A fable is a short story that conveys a lesson or a moral that is usually stated at the end of the story. Fables feature animals and natural elements as the main characters.
There are four main features to all fables. The first feature is symbolism. Characters in fables are non-humans, and their conflicts symbolize types of conflict or misadventures that humans would have. The second feature is anthropomorphization. This means that the main characters are animals or even inanimate objects are given human traits and qualities. The third feature is humor. Fables are told in a funny and entertaining tone that often reflects the foolishness and silliness of human nature. The final feature of fables is that there is always a lesson or a moral of the story. The main character learns from their mistakes and sees the error of their ways at the end of the story. There is often a line at the end that states the moral, such as, “No act of kindness is ever wasted”, or “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Fables have a very long history and have been around for many years. Aesop, who was said to be born around 620 BCE, was a Greek fabulist and storyteller who wrote many of the fables that are still well known today. In the 1600s, French writer, Jean de la Fontaine, was inspired by Aesop and wrote many fables that were loosely based upon the church and the upper class at the time. He believed that the fable should center around its moral, and considered the moral to be the most important part.
Traditionally, and still today, fables are used to teach children lessons about responsibility, hard work, kindness, and other important aspects of life and growing up. Fables can be used as anchor texts in a writing unit where students write their own fables, or they can be read and analyzed together as a reading unit.
Want to learn more? Check out our educational article on Literary Genres!
A fable is a short story, often featuring animals as characters, that teaches a moral or lesson. Fables use simple plots to help readers understand important values.
Fables focus on teaching a lesson through animal characters and simple stories, while fairy tales often include magic, human characters, and do not always have a clear moral.
Fables use animals to represent human traits and behaviors, making it easier for readers to understand the story's message. Animals help simplify complex ideas for students.
Some famous fables include The Tortoise and the Hare, The Fox and the Grapes, and The Lion and the Mouse. These stories all teach important lessons about patience, honesty, and kindness.
Teachers can use fables to encourage discussion about morals, reading comprehension, and creative writing. Fables are great for group activities, role-playing, and teaching critical thinking skills.