Video: Fable in Literature: Definition & Examples. What do lions, tigers, and bears have to do with learning how to be a better human? Find out when you read this lesson on fables and look at a few examples of this ancient literary genre. Whenever you hear the word 'fable,' no doubt images of witty talking animals run through your mind. That's because these clever critters play a big part in making the genre what it is. Derived from the Latin fabula, which means tale in English, a fable is a short story that teaches a moral lesson.