Fable

Noun

Definition: A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.

Synonyms: Tale, Story, Allegory

Antonyms: Fact, Reality

Examples:

"The Tortoise and the Hare" is a famous fable about the importance of perseverance.
Aesop's fables have been passed down through generations to teach valuable life lessons.

Mnemonics:

Think of a moral lesson being wrapped in a fictional animal story.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "fable" comes from the Latin word "fabula," meaning a story or tale.

Historical Usage:

Fables have been a part of storytelling traditions for centuries, with notable examples from ancient Greece (Aesop's fables) and ancient India (Panchatantra).

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"The moral of the story"

Explanation:

Referring to the lesson or meaning conveyed by a fable or story.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing fables with fairy tales or myths.

Explanation:

While they share some similarities, fables are distinct in their use of animals as characters and their focus on conveying a specific moral or lesson.