
“He who sees the black ram at noon, should outrun it, go home and not leave the house for three days and nights. Otherwise he will not live!”
The Black Ram
Crni ovan / The Black Ram
prikupila i prepričala, collected and recorded by Marija Šarac
Kad udari ljetna žega pa gori nebo i kamen i ništa više u suhoj zemlji ne raste, svi idu k Cetini. Uz Cetinu su i za vrijeme najžešćih vrućina livade zelene, a šta si posadio, možeš zalijevati do mile volje. Živina se hladi i poji na potoku. A poslijepodne, kad je živina već sita i leži, a vrućina popusti, djeca uče plivati. Djedovi ih privežu konopom uz obližnje stablo da ih voda ne odnese, pa tako, malo po malo, svako dijete nauči plivati. | When the summer heat burns the ground, the rock and nothing else grows in the dry land, everybody goes to the Cetina river. Even during the hottest periods, the Cetina land is green, and what you've planted can be watered endlessly. The cattle drinks and cools off at the stream, and in the afternoon when the cattle are fed and resting, and the heat weakens, at that very exact moment children learn how to swim. Grandfathers tie them up with a rope around the nearest tree, so the water wouldn't take them, and bit by bit, every child learns the joyful process of swimming. |
Cetini se dolazi ranom zorom, prije vrućine. Kako se diže sunce na nebu, nije lako ni raditi blizu vode. Svi čekaju zvuk zvona koje se ne čuje s Crkve iz sela (jer je polje duboko u kanjonu), nego se čuje od crkve s druge strane Cetine gdje je blaži kanjon, a crkva na visokoj stijeni, iznad Studenaca, pa se vidi i čuje svugdje uokolo. To zvono označava najvažniji dio dana. Rad se prekida, ljudi se krstu, muškarci onako od truda i kopanja, žene od branja jabuka i trešanja. | You should come to the river at dawn, before the heat. As the sun rises in the sky it becomes much harder to work near the water. Everybody awaits for the sound of the church bells which can't be heard from the village church (because the field is too deep in the canyon), but from the church on the other side, where the canyon is milder and the church positioned on a high rock above Studenci so it can be heard and seen from here there, and everywhere. That sound marks the most important part of the day. Men stop digging, and women picking apples and cherries, and everyone puts their hands together and briefly say their prayers. |
Zvoni podne. I strašno jako se čuje zvono, kao da je iznad glave. Svi zvukovi odjednom zamuknu i samo ta jaka zvonjava prikrije kanjon i polje uz Cetinu. | A fierce bell toll, as if right above your head, suddenly marks noon. All other sounds stop and only that fierce toll fills the canyon and the field. |
E baš u tom trenu treba sjesti oko panja, prekrstiti se i ručati. To svi znaju i nitko ne smije postupiti drukčije. Sva djeca odavno znaju kako je opasno to ne učiniti, točno u podne, pored panja. Ne znaju zašto, to se ne govori, a ipak, nešto naslućuju. | At that exact moment should you sit around a wood log, say your prayers and start dining. Everybody knows this and none should do elsewhat. Even the children know it's dangerous to do differently. However, no one knows why that must be done, it's something never discussed about, but still, everyone senses there is a story behind all this. |
Uvijek među djecom ima onih koji ne vole slušati što im se govori. Tako je i ovaj put bilo. Mali Josip, radi samo ono što on želi. Ne samo da nije sjeo i prekrstio se, nego je, što je najgore, otišao još dok je zvonilo podne, pravo u Cetinu. Majka mu je uvijek govorila da vruć ne ulazi u rijeku, jer će ga uhvatiti grč pa se će utopiti. To mu se činilo kao neka priča za malu djecu. Njemu je bilo nesnošljivo vruće. | Amongst children there were and will always be those who are disobedient. As was this time. Young Josip does only what he wishes to do. And this time not only did he fail to sit and say his prayers, but he went straight down to the river while the bell was still filling the air with its fierce sound. When he came to the river, he remembered his mother's words who’s always told him not to go into the river hot, because he could get cramps and drown. However, this seemed to him as a bedtime story, and right now he was trying to cool off, so he refused to listen to his mother’s advice. |
Malo je nogom zagazio i gledao u vodu. Voda je bila osvježavajuća, hladna kao led. Potom je skinuo odjeću i odlučio se okupati. Odlučio je plivati niz rijeku, pa je podigavši ruku, zaklonio oči dlanom. Htio je vidjeti koliko mora preplivati. A kad tamo - nasred Cetine leži crni veliki ovan. Prekrio svojim ogromnim tijelom cijelu rijeku i mrko gleda pravo u dječaka. Oči crne kao noć svjetlucale se od sjaja vode i sunca u tom vedrom, vrućem ljetnom danu. Rogovi crni, veliki i savijeni kao neke dvi velike debele kljuke. Crno runo se svjetluca od kapi koje vrcaju preko brzaca na Cetini. | He slightly stepped into the refreshing, ice-cold water and started undressing with an already definitive decision to take a swim. He decided to swim downstream. Lifting his hands and hiding his eyes from the sun, he checked how far he must go. And what a sight it was, a huge black ram in the middle of Cetina covering the whole river with its body and looking straight into the boy angrily. Eyes black as the night glimmering from water in this bright, hot summer day. Its horns big, black and curled as two fat knobs. Its fleece glimmering from water drops that fly around from the Cetina rapids. |
Leži ovan i gleda dječaka. On pak od silnoga straha, nije mogao dozvati ni oca, ni majku, ni starijeg brata. Nije mogao ni misliti, ni micati se. Ovan nasred Cetine i dalje mirno leži i gleda ga strašnim, ognjenim pogledom. U djeličku razuma koji mu je ostao, sjetio se Josip priče na kominu. Nije ju trebao čuti, već je trebao za to vrijeme spavati. No Josip, koji je sve radio po svom, tada je glumio da spava. Tada su stariji prepričali tu strašnu legendu - onaj tko u podne ugleda crnog ovna na Cetini mora biti brži od njega i doći kući, ne izlaziti tri dana i tri noći, inače mu nema života! | The ram lying and looking at the boy, the boy, on the other hand, terrified as he was, wasn’t even able to call his father, mother or his older brother, as if he was mute. He was unable to think or move. The ram continued lying and looking at him calmly with his horrifying, fiery eyes. In a tiny part of sense, the boy had left, he remembered the fireplace story. He wasn’t supposed to hear it, he should’ve been sleeping, however, Josip known for his mischief pretended to be sleeping. That was when he heard the horrific legend saying: “He who sees the black ram at noon, should outrun it, go home and not leave the house for three days and nights. Otherwise he will not live!” |
