Păcală

Păcală (Romanian, from a păcăli, "to dupe"; sometimes rendered Pâcală or Pîcală) is a fictional character in Romanian folklore, literature and humor. An irreverent young man, seemingly a peasant, he reserves contempt and irony for the village authorities (whether priest, boyar or judge), but often plays the fool. Several derivative works codify the various versions of Păcală anecdotes. Examples include: Pâcală, by Ion Creangă; Păcală în satul lui ("Păcală in His Village") by Ioan Slavici; Isprăvile lui Păcală ("Păcală's Achievements") by Petre Dulfu; and Întâmplările lui Păcală ("The Adventures of Păcală"), part of Legende sau basmele românilor.