i \u021bipau de usturime \u00een\u0103du\u0219it\u0103, sub v\u0103paia incendiului universal. Greierul, c\u00e2nt\u0103re\u021b neobosit al zilelor de var\u0103, amu\u021bise, istovit, sub umbra \u00een\u0103l\u021bimii ocrotitoare a ierburilor; veveri\u021ba pusese fr\u00e2u neobositei sale zburd\u0103lnicii \u0219i, cuprins\u0103 parc\u0103 de neclintirea pref\u0103cut\u0103 a mor\u021bii, \u00ee\u0219i mistuise fiin\u021ba sa \u00een \u00eencheietura umbroas\u0103 a unei crengi aeriene. Gaia nu mai spinteca v\u0103zduhurile cu \u021bip\u0103t fl\u0103m\u00e2nd \u0219i ascu\u021bit, v\u00e2ntul nu mai cl\u0103tina frunza p\u0103durilor, \u0219i nici un fulg de nor nu mai \u00eendr\u0103znea s\u0103 br\u0103zdeze cu umbra-i sub\u021bire \u00een\u0103l\u021bimile aprinse ale \u00eemp\u0103r\u0103\u021biei focului… C\u00e2t despre mine, lungit cum st\u0103team \u00een fundul cel mai din ad\u00e2nc al pe\u0219terii mele, f\u0103r\u0103 team\u0103 de priviri iscoditoare, \u00eemi f\u0103ceam socoteal\u0103 cum a\u0219 putea \u00eemp\u0103rt\u0103\u0219i posterit\u0103\u021bii dep\u0103rtate deosebitele sim\u021biri pe care le \u00eencearc\u0103 cineva c\u00e2nd e aruncat, de viu \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 p\u0103cate, \u00een gurile de fl\u0103c\u0103ri ale Tartarului! \u0218i fiindc\u0103 Pisicu\u021ba, din iarba \u00eenalt\u0103 \u00een care st\u0103tea \u00eenmorm\u00e2ntat\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la g\u00e2t, sfor\u0103ia dezn\u0103d\u0103jduit, m\u0103 dusei s-o dezleg din pripon \u0219i s-o aduc \u00eentre \u00eent\u0103rituri. Nu m\u0103 putui totu\u0219i opri de a nu m\u0103 desf\u0103ta o clip\u0103, privind la lupta uria\u0219\u0103, ce se \u00eencinsese \u00eentre ea \u0219i o musc\u0103 mare cu spatele lucitoare \u0219i verzii, care n\u0103zuia, numaidec\u00e2t, s\u0103 se ad\u0103posteasc\u0103 de ar\u0219i\u021ba dogoritoare a soarelui \u00een umbra umed\u0103 a uneia din n\u0103rile ei; \u0219i cu greu ai fi putut hot\u0103r\u00ee care dintre am\u00e2ndou\u0103 erau mai iscusite \u00een strategie, musca sau Pisicu\u021ba? C\u0103ci, dac\u0103 Pisicu\u021ba \u00ee\u0219i ap\u0103ra nasul, scutur\u00e2nd din cap \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile, musca, nu mai pu\u021bin, cu o preciziune vrednic\u0103 de cea mai des\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219it\u0103 balistic\u0103, ochea \u0219i prindea nasul Pisicu\u021bei din zbor \u0219i se \u00eenfunda, cu iu\u021beala unei s\u0103ge\u021bi, \u00een ad\u00e2ncul uneia din n\u0103rile ei; atunci Pisicu\u021ba sorbea \u0219i \u00ee\u0219i umfla pieptul s\u0103u puternic cu jum\u0103tate din atmosfera p\u0103m\u00e2nteasc\u0103; iar c\u00e2nd aerul, astfel sorbit, era \u00eenapoiat cerului sub forma rupt\u0103 \u0219i zguduitoare a unei furtunoase note de trombon, musca \u021b\u00e2\u0219nea z\u0103p\u0103cit\u0103 din nara Pisicu\u021bei \u0219i \u00eei trebuia vreme p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 se dezmeticeasc\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103 se descurce din ierburile \u00eenc\u00e2lcite \u00een care fusese aruncat\u0103, spre a-\u0219i g\u0103si din nou echilibrul de lupt\u0103… De la o vreme musca \u00ee\u0219i schimb\u0103 planul de atac \u0219i \u00eencepu s\u0103 bat\u0103 p\u0103r\u021bile mai slabe ale citadelei, ca \u0219i cum, adic\u0103, Pisicu\u021ba n-ar fi avut nici picioare, nici coad\u0103, nici din\u021bi \u0219i, mai cu seam\u0103, darul nepre\u021buit de a-\u0219i scutura cu at\u00e2ta putere pielea spatelor sale, \u00eenc\u00e2t geniul strategic al tuturor mu\u0219telor universului la un loc ar fi r\u0103mas neputincios fa\u021b\u0103 de cutremurul pr\u0103p\u0103ditor al spin\u0103rii \u0219i al coastelor ei… \u0218i, de\u0219i eram \u00eencredin\u021bat c\u0103, \u00een cele din urm\u0103, biruin\u021ba va cump\u0103ni spre partea Pisicu\u021bei, m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i totu\u0219i s\u0103 intru la mijloc, \u00een aceast\u0103 epopee m\u0103rea\u021b\u0103 \u0219i cr\u00e2ncen\u0103 ce se desf\u0103\u0219ura ochilor mei, \u0219i dezleg\u00e2nd-o deci din pripon, o condusei, ca o alt\u0103 zeitate antic\u0103, sub egida-mi ocrotitoare \u00eenl\u0103untrul sacrosant al \u00eent\u0103riturilor mele!… Iar pornirile r\u0103zboinice \u0219i s\u00e2ngeroase ale mu\u0219tei cu spatele lucitoare \u0219i verzii se ostoir\u0103 la hotarele umbroase ale p\u0103durii.<\/p>\n
Soarele p\u0103\u0219ise de mult acum peste cre\u0219tetul st\u00e2ncii mele de ad\u0103post, \u0219i \u00een\u0103l\u021bimile din apus \u00ee\u0219i prelungeau repede chipurile lor de umbr\u0103 deasupra v\u0103ilor dimpotriv\u0103. Noaptea se vestea gr\u0103bit\u0103 din ad\u00e2ncuri \u0219i luna nu p\u0103\u0219ise \u00eenc\u0103 dincoace de hotarele r\u0103s\u0103ritului s\u0103u. \u00cen schimb \u00eens\u0103, de sub marginile dep\u0103rtate ale v\u0103zduhului, de pretutindeni, nenum\u0103rate gr\u0103mezi vinete de nouri posomor\u00e2\u021bi, cu frun\u021bi \u00eendr\u0103zne\u021be \u0219i amenin\u021b\u0103toare, se ivir\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 de veste \u0219i \u00eemp\u00e2nzir\u0103 \u00eentr-o clip\u0103, de jur \u00eemprejur, linia de \u00eempreunare a cerurilor cu p\u0103m\u00e2ntul… Ai fi zis c\u0103 imense \u0219i negre urdii de fantome uria\u0219e urcau, \u00een r\u00e2nduri str\u00e2nse, pe \u00eenalte trepte de haos, spre asaltul cel mai de deasupra al t\u0103riilor cere\u0219ti… Un tunet r\u0103zle\u021b, r\u0103s\u0103rit din miaz\u0103noapte, r\u0103scoli clocotitor nem\u0103rginirile rotunde, \u0219i un ropot f\u0103r\u0103 \u00eentrerupere \u0219i nedeslu\u0219it vestea, de pretutindeni, apropierea pr\u0103p\u0103stioas\u0103 a artileriei cere\u0219ti… O puternic\u0103 suflare de v\u00e2nt trec\u0103toare \u0219i iute, ca un glas de pieire, strecur\u00e2ndu-se printre frunzi\u0219uri, se stinse, t\u00e2nguios \u0219i jalnic, \u00een nesf\u00e2r\u0219itul umbros al dep\u0103rt\u0103rilor… Vijelia \u00ee\u0219i trimisese \u00eenainte pe cel mai ager dintre vestitorii s\u0103i \u00eenaripa\u021bi… \u0218i, de peste firea \u00eentreag\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 la hotarele auzului, \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 se ridic\u0103, pe mii de note discordante \u0219i totu\u0219i armonice, simfonia \u00eenfrico\u0219at\u0103 a fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u0103rii \u0219i a zbuciumului universal!