Deschide cartea cu poveti!

A fost odat ca niciodat, o vreme cnd creteam ntr-o zi ct alii n trei, urcam pe spatele psrii miestre i treceam de pe un trm pe cellalt ct ai clipi, intrnd n lumea vrjit a basmului. Acele vremuri au trecut demult, lumea s-a schimbat, iar noi aproape l-am uitat pe Ft-Frumos i pe toi ai lui. Acest proiect s-a nscut din dorina de a regsi copilria aa cum am cunoscut-o noi, cnd nu msuram mai mult de-o chioap i triam ntr-un timp magic alturi de eroi dragi de poveste, ce nu vor fi uitai niciodat. mpreun cu colegii implicai n proiect, ne propunem s trezim interesul copiilor pentru basmul tradiional romnesc, ca o alternativ sntoas la violena promovat prin jocuri pe calculator i desene animate pe diverse canale TV. Eroii basmelor nu ne-au prsit niciodat i asteapt rbdtori printre paginile crilor s ne spun povestea lor. Aadar, copii de orice vrst, deschidei cartea cu poveti! Valeriu Troan, coordonator de proiect

Deschide Cartea cu poveti!

Asociaia MODUS VIVENDI

Asociaia de tineret CONCILIUM

Inspectoratul colar Judeean Cluj

Descrierea CIP a Bibliotecii Naionale a Romniei ISPIRESCU, Petre Greuceanu / Petre Ispirescu ; traducere n limba englez : Aneta Cristea ; ilustraii : Ioana Alexandra Abagiu. - Cluj-Napoca : Argonaut, 2009. 36 p. : il ; 21 cm. ISBN : 978-973-109-199-0 821.135.1-34(Ispirescu, P.) 821.135.1-93-3(Ispirescu, P.)

Exemplar distribuit gratuit n cadrul proiectului Deschide cartea cu poveti!

Greuceanu
dup Petre Ispirescu

Cluj-Napoca, aprilie 2009

Greuceanu, Petre Ispirescu

fost odat ca niciodat; c de n-ar fi, nu s-ar mai povesti; de cnd fcea ploporul pere i rchita micunele; de cnd se bteau urii n coade; de cnd se luau de gt lupii cu mieii de se srutau, nfrindu-se; de cnd se potcovea puricele la un picior cu nouzeci i nou de oca de fier i s-arunca n slava cerului de ne aducea poveti;

De cnd se scria musca pe prete, Mai mincinos cine nu crede. A fost un mparat i se numea mpratul Rou. El era foarte mhnit c, n zilele lui, nite zmei furaser soarele i luna de pe cer. Trmise deci oameni prin toate rile i rvae prin orae, ca s dea de tire tuturor c oricine se va gsi s scoat soarele i luna de la zmei, acela va lua pe fata lui de nevast i nc i jumtate din mpria sa, iar cine va umbla i nu va izbndi nimic, acela s tie c i se va tia capul. Muli voinici se potricliser1 semeindu-se cu uurin c va scoate la capat o asemenea nsrcinare; i cnd la treab, h n sus, h n jos, da din col in col i nu tia de unde s-o nceap i unde s-o sfreasc. mpratul ns se inu de cuvnt. Pe vremea aceea, se afla un viteaz pre nume Greuceanu. Auzind i el de fgduina mprteasc, ce se gndi, ce se rzgndi, c numai i lu inima n dini, ncumetndu-se pe ajutorul lui Dumnezeu i pe voinicia sa, i plec i el la mpratul s se nchine cu slujb. Pe drum se ntlni cu doi oameni pe cari slujitorii mprteti i duceau la mpratul ca s-i taie, pentru c fugiser de la o btlie ce o avusese mpratul acesta cu nite gadine.
1. a se potricli - a se prpdi

Deschide cartea cu poveti!

