Fables are short stories that feature animals, plants, or forces of nature as characters. They typically convey a moral lesson and have been shared across generations and cultures. Some key fables discussed in the document include "The Lion and the Mouse," which teaches that small friends can become great friends, and "The Tortoise and the Hare," with lessons of not rushing into things and how slow and steady wins the race. Fairy tales differ in that they usually include human characters like royalty and involve themes of good versus evil. Overall, the document provides information on the characteristics and purposes of fables compared to fairy tales.