re "related to ballein 'to throw.' Replaced