"Sjetio se kako su govorili da će onaj tko vidi crnog ovna, poludjeti ili umrijeti. A od onih koji su ga dosad vidjeli, samo je jedan uspio doći kući. Svi drugi su došli do Velike ploče i tu su ih našli.Sve je drugo u tom trenu zaboravio, samo se toga dječak sjetio. | Moreover, he remembered them saying that he who sees it will go crazy or die. And of the ones who saw it so far, only one was able to come home. All others would get to the “Big Board“ where they would be found. |
"Čim su ga noge poslušale, poletio j e Josip po konja na ledinu, pa ga tjerao uzbrdo. Tjerao ga je krikovima i konopom. Nije se ni usudio pogledati je li onaj ovan za njim krenuo. Znao je, ako ga još jednom pogleda u oči onim strašnim pogledom, da neće preživjeti. Leti konj, na toj strašnoj žegi, mokar, a Josip leden od straha koji ga nemilice trese. I ježi mu se koža na leđima jer je siguran da je ovan iz njega. Najveću uzbrdicu su prošli i već bili blizu kuća, kad je starac koji je išao s potoka kući ugleda taj prizor! | As soon as his feet started working again, Josip rushed to fetch his horse on the meadow and forced it uphill. He forced it while screaming of fear never even daring to look behind himself to even see if he is being followed by the ram. He knew that if he looks it in the eyes once more it would be the last thing he did. The horse running as the wind on that hot summer day, wet and on the brink of its power, and Josip ice-cold of the dispiteous fear. The skin on his back shuddering, while thinking about the ram who is inevitably by his side. The biggest hill was passed, and home was close. Rushing like the wind he was quite a sight for the old man who was returning home from the stream. |
Ugleda konja s kojeg se prašina ured ljeta u podne diže i u toj prašini ugleda golog momčića, koji modar od straha i kriči i tjera konja. Poplašio se starac i mislio kako neka zla sila trči prema kućama. Odluči zaustaviti zlo pa stane nasred prašnog puta i podigne obe ruke u zrak. U jednoj ruci mu štap, drugom se prekrsti i zavika ne bi li odvratio to što leti u pari i prašini, od zaseoka. Kad je on zavika, izbezumljeni, prestravljeni konj poleti još brže jer je osjetio da je blizu njegova pojata i da je mukama sigurno kraj. Taj galop konja čuo se puno prije nego je konj došao do pojate, pa Josipov stric izađe pogledat kakva je to buka u podne. | On the horse he saw a naked little boy, blue of fear, screaming and rushing the horse. The old man got scared thinking that an evil force is running to the village. He decided to stop the evil stepping in the middle of the dusty road rising his hands in the air. In one hand holding a stick, and the other using to make a sign of the cross, thus asking God for help. The old man yelled loudly in order to scare whatever there is in the dust rising behind the horse’s gallop. Suddenly, he yelled, the horse already distraught, flew even faster sensing that his barn is close, and that his suffering is nearly over. The gallop was heard much sooner than the horse reached its barn, so Josip’s uncle decided to check where the noise is coming from. |
Imao je šta vidjeti. I on je na prvu promislio kako neka zla sila dolazi. Kad malo bolje pogleda, uz zadnju uzbrdicu do kuće leti njihov konj, a na njemu mali. Zazove konja imenom da se zaustavi, ali konj, onako umoran i poplašen nije se zaustavio na poznati glas, nego s uzbrdice put pojate. A stricu prođe kroz glavu, kako je za ulaz na konju u pojatu Josip već prevelik, taman za glavu. Brzo se okrene stric i zgrabi Josipa s konja, a konj taman ispod parapeta ušao na svoja jasla. Da je stric malo zakasnio, Josip bi pravo glavom u parapet u onoj brzini… Tako je stric spasio dječaka. | And was he surprised by the scene. At first sight he also thought an evil force is approaching but looking closely he saw a horse galloping with his nephew on its back. Wanting to stop the horse he called him by his name, but the horse frightened, refused to stop and decided to continue to his barn. That’s when the uncle was really scared, because he remembered that the barn entrance is too low for Josip to ride in, so he grabbed him from the horse’s back in full gallop saving his nephew from sure death. Had he hesitated for a moment Josip wouldn’t have been saved. That’s how Josip’s uncle saved him. |
Josip nije izlazio iz kuće tri dana i tri noći. Slušao je sve šta su mu rekli da mora, bez ikakvog pogovora. Sada je znao zašto, kad zazvoni podne, treba sjedit ispod zida u hladu, prekrstiti se i ne ići do vode. | Josip refused to leave the house for three days and nights. And from that day on he listened to adults, and never questioned them anymore. Now he knew why you need to sit around the wood log in the shade, saying your prayers and not going to the water when the church bell marks noon. |
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Title of the story, Naslov priče: The Black Ram = Crni ovan
Title of the book, Naslov knjige: /
Author, Autor: recorded and written by Marija Šarac = prikupila i zapisala Marija Šarac
Other type of responsibilities, Drugi podatak o odgovornosti: translated by the Primary School Josip Pupačić = prijevod Osnovna škola Josip Pupačić
Place of publishing, Mjesto izdavanja: /
Publisher, Nakladnik: /
Date of publishing, Godina izdavanja: 2021
Language, Jezik: Croatian = Hrvatski
Script, Pismo: /
Format: /
URL: /
Rights, Prava: CC BY
Description, Opis: Traditional story from the Cetina Region = Tradicionalna priča iz Cetinskog kraja.
Read the story in different languages
El carnero negro
“Cuando el calor del verano abrasa la tierra y tan sólo la roca crece en el suelo seco, todo el mundo se marcha al rio Cetina. Incluso durante el periodo más caluroso, la tierra que crece junto al Cetina es verde, y cualquier cosa que se haya plantado se puede regar sin límite alguno. El ganado abreva y se refresca en la corriente, y por la tarde, cuando el ganado ya ha pacido y está descansando y comienza a aflojar el calor, en ese preciso momento los niños aprenden a nadar. Los abuelos los atan con unas cuerdas que sujetan alrededor del árbol más cercano para que no se lo lleve el agua, y poco a poco, cada niño aprende alegremente a nadar.”
“Deberías venir al río al amanecer, antes de que apriete el calor. Conforme el sol se eleva en el cielo, se hace más duro trabajar cerca del agua. Todo el mundo espera el sonido de las campanas de la iglesia que no puede oírse desde la iglesia del pueblo (porque los campos se encuentran demasiado al fondo del cañón), sino desde la iglesia del otro lado, donde el cañón no es tan pronunciado y la iglesia está situada sobre un peñasco desde el que se domina Studencii de tal modo que se puede ver y oír desde aquí, desde allí y desde cualquier punto. Ese sonido señala la parte más importante del día. Tanto los hombres que están labrando como las mujeres que están recogiendo manzanas y cerezas interrumpen su labor para unir sus manos y rezan brevemente.”
“El potente tañido de una campana, que suena como si estuviese justo sobre la cabeza, marca súbitamente el mediodía. El resto de los sonidos se detienen y tan sólo ese intenso repique cubre el cañón y los campos.”
“En ese preciso momento deberías sentarte sobre un tronco, decir tus oraciones y comenzar a almorzar. Todo el mundo lo sabe y nadie debería hacer otra cosa. Incluso los niños son conscientes de que es peligroso no hacerlo así. Sin embargo, nadie sabe por qué se debe actuar de ese modo; es algo que nunca se discute, pero todo el mundo siente que debe haber una historia detrás de todo esto.”
“Entre los niños había y siempre habrá niños desobedientes, como también sucedió en esa ocasión. El jovencito Josip sólo hacía lo que le apetecía. Y esta vez no sólo no se sentó para rezar, sino que se fue directo al río cuando la campana aún llenaba el aire con su potente redoble. Al llegar al río, recordó las palabras de su madre, que siempre le decía que no fuera al río cuando hiciera calor porque le podía dar un calambre y ahogarse. Sin embargo a Josip le pareció un cuento para dormir, y en ese momento lo que quería era refrescarse, así que no quiso escuchar el consejo de su madre.”
“Entró un poco en el agua refrescante, que estaba helada y comenzó a desvestirse con la firme determinación de bañarse. Decidió hacerlo corriente abajo. Levantando sus manos y protegiendo sus ojos del sol, comprobó hasta dónde quería llegar. Y lo que tuvo a la vista fue un enorme carnero negro en medio del Cetina, cubriendo todo el río con su cuerpo, mirando fija y furibundamente hacia el niño. Eran unos ojos tan negros como la noche destellando desde el agua en ese tórrido y radiante día de verano. Sus cuernos eran negros y retorcidos como dos pomos macizos. Su lana brillaba por las gotas de agua que saltaban de los rápidos del Cetina.”
“El carnero estaba tumbado observando al niño; el niño, por su parte como estaba aterrorizado, ni siquiera era capaz de llamar a su padre, a su madre o a su hermano mayor, ya que había enmudecido. Era incapaz de pensar o moverse. El carnero seguía tumbado y mirando calmadamente al niño con sus ojos terroríficos, encendidos como dos antorchas. De pronto, dentro del poco sentido común del que podía hacer uso en ese momento, el niño recordó una historia de las que se cuentan junto a la chimenea. Se supone que no debía haberla escuchado, ya que tenía que estar durmiendo; sin embargo Josip, que era conocido por sus travesuras, se había hecho el dormido. Por ello escuchó la leyenda terrorífica que dice: “El que vea los ojos negros del carnero al mediodía, debe huir hasta su casa y no salir durante tres días y tres noches. De otro modo, no seguirá viviendo.”
“Es más, recordó que quien lo viese se volvería loco o moriría. Y de todos los que lo habían visto hasta entonces, sólo uno había sido capaz de llegar a su casa.”
“Tan pronto como fue capaz de mover sus pies, Josip se precipitó hacia su caballo, que estaba en el prado y lo azuzó colina arriba. Hizo que el caballo avanzase a todo galope, gritando muerto de miedo sin atreverse a mirar atrás en ningún momento para ver si le seguía el carnero. Sabía que si volvía a mirarle a los ojos de nuevo, sería lo último que hiciese. El caballo corría como el viento en ese caluroso día veraniego, estaba cubierto en sudor y al límite de sus fuerzas, y Josip estaba helado de miedo. Un intenso escalofrío recorría la piel de su espalda, mientras pensaba en el carnero que inevitablemente estaba a su lado. Pasó la colina más alta y ya estaba cerca de casa. Corriendo como el viento, ya estaba a la vista de un anciano que volvía del río.”
“Desde su montura, el anciano alcanzó a ver a un niño desnudo, pálido de miedo, que gritaba y jaleaba al caballo para que se apresurase. El anciano se asustó, pensando que una fuerza maligna avanzaba hacia el pueblo. Decidió detener el mal, plantándose en el medio del camino polvoriento mientras que agitaba sus manos. Con una malo agarraba un palo, y con la otra hacía la señal de la cruz implorando la ayuda divina. El anciano vociferaba para asustar aquello que se alzaba de entre el polvo producido por el galope del caballo. De repente gritó, corriendo, mientras que el caballo, desesperado, se apresuró aún más, al sentir que el establo ya estaba cerca y que su sufrimiento iba a llegar a su fin. El galope se escuchó mucho antes de que el caballo llegase al establo, por lo que el tío de Josip decidió comprobar de dónde procedía el ruido.”
“La escena no le pudo sorprender más. Al principio también pensó que se trataba de una fuerza maléfica, pero luego vio a su sobrino a lomos de su montura. Como quiso detener al caballo, le llamó por su nombre, pero el corcel, que estaba realmente asustado, se negó a parar y decidió seguir avanzando. En ese momento el tío de Josip se preocupó mucho, porque la altura de la cuadra era demasiado baja como para que pudiera entrar montado, por lo que le agarró de la espalda separándolo del caballo, que proseguía a pleno galope, salvando a su sobrino de una muerte segura. Si hubiese dudado un solo momento, Josip no se hubiera librado. Así fue como el tío de Josip le salvó.”
