Why is this statement considered a theme and not a plot summary?

people can be cruel when they are confused or hurt.
a. it introduces characters and the conflict.
b. it uses characters to enhance the story.
c. it shows what happens in the story.
d. it relates a universal idea about life.

This statement can be considered the theme and not ta plot summary because (D) It relates to universal idea about life.

We also know that the theme is the general issue that deals with a story (love, trust, jealousy). It is generally a phrase that synthesizes or encompasses the entire text, a very brief exposition of the central idea of the writing around which the meaning of the text is organized and which gives universal meaning to the specific data or events presented by the text. Instead the plot is the sequence of events in the order in which they appear in the story.

what is a theme?

ans: the implicit idea of a written work of literature is called a theme.

so, the only theme of "birdfoot's grampa" by joseph bruchuc is that as a human being one should always remember the value of every life on earth.

the grampa is stopping the car again and again to save those little toads from washing away in the heavy rain is an act of kindness and humanity.

pulling in the reader is important