… Puterile ad\u00e2ncului se treziser\u0103 de pretutindeni \u0219i, sub ocrotirea oarb\u0103 a nop\u021bii, \u00ee\u0219i dezl\u0103n\u021buir\u0103 asupra p\u0103m\u00e2ntului \u00eengrozit furia lor pr\u0103p\u0103ditoare… Uraganele umplur\u0103 jgheaburile largi ale mun\u021bilor \u0219i, ca ni\u0219te imense puhoaie vijelioase, se rostogoleau pr\u0103p\u0103stios la vale; viforul \u0219uiera, gemea \u0219i urla \u00een r\u0103stimpuri cu glas acum de frunze spulberate, acum de codri zbuciuma\u021bi, acum de mun\u021bi cu furie zgudui\u021bi pe temeliile lor de cremene etern\u0103… Sclipirile ne\u00eentrerupte \u0219i orbitoare de lumin\u0103 fr\u00e2nt\u0103 ale fulgerelor spintecau, pe linii fantastice \u0219i nem\u0103rginit de lungi, \u00eentunecimile fioroase ale nop\u021bii \u00eenalte… \u0218i, \u00eentre cele patru hotare ale nesf\u00e2r\u0219itului, \u00eentinderile oarbe tremurau cu r\u0103stimpuri scurte de \u00eentuneric \u0219i lumin\u0103 alb\u0103strie sub lic\u0103ririle fug\u0103toare \u0219i iu\u021bi ale focului ceresc… Fierbeau v\u0103zduhurile \u0219i cerurile clocoteau sub desc\u0103rc\u0103rile zguduitoare ale tunetelor, \u0219i p\u0103m\u00e2ntul \u00eenfrico\u0219at se cutremura nemernic, p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een cele mai din ad\u00e2nc ale temeliilor sale, sub ropotul de tr\u0103snete care c\u0103deau asurzitoare prin \u00eentuneric, ca ni\u0219te imense bombe de fl\u0103c\u0103ri, \u0219i spulberau, ca \u0219i cum ai sufla \u00eentr-un strop de \u021b\u0103r\u00e2n\u0103, frun\u021bile de st\u00e2nci \u00eendr\u0103zne\u021be ale celor mai seme\u021bi dintre mun\u021bii s\u0103i… \u0218i sub zv\u00e2rcolirea f\u0103r\u0103 de margini a fr\u0103m\u00e2nt\u0103rii \u0219i sub urgia \u00eentregului zbucium al f\u0103pturii, z\u0103gazurile cerului se rupser\u0103, jgheaburile ad\u00e2ncului se desfundar\u0103 \u0219i, din \u00eenaltul \u00eentunecimilor, se pr\u0103p\u0103stuir\u0103 asupra p\u0103m\u00e2ntului, cu \u0219uier de aer sf\u00e2\u0219iat, potopul greu al apelor cere\u0219ti… \u0218i gem\u0103tul vijeliei pustiitoare \u00ee\u0219i amesteca simfonia sa de nimicire cu urletul rostogolirii clocotitoare a \u0219uvoaielor p\u0103m\u00e2ntului… Iar sub urgia vijelioas\u0103 a apelor, st\u00e2ncile, zguduite din \u00een\u0103l\u021bime \u0219i smulse de pe temeliile lor de veacuri, se rostogoleau pr\u0103p\u0103stios \u00een genunile ad\u00e2nci ale v\u0103ilor… \u0219i sub izbirea lor ne\u00eendurat\u0103, brazii trufa\u0219i ai codrilor se fr\u00e2ngeau cu glasuri de tr\u0103snet \u0219i umpleau dep\u0103rt\u0103rile \u00eentunecoase \u0219i goale cu cel mai de pe urm\u0103 r\u0103sunet prelung al pr\u0103p\u0103stuirii lor de veci!…<\/p>\n
Cine \u0219tie dac\u0103 ceasul cel grozav al \u00eemplinirii vremilor de apoi nu sunase acum \u0219i dac\u0103 nu era scris \u00een c\u0103r\u021bile oarbe ale ursitei ca s\u0103 se aprind\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103 ard\u0103 osia nem\u0103surat\u0103 a lumilor, de la un cap\u0103t p\u00e2n\u0103 la cel\u0103lalt? Iar temeiurile firii s\u0103 se pr\u0103bu\u0219easc\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103 umple, cu pulberea lor m\u0103runt\u0103, \u00eentunecimile goale \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 de sf\u00e2r\u0219it ale haosului negru, din care puterea cuv\u00e2ntului dumnezeiesc le scosese spre fiin\u021b\u0103?<\/p>\n
Se poate… Toate se puteau; un singur lucru nu se putea: acela anume ca, odat\u0103 cu desfiin\u021barea t\u0103riilor f\u0103pturii, s\u0103 se desfiin\u021beze \u0219i t\u0103riile mele… \u00cen zadar viforul, vijelia \u0219i uraganele se izbiser\u0103 oarbe \u00een cl\u0103direa zburlit\u0103 de crengi uria\u0219e a \u00eent\u0103riturilor mele, c\u0103ci nu izbutir\u0103 dec\u00e2t s\u0103 se sf\u00e2\u0219ie \u0219i s\u0103 urle de durere \u0219i de ciud\u0103… \u0218i parii de sprijin ai \u00eengr\u0103diturii mele de p\u0103duri peste p\u0103duri, \u00eenfip\u021bi p\u00e2n\u0103-n inima p\u0103m\u00e2ntului \u0219i \u00eenal\u021bi p\u00e2n\u0103 la ceruri, cu v\u00e2rfuri albe de din\u021bi ascu\u021bi\u021bi, r\u00e2deau prin \u00eentuneric de opintirile dezn\u0103d\u0103jduite ale neputin\u021bei lor; iar pe pov\u00e2rni\u0219urile de epic\u0103 amintire, calde \u00eenc\u0103 de eroismul Pisicu\u021bei \u0219i de pornirile r\u0103zboinice \u0219i s\u00e2ngeroase ale mu\u0219tei celei mari cu spatele lucitoare \u0219i verzii, p\u00e2nza deas\u0103 a apelor cere\u0219ti era sf\u00e2\u0219iat\u0103 \u00een dou\u0103 de greb\u0103nul lung \u0219i \u00eengust al muntelui meu de ad\u0103post \u0219i, cu iu\u021beal\u0103 de vifor \u0219i cu clocotiri de tunete, se rostogolea pe dou\u0103 p\u0103r\u021bi spre genunile ad\u00e2nci ale v\u0103ilor… \u0218i se rostogolea cu st\u00e2nci, cu iarb\u0103, cu flori, cu zmeuri\u0219, cu toate idilele \u0219i iluziile Pisicu\u021bei mele, dar, mai ales, cu hribii, cu nicore\u021bii, cu ciupercile, cu r\u00e2\u0219covii \u0219i cu bure\u021bii de tot felul pe care-mi-ntemeiasem n\u0103dejdea viitoare a \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103toarei mele schivnicii de mai t\u00e2rziu…<\/p>\n
Cum \u00eens\u0103 sufletul meu niciodat\u0103 n-a fost \u00een stare s\u0103 duc\u0103 prea mult\u0103 vreme \u00een spate povara ucig\u0103toare a sublimului, \u0219i cum puterile \u00eentunericului, \u00een urgia r\u0103zvr\u0103tirii lor, izbise, pe toate glasurile, clapele imense ale claviaturilor f\u0103ptuirii, a\u0219 fi ajuns \u00een cele din urm\u0103 s\u0103 g\u0103sesc banal\u0103 \u0219i monoton\u0103 aceast\u0103 rodomontad\u0103 a stihiilor, dac\u0103 ele nu \u0219i-ar fi tras m\u0103surile tocmai la timp… Poate s\u0103 fi fost pe la c\u00e2nt\u0103tori, c\u00e2nd urletele vijeliei \u00eencepur\u0103 a-\u0219i scobor\u00ee glasul, \u0219i zbuciumul codrilor a se mai potoli; un tunet r\u0103zle\u021b \u00eencerc\u0103, din miaz\u0103zi, s\u0103 mai r\u0103scoleasc\u0103 clocotitor nem\u0103rginirile \u00eentunecoase, dar, iute, \u00ee\u0219i stinse neputincios, \u00een t\u0103cerea nop\u021bii ad\u00e2nci, duruitu-i dep\u0103rtat… Artileria cereasc\u0103 scobor\u00e2se treptele v\u0103zduhului spre lumea cealalt\u0103… Cineva trase parc\u0103 \u00een l\u0103turi perdeaua neguroas\u0103 a norilor \u0219i, \u00een \u00eentunericul cel mai de deasupra al cerurilor, o poart\u0103 de senin limpede se deschise spre ad\u00e2ncimile umbrelor albastre \u0219i o stea cu lumin\u0103 tremur\u0103toare \u00ee\u0219i cump\u0103ni, sfioas\u0103 parc\u0103, chipul s\u0103u peste ad\u00e2ncuri… Numai \u0219uvoaiele apelor, nepotolite \u00eenc\u0103, \u00ee\u0219i mai trimiteau de prin v\u0103i, p\u00e2n\u0103-n dep\u0103rtare, vuietul lor nedeslu\u0219it \u0219i surd… Fiori iu\u021bi de v\u00e2nturi u\u0219oare \u00eensufle\u021beau, \u00een r\u0103stimpuri, neclintirea frunzi\u0219ului negru, \u0219i pic\u0103turi de ap\u0103 mari c\u0103deau grele pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt…<\/p>\n
Cu vreascuri uscate, puse mai dinainte la ad\u0103post, a\u021b\u00e2\u021bai un foc uria\u0219, \u0219i \u00eentunecimile \u00eengrozite fugir\u0103 s\u0103-\u0219i ad\u0103posteasc\u0103 frica lor la marginile cele mai dep\u0103rtate ale p\u0103m\u00e2ntului; iar \u00een b\u0103taia luminoas\u0103 a focului, Pisicu\u021ba, \u00eenfipt\u0103 neclintit pe toate cele patru picioare ale sale, cu capul \u00een jos \u0219i cu urechile plecate, st\u0103tea nemi\u0219cat\u0103 cu \u00eencremenirea unei statui de bronz, t\u0103iat\u0103 pe fund de \u00eentuneric; de pe v\u00e2rful prelins al mo\u021bului s\u0103u din frunte, cele de pe urm\u0103 pic\u0103turi de ap\u0103 ale potopului ceresc se strecurau domol \u0219i rar \u0219i, lunec\u00e2nd pe jgheabul str\u00e2mt dintre am\u00e2ndou\u0103 n\u0103rile ei, c\u0103deau grele pe p\u0103m\u00e2nt… Dormea \u0219i visa!… “Dormi \u00een pace!” \u00eei dorii eu \u00een g\u00e2nd, arunc\u00e2ndu-i poclada pe spate \u0219i \u00eenching\u00e2nd-o cu tafturul… “Dormi \u00een pace!” \u0218i tot \u00een pace m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i s\u0103 dorm \u0219i eu \u00een fundul tihnit al vizuniei mele, dup\u0103 ce mai \u00eent\u00e2i aruncai pe foc, cu trunchiuri cu tot, crengile unui \u00eentreg codru de brazi, at\u00e2ta adic\u0103 c\u00e2t s\u0103 poat\u0103 el mistui p\u00e2n-a doua zi; \u0219i \u00een pace, prin urmare, dormir\u0103m p\u00e2n\u0103-n ziu\u0103 \u0219i eu \u0219i Pisicu\u021ba…<\/p>\n
