I believe the answer is: B. To show that Grendel cannot rely on nature for protection
In the story, Grendel perceive that he is blessed by protection from the nature which would always help him in all of his troubles. But when he somehow got his foot stucked in a tree in front of a bull and when he cried and scream for help from the nature, he did not receive any answer.
To shirk means to avoid doing something.
So, if there are any choices, I'd choose that someone would be tempted to shirk a difficult task, or something you just don't feel like doing.
The Water is Wide is the true story of a young white schoolteacher -- a man who gave a year of his life to give an island and a people renewed hope. He becomes the teacher to their children, and teaches the adults of Yamacraw Island extraordinary lessons they didn't even know they needed to learn.
