fābella, ae, f. dim. [fabula], a brief narrative, a short history, story (class.).
I In gen.: nihil debet esse in philosophia commentariis fabellis loci, Cic. Div. 2, 38, 80: vera, Phaedr. 2, 5, 6: in fabellam excedere, Sen. Ep. 77 med. —
II In partic.
A A short fable , a tale , Phaedr. 4, 7, 22: Haec (anus) tibi fabellas referat, etc., Tib. 1, 3, 85: aniles, Hor. S. 2, 6, 78.—Prov.: narrare fabellam asello, to preach to a stone , Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 200.—
B A short play , Cic. Q. Fr. 2, 16, 3: haec tota fabella, quam est sine argumento! id. Cael. 27, 64.