Iar a doua zi, c\u00e2nd m\u0103 de\u0219teptai \u0219i mi-aruncai privirile peste \u00eemprejurimi, Firea \u00eentreag\u0103 mi se p\u0103ru ca r\u0103s\u0103rit\u0103 atunci pentru \u00eent\u00e2ia\u0219i dat\u0103, din s\u00e2nul ad\u00e2nc al apelor Crea\u021biunii. At\u00e2ta era de fraged\u0103, at\u00e2ta era de virginal\u0103! Soarele \u00eensufle\u021bea, cu lumina de aur idealizat a razelor sale, pic\u0103turile mari \u0219i grele de rou\u0103 curat\u0103, care at\u00e2rnau pe v\u00e2rful negru-verde al fiec\u0103rei frunze mici \u0219i ascu\u021bite de brad; ierburile sub\u021biri \u0219i ml\u0103dioase, sub greutatea acelora\u0219i pic\u0103turi de rou\u0103, \u00ee\u0219i plecau molatic fruntea lor \u00eenspre p\u0103m\u00e2nt; iar sub c\u0103ldura soarelui d\u0103t\u0103tor de via\u021b\u0103 florile galbene, albastre \u0219i ro\u0219ii, ca trezite din somn, \u00ee\u0219i ridicau \u00eencet c\u0103tre ceruri potirul lor str\u0103lucitor. Un v\u0103l str\u0103veziu, \u021besut din fire limpezi de lumin\u0103 trandafirie \u0219i cer albastru, acoperea imensitatea solemn\u0103 a nesf\u00e2r\u0219itului, \u0219i imnul t\u0103cerii netulburate se \u00een\u0103l\u021ba de pretutindeni, ca o rug\u0103 de mul\u021bumire c\u0103tre Ziditorul puternic a toat\u0103 f\u0103ptura… Numai greierul p\u0103g\u00e2n tulbura \u00een r\u0103stimpuri, cu \u0219uier p\u0103trunz\u0103tor, ceasul m\u0103re\u021b de rug\u0103ciune, \u0219i gaia, ca o s\u0103geat\u0103 neagr\u0103 \u0219i iute, spinteca v\u0103zduhurile largi cu \u021bipet fl\u0103m\u00e2nd \u0219i ascu\u021bit…<\/p>\n
Deschingai tafturul Pisicu\u021bei, \u00eei luai poclada din spate \u0219i, sco\u021b\u00e2nd-o din \u00eent\u0103rituri, o priponii \u00een zmeuri\u0219ul pologit \u00eenc\u0103 de ploile nop\u021bii, dar care \u00eencepuse a se ridica pe picioare sub razele acum fierbin\u021bi ale soarelui \u00eenalt pe ceruri.<\/p>\n
Ziua trecu. Trecu \u0219i noaptea, \u0219i alt\u0103 zi lumin\u0103 iar\u0103\u0219i cu str\u0103lucirea ei lini\u0219tea singur\u0103t\u0103\u021bii mele; \u0219i alt\u0103 noapte \u00eeng\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eenc\u0103 cu c\u00e2ntecul de leag\u0103n al susurului s\u0103u c\u0103p\u0103t\u00e2iul somnului meu f\u0103r\u0103 de visuri… Dar vine o vreme c\u00e2nd Natura te soarbe cu at\u00e2ta putere ne\u00eendurat\u0103 \u00een ad\u00e2ncul s\u0103lb\u0103t\u0103ciei sale, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u021bi s-ar p\u0103rea c\u0103 s\u00e2ngele t\u0103u stricat \u0219i p\u0103c\u0103tos a fost \u00eenlocuit \u00een vinele tale cu s\u00e2nge de vioaie \u0219i ager\u0103 jivin\u0103 a codrilor… \u0218i eu, care mi se p\u0103rea c\u0103 plutisem patruzeci de zile \u0219i patruzeci de nop\u021bi peste toate valurile f\u0103r\u0103 de fr\u00e2u ale tuturor potopurilor, aveam dreptul s\u0103 m\u0103 uit ca spre o zare dep\u0103rtat\u0103 la timpurile de alt\u0103dat\u0103, \u0219i s\u0103 privesc, ca prin sit\u0103, la chipurile \u0219terse ale unei lumi pentru ve\u0219nicie \u00eenmorm\u00e2ntate sau, cel pu\u021bin, s\u0103-mi cercetez barba, spre a m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021ba c\u0103 nu e nici alb\u0103, nici p\u00e2n\u0103 la br\u00e2u \u0219i c\u0103, prin urmare, nici nu m\u0103 ridicasem la treapta vreunui patriarh, ferit prin \u00eendurarea proniei cere\u0219ti de pieirea a toat\u0103 suflarea…<\/p>\n
Cum \u00eens\u0103 lucrurile toate au un sf\u00e2r\u0219it \u00een lumea asta, tot a\u0219a avur\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u0219it \u0219i merindele mele: ou\u0103le, nucile, p\u00e2inea, zgl\u0103voacele, merele, perele \u0219i boi\u0219tenii fuseser\u0103 de mult desfiin\u021bate; \u0219ipul cu rachiu \u00ee\u0219i d\u0103duse, \u0219i el, suflarea sa cea mai de pe urm\u0103, \u0219i numai c\u00e2te un hrib sau nicore\u021b se mai ar\u0103ta r\u0103zle\u021b, pe ici pe colea, prin v\u0103lm\u0103\u0219agul imens al calabal\u00e2cului meu de tot soiul…<\/p>\n
Iat\u0103 pentru ce, privind cu jale la cei c\u00e2\u021biva bure\u021bi ce mai r\u0103m\u0103seser\u0103, mi se p\u0103rea c\u0103 m\u0103 aflu \u00eenaintea unor<\/p>\n
din clasica antichitate… At\u00e2ta numai c\u0103, dup\u0103 ce, la pr\u00e2nz, \u00eemi m\u00e2ncai frip\u021bi pe cei din urm\u0103 troieni ai mei, nu mai avui, m\u0103car \u00een g\u00e2nd, putin\u021ba de a mai glumi pe socoteala vreunei dep\u0103rtate antichit\u0103\u021bi, oric\u00e2t de clasic\u0103 ar fi fost ea…<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd soarele sc\u0103p\u0103t\u0103 dup\u0103-amiaz\u0103, m\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2i, ca un alt Robinson, s\u0103 cercetez \u00eemprejurimile, spre a m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021ba de nu cumva vreo potec\u0103, oric\u00e2t de \u00eengust\u0103, ar fi t\u0103iat\u0103 pe coasta pr\u0103p\u0103stioas\u0103 a muntelui, sau, cel pu\u021bin, dac\u0103 a\u0219ezarea locurilor n-ar fi priincioas\u0103 urm\u0103rii mai departe, cu oric\u00e2t\u0103 greutate, a drumului meu \u00eentrerupt. \u0218i, fiindc\u0103 Pisicu\u021ba ar fi fost \u00een stare s\u0103 smulg\u0103 priponul \u0219i s\u0103 se ia dup\u0103 mine, apoi m\u0103 dusei \u0219i, dezr\u0103d\u0103cin\u00e2nd din munte o st\u00e2nc\u0103 uria\u0219\u0103, ce-mi c\u0103zu la \u00eendem\u00e2n\u0103, o r\u0103sturnai peste cap\u0103tul priponului ie\u0219it afar\u0103 din p\u0103m\u00e2nt. Apoi, \u00eenarmat p\u00e2n\u0103-n din\u021bi \u0219i cu parul cel ascu\u021bit ca unealt\u0103 de sprijin, plecai s\u0103 dau ocol muntelui meu de ad\u0103post… N-a\u0219 putea spune cum \u0219i c\u00e2t am mers; fu \u00eens\u0103 un moment c\u00e2nd, spre cea mai mare glorie a mea, b\u0103gai de seam\u0103 c\u0103 Natura, pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 alte multe, mari \u0219i foarte \u00eenalte \u00eensu\u0219iri, m\u0103 d\u0103ruise \u0219i cu cele mai de c\u0103petenie talente ale celui mai iscusit dintre alpini\u0219ti… Altfel nu m-a\u0219 fi putut l\u0103muri cum, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-mi pierd cump\u0103neala o singur\u0103 clip\u0103, m\u0103 trezii deodat\u0103 ac\u0103\u021bat pe o a\u0219chie de st\u00e2nc\u0103 \u00eentre cer \u0219i p\u0103m\u00e2nt, de unde, sub picioarele mele, pr\u0103pastia se deschidea neagr\u0103, fioroas\u0103 \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 fund, iar deasupra capului, peretele drept de st\u00e2nc\u0103 \u00ee\u0219i pierdea cre\u0219tetul aerian \u00een \u00een\u0103l\u021bimile albastre ale v\u0103zduhului… Totu\u0219i, fiindc\u0103, cu oarecare chibzuial\u0103, se putea \u00eenc\u0103 p\u0103\u0219i \u00eenainte, p\u0103\u0219ii; \u0219i, iar\u0103\u0219i, fiindc\u0103, cu oarecare \u00eendr\u0103zneal\u0103, s-ar fi putut s\u0103ri peste cr\u0103p\u0103tura ad\u00e2nc\u0103 dintre dou\u0103 st\u00e2nci, s\u0103rii; \u0219i p\u0103\u0219ind acum cu chibzuial\u0103, acum s\u0103rind cu \u00eendr\u0103zneal\u0103, m\u0103 trezii pe muchia unei opcini ple\u0219uve \u0219i largi, la picioarele c\u0103reia mun\u021bii se tupilau smeri\u021bi ca ni\u0219te umilite \u0219i sfioase straturi de verdea\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n
