Story of fables

How and why did fables come about and are they having the intended affect?

The name of the game is passing to the next generation. Humans employ many ways to perform this passing. Each of these ways have their advantages, disadvantages, limits, etc. Fables are one such mechanism. So are fables having their intended affect? are they performing great or just barely making a difference? For the answer, lets examine some of the other mechanisms used and compare them to fables.

Following are some of these mechanisms:

Genetics
Genes carry a gizzillion amount of information on how to construct, function and maintain a human body. Error correction and capability for adaptation to changing living environments is also built into the system. The system is designed to communicate the best information to the next generation.

Culture
Humans are social animals. How to function in a society needs to be taught to the young ones so that they prosper and are not taken advantage of or ostracize. For this reason, we have culture. Several different cultures have evolved around the earth each with its own set of rules and issues. Each occasionally claims to be better than all others.

Education
One way for an individual to thrive in a human community it by acquiring above average skills that are in demand. Once a community has mastered a skill, it can be easily lost if not passed on to the next generation. Such loss is unacceptable and elaborate educational systems have been developed to prevent it.

Inheritance
Passing objects of value: jewels, money, gold, land, house, etc. from parents to children. Inheritance often has social and fairness issues associated with it.

Examining the list above, we can observe a few patterns. First, the list is ordered from generic to specific. That is, genetics is common to everyone. There is not one person on earth that has not utilized the first mechanism. Inheritance is on the other end of the spectrum. Second, the list is ordered from the most effective to the least effective. The genetics mechanism is our most relied upon and important. Major problems with genetics will spell the end of humanity. Again, inheritance is at the other end of the spectrum.

Fables are good values and lessons cleverly packaged with mnemonic techniques for our young. They can be placed around the education mark in our list to gauge their effectiveness. Fables linger on generation after generation, are often remembered but seldom used, and are a tiny part of what we pass down to the next generation.