A PROVERB is a saying that gives advice or teaches a lesson.

“Like father, like son.”

“The early bird gets the worm”

A FABLE is a short story that teaches a lesson. This lesson is sometimes called a “moral.”

You may have heard the expression:

“Look before you leap.”

This expression is the moral of several fables.

How do fables and proverbs compare? Proverb Fable

One sentence.

Common sayings give advice.

Told orally. Passed from generation to generation.

Teach a lesson. Often use animals.

Short story format.

Have problems and solutions.

Animals act like people.

Both

“The Tortoise and the Hare”

The Problem:The tortoise and thehare are racing, buthare is much faster.

The Solution:The hare gets tired & stops for a

nap. The tortoise just keeps movingalong, and wins the race.

The Moral:Slow and steady

wins the race.

The Characters:The Tortoise

The Hare

“The Young Rooster”

The Problem:Young rooster doesn'tcrow loudly enoughto make the sun rise.

The Solution:Young rooster triesa second time, and

the sun rises.

The Moral:A first failure mayprepare the wayfor later success.

The Characters:Rooster

Rooster's fatherPig, Sheep, Bull

Now it’s your turn.

Can you decide which is the best moral for these stories?

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Well done!

And now you know about fables and proverbs. Who says “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”