El ii puse ndejdea n ntmplarea aceasta i i zise: "mi voi ncerca norocul. De voi izbuti s nduplec pe mpratul a ierta pe aceti oameni de la moarte, m voi ncumeta s m nsrcinez i cu cealalt treab; iar de nu, sntate bun! M voi duce de unde am venit. sta s fie n norocul meu; niciodat nu stric cineva s fac o ncercare". i astfel, poftorindu-i unele ca acestea, aide, aide, ajunge la curtea mprteasc. nfindu-se la mpratul, attea i povesti, aa cuvinte bune i dulci scoase i atta meteug puse n vorbirea sa, nct i mpratul crezu c pe nedrept ar fi s omoare pe acei oameni; c mai de folos i-ar fi lui s aib doi supui mai mult, i c mai mare va fi vaza lui n lume de s-ar arata milostiv ctre popor. Nu mai putur oamenii de bucurie cnd auzir c Greuceanu a mglisit2 pe mpratul pn ntr-atta, nct l-a facut s-i ierte. Mulumir lui Greuceanu din toat inima i i fgduir c toat viaa lor se vor ruga lui Dumnezeu pentru dnsul ca s mearg din izbnd n izbnd, ceea ce i fcur. Aceast izbnd o lu drept semn bun, i Greuceanu, mergnd a doua oara la mpratul, gri cu cuvintele lui mieroase cele urmtoare: - Mrite doamne, s trieti ntru muli ani pe luminatul scaunul acestei mprii. Muli voinici s-au legat ctre mria ta s scoat de la zmei soarele i luna pe care le-a hrpit de pe cer, i stiu c cu moarte au murit, fiindc n-au putut s-i ndeplineasc legmintele ce au fcut ctre mria ta. i eu, mrite doamne, cuget a m duce ntru cutarea acestor tlhari de zmei, i mi-ar fi voia s-mi ncerc i eu norocul, doar-doar va da Dumnezeu s ajungem a putea pedepsi pe acei blestemai de zmei, pentru nesocotita lor ndrzneal. Dar fii-mi milostiv i mn de ajutor. - Dragul meu Greucene, rspunse mpratul, nu pot s schimb
2. a mglisi - a lingui, a amgi

Greuceanu, Petre Ispirescu

nici o iot din hotrrea mea. i aceasta nu pentru altceva, ci numai i numai pentru c voiesc s fiu drept. Poruncile mele voi s fie una pentru toat mpria mea; la mine prtinire nu este scris. Vznd statornica hotrre a mpratului i dreptatea celor vorovite de dnsul, Greuceanu cuvnt cu glas voinicesc: - Fie, mrite mprate, chiar de a ti c voi pieri, tot nu m voi lsa pn nu voi duce la capt bun sarcina ce mi iau de bun-voia mea. Se nvoir, i preste cteva zile i plec, dupa ce puse la cale tot ce gsi c e bine s fac, ca s scape cu faa curat din aceast ntreprindere. Greuceanu lu cu dnsul i pe fratele su i merse, merse, merse cale lung, deprtat, pn ce ajunse la Faurulpmntului, cu care era frate de cruce. Acest faur, fiind cel mai mare meter de pe pmnt, era i nzdrvan. Aici se oprir i poposir. Trei zile i trei nopi au stat nchii ntr-o cmar Greuceanu cu Faurulpmntului i se sftuir. i, dup ce se odihnir cteva zile i mai plnuir ceea ce era de fcut, Greuceanu i frate-su o luar la drum. ndat dup plecarea Greuceanului, Faurul-pmntului se apuc i fcu chipul lui Greuceanu numai i numai din fier, apoi porunci s arz cunia ziua i noaptea i s in chipul acesta fr curmare n foc. Iar Greuceanu i frate-su merser cale lung, i mai lung, pn ce li se facu calea cruci; aici se oprir, se aezar pe iarb i fcur o gustric din merindele ce mai aveau, i apoi se desprir, dup ce se mbriar, i plnser ca nite copii. Mai nainte de-a se despri, i mprir cte o basma i se neleser zicnd: "Atunci cnd basmalele vor fi rupte pe margini, s mai trag nadejde unul de altul c se vor mai ntlni; iar cnd basmalele vor fi rupte n mijloc, s se tie c unul din ei este pierit. Mai nfipse i un cuit n pmnt i zise

Deschide cartea cu poveti!

"Acela din noi, care s-ar ntoarce mai nti i va gsi cuitul ruginit s nu mai atepte pe cellalt, fiindc aceasta nsemneaz c a murit". Apoi Greuceanu apuc la dreapta i frate-su la stnga. Fratele Greuceanului, umblnd mai multa vreme n sec, se ntoarse la locul de desprire i, gsind cuitul curat, se puse a-l atepta acolo cu bucurie, c vzuse soarele i luna la locul lor pe cer. Iar Greuceanu se duse, se duse pe o potec care-l scoase tocmai la casele zmeilor, aezate unde-i nrcase dracul copiii. Dac ajunse aici, Greuceanu se dete de trei ori peste cap i se fcu un porumbel. Vezi c el ascultase nazdravaniile ce-l nvase Faurulpmntului. Fcndu-se porumbel, Greuceanu zbur i se puse pe un pom care era tocmai n faa caselor. Atunci, ieind fata de zmeu cea mare i, uitndu-se, se ntoarse repede i chem pe mum-sa i pe sor-sa cea mica, ca s vin s vaz minunea. Fata cea mica zise: - Miculi i surioar, pasrea asta ginga nu mi se pare ogurlie3 pentru casa noastra. Ochii ei nu seaman a de pasre, ci mai mult seamn a fi ochii lui Greuceanu cel de aur. Pn acuma ne-a fost i nou! D-aici nainte numai Dumnezeu s-i fac mil de noi i d-ai notri. Pasmite aveau zmeii cunotin de vitejia lui Greuceanu. Apoi intrar ctetrele zmeoaicele n cas i se puser la sfat. Greuceanu numaidecat se dete iari de trei ori preste cap i se fcu o musc i intr n cmara zmeilor. Acolo se ascunse ntr-o crptur de grind de la tavanul casei i ascult la sfatul lor. Dupa ce lu n cap tot ce auzi, iei afar i se duse pe drumul ce ducea la Codru Verde i acolo se ascunse subt un pod. Cum se vede treaba, din cele ce auzise, tia acum ca zmeii se duseser la vnat n Codru Verde i aveau s se ntoarc unul de cu sear, altul la miezul nopii i tartorul cel mare
3. ogurliu - aductor de noroc

