Theme

Read the passage and identify the theme. Theme is the message, moral, or lesson that the author wants to teach the reader.TheAntandtheDoveOne day an ant was out walking and became very thirsty. She saw a stream and decided to take a sip from it. But when she bent over, she slipped and fell into the water.Luckily, a dove flying overhead spotted the ant. The bird took a leaf in its beak and dropped the leaf into the water for the ant. The ant climbed onto the leaf and floated safely to the edge of the stream. "Thank you, dear dove," said the ant. "You saved my life."Just then, the two animals saw a hunter nearby. The hunter was holding a net high in the air. Seeing that the hunter was about to capture the dove, the ant acted quickly. She bit the hunter hard on his leg. "Ow!" he cried, and he dropped the net on the ground.The dove flew away, and the ant walked away smiling. The ant felt good about helping the dove. Those who are kind to others will be treated kindly in turn. The HeronThe heron, a proud, long-legged bird, walked to the river near his nest. It was nearly time for breakfast. He eyed the water. Today was his lucky day. There were so many fish swimming there! He would have his pick of food.First, a school of little minnows swam by."Oh, a minnow just won't do," said the heron. "It's much too small."Next, a perch swam past the heron."No!" he said. "A fish of that size isn't fit for a bird like me."It got later, and the sun climbed higher in the sky. Soon most of the fish moved into deeper water. After a while, there were no more fish where the heron stood. By now he was very hungry. He could wait no longer to eat, but all he could find was a tiny snail. If you are too hard to please, you might end up with little or nothing. Sometimes what you don't expect to enjoy can make you the happiest.