A parable is a story in which a real and earthly thing is used to parallel or illustrate a spiritual or heavenly thing. Such a story acts as a "riddle" that both veils and reveals all at once -- veiling the spiritual behind words that reveal the earthly and which can be penetrated to reach the spiritual by those "who have ears to hear."
 
Jesus tells us that He spoke in parables precisely to veil and reveal, to speak, in a sense, "secretly" while not in secret at all. As recorded in Matthew 13:10-17:
 
And his disciples came and said to Him: Why speakest Thou to them in parables?
 
Who answered and said to them: Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: but to them it is not given. For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he shall abound: but he that hath not, from him shall be taken away that also which he hath.
 
Therefore do I speak to them in parables: because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And the prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled in them, who saith: By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears they have been dull of hearing, and their eyes they have shut: lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
 
{'HoM' comment: Heavy stuff! ..Yes the {Salvation} 'Message' goes out to
All; but given human 'free-will', it was never intended that 'All' would
respond positively!}

Hi Hmmmmburst
 
You are correct. Only those willing to put aside religiousity and their own selfish ambitions will truly find devine answers of Godly wisdom. Quite right you are.
 
Cheers
IBIJ