Short Moral Tale

Short moral tale crossword clue. A daily quick one crossword clue and the answer in The Daily Telegraph, Sydney newspaper on Monday, 24 July 2017. 5 letters.

The answer is FABLE

It changed thought into an emotional dream; it plunged into the ocean of sentiment; it treated the old world of fable as the reflection of a higher reality, and transformed reality into poetry; and after all these expedients, to borrow a phrase of Augustine’s, it only saw afar off the land of its desire.

But the most eager search of Arabian chemistry was the transmutation of metals, and the elixir of immortal health: the reason and the fortunes of thousands were evaporated in the crucibles of alchemy, and the consummation of the great work was promoted by the worthy aid of mystery, fable and superstition.”