Personal Fable or Fairy Tale

A fable is a short narrative, in prose or verse, that exemplifies an abstract moral concept or principle of human behavior; usually, in its conclusion, either the narrator or one of the characters states the moral in the form of an epigram. The character, settings and actions function allegorically. In other words, they are contrived to make sense on the literal level, while at the same time they represent an abstract idea or particular aspect of human behavior.Afairy tale is similar but usually includes fantastical characters and elements such as witches and queens, giants and elves, dragons, talking animals, ogres, princesses, and sometimes even actual fairies. Marvelous and magical things happen to characters in fairy tales. A boy may become a bird. A princess may sleep for a hundred years. Objects too can be enchanted — mirrors talk, pumpkins become carriages, and a lamp may be home to a genie.

For this assignment, you will do some pre-writing about your own life in preparation for writing a personal fable or fairy tale that exemplifies your own life’s challenges, triumphs, and your personal philosophy (or the motto you live your life by). Answer in honest phrases and sentences that come from the heart.

  1. What animal or mythical creature do you most identify with, and why?
  1. What is your favorite possession and why? (This cannot be a living thing like a pet; it must be an inanimate object.)
  1. What is a real place you associate with danger, fear, or loneliness?
  1. What is your greatest fear in life?
  1. What person represents an obstacle or antagonistic “blocking figure” in your life, and how?
  1. What is your “happy place,” the place you daydream about when life gets too difficult?
  1. What has been the biggest obstacle or challenge you have faced in your life so far?
  1. What 2 people have been the most helpful and influential to you and how?
  1. What is your most meaningful goal in life?

Assignment: Go back to your responses and underline 2 phrases that particularly resonate with you. You must incorporate these phrases somewhere in your fable.

Now plot and outline a personal fable or fairytale that weaves in some or most of the information from your brainstorming questions but transforms them into allegorical counterparts. For example, your protagonist may take the form of the animal you chose for #1. Your favorite object may be enchanted. Your “dangerous place” may be the “evil forest” your protagonist must journey through to achieve the object of his quest (your meaningful goal). Your helpful person may become your “fairy godmother” or animal spirit guide. Be creative, and have fun!