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despre ziu. Ateptnd Greuceanu acolo, iat mre, c zmeul cel mai mic se ntorcea i, ajungnd calul la marginea podului, unde sfori o dat i sri napoi de apte pai. Dar zmeul, mniindu-se, zise: - Ah, mnca-o-ar lupii carnea calului! Pe lumea asta nu mi-e fric de nimeni, numai de Greuceanu de Aur; dar i pe acela c-o lovitur l voi culca la pmnt. Greuceanu, auzind, iei pe pod i strig: - Vino, zmeule viteaz, n sbii s ne tiem, sau n lupt s ne luptm. - Ba n lupt, c e mai dreapt. Se apropiar unul de altul i se luar la trnt. Aduse zmeul pe Greuceanu i-l bg n pmnt pn n genunchi. Aduse i Greuceanu pe zmeu i-l bg n pmnt pn n gt i-i tie capul. Apoi, dup ce arunc leul zmeului i al calului sub pod, se puse s se odihneasc. Cnd, n puterea nopii, veni i fratele cel mare al zmeului, i calul lui sri de aptesprezece pai napoi. El zise ca i frate-su, iar Greuceanu i rspunse i lui ca i celui dinti. Ieind de sub pod, se lu la trnt i cu acest zmeu. i unde mi-aduse, nene, zmeul pe Greuceanu i-l bg n pmnt pn la bru. Dar Greuceanu, srind repede, unde mi-aduse i el pe zmeu o dat, mi-l trnti i-l bg n pmnt pn n gt i-i tie capul cu paloul. Aruncndu-i i mortciunea acestuia i a calului su sub pod, se puse iarsi de se odihni. Cnd despre zori, unde venea, mre, venea tatl zmeilor, ca un tartor, [de] catranit ce era, i cnd ajunse la capul podului, sri calul lui aptezeci i apte de pai napoi. Se necji zmeul de aceast ntmplare ct un lucru mare, i unde rcni: - Ah, mncare-ar lupii carnea calului; c pe lumea asta nu mi-e fric de nimenea, doar de Greuceanu de Aur; i nc i pe acesta numai s-l iau la ochi cu sgeata i l voi culca la pmnt.

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Atunci, ieind i Greuceanu de sub pod, i zise: - Deh! zmeule viteaz, vino sa ne batem, n sbii s ne tiem, n sulii s ne lovim, ori in lupt s ne luptm. Sosi zmeul i se luar la btaie: n sbii se btur ce se btur i se rupser sbiile; n sulii se lovir ce se lovir i se rupser suliele; apoi se luar la lupt: se zguduiau unul pre altul de se cutremura pmntul; i strnse zmeul pe Greuceanu o dat, dar acesta, bgnd de seama ce are de gnd zmeul, se umfl i se ncord n vine i nu pi nimic, apoi Greuceanu strnse o dat pe zmeu, tocmai cnd el nu se atepta, de-i pri oasele. Aa lupt nici c s-a mai vazut. i se luptar, i se luptar, pn ce ajunse vremea la nmiezi, i ostenir. Atunci trecu pe deasupra lor un corb carele se legna prin vzduh i cuta la lupta lor. i vzndu-l, zmeul i zise: - Corbule, corbule, pasre cernit, adu-mi tu mie un cioc de ap i-i voi da de mncare un voinic cu calul lui cu tot. Zise i Greuceanu: - Corbule, corbule, mie s-mi aduci un cioc de apa dulce, cci eu i-oi da de mncare trei leuri de zmeu i trei de cal. Auzind corbul aceste cuvinte, aduse lui Greuceanu un cioc de ap dulce i i astmpr setea; cci nsetoasera, nevoie mare. Atunci Greuceanu mai prinse la suflet, i, mputernicindu-se, unde ridic, nene, o dat pe zmeu, i trntindu-mi-l l bg n pmnt pn n gt i-i puse piciorul pe cap, inndu-l aa. Apoi i zise: - Spune-mi, zmeule spurcat, unde ai ascuns tu soarele i luna, cci azi nu mai ai scpare din mna mea. Se codea zmeul, ngna verzi i uscate, dar Greuceanu i mai zise: - Spune-mi-vei ori nu, eu tot le voi gasi, i nc i capul retezai-l-voi.

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Atunci zmeul, tot mai ndjduindu-se a scapa cu via dac i va spune, zise: - n Codru Verde este o cul. Acolo nuntru sunt nchise. Cheia este degetul meu cel mic de la mna dreapt. Cum auzi Greuceanu unele ca acestea, i retez capul, apoi i tie degetul i-l lu la sine. Dete corbului, dup fgduial, toate strvurile, i, ducndu-se Greuceanu la cula din Codru Verde, deschise ua cu degetul zmeului i gsi acolo soarele i luna. Lu n mna dreapta soarele i n cea stng luna, le arunc pe cer i se bucur cu bucurie mare. Oamenii, cnd vzur iari soarele i luna pe cer, se veselir i ludar pe Dumnezeu c a dat atta trie lui Greuceanu de a izbndit mpotriva mpieliailor vrjmai ai omenirii. Iar el, mulumit c a scos la bun capt slujba, o lu la drum, ntorcndu-se napoi. Gsind pe frate-su la semnul de ntrolocare, se mbriar i, cumprnd doi cai ce mergeau ca sgeata de iute, ntinser pasul la drum ca s se ntoarc la mpratul. n cale, dete peste un pr plin de pere de aur. Fratele Greuceanului zise c ar fi bine s mai poposeasc puin la umbra acestui pr, ca s mai rsufle i caii, iar pn una, alta s culeag i cteva pere, spre a-i mai momi foamea. Greuceanu, care auzise pe zmeoaice ce planuiser, se nvoi a se odihni; dar nu lsa pe frate-sau s culeag pere, ci zise ca le va culege el. Atunci trase paloul i lovi prul la rdcin. Cnd, ce sa vezi d-ta? Unde ncepu a curge nite snge i venin scrbos i un glas se auzi din pom, zicnd: - M mncai fript, Greucene, precum ai mncat i pre brbatul meu. i nimic nu mai rmase din acel pr, dect praf i cenue; iar frate-su ncremeni de mirare, netiind ce sunt toate acestea. Dup ce plecar i merser ce merser, deter preste o

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grdin foarte frumoas cu flori i cu fluturei i cu ap limpede i rece. Fratele Greuceanului zise: - S ne oprim aici niel, ca s ne mai odihnim ciorii. Iar noi s bem niic ap rece i s culegem flori. - Aa s facem, frate, rspunse Greuceanu, dac aceast gradin va fi sdit de mini omeneti i dac acel izvor va fi lsat de Dumnezeu. Apoi, trgnd paloul, lovi n tulpina unei flori care se prea mai frumoas i o culc la pmnt; dup aceea mpunse i n fundul fntnei i a marginilor ei, dar n loc de ap ncepu a clocoti un snge mohort, ca i din tulpina florii, i umplu vzduhul de un miros greos. Praf i rn rmase i din fata cea mai mare de zmeu, cci ea se fcuse grdin i izvor ca s nvenineze pe Greuceanu i s-l omoare. i scpnd i d-aceasta pacoste, nclecar i plecar la drum, repede ca vntul; cnd ce sa vezi d-ta? Unde se luase dup dnii scorpia de mum a zmeoaicelor cu o falc n cer i cu alta n pmnt ca s nghit pe Greuceanu i mai multe nu; i avea de ce s fie ctrnit i amrt: cci nu mai avea nici so, nici fete, nici gineri. Greuceanu simind c s-a luat dup dnii zmeoaica cea btrn, zise frine-su: - Ia te uit, frate, napoi i spune-mi ce vezi. - Ce s vz, frate, i rspunse el, iat un nor vine dup noi ca un vrtej. Atunci dete bice cailor cari mergeau repede ca vntul i lin ca gndul; dar Greuceanu mai zise o dat fratelui su s se uite n urm. Acesta i spuse c se apropie norul ca o flcraie; apoi, mai fcnd un vnt cailor, ajunser la Faurul-pmntului. Aci, cum descalecar, se nchise n furite. Pe urma lor iaca i zmeoaica. De-i ajungea, i prpdea! Nici oscior nu mai rmnea din ei. Acum ns n-avea ce le

