parable
n. countablen. a short, simple story that teaches a moral or religious lesson.
n. a succinct, didactic narrative that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. Often associated with religious texts, it differs from a fable by typically using human characters rather than anthropomorphised animals.
The teacher shared a parable about the importance of kindness.
Many religious traditions use the parable as a primary tool for conveying complex ethical concepts to a general audience.
While the surface narrative of the parable is easily understood, scholars often debate the deeper allegorical implications regarding social justice and personal responsibility.
From Middle English parable, from Old French parable, parabole, from Late Latin parabola, from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ, “comparison”). Doublet of parabola, parole, and palaver.
From Latin parābilis, from parāre (“to prepare, procure”).
Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the theme or title.