The DICT Development Group

  Apologue \Ap"o*logue\, n. [L. apologous, Gr. ?; ? from + ?
     speech, ? to speak: cf. F. apologue.]
     A story or relation of fictitious events, intended to convey
     some moral truth; a moral fable.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: An apologue differs from a parable in this;: the
           parable is drawn from events which take place among
           mankind, and therefore requires probability in the
           narrative; the apologue is founded on supposed actions
           of brutes or inanimate things, and therefore is not
           limited by strict rules of probability. [AE]sop's
           fables are good examples of apologues.
           [1913 Webster]

  apologue
      n 1: a short moral story (often with animal characters) [syn:
           fable, parable, allegory, apologue]