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mai face. O ntoarse ns la iretlic: rug pe Greuceanu s fac o gaur n prete ca mcar s-l vaz n fa. Greuceanu se prefcu c se nduplec i fcu o gaur n prete. Dar Faurul-pmntului se ainea cu chipul lui Greuceanu cel de fier, ce arsese n foc de srea scntei din el. Cnd zmeoaica puse gura la sprtur ca s soarb pe Greuceanu, Faurul-pmntului i bg n gur chipul de fier rou ca focul i i-l vr pe gt. Ea, nghior! nghii i pe loc i crp. Nu trecu mult i strvul zmeoaicei se prefcu ntr-un munte de fier i astfel scpar i de dnsa. Faurul-pmntului deschise ua furitei, iei afar i se veselir trei zile i trei nopi de aa mare izbnd. El mai cu seam era nebun de bucurie pentru muntele de fier. Atunci porunci calfilor s fac lui Greuceanu o cru cu trei cai cu totul i cu totul de fier. Dup ce fur gata, sufl asupra lor i le dete duh de via. Lundu-i ziua bun de la frate-su de cruce, Faurul-pmntului, Greuceanu se urc n trsur cu frate-su cel bun i porni la Rou-mprat ca s-i primeasc rsplata. Merse, merse, pn ce li se nfurci calea. Aci se oprir i poposir. Apoi, Greuceanu desprinse de la cru un cal i-l dete fratelui su, ca s duc mpratului Rou vestea cea bun a sosirii lui Greuceanu cu izbnda svrit; iar el rmase mai n urm. naintnd el alene, rsturnat n cru, trecu pre lng un diavol chiop carele inea calea drumeilor ca s le fac neajunsuri. Acestuia i fu frica sa dea piept cu Greuceanu, dar, ca s nu scape nici el neatins de rutatea lui cea drceasc, i scoase cuiul din capul osiei de dindrt i-l arunc departe n urm. Apoi tot el zise Greuceanului: - Mi, vericule, i-ai pierdut cuiul, du-te de i-l caut. Greuceanu srind din cru, i uit acolo paloul, din greeal. Iar cnd el i cuta cuiul, diavolul i fur paloul, apoi, se

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aez n marginea drumului, se dete de trei ori peste cap i se schimb ntr-o stan de piatr. Puse Greuceanu cuiul la capul osiei, l inepeni bine, se urc n cru, i pe ici i-e drumul! Nu bg ns de seam c paloul i lipsete. Ascultai acum i v minunai, boieri d-voastr, de pania bietului Greuceanu. Un mangosit de sfetnic d-ai mpratului Rou se fgduise diavolului, dac l va face s ia el pe fata mpratului. mpieliatul tia c Greuceanu, fr palo, era i el om ca toi oamenii. Puterea lui n palo era; fr palo era necunoscut. i fur paloul i-l dete becisnicului de sfetnic. Acesta se nfi la mpratul i i ceru fata, zicnd c el este cel cu izbnda cea mare. mpratul l crezu, vzndu-i i paloul, i ncepuser a pune la cale cele spre cununie. Pe cnd se pregtea la curte pentru nuntirea fiicei mpratului cu voinicul cel mincinos ce zicea c a scos soarele i luna de la zmei, vine i fratele Greuceanului cu vestea c Greuceanu are s soseasc n curnd. Sfetnicul cel palavatic, cum auzi de una ca aceasta, merse la mpratul i zise c acela este un amgitor i trebuie pus la nchisoare. mpratul l ascult. Iar sfetnicul umbla d-a-nctelea, zorind s se fac mai curnd nunta, cu gnd c, dac se va cununa odat cu fata mpratului, apoi poate s vina o sut de Greuceni, c n-are ce-i mai face, lucru fiind sfrit. mpratului ns nu-i prea plcu zorul ce da sfetnicul pentru nunt, i mai trgi lucrurile. Nu trecu mult i iat c sosete i Greuceanu i, infindu-se la mpratul, acesta nu tia ntre care s aleag. Credea c acesta s fie Greuceanu, dar nu-i putea da seama de cum paloul lui Greuceanu se afla n mna sfetnicului. Atunci bg de seama i Greuceanu c-i lipsete paloul i tocmai acum i veni n minte pentru ce nu vzuse el stana de piatr dect dup ce-i gsise cuiul de la osie i se ntorcea la cru cu

