fables

Noun

fable (plural fables)

1. A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, etc. as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, Aesop's Fables.

   Synonyms:

   morality play

2. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.
   • But refuſe prophane and olde wiues fables, and exerciſe thy ſelfe rather vnto godlineſſe.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Timothy 4:7, column 1

   Synonyms:

   legend

3. Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
   • I say it would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away all which is the overplus of a great fortune by secret methods to other men.1712 January 12 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, January 2, 1711–1712”, in The Spectator, number 264; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator...
4. The plot, story, or connected series of events forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
   • For the moral (as Bossu observes,) is the first business of the poet, as being the groundwork of his instruction. This being formed, he contrives such a design, or fable, as may be most suitable to the moral;1695, John Dryden, A Parallel betwixt Painting and Poetry

See all 6 meanings of fable