One of the main themes is the cost of war. Mother Courage tries to make a living during the war, constantly following the troops. Another theme is survival. She endures a lot to keep herself and her children alive in the harsh war environment.
The story's moral may lie in the concept of balance. Mother Earth gives so much to her children. But if her children, meaning humans and other species, take too much without giving back, like polluting and over - consuming, the balance is disrupted. So, it's a reminder that we need to maintain a proper balance in our relationship with Mother Earth for the continuation of life on our planet.
A mother could defend her kids by creating a safe environment, teaching them how to handle difficult situations, and physically shielding them when needed. Her love drives her to do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
In the 'Mother Earth and Her Children Story', Mother Earth is clearly a main character. She is the source of life, providing everything for her children. And her children, which are diverse. Humans are a significant part of her children, with the power to either protect or harm Mother Earth. Animals and plants are also her children, playing important roles in the ecosystem that Mother Earth represents.
A mother's courage - the Mary Thomas story might focus on Mary Thomas's experiences and the strength she demonstrated in raising her children or dealing with life's hardships as a mother.
Well, without more context, it's difficult to tell the exact full story. It might be a story where the daughter is trying to break free from her mother's expectations and carve out her own identity. Maybe there are conflicts between them due to different generations' values, and as the story unfolds, they gradually understand and accept each other.