by Chen Jiatong
“You have a point, Bennett. Matters involving outsiders should also be carefully investigated,” Lund replied, his words long and slow. All of a sudden, his head slouched into his fur ball of a body, and he let out a long yawn.
Dilah was impatient. Why couldn’t the rabbits understand? “You’re blaming him unfairly. He was rushing to the ceremony when—Lord Lund?”
A deafening snore rumbled from the great rabbit. Drool was pooling in the corners of his mouth.
The rabbits exchanged awkward glances. Finally, a white rabbit with a gruff face hopped forward and poked Lund in the belly. Lund snorted awake. “What is it, Harrison?” he said to the gruff white rabbit. Then he carried on speaking as if he’d never fallen asleep. “White fox, you also have a point. I watched Little Bean grow up. He has a good heart. I don’t believe he’d do anything to harm our tribe. But I can’t decide this on my own. What does the council think?”
Five rabbits huddled around in a small circle, murmuring in low voices. Eventually, the black curly-haired rabbit called Bennett hopped forward.
“According to articles seven and twenty-four of council law, Little Bean must be tried in public by the highest criminal court,” Bennett announced.
“What?!” Dilah was shocked. Little Bean quivered at his side. “This is so stupid! Haven’t you heard anything I said?”
“This is a criminal case brought against you by the council,” Bennett told Little Bean. “Of course, you can ask your friends to come to your defense.”
An unkind snigger ran through the watching rabbits, and Dilah remembered what Little Bean had said: He had no friends.
“But from now on,” Bennett continued, “every word you say will be considered part of your confession.”
“Oh my,” Lund said, flustered. “Well, if you’re all determined to do this …”
A number of rabbits emerged from the crowd and marched Little Bean away.
“You guys should go.” Little Bean glanced back at Dilah, flashing a wavering smile. “There’s no good defense for what I’ve done, anyway. Goodbye, and thank you for trying!”
Dilah’s heart ached as he watched Little Bean stumble into the distance.
“No way,” he muttered under his breath. Determined to save Little Bean no matter what, he quietly trailed behind, carrying Ankel on his back.
The perfectly round full moon was mounted high in the sky as they walked across the prairie. At last, they came to a large, oddly shaped dark green hill. It looked like a huge upside-down funnel. The top of the hill narrowed into an oval-shaped tip that towered into the air. The end of the tip was open, and a warm orange light flickered inside.
The rabbits climbed the hill and disappeared inside. Upon reaching the top and peering into the hole, Dilah’s eyes widened. The inside was completely hollowed out and housed a cylindrical hall, constructed from brown, compacted earth. Four staircases were symmetrically arranged around the opening, each leading down to the floor inside. A bonfire blazed and crackled in the middle of the hall. The rabbits marched Little Bean down one flight of stairs, Dilah and Ankel following behind.
When he reached the floor, which was paved with dark pebbles, Dilah realized the moon was perfectly framed in the circular opening above. From here, it was also possible to see how the circular walls were riddled with small arched holes, like a honeycomb, eight levels in all.
Ankel stirred on Dilah’s back. “This must be the courthouse,” he whispered into Dilah’s ear.
Little Bean sat quietly in the center of the huge hall. For a moment, all was silent, but then the pitter-patter of footsteps echoed through the space. Five rabbits emerged from the largest arched hole, directly opposite Little Bean. Dilah instantly recognized them as the five rabbits who’d conferred earlier: Bennett, the black rabbit, hopped out in front and stared at Dilah with hard, unwelcoming eyes. The older gray rabbit was at his side, apparently preoccupied. The thin white rabbit, Harrison, emerged next, his face unreadable. Lastly, the white twins, the Crystal Sisters, stepped into the orange-red light, murmuring in low voices, nodding from time to time. Dilah had a sinking feeling in his stomach.
