第九章（606字）

Courtroom Defense

1． Reynard the Fox finally stood before the Lion King. He bowed low, humble yet sharp.

2． “Your Majesty,” he said, “the Bear accuses me only because he’s greedy for honey—he ended up in the river, remember?”

3． “And the cat? She tried to steal cheese, got her tail caught in the cabinet, and then blamed me!”

4． “As for the sausages, it was she who had the first bite—but she pointed at me.”

5． A dog leapt out and barked, “Stealing someone else’s food is a serious crime!”

6． Reynard turned to him with a smile. “Easy, brother. The sausage is yours.”

7． “Don’t you remember what His Majesty once said? ‘Blessings must be shared’—it keeps war away.”

8． “You lost out only because you were too selfish.”

9． The Lion King burst into laughter, and the other animals fell silent, unsure how to reply.

10． At that moment, the Wolf jumped out, pointing at Reynard furiously. “You speak sweet words, but your heart is poison!”

11． “You lured me to the pond, telling me to go fishing!”

12． “You told me to stick my tail into the ice hole—that the fish would bite!”

13． “Then you disappeared—and my tail froze and snapped off!”

14． With that, the Wolf sat down and burst into tears, sobbing loudly.

15． Reynard chuckled. “Everyone knows there are fish in the pond.”

16． “Using a bucket to fish isn’t unheard of either.”

17． “As for your tail freezing... do you think I control the weather?”

18． “That’s like blaming God because your stomach hurts.”

19． “You broke your tail and blame me for not standing by you and telling you to catch more fish.”

20． All the animals burst into laughter—even the King couldn’t hold back a chuckle.

21． The Wolf wiped his tears but protested, “Even so, you should not have stood by while I suffered!”

22． Reynard spread his paws and asked the crowd, “Let me ask—who among you isn’t afraid of hunters?”

23． He turned to the Lion King with mock respect. “With all due reverence, Your Majesty... are even you afraid of hunters?”

24． The Lion opened his mouth but could not find an answer.

25． Just then, a hen rushed forward, carrying a featherless chick on her back.

26． She cried out, “Your Majesty! I beg you to bring justice for my beloved son!”

27． “Last time he faked a royal decree, and now he’s plucked all my son’s feathers and nearly ate him!”

28． “Please, Your Majesty, help us!”

29． Reynard lowered his head and sighed, “I have committed unforgivable sins.”

30． “But please remember... I am only a fox.”

31． The Lion King stood up and roared, “All who harm the innocent shall be hanged!”

32． “Reynard, have you anything left to say?”

33． Reynard sat on the ground, his eyes darting around. Then he said softly, “Then so be it... I have wronged you all.”

34． At these words, the animals began to soften.

35． The crow said, “Since he has admitted his guilt, let him live.”

36． The cat added quietly, “He did wrong—but haven’t we all done things we hide?”

37． The animals murmured among themselves, asking the King to spare him.

38． Then the Wolf sprang forward, shouting in fury, “No!”

39． “The laws of the kingdom cannot be changed! A confession does not erase a crime!”