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.
What is a Fable?
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.
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Try it for Free!Fable Examples
- “The Swan and the Owl”
- “The Jackal and the Drum”
- “The Heron and the Crab”
- “The Monkey’s Fiddle”
- “Crocodile’s Treason”
- “The Judgement of Baboon”
- “How the Camel Got His Hump”
- “How the Leopard Got His Spots”
Examples of Aesop’s Fables
- “The Fox and the Grapes”
- “The Tortoise and the Hare”
- “The Lion and the Mouse”
- “The Wolf and the Crane”
- “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse”
- “The Gnat and the Bull”
- “The Frogs and the Ox”
Want to learn more? Check out our educational article on Literary Genres!
How Tos about Fables: Definition and Examples
Engage students with a fable writing activity in your classroom
Encourage students to create their own short fables using animals or objects as characters. This helps build storytelling skills and supports comprehension of moral lessons.
Guide students to brainstorm morals for their fables
Ask each student to think of a simple life lesson or moral they want their story to teach. Choosing a clear message makes their fables more meaningful.
Facilitate group sharing and discussion of student fables
Invite students to read their fables aloud and explain the moral. This promotes speaking skills and helps classmates learn multiple lessons.
Connect fables to real-life classroom situations
Relate the morals from student fables to everyday choices and behaviors in your classroom. Students see how literary lessons apply to their own lives.
Celebrate creativity with a class fable anthology
Compile all student fables into a printed or digital book for the class. This fosters pride in their work and encourages reading for pleasure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fables: Definition and Examples
What is a fable?
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.
How are fables different from fairy tales?
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.
Why do fables use animals as characters?
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.
Can you give examples of famous fables?
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.
How can teachers use fables in the classroom?
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.
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