Parables are short stories that illustrate a lesson or principle through examples of human characters and their actions. They differ from fables which feature animals. The word parable comes from the Greek meaning "to throw alongside" or a comparison. Examples of parables include stories from the Bible like the Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son which use metaphorical language to discuss complex ideas. Parables provide guidance on proper behavior and beliefs in an easily understood narrative form.

1. Parables
By-
Prof. R. R. Borse,
Asst.Prof.,
Eng.Dept.,
B.P.Arts,S.M.A.Sci.,K.K.C.Commerce College,Chalisgaon
Mail- ravindraborse1@gmail.com

2. A parable is a
succinct, didactic story,
in prose or verse, that illustrates
one or more instructive lessons
or principles.

4. A Parable is a story, usually short and
simple, that illustrates a lesson. The
parable is related to the exemplum in
classical rhetoric.

5. It differs from a fable in that fables
employ animals, plants, inanimate
objects, or forces of nature as
characters, whereas parables have
human characters.
A parable is a type of metaphorical
analogy.

6. Some scholars of the canonical
gospels and the New
Testament apply the term "parable"
only to the parables of Jesus, though
that is not a common restriction of
the term.

7. Etymology-
The word parable comes from
the Greek (parabolē), literally "throwing"
"alongside" (para-), by extension meaning
"comparison, illustration, analogy.“
It was the name given by Greek rhetoricians to
an illustration in the form of a brief
fictional narrative.

8. Parables are often used to explore ethical
concepts in spiritual texts. The Bible contains
numerous parables in the Gospels section of the
New Testament (Jesus's parables). These are
believed by some scholars (such as John P. Meier)
to have been inspired by mashalim, a form of
Hebrew comparison.[7] Examples of Jesus'
parables include the Good Samaritan and the
Prodigal Son.

9. Parables also appear in Islam.
In Sufi tradition, parables are
used for imparting lessons and
values.

10. Characteristics of Parable -
A parable is a short tale that illustrates a universal
truth; it is a simple narrative. It sketches a setting,
describes an action, and shows the results. It may
sometimes be distinguished from similar narrative
types, such as the allegory and the apologue.

11. A parable often involves a character who
faces a moral dilemma or one who makes a
bad decision and then suffers the
unintended consequences. Although the
meaning of a parable is often not explicitly
stated, it is not intended to be hidden or
secret but to be quite straightforward and
obvious.

12. The defining characteristic of the parable is the presence
of a subtext suggesting how a person should behave or
what he should believe. Aside from providing guidance
and suggestions for proper conduct in one's life, parables
frequently use metaphorical language which allows
people to more easily discuss difficult or complex ideas.
Parables express an abstract argument by means of using
a concrete narrative which is easily understood.

13. The allegory is a more general narrative type;
it also employs metaphor.
Like the parable, the allegory makes a single,
unambiguous point. An allegory may have
multiple noncontradictory interpretations
and may also have implications that are
ambiguous or hard to interpret.

14. Significance of Parable in Literature-
Parables are generally simple narratives, and
easy for anyone to follow and glean the chief
message. There is often a character involved who
has made a bad decision earlier in life, or in the
story, and must face the consequences. Parables
thus contain a subtext of how to lead a moral life
and how to behave.

15. Thank You…!