Making a deal
When the Kwuggerbug tells Horton about the Beezlenut tree, Horton asks why he was told. The bug replies that "my beezlenut tree is rather far off. And I'm not very strong. I'd get there much quicker if you came along." As such, this story is based on a deal made between Horton and the Kwuggerbug, for the mutual goal of eating some sweet Beezlenuts. However, when Horton is scared about crossing the river later in the story, the Kwuggerbug uses the deal against him, saying that Horton must comply or else he is breaking the deal. As such, this stories show that some deals are not fair for all people involved.
Cruelty
The Kwuggerbug is depicted as being a cruel and unkind character. He manipulates Horton into agreeing to a deal, and then makes him do all the work. When Horton is uncomfortable or scared about something, the Kwuggerbug reminds him about the deal, manipulating him into carrying on. For example, while Horton is hurting himself climbing the mountain, the Kwuggerbug "perched on his trunk all the time and kept yelling."
Fairness
This story is partly about fairness, as it seems the deal between Horton and the Kwuggerbug is one-sided. Although the bug claims to be the "brains" of the operation, he does not contribute a lot. It is instead Horton who does most of the work, and we get the impression he does not understand that he is being manipulated by the bug.