“Josip se negó a salir de su casa durante tres días y tres noches. Y a partir de aquel día comenzó a prestar atención a los adultos y nunca los puso en cuestión. Desde entonces supo por qué tienes que sentarte alrededor del tronco a la sombra, rezar y no ir al agua cuando la campana de la iglesia marca el mediodía.”
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Το μαύρο κριάρι
Όταν η καλοκαιρινή θερμοκρασία καίει το έδαφος κι ο βράχος και τίποτα άλλο δεν επιβιώνει στην ξηρή γη, όλοι πηγαίνουν στον ποταμό Cetina. Ακόμη και κατά τις πιο καυτές περιόδους, η γη της Cetina είναι πράσινη και αυτό που έχεις φυτέψει μπορεί να ποτίζεται ατέλειωτα. Τα πρόβατα πίνουν και δροσίζονται στο ρέμα, και το απόγευμα, όταν τα πρόβατα τρέφονται και ξεκουράζονται, και η θερμοκρασία πέφτει, ακριβώς εκείνη τη στιγμή τα παιδιά μαθαίνουν να κολυμπούν. Οι παππούδες τα δένουν με ένα σχοινί γύρω από το κοντινότερο δέντρο, ώστε το νερό να μην τα παρασύρει και λίγο λίγο, κάθε παιδί μαθαίνει τη χαρούμενη διαδικασία της κολύμβησης.
Θα πρέπει να έρθεις στο ποτάμι την αυγή, πριν πιάσει ζέστη. Καθώς ο ήλιος ανατέλλει στον ουρανό γίνεται πολύ πιο δύσκολο να δουλέψεις κοντά στο νερό. Όλοι περιμένουν για τον ήχο των καμπάνων της εκκλησίας που δεν ακούγονται από την εκκλησία του χωριού (επειδή το λιβάδι είναι πολύ βαθιά στο φαράγγι), αλλά από την εκκλησία στην άλλη πλευρά, όπου το φαράγγι είναι πιο ρηχό. Η εκκλησία βρίσκεται σε ένα ψηλό βράχο πάνω από το Studenci, ώστε να ακούγεται και να φαίνεται από παντού. Αυτός ο ήχος σημάνει το σημαντικότερο μέρος της ημέρας. Οι άνδρες σταματούν να σκάβουν και οι γυναίκες παίρνουν τα μήλα και τα κεράσια, και όλοι τοποθετούν τα χέρια τους μαζί και σύντομα προσεύχονται.
Μια έντονη καμπάνα, σα να ναι πάνω από το κεφάλι σου, χτυπά ξαφνικά το μεσημέρι. Όλοι οι άλλοι ήχοι σταματούν και μόνο αυτό το άγριο χτύπημα γεμίζει το φαράγγι και το λιβάδι. Εκείνη τη στιγμή θα πρέπει να καθίσεις γύρω από το ξύλινο κούτσουρο, να προσευχηθείς και να αρχίσεις να γευματίζεις. Όλοι το γνωρίζουν αυτό και κανένας δεν πρέπει να λειτουργεί διαφορετικά . Ακόμη και τα παιδιά γνωρίζουν ότι είναι επικίνδυνο να γίνεται με άλλο τρόπο. Ωστόσο, κανείς δεν ξέρει γιατί πρέπει να γίνει έτσι, είναι κάτι που δεν συζητιέται ποτέ, αλλά όλοι αισθάνονται ότι υπάρχει μια ιστορία από πίσω.
Μεταξύ των παιδιών υπήρχαν και θα είναι πάντα εκείνοι που είναι ανυπάκουοι. Έτσι συνέβη και τώρα. Ο νεαρός Josip κάνει μόνο αυτό που επιθυμεί να κάνει. Και αυτή τη φορά όχι μόνο δεν κατάφερε να καθίσει και να πει τις προσευχές του, αλλά πήγε κατ ‘ευθείαν κάτω στο ποτάμι, ενώ η καμπάνα εξακολουθούσε να γεμίζει τον αέρα με τον άγριο ήχο της. Όταν έφτασε στο ποτάμι, θυμήθηκε τα λόγια της μητέρας του που του έλεγε πάντα να μην πηγαίνει στον ποταμό με τη ζέστη, γιατί μπορούσε να πάθει κράμπες και να πνιγεί. Ωστόσο, αυτό του φαινόταν σαν μια ιστορία για να πάει για ύπνο και τώρα ήθελε να χαλαρώσει, οπότε αρνήθηκε να ακούσει τις συμβουλές της μητέρας του.
Έπεσε ελαφρώς στο δροσερό, παγωμένο νερό και άρχισε να βγάζει τα ρούχα του, έχοντας ήδη αποφασίσει οριστικά να κολυμπήσει. Αποφάσισε να κολυμπήσει με τη φορά του ρεύματος. Σηκώνοντας τα χέρια του και κρύβοντας τα μάτια του από τον ήλιο, έλεγξε πόσο μακριά θα έπρεπε να πάει. Και τι θέαμα είδε, ένα τεράστιο μαύρο κριάρι στη μέση της Cetina που κάλυπτε όλο το ποτάμι με το σώμα του και κοίταζε κατάματα το αγόρι. Μάτια μαύρα σαν η νύχτα να λάμπει από το νερό σε αυτή τη φωτεινή, ζεστή καλοκαιρινή μέρα. Τα κέρατά του είναι μεγάλα, μαύρα και σπειροειδή σαν δύο χοντρά κομμάτια. Το τρίχωμά του γυαλίζει από τις σταγόνες νερού που πετούν ορμητικά οι χείμαρροι της Cetina.
Το κριάρι ήταν ξαπλωμένο και κοίταζε το αγόρι. Το αγόρι, από την άλλη πλευρά, τρομοκρατημένο όπως ήταν, δεν μπορούσε καν να φωνάξει τον πατέρα του, τη μητέρα του ή τον αδελφό του, λες κι ήταν άφωνο. Δεν μπορούσε να σκεφτεί ή να κινηθεί. Το κριάρι συνέχισε να ξαπλώνει και να τον κοιτάζει ήρεμα με τα τρομακτικά, φλογερά μάτια του.
