In a torrid summer day, close to a very important religious celebration in the village ,at Nica’s house everybody was very busy. The village market in Falticeni, was ready to host those people from the village w interested  in selling second-hand things.

One of Nica’s chores at home was to take care of his baby brother and Smaranda, his mother, made the promise of bringing him a hat with a ribbon and a little belt to him.That was what Nica was wishing, and would receive it but just in case he was a trustworthy boy taking good care of the baby boy!

Usually, Nica was a very hardworking boy  helping at home and in the fields and sometimes  liked to make contests with the girls of the village.

But ,that day, being very hot, under a clear blue sky, Nica broke his promise and went to take a little bath in the pond.

Once at the pond ,he rolled naked on the sand, threw some stones in the water saying :

- "That  rock is for God and that other for the devil".Then he jumped into the water four times in a row ,in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and once for himself, Amen!

Happy, he laid down on the sand, near the pond and relaxed looking at how the water played at the feet of some girls who were washing some clothes in the water.

Meanwhile, his mother arrived home.She called his name and got no answerso she went to the pond very upset and watched him hidden in the bushes. Then she stole all his clothes letting the boy naked in the pond.

Nica noticed that his clothes were gone ,he was naked in the water, and  the girls started making fun of him ,he felt shame and anger .

Then he went home running through  people’s gardens,fearing for meeting somebody on his way home .From the neighbours' house some dogs jumped to bite him. Hardly he managed to escape from the dogs and reached his house's garden.

Nica got  home very tired and especially hungry and saw his mother very busy tydying the house. He begged her pardon and his mother forgave him and offered Nica something to eat but made him to understand that she wouldn't be the same for him for a period of time.

 Nica swore that she wouldn't do the same anymore again and he became the hardworking boy that he used to be.