What are the settings and characters in fables like?

Fables are generally short stories that teach a general or universal lesson called a moral. In many fables, the characters are introduced in the title of the story so the readers quickly know whom the story is about. The characters in fables are generally personified animals, and their numbers are very limited. Characters in fables can also be inanimate objects that are given the ability to interact with other characters. The animals act as substitutes for humans because fables teach a lesson about human nature.

Fables are often set in an ill-defined forest, small village, or rural setting. The setting is not generally well developed so it can be used as a background to teach the universal lesson. Less importance is put on developing the setting than on teaching the intended lesson.