Examples of fable stories can be one type of story that is much liked by children. Fable stories are usually read to children or even read by the children themselves. The fable story itself is a story about animal characters who live like humans. Some examples of very popular fables are the story of the Kancil, the Turtle, the Greedy Monkey, or the story of the Three Little Pigs.
Well, in this article we will learn about fables. Not only that, we will try to find the moral message of each fable example.
A. Fables
Etymologically, the word fable comes from the Latin word fabulat. Fables can be understood as a story about the life of animals that have behavior like humans in general. Starting from the way he talks, the way he thinks, to the way he dresses. Therefore, a fable is a type of story that is made up of fiction or fiction.
Even so, the fables in it are not entirely fiction. This is because the fable is included in the form of a prose literary work. Well, the form of prose is usually made as a form of representation of human life in a different form.
So, the story contained in the fable is certainly a form of implementation of real human life in an imaginary form. Several forms of application in a fable story usually depart from human activities or mindsets. Therefore, it will be very easy to find several human characters in various existing fables.
For example, animal characters in fables that have positive characters can be described as human traits, such as helpful, diligent, polite, and honest. Meanwhile, animal characters who have negative characters will be depicted as human beings with traits such as stealing, being cunning, and being arrogant.
This can be concluded if a fable is included in a work of fiction that describes human life, but has characters in the form of animals.
There are many benefits that can be learned from reading fables. You may find it easier to understand the nature and character of the people around you.
Fable stories can also be used as an effective tool to explore moral values to be practiced in everyday life. This is because fables contain a lot of moral messages that are arranged to present a positive meaning to the readers.
B. Examples of Fable Stories
After knowing about the meaning of fables and their characteristics. In this section, examples of short fables will be presented from which you can take the moral message. The moral message itself is a mandate or invitation to do good from a story. Come on, enjoy reading fables!
1. An example of a fable story about the Praying Mantis
Praying mantis
An example of the first fable story about the Praying Mantis, as follows.
One day in a vineyard, there lived a very large number of members of the Ant family. These ants build their nests from leaves which are glued together using a liquid, like glue, which they secrete from their mouths.
The Ants see that autumn will soon be over and a long winter will soon come. When it’s winter, food will be very difficult to get, so the ants immediately look for various foods for them to collect as supplies when winter arrives.
Unlike the case with a Praying Mantis, the Praying Mantis has large eyes and long arms. They often live in trees like the ants. When winter was about to come, the Praying Mantis only practiced dancing every day.
The Grasshopper forgot that he had to gather food in preparation for the winter.
One day the praying mantis was dancing near the ant nest. She dances very gracefully. The slow and gentle movement of the hands and body makes the dance look very impressive. The Ants saw the Praying Mantis dancing, but they ignored the beautiful dance because they had a very important task.
The grasshopper who was dancing saw the ants walking with food to bring to the nest. The Praying Mantis was surprised by what the Ants were doing, so he asked one of the army ants who was standing guard near the worker ants.
“Why do you bring so much food into your nest?” the Ant replied, “We do it so we don’t starve when winter comes.”
Then the Grasshopper was surprised, “Winter?” said the Praying Mantis in shock, “don’t worry, it’s still a long time, we better have fun first,” said the Grasshopper. The ants don’t care about the Grasshopper. Ants are still diligently collecting food.
Winter is coming. The grasshoppers had not had time to collect food because they were busy dancing. The grasshopper was hungry and ran to the ant’s house. He asked the Ants for food.
The ants initially did not want to give their food for fear of running out. However, seeing the grasshopper limp in hunger, the ants could not bear it and gave their food to the grasshopper. Grasshopper is back in shape and he promises to be able to manage his time well so that it doesn’t have bad consequences.
The future belongs to everyone. So everyone needs to prepare for the future by trying. It’s not just enjoying the pleasures of the present without thinking about the future.
Moral Message: Use time wisely for a better future. Difficulties will be experienced by people who do not use their time properly. Therefore, while you can, make the most of your time.
2. An example of a fable about Brotherhood
Fellow Brothers Must Share
An example of the second fable about brotherhood is as follows.
One beautiful morning with bright sun, Old Man Deer visited Pip the Squirrel’s family residence in a village.
“Morning, Ms. Squirrel,” Old Man Deer greeted Mrs. Pip. “Yesterday, my nephew visited me. He brought quite a lot of souvenirs. I want to share it with my friends. These are special walnuts for your family.”
“Thank you, Old Man Deer,” said Mrs. Pip.
After Old Man Deer left, Pip’s Mother came into the house and called for her children. “Kids, look what we have? You have to share it equally, okay?”
“It’s fun,” Pip and his siblings rejoiced.
“Mom put it here, yes.”
After that, Mrs. Squirrel took care of the house where she lived. Meanwhile, Pip’s sisters want to taste the nuts.
“Here I share,” said Pip.
Out of ten nuts, he gave his sister two each.
“This is the rest for me, I’m not the biggest.”
“But… Mother ordered it to be divided equally,” said Titu, one of Pip’s twin sisters (accompanied by Puti’s crying), the other twin.
