Difference Between Fable and Myth
Table of Contents
We all must have heard stories from our parents and grandparents since we were kids. Even nowadays listening to stories is never going to go out of fashion because everybody loves hearing stories. Stories are nothing but incidents or actions put to words. Not everybody can have the talent to do the perfect storytelling because one must know how to grasp the attention of the listeners and it is then the story become interesting.
Now, fables and myths are just some parts of stories because fables are known as short stories that have a moral at the end of it whereas myths were written down short stories. Myths usually are foundational tales like characters of gods, demigods, and such kinds of stuff. Myths can be true or false.
Fable vs Myth
The main difference between fables and myth is that fables are short stories that have a moral or a lesson at the end of it whereas myths are stories of gods or we can say superhumans. For example, how the world has been created is a myth. Myths are usually related to unnatural or supernatural things and are mostly related to religion only.
It is said that myths can be true or false but there has to be proof that a myth is false or else many people will believe that they are true but fables are false stories.
Comparison Table Between Fable and Myth
| Parameters of Comparison | Fable | Myth |
| Fictional or Non-Fictional | Fables are mostly fictional stories and are false. | Myths may be fictional or non-fictional because if its non-fictional then there has to be proof to satisfy it. |
| About | Fables are stories that can be about anything. | Myths are stories that are usually about supernaturals or gods and demigods. |
| Moral or Lesson | Fables always has a moral or a lesson at the end of the story. | Myths can have a lesson to learn. |
| Word Origin | Fable comes from the Latin word ‘fabula’. | Myth, on the other hand, has originated from the Greek word ‘mythos’. |
| Handed Down | Fables continue generations after generations by passing it on from the older ones to their young ones. | Myths too are passed down to the younger ones from their older ones generation after generation. |
What is a Fable?
Fables are nothing but short stories that have a moral or a lesson to be learned at the end of the story. Most of us have heard the story of ‘The lier shepherd boy’ and this is what we call a fable because in the end there was a moral of the story to be learned.
However, fables and myths are not the same at all because fables are made up and are fictional made for kids. They are false stories and are told to the younger ones. Younger ones learn that they should not make mistakes in their lives by listening to the morals of the story.
Fables are often interesting to hear because the stories are short and they are made for kids. Fables mainly consist of animals, things, natural things that usually give the moral lesson. Fables can include kings and queens also and fables can be found in most of the other cultures too.
Well, nowadays stories are told to entertain the people and if you notice that most of the stories will have a lesson to be learned. Stories are heard not only by kids but many adults also love to hear stories nowadays. Listening to stories can be relaxing sometimes and there are some stories that can be useful to listen to because they have cultural values to share or have some educational content.
What is a Myth?
Myths, on the other hand, are also a type of stories but they are mostly related to supernatural forces like gods, demigods, and other such kinds of stuff. Myth originated from the Greek word ‘mythos’ and has a history about it.
The myths were stories that usually were the personification of things and also the natural forces that was worshipped by the people. Myths can vary from place to place or from person to person because myths are actually beliefs of a person that has been carried down from generation to generation.
In a country like India where people worship where there are more than 33 million gods are worshipped by Hindus, there can be more than billions of myths. No one can say that myths are real or fake because to be real people will demand proof of it.
However, without any proof many people believe myths and they try to pass it on to their younger ones and then to their younger ones. Each culture will also have a story to tell about how their gods were created or how they created the Earth and the whole solar system.
Myths are also very interesting to hear and they can be told to kids as well because they can have the opportunity to learn new things. Myths have huge knowledge about one’s culture and about their gods too but that also depends on many things.
Main Differences Between Fable and Myth
Conclusion
Well, it is very relaxing to listen to stories whether be it real or fake because if the story-teller cannot grasp your attention then there is no fun listening to the stories. Not only kids but the adults also love hearing stories and there are several stories that are not recommended for kids. Most stories are fun and very entertaining because they have culture values to tell and can also have educational content too.
References
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