FABLES

Fables, like myths and epics, are

also part of a great stream of
folklore.

A fable is a short tale in which the

chief characters are animals and
sometimes inanimate objects that
act and talk like human beings.
SOURCES OF FABLES
 1. Aesop

most of the fables have been

attributed to Aesop, who was said to
have been a Greek slave. He was
ugly, but cunning and clever. His
skill is making fables gained his
freedom from slavery and he even
won high position in government.
In Greece during the era of the tyrants,
people had a freedom of speech. The
fables was largely used for political
reasons, to attack corrupt officials. The
most prominent user of the fable was
Aesop. But this account of Aesop, of
the idea that a person named Aesop
ever existed, is purely legendary.
 2. Panchatantra

the panchatantra meaning “Five

Books” was composed about 200
B.C. it is the oldest known
collection of Indian fables. It is the
source of many of the Aesop and the
La Fontaigne fables.
 Under the title of Kalilab and
Dimad or the Fables of Bidpai,
the stories were translated into
Persian, Arabic, and Latin. In
the Latin version, they became
popular throughout medieval
Europe.
 3. Jatakas
Another ancient collection of Indian
fables is the Jatakas. When they
originated is not definitely known.
Jataka is a Budhist name for the
stories concerning the rebirth of
Gautama Buddha who according to
tradition was reincarnated
 many times in the forms of many
different animals until he became, at
last, Buddha, the enlighten One.
These beast stories were about a
man living briefly as an animal,
associating with other animals. The
man derives moral lesson from these
experiences.
 4. La Fontaigne
Another name associated with fables is
Jean de la Fontaigne, a Frenchman who
turned many of the fable of Aesop into
verses.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
FABLES
1. Characters of the story are usually
animals.

2. Animals are made to think, act,

and talk like a human beings.

3. The moral lesson of the story is

usually at the end.

4. the story s usually short.

5. Animals personify human beings.

6. The fable is full of actions and

conversations.

7. Full of humor and funny

situations.

8. Some have tragic and dramatic

series of events.
VALUES OF FABLES
1. They give delight and enjoyment to
both children and adults.

2. The teach ethical truth in an

attractive manner or form.

3. They provide background for the

understanding of many new or
current expressions and allusions.
4. Some of the fables serve as a guide
to good conduct on the child’s level of
experience.

5. Children enjoy the fable because of

the prominent part played by
animals.
6. They touch moral and spiritual
sense of values.

7. they cultivate thinking and

imagination.

8. They are good for storytelling and

dramatization purposes.
Proverbs and Expressions
1. Practice what you preach
“The Wolf and the Donkey”
2. One good turn deserves an
another
“The Dove and the Ant”
3. Sour Grapes “The Fox and the
Grapes”
4. Example is the best teacher
“The two Crabs”
5. Don’t be too ambitious. “The Town
Mouse and the Country Mouse”
6. God helps those who help
themselves. “Hercules and the
Wagoner”
7. Don’t be greedy. “The dog and his
Shadow”
8. Look before you jump. “The Fox and
the Goat”
 9. Common sense is better than force.
“The Wind and the Sun”
10. Don’t be boastful. “The Frog and
the Ox”
11. Don’t leave for tomorrow what you
can do today. “The Ant and the
Grasshopper”
12. Slowly but surely. “The Hare and
the Tortoise”
13. When one tries to please
everybody, he pleases none, not
even himself. The Miller, His Son,
and the Ass”
14. It is often much easier to suggest
a plan than to carry it out. “Belling
the Cat”
15. It takes time to attain success.
“The Goose With the Golden Eggs”
 16. Easy to get; easy to forget. “Monkey
and the Barber”
17. Be yourself if you want to be your best.
“The Crow and the Partridge”
18. Your best friend can be your worst
enemy. “The Turtle and the Eagle”
19. If there’s a will, there’s a way. “The
Crow and the Pitcher”
20. Don’t be greedy or don’t be selfish.
“The Monkey and the Turtle”
Assessment:

1.____ it is a short tale w/c the chief characters are

animals.

2-5. Give the four source of fable.

6. what usually the characters of a fable?

7-10. Give three Characteristics of Fable.

11-15. Define what is Fable.