Hearing Puti’s cries, Pip’s mother came out and asked. While sobbing, Puti told her sister’s greed. “You can’t do that, Pip. What did you say earlier, said Pip’s mother.
“You can’t be greedy.”
“But Buuu, I’m bigger. My belly is bigger too,” said Pip.
Pip’s mother thought for a moment, “All right, Pip. You are indeed bigger. Your food needs are also more. However, if we only obey our desires and our stomachs, we will always feel that we are not enough.”
“In that case, you can just share it, okay? It won’t satisfy everyone. Here, I got four for you, Pip, for you are bigger and your Twins got three each.”
“You have to be willing to share, children, even if you don’t think it’s lacking, this is a fortune to be grateful for,” continued Mrs. Pip.
“That means it’s good, Mom, to be a bigger child. Always get more,” envied Puti.
“Yes, but the difference isn’t that much, is it? After all, your brother has more tasks than you. She has to take care of the house and find food. Would you like to switch jobs with Kak Pip?” asked his mother.
Puti and Titu imagine Pip’s tasks. Then they nodded in unison.
“I see. Brothers and sisters must get along, yes, must share. Don’t fight over trivial matters,” said Pip’s mother. “Yes, ma’am,” nodded Pip.
“Come on, let’s eat the peanuts together,” said Pip to his two younger siblings. Pip’s mother smiles seeing her children getting along again.
Moral Message: Greedy nature can lead to hostility, therefore, everyone must share and remind others.
3. Examples of fable stories about Mutual Respect for Differences
All Special
An example of the third fable about respecting differences is as follows.
Ulu, a Green Frog, is standing at the edge of the pond. That day the sky was very dark and that was the kind of day Ulu liked. Not long after, water began to drip slowly from the sky.
“The rain has come!” Ulu shouted happily. Ulu started humming while skipping around the pool. He saw a small ant taking shelter behind a sunflower.
“O Ants, the rain has come, don’t hide!” Ulu shouted at the ants who were trying hard to avoid the raindrops.
The ants sighed and looked at Ulu deeply, “Ulu, I don’t like the rain. You see how tiny I am? Rainwater will drag and drown me in the pool! I can’t swim like you, so I took shelter,” said the Ant.
“That’s why Ants, you have to practice swimming! I’ve been able to swim since I was a tadpole, why can’t you? Swimming is very easy, just stick out your legs,” Ulu stretched out his legs, “and kick back like this! Oops, sorry, your legs are short.”
Laughing, Ulu jumped and left the Ants.
The ants could only stare at Ulu with annoyance. Ants cannot swim because they walk. Ulu again shouted, “The rain has come! The rain has arrived! Oh, hey Fish! I really like the rain, how about you? Ulu stopped at the edge of the pond and spoke to the fish who were swimming in the pond. The fish raised its head up and spoke to Ulu.
“I can’t feel the rain, Ulu. See, I live with the water. How can I enjoy the rain like you, Ulu?” The fish were again circling in the pond.
“Hah! What a sad life you Fish! If you are like me, can live in two worlds, land and water, maybe you will be able to feel this happiness. Just enjoy your pool water, because you will never feel the raindrops on your body!”
What Ulu said really stabbed Fish’s heart. The fish stared at its scaly body, then stared at Ulu’s smooth body. The sad fish swam from Ulu to the other side of the pond. Ulu was again jumping around the pool and humming again.
When Ulu arrived under the tree, he saw a bird perched on a tree branch and cleaning its feathers. Ulu thought that birds were the same as ants and fish which could not enjoy the rain.
“Hey Bird, why don’t you want to go out and enjoy the rain? Are you afraid of getting your fur wet? Or are you afraid of sinking into the pool like the Ant? Or is it true that you can’t enjoy the beauty of the rain like fish?” After saying that, Ulu laughed out loud.
The bird looked at Ulu who was still laughing, “Hey Ulu, can you come up here?” Ulu confusion.
“What do you mean Bird?”
“Can you climb up here, Ulu?”
“What do you mean bird? Of course I can’t!” Ulu pouted and stared down at his two legs. Ulu regrets having short legs so he can’t fly.
“Ulu, don’t you know that the Creator made us with different uniqueness? I can’t swim like you and Fish, but I can fly around the sky.
The bird again said wisely, “That’s what I mean Ulu, we each have our own advantages. Ants can’t swim like you, but they can sneak into little places you can’t get through. Fish can’t jump like you, but it breathes underwater. You shouldn’t insult them!”
Ulu began to realize that his actions were wrong. Ulu secretly thought that what he was doing was not right. He should not boast about his strengths and insult his friends.
“I’m sorry, Bird.” said Ulu while looking sadly at the Ants and Fish who had been paying attention to their conversation.
“I’m sorry Ants, Fish, all this time I have offended you.”
Since then, Ulu started to respect his friends and they liked him back.
Moral Message: Every creature has been created by God in such a way. As good servants, we should take care of each other’s feelings by using kind words.
