title: How to Tell a Story: The Secrets of Writing Captivating Tales
author:  Peter Rubie 
description: Peter Rubie is currently a partner in Perkins, Rabiner, Rubie &amp; Associates, Literary Agents.
zlib_text: Preface
  
  
    
  
  
  THE TALE, the Parable, and the Fable are all common and popular modes of
  conveying instruction. Each is distinguished by its own special
  characteristics. The Tale consists simply in the narration of a story either
  founded on facts, or created solely by the imagination, and not necessarily
  associated with the teaching of any moral lesson. The Parable is the designed
  use of language purposely intended to convey a hidden and secret meaning other
  than that contained in the words themselves; and which may or may not bear a
  special reference to the hearer, or reader. The Fable partly agrees with, and
  partly differs from both of these. It will contain, like the Tale, a short but
  real narrative; it will seek, like the Parable, to convey a hidden meaning,
  and that not so much by the use of language, as by the skilful introduction of
  fictitious characters; and yet unlike to either Tale or Parable, it will ever
  keep in view, as its high prerogative, and inseparable attribute, the g