Fable is a literary genre defined as a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that are anthropomorphised, and that illustrates or leads to a particular moral lesson, which may at the end be added explicitly as a concise maxim or saying. (Wikipedia)
I hope that you, like me, have memories from your childhood of being enthralled by fables.
My favourite was “The Elves and the Shoemaker”. A fable by the Brothers Grimm, it has been adapted many times in many different forms – even by the Muppets!
My own ‘copy’ as a child was a Ladybird Classic book. The same edition as pictured. I revisited it many times as a child.
I doubt, in my innocence, that it was the moral propositions that captured my attention.
The imagery most likely made it so effective. The pathos of the old couple contributed significantly. The happy ending also played a crucial role. Yet, my memory of the story includes those ‘lessons-for-life.’ These are really the point of any fable. The ‘vibe,’ if you like, centers on hard work, appreciation of small blessings, and accepting help in need.
I never set out to write a fable, but that’s what happened!
I have a dear friend named Michael. He is a tailor in a village near the city of Okara in Pakistan. He runs his little business under extremely adverse personal circumstances. Yet, he is one of the happiest, peace-filled persons I know. His sister once mentioned to me, in an off-handed way, that the people in his village claim to recognise Michael’s stitching in his garments. They claim they can distinguish it from those done by the people he works with.
That became the seed of thought for The Tailor’s Secret Stitch (now available in paperback and E book).
Why not give the young people in your life – and the not-so-young too – the gift of a picture book that will keep on giving for years to come?
CLICK HERE for more information and to purchase your copy NOW.
Cheers
Paul
Paul Russell: Musings 