おとぎ話 (Fable) is a short story that typically features animals as characters and conveys a moral lesson. These tales often use simple language and imaginative scenarios to engage readers, making them suitable for children. The characters usually represent human traits, such as wisdom, foolishness, or kindness. Fables are part of a broader tradition of storytelling found in many cultures, including Aesop's Fables from ancient Greece and Japanese folktales. They serve to teach important values and ethics, encouraging readers to reflect on their own behavior and choices in life.