What is a defining characteristic of a fable?

A defining characteristic of a fable is its clear moral lesson. Fables are short stories that typically feature animals as characters and conclude with an explicit moral that teaches a lesson about human behavior or ethics. This moral is often stated directly at the end of the fable, making it easy for readers or listeners to understand the underlying message.

In contrast, stories with a focus on historical events or complex plots may convey important themes or messages, but they do not necessarily fit the structure or purpose of a fable. Similarly, while some fables may have an imaginative setting, it is not a requirement for the genre. The hallmark of a fable remains its emphasis on imparting wisdom or moral guidance, which is why the presence of a clear moral lesson is what primarily defines this kind of storytelling.