Fable: A Sentence of Thirteen Parts is an innovative 1977 work by John Baldessari consisting of halftone photo lithographs bound in a cruciform accordion book format that unfolds to reveal multiple narrative variations. The conceptual structure allows viewers to experience thirteen different versions of a single fable story through the substitution of twelve alternate verbs, demonstrating how language fundamentally shapes meaning and interpretation. The accordion book format becomes integral to the work's conceptual and physical presentation, creating a sculptural object as much as a readable text. This piece exemplifies Baldessari's commitment to exploring the relationships between language, image, and sequential narrative in contemporary art. The work invites active participation from viewers who must physically manipulate and read the accordion binding to experience the full scope of meaning.