Gradually, the din in the hall grew louder and louder as new arrivals poked their heads through the arched holes in the wall, noses twitching, eyes twinkling in the firelight. The spectators whispered to each other, throwing Dilah and Ankel suspicious glances. Soon, all the rabbits had taken their places—but none of them had arrived through the central hole in the ceiling. At last, Dilah understood the function of the arches in the walls: There was obviously an extensive underground network inside the hill. The rabbits’ multiple burrows and tunnels led here, where they could discuss important matters or hold trials.
“All right, it’s about time,” Harrison muttered to the other four rabbits of the council, then turned around to face everyone. “Let the trial begin!”
The hall fell silent.
The five rabbits of the council lined up in a row, perched on a high stone platform across from Little Bean. They gazed at him over the fire pit, the flickering flames sending shadows across their faces. Several rabbits guarded Little Bean on either side, and other guards kept watch over the four staircases. Dilah stood behind Little Bean with Ankel on his back.
“Council members, it’s regrettable that we are here in criminal court on this day of holy ceremony, but we have no choice. Little Bean was not only absent from today’s ceremony, but he is suspected of passing out medical secrets to outsiders. We must put him on trial for his crimes,” Bennett said in a low voice, scanning the various archways, pausing for a second as his dark eyes swept over Dilah. “He must answer to the following charges: one count of sacrilege, and one count of collaborating with the enemy,” Bennett finished tersely.
“Well, Little Bean, would you like to defend yourself?” the thin white rabbit, Harrison, asked.
“I—I—”
“Or would you like to admit to your crimes?”
“N-no!” Little Bean stuttered.
“Let me defend him!” Dilah said, stepping forward.
“Hush, fox! You can’t defend Little Bean!” Harrison declared.
“Why?”
“According to article ten of the charter of the council court, only friends of the accused can defend the accused in the council court, and Little Bean has no friends.”
“I’m his friend,” Dilah said, staring Harrison in the eye, “and always will be!”
The hall was suddenly in uproar. Little Bean glanced back at Dilah. His black-spotted mouth hung slightly open; his eyes were filled with tears.
Harrison, too angry to speak, turned to Bennett for help.
“From a procedural standpoint, it’s a reasonable request. Since the fox considers Little Bean a friend, he has the right to defend him,” Bennett said grudgingly.
“Regarding the charge of sacrilege, I begged Little Bean to treat the weasel. He didn’t intend to miss the ceremony,” Dilah said. “Ankel would have died if it weren’t for his help.”
“We have already established the fact of his absence. He must be punished for violating the law, regardless of the reason or excuse,” Harrison said.
“But the second accusation isn’t valid. Why should saving my friend be considered collaborating with the enemy?”
“Because foxes are natural enemies of rabbits, and the friend of an enemy is also considered an enemy. Little Bean helped the enemy, which makes him guilty of collaborating with the enemy,” Bennett icily explained.
“Wait, I have something to say,” the elderly gray rabbit said, a worried expression on his face.
“What is it, Albert?” Bennett snapped.
Albert cleared his throat. “Little Bean may have been coerced into saving the fox’s friend, whether through external pressure or having his life threatened. The charges for this kind of involuntary violation of the law should be reduced as appropriate. So, Little Bean, answer me: Did the fox force you to save the weasel?”
“No,” Little B
ean replied, his head bowed.
“Think carefully. If you answer yes, things will take a favorable turn for you,” Albert said.
“No … no, I volunteered my help,” Little Bean asserted.
“You’re too naive, Albert. If Little Bean didn’t want to save the weasel, he could’ve given him a different herb. But, as you can see, the weasel has been saved. This is clearly a result of our medical skills,” Bennett said coldly. “Now that the situation has been clarified, the senior judiciary committee will begin its deliberations. Council members will vote on the preliminary verdict, and if it is approved by a majority of members, the verdict will take effect. If it does not pass, the charges against Little Bean will be withdrawn immediately.”
The flames grew stronger and stronger, the air in the hall growing heavy and hot. Blue moonlight shone through the opening of the dome, spilling onto the black pebbled floor. Little Bean kept his head down, standing as still as stone. My fate is out of my paws, Dilah thought, his pulse jittering. All he could do was wait and pray that the punishment wouldn’t be too harsh. The five rabbits huddled in a circle on the stone platform.
