Well, in 'The Fox and the Grapes', the fox can't reach the grapes so he says they are sour. The moral here is about sour grapes attitude, that is, when we can't have something, we tend to belittle it. It's a lesson about our self - justification when faced with failure or envy.
For example, in 'The North Wind and the Sun', they compete to see who can make a traveler take off his cloak. The North Wind blows hard but fails, while the Sun shines gently and succeeds. This fable teaches us that persuasion and kindness are often more effective than force.
In many long English fables, like 'The Lion and the Mouse', the moral is that even the small and weak can help the powerful. The mouse, which is tiny compared to the lion, manages to free the lion from a trap. It shows that no one should be underestimated.
In 'The Fox and the Grapes', when the fox can't reach the grapes, he says they are sour. The moral is that people sometimes pretend to dislike things they can't have. It's about sour grapes mentality.
One characteristic is that they are often short and to the point. For example, like 'The Lion and the Mouse', it doesn't waste words. Another is that they use simple characters, like animals or basic human types. These characters are easy to understand and represent different qualities. Also, they usually have a clear moral at the end that is easy to grasp, like in 'The Fox and the Grapes' where the fox's sour grapes attitude teaches us not to be bitter when we can't have something.
For 'The Lion and the Mouse', it shows that kindness and mercy can be rewarded. No matter how small or insignificant someone may seem, they can be of great help in times of need. Also, these animal fables often remind us to behave in a more positive and moral way in our own lives.
For 'The Elves and the Shoemaker', the moral is about gratitude and reciprocity. The shoemaker and his wife are rewarded for their kindness to the elves, and it shows that when we are good to others, good things come back to us. It also emphasizes the magic and wonder that can be part of Christmas when we have a giving heart.
One common moral is about hard work. For example, in 'The Ant and the Grasshopper', the ant works hard all summer to store food for winter, while the grasshopper just sings and plays. When winter comes, the grasshopper has nothing. So it teaches us to be diligent.
Another one is 'The Ant and the Grasshopper'. It tells us the importance of hard work and planning for the future. The ant worked hard to store food while the grasshopper played, and when winter came, the ant was prepared and the grasshopper suffered.
Forgiveness is a big moral lesson. The Prodigal Son parable really emphasizes this. The father in the story forgives his wayward son unconditionally. This shows that in life, we should be ready to forgive others their wrongdoings, just as God is forgiving. Also, many of these fables teach about faith. The story of the mustard seed shows that even a little bit of faith can grow into something great.
In 'Beauty and the Beast', one moral is not to judge by appearances. Belle doesn't see the Beast as just a hideous monster but gets to know his kind heart. Also, in stories like 'The Ant and the Grasshopper', it shows that it's important to be prepared for the future. The ant works hard during the summer while the grasshopper just plays, and then the grasshopper suffers in winter.
Another moral is about the value of humor in difficult situations. Tenali Raman often uses humor to defuse tense situations at the court, whether it's between the king and his ministers or with visiting dignitaries. It shows that a light - hearted approach can sometimes be the best way to handle things.