Oral History

• The majority of ancient Greeks were illiterate. News and facts were spread orally; thus storytelling was seen as a legitimate information medium. The fables of Aesop were short, easily understood stories that always dealt with a life situation through the eyes of animals. Foxes, ducks, mice and lions were common subjects of Aesop's fables. Accompanied by daily news, the populace received Aesop's fables as truth, albeit through fluid prose.
  
  

Basics of Morality

• The purpose of Aesop's fables was to teach the basics of morality. Aesop addressed issues of trust, honesty and prejudice amongst others. Ancient Greeks adhered to morality that was defined by Aesop.
  
  

Morality for Adults

• Although Aesop's fables may seem childish in their style and themes, adults took them very seriously. Children enjoyed the simple stories, while adults saw the moral truths underlying the cute story. The target audience of Aesop's fables was not children. Aesop's fables were for everyone; they were lessons for the whole populace of Greece.