Με τη λίγη λογική που είχε απομείνει στο αγόρι, θυμήθηκε την ιστορία με τζάκι. Δεν έπρεπε να το ακούσει, θα έπρεπε να κοιμάται, όμως ο Josip είναι γνωστός σκανταλιάρης και υποτίθεται ότι κοιμόταν. Τότε άκουσε τον φρικτό θρύλο λέγοντας: «Αυτός που βλέπει το μαύρο κριάρι το μεσημέρι, πρέπει να το ξεπεράσει, να πάει στο σπίτι και να μην αφήσει το σπίτι για τρεις μέρες και νύχτες. Διαφορετικά δεν θα ζήσει! ”
Επιπλέον, θυμήθηκε να λένε ότι εκείνος που το βλέπει θα τρελαθεί ή θα πεθάνει. Και από εκείνους που το είδαν μέχρι τώρα, μόνο ένας μπορούσε να έρθει σπίτι. Όλοι οι άλλοι θα έφταναν στο “Big Board” όπου θα τους έβρισκαν.
Μόλις άρχισαν να κινούνται πάλι τα πόδια του, ο Josip έσπευσε να πάρει το άλογό του στο λιβάδι και το ανάγκασε να ανηφορίσει. Το ανάγκασε ενώ τσίριζε από φόβο, ούτε που τολμούσε να κοιτάζει πίσω του αν ακολουθείται από τον κριάρι. Ήξερε ότι αν το δει ξανά στα μάτια, θα ήταν κι η τελευταία του. Το άλογο έτρεχε σαν τον άνεμο εκείνη την καυτή καλοκαιρινή μέρα, μούσκεμα και στο πικ της δύναμής του και ο Josip παγωμένος από τον φιλόδοξο φόβο. Το δέρμα στην πλάτη του ανατριχιάζει, ενώ σκέφτεται το κριάρι που είναι αναπόφευκτα δίπλα του. Ο μεγαλύτερος λόφος περάστηκε και το σπίτι ήταν κοντά. Τρέχοντας σαν τον άνεμο ήταν αρκετή μια ματιά από το γέρο που επέστρεφε σπίτι από το ρέμα.
Στο άλογο είδε ένα γυμνό αγόρι, μπλε από το φόβο, ουρλιάζοντας και τρέχοντας με το άλογο. Ο γέρος φοβήθηκε και σκέφτηκε ότι μια κακή δύναμη τρέχει στο χωριό. Αποφάσισε να σταματήσει το κακό να περπατά στη μέση του σκονισμένου δρόμου και σηκώνει τα χέρια του στον αέρα. Στο ένα χέρι κρατώντας ένα ραβδί και το άλλο χρησιμοποιώντας για να κάνει το σύμβολο του σταυρού, ζητώντας έτσι από τον Θεό βοήθεια. Ο γέρος φώναξε δυνατά για να τρομάξει ό, τι υπάρχει στη σκόνη που υψώνεται πίσω από τον καλπασμό του αλόγου. Ξαφνικά, φώναξε, το άλογο ήδη αποσταθεροποιήθηκε, πέταξε ακόμα πιο γρήγορα νιώθοντας ότι ο αχυρώνας του είναι κοντά και ότι τα βάσανά του έχουν σχεδόν τελειώσει. Ο καλπασμός ακούστηκε πολύ νωρίτερα από ό, τι το άλογο έφτασε στον αχυρώνα του, έτσι ο θείος του Josip αποφάσισε να ελέγξει από πού προέρχεται ο θόρυβος. Και ήταν έκπληκτος από τη σκηνή. Εκ πρώτης όψεως πίστευε επίσης ότι μια κακή δύναμη πλησιάζει, αλλά κοιτάζοντας προσεκτικά είδε ένα άλογο καλπάζοντας με τον ανιψιό του στην πλάτη του
Θέλοντας να σταματήσει το άλογο το αποκάλεσε με το όνομά του, αλλά το άλογο φοβόταν, αρνήθηκε να σταματήσει και αποφάσισε να συνεχίσει στον αχυρώνα του. Τότε ο θείος ήταν πραγματικά φοβισμένος, γιατί θυμήθηκε ότι η είσοδος του αχυρώνα είναι πολύ χαμηλή για να μπορέσει ο Josip να μπεί, έτσι τον άρπαξε από την πλάτη του αλόγου που κάλπαζε, σώζοντας τον ανιψιό του από τον σίγουρο θάνατο. Αν είχε διστάσει για μια στιγμή ο Josip δεν θα είχε σωθεί.
Με αυτό τον τρόπο ο θείος έσωσε τον Josip. Ο Josip αρνήθηκε να φύγει από το σπίτι για τρεις μέρες και νύχτες. Και από εκείνη τη μέρα άκουγε τους ενήλικες και ποτέ δεν τους αμφισβήτησε πια. Τώρα ήξερε γιατί πρέπει να κάθεται στο ξύλινο κούτσουρο στη σκιά, λέγοντας τις προσευχές και όχι πηγαίνοντας στο νερό όταν η καμπάνα της εκκλησίας σημάνει μεσημέρι.
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Melnais auns
Kad vasaras karstums dedzina zemi un klintis, un uz sausās zemes nekas neaug, visi dodas pie Cetinas upes. Pat viskarstākajos periodos zeme pie Cetinas ir zaļa, un visu, ko cilvēki ir iestādījuši, iespējams pastāvīgi aplaistīt. Liellopi padzeras un atvēsinās pie upes, un pēcpusdienā, kad liellopi ir pabaroti un atpūšas, un svelme samazinās, tieši tajā brīdī bērni mācās peldēt. Vectēvi viņus piesien ar virvi pie tuvākā koka, tā, lai straume tos neaiznestu, un mazpamazām katrs bērns apgūst priecīgo peldēšanas prasmi.
Pie upes vajadzētu atnākt rītausmā, pirms iestājas karstums. Tiklīdz kā saule paceļas augstu debesīs, ir daudz grūtāk strādāt pie ūdens. Ikviens gaida, kad noskanēs baznīcas zvanu skaņas, ko nevar dzirdēt no ciema baznīcas (jo lauks atrodas pārāk dziļi kanjonā), bet no baznīcas otrā pusē, kur kanjons ir lēzenāks un baznīca atrodas uz augstas klints virs Studencas, zvanu skaņas var dzirdēt no ikvienas puses. Šīs skaņas iezīmē dienas vissvarīgāko daļu. Vīri pārtrauc rakt, un sievietes mitējas vākt ābolus un ķiršus, un visi saliek kopā rokas un ātri noskaita savas lūgšanas.
