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 3-4 sentence paragraph identifying and explaining the theme present in this passage and how it relates to any universal themes.

The theme in this fable is about treating others as you would like to be treated. The Fox plays a trick on the Stork by serving food that only he can easily eat, but when the tables are turned, the Stork serves food in a way that only she can enjoy it. This teaches the lesson that it is important to consider the feelings and needs of others in our actions, as treating others with kindness and respect ultimately benefits everyone involved. This fable reflects the universal theme of reciprocity and the Golden Rule - treat others as you would like to be treated.