Read the excerpt from "Hansel and Gretel.”
The children, too, had not been able to sleep of hunger and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitterly and spoke to Hansel: "Now it’s all up with us.” "No, no, Gretel,” said Hansel, "don’t fret yourself; I’ll be able to find a way of escape, no fear.” And when the old people had fallen asleep he got up, slipped on his little coat, opened the back door, and stole out. The moon was shining clearly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like bits of silver. Hansel bent down and filled his pocket with as many of them as he could cram in. Then he went back and said to Gretel: "Be comforted, my dear little sister, and go to sleep: God will not desert us”; and he lay down in bed again.
At daybreak, even before the sun was up, the woman came and awoke the two children: "Get up, you lie-abed, we’re all going to the forest to fetch wood.” She gave them each a bit of bread and spoke: "There’s something for your luncheon, but don’t you eat it up before, for it’s all you’ll get.” Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the stones in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. After they had walked for a little, Hansel stood still and looked back at the house, and this maneuver he repeated again and again. His father observed him, and [said]: "Hansel, what are you gazing at there, and why do you always remain behind? Take care, and don’t lose your footing.” "Oh! father,” said Hansel, "I am looking back at my white kitten, which is sitting on the roof, waving me a farewell.” The woman exclaimed: "What a donkey you are! that isn’t your kitten, that’s the morning sun shining on the chimney.” But Hansel had not looked back at his kitten but had always dropped one of the white pebbles out of his pocket onto the path.
Which sentence best states how Hansel’s actions help reveal a theme?
Hansel lies to his father in order to protect Gretel.
Hansel fills his pockets with stones to mark the way home.
Hansel plans ahead for a way to save both Gretel and himself.
Hansel defies his stepmother in order to say goodbye to his kitten.
