Fable

A fable is a short story that often uses animals, plants or imaginary characters to represent human behaviors and teach a lesson. The characters usually face a situation that highlights qualities or flaws such as honesty, pride, generosity or greed.

Many fables end with a moral, which is a short statement that expresses the lesson the reader can learn from the story. However, the meaning of a fable is not always stated directly and may be understood through the events and actions of the characters.

Fables have existed in many cultures for centuries and were often passed down orally before being written. One of the most famous collections is attributed to Aesop, a Greek storyteller who is believed to have lived around the 6th century BCE, although details about his life remain uncertain.

The French writer Jean de La Fontaine also made fables widely known in the 17th century through his own adaptations. Simple in form but rich in meaning, fables continue to be used in education and literature because they encourage reflection on human behavior and values.