1. The Pearl
By John Steinbeck

2. WHAT IS A PARABLE?
noun 1. a simple short story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, theme, principle, or moral lesson.
Examples are Aesop’s fables, such as:
“The Tortoise and the Hare”
“The Boy Who Cried Wolf”

3. Your parable should: be around ten sentences
teach a moral, have a lesson, or contain a message
fly through the narrative plot structure*
Label each part of the narrative plot structure
* Label each part

4. EXAMPLE PARABLE
The King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. The kingdom's wealthiest citizens came by and simply went around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant farmer came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purple velvet bag lying in the road where the boulder had been. The bag contained many gold coins and a note from the king stating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5. Write a parable One bad apple can spoil the bunch
First you must have a theme or message
Then create a short tale (10 sentences) that illustrates (explains) the moral
Some cliché themes you may choose from:
Opposites attract
Time heals all wounds
What goes around comes around
Laughter is the best medicine
All that glitters is not gold
It’s better to have loved and lost, then to have never loved at all
One bad apple can spoil the bunch

6. The King had a boulder placed on a roadway
The King had a boulder placed on a roadway. (exposition) He hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. The kingdom's wealthiest citizens came by and simply went around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant farmer came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. (rising action) Then after much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. (climax) As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purple velvet bag lying in the road where the boulder had been. (falling action) The bag contained many gold coins and a note from the king stating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. (resolution)