Which term best describes the central idea behind a fable?

The central idea behind a fable is that it communicates a moral lesson, making the description of it as "a tale with a moral lesson" the best choice. Fables are typically short narratives, often featuring animals that talk and behave like humans, and they are traditionally designed to teach a specific lesson or principle about human behavior or ethics. By delivering a clear moral at the end of the story, fables encourage readers to reflect on the lesson presented and apply it to their own lives. This characteristic distinguishes fables from entertaining stories that may not carry a deeper meaning, historical accounts which focus on events and facts, or scientific explanations that are based on research and observation.