Parable

Parable (/ˈpær.ə.bəl/) is defined in Encyclopedia Britannica as "Like fable, the parable also tells a simple story. But, whereas fables tend to personify animal characters—often giving the same impression as does an animated cartoon—the typical parable uses human agents. Parables generally show less interest in the storytelling and more in the analogy… " ("parable").

More simply defined by Cambridge Dictionary as "a short, simple story that teaches or explains an idea, especially a moral or religious idea" ("parable").

The Bible is full of great examples of parable:

The Lamp - Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

The Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:31-32

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Sources:

Maeno, Naoaki , Ichiko, Teiji and Fletcher, Angus Stewart. "fable, parable, and allegory". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Jan. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/art/fable-parable-and-allegory. Accessed 22 October 2023.

Bible parables - https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/parable-bible-meaning-examples.html . Accessed 22 October 2023.

Cambridge Dictionary "parable" https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/parable . Accessed 22 October 2023.

Author: Alexandr Zach - 549662