Read this excerpt from "A Fable."
"The cat lied. There was nothing in that hole but a donkey. There wasn't a sign of a flat thing visible. It was a handsome donkey, and friendly, but just a donkey, and nothing more."
The elephant asked:
"Did you see it good and clear? Were you close to it?"
"I saw it good and clear, O Hathi, King of Beasts. I was so close that I touched noses with it."
"This is very strange," said the elephant; "the cat was always truthful before-as far as we could make out. Let another witness try. Go, Baloo, look in the hole, and come and report."
How does the plot influence characterization in this excerpt?
A. The exposition introduces the bear as a trusted advisor.
B. The exposition introduces the elephant as a respected leader.
C. The rising action shows the donkey as a considerate observer.
D. The rising action shows the cat as an unreliable witness.