2. the hare with many friends
a hare was very popular,
hounds approaching and hope
asked him to carry her away fro
do for his master. "he felt sure,
is very popular with the other beasts who all claimed to be her friends. but one day she heard the
poaching and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many friends. so, she went to the horse, and
to carry her away from the hounds on his back. but he declined, stating that he had important work to
master. "he felt sure," he said, "that all her other friends would come to her assistance." she then
o the bull, and hoped that he would repel the hounds with his horns. the bull replied: "i am very sorry,
have an appointment with a lady; but i feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you want.” the goat,
er, leared that his back might do her some harm if he took her upon it. the ram, he felt sure, was the
triend to apply to. so she went to the ram and told him the case. the ram replied: “another time, my
mend. i do not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been known to eat sheep as well as
s. the hare then applied, as a last hope, to the calf, who regretted that he was unable to her, as he did
like to take the responsibility upon himself, as so many older persons than himself had declined the task, by
this time the hounds had caught the hare, and tore him to shreds.
what is the theme in the passage above?

a. keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

b. popularity is the key to success.

c. friendships are the heart of life.

d. it is better to have a few good friends than many superficial ones.