Near-Shore+Zone+Fiction

=**__ Animal Court __**= ​ “Chazz the purple sea star is suing Steve the sea otter for trying to eat him. Is this correct, Chazz?” announced the old wise turtle judge. “Yes, your honor,” replied Chazz.

“Let the trial begin!” said the turtle.

“I was lying there innocently in the shallow waters of the ocean shore when Steve plunged into the water, showing his teeth at me. Luckily, I hid under the sand of the beach,” said Chazz

Then Steve gave his side of the story. He explained, “I was getting really annoyed by my rumbling stomach. I needed food. I saw Chazz lying in the water, and thought, ‘what a delicious snack!’ I dove into the water and was about to have a delightful snack, when suddenly he was nowhere to be found! It wasn’t my fault I almost ate him, I’m an omnivore and I need food to survive! It’s the circle of life!” Steve explained. The judge asked, “If you’re an omnivore, then why didn’t you eat some seaweed or plants? You could have eaten them instead!" Then a blade of American beach grass stood up from the jury and said, “Plants have feelings too! We have relationships with animals. I let a double crested cormorant nest in me. The bird is benefited, but I don’t really care, I’m fine with it. It doesn’t really hurt me at all, or benefit me." The turtle judge rose and said, “I also have a relationship with an organism. It is marine bacteria. It’s a parasite, and the marine bacteria is benefited, but it hurts me.”

Then Steve said, “You see? We all have relationships with organisms. It’s how life works.” Sally the sea lion said, “ I have a relationship with E. coli. He helps me digest my food, and I provide him with nutrients.”  Now it was time for the jury to vote. It was unanimous. Steve was innocent! Chazz apologized to Steve, and then Steve ate Chazz.

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