In the mountains, in the tiny settlement Otopilis, there was no household without a rascal. They shouldered the world's burdens without complaint, they sometimes even laughed, ihaha, when they met at the stone walls, where they emptied their pouches at Baal's feet, who was always unsatisfied. But one night, when the masters were drunk, the rascals couldn't take it anymore. They built a stairway to God, in hopes of relief, but even He, come from a night out, and told them: What do you want? Can't you see I am also carrying other rascals worse than you?
Andra Toropoc
I was going on a retreat in Vama Veche with my neighbour from the fifth floor, but we told our husbands we were going on a pilgrimage. I waited for a knock on the pipe, the signal to leave. I was making a coffee and I glimpsed my reflection in the water from the coffeepot, my eyes and something strange, two hairy things growing out of my ears. I ran across the house frenzied, I hit my nose against the door and felt it growing. Mom, are you asleep, read me another chapter. I was dazed, Pinocchio was open on my head and my kid was in pyjamas, pulling my nose. I wrote to my neighbour: Let's stay home.
Yuka Brevi
Yes, I admit it, I was crazy. But a friend in need is a friend indeed, so I was helped to change my head. So they turned up at my door, one after the other. The bear, sleeves rolled up, happy his chain had not rusted[1], the smiling donkey, carrying the ladder[2], the wolf who had just changed his furcoat[3] and looked-but don't tell anyone this- coyote-ugly. Even the fox came, although she was tired after chasing after two rabbits[4]. I have a friend who is a fish, he wanted to come, but he smelled fishy and couldn't make it.
[1] Alluding to Plimbă ursul, Romanian proverb meaning walk the bear, i.e. go away
[2] Alluding to scara măgarilor, Romanian idiom meaning the donkey's ladder, i.e. one after the other
[3] Alluding to Lupul își schimbă blana, dar năravul ba, Romanian proverb meaning the wolf changes its furcoat, but never its intentions, i.e. old habits die hard
[4] Alluding to vulpea care urmărește doi iepuri nu prinde niciunul, Romanian proverb meaning the fox who chases two rabbits catches none, i.e. don't chase after two rabbits
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.