The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is parables.
A parable is a short, simple story designed to illustrate a moral or spiritual truth. This literary device is a hallmark of ancient wisdom literature, found frequently in religious texts and philosophical teachings around the world. The primary purpose of a parable is not to entertain but to educate. It takes a complex, abstract concept, such as forgiveness, compassion, or faith, and presents it through a relatable, concrete scenario. By using familiar characters and settings, parables make profound lessons accessible and memorable for everyone, regardless of their educational background. The listener or reader is encouraged to think about the story’s meaning and apply its lesson to their own life.
The other options are incorrect for specific reasons. An excerpt is simply a selected portion of a larger text; it describes how a piece of writing is presented, not what kind of story it is. Fiction is a very broad term for any narrative that is not strictly factual. While parables are typically fictional, the term “fiction” does not capture their specific didactic, or teaching, purpose. A modern mystery novel is fiction, but it is not a parable. Finally, a moral is the lesson or principle that a story teaches. The parable is the story itself, while the moral is the conclusion or message derived from it. For example, a story might convey a moral about the importance of honesty, but the story itself is not called “a moral.” Therefore, parable is the most precise and fitting term for the short, instructive stories found in books of ancient wisdom.
