Step 1: In your own words, explain the difference between theme & main idea (central idea).

Step 1: The main idea (or central idea) of a story refers to the primary point or message that the author wants to convey, often focusing on the specific plot and characters' actions. It encapsulates what happens in the story. In contrast, the theme delves deeper into the underlying messages, morals, or life lessons that can be drawn from the narrative. It reflects the broader ideas or universal truths that resonate beyond the story's surface.

Step 2: In the "Three Little Pigs," the main idea revolves around the efforts of three pigs who each build houses out of different materials—straw, sticks, and bricks—to protect themselves from the Big Bad Wolf. The theme, however, emphasizes the importance of hard work, perseverance, and planning for the future, as demonstrated by the third pig’s diligent construction of a sturdy house that ultimately provides safety.