M\u0103 lungii \u00eentr-un cot pe iarba moale \u0219i spre s\u0103rb\u0103torirea deplinei mele biruin\u021be \u00eempotriva stavilelor de tot felul, pe care codrul \u0219i muntele mi le ridicase \u00een cale, aprinsei o \u021bigar\u0103, al c\u0103rei fum se \u00een\u0103l\u021b\u0103, prin dep\u0103rt\u0103rile albastre, p\u00e2n\u0103 sub temeliile \u00eenalte ale stelelor lui Dumnezeu… \u0218i, iar\u0103\u0219i, fiindc\u0103, de-a puterea fi, trecusem, cu toat\u0103 alc\u0103tuirea fiin\u021bei mele, spre tagma istea\u021b\u0103 a jivinelor, apoi cu instinct ager \u0219i f\u0103r\u0103 de gre\u0219, neab\u0103t\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 adic\u0103 din cale cu un palmac, m\u0103car, la dreapta sau la st\u00e2nga, m\u0103 \u00eentorsei pe acela\u0219i drum la \u00eent\u0103riturile mele, unde Pisicu\u021ba m\u0103 a\u0219tepta nemi\u0219cat\u0103 \u0219i cu ochii \u021bint\u0103 \u00een desi\u0219ul \u00een care m\u0103 v\u0103zuse mistuindu-m\u0103… Un nechezat de duioas\u0103 mul\u021bumire \u00eent\u00e2mpin\u0103, din parte-i, cu tremolo de bas profund, sosirea mea cu ner\u0103bdare a\u0219teptat\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u00centunericul sosi repede \u0219i, mai mult din obi\u0219nuin\u021b\u0103 dec\u00e2t de nevoie, aprinsei focul reglementar de noapte; iar c\u00e2nd d\u0103dui s\u0103 scot din desagi s\u0103r\u0103c\u0103cioasa mea cin\u0103 de sear\u0103, m\u0103 \u00eencredin\u021bai cu dezn\u0103dejde c\u0103 \u00eencetaser\u0103, s\u0103rmanii, de a mai fi urechea de \u00eembel\u0219ugare a calului n\u0103zdr\u0103van din poveste… Dar, fiindc\u0103 fl\u0103m\u00e2nd, iar\u0103\u0219i, nu m\u0103 puteam culca, apoi a\u0219a turce\u0219te cum st\u0103team dinaintea focului \u0219i cu nasul \u00een t\u0103ciuni, m\u0103 osp\u0103tai \u0219i eu, dup\u0103 putin\u021b\u0103, cu nu \u0219tiu a c\u00e2ta dumnezeiasc\u0103 “fericire”, care gl\u0103suie\u0219te c\u0103 “cei fl\u0103m\u00e2nzi se vor s\u0103tura”, \u0219i potrivit, a\u0219adar, \u0219i me\u0219te\u0219ugului meu de dasc\u0103l de gramatic\u0103, m\u00e2ncai \u0219i m\u0103 s\u0103turai la timpul viitor.<\/p>\n
A doua zi, \u00een rev\u0103rsatul zorilor, dup\u0103 o scurt\u0103 sf\u0103tuire cu Pisicu\u021ba, \u00een care \u00eei d\u0103dui toate \u00eenv\u0103\u021b\u0103turile trebuitoare, de cum adic\u0103 urma s\u0103 calce \u0219i s\u0103 se cump\u0103neasc\u0103 printre st\u00e2ncile pr\u0103p\u0103stioase ale coastelor muntelui, \u0219i, dup\u0103 ce, mai ales, c\u0103p\u0103tai \u00eencredin\u021barea c\u0103 m-a \u00een\u021beles \u0219i c\u0103 va fi urm\u0103toare sfaturilor mele, \u00eei aruncai pe spate \u0219aua \u0219i peste \u0219a vremelnica mea gospod\u0103rie; apoi om \u0219i cal, omul \u00eenainte \u0219i calul \u00een urm\u0103 de d\u00e2rlogi, \u00eenaintar\u0103m, pe c\u0103i neumblate, spre cele mai de deasupra ale t\u0103riilor cere\u0219ti. C\u0103l\u0103uzi\u021bi de chibzuial\u0103 \u0219i \u00eemb\u0103rb\u0103ta\u021bi de \u00eendr\u0103zneal\u0103 ie\u0219ir\u0103m la lumin\u0103… Iar c\u00e2nd pustiul larg al opcinii ple\u0219uve, la care ajunsei \u00eentreg \u0219i nev\u0103t\u0103mat, m\u0103 \u00eempresur\u0103 de pretutindeni cu cercu-i rourat de verdea\u021b\u0103 sc\u00e2nteietoare, un dor f\u0103r\u0103 de margini \u00eemi cuprinse sufletul \u0219i g\u00e2ndul meu se \u00eentoarse \u0219i c\u0103t\u0103 cu jind \u00eenapoi, spre \u00eent\u0103riturile mele p\u0103r\u0103site, v\u0103duve \u0219i pustii… Sim\u021bul duios al paternit\u0103\u021bii pentru lucrul m\u00e2inilor mele se r\u0103zvr\u0103ti \u00een mine \u0219i m\u0103 g\u0103seam vinovat c\u0103, de frica lipsei ciupercilor m\u0103turate de potop, schimbasem o via\u021b\u0103 patriarhal\u0103 \u0219i tihnit\u0103 pe o pribegie f\u0103r\u0103 de \u021bint\u0103, c\u0103tre care p\u0103\u0219eam pe nestatornice \u0219i oarbe trepte de necunoscut… \u0218i mult\u0103 vreme a\u0219 fi intonat \u00een g\u00e2nd jalnice eremiade pe ruinele trecutelor mele fericiri, dac\u0103 Pisicu\u021ba nu s-ar fi \u00eens\u0103rcinat s\u0103 m\u0103 trezeasc\u0103 din toropeala sentimental\u0103 \u00een care m\u0103 cufundasem… Smunci fr\u00e2ul, f\u0103r\u0103 veste, ridic\u0103 capul \u00een sus, privi \u021bint\u0103 spre zarea dep\u0103rtat\u0103 a opcinii, st\u0103tu o clip\u0103 nemi\u0219cat\u0103, apoi nechez\u0103 u\u0219or; \u0219i iar\u0103\u0219i r\u0103mase neclintit\u0103 \u0219i iar\u0103\u0219i privi \u021bint\u0103 \u00een dep\u0103rtare… M\u0103 sculai \u00een picioare, de cum st\u0103team lungit, \u0219i m\u0103 uitai cercet\u0103tor spre unde-\u0219i \u00eendrepta Pisicu\u021ba privirile… Nu z\u0103rii nimic; erau \u00eens\u0103 lucruri asupra c\u0103rora Pisicu\u021ba nu se \u00een\u0219ela niciodat\u0103, \u0219i m\u0103 deprinsesem, prin urmare, a crede orbe\u0219te \u00een prevestirile ei… Trebuia deci s\u0103 fie ceva sau cineva. Din ad\u00e2ncul t\u0103cerii, r\u0103s\u0103rir\u0103 deodat\u0103 mai multe l\u0103tr\u0103turi \u0219i, c\u00e2nd \u00eentorsei capul spre partea aceea, doi c\u00e2ini, c\u00e2t doi z\u0103vozi de mari, se ivir\u0103 \u00een fug\u0103 de dup\u0103 muchia dep\u0103rtat\u0103 a z\u0103rii \u0219i veneau \u00een goan\u0103 turbat\u0103 spre locul unde m\u0103 aflam eu… Iute s\u0103rii pe spatele Pisicu\u021bei \u0219i-mi preg\u0103tii, spre ap\u0103rare, parul ascu\u021bit. Aproape \u00een acela\u0219i timp, de dup\u0103 geana aceleia\u0219i z\u0103ri, o imens\u0103 c\u0103ciul\u0103 neagr\u0103, te\u0219it\u0103 la o parte \u0219i curmat\u0103 la mijloc, se ar\u0103t\u0103 s\u0103lt\u00e2nd \u00een caden\u021b\u0103 \u0219i suind, parc\u0103 greoi, pe trepte de aer, \u00eenclinarea apusean\u0103 a opcinii… apoi dou\u0103 picioare nem\u0103surat de lungi \u0219i arcuite spre afar\u0103, prin a c\u0103ror deschiz\u0103tur\u0103 se vedea, larg, priveli\u0219tea dep\u0103rtat\u0103 a mun\u021bilor dimpotriv\u0103, se ivir\u0103 numaidec\u00e2t sub c\u0103ciul\u0103 \u0219i, \u00eenfig\u00e2ndu-se pe r\u00e2nd \u0219i la deopotriv\u0103 r\u0103stimpuri, cu gigantice mi\u0219c\u0103ri de compas, \u00een iarba moale a opcinii, spintecau alene aerul, pe urma c\u00e2inilor, \u00eendrept\u00e2ndu-se spre mine; o ghioag\u0103 groas\u0103 \u0219i lung\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u0219it, cump\u0103nit\u0103 slobod \u00een m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103, \u00eentregea cele c\u00e2teva linii puternice ale chipului uria\u0219, ce se desprindea pe zare. N-apucasem \u00eenc\u0103 bine s\u0103 m\u0103 a\u0219ez pe spatele Pisicu\u021bei, c\u00e2nd sosir\u0103 \u0219i c\u00e2inii \u0219i lupta se \u00eencepu cr\u00e2ncen\u0103 \u00eentre cele dou\u0103 tabere du\u0219mane… Eu, nu-i vorb\u0103, izbeam cu parul \u00een dreapta \u0219i \u00een st\u00e2nga, dar asta, numai a\u0219a, de m\u00e2ntuial\u0103, sau, cel mult, spre a m\u0103 m\u00e2ng\u00e2ia cu \u00eenchipuirea c\u0103 s\u0103v\u00e2r\u0219esc cine \u0219tie ce mare isprav\u0103 de cavalerism medieval, c\u0103 parul meu nu e mai prejos dec\u00e2t lancea vreunui Rinaldo, c\u0103 Pisicu\u021ba e cel pu\u021bin str\u0103nepoat\u0103 \u00een linie dreapt\u0103 a vreunui Baiardo \u0219i c\u0103 eu \u00eensumi pre\u021buiam m\u0103car de dou\u0103 ori c\u00e2t orice Orlando furioso!