Fable or MythWhat’s the difference?

Fable A short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or

inanimate objects as characters.

Examples:• The Lion and the Mouse• Boy Who Cried Wolf• The Tortoise and the Hare

What are fables?

Fables are short stories which illustrate a particular moral and teach a lesson to children. The theme and characters appeal to children and the stories are often humorous and entertaining for kids of all ages.

Fables can also be described as tales or yarns which have a message in their narrative. Fables can often pass into our culture as myths and legends and be used to teach about morals to children.

The characters of fables and tales are usually animals who act and talk just like people while retaining their animal traits. This theme is especially appealing to children.

Myth –An attempt to explain mysteries, supernatural events,

and cultural traditions.

Examples:• Pandora’s Box• Hercules• Medusa• Achilles

What are myths?

A myth is a traditional story, which may describe the origins of the world and/or of a people. Myths usually concern some being or hero or event, with or without a basis of fact or a natural explanation, and explains some practice, occurrence, or phenomenon of nature.

• Sometimes sacred in nature, a myth can involve gods, demigods, or other creatures. A myth represents reality in dramatic ways.