To most people it has the same significance as a fable, legendary tale, or fanciful falsehood. […] There is a pretty fable which has made the name of Arion famous. […] Another fable makes Echo a daughter of Air and Tellus. […] The fable is, that when he got to be an old man he attempted to split an oak tree, but having lost his youthful vigor, the tree closed on his hand and he was held a prisoner till the wolves came and devoured him. […] A water-nymph, or sylph, who, according to fable, might receive a human soul by marrying a mortal.