What is a parable

What is a parable?

Parables have been a cornerstone of storytelling for many centuries, providing not only entertainment but more importantly, profound insights into the human condition, morality, and wisdom. These simple yet powerful tales tend to feature relatable characters and everyday situations, and as such they often transcend cultural and religious boundaries.

Whether found in sacred texts or other literature, parables have a unique ability to convey complex ideas in a manner that is both accessible and memorable, making them a highly respected form of teaching, with universal appeal.

In this article, you will learn what a parable is, the value of parables, and how to differentiate between parables, fables and allegories. You will learn the connection between parables and religion, and you will also learn about which cultures have their own parables. You will be given some brief examples, and a handy FAQ section. By the end of the article, you’ll be sure to feel like an expert on the subject!

What is a parable?

A parable is simply a short story, in prose or verse, in which there is either a moral or a spiritual lesson. The purpose of a parable is to convey this lesson, and parables are an effective way of relating, teaching and spreading moral and/or spiritual lessons. (More on why shortly.)

Many parables are from particular religions, such as Christianity, but you can also have parables which are not religious called secular parables.

Parable vs fable vs allegory

While many parables may share many similarities with fables and allegories, the terms are not always interchangeable. A parable is a short story in prose or verse, in which there is either a moral or a spiritual lesson, in which the characters are always human. A typical example would be the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

In contrast, while fables are also short stories or poems that provide a moral or spiritual lesson, they can also feature animals, plants, inanimate objects, or even forces of nature as characters. A typical example would be Aesop’s fable, The Tortoise and the Hare.

Allegories are different again. An allegory is a book or poem (or even a painting) that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning. Sometimes the hidden meaning of an allegory can provide a moral or political lesson. Some allegories date back thousands of years, but we still have them in modern day. Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a prime example. 

The value of parables

The primary value of any parable is the moral instruction that it implores to the reader or speaker. By engaging the audience’s emotions and imagination, parables encourage self-reflection and moral reasoning. Oftentimes the moral message is indirect, and the audience arrives at the intended lesson of their own accord, which makes the lesson much more personal and impactful.

Another great thing about parables is their simplicity and accessibility. Parables can distill often complex truths into simple short stories and are accessible for people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures, thanks to their simple, straightforward narratives.

Storytelling done this way also makes parables easy to remember and retell, which explains how so many parables have come to be passed down, generation after generation for literally thousands of years in some cases.

Parables are frequently steeped in religious traditions (more on this shortly) which make them an excellent tool  for teaching religious doctrines, ethical principles, and cultural values, thus helping to reinforce community beliefs and practices. 

Parables, religion and culture

If you’ve ever Googled ‘parables’, you’ll have been met with a great deal of information on Christian parables, many of which were thought to have been spoken by Jesus. That said, however, several other cultures and religions have their own parables which are freely available on the internet for anyone to learn about.

Moreover, parables do not have to come from religion. There are also non religious parables, which are called secular parables. Anyone can appreciate a well written parable, whether they belong to a particular religion or not.

Examples of religious parables

Here follows a summary of parables from a cross-section of different religions in no particular order.

Christian parables

The Parable of the Good Samaritan:

A man was attacked by robbers and left for dead. A priest and a Levite passed by, ignoring him. But a Samaritan, who was despised by the Jews, stopped and cared for the man, bandaging his wounds and ensuring his recovery. (Luke 10:30-37) This parable teaches the importance of loving your neighbour and showing compassion, regardless of social or cultural boundaries.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son:

A father had two sons. The younger son demanded his inheritance early, left home, and squandered it in reckless living. When he hit rock bottom, he returned home, repentant. His father welcomed him back with open arms, celebrating his return. The older son, who had stayed home and been obedient, was resentful. (Luke 15:11-32) This parable highlights the value of forgiveness and love, always being ready to welcome back those who repent.

Hindu parable

The Blind Men and the Elephant

A group of blind men heard of a strange animal called an elephant. Eager to understand, they each touched a different part of the elephant. One touched the trunk and said it was like a thick snake. Another touched the leg and thought it was a tree trunk. A third felt the ear and believed it was a fan. Each man thought he knew the truth, but none had the whole picture. This parable teaches that truth is multifaceted, and our understanding is often limited by our perspective.

Jewish parable (mashalim)

The Broken Pot

A water bearer in ancient Israel had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole he carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfect, while the other had a crack in it. Each day, as the water bearer walked from the stream to his master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. The pot felt ashamed of its imperfection and apologized to the water bearer. The water bearer smiled and said, “Have you noticed the flowers on your side of the path? I planted seeds there, and you’ve been watering them every day without knowing.” This Jewish parable teaches that our flaws can serve a greater purpose, often in ways we don’t immediately recognize.

Buddhist parable

The Poisoned Arrow

Buddha spoke of a man shot by a poisoned arrow. Instead of seeking immediate treatment, the man insisted on knowing who shot the arrow, what the bow was made of, and other irrelevant details. The Buddha explained that the man would die before getting answers. This parable teaches that we should focus on the immediate task of addressing suffering rather than getting lost in unnecessary questions or distractions.

Examples of secular (non religious) parables

Western secular parables

The Boy Who Cried Wolf, from Aesop’s Fables:

In this story, a young boy repeatedly tricks the villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking the sheep. When a wolf actually appears, the villagers no longer believe the boy, and disaster ensues. The purpose of the story is to teach the value of honesty and to explain that lying can have unwanted consequences.

The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen:

This famous story tells of a vain emperor who is tricked by two swindlers into believing that he is wearing invisible clothes that only the wise can see. In reality, he is wearing nothing at all, but no one dares to speak the truth until a child points out that the emperor is naked. The story teaches the dangers of pride.

Secular parables in other cultures

An African parable – The Palm Tree and the Wind:

A tall palm tree stood proudly in the savannah, mocking the wind for being invisible and powerless. The wind blew fiercely, but the tree stood firm. However, the wind persisted, blowing day after day, and finally, the tree fell. This parable teaches that persistent effort, even from a seemingly weaker opponent, can overcome great strength.

FAQ

What are the 3 types of parable?

In the Christian religion, there are three types of parables. This includes similitude, which narrates a typical or recurrent event from real life; parables, which are about a one-time fictitious event; and exemplary stories, which present an implied comparison between an event drawn from life and a reality of the moral or religious order.

Why did Jesus talk in parables?

Jesus spoke in parables to make his teachings clearer, more relatable and more memorable for his audience. Also, because the parables have a hidden meaning that the listener (or reader) has to deduce for themselves, this makes the teaching more personal for its recipients.

Are parables only from Jesus?

Some scholars of the New Testament apply the term “parable” only to the parables of Jesus, however, that is not a common restriction of the term.

Are parables true stories?

While parables are usually fictitious, they never indulge in the fanciful or unrealistic, and remain true-to-life.

Are parables still relevant today?

Yes, parables from several religions and cultures remain relatable and continue to inspire today.

Final word

So, to summarise, a parable is a short story, in prose or verse, in which there is either a moral or a spiritual lesson. Parables are a particularly effective way of relating, teaching and spreading such lessons. Parables can be religious or non religious and they appear in many cultures across the globe.

What’s your favourite parable?