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dnsul. Pricepu el c nu e lucru curat. - mprate prealuminate, zise el, toata lumea tie c eti om drept. Te rog s-mi faci i mie dreptate. Mult ai ateptat, mai ateapt, rogu-te nc puin i vei vedea cu ochii adevrul. Primi mpratul a mai atepta pn ce s se ntoarc Greuceanu. Acesta ntr-un suflet merse, pn ce ajunse la stana de piatra, acolo unde Necuratul i scosese cuiul de la cru. - Fiin netrebnic i pgubitoare omenirii, zise el, d-mi paloul ce mi-ai furat, cci de unde nu, praful se alege de tine. Piatra nici c se clinti din loc mcar. Atunci Greuceanu se dete de trei ori peste cap, se fcu buzdugan de oel, i unde ncepu, nene, a lovi n stan de se cutremur pmntul. De cte ori da, de attea ori cdea cte o zburtur din piatr. i lovi ce lovi pn ce i sfrm vrful. Apoi deodat ncepu stana de piatr a tremura i a cere iertciune. Iar buzduganul, de ce da, d-aia i nteea loviturile, i dete, i dete, pn o facu pulbere. Cnd nu mai fu n picioare nimic din stana de piatr, ct prin pulberea ce mai rmsese, i-i gsi Greuceanu paloul . l lu i, fr nici o clip de odihn, veni i se nfi iari la mpratul. - Sunt gata, mrite mprate, zise el, s-art oricui ce poate osul lui Greuceanu. S vin acel sfetnic neruinat care a voit s te amgeasc, spre a ne nelege la cuvinte. mpratul l chem. Acesta, dac veni i vzu pe Greuceanu cu sprnceana ncruntat, ncepu s tremure i-i ceru iertciune, spunnd cum czuse n minile lui paloul lui Greuceanu. Dup rugciunea lui Greuceanu, dobndi iertare i de la mpratul, dar acesta i porunci s piar din mpria lui. Apoi scoase pe fratele Greuceanului de la nchisoare i se fcu o nunta d-alea mprtetile, i se ncinse nite veselii care inur trei sptmni... i eu nclecai p-o a, i v povesti dumneavoastr aa.

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Sfrit

The story of Mighty Greuceanu

by Petre Ispirescu

Deschide cartea cu poveti!

nce upon a time, there was an old king called The Red King who was very upset because, one day, some dragons had stolen the Sun and the Moon from the sky. He sent word all over his kingdom so people would know that whoever brought back the Sun and the Moon from the dragons, would marry the King's daughter and would receive half of his kingdom, but whoever failed, would have his head cut off. There were many lads who decided to give it a try, but they didn't know where to start or where to finish their work, they strove and strove, but didn't accomplish anything in the end. However, the King kept his word. At that time, there was a brave man whose name was Greuceanu and, having heard about the King's promise, he set out on this journey, relying only on God and on his own bravery. But Greuceanu was also a smooth-talker and he managed to convince the King to spare the lives of two of his servants who were about to be killed for running away from the battle field. Finding themselves saved, the servants thanked Greuceanu from the bottom of their hearts and promised to pray for him and his victory against the dragons. Encouraged by his good deed, Greuceanu came to the King and said: Long live the King! Your Highness, I know that many lads have tried to bring back the Sun and the Moon from the Dragons and I also know that they couldn't keep their promise to you, my Lord, they have failed and their heads have been cut off. And here I am, I dare to try, too and maybe I will succeed in punishing the damn Dragons and saving the Sun and the Moon. After having said so, Greuceanu set out on his quest, taking his brother with him, and they went a long way till they reached the Smith of the Earth who was Greuceanu's blood brother. The Smith was the best dab alive and he also had magical powers, so Greuceanu spent three days and three nights at his place, asking for advice and

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The story of Mighty Greuceanu

planning the journey together. As soon as Greuceanu left, the Smith began to make Greuceanu's face in iron and he ordered his men to keep it in the fire without stopping. Greuceanu and his brother travelled a long way until they got to a crossroads. Here they stopped and decided to split their ways but before that, they made some promises, giving each other a handkerchief and saying: When the handkerchiefs have their edges torn off, there will still be hope that we will see each other again. But when the handkerchiefs are torn in the middle, we will know that one of us is dead. They also stuck a knife in the ground and said: The one that comes back here first and finds the knife rusted should know that the other one is dead and he shouldn't wait for him anymore. After that, Greuceanu headed to the right and his brother to the left. Greuceanu's brother walked aimlessly for a while and then he returned to the meeting point and found the knife clean, so he sat there and started waiting for Greuceanu, being very glad to see the Sun and the Moon back on the sky. Greuceanu headed on a path that brought him exactly to the Dragons' houses at the very end of the world. There Greuceanu rolled over three times, exactly as the Smith of the Earth had taught him to, and turned himself into a dove. Now a dove, he flew onto a tree just in front of the Dragons' houses. Then, the Dragons' eldest daughter came outside and, seeing the dove, quickly called her mother and sister to come out and see the wonder by themselves: Mother, sister, from what I see, this little bird doesn't seem to bring us any luck, I think it's a bad omen. Its eyes don't look like a bird's eyes, but more like Greuceanu's eyes. It's all over for us! From now on, only God can have mercy on us.

