A fable is a short story, usually expressed in poetic form. Its purpose is to reflect the author's attitude to this or that character, to express some morality, to ridicule the vices, shortcomings, both inherent in some individual person, and in a large group of people, and even in society as a whole.
Not only people can act as heroes of fables, they can also be animals, plants and even objects. In these cases, the author endows them with human traits: the ability to speak, character traits, etc. It is easy to understand that a special talent is required from a fabulist, because he not only needs to tell "in a few words about a lot", but also to do it beautifully, skillfully, intriguing the reader. The first fables that have come down to man are attributed to the ancient Greeks Hesiod and Stesichor. The most famous fabulist of antiquity is the famous semi-legendary Aesop, who, according to historians, lived in the 6th century BC. It is difficult to say what is more in the information concerning his life - truth or fiction. But there is no doubt that he was a very outstanding, talented person. His witty and vivid prose fables were very popular and had a great influence on the subsequent development of literature. From his name, the concept originated: "Aesopian language". It means that the author of the fable writes it, as it were, allegorically, wanting to hide the true meaning of his words, but at the same time it is clear enough for an intelligent, discerning reader to understand what is really at stake. In later times, the fable genre literally blossomed. Of the European authors, undoubtedly the brightest fabulist was the Frenchman Jean de La Fontaine, who lived in the 17th century. His works, written in brilliant, figurative language, are replete with philosophical reasoning and lyrical digressions. La Fontaine described literally all aspects of life, human shortcomings and vices, but at the same time tried to avoid direct "moralizing", reproachful edification. His fables are still considered exemplary. There were also many skilled fabulists in Russia, for example, Trediakovsky, Sumarokov, Dmitriev. But, of course, Krylov (1768 - 1844) is much higher than them. First of all, because they are written in an impeccably literary, and at the same time, a truly folk language, close and understandable to any person. Immortal Krylov images - Swan, Cancer and Pike, contracted to carry a cart with luggage; the thieving Fox, who undertook to guard other people's chickens; stupid self-satisfied Monkey who did not know how to use glasses; the impudent insidious Wolf, who climbed into the kennel by mistake; and many others, have long become common nouns, as well as expressions like "things are still there."