Here's a breakdown of the terms:
* Fable: Typically features animals or inanimate objects with human-like qualities, and often involves a moral or lesson that is explicitly stated at the end. Examples include "The Tortoise and the Hare" and "The Boy Who Cried Wolf."
* Parable: A story that uses figurative language and symbolism to convey a spiritual or ethical message. Parables often have a more complex meaning than fables and are frequently found in religious texts. Examples include the parable of the Good Samaritan and the parable of the Prodigal Son.
* Moral Tale: A broad term that encompasses stories designed to teach a lesson about right and wrong, good and bad behavior. These stories can feature humans, animals, or other characters, and the moral may be explicitly stated or implied.
While there's overlap between these terms, they all share the common goal of imparting wisdom, values, or lessons to the reader or listener.