Fables

A fable is a short story that explores a lesson about choices or behavior. Its characters are often animals that talk and act like people, but a fable can have other kinds of characters too. These imagined actions are part of the story, not facts about real animals.

A Message in the Events

The lesson is often called a moral. Some versions print it as a sentence; others leave readers to work it out from what happens. A moral does not have to be stated in the final line.

A topic and a message are different. “Picnics” is a topic. Imagine that Mole plans a picnic, notices rain, and moves everyone under a roof. “Changing a plan can help solve a problem” is a possible message. The move and the successful picnic support that idea.

Read Closely

Ask what a character wants, what problem appears, and how the character responds. Retell the important events in order. Then suggest a message and explain which details support it. Another reader may use different words for a well-supported idea.

A picture can help you imagine a place or action. Check it against the words. A still picture cannot show every event or let you hear a character's voice.

Stories and Retellings

Collections known as Aesop's Fables include stories such as The Hare and the Tortoise. These stories have been retold in many versions. A version can change details, wording or how it states a lesson. Compare actual texts instead of assuming that every version is identical.