Final answer:
The theme of a story like 'The Snake and the Canes' often emphasizes the value of relying on one's own knowledge and training, with the anecdote from Mark Twain serving as a key example. The theme can also explore human responses to adversity and the nature of wisdom, as seen in the comparisons to animals and in parodies of fables like 'The Hare and the Pineapple.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of a story is its underlying message, or 'big idea.' In the context of the provided excerpts, we see that the theme commonly revolves around the importance of relying on one's own knowledge and training, rather than succumbing to doubt and fear. This is evident in the anecdote by Mark Twain, where the character starts to second-guess his abilities to run a crossing due to the anxiety caused by the presence of others, despite his initial confidence. Similarly, in other comparisons of humans to animals, the theme explores our responses to adversity or unusual scenarios, often shedding light on certain truths about human nature or societal behaviors.
Another example provided is the apparently nonsensical fable of 'The Hare and the Pineapple,' which satirizes traditional morals found in fables, possibly suggesting that not all tales yield straightforward wisdom. Likewise, in 'The Cunning Hunter,' the juxtaposition of the natural world with human actions can imply themes related to the complexity and unpredictability of love and life's circumstances.