There is internal conflict present in this passage: "This, I thought, was the moment of decision, which was to rob me of, or bestow happiness on me for ever." This shows that this person is struggling to make a decision.
The first choice would be the correct answer it makes more sense and goes along with the story
Answer:
His role in the story was to try and stop the Once-ler from cutting down the trees and without him, the Once-ler would have never felt guilt, he would have lived a rich life in Thneedville, and Ted never would have gotten the seed.
The correct answer would be: “wrangled”.
I hope that this helps you!