A cautionary tale is a tale told in folklore to warn its listener of a danger. ... Then, the narrative itself is told: someone disregarded the warning and performed the forbidden act. Finally, the violator comes to an unpleasant fate, which is frequently related in expansive and grisly detail.

Why do we have cautionary tales?

Why do we tell cautionary tales for children? Cautionary tales are used by parents or relatives to convince their children to follow a certain set of rules or conform to a specific type of behaviour. Using a story to do this engages children, making sure that they absorb the lesson that's being taught.

What are the characteristics of a cautionary tale?

Cautionary tales are quite rigid in their narrative structure, usually consisting of three parts: A thing, place or act is said to be dangerous. The central character then goes on to disregard the warning. The person who ignored the warning faces negative consequences for their actions.