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.

The theme present in this passage is that of reciprocity and the Golden Rule - treating others as you would like to be treated. The Fox's initial prank on the Stork backfires when the Stork repays him in kind, showing him the same lack of courtesy that he had shown her. This story teaches the importance of being considerate and kind to others, as our actions towards them may be reciprocated. This fable can be related to the universal theme of karma, where the consequences of our actions can come back to us in unexpected ways. It serves as a reminder to treat others with respect and kindness in order to receive the same in return.

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