a short moral story (often with animal characters)
source: WordNet 3.0
(New Testament) any of the stories told by Jesus to convey his religious message
The parable of the prodigal son.
source: WordNet 3.0
A comparison; a similitude; specifically, a short fictitious narrative of something which might really occur in life or nature, by means of which a moral is drawn; as, the parables of Christ.