Fables: meaning, definitions and examples

Short stories that often feature animals and teach a moral lesson.

• Aesop's fables are popular for their moral lessons.
• The fable about the tortoise and the hare teaches the value of persistence.

A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, often found in religious texts.

• The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches kindness to strangers.
• Jesus often taught his followers through parables.

A story with a deeper meaning, often used to symbolize larger concepts or ideas.

• George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is an allegory for the Russian Revolution.
• The novel 'Pilgrim's Progress' is an allegory of the Christian life.

A story, often imaginative or fictional, that can range from a simple anecdote to a longer narrative.

• Children love to hear fairy tales before bedtime.
• The tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is legendary.