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

(4 points)

The theme present in this fable is the idea of reciprocity and treating others as you would like to be treated. The Fox plays a trick on the Stork by serving soup in a way that the Stork cannot eat, and in return, the Stork serves food in a way that the Fox cannot eat. This shows that if you treat others unfairly or unkindly, you can expect the same treatment in return. This theme relates to the universal theme of karma or the idea that the actions we take will eventually come back to us. It serves as a reminder to treat others with respect and fairness, as we will ultimately receive the same treatment in return.