Lesson Topic 3: Forecasting Fables

In Aesop's Fables, the tortoise and the hare embark on a footrace. In this illustration, the pink hare is falling behind the tortoise. text annotation indicator Fables also share similar characteristics with myths and Tall Tales. A fable is a short, simple story, usually with animals as characters, designed to teach a moral truth. Simply, fables use animals to teach a lesson. Fables have been turned into children's stories and repeated through the years.

Some of the most well-known fables come from Aesop, who was thought to be a slave and storyteller from Greece. Many of his stories such as "The Tortoise and the Hare" teach lessons with the characters.

Read the following fable called "The Swallow and the Crow," and as you read, answer the following questions in order to prepare for your unit test. Also, take notes about how fables differ from myths and Tall Tales in order to keep and study for your unit test.

How does the theme of belonging appear in this fable?
How is the swallow trying to make the crow feel like he does not belong?
Is the setting implied or stated?
What is the tone?
Describe the characters in the short story.
What is the plot of this fable?
What types of conflict appear in this fable?
What is the point of view?
What is the tone?
Are there any other themes you can identify?

Now, read some more fables to gain a deeper understanding of the elements that appear in fables.

When you feel comfortable with the differences between tall tales, fables, and myths, practice your understanding below.

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