Here's a breakdown:
* Past Tense: This is the most common tense used in traditional fables. It often gives the story a timeless quality and makes it feel like a story passed down through generations.
* Present Tense: While less common, some modern fables use the present tense to create a more immediate and engaging feeling. This can also be effective in stories where the action is meant to feel ongoing or timeless.
Ultimately, the tense used in a fable doesn't change the core elements of the story – the moral message and the animal characters.
Here are some examples:
Past Tense:
* "The Tortoise and the Hare" - "Once upon a time, there was a hare who was very proud of his speed..."
* "The Lion and the Mouse" - "A lion was sleeping under a tree when a mouse ran across his nose..."
Present Tense:
* "The Fox and the Grapes" - "A fox is walking through the forest when he sees a bunch of grapes hanging high..."
* "The Ant and the Grasshopper" - "An ant is working hard, gathering food for the winter..."
It's important to note that even within a single fable, the tense can shift. For example, a fable might start in the past tense but then switch to the present tense when describing the moral of the story.