Parable
Literary term · say it PAIR-uh-bul
A parable is a short story that uses a concrete situation to explore a moral or spiritual lesson. Its people and events invite readers to think beyond what happens and consider how they should live.
Two ways a parable can teach
Offering clear guidance
Some parables point toward a clear lesson through a character's choices and their results.
In Three Questions, a king helps a hermit and cares for a wounded man who had intended to kill him. These experiences teach him the importance of helping the person beside him in the present moment.
In Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy
Leaving a question open
Some parables leave their meaning unsettled. Instead of stating a rule, they ask readers to puzzle over a troubling situation.
In The Trial, a priest tells Josef K. about a man who waits his whole life for permission to pass through a doorway to the law. At the end, the doorkeeper tells him that this entrance was meant only for him.
In The Trial by Franz Kafka
How to spot a parable
- Look for a short story centred on a choice, problem, or encounter.
- Ask what the situation suggests about how people live or act.
- Notice whether the ending offers guidance or leaves a question to consider.
What is the difference between a parable and a fable?
A parable usually explores a lesson through human situations, while a fable often uses talking animals and ends with a clear moral. Both teach through stories, but a parable may leave more room for thought rather than spelling out its lesson.
Is a parable the same as an allegory?
A parable is not quite the same as an allegory, though the two can overlap. A parable presents a situation that invites a lesson or reflection. An allegory builds a broader second meaning through characters, places, and events that stand for other things.
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