… lucruri pentru care \u00eentotdeauna am avut o grozav de mare sl\u0103biciune… De altfel, singur\u0103 Pisicu\u021ba era de ajuns ca s\u0103 \u021bin\u0103 piept biruitor tuturor c\u00e2inilor universului… Copitele potcovite ale tuspatru picioarelor sale cu a\u0219a iu\u021beal\u0103 de fulger sc\u0103p\u0103rau \u00een toate p\u0103r\u021bile, trupul ei de \u0219op\u00e2rl\u0103 ml\u0103dioas\u0103 cu a\u0219a iscusit\u0103 strategie \u00ee\u0219i punea, pe fiece clip\u0103, la ad\u0103post p\u0103r\u021bile slabe, \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00eenver\u0219unarea cr\u00e2ncen\u0103 a du\u0219manului cu col\u021bii de fier murea neputincioas\u0103 la marginea de potcoave o\u021belite \u0219i de din\u021bi ascu\u021bi\u021bi ai cercului ei de ap\u0103rare… Iar c\u00e2nd, pe tromboanele largi ale am\u00e2nduror n\u0103rilor sale, \u00ee\u0219i rev\u0103rsa, \u00een sfor\u0103it de vifor, r\u0103suflarea vijelioas\u0103 a pieptului s\u0103u puternic, opcina \u00eentreag\u0103 se cutremura \u0219i z\u0103vozii o rupeau de fug\u0103 \u00eengrozi\u021bi \u0219i… iar se \u00eentorceau \u00een lupt\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Hi!… potaie!… auzii pe cineva strig\u00e2nd de departe. Era un cioban t\u0103iat pe linii de uria\u0219, care venea spre mine \u00een fug\u0103 greoaie \u0219i care, cu g\u00e2nd de a ostoi c\u00e2inii, \u021binea drept ghioag\u0103, ridicat \u00een aer, deasupra imensei sale c\u0103ciuli, un \u00eentreg arbore strujit de coaj\u0103 \u0219i de crengi, dar cu r\u0103d\u0103cina neatins\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Hi… potaie!… \u0218i pe fiecare silab\u0103 din cele patru ale strig\u0103tului s\u0103u de tunet o \u00eensemnase, \u00eempung\u00e2nd de patru ori \u00een sus cu ghioaga \u00een v\u0103zduhuri!… Dar nu mai era nevoie, c\u0103ci una din pot\u0103i, \u00eend\u00e2rjit\u0103 de sosirea st\u0103p\u00e2nului s\u0103u, se repezi \u00een pornire turbat\u0103 \u0219i n\u0103zui s\u0103 apuce pe Pisicu\u021ba de bot; dar Pisicu\u021ba, care \u00een mi\u0219c\u0103ri avea agerimea g\u00e2ndului, iar \u00een fapt\u0103 iu\u021beala fulgerului, o \u0219i \u00een\u0219f\u0103c\u0103 din fug\u0103 cu din\u021bii de dup\u0103 ceaf\u0103, o ridic\u0103 \u00een aer \u0219i \u00eencepu a o scutura cu furie; iar c\u00e2nd crezu ea c\u0103 destul a scuturat-o, \u00eei d\u0103du drumul de sus \u0219i c\u00e2inele se sim\u021bi foarte fericit s-o poat\u0103 \u00eempunge de fug\u0103 \u0219i s\u0103 se ascund\u0103, schiol\u0103l\u0103ind, dup\u0103 picioarele lungi ale st\u0103p\u00e2nului s\u0103u; cel\u0103lalt c\u00e2ine, mai \u00een\u021belept, socotise de cuviin\u021b\u0103 s\u0103-\u0219i fac\u0103 datoria l\u0103tr\u00e2nd furios din dep\u0103rtare.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da bine, m\u0103i omule, zisei eu, c\u00e2nd ciobanul fu l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, ce dracu, voi p\u0103zi\u021bi oile cu lupchi, ori cu c\u00e2ini? Ai\u0219tia-s curat lupchi, bre!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da bat\u0103-i pustia s\u0103-i bat\u0103, cucoane, c\u0103 nu-s lupchi; da iaca a\u0219a se reped ei, ori de-i om, ori de-i dihanie; d-apoi c\u0103 \u0219i ‘neata, drept \u021b-oi spune, c-amarnic\u0103 vit\u0103 de cal mai ai!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da nu-i nici un cal, m\u0103i omule… c\u0103-i curat iap\u0103; numai c\u00e2t \u00eei iap\u0103 de cele din \u021bara harapului \u0219i-i amarnic\u0103, ce-i drept.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Amarnic\u0103, z\u0103u!…
\n\u2014 D-apoi \u0219i c\u00e2inii t\u0103i, dac\u0103 se leag\u0103 de d\u00e2nsa, a\u0219a, nitam- nisam!…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi, d\u0103… c\u00e2ini nu-s?… Da drept \u021b-oi spune, cucoane, c\u0103 n-am mai v\u0103zut de c\u00e2nd sunt cal s\u0103 \u00een\u0219face c\u00e2inele cu din\u021bii \u0219i s\u0103-l scuture pe sus; \u0219i de-ar hi m\u0103car vrun p\u0103c\u0103tos de c\u00e2ine… da Chiperiu aista pune lupu la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, nu alt\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 A hi pun\u00e2nd lupu, bre, da nu iapa mea; ia, vezi tu iapa asta? \u00centr-o iarn\u0103 trei lupchi o rupt cu din\u021bii; \u0219i tustrei lupchii nu i-o putut face nici m\u0103car o zg\u00e2r\u00e2itur\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u00ee\u00ee\u00eera… Cucoane… Da d\u0103… a hi, z\u0103u, c\u0103-i amarnic\u0103 tare…
\n\u2014 Da ia s\u0103 l\u0103s\u0103m vorba asta, m\u0103i omule, st\u00e2na voastr\u0103 departe-i de-aici?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Uite, colo-n vale, zise el ar\u0103t\u00e2nd cu ghioaga spre apus, de-a curmezi\u0219ul opcinii…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, \u0219i tu un’ te duceai acu? Nu te po\u021bi \u00eentoarce cu mine, s\u0103 m\u0103 duci p\u00e2n’la voi la st\u00e2n\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi, d\u0103, m\u0103 duceam p\u00e2n\u0103 colea-n Go\u0219man dup\u0103 ni\u0219te oi; ghivorni\u021ba de-alalt\u0103ieri noapte ne-o cam r\u0103scolit turma \u0219i ne-o r\u0103zle\u021bit c\u00e2teva mioare… Da m-oi \u00eentoarce, c\u0103 doar mai este vreme p\u00e2n\u0103-n sear\u0103.<\/p>\n
Plecar\u0103m, eu c\u0103lare, ciobanul pe jos, \u0219i c\u00e2inii c\u00e2t colea, la cuvenit\u0103 dep\u0103rtare de Pisicu\u021ba.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da cum se cheam\u0103 locurile pe-aici, bre? \u00eentrebai eu, \u00eentr-un t\u00e2rziu, pe cioban.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Plaiul Jitioanii, cucoane; da ce? n-a\u021bi mai fost niciodat\u0103 pe-aici?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nu; n-am mai fost… \u0219i nici acu n-a\u0219 hi venit; da m-o prins p\u00e2rdalnica cea de ghivorni\u021b\u0103-n p\u0103dure \u0219-am r\u0103t\u0103cit poteca \u0219i, uite, horh\u0103iesc a\u0219a de c\u00e2teva zile, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 \u0219tiu unde m\u0103 aflu.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da-\u021bi hi umbl\u00e2nd cu vo treab\u0103 pe locurile aistea?
