A parable is a short, simple story that teaches a lesson about life or morality. Unlike a fable, which often features talking animals, a parable usually involves ordinary people in everyday situations. The story seems straightforward on the surface, but it carries a deeper meaning that listeners need to think about to fully understand.

Many of the most famous parables come from religious teachings. Jesus taught using parables like the story of the Good Samaritan, which shows that being a good neighbor means helping anyone in need, regardless of who they are or where they come from. In that parable, a traveler is robbed and left injured on the roadside. Religious leaders pass by without helping, but a Samaritan (someone from a group others looked down on) stops to care for the stranger.

Parables work by making people think rather than simply telling them what to do. When you hear about the Samaritan helping the injured traveler, you can think about what that might mean for how people treat one another. The story sticks in your mind much better than if someone had just said, “Be kind to everyone.”

Teachers, parents, and leaders throughout history have used parables because stories help us remember important ideas. When you face a real situation, you might recall a parable and suddenly understand how it applies to your own choices.