Question

Read the fable The Fox and the Stork by Aesop to complete the activity.

At one time the Fox and the Stork were on visiting terms and seemed very good friends. So the Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and for a joke put nothing before her but some soup in a very shallow dish. This the Fox could easily lap up, but the Stork could only wet the end of her long bill in it and left the meal as hungry as when she began. "I am sorry," said the Fox, "the soup is not to your liking."
"Pray do not apologize," said the Stork. "I hope you will return this visit and come and dine with me soon." So a day was appointed when the Fox should visit the Stork; but when they were seated at table all that was for their dinner was contained in a very long-necked jar with a narrow mouth, in which the Fox could not insert his snout, so all he could manage to do was to lick the outside of the jar.

Write a paragraph identifying and explaining the theme present in this passage and how it relates to any universal themes.

(4 points)

Answer 1

The bot is All wrong again!

Answer 2

The theme present in this passage is the consequence of playing practical jokes on others. The Fox played a joke on the Stork by serving her soup in a shallow dish and making her unable to eat while he had no problem eating it. However, when the Stork invited the Fox over for dinner, she served him food in a jar with a narrow mouth, making it impossible for the Fox to eat. The consequence of the Fox’s practical joke was that he received the same treatment when he visited the Stork. This emphasizes the universal theme that one’s actions have consequences, and it is wrong to intentionally harm others for one’s own amusement. It is important to treat others with respect and kindness, as it is what we would want in return.