What is a universal theme?
a message that explores cultural and geographical differences among people from all parts of the world
a message about the human condition that people, regardless of differences, understand on a personal level
a message in which the human condition is explored through a variety of viewpoints from different cultures
a message that applies to people who have read literature from different countries and that explores one idea

what’s your question?

a friend in need is a short story written by william somerset maugham. in the story, the main character (whose name is never mentioned) reflects upon the fact that people appearances do not tell us the reality of their personalities. in fact, the character states that his longtime and friends are the ones that he have known the less, as he mentions in the first paragraph of the text: “my oldest friends are just those of whom i can say that i don't know.”the character supports this idea by narrating an experience that happened with his friend edward hyde burton.

in the first place, the main theme of the story is the people real personalities beyond their cover. furthermore, he states that even the nicest friends can have dark personalities. using the example of burton:

“i think the chief thing that struck me about burton was his kindliness. there was something very pleasing in his mild blue eyes. his voice was gentle; you could not imagine that he could raise it in anger; his smile was kind. here was a man who attracted you because you felt in him a real love for his fellows.”

subsequently, the character narrates the events that led him to come to this belief. burton told him about a poor man (also name burton) that once came to his office in seek for an employ. burton agreed with the man that he would give him a job if he was able to swim around “the beacon and landed at the creek of tarumi.” eventually the man drowned due to his terrible health.  

finally, the character concludes his remark by mentioning the satirical response of burton when he is asked if he had thought of the man’s possible fate:  

"when you offered him the job, did you know that he'd be drowned?

he gave a little mild chuckle and he looked at me with those kind blue eyes of his. he rubbed his chin with his hand.

well, i hadn't got a vacancy in my office at the moment."

here’s the link of the text: