All words

parable

Meaning

A short allegorical account, often with a religious or moral purpose, used to illustrate a truth or teach a lesson.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

The old woman told a simple story. It was a parable about a lost coin, showing how even small things matter greatly to God. Her voice was kind, and you felt the lesson deep in your heart.

The old beekeeper shared a simple parable about the ungrateful worker bee. It was a short story, like a fable, meant to show how even a small creature owes its life to the hive. His voice was heavy, hoping the quiet lesson would stick.

The old mechanic, grease staining his brow, told a story about a broken engine and a determined apprentice. It wasn't just a story; it was a parable, showing that even the most complex problems can be fixed with patience and understanding, teaching us how to approach any challenge.

The farmer told a funny parable about a lost sock. This short, made-up story, meant to teach us a lesson about never giving up, was full of talking sheep and a dancing washing machine. It showed that even silly tales can teach big truths!

Old Barnaby the badger told a funny parable about a squirrel who hid all his nuts, then forgot where. It was a short story with a lesson: don't hoard so much you can't find your own treasure. Everyone giggled, learning about wisdom through a nutty tale.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

He always told stories, not just to entertain, but to guide us. His favorite way to explain why kindness mattered was a simple parable, a short tale about a selfish farmer and a wise old traveler. Through the parable, we understood the value of sharing, a lesson far more impactful than any lecture.

The old weaver, facing eviction, shared a story about a single thread that, when woven with many others, formed a tapestry strong enough to hold back a flood. It was a simple parable, not about grand heroes, but about how even the smallest contribution, when united, holds immense power against overwhelming odds.

The old cartographer, his hands stained with ink, sighed as he showed the young apprentice the tattered map. "This journey isn't about reaching the destination first," he explained, his voice raspy, "but about understanding the terrain. Like that old parable about the farmer and the seeds, the real harvest is in the lesson learned along the way."

My uncle Barnaby, bless his cotton socks, once told a hilarious parable about a squirrel who tried to hoard all the world's nuts. He argued it perfectly illustrated how greed makes you look like a fuzzy, acorn-obsessed idiot, and honestly, I still laugh thinking about that nutty fellow.

He told a simple parable, a story about a lost sheep and a shepherd's relentless search. The children listened, their faces serious, understanding the quiet truth about never giving up on someone who strays. It was a powerful lesson, delivered in a story meant to teach.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

The old storyteller’s voice grew somber as he recounted the ancient parable. He needed to convey the weight of betrayal, the lingering regret of a missed chance. His words, like the simple story itself, aimed to illustrate a profound truth about forgiveness that would resonate deeply.

The old artisan, her fingers stained with vibrant dyes, shared a parable about a weaver who spent years perfecting one thread. She explained how patience and dedication, even to the smallest detail, ultimately create a tapestry of remarkable beauty and enduring strength, a truth often lost in haste.

The grizzled prospector, his canteen dry and hope dwindling, remembered the old hermit's parable about the single seed that yielded a forest. It wasn't just a story; it was a potent reminder that even the smallest effort, imbued with persistence, could eventually bring forth great abundance in this unforgiving expanse.

He told a simple story, a parable about a lost sheep. Everyone understood the elder’s point. It wasn't just a tale; it was a way to show how much one person could matter, a clear lesson in compassion without needing lengthy explanations.

The notorious philosopher, Bartholomew "Barty" Bumble, once offered a bizarre parable about a talking turnip and a perpetually confused badger. Barty claimed this peculiar narrative, rife with absurdity, vividly illustrated the profound truth that even the most mundane root vegetable could possess existential angst, a notion he deemed vital for anyone navigating the labyrinthine corridors of self-awareness.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

The old scholar, his brow furrowed with concern, recounted a poignant parable. He spoke of the prodigal son's misguided journey, its implicit admonishment resonating deeply. This allegorical tale, with its profound moral underpinning, served as a powerful illustration of reconciliation's redemptive grace, fostering an immediate, visceral understanding.

The grizzled chronosmith, his hands stained with nebula dust, recounted a peculiar parable. He spoke of a solitary artisan who, consumed by an ephemeral desire to capture the perfect luminescence, neglected the sturdy armature of his craft. This allegory, he implied through his weary sigh, served as a poignant reminder that fleeting beauty, however beguiling, cannot supersede fundamental integrity.

The grizzled prospector, after a lifetime of fruitless toil in the arid mountains, recounted a story about a lone seed. This parable, he explained, illustrated how even a seemingly insignificant hope, when patiently nurtured against all odds, could ultimately yield a profound, albeit unexpected, harvest.

The elder’s hushed recital, a simple story of a prodigal’s return and a father’s unwavering forgiveness, served as a profound parable. Its quiet resonance, a palpable plea for empathy, illuminated universal truths about redemption and the enduring efficacy of compassion, leaving the listeners contemplative.

Barnaby, an eccentric purveyor of bespoke sombreros, regaled the assembled dignitaries with a rather peculiar parable. He likened their penchant for ostentatious headwear to a flock of ostriches burying their heads, thereby evading the inescapable truth that their extravagant millinery was, quite frankly, preposterous.

Difficulty

Advanced — Less frequent words that stretch an upper-level vocabulary.

Appears in

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