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.

&fist; 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. Æsop's fables are good examples of apologues.

• A short story with a moral, often involving talking animals or objects; a fable.