After they finished their deliberations, Bennett addressed the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, as the chief judge, I will deliver the criminal council court’s preliminary verdict regarding the case against Little Bean.” His face was half-hidden by the flickering of the fire in the middle of the hall, and his black eyes were glowing. His voice sounded as though it was coming from the moon, framed in the round hole above the court: loud and clear, calm and indifferent. “Little Bean is found guilty of sacrilege—violating article seven of the council law—and is hereby banished from the Elnis Rabbit Tribe. I also find him guilty of violating article twenty-four of the council law—collaborating with the enemy—and is therefore sentenced to punishment by water.”
“Punishment by water?” Dilah repeated, shocked. “What’s that?”
“The animal who is to be punished is thrown in the water and abandoned,” Ankel quietly answered.
“What?!” Dilah fumed, blood rushing to his head.
“Calm down! This is just a preliminary verdict. Wait until they finish voting,” Ankel whispered.
“Council members are invited to cast their votes!” Harrison called out. “Those in favor of the preliminary verdict, please show your eyes. Those who are opposed, please keep them closed.”
The rabbits in the archways angled their faces toward the fire, opening their eyes wide so that they reflected the flames. And then something incredible happened: The archways of those rabbits who were in favor of the verdict shone like light bulbs, and the archways of those rabbits who were opposed were pitch-black. In this way, the votes could be easily counted. So far, as much as Dilah could tell, the majority of the rabbits had their eyes open. His heart sank further.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to count the votes. The preliminary verdict has been approved by an overwhelming majority of members,” Bennett said. “Now, I formally proclaim that the criminal council court’s preliminary verdict against Little Bean has been approved: He is sentenced to punishment by water, to be carried out immediately!”
Two rabbits yanked Little Bean up from the ground and prepared to drag him out of the courtroom.
“Wait! You can’t do this!” Dilah roared, his eyes blazing with rage. “The trial wasn’t fair. I won’t let you touch a single hair on his head!” He snarled at the rabbit guards by Little Bean’s side, and they backed away, ears flattened with fright.
“Fox, are you sure you want to interfere in our trial?” Bennett cautioned.
Guards surrounded Dilah, Ankel, and Little Bean, but Dilah remained glued to Little Bean’s side. How many rabbits could I fight off, he wondered grimly. He was stronger, but there were so many. The tension in the hall was thick enough to cut.
Then a small voice piped up from over Dilah’s shoulder. “Since Little Bean has been expelled from the rabbit tribe, your laws have no binding effect on him. As such, the crime of collaborating with the enemy is irrelevant,” Ankel said, breaking the dead silence in the hall.
A murmuring started up among the rabbits, and Dilah felt his heart lift with hope.
“He has a point,” said the gray judge, Albert. “If we’ve banished Little Bean, he is no longer a member of the tribe, so how can we sentence him to water punishment?” The five rabbit judges huddled together and engaged in a heated discussion.
After some time, Bennett emerged from the group, gritting his teeth. “All right, all right. The council agrees to your proposal. Little Bean is banished.”
“He may never return!” Harrison snarled in frustration.
Dilah leapt up so enthusiastically that Ankel nearly lost grip on his fur. “Little Bean, let’s go!”
The three were permitted to spend the night under the gigantic sacred tree.
Early the next morning, Dilah was woken by Ankel tugging his tail. Dilah opened his eyes to bright sunlight and squinted at his friend.
“We have to go now, or Little Bean will be in trouble!” said Ankel.
Little Bean was sitting beneath the sacred tree, gazing up at the sky.
“Little Bean,” said Ankel, approaching the rabbit a little shyly. “You saved my life, but I haven’t even really met you yet. I’m Ankel. Thank you. You’re my lifesaver!” Ankel bowed deeply.
“No, you don’t need to thank me. I should be thanking you,” Little Bean said, his face turning red. “Pleased to meet you.”
“What will you do now, Little Bean?” Dilah asked, cocking his head curiously.
