The Difference Between Fairy Tales and Fables

 



There are four types of folklore, but the two that I am choosing to write about are fairy tales and fables.  A fairy tale is a short story that typically features magic, enchantments, and mythical or fanciful beings that usually ends in a happily ever after scenario.   A fable is a short story that features animalscreatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that have human characteristics, and illustrates or leads to a particular moral lesson.  They are similar because they both entertain us with a short story full of adventure.  They differ because fairy tales are meant to elevate us to new destinations full of beauty and splendor while fables are written to teach us important life lessons.

An example of a fairy tale is Cinderella.  Cinderella was originally written by Charles Perrault and illustrated by Arthur Rackham.  It is considered a fairy tale because it’s a story about a girl whose indifference and quietness in the face of abuse is rewarded by a fairy godmother who makes her available to a man even though she can’t even make it to a party without magical help. 

An example of a fable is The Lion and the Mouse.  The Lion and the Mouse was written and illustrated by Bernadette Watts.  It is considered a fable because it is a story that features animals which are given human qualities that ends with the lesson that love and kindness go a long way.

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