Smagā zvanu duna, it kā cilvēkiem tieši virs galvas, pēkšņi iezīmē dienas vidu. Visas pārējās skaņas apklust, un tikai šī smagā dunoņa piepilda kanjonu un lauku.
Tieši tajā brīdī cilvēkiem nāktos apsēsties pie koka bluķa, noskaitīt lūgšanas un sākt pusdienot. Visi to zina, un nevienam nevajadzētu rīkoties savādāk. Pat bērni zina, ka ir bīstami rīkoties savādāk. Tomēr neviens nezina, kāpēc tieši tā ir jādara – tas ir kaut kas tāds, kas nekad netiek apspriests, un vienalga visi jūt, ka aiz tā visa slēpjas kāds nopietns stāsts.
Bērnu vidū vienmēr ir bijuši un vienmēr būs daži nepaklausīgie. Un tā tas bija arī mūsu stāstā. Mazais Josips darīja tikai to, ko pats gribēja. Un šoreiz viņš ne tikai nespēja apsēsties un noskaitīt lūgšanas, bet gāja taisni lejā pie upes, kamēr zvans joprojām pildīja padebešus ar savām bargajām skaņām. Nonācis pie upes, viņš atcerējās savas mātes vārdus, kura vienmēr atgādināja, lai viņš sakarsis neiet uz upi, jo viņam kājā varētu iemesties krampis un viņš varētu noslīkt. Tomēr teiktais viņam šķita kā pasaciņa pirms gulētiešanas, un tieši šobrīd viņš mēģināja atdzesēties, tāpēc atteicās ieklausīties mātes padomā.
Viņš spēra soli atspirdzinošajā, ledus aukstajā ūdenī un sāka izģērbties, jo bija nolēmis nopeldēties. Viņš nolēma peldēt lejup pa straumi. Pacēlis rokas un aizsedzot acis no saules, viņš pārbaudīja, cik tālu viņam būs jāpeld. Un kāds gan skats viņam pavērās – milzīgs melns auns Cetinas vidū, kurš ar savu ķermeni ir aizsprostojis visu upi, dusmīgi skatās tieši uz zēnu. Tā acis, melnas kā nakts, mirgo virs ūdens šajā spilgtajā, karstajā vasaras dienā. Tā ragi ir lieli, melni un savijušies kā divi trekni kūkumi. Tā vilna mirgo no ūdens pilieniem, kas no Cetinas krāces šķīst uz visām pusēm.
Auns gulēja un skatījās uz zēnu, un zēns, būdams ārkārtīgi nobijies, nespēja pasaukt ne savu tēvu, ne māti, ne arī savu vecāko brāli, it kā būtu pilnībā zaudējis valodu. Viņš nespēja ne domāt, ne pakustēties. Auns turpināja gulēt, raugoties uz viņu ar savām šausmīgajām, ugunīgajām acīm. Ar niecīgu saprāta daļinu, kas zēnam vēl bija palikusi, viņš atcerējās pie kamīna dzirdēto stāstu. Viņam tas nebūtu bijis jādzird, jo viņam jau sen bija jāguļ, taču Josips, plaši pazīstams ar saviem nedarbiem, tikai izlikās aizmidzis. Un tieši tobrīd viņš bija dzirdējis šausminošo leģendu: – “Tam, kurš pusdienlaikā ierauga melnu aunu, vajadzētu skrienot to apsteigt, nokļūt mājās un neatstāt mājas veselas trīs dienas un naktis. Pretējā gadījumā viņš nepaliks starp dzīvajiem! ”
Turklāt viņš atcerējās ļaudis runājam, ka tas, kurš redzējis aunu, vai nu sajuks prātā, vai pat nomirs. Un no tiem, kas to līdz šim bija redzējuši, tikai viens spēja atgriezties mājās. Visus citus straume bija nonesusi līdz “Lielajai krācei”, kur viņu ķermeņi arī tika atrasti.
Tiklīdz viņa kājas no jauna atguva spēju kustēties, Josips steidzās uz pļavu pie sava zirga un skubināja to rikšot augšā kalnā. Viņš lika tam rikšot, kamēr pats kliedza aiz bailēm, nemaz neuzdrošinoties paskatīties atpakaļ, lai redzētu, vai auns viņam seko. Viņš zināja – ja viņš vēlreiz ieskatīsies aunam acīs, tad tas būs pēdējais mirklis viņa dzīvē. Zirgs brāzās kā vējš šajā karstajā vasaras dienā, slapjš un uz savu spēku izsīkuma robežas, bet Josips bija kā ledū sastindzis no nežēlīgām bailēm. Āda viņam uz muguras sarāvās, iedomājoties vien par aunu, kurš ir neizbēgami viņam blakus. Nu jau lielākais kalns bija pārvarēts, un tuvojās mājas. Kādam vecam vīram, kurš atgriezās mājās no upes malas, tas bija gluži neparasts skats – vērot jātnieku, kurš brāžas kā vējš.
Uz zirga viņš redzēja mazu neapģērbtu zēnu, gluži zilu aiz bailēm, kurš kliedza un steidzināja zirgu. Vecais vīrs sabijās, domādams, ka uz ciemu brāžas pats nelabais. Viņš nolēma apturēt pašu ļauno, nostādamies putekļainā ceļa vidū un paceldams gaisā rokas, vienā rokā turot nūju, bet otru izmantodams, lai pārmestu krusta zīmi, tādējādi lūdzot Dieva palīdzību. Vecais vīrs skaļi kliedza, cenšoties nobiedēt jebko, kas varēja atrasties putekļos aiz rikšojošā zirga. Pēkšņi viņš atkal iekliedzās, bet zirgs, jau gluži aptracis, rikšoja vēl ātrāk, jūtot, ka viņa stallis ir tepat tuvu, un ka viņa ciešanas nupat būs beigušās. Zirga aulekši bija sadzirdami krietni agrāk, pirms zirgs sasniedzis stalli, tāpēc Josipa tēvocis nolēma pārliecināties, no kurienes īsti nāk tāds troksnis.
