Certain stories, like fables, classic tales, and folklore, are written with the intent to share a moral dilemma that characters must contend with. The outcome of the characters’ actions shapes the lesson that the audience is meant to reflect on. This is commonly referred to as the “moral of the story.”
What does “moral of the story” mean?
The moral of the story highlights an ethical circumstance that characters in a story encounter, which has a clear right and wrong. Moral stories describe an ethical predicament and the consequences of choosing one action over another. These moral problems are typically universal and relatable across many cultures.
The moral of a story is similar to, but different from, a story’s theme. The moral is likely to be a straightforward and practical lesson about life, which aims to guide human behavior. The theme of a story presents a broad concept that’s more nuanced and open to the audience’s interpretation.
Purpose of moral stories
Short stories with moral lessons are a simple method of teaching young children life lessons and cultural values in a succinct, accessible way.
These stories captivate readers and listeners by illustrating ethical lessons through clear examples of right versus wrong, using descriptive narratives rather than simply presenting social rules without context.
Common moral stories
There are a few common archetypes that occur frequently:
- The kind deed: An inconsequential character performs a kind or selfless act and is later rewarded for it.
- The underdog: A seemingly less capable character overcomes an overtly powerful adversary through intelligence, courage, and resolve.
- The trickster: A deceitful character fools others for their own gain or ego and later faces the consequences of their actions.
- The outcast: A character is mistreated for their differences, but their unseen value soon presents itself, and they gain the respect of others.
- The hard worker: A character with a strong work ethic reaps the benefits of planning ahead and dedication, compared to a character who’s lazy.
- The humble one: A character who displays humility and flexibility in the face of a challenge gets further ahead, compared to a character who is prideful and unyielding in their approach.
Examples from literature
In classic literature, Aesop, a legendary (and possibly nonexistent) Greek storyteller from the fifth and sixth centuries B.C., is renowned for his skill in crafting moral stories. Aesop’s fables often consist of short stories with moral lessons. Here are two of his most famous stories.
“The Tortoise and the Hare”
In the allegory of the tortoise and the hare, the quick hare is highly confident in his ability to win a race against the slow-moving tortoise. The hare openly mocks the tortoise’s slow pace and sprints forward at the start of the race, gaining a significant lead over his competitor.
In his arrogance, the hare decides he can afford to take a midrace nap and still win the competition. However, the tortoise diligently continues at the same regular pace without stopping and ultimately crosses the finish line while the hare remains asleep.
Moral of the story: “Slow and steady wins the race.” This fable emphasizes that persistence and unwavering determination can be more effective than speed or overconfidence.
“The Boy Who Cried Wolf”
A shepherd boy repeatedly claims to villagers that a wolf is attacking their flock of sheep. In each instance, the villagers attempt to help but quickly learn that the boy has mischievously deceived them. One day, a wolf actually threatens the sheep, and the boy cries out for help. This time, the villagers, wary of being fooled again, don’t provide help, and the wolf eats the sheep.
Moral of the story: “Those who earn a reputation as a liar won’t be believed.” The moral of the story is that liars and deceivers lose others’ trust, even when they tell the truth.
How to identify the moral of the story
Whether you’re writing a short story or studying an existing work, learning how to identify the moral of the story ensures that the intended message is received accurately.
Questions to ask
- How did the characters behave and what was the outcome? Pay attention to repeating ideas and behavioral patterns. Notice the consequences of how each character behaves and how it advances or deters their goals in the story.
- What did the characters learn? After the story’s climax, examine how the character’s actions shaped or altered their behavior at the end of the story.
- What is the main message? The main message describes a real-life situation and an ethical code of conduct to live by in that scenario.
“Moral of the story” FAQs
Do all stories have a moral?
Not all stories have a moral lesson. Generally, fables are rich with lessons on right versus wrong and the outcome of choosing a particular path. Other stories, including many kinds of fiction, might instead convey an underlying theme or commentary about a situation.
How do you find the moral of a story?
You can find the moral of a story by looking for context clues. These clues include the conflict that the characters are experiencing, and what each character says, does, and feels when confronted with the scenario.
What are the most common moral stories?
Children’s classic fables are the most common moral stories. Children’s stories are often short in length, convey a struggle or conflict, describe what the main character does in this situation, and show the consequences—positive or negative—of their decision.