One day, a traveler was passing through the area and heard strange groaning sounds nearby. He approached where the sounds came from and found a large tiger trapped in a pitfall and trying to jump out. Seeing the traveler, the tiger begged him for help: "Please, help me out of this trap, and I will never forget your kindness." Out of mercy, the traveler dragged a felled tree and lowered it into the pitfall. And the tiger climbed out.
As soon as the tiger was out of the trap, he said to the traveler: "I am grateful for your help, but because humans made the trap to catch me, for that I will have to kill you."
The traveler was utterly speechless and became frightened. Trying to be calm and mustering his courage, however, he said: "Wait a minute, Mr. Tiger. It is patently unfair and outrageous to kill me. Fairness demands that we should have a few impartial parties to judge who is right." The tiger agreed and both of them went to an ox.
After listening to their story, the ox said: "Well, it is the fault of humans. We, oxen, too have a grudge against humans. They drive us hard for their own benefit and then they butcher us mercilessly. This is all very unfair!"
Next, they went to a pine tree. The pine tree listened to their story and said: "Humans are wrong. They cut us down for lumber and for their firewood. What have we done to them to deserve that? They just have no heart!"
Listening to the second opinion, the tiger was elated and ready to attack the traveler, when a hare was hopping toward them. "Phew. Just in time, Mr. Hare. Please, judge our case," and the traveler told the hare what had happened.
The hare then said: "Fine, but before I make any judgment, I must see the original scene." So, the traveler, the tiger, and the hare all went to the pitfall where the tiger had been trapped. The hare said to the tiger: "I must see exactly how you were before this traveler rescued you. Where exactly were you?" Eager to show where he was, the tiger jumped right into the pitfall. The hare asked: "Was this felled tree in the pitfall when you fell into it, Mr. Tiger?"
"No, it was not." So, the hare and the traveler took the tree out of the pitfall. The hare then said to the traveler: "Mr. Traveler, now, be on your way." And the hare, too, hopped away.
adapted from "The Unmannerly Tiger," a Korean fairytale
9
What is the best way to describe the theme of the story?
A.
Never make your home near wood where there are vicious animals.
B.
Don't hunt animals.
C.
Always avoid going into the wood alone.
D.
Be careful who you harm because it can come back to haunt you.
1 answer
The best way to describe the theme of the story is:
D. Be careful who you harm because it can come back to haunt you.
This theme is reflected in the tiger's intention to harm the traveler after being trapped due to human actions, and it highlights the consequences of the villagers' fear and their decision to trap the tigers. The story ultimately teaches a lesson about the repercussions of one's actions and the importance of fairness and justice.
