Fables, Parables, and Tales
Fables, Parables, and Tales
Fiction as defined in our textbook is a name for stories not entirely factual, but at least partially shaped, made-up, or imagined. Fiction stories can sometimes take the mind to places that are far away from reality, but add a lesson that aids in real-life application. In this essay I will discuss the three traditional forms of storytelling, which are fables, parables, and tales.
A fable is a brief story, much similar to a tale. These short stories are usually told by word of mouth and so some element of truth. Fables often end with a moral or a message. The most popular fables are found in the book “Aesop Fables”.
In the fable the North Wind and the Sun, which we read in class, Aesop gives life to the sun and the wind. They were in a competition to see which one could get the traveler to strip from his cloak. The wind blew as hard as it could to no avail, but the traveler kept his cloak on. The sun did not apply so much force, but used more “persuasion” to cause the traveler to strip from his cloak. The moral of the story is that persuasion is better than force. The life that was given to the sun and the wind was the fiction part of the fable, but the moral was factual and can be applied to everyday life.
The second traditional type of storytelling is called the parable. A parable, like the fable, is a brief narrative that also teaches a moral. However, it differs from the fable in that its plot is seemingly realistic and the characters are human, not animals or forces of nature. I, myself, take personal interest in parables because Jesus speaks in parables in the Holy Bible. Parables, unlike fables, usually do not have one set moral, but can be open to several different interpretations. This would explain why several different Pastors can teach the same scripture in different ways. In the textbook, the prodigal son, one of the more popular parables of the bible, discussed the importance of redemption and forgiveness.
Fiction as defined in our textbook is a name for stories not entirely factual, but at least partially shaped, made-up, or imagined. Fiction stories can sometimes take the mind to places that are far away from reality, but add a lesson that aids in real-life application. In this essay I will discuss the three traditional forms of storytelling, which are fables, parables, and tales.
A fable is a brief story, much similar to a tale. These short stories are usually told by word of mouth and so some element of truth. Fables often end with a moral or a message. The most popular fables are found in the book “Aesop Fables”.
In the fable the North Wind and the Sun, which we read in class, Aesop gives life to the sun and the wind. They were in a competition to see which one could get the traveler to strip from his cloak. The wind blew as hard as it could to no avail, but the traveler kept his cloak on. The sun did not apply so much force, but used more “persuasion” to cause the traveler to strip from his cloak. The moral of the story is that persuasion is better than force. The life that was given to the sun and the wind was the fiction part of the fable, but the moral was factual and can be applied to everyday life.
The second traditional type of storytelling is called the parable. A parable, like the fable, is a brief narrative that also teaches a moral. However, it differs from the fable in that its plot is seemingly realistic and the characters are human, not animals or forces of nature. I, myself, take personal interest in parables because Jesus speaks in parables in the Holy Bible. Parables, unlike fables, usually do not have one set moral, but can be open to several different interpretations. This would explain why several different Pastors can teach the same scripture in different ways. In the textbook, the prodigal son, one of the more popular parables of the bible, discussed the importance of redemption and forgiveness.
Cited: Kennedy, X.J, and Dana Gioa. BackPack Literature. New York: Pearson Longman, 2008. "The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard." The Boston Christian Bible Study Resources. 24 Aug. 2005. 21 Sep. 2008. <www.bcbsr.com>.