What is typically featured in a fable?

A fable is a short story that conveys a moral lesson, often using animals as characters that exhibit human traits, such as the ability to speak and reason. This anthropomorphism allows the tales to convey important messages about human behavior and ethics in a relatable way. The use of animals not only makes the story more engaging for readers, particularly younger audiences, but also serves to highlight the moral without being tied down by the complexities of human conflicts. By simplifying characters to animals with moral dilemmas, a fable effectively communicates its lessons.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the traditional structure of a fable. A complex historical setting and extensive character development are more characteristic of novels or longer narratives, which allow for deeper exploration of themes and character arcs. Fables typically focus on a singular moral point rather than the intricacies of real-life events, making them distinct in their purpose and style.