Parables, fables and learning

cerastes

First post in literature,
I'm looking for advice, further than my own ability to explain things to small children and to set them on the path to an interest in stories and reading but for them to eventually grasp and understand messages and meanings behind a story. But also as a pointer for me to read so I am not just pointing at what might be good for them to know or learn as a small child without having the interest myself to know or learn, if that makes sense.

aesops tales comes to mind to start, but I'm looking for a pointers where to find further reading which I am unaware of, and of whatever origin, for my purposes it would have to be in english, but of whatever origin, Greek, Ancient, Religious, Biblical, or more modern era Dickens? or more contemporary.
based around whatever people might think applies, but for example, humour, satire, moral lessons, encouraging imagination and understanding,

While I'm not precluding the idea of writing just creating a colourful world a story creates for its own sake. I'm interested in it for the purposes of learning and teaching messages and understanding the meaning in writings.