Aesop

Evidence suggests that Aesop was not a real person.  Aesop is a name given to any story in which animals are anthropomorphized (act like humans).  Thus, "Aesop's Fables" is redundant.  A fable is an Aesop, and an Aesop is a fable.

The concept of these fables is important, because we often utilize animals in our daily lives the way a fable does.  Anyone with a pet will often talk to it, but sometimes animals play an important conversational role between two people. Spouses often converse with each other via their pets:

Wife to dog:  "Fido, the garbage needs to be taken out.  Help Daddy take out the garbage." Fido looks confused.

Husband to dog: "Let's take out the garbage, Fido."  Fido jumps with joy.

The garbage is then taken out without direct communication between spouses.  Taking out the garbage is an unpleasant duty which, by means of an Aesop device, is made as pleasant as possible. If the wife had said "George, take out the garbage", a fight may have ensued. 

Fables express truths that under a different guise would be difficult to accept.  Putting them in the form of a fable makes them palatable- even enjoyable, without detracting from their effectiveness.

Example:  The Fable of The Wolf and The Dog.

Wolf meets Dog after a long separation.  The dog is sleek and fat, while the wolf is skinny and hungry.  Dog explains that he has discovered an exceptional situation which allows him to be fed every day, sleep in a warm bed, etc.  The wolf says "show me! I want this too!", but as they trot away side by side, the wolf notices a worn spot in the Dog's hide.  "What's that?"  he asks.  "It's where my collar rubs" says the dog.  The wolf exclaims "No thanks!" and runs off into the forest.

We all know how to apply the fable to our lives.  None of us is entirely free.  We all wear proverbial collars.  The wolf wears the collar of necessity and hunger.  What is your collar?  What is mine?? 

Distancing the story by putting it in the mouths of anthropomorphized animals brings the point closer to home.  Also important is that these stories are easily perceived by children, who may need their teachings most.