Hi Shirl 36, I don't know the word you mean, legends or fables?

Sue

Mythology...or lore...are the words that come to my mind. Neither begin with "P" but they might help you remember the "P"word. Happens to me all the time. :-)

I think you are looking for the word, parable

'Parable' usually refers to a story that is attempting to impart a spiritual lesson. Otherwise, 'fable', 'myth', or 'legend' mean the same thing but without the spiritual overtones.

folklore?

lore

would the word be apocryphal

Doesn't start with P but anecdote?

prevarication

Parable & fable are pretty much synonymous, right? Myth & legend... I would say never possibly true... like legend/myth of unicorns and dragons. Folk lore... far fetched, but could have happened... did Johnny Appleseed actually wear a pot on his head?!? Prevarication... that's a good one!

Non sequitur? Parable?

Here's another thought: The Iliad is known as an epic poem. Doesn't start with P, but has P's in it!

I think parable is a good word for Jonah and the Whale--Jonah ran as far away from God as he could--into the belly of a whale--but he still ended up doing what God wanted him to do. Something to think about for us all.

Many of the books in the Christian Bible are literary in intent--and even the factual events are told to illustrate God's relationship with mankind. It isn't necessary to stress over whether or not they are "true".

Yes, "apocryphal". The Bible is full of such stories. At the time they were told, people understood that they were intended to illustrate some aspect of faith.

apologue?

if you search the thesaurus on line, I bet you'll find it. There're dozens of words under fable.

Just a couple of yrs ago I heard this on TV news the story of Jonah and the Whale was an example. This news person did not believe the story, they called it ??

POPPYCOCK!

From Merriam-Webster: Starting with the cherry tree, much of what was written by Washington's early biographers was pure poppycock.

Sammy..I love your suggestion!..I wish the OP would weigh in and let us know if anyone said the word she was trying to remember..I had suggested parable not because it fit her description perfectly but because it was a P word..

The reason that Jonah was reported to have given God for his running in the opposite direction was that he knew that God was loving and forgiving and would have compassion on those infidels were they just to repent ... which, after having invaded his country, having killed and raped his people, and destroyed their locations, they didn't deserve.

An (understandingly reluctant) evangelist.

An interesting indication that, even in Old Testament times, God's interest was in more than his (supposedly) "chosen" people ... who hadn't treated the current residents very well when they entered Canaan.

I consider it a good story, with a worthwhile message, but not literally true.

ole joyful

Just a couple of yrs ago I heard this on TV news the story of Jonah and the Whale was an example. This news person did not believe the story, they called it ??

PREPOSTEROUS!

Parable

myth

Palaver? Thesaurus.com says it means "empty talk."

I will go with parable....

i have no idea what I wrote down that night.......

parable makes sense......Merriam Webster dictionary says....

par·a·ble

\ˈpa-rə-bəl\

noun

• : a short story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson ; especially : one of the stories told by Jesus Christ and recorded in the Bible

Full Definition

• : example; specifically : a usually short fictitious story thatillustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle

• Thanks everybody.....Lots of knowledge sets at this table

welcome to the table shirl. Please chime in anytime

I think "apocryphal " is probably closer to the mark.