The Fable

By: Audra Caldwell

Definition:

Fables constitute the earliest forms of storytelling. Fables are short stories featuring animals, plants and forces of nature which are given human qualities.  Handed down from generation to generation, the purpose of a fable is to teach a particular lesson, value or to give advice.

 www.fablesfromthefriends.com/history_of_fables

They differ from parables and allegories which usually feature humans.  They also differ from myths and legends which explain particular natural phenomena such as seasons or why the sun rises in the east.

Examples:

Aesop’s Fables:          

The Hare and the Tortoise

The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

The Lion and the Mouse

Genre: Fables

Representational Genre: Narrator, Some also contain minor Dialogue

Narrative Genre:

This may depend on the particular fable you are reading.

 Fables provide us with the opportunity to laugh at our foolishness, cry and comfort each other when faced with tragedy, And Celebrate with our accomplishments.

Tragedy:

The Wolf and the Crane

A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum, to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment, the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: "Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense, in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf."

In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Comedy:

The Ants And The Grasshopper

The Ants were spending a fine winter's day drying grain collected in the summertime. A Grasshopper, perishing with famine, passed by and earnestly begged for a little food. The Ants inquired of him, "Why did you not treasure up food during the summer?' He replied, "I had not leisure enough. I passed the days in singing." They then said in disdain: "If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer, you must dance supper-less to bed in the winter."

Romance:  

The Hare and the Tortoise 

 A HARE one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.

Slow but steady wins the race

Related Genre: Folk Tales

Subject Genre/Audience Appeal:

Children can easily relate to the characters because the stories are in simple enough form for everyone to understand, although the ideas and lessons to be taught by the fable may be on a higher level. Most importantly, the fable is universal.  Not only do fables allow us to connect with other cultures but ultimately they reinforce what makes us human.

Previous Presentations:

Not much is known about the exact origins of the fable except that it is a form of literature that was probably developed during times when men were in constant contact with animals through either hunting or shepherding. Extracting these common objects and behaviors, the lessons and morals arose. Fables, New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1863. It is believed that the fable began over 3000 years ago. (Shannon Chamberlain 2000)

Questions:

Some say that fables are the backbone to the major concepts found in many novels. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Do you believe fables are an accurate way to teach moral lessons and values to children?  What about to adults?

Work Cited:

Hayashi, Leslie Ann. The History of Fables. 2001. www.fablesfromthefriends.com

Translated: Townsend,George Fyler. Ancient History Sourcebook. 1999. www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/aesop-fables