\n\u2014 Da nici c-o treab\u0103, m\u0103i omule… ba… adic\u0103 cu treab\u0103; sunt, chipurile, revizor peste p\u0103duri \u0219-am plecat cu revizia prin p\u0103durari.<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u0219a… da!?… Sosisem pe muchia pov\u00e2rni\u0219ului de apus al opcinii \u0219i st\u00e2na se z\u0103rea devale, \u00eentr-o poian\u0103 ca la o b\u0103taie de pu\u0219c\u0103 dep\u0103rtare.<\/p>\n
Cum \u00eencepur\u0103m a scobor\u00ee, c\u00e2inii ne \u0219i sim\u021bir\u0103 \u0219i \u00eencepur\u0103 a se \u00een\u0219ira pe deal \u00een sus, \u00eendrept\u00e2ndu-se spre noi, schiol\u0103l\u0103ind \u0219i l\u0103tr\u00e2nd furio\u0219i; ciobanul le a\u021binu calea cu ghioaga, nu at\u00e2ta pentru a m\u0103 ap\u0103ra pe mine de ei, pe c\u00e2t spre a-i ap\u0103ra pe d\u00e2n\u0219ii de Pisicu\u021ba.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bun\u0103 ziua \u0219i bun g\u0103sit, oameni buni, zisei eu, desc\u0103lec\u00e2nd l\u00e2ng\u0103 st\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i adres\u00e2ndu-m\u0103 celor c\u00e2\u021biva ciobani tineri care treb\u0103luiau care \u00eencotro, dar mai cu seam\u0103 unui baci b\u0103tr\u00e2n care, ajutat de un fl\u0103c\u0103uan zdrav\u0103n, cu plete unsuroase \u0219i lungi, turna \u00eentr-o z\u0103g\u00e2rn\u0103 p\u00e2ntecoas\u0103 jinti\u021ba cald\u0103 dintr-un ceaun negru \u0219i larg.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mul\u021bumim d-voastr\u0103, r\u0103spunser\u0103 ei to\u021bi, cu glas greoi \u0219i gros: bine-a\u021bi venit!<\/p>\n
\u0218i fiecare-\u0219i urm\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se stinghereasc\u0103, treaba \u00eenceput\u0103; care turna z\u0103r pentru c\u00e2ini, \u00eentr-un fel de chersin larg \u0219i unsuros; care potrivea scoar\u021ba \u00eentreag\u0103 a unui brad despoiat, pe acoper\u0103m\u00e2ntul tupilat al st\u00e2nii zdruncinate de furtun\u0103; care arunca de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 un ceaun uria\u0219, pe ni\u0219te lespezi \u00eenalte, or\u00e2nduite ca ni\u0219te pirostrii \u00een jurul unui foc viu de crengi uscate; care a\u0219eza pe comarnic, ca s\u0103 se zv\u00e2nteze, un ca\u0219 rotund \u0219i mare c\u00e2t un p\u00e2ntece de patriarh…<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da venit-ai, m\u0103 V\u0103sui, \u00eentreb\u0103 baciul cel b\u0103tr\u00e2n, turn\u00e2nd jinti\u021ba \u00een z\u0103g\u00e2rn\u0103, pe ciobanul care se \u00eentorsese din drum cu mine; g\u0103sit-ai mioarele, m\u0103?<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi, c-am apucat s\u0103 m\u0103 duc numai p\u00e2n\u0103 colea-n opcin\u0103, \u0219i m-am \u00eentors cu dumnealui s\u0103-i ar\u0103t st\u00e2na; da m-oi duce eu mai amu, c\u0103 doar mai este vreme p\u00e2n\u0103-n sear\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi du-te, m\u0103, \u0219i vezi de nu li-i da cumva de urm\u0103; s\u0103 nu le hi sp\u00e2rcuit vreo dihanie, dare-ar g\u0103lbeaza-n ele; du-te \u0219i vezi pin poienile Go\u0219manului ori a R\u0103chiti\u0219ului; de nu-i da acolo peste ele, urc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103-n Dealu Negru, c\u0103 pe-acolo a\u021bi umblat cu oile \u00eenainte de ghivorni\u021b\u0103; ia cu tine pe Chiperiu \u0219i pe T\u0103taru, \u0219i vezi de vin\u0103 p\u00e2n’ desear\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u0218i peste c\u00e2teva minute, \u0219i picioarele nem\u0103surat de lungi, \u0219i imensa c\u0103ciul\u0103 neagr\u0103, te\u0219it\u0103 la o parte \u0219i curmat\u0103 la mijloc, \u0219i ghioaga dintr-un arbore, cump\u0103nit\u0103 slobod \u00een dreapta lui V\u0103sui, \u0219i cozile flocoase \u0219i \u021ban\u021bo\u0219e \u00een aer ale lui T\u0103taru \u0219i Chiperiu se mistuir\u0103 dup\u0103 spr\u00e2nceana \u00eenalt\u0103 \u0219i verde a opcinii din r\u0103s\u0103rit…<\/p>\n
Iar baciul cel b\u0103tr\u00e2n, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu-\u0219i m\u00e2ntui de turnat jinti\u021ba prin z\u0103g\u00e2rne, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu le at\u00e2rn\u0103 pe toate de c\u00e2te un cui de lemn, ca s\u0103 se scurg\u0103 fiecare \u00een c\u00e2te un bud\u0103i deosebit, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce nu-\u0219i cl\u0103ti m\u00e2inile cu ap\u0103 \u0219i le \u0219terse de poala unsuroas\u0103 a c\u0103m\u0103\u0219ii \u00eencinse peste mijloc cu un chimir lat \u0219i b\u0103tut cu \u021binte de alam\u0103 galben\u0103, aproape nici nu se uit\u0103 la mine.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd \u00eens\u0103 \u00ee\u0219i m\u00e2ntui treaba de-un cap\u0103t, b\u0103g\u0103 toat\u0103 m\u00e2na dreapt\u0103, aproape p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een cot, tocmai la fundul chimirului \u0219i, ghebo\u0219\u00e2ndu-se oarecum, scoase o lulea de lut odat\u0103 ro\u0219, dar \u00eennegrit acum de fumul c\u00e2t suferise; \u0219i, tot din chimir, scoase afar\u0103 un bo\u021b de h\u00e2rtie unsuroas\u0103, \u00een care avea tutun; desf\u0103cu h\u00e2rtia cu sfin\u021benie, \u00eenfipse \u00een ea dou\u0103 degete, lu\u0103 tutun \u0219i puse \u00een lulea; str\u00e2nse h\u00e2rtia cu \u00eengrijire \u0219i-o puse la loc \u00een chimir; apoi veni l\u00e2ng\u0103 foc, unde st\u0103team eu, \u0219i, lu\u00e2nd cu acelea\u0219i dou\u0103 degete un c\u0103rbune, f\u0103r\u0103 team\u0103 de mu\u0219c\u0103tura arsurii, \u00eel a\u0219ez\u0103 metodic \u00een lulea, deasupra prafului negru de tutun.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da-\u021bi hi viind de departe, domni\u0219orule, m\u0103 \u00eentreb\u0103 el, cu luleaua \u00eentre din\u021bi; umbla\u021bi cu treab\u0103 pe la noi? \u00eencheie el \u00eentrebarea, ap\u0103s\u00e2nd cu unghia policarului c\u0103rbunele peste tutun \u0219i scuip\u00e2nd cu m\u0103iestrie printre din\u021bi deasupra focului.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i de departe \u0219i cam cu treab\u0103; numai c\u00e2t nu-mi era treaba pe-aici; ia ghivorni\u021ba cea de-alalt\u0103ieri noapte m-o apucat \u00een p\u0103dure, \u0219-am r\u0103t\u0103cit poteca; de nu d\u0103deam peste V\u0103sui al d-tale \u00een opcin\u0103, cine \u0219tie pe unde mi-ar fi mai sticlit ochii!..<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i de-aicea, unde chiti\u021bi s\u0103 merge\u021bi?
\n\u2014 D-apoi, d\u0103, mo\u0219ule, \u0219tiu eu? ia, \u00eencotro se poate merge; c\u00e2nd r\u0103t\u0103ce\u0219ti, r\u0103m\u00e2i \u00een voia drumului, nu drumul \u00een voia d-tale.<\/p>\n
\u2014 De asta, a\u0219a-i, domni\u0219orule.
\n\u2014 Da-n sf\u00e2r\u0219it, a\u0219 vrea s\u0103 ies undeva la lumin\u0103, mo\u0219ule; pe unde s-ar putea merge la Tazl\u0103u?<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi, d\u0103, domni\u0219orule, drumuri or hi ele multe, numai c\u00e2t \u00ees toate cu dep\u0103rtare \u0219i-s locuri tari; \u0219-apoi, dup\u0103 oara dealalt\u0103ieri noapte, s-or hi desfundat potecile \u0219i nu s-or hi lini\u0219tit apele; da apele ca apele, da n-ai s\u0103 po\u021bi trece Tazl\u0103ul la vremea asta, c\u0103 toate apele dau \u00een el, \u0219i-a hi viind devale cu schinare, ca un balaur…<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i-i departe Tazl\u0103ul de-aici?
\n\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 pe-aicea nu-i Tazl\u0103u; numai c\u00e2t cracii lui \u00ees pe- acolea pe-aproape; iaca, urm\u0103 el ar\u0103t\u00e2nd cu m\u00e2na spre r\u0103s\u0103rit, \u00een dou\u0103 p\u0103r\u021bi deosebite, iaca, un crac iese de colea, de sub Poiana Rotund\u0103 \u0219i unul de dincolo, de sub poienile Go\u0219manului; da nu-i vorba de cracii lui, c\u0103 doar n-ai s\u0103 treci peste ei; ca s-ajungi la sat trebuie s\u0103 treci peste Tazl\u0103ul cel mare, \u0219i socot c\u0103 nu l-\u0103i putea trece, c\u0103 nu se ostoie\u0219te el cu una, cu dou\u0103, c\u00e2nd vine mare.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da-l trec c\u0103lare, mo\u0219ule.
\n\u2014 Da te m\u0103tur\u0103 Tazl\u0103ul, domni\u0219orule, ca pe-o a\u0219chie, cu cal cu tot, r\u0103spunse mo\u0219neagul cu oarecare m\u00e2ndrie, atins parc\u0103 \u00een amorul lui propriu; \u0219i puf\u0103ind o dat\u0103 din lulea, scuip\u0103 printre din\u021bi mai cu m\u0103iestrie \u0219i mai departe peste foc.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bine, mo\u0219ule, asta o s-o vedem noi; da c\u00e2nd a fi s\u0103 plec m\u00e2ini-diminea\u021b\u0103, o s\u0103 te rog s\u0103-mi dai doi fl\u0103c\u0103uani de-ai d-tale care-or fi mai voinici, s\u0103 m\u0103 duc\u0103 p\u00e2n-\u00een sat; o s\u0103 le fac cinste \u0219i lor \u0219i d-tale.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Auzi, m\u0103 Hu\u021bane, t-ei prinde tu cu Sgribincea s\u0103-l duci pe d-lui p\u00e2n-\u00een sat devale? zise el, adres\u00e2ndu-se la un soi de doi atle\u021bi, care st\u0103teau cinchi\u021bi \u0219i t\u0103cu\u021bi pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 foc, \u00een a\u0219teptarea m\u0103m\u0103ligii.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da om merge, c\u0103 doar i-o palm\u0103 de loc, r\u0103spunser\u0103 ei, f\u0103r\u0103 m\u0103car s\u0103 \u00eentoarc\u0103 capul.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, vezi, mo\u0219ule, c\u0103 ei nu se tem de Tazl\u0103u ca d-ta?…
\n\u2014 D-apoi, d\u0103, ei nu s-or hi tem\u00e2nd, c-ai\u0219tia doar \u00ees de cei care umfl\u0103 \u0219uvoiu-n bra\u021be \u0219i urc\u0103 cu el la deal.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da d-ta crezi c\u0103 iapa mea nu umfl\u0103 \u0219uvoiu-n bra\u021be?
