宫廷辩护 Courtroom Defense 1.
列那狐终于面见狮子国王，深深一鞠躬，语气谦卑却带锋芒。
Reynard the Fox finally stood before the Lion King. He bowed low, humble yet sharp. 2.
“陛下，”他说，“熊控告我，是因为他贪吃蜂蜜，被农夫追得掉进河里。”
“Your Majesty,” he said, “the Bear accuses me only because he’s greedy for honey—he ended up in the river, remember?” 3.
“猫呢？猫偷吃奶酪，把尾巴夹在奶酪柜里，反过来冤枉我。”
“And the cat? She tried to steal cheese, got her tail caught in the cabinet, and then blamed me!” 4.
“还有香肠的事，也是猫先吃了一口，却说是我动的手。”
“As for the sausages, it was she who had the first bite—but she pointed at me.” 5.
这时，一只狗跳了出来，大声道：“偷吃别人的东西该当何罪！”
A dog leapt out and barked, “Stealing someone else’s food is a serious crime!” 6.
列那笑眯眯地转向他，说：“小兄弟，别急，肉肠是你的。”
Reynard turned to him with a smile. “Easy, brother. The sausage is yours.” 7.
“你忘了国王说过的话？‘有福同享’，这是避免战争的智慧。”
“Don’t you remember what His Majesty once said? ‘Blessings must be shared’—it keeps war away.” 8.
“你吃了亏，是因为你太自私了。”
“You lost out only because you were too selfish.” 9.
狮子国王听了哈哈大笑，其他动物也一时语塞，不知如何反驳。
The Lion King burst into laughter, and the other animals fell silent, unsure how to reply. 10.
这时，狼跳了出来，怒气冲冲地指着列那：“你口蜜腹剑、花言巧语！”
At that moment, the Wolf jumped out, pointing at Reynard furiously. “You speak sweet words, but your heart is poison!” 11.
“是你把我骗到池塘，说要钓鱼！”
“You lured me to the pond, telling me to go fishing!” 12.
“你让我把尾巴伸进冰洞，说这样能钓上来鱼。”
“You told me to stick my tail into the ice hole—that the fish would bite!” 13.
“后来你逃得无影无踪，而我尾巴被冻断了！”
“Then you disappeared—and my tail froze and snapped off!” 14.
说完，狼坐在地上“哇”地一声哭了出来，满脸是泪。
With that, the Wolf sat down and burst into tears, sobbing loudly. 15.
狐狸列那笑了起来：“池塘里有鱼，是众所周知的。”
Reynard chuckled. “Everyone knows there are fish in the pond.” 16.
“用水桶捞鱼，也不是没有先例。”
“Using a bucket to fish isn’t unheard of either.” 17.
“至于你的尾巴会冻上……我列那有指使老天的能耐吗？”
“As for your tail freezing... do you think I control the weather?” 18.
“这就像你肚子疼却怪上帝。”
“That’s like blaming God because your stomach hurts.” 19.
“你尾巴断了，怨我没守在你身边，没提醒你多抓几条鱼。”
“You broke your tail and blame me for not standing by you and telling you to catch more fish.” 20.
所有动物听了哈哈大笑，连国王也憋不住笑出了声。
All the animals burst into laughter—even the King couldn’t hold back a chuckle. 21.
狼擦了擦眼泪，仍不甘心地说：“就算如此，你也不能见死不救啊！”
The Wolf wiped his tears but protested, “Even so, you should not have stood by while I suffered!” 22.
列那狐摊开双爪，转向众人：“我问问大家——你们谁见了猎人不怕？”
Reynard spread his paws and asked the crowd, “Let me ask—who among you isn’t afraid of hunters?” 23
他转向狮子国王，故作恭敬：“恕我冒犯，陛下，您也怕猎人吗？”
He turned to the Lion King with mock respect. “With all due reverence, Your Majesty... are even you afraid of hunters?” 24.
狮子张了张嘴，一时竟说不出话来。
The Lion opened his mouth but could not find an answer. 25.
就在这时，一只母鸡冲出来，背上还驮着一只光秃秃的小鸡。
Just then, a hen rushed forward, carrying a featherless chick on her back. 26.
她激动地叫道：“陛下！我请求为我最爱的儿子讨回公道！”
She cried out, “Your Majesty! I beg you to bring justice for my beloved son!” 27.
“上次他假传圣旨未了，这次又把我儿子的毛都拔光，差点就吃了他！”
“Last time he faked a royal decree, and now he’s plucked all my son’s feathers and nearly ate him!” 28.
“请您为我做主！”
“Please, Your Majesty, help us!” 29.
狐狸列那低头叹气，说：“我犯下了弥天大罪。”
Reynard lowered his head and sighed, “I have committed unforgivable sins.” 30.
“但请大家记住，我只是——一只狐狸。”
“But please remember... I am only a fox.” 31.
狮子国王猛地站起身，怒吼道：“凡残害无辜者，都受以绞刑！”
The Lion King stood up and roared, “All who harm the innocent shall be hanged!” 32.
“列那，你还有什么好说的？”
“Reynard, have you anything left to say?” 33.
列那坐在地上，眼睛转了转，轻声说：“只有这样了……是我对不起大家。”
Reynard sat on the ground, his eyes darting around. Then he said softly, “Then so be it... I have wronged you all.” 34.
这句话一出，动物们忽然心软了。
At these words, the animals began to soften. 35.
乌鸦说：“既然他已知错，不如饶他一命。”
The crow said, “Since he has admitted his guilt, let him live.” 36.
猫也低声说：“他是错了，但我们……是不是也有不尽不实？”
The cat added quietly, “He did wrong—but haven’t we all done things we hide?” 37.
动物们开始低声议论，请国王网开一面。
The animals murmured among themselves, asking the King to spare him. 38.
这时，狼气急败坏地跳出来，大声喊道：“不行！”
Then the Wolf sprang forward, shouting in fury, “No!” 39.
“王国的国法不能更改！认罪不等于无罪！”
“The laws of the kingdom cannot be changed! A confession does not erase a crime!” | 
