Fable
/ˈfeɪ.bəl/noun
A short story, typically with a moral lesson, often featuring animals as characters.
Did you know?The term 'fable' is derived from Latin 'fabula', meaning 'story' or 'narrative', which connects to the idea of storytelling as an ancient craft of wisdom and enchantment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dhabh-
“to speak, to tell”
Latin
Latin
fabula
“a story, narrative, a tale”
Old French
Old French
fable
“a story or tale, often with a moral”
Middle English
Middle English
fable
“a narrative or story, especially one with a moral lesson”
Modern English
English
fable
“a short fictional story that conveys a moral lesson”