Fable

/ˈfeɪbəl/ noun

Definition

A short fictional story that teaches a moral lesson, often featuring animals as characters with human qualities.

Etymology

From Old French 'fable' and Latin 'fabula' meaning 'story' or 'tale.' The word comes from the root 'fari' meaning 'to speak,' reflecting how these stories were originally told aloud to convey wisdom.

Kelly Says

Aesop's fables have survived for over 2,500 years because they use simple animal characters to teach universal truths—your brain remembers 'slow and steady wins the race' far better than a lecture on persistence!

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