* Fables and epics are defined by their content and themes, not their length:
* Fables are short stories that usually involve animals or inanimate objects with human-like qualities, and they teach a moral lesson.
* Epics are long, narrative poems that celebrate the deeds of heroic figures and often reflect the values and beliefs of a culture.
* Half a story is incomplete: You need the whole story to determine its genre. Even if you hear half a story with animals acting like humans, it might not be a fable if the overall theme isn't about a moral lesson. Similarly, a story about a hero's deeds could be a short epic or a longer tale that fits within a larger epic narrative.
To figure out what kind of story you're hearing, you need more information:
* What is the story about? What are the main characters and events?
* What is the overall theme? Is it teaching a lesson, celebrating heroism, or something else?
* How is the story being told? Is it in verse or prose? Is there a specific style or tone?
By considering these factors, you can more accurately determine whether the story is a fable, an epic, or something else entirely.