Zdreantã de Tudor Arghezi
L-ati vãzut cumva pe Zdreanta, Cel cu ochii de faianta? E un câine zdrenturos De flocos, dar e frumos. Parca-i strans din petice, Ca sã-l tot impiedice, Ferfenitele-i atarna Si pe ochi, pe nara carna, Si se-ncurca si descurca, Parca-i scos din calti pe furca. Are insa o ureche De pungas fãrã pareche. Da tarcoale la cotet, Ciufulit si-asa laiet, Asteptand un ceas si doua O gaina sã se oua, Care canta cotcodace, Proaspat oul când si-l face. De când e-n gospodarie Multe a-nvatat si stie, Si, pe branci, taras, grapis, Se strecoara pe furis. Pune laba, ia cu botul Si-nghite oul cu totul.
-- "Unde-i oul? a-ntrebat Gospodina. -- "L-a mancat!" "Stai nitel, ca te dezvat Fara matura si bat. Te invata mama minte." Si i-a dat un ou fierbinte. Dar decum l-a imbucat, Zdreanta l-a si lepadat Si-a-njurat cu un latrat.
Când se uita la gaina, Cu culcusul lui, vecina, Zice Zdreanta-n gandul lui "S-a fãcut a dracului!" |
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Rag by Tudor Arghezi
Did you happen to see Rag, The one with porcelain eyes? He’s a dog so hairy, he’s raggedy, But he’s handsome. It seems he’s gathered from patches And that they make him trip all the time. His tatters hang Over his eyes, his turned-up nostril, And he’s tangled and untangled, Like he’s spun out of [unprocessed] wool on a spindle. He however has the ear Of an unmatched thief [pickpocket]. He circles round the chicken coop, Fur all messy and long, Waiting for an hour or two For a hen to lay an egg, The hen clucks When she lays a fresh egg. Since he’s been in this household He’s learnt a lot, and he knows [a lot], And on his fours, crawling, He creeps furtively, Lays a paw, takes with his muzzle, And he swallows the entire egg.
“Where’s the egg?” asked The housewife. –“He ate it!” “Wait a little, I’ll unlearn you, Without [using] a broom and a stick, Momma will teach you!” And she gave him a hot egg. But as soon as he put it in his mouth, Rag dropped it, And swore with a bark.
When he looks at the hen— His neighbor, Rag says to himself, “She’s a damn tricky one!” |
Rag by Tudor Arghezi
Did you happen to see Rag, China eyes under that shag? He’s a dog with ragged fur Very handsome, as it were. Looks like he is patched together Ragged tatter over tatter. Shreds of fur over his eyes Put his nose into disguise. He’s all tangled as a fool Like he’s freshly spun from wool. But amazingly, this slobber Is a cunning, practiced robber. Loiters by the chicken coop With his scruffy furry droop, Waiting calmly for a hen To lay eggs for him again, Clucking happily as she Makes a fresh egg instantly. Since he’s been in this household He has learnt a lot, I’m told, And he crawls, at steady pace, Slinks towards that hidden place, Paw and muzzle through the hole, And he swallows the egg whole!
“Where’s the egg?” Asked then the lady, Of the house, “It’s gone—he ate it!” “Wait a minute, I’ll unlearn you, Of this rotten habit, too! I will teach you not to steal.”— So a hot egg was his meal. But as soon as Rag chowed down, He dropped it quickly with a frown And swore with a big bow-wow.
When he looks now at the hen— Next door neighbor, in her pen— Mutters Rag begrudgingly: “Damn! She’s trickier than me!” |