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Deschide cartea cu poveti!

Probably the Dragons had already heard of Greuceanu's bravery. Then they all got into the house to talk about it and come up with a plan. Greuceanu immediately rolled over three times again, turned himself into a fly and got into the Dragons' store room. From there he could eavesdrop on everything they talked about, and having heard all he needed to know, he flew away to the Green Forest and hid himself under a bridge. The Dragons had gone hunting into the Green Forest and were supposed to come back home one by one: the first one in the evening, the second one at midnight and the third one, who was their father-in-law and who was also the oldest and the meanest, would come home at the break of dawn. While Greuceanu was waiting under the bridge, the youngest of the Dragons showed up from the forest, but as soon as he got closer to the bridge, his horse started to back up and it wouldn't go on. You stupid horse, what's the matter with you? I fear nothing and nobody in this world! Well, except maybe Greuceanu for a little bit. But even he will be struck down with only one strike of mine, said the Dragon. Hearing this, Greuceanu came out and said: Come on, you brave Dragon, let's fight! Draw your sword or let's wrestle! We'd better wrestle, because it's a fairer fight answered the Dragon. So they started wrestling, first the Dragon stuck Greuceanu into the ground up to his knees, then Greuceanu stuck the Dragon into the ground up to his neck, cut hid head off and threw his dead body and his horse' s body under the bridge. At midnight, the other Dragon showed up, and when he wanted to cross the bridge, the same thing that had happened to his brother, happened to him. Coming out from his hiding place, Greuceanu started wrestling

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with the Dragon. But what do you know? The Dragon stuck Greuceanu into the ground up to his waist. Greuceanu quickly got out and, taking the Dragon, put him into the ground up to his neck and he cut his head off with his sword. As he did with the other Dragon, Greuceanu took his dead body together with his horse and threw them under the bridge. At the break of dawn, there came the Dragons' father, red with fury. As he got closer to the bridge, his horse started to back up, too and didn't want to go on. The father Dragon got mad and started cursing and threatening the horse: You, good for nothing animal, go on or I will throw your body to the wolves! I fear nothing and nobody in this world, except maybe Greuceanu for a little bit, but my arrow will put him down, too. Hearing this, Greuceanu came out and they started fighting with their swords first, until the swords broke, then they fought with their spears for a while until they broke, too. After that, they started wrestling and they wrestled and wrestled so hard that even the ground was shaking. Nobody had ever seen such wrestling before. Their fight went on until midday and they were exhausted, but as they were struggling, a raven flew by. The Dragon told the raven: Raven, raven, bring me some water in your beak and I will give you a lad and his horse to eat. Then Greuceanu said: Raven, raven, bring me some water in your beak and I will give you three bodies of Dragons together with their horses. The raven got Greuceanu some water in his beak and the lad immediately got his strength back and took the Dragon, stuck him into the ground up to his neck, put his foot on the Dragon's head and said: Now, tell me, you wretched Dragon, where you have hid

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the Sun and the Moon, or I will kill you! The Dragon started to tell him lies but Greuceanu warned him: I will find them whether you tell me or not, but then I will cut your head off, too! Hoping to be spared by Greuceanu, the Dragon said: They are locked up in the Green Forest. The key to the lock is the little finger from my right hand. Having heard this, Greuceanu cut off his head, then the finger from his hand, gave the raven, as he had promised, the dead bodies of the Dragons and headed to the Green Forest to set the Sun and the Moon free. He took the Sun into his right hand and the Moon into his left hand and threw them into the sky, filled with great joy and happiness. All the people in the kingdom were happy and grateful and started praising God for giving Greuceanu such courage and strength to defeat the Dragons and release the Sun and the Moon from the Dragons. Greuceanu, having finished the work, set out on his way back home. He found his brother at the meeting point and after buying two black horses that were as quick as the arrows in the sky, they hurried back to the King. On their way, they came across a pear-tree, full of ripe fruit. Greunceanu's brother thought it would be better if they and the horses rested for a while under the tree, and while they were there, they should probably eat some pears, too. But Greuceanu, who had heard what the Dragons' wives were planning, didn't let his brother get close to the tree and he drew out his sword and struck it to its root. Then, what do you think happened? The tree started bleeding heavily and a whining voice said: You've taken away my life, Greuceanu, as you did with my husband. And the pear-tree turned into dust on the spot, to the great surprise

