Legend vs. Fable — What's the Difference?

A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.

A fictional narrative meant to teach a specific lesson or moral.

An inscription, especially on a coin or medal.

A mythical or false tale often mistaken for truth.

A celebrated or famous person known for doing something extremely well.

A story with a moral, often with animals behaving in a human-like manner.

A story that has been passed down orally and has entered the folklore of a culture.

A story within literary traditions used as a pedagogical tool.

A narrative featuring heroic figures, often linked to the mythology or history of a community.

A short tale typically featuring animals and conveying a moral.

A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions perceived or believed both by teller and listeners to have taken place within human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude.

Fable is a literary genre: a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that are anthropomorphized, and that illustrates or leads to a particular moral lesson (a "moral"), which may at the end be added explicitly as a concise maxim or saying. A fable differs from a parable in that the latter excludes animals, plants, inanimate objects, and forces of nature as actors that assume speech or other powers of humankind.

An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.

A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.

A body or collection of such stories.

A story about legendary persons and exploits.

See urban legend.

A falsehood; a lie.

One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame

To recount as if true.

An inscription or title on an object, such as a coin.

To compose fables.

An explanatory caption accompanying an illustration.

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

An explanatory table or list of the symbols appearing on a map or chart.

Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.

An unrealistic story depicting past events.

Fiction; untruth; falsehood.

A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.

The plot, story, or connected series of events forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.

A plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain.

To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction; to write or utter what is not true.

A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.

To make up; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely; to recount in the form of a fable.

A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records.

A Feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept; an apologue. See the Note under Apologue.

A person related to a legend or legends.

The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.

A leading protagonist in a historical legend.

Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.

A person with legend-like qualities, such as extraordinary accomplishment.

Fiction; untruth; falsehood.

A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.

To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true.

An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.

To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.

A musical composition set to a poetical story.

A deliberately false or improbable account

(naval) The design and specification of a vessel.

A short moral story (often with animal characters)

To tell or narrate; to recount.

A story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

That which is appointed to be read; especially, a chronicle or register of the lives of saints, formerly read at matins, and in the refectories of religious houses.

A story respecting saints; especially, one of a marvelous nature.

Any wonderful story coming down from the past, but not verifiable by historical record; a myth; a fable.

An inscription, motto, or title, esp. one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon an heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.

To tell or narrate, as a legend.

A story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

Brief description accompanying an illustration

Fables use animals as characters and end with morals, while parables are simple human stories used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.

While legends can contain elements of historical truth, they are not reliable historical documents due to their mythical embellishments.

The primary purpose of a fable is to impart a moral lesson through a concise and straightforward story.

Legends are typically passed down orally, from one generation to the next, often becoming part of a community's traditional stories.

Yes, fables are inherently short stories designed to convey moral lessons succinctly.

Fables usually have generic or fantastical settings that are not tied to any specific time or place, emphasizing the story’s universality.

Animals are used in fables because they can embody human traits while remaining neutral and relatable to various cultures.

Legends are narrative forms that mix real events with mythical elements, often celebrated within a culture.

Not always, but legends frequently include supernatural or extraordinary elements that highlight the heroism of the characters.

Yes, every culture has its own set of legends, often reflecting its values, history, and beliefs.

Children usually find fables engaging and understandable, which helps in conveying important life lessons effectively.

The moral is crucial in fables as it conveys the lesson intended by the story, usually stated at the end to ensure clarity for the reader.

Fables are highly valued in education for teaching morals, ethics, and social behavior through simple and engaging stories.

Yes, individuals who achieve extraordinary feats or are highly celebrated in their fields can be considered legends.

While the core morals remain the same, the details of fables can evolve with changes in society and culture, making them relevant to new generations.