The rabbit blinked. “I don’t know.”
“Of course,” Ankel started, “you could always join us on our adventure.”
Little Bean smiled timidly. “That sounds exciting. I’m always up for an adventure.”
As they set off, brilliant sunlight scattered the mist that rose up from the grass. Birds chattered and flowers bloomed. They followed a small path, heading away from the rabbit tribe. As they rounded a bend at the edge of the rabbit tribe’s territory, Dilah spotted Lund, Albert, and a few others he didn’t recognize waiting for them. Are they here to catch Little Bean and take him back?
“My poor child,” Lund’s loud and clear voice rang out. When he saw Little Bean, the giant rabbit lovingly opened his massive paws.
“Lord Lund!” Little Bean greeted him with excitement.
Albert’s eyes were full of tenderness as he stepped forward next, holding out his arms.
“Teacher!” Little Bean cried, his eyes damp as he embraced the old rabbit.
“Little Bean studied medicine with Albert,” Lund explained ponderously. “The child has a gift for this ancient art.”
“I had to see you off,” said Albert to his former pupil. “The rabbits you helped cure also insisted on coming. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you in court as much as I’d have liked, but at least you survived.”
“It’s OK. I’m just happy to be alive,” Little Bean said.
“So, what’re your plans?” Albert asked.
“I’m going on an adventure with my friends.” He beamed at Dilah and Ankel.
“I’m glad you’ve found some partners in crime,” Albert said kindly. “Go, grow up together, have many adventures.”
“Lord Lund, may I ask you a question?” Dilah said, while Little Bean and Albert talked of the future.
“Feel free to ask anything, fox,” Lund graciously offered.
“Why do you look—I mean, compared to other rabbits—why do you look so different?” Dilah cautiously asked.
“Are you referring to my size?” Lund chuckled, and Dilah had a feeling he’d answered this question many times before. “I’m not surprised at all that you’re curious about me, fox,” Lund continued, chuckling. “I’m no ordinary rabbit. I’m a descendant of the giant rabbit clan.”
“The giant rabbit clan?” Ankel repeated. “I remember Grandpa mentioning them …”
“Yes, it’s an ancient and rare sp
ecies, so rare that almost no one in the world knows we exist. Our medical expertise dates back thousands of years!” Lund added proudly. “For generations, we lived in a distant and mysterious land: the enchanted forest.”
Dilah and Ankel exchanged a confused glance. Clearly even Ankel’s grandfather hadn’t spoken of this!
“I guess you’ve never heard of it,” Lund continued. “Very few animals can find the enchanted forest. It’s a land of hidden peace and beauty, filled with all kinds of exotic plants and rare animals, as well as some of the most precious medicinal herbs in the world. Most importantly, there are traces of magic everywhere …”
“So your size has something to do with magic?” Dilah asked, his eyes widening.
“Yes. We giant rabbits drank from the springs of the enchanted forest for generations. We grow larger and we live longer.”
Dilah blinked. “Cool! So … how old are you?”
“Oh, I can’t remember exactly, but I’m at least in my forties,” Lund said casually.
“Whoa …” breathed Ankel. Dilah was speechless. He reckoned the normal life span for a rabbit was about ten years.
“Can you tell us more about the magical springs?” Dilah asked, once he’d recovered.
The big rabbit inclined his head. “Certainly. There are nine ancient springs in the enchanted forest, filled with all sorts of magical powers—healing powers, for instance. But legend has it there’s another spring hidden in some unknown corner of the enchanted forest. The source of that spring, they say, is the Milky Way itself. It’s called the enchanted spring, or the spring of reincarnation. As the name suggests, any animal that has been bathed in the spring of reincarnation can be reborn as a human—and as we all know, there’s nothing more tantalizing than that!” Lund’s eyes glinted.
Dilah’s mind was spinning. If Ulla’s secret treasure provided one way to transform into a human, was the spring another way … or were they one and the same? Ankel caught his eye, and Dilah knew he was thinking along the same lines.