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of Greuceanu's brother. After that, they continued their journey until they got to a beautiful garden, full of flowers and butterflies, with a lovely spring nearby. Greuceanu's brother said: Let's stop here for a while, our horses could rest a little and we could drink some cold water from the spring and pick up some flowers. Greuceanu didn't say anything but drew out his sword and cut off the most beautiful flower there, then he went to the spring and stuck his sword into the water until it reached the bottom. Suddenly, thick, dirty blood started to come out of the spring, filling the air with a horrible smell. It had been the Dragons' daughter from the beginning, who had turned into a beautiful garden and a lovely spring in order to kill Greuceanu. After this, Greuceanu and his brother mounted on their horses and got on their way as quick as the wind, but the mother of the Dragons was following them in great anger and she wanted to kill Greuceanu, being mad because he had taken her husband, her daughters and her sons-in-law away from her. Look back and tell me what you see!, said Greuceanu to his brother. There's a black cloud following us, my brother. The lads rushed their horses to run faster and faster until they got to the Smith of the Earth's house. They were lucky to have got inside the house, otherwise the mother Dragon would have killed them without any doubt if she had caught up with them. But now, in the Smith's house, they were safe. So the mother Dragon thought of a shrewd plan. She asked Greuceanu to make a hole into the wall so she could see his face at least. Greuceanu pretended to please her and agreed. But the Smith, who had been keeping the iron face of Greuceanu into the fire for all this time, took it out and put it near the hole in the wall. The mother Dragon put her mouth on the hole and

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tried to swallow Greuceanu. Instead, she swallowed the red and burning iron face, hit the dust and turned into an iron mountain. When the Smith came out of the house and saw the iron mountain, he was the happiest man alive and decided to celebrate the event for three days and three nights. Then he ordered his men to make Greuceanu a carriage with three horses out of iron only and he immediately blew some spirit over them and they were alive. Greuceanu and his brother said goodbye to their friend and set out in their carriage to get to the King for their reward. When they got to a crossroads, Greuceanu gave his brother a horse and sent him to get to the King first to let him know about their victory. And Greuceanu stayed behind, moving slowly with his carriage, and on his way he passed by a limping devil who would appear in the way of passers-by to cause trouble. So the devil couldn't stop himself from evil doing and he took out a nail from Greuceanu's carriage and threw it away far behind. Then, he came to Greuceanu and said: You've dropped a nail from the carriage, my friend. You'd better go back and look for it. Greuceanu jumped from the carriage and went back to look for the nail, leaving his sword behind. Meanwhile, the devil stole the sword and took it to one of the King's advisors whom he had a pact with, to help him marry the King's daughter in exchange for the advisor's soul and his first born child's soul, too. After that, the devil turned into a big stone by the side of the road. The King's advisor took the sword to the King and told him he was the one who had set the Sun and the Moon free, so he should marry the princess and receive half of the kingdom. Seeing the sword, the King believed him and started planning his daughter's wedding when Greuceanu's brother arrived at the palace. Nobody believed him anymore, so he was thrown in jail. The King's advisor, 33

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being such a big liar, wanted to hurry things up with the wedding as much as he could, so once the ceremony was over, nobody could take the princess away from him anymore, not even Greuceanu. When Greuceanu arrived at the palace, the King didn't know which men to trust, or to choose to be his son-in-law. He wanted to believe Greuceanu, but he couldn't understand why his sword was in the advisor's hands. Greuceanu went to the King and said: Your Highness, everybody says you are a right man. Please, be right to me, too. You've waited for a long time, but please, bear with me for a little longer and you will see the truth with your own eyes. The King agreed to wait a little longer to find out the truth. Then Greuceanu flew back to the forest in his carriage and he went straight to the stone by the side of the road. You wretched and evil being, give me back the sword that you stole from me, or I will turn you into dust! The stone didn't even move. Then Greuceanu rolled over three times again and turned into a steel hammer and started striking the stone with all his strength. When the tip of the stone fell off, the stone began to tremble and ask for forgiveness. But the hammer didn't stop until it made it all turn to dust and Greuceanu was able to get his sword back. Holding it in his hand, he came straight to the King and said: I'm ready, my Lord, to show everybody what I'm capable of. Where's that lying advisor of yours, let him come here so we can have a man-to-man talk. When he came in front of the King, the advisor was white with fear and started to shiver and ask for forgiveness from Greuceanu and told everybody how he had got the sword. The King spared his life only because Greuceanu convinced him to, but he was sent away from the kingdom, while Greuceanu's

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brother was released from jail. Greuceanu's royal wedding lasted for three weeks full of joy and happiness and they all lived happily ever after.

The end

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Greuceanu
Petre Ispirescu
Traducerea n limba englez: prof. Aneta CRISTEA Ilustraie copert i interior: Ioana Alexandra ABAGIU Tehnoredactare, design: Valeriu TROAN

Cluj-Napoca, aprilie 2009