\n\u2014 D-apoi, d\u0103, domni\u0219orule, \u0219tim noi ce-a hi mai umfl\u00e2nd iapa d-tale? zise el scul\u00e2ndu-se de jos; \u0219i scutur\u00e2ndu-\u0219i de unghia policarului luleaua de scrum, o v\u00e2r\u00ee la loc \u00een chimir.<\/p>\n
\u2014 M\u0103 C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103, urm\u0103 el, strig\u00e2nd c\u0103tre un fl\u0103c\u0103uan lung, care de-abia se cinchise \u0219i el pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 foc; m\u0103 C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103, da ce te-ai l\u0103sat pe vine, ca-n ziua de Pa\u0219ti? Ia vezi de-o \u021b\u00e2’ de mojdei, c\u0103, ia, Bedreag \u00eei gata cu m\u0103m\u0103liga.<\/p>\n
\u00cen adev\u0103r, Bedreag, un fl\u0103c\u0103uan chipe\u0219 cu pieptul puternic \u0219i desf\u0103cut, cu fa\u021ba dogorit\u0103 de fierbin\u021beala focului, ridicase de pe lespezi ceaunul uria\u0219 \u0219i, cump\u0103nindu-l de toart\u0103 cu st\u00e2nga, iar de fund sprijinindu-l cu dreapta, \u00eel r\u0103sturn\u0103 spre o petic\u0103 unsuroas\u0103 \u0219i groas\u0103, \u0219i, din tiparul lui negru \u0219i fierbinte, se rostogoli, ca o st\u00e2nc\u0103 rupt\u0103 din munte, o gigantic\u0103 m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, care-\u0219i-ntinse imensitatea sa rotund\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 sub gurguiul opincilor lui C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103; C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 se feri \u00een l\u0103turi \u0219i, ridic\u00e2ndu-se, nu at\u00e2ta dup\u0103 \u00eendemnul mo\u0219neagului, pe c\u00e2t ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 loc m\u0103m\u0103ligii \u00een poian\u0103, intr\u0103 \u0219i se mistui \u00een fundul st\u00e2nii.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da unde, p\u0103catele, a mai hi \u0219i cel usturoi, mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103? unde, naiba, l-\u00eendosi\u0219i, de nu dau peste el? se auzi C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 din fundul st\u00e2nii, strig\u00e2nd cu glas tr\u0103g\u0103nat \u0219i gros c\u0103tre mo\u0219neag.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ia vezi, m\u0103 C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103, s\u0103 nu te apuce de nas de sub cel chers\u00e2n cr\u0103pat; ori, vezi, c\u0103 l-or hi m\u00e2ncat p\u00e2\u0219ii as-noapte \u0219i te-or hi l\u0103sat cu din\u021bii la stele. \u0218i vezi de mai \u00eenchipuie \u0219i ceva pentru musafiri, c\u0103 doar nu \u021bi-a hi mas numai \u021bie \u0219oarecii \u00een p\u00e2ntece.<\/p>\n
Peste pu\u021bin, C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 se ar\u0103t\u0103 cu dou\u0103 scafe mari de lemn, una aproape plin\u0103 cu mojdei, alc\u0103tuit din ap\u0103 \u0219i usturoi ucis cu coaj\u0103 cu tot, alta cu felii mari de urd\u0103 \u0219i de ca\u0219, \u00eentr-o baie, p\u00e2n\u0103 la mijloc, de z\u0103r cald.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da unde-i lingura, m\u0103i, uititule, b\u0103g\u0103 de seam\u0103 mo\u0219neagul, c\u00e2nd puse C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 scafele l\u00e2ng\u0103 m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103. Ori crezi c\u0103-i toat\u0103 lumea, ca tine, cal, s\u0103-\u0219i moaie botu-n z\u0103r \u0219i s\u0103 beie?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ce nu dai pace b\u0103ietanului, mo\u0219ule? zisei eu, adres\u00e2ndu- m\u0103 mo\u0219neagului.<\/p>\n
\u2014 He! He!… C-apoi, doar unu-i C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 Abrudeanu, sereacu. C\u00e2nd \u00ee\u0219i primene\u0219te opincile, din Pa\u0219ti \u00een Cr\u0103ciun, ori s-alege cun picior descul\u021b, ori cu t\u00e2rs\u00e2nile b\u0103l\u0103l\u0103ind; da de-nfulicat nu mai are pereche pe fa\u021ba p\u0103m\u00e2ntului.<\/p>\n
\u0218i C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 iar se mistui \u00een fundul st\u00e2nii.
\n\u2014 Da unde puse\u0219i lingura, mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103? se auzi C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 strig\u00e2nd din nou c\u0103tre mo\u0219neag.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ia vezi, m\u0103, c-a hi pe comarnic, printre cei ca\u0219i. \u0218i C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 se \u00eentoarse cu o lingur\u0103 lipoveneasc\u0103, scurt\u0103-n coad\u0103 \u0219i lustruit\u0103 cu ro\u0219, \u00een form\u0103 de lingura z\u00e2nei, pe care o v\u00e2r\u00ee \u00een z\u0103r printre feliile de urd\u0103 \u0219i de ca\u0219.<\/p>\n
Bedreag scoase din brecinar o a\u021b\u0103 lung\u0103 \u0219i groas\u0103 \u0219i, c-o destoinicie de matematic, ap\u0103s\u0103 meridiane \u0219i paralele pe hemisferul cald al m\u0103m\u0103ligii, \u0219i m\u0103m\u0103liga se desf\u0103cu, risipindu-se, \u00een fierbin\u021bi… corpuri geometrice.<\/p>\n
\u0218i f\u0103c\u00e2ndu-se to\u021bi roat\u0103 \u00eemprejurul m\u0103m\u0103ligii, \u00ee\u0219i trase fiecare \u00eenspre d\u00e2nsul partea sa; iar mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103 a\u0219ez\u0103 la mijloc scafa cu mojdei.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da-\u021bi osp\u0103ta o \u021b\u00e2’ \u0219i ‘neavoastr\u0103, domni\u0219orule, zise el, \u00eendrept\u00e2ndu-se spre mine, care st\u0103team mai deoparte, \u0219i aduc\u00e2ndu-mi \u00eentr-o m\u00e2n\u0103 o bucat\u0103 de m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103, iar \u00een cealalt\u0103 scafa cu feliile de urd\u0103 \u0219i de ca\u0219.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bucuros, mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103, oi osp\u0103ta; numai c\u00e2t se vede c\u0103 d-ta m\u0103 iei drept Chiperiu ori T\u0103taru, de mi-aduci m\u00e2ncare deoparte; ia pune, te rog, scafa \u0219i m\u0103m\u0103liga mea colo, la r\u00e2nd cu d-ta; se vede c\u0103 mie nu vrei s\u0103-mi dai mojdei?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da ne rug\u0103m de iertare, domni\u0219orule, noi chiteam c\u0103…
\n\u2014 R\u0103u chiteai, mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103, zisei eu t\u0103indu-i vorba, r\u0103u de tot; \u0219i, drept pedeaps\u0103 c\u0103 ai chitit a\u0219a de r\u0103u, o s\u0103 m\u0103n\u00e2nci d-ta partea mea de ca\u0219, \u0219i eu partea d-tale de mojdei.<\/p>\n
\u0218i m\u0103 \u0219i a\u0219ezai turce\u0219te \u00eentre C\u00e2r\u021b\u0103 \u0219i Bedreag.
\n\u2014 Da poftim, domni\u0219orule, zise mo\u0219neagul, sc\u0103rpin\u00e2ndu-se peste c\u0103ciul\u0103 \u00een cre\u0219tetul capului \u0219i a\u0219ez\u00e2ndu-se \u0219i el la r\u00e2nd, bucuros, poftim, numai… d\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u2014 D\u0103, ned\u0103, ia s\u0103 te v\u0103d cum m\u0103n\u00e2nci d-ta, mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103, m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 cu urd\u0103, c\u0103 uite eu cum m\u0103n\u00e2nc m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 cu mojdei.<\/p>\n
\u0218i, dup\u0103 toate regulile celui mai deplin comunism, \u00eencepui a m\u00e2nca… Mult\u0103 vreme \u00eens\u0103 dup\u0103 aceea n-am mai m\u00e2ncat mojdei cu m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u0218i mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103, cunosc\u00e2ndu-se gre\u0219it, mu\u0219ca t\u0103cut din m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 \u0219i din ca\u0219, sorbind z\u0103r cu lingura cea ro\u0219ie \u0219i scurt\u0103-n coad\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, hai, mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103, gust\u0103 \u0219i d-ta din mojdei, c\u0103 doar eu am glumit; mai las\u0103 cea urd\u0103, c\u0103-i fi s\u0103tul de frupt de oaie.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Da poftim, domni\u0219orule, poftim, c\u0103 noi m\u00e2nc\u0103m de toate; d\u0103… chiteam \u0219i noi s\u0103-\u021bi d\u0103m bucate mai sub\u021biri.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi mai sub\u021biri dec\u00e2t mojdeiul, mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103, ce bucate mai vrei; uite, ap\u0103 goal\u0103 cu m\u0103m\u0103lig\u0103 cald\u0103…<\/p>\n
\u0218i mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103 \u00eencepu a \u00eentinge \u0219i el \u00een mojdeiul pe sf\u00e2r\u0219ite.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd ne lungir\u0103m, ca dup\u0103-mas\u0103, care-ncotro, pe unde g\u0103sir\u0103m oleac\u0103 de umbr\u0103, mo\u0219neagul veni l\u00e2ng\u0103 mine, care m\u0103 a\u0219ezasem \u00eentre Hu\u021ban \u0219i Bedreag \u0219i aprinsesem o \u021bigar\u0103. Mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103 \u00ee\u0219i scoase \u0219i el, cu ceremonialul obi\u0219nuit, luleaua \u0219i h\u00e2rtia cu tutun din chimir.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ia f\u0103-ncoace cea h\u00e2rtie, mo\u0219 C\u0103p\u0103\u021b\u00e2n\u0103, zisei eu \u00eentinz\u00e2nd m\u00e2na spre mo\u0219neag.<\/p>\n
\u00cemi d\u0103du h\u00e2rtia; scosei un pachet de tutun, c\u0103ci aveam \u00eendeajuns, \u00eel desf\u0103cui \u0219i i-l pusei \u00een h\u00e2rtie.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi aista a hi de cel bun, domni\u0219orule, observ\u0103 mo\u0219neagul uit\u00e2ndu-se cercet\u0103tor la tutunul ce-i d\u0103dusem.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bun, r\u0103u, pune \u0219i d-ta-n lulea \u0219i trage-i, c\u0103 doar tot fum are s\u0103 ias\u0103.<\/p>\n
Ceea ce mo\u0219neagul f\u0103cu, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-l mai \u00eendemn de dou\u0103 ori.
