What is the difference between myth and fable?

Answer 1

A myth is a story that was part of an ancient religious ideal.

A fable is a succinct work of fiction that uses anthropomorphized animals, creatures, personifications and objects to express some sort of moral. This moral can usually be summed up as a "maxim".

A fable is knowingly fictitious. Any person reading one knows that it is invented to serve some other purpose than 'explaining reality'. For example the fable 'the crow and the pebbles' could very well be a true accounting of the actions of a certain crow but nobodies takes it to be so.

A myth however is at one time or another was/is expected to be taken as true to some extent. For example 'drains in the southern hemisphere turn counter-clockwise while those in the northern hemisphere go clock-wise' is a myth.

Answer 2

Myths are traditional stories that explain the origins of the world or natural phenomena, often involving gods and heroes. Fables are short stories with a moral lesson, typically featuring animals as characters that behave like humans. In essence, myths are usually sacred or religious narratives, while fables are more focused on teaching morals.

Answer 3

A fable is a short story that contains some element of truth. A myth is a legend.

Answer 4

A myth is a story that attempts to explain why nature behaves the way it does. A fable is a story written with a specific moral in mind. The two can definitely overlap.