Final answer:
The section "A Local View of the Lights" mainly discusses the stories and explanations of local residents regarding mysterious lights in the sky, a human tradition of myth-making in response to unexplained natural occurrences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The section entitled "A Local View of the Lights" is primarily concerned with the stories of local residents that attempt to explain the lights. This indicates that the focus of the section is on the narratives and experiences of those living in the vicinity of the phenomena, which are often mysterious lights observed in the sky. The presence of such lights has sparked a plethora of local lore, trying to rationalize or contextualize what is seen. Stories and myths are a common human response to unexplained natural occurrences, and they serve as a way for communities to share and preserve their interpretations and experiences with these unusual sightings.
Based on the provided information, it suggests that people have long made sense of the night sky and its phenomena by creating stories or myths. Therefore, the answer to the student's question seems to lean towards option c) the stories of local residents that attempt to explain the lights, as the focus is on the local populace's attempts to make sense of the lights they have observed, similar to how ancient cultures made myths around the stars.