\n\u2014 Dac\u0103 nu v-ar hi cu sup\u0103rare, zise mo\u0219neagul, lungindu-se \u00eentr-un col\u021b \u0219i uit\u00e2ndu-se \u021bint\u0103 la mine, v-a\u0219 \u00eentreba ceva.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Nici o sup\u0103rare, mo\u0219ule, de ce s\u0103 m\u0103 sup\u0103r?
\n\u2014 Parc\u0103 v-a\u0219 hi v\u0103zut undeva; nu sunte\u021bi de la Cheatr\u0103?
\n\u2014 Ba drept de-acolo, mo\u0219ule; da cum se face de m\u0103 cuno\u0219ti d-ta de la Piatra?<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi n-a\u021bi ap\u0103rat d-voastr\u0103 cu Enescu, la giura\u021bi, amu un an, pe ni\u0219te ho\u021bi care-o fost pr\u0103dat o st\u00e2n\u0103?<\/p>\n
Lucrul era adev\u0103rat.
\n\u2014 Ba da, mo\u0219ule, da ce-i cu ho\u021bii aceia \u0219i cu st\u00e2na?
\n\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 doar st\u00e2na noastr\u0103 era cu paguba \u0219i tot cu paguba o \u0219i r\u0103mas; c\u0103 doar ho\u021bii o sc\u0103pat basma curat\u0103, ca ni\u0219te fete mari; \u0219i tot noi \u0219i cu vina, \u0219i cu gloaba.<\/p>\n
\u2014 A\u0219a-i, mo\u0219ule, mi-aduc aminte; numai c\u00e2t eu nu-s advocat; ia, m\u0103 luase \u0219i pe mine, a\u0219a, lude printre c\u0103l\u0103ra\u0219i, c\u0103 doar la giura\u021bi \u0219i dumneata po\u021bi fi advocat. Da bl\u0103st\u0103matul cel de Enescu, acela o-ntors capul giura\u021bilor, de i-o f\u0103cut sc\u0103pa\u021bi pe t\u00e2lhari, c-acela \u0219tie toate \u0219urub\u0103riile \u0219i-\u021bi face din alb negru, \u0219i din negru alb.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi c\u0103 \u0219i dumitale cum \u00ee\u021bi mai meli\u021ba guri\u021ba! de parc\u0103-\u021bi sufla Aghiu\u021b\u0103 la ureche, nu alta, zise mo\u0219neagul cl\u0103tin\u00e2nd \u00eentr-o parte \u0219i-n alta capul cu c\u0103ciul\u0103 cu tot, \u00een semn de mustrare, \u0219i, puf\u0103ind o dat\u0103 din lulea, scuip\u0103 printre din\u021bi, p\u00e2n\u0103 peste gurguiul opincilor lui Bedreag.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ei, \u0219i nu cumva pentru asta ai s\u0103-mi por\u021bi ponos? Ce vrei, mo\u0219ule? A\u0219a-i legea: orice vinovat trebuie s\u0103 aib\u0103 un ap\u0103r\u0103tor \u0219i, dac\u0103 scap\u0103, norocul lui.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D-apoi, vezi c\u0103 legea-i proast\u0103: cine-o f\u0103cut-o n-o avut cap, domni\u0219orule; eu chitesc c\u0103 giura\u021bii aceia \u00ees pu\u0219i acolo numai ca s\u0103 le deie drumul ho\u021bilor.<\/p>\n
\u0218i fiindc\u0103, de-a\u0219 fi discutat cu mo\u0219neagul \u00een contradictoriu, m\u0103 temeam s\u0103 nu m\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103, schimbai cu me\u0219te\u0219ug firul vorbirii, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 schimb \u0219i tema.<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u0218i ho\u021bii erau de pe-aici de pe-aproape? i-a\u021bi cunoscut?
\n\u2014 Da cum nu, domni\u0219orule; ni\u0219te potlogari din Calu-Iapa, feciori \u2014 chipurile \u2014 de gospodari… ne-o golit st\u00e2na de urd\u0103 \u0219i de ca\u0219, ba ne-o luat \u0219i c\u00e2teva mioare, de le-o fript mai \u00eencolo, h\u0103t, \u00een p\u0103dure.<\/p>\n
\u2014 D\u0103, mo\u0219ule, unde-s bucate, \u0219i pagub\u0103, \u00eencheiei eu senten\u021bios; da, m\u0103 rog, ap\u0103 de unde be\u021bi c\u00e2nd vi-i sete? \u00eentrebai eu spre a schimba vorba.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi, ia de-acolea, din vale; este un \u0219ipot sub o r\u0103d\u0103cin\u0103 de brad; m\u0103 Hu\u021bane, ia r\u0103pezi, c\u0103 e\u0219ti mai sprinten.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Apoi c\u0103 m\u0103 duc \u0219i eu cu Hu\u021ban, mo\u0219ule.
\n\u2014 Poftim, voia la dumnevoastr\u0103, domni\u0219orule. \u0218i, scul\u00e2ndu-ne de jos, plecar\u0103m \u00eempreun\u0103; dar p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 fac\u0103 Hu\u021ban un pas, eu f\u0103ceam trei, \u0219i totu\u0219i mergeam al\u0103turea; cu regula asta ajunser\u0103m \u00eentr-un desi\u0219 de brazi m\u0103run\u021bi, \u00een mijlocul c\u0103rora se ridica unul de dou\u0103 ori secular, de sub ale c\u0103rui r\u0103d\u0103cini un fir sub\u021bire de ap\u0103 limpede \u0219i rece se scurgea pe un jgheab a\u0219ezat acolo de ciobani; b\u0103ui p\u00e2n\u0103 sim\u021bii c\u0103 am ucis setea pe care mi-o de\u0219teptase ar\u0219i\u021ba s\u0103rat\u0103 a usturoiului \u0219i, \u00eentrema\u021bi, ne \u00eentoarser\u0103m la st\u00e2n\u0103 \u0219i eu, \u0219i Hu\u021ban.<\/p>\n
Schimbai priponul Pisicu\u021bei mai la umbr\u0103 sub poala p\u0103durii \u0219i tot la umbr\u0103 m\u0103 lungii \u0219i eu, cu capul pe \u0219a \u0219i, beat de usturoi, adormii \u00eentr-o clip\u0103.<\/p>\n
\u0218i cine \u0219tie c\u00e2t a\u0219 fi dormit, dac\u0103 un str\u0103nutat neobi\u0219nuit nu m-ar fi izbit drept \u00een ureche. C\u00e2nd deschisei ochii \u0219i \u00eentorsei capul, un \u021bap c-o barb\u0103 de patriarh \u0219i cu ni\u0219te ochi holba\u021bi, \u00een floarea frunzei de varz\u0103, m\u0103 mirosea cu de-am\u0103nuntul \u0219i, sub emana\u021biunile nev\u0103zute, dar puternice, ale usturoiului meu, scutura din cap \u0219i str\u0103nuta disperat. Turma sosise de la p\u0103\u0219une \u0219i odat\u0103 cu ea sosi cur\u00e2nd \u0219i noaptea. Focuri se aprinser\u0103 \u00een poian\u0103 \u0219i, peste pu\u021bin, lini\u0219tea se \u00eentinse pretutindeni… Adormir\u0103m cu to\u021bii. A doua zi, \u00een rev\u0103rsatul zorilor, \u00eenso\u021bit de Sgribincea \u0219i Hu\u021ban, apucai, peste mun\u021bii din r\u0103s\u0103rit, drumul Tazl\u0103ului.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2014 Domnule, \u00eemi zisese p\u0103rintele Gherm\u0103nu\u021b\u0103 la plecare, nu era r\u0103u s\u0103 mai fi z\u0103bovit d-voastr\u0103 c\u00e2teva zile la noi, c\u0103-i tocmai la primenitul luminii \u0219i vremea poate s\u0103 se schimbe; \u0219i de v-a apuca ploaia-n p\u0103dure, apoi are s\u0103 v\u0103 fie greu de tot; \u0219i, mai ales, cum nu cunoa\u0219te\u021bi d-voastr\u0103 drumul, se poate […]<\/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-262","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\/262","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=262"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":269,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262\/revisions\/269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}