4. An example of a fable story about the Kind Elephant
Kind Elephant
An example of the fourth fable about a kind elephant is as follows.
During the day it was very hot in the forest. The place where the mouse deer, elephant and other animals live seems to be on fire. The mouse deer was thirsty while continuing to look for water.
On the way he saw a pool of very clear water. Without thinking he immediately plunged into the pool. Kancil’s actions were very careless, he didn’t think how to get up. Several times Kancil tried to climb up, but he couldn’t get to the top. The mouse deer could not do anything. He just screamed for help.
The mouse deer’s cry was heard by the elephant who happened to be passing by that place. “Hey, who’s in that pool?”
”I … The Kancil, your best friend.”
The mouse deer was silent for a moment, looking for a way so that the elephant would help him, “Help me lift this fish.”
“It’s true you got fish?”
“Really… true! I caught a really big fish.”
The elephant thought for a moment. It could just go down easily but what if it goes up later.
“You want to take advantage of me, Cil? You will deceive me for your interests and safety?”asked the Elephant.
The mouse deer was silent, “Once in a while you have to be taught a lesson,” said the elephant as he left the place. The elephant did not listen to the mouse deer’s screams. He was getting desperate.
The longer he was in that place, the mouse deer started to feel cold. Until late afternoon, no animal heard his screams.
“Oh bad! I’m really going to be stiff in this place,” he wondered if this was karma because he often pranked his friends.
Not long after, suddenly the Elephant reappeared.. Kancil asked for help again.
“Help me, I promise I won’t be jail again.”
“Promise?” Elephant stressed.
“Now have you come to your senses? And will you promise not to cheat, be ignorant, play pranks and harm other animals?”
“That’s right Mr. Elephant, I really promised.” The elephant stretched out its long trunk to catch the mouse deer and lifted him up.
“Thank you, Mr. Elephant! I will never forget your kindness,” said the mouse deer when he reached the top.
Since then, Kancil became a very good animal. He no longer plays pranks like he once did with other animals. We must be careful when we act. If you’re not careful, you’ll get hurt. If we are careful we will survive. It can even save others.
Moral: Be careful to be safe from danger. By being careful, one can also save those around him.
5. Examples of fable stories about Honesty
Horse in Tiger Skin
An example of the fifth fable about honesty is as follows.
A Horse was walking from a wheat field into a dense forest. The horse was content to eat the wheat in the field. He seemed happy that there were no wheat farmers to look after his fields.
As he headed towards the dense forest, on the way the Horse saw something, “It looks like Tiger skin,” muttered the Horse. The horse then approached him and it was true that what he saw was a tiger skin that was accidentally left behind by tiger hunters.
The horse tried to wear the Tiger skin, “Wow, what a coincidence, this Tiger skin fits my body very well. What am I going to do with him, huh?”
It crossed the Horse’s mind to frighten the forest animals that passed him. “I have to hide immediately. The place must be dark and frequented by forest animals. Where are you? asked the Horse in his heart while looking for a suitable place.
Finally, he found some bushes that were dark enough to hide in, and climbed into them using a Tiger pelt. Before long, several mountain Sheep walked towards him. The Horse muttered that the Sheep made an easy target for his pranks.
When the sheep passed by, the horse jumped on them and suddenly the sheep fled frantically. They were afraid of the Tiger skin that the Horse was wearing. “Please, there’s a Tiger! Run, quickly run!” shouted one of the Sheep. The Horse guffawed at the sight of the Sheep helter-skelter running.
After that, the horse immediately returned to hide in the bushes. He waited for another animal to come through the thicket. “Ah, there’s a Tapir coming here, but it’s really slow. Let it be, so I can get ready to jump longer!” said the Horse to himself.
When the horse jumped towards the tapir, he was startled and ran away from the horse wearing tiger skin. The horse returned to the bushes screaming triumphantly in its heart.
This time, the Horse waited longer than usual, but it didn’t bore him. Suddenly, a Forest Cat ran while carrying a Mouse in its mouth. The cat did not pass through the bushes, the Forest Cat sat eating the Mouse he caught near a big tree.
“Ah, it turns out that the Cat did not pass through these bushes. Let me surprise him there,” said the Horse to himself. The horse came out of the bushes and walked carefully toward the Forest Cat.
When he got very close to the Forest Cat, the Horse roared like a Tiger, but he didn’t realize that instead of roaring, he was neighing. Hearing the sound, the Forest Cat looked back and saw a Horse in the skin of a Tiger.
For a moment, the Forest Cat was getting ready to take a thousand steps, but instead he laughed out loud and said, “When I saw you wearing that Tiger skin, I would have run away scared, but apparently your voice is neighing a Horse, so I’m not afraid, hahaha !”
The Forest Cat also said to the Horse that until then, its neighing voice would not turn into a roar.
The “Tiger-skinned Horse” symbolizes that no matter how clever a person is at pretending, one day his pretense will be exposed. Honesty is the most beautiful attitude in this world.
Moral Message: Honesty is the main attitude that must be owned by a human being. It’s not good for someone to live life with a lot of pretense.