Un kāds viņam bija pārsteigums! Pirmoreiz, uzmetot acis, viņš arī nodomāja, ka tuvojas pats nelabais, bet, ieskatoties rūpīgāk, viņš ieraudzīja rikšojam zirgu un tā mugurā savu brāļadēlu. Vēlēdamies apturēt zirgu, viņš sauca zēna vārdu, bet zirgs sabijās, neparko negribēja apstāties un turpināja rikšot uz savu stalli. Un tieši šajā brīdī tēvocis pa īstam nobijās, jo viņš atcerējās, ka staļļa durvis ir pārāk zemas, lai Josips varētu caur tām iejāt, tāpēc viņš norāva viņu no pilnos auļos rikšojošā zirga muguras, tādā veidā izglābjot savu brāļadēlu no drošas nāves. Ja viņš kaut brīdi būtu vilcinājies, Josips nebūtu izglābts. Un tādā veidā Josipa tēvocis viņu izglāba.
Josips atteicās iziet no mājas trīs dienas un trīs naktis. Kopš šīs dienas viņš vienmēr klausīja pieaugušos un nekad vairs neapšaubīja viņu teikto. Tagad viņš zināja, kāpēc cilvēkiem ir nepieciešams sēdēt ēnā apkārt koka bluķim un skaitīt lūgšanas tajā brīdī, kad baznīcas zvans ieskandina pusdienlaiku, bet nekādā ziņā nedrīkst iet uz upi peldēties.
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Crni ovan
Kad udari ljetna žega pa gori nebo i kamen i ništa više u suhoj zemlji ne raste, svi idu k Cetini. Uz Cetinu su i za vrijeme najžešćih vrućina livade zelene, a šta si posadio, možeš zalijevati do mile volje. Živina se hladi i poji na potoku. A poslijepodne, kad je živina već sita i leži, a vrućina popusti, djeca uče plivati. Djedovi ih privežu konopom uz obližnje stablo da ih voda ne odnese, pa tako, malo po malo, svako dijete nauči plivati.
Cetini se dolazi ranom zorom, prije vrućine. Kako se diže sunce na nebu, nije lako ni raditi blizu vode. Svi čekaju zvuk zvona koje se ne čuje s Crkve iz sela (jer je polje duboko u kanjonu), nego se čuje od crkve s druge strane Cetine gdje je blaži kanjon, a crkva na visokoj stijeni, iznad Studenaca, pa se vidi i čuje svugdje uokolo. To zvono označava najvažniji dio dana. Rad se prekida, ljudi se krstu, muškarci onako od truda i kopanja, žene od branja jabuka i trešanja.
Zvoni podne. I strašno jako se čuje zvono, kao da je iznad glave. Svi zvukovi odjednom zamuknu i samo ta jaka zvonjava prikrije kanjon i polje uz Cetinu.
E baš u tom trenu treba sjesti oko panja, prekrstiti se i ručati. To svi znaju i nitko ne smije postupiti drukčije. Sva djeca odavno znaju kako je opasno to ne učiniti, točno u podne, pored panja. Ne znaju zašto, to se ne govori, a ipak, nešto naslućuju.
Uvijek među djecom ima onih koji ne vole slušati što im se govori. Tako je i ovaj put bilo. Mali Josip, radi samo ono što on želi. Ne samo da nije sjeo i prekrstio se, nego je, što je najgore, otišao još dok je zvonilo podne, pravo u Cetinu. Majka mu je uvijek govorila da vruć ne ulazi u rijeku, jer će ga uhvatiti grč pa se će utopiti. To mu se činilo kao neka priča za malu djecu. Njemu je bilo nesnošljivo vruće.
Malo je nogom zagazio i gledao u vodu. Voda je bila osvježavajuća, hladna kao led. Potom je skinuo odjeću i odlučio se okupati. Odlučio je plivati niz rijeku, pa je podigavši ruku, zaklonio oči dlanom. Htio je vidjeti koliko mora preplivati. A kad tamo – nasred Cetine leži crni veliki ovan. Prekrio svojim ogromnim tijelom cijelu rijeku i mrko gleda pravo u dječaka. Oči crne kao noć svjetlucale se od sjaja vode i sunca u tom vedrom, vrućem ljetnom danu. Rogovi crni, veliki i savijeni kao neke dvi velike debele kljuke. Crno runo se svjetluca od kapi koje vrcaju preko brzaca na Cetini. Leži ovan i gleda dječaka. On pak od silnoga straha, nije mogao dozvati ni oca, ni majku, ni starijeg brata. Nije mogao ni misliti, ni micati se. Ovan nasred Cetine i dalje mirno leži i gleda ga strašnim, ognjenim pogledom. U djeličku razuma koji mu je ostao, sjetio se Josip priče na kominu. Nije ju trebao čuti, već je trebao za to vrijeme spavati. No Josip, koji je sve radio po svom, tada je glumio da spava. Tada su stariji prepričali tu strašnu legendu – onaj tko u podne ugleda crnog ovna na Cetini mora biti brži od njega i doći kući, ne izlaziti tri dana i tri noći, inače mu nema života!
Sjetio se kako su govorili da će onaj tko vidi crnog ovna, poludjeti ili umrijeti. A od onih koji su ga dosad vidjeli, samo je jedan uspio doći kući. Svi drugi su došli do Velike ploče i tu su ih našli.
Sve je drugo u tom trenu zaboravio, samo se toga dječak sjetio. Čim su ga noge poslušale, poletio j e Josip po konja na ledinu, pa ga tjerao uzbrdo. Tjerao ga je krikovima i konopom. Nije se ni usudio pogledati je li onaj ovan za njim krenuo. Znao je, ako ga još jednom pogleda u oči onim strašnim pogledom, da neće preživjeti. Leti konj, na toj strašnoj žegi, mokar, a Josip leden od straha koji ga nemilice trese. I ježi mu se koža na leđima jer je siguran da je ovan iz njega. Najveću uzbrdicu su prošli i već bili blizu kuća, kad je starac koji je išao s potoka kući ugleda taj prizor!
Ugleda konja s kojeg se prašina ured ljeta u podne diže i u toj prašini ugleda golog momčića, koji modar od straha i kriči i tjera konja. Poplašio se starac i mislio kako neka zla sila trči prema kućama. Odluči zaustaviti zlo pa stane nasred prašnog puta i podigne obe ruke u zrak. U jednoj ruci mu štap, drugom se prekrsti i zavika ne bi li odvratio to što leti u pari i prašini, od zaseoka. Kad je on zavika, izbezumljeni, prestravljeni konj poleti još brže jer je osjetio da je blizu njegova pojata i da je mukama sigurno kraj. Taj galop konja čuo se puno prije nego je konj došao do pojate, pa Josipov stric izađe pogledat kakva je to buka u podne. Imao je šta vidjeti. I on je na prvu promislio kako neka zla sila dolazi. Kad malo bolje pogleda, uz zadnju uzbrdicu do kuće leti njihov konj, a na njemu mali. Zazove konja imenom da se zaustavi, ali konj, onako umoran i poplašen nije se zaustavio na poznati glas, nego s uzbrdice put pojate. A stricu prođe kroz glavu, kako je za ulaz na konju u pojatu Josip već prevelik, taman za glavu. Brzo se okrene stric i zgrabi Josipa s konja, a konj taman ispod parapeta ušao na svoja jasla. Da je stric malo zakasnio, Josip bi pravo glavom u parapet u onoj brzini…
Tako je stric spasio dječaka. Josip nije izlazio iz kuće tri dana i tri noći. Slušao je sve šta su mu rekli da mora, bez ikakvog pogovora. Sada je znao zašto, kad zazvoni podne, treba sjedit ispod zida u hladu, prekrstiti se i ne ići do vode.
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The Black Ram
When the summer heat burns the ground, the rock and nothing else grows in the dry land, everybody goes to the Cetina river. Even during the hottest periods, the Cetina land is green, and what you’ve planted can be watered endlessly. The cattle drinks and cools off at the stream, and in the afternoon when the cattle are fed and resting, and the heat weakens, at that very exact moment children learn how to swim. Grandfathers tie them up with a rope around the nearest tree, so the water wouldn’t take them, and bit by bit, every child learns the joyful process of swimming.
You should come to the river at dawn, before the heat. As the sun rises in the sky it becomes much harder to work near the water. Everybody awaits for the sound of the church bells which can’t be heard from the village church (because the field is too deep in the canyon), but from the church on the other side, where the canyon is milder and the church positioned on a high rock above Studenci so it can be heard and seen from here there, and everywhere. That sound marks the most important part of the day. Men stop digging, and women picking apples and cherries, and everyone puts their hands together and briefly say their prayers.
A fierce bell toll, as if right above your head, suddenly marks noon. All other sounds stop and only that fierce toll fills the canyon and the field.
At that exact moment should you sit around a wood log, say your prayers and start dining. Everybody knows this and none should do elsewhat. Even the children know it’s dangerous to do differently. However, no one knows why that must be done, it’s something never discussed about, but still, everyone senses there is a story behind all this.
Amongst children there were and will always be those who are disobedient. As was this time. Young Josip does only what he wishes to do. And this time not only did he fail to sit and say his prayers, but he went straight down to the river while the bell was still filling the air with its fierce sound. When he came to the river, he remembered his mother’s words who’s always told him not to go into the river hot, because he could get cramps and drown. However, this seemed to him as a bedtime story, and right now he was trying to cool off, so he refused to listen to his mother’s advice.
He slightly stepped into the refreshing, ice-cold water and started undressing with an already definitive decision to take a swim. He decided to swim downstream. Lifting his hands and hiding his eyes from the sun, he checked how far he must go. And what a sight it was, a huge black ram in the middle of Cetina covering the whole river with its body and looking straight into the boy angrily. Eyes black as the night glimmering from water in this bright, hot summer day. Its horns big, black and curled as two fat knobs. Its fleece glimmering from water drops that fly around from the Cetina rapids. The ram lying and looking at the boy, the boy, on the other hand, terrified as he was, wasn’t even able to call his father, mother or his older brother, as if he was mute. He was unable to think or move. The ram continued lying and looking at him calmly with his horrifying, fiery eyes. In a tiny part of sense, the boy had left, he remembered the fireplace story. He wasn’t supposed to hear it, he should’ve been sleeping, however, Josip known for his mischief pretended to be sleeping. That was when he heard the horrific legend saying: “He who sees the black ram at noon, should outrun it, go home and not leave the house for three days and nights. Otherwise he will not live!”
Moreover, he remembered them saying that he who sees it will go crazy or die. And of the ones who saw it so far, only one was able to come home. All others would get to the “Big Board“ where they would be found.
As soon as his feet started working again, Josip rushed to fetch his horse on the meadow and forced it uphill. He forced it while screaming of fear never even daring to look behind himself to even see if he is being followed by the ram. He knew that if he looks it in the eyes once more it would be the last thing he did. The horse running as the wind on that hot summer day, wet and on the brink of its power, and Josip ice-cold of the dispiteous fear. The skin on his back shuddering, while thinking about the ram who is inevitably by his side. The biggest hill was passed, and home was close. Rushing like the wind he was quite a sight for the old man who was returning home from the stream.
On the horse he saw a naked little boy, blue of fear, screaming and rushing the horse. The old man got scared thinking that an evil force is running to the village. He decided to stop the evil stepping in the middle of the dusty road rising his hands in the air. In one hand holding a stick, and the other using to make a sign of the cross, thus asking God for help. The old man yelled loudly in order to scare whatever there is in the dust rising behind the horse’s gallop. Suddenly, he yelled, the horse already distraught, flew even faster sensing that his barn is close, and that his suffering is nearly over. The gallop was heard much sooner than the horse reached its barn, so Josip’s uncle decided to check where the noise is coming from. And was he surprised by the scene. At first sight he also thought an evil force is approaching but looking closely he saw a horse galloping with his nephew on its back. Wanting to stop the horse he called him by his name, but the horse frightened, refused to stop and decided to continue to his barn. That’s when the uncle was really scared, because he remembered that the barn entrance is too low for Josip to ride in, so he grabbed him from the horse’s back in full gallop saving his nephew from sure death. Had he hesitated for a moment Josip wouldn’t have been saved.
That’s how Josip’s uncle saved him. Josip refused to leave the house for three days and nights. And from that day on he listened to adults, and never questioned them anymore. Now he knew why you need to sit around the wood log in the shade, saying your prayers and not going to the water when the church bell marks noon.
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