Final answer:
A moral is a simple lesson found at the surface level of a story and is distinct from a theme, which is a broad and abstract idea conveyed throughout the narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
A moral is different from a theme because it's a simple lesson learned and you can usually find it at the surface level of a story. The correct answer to the student's question is c) Moral. While a theme is the main idea, lesson, or message that may be abstract and is found throughout the entire story, a moral is a more specific lesson that can often be stated concisely and directly, and it is typically more straightforward.
The theme of a story is the overarching idea or message that the author wants to convey to the reader, and it usually provides a broad statement about humanity, life, or our universe. The theme is the unifying idea that connects plot points, conflicts, and characters to a major idea. On the other hand, a plot is a sequence of events in a story and the way these events interconnect, with conflicts driving the story forward. A motif is a recurring element in a story that can lead to discovering underlying themes due to its symbolic nature and repetition.