Nuts and Bolts: paradeigma

A paradeigma (the plural, not that you're likely to need it, is paradeigmata) is a very short story told as an example of good behaviour.

In Greek times the stories tended to be about the Gods (it's rather hard to be offended when you're being compared with a God, whereas a story beginning when your Uncle Algie started out as a barrow boy...is unlikely to be very flattering). 

Nowadays, paradeigmata are quite likely to involve weight-loss and celebrity.

It's not nearly as romantic, exciting, and life-threatening as the travails of the Gods tended to be, but that's not necessarily a bad sign.

Word To Consider Today: paradeigma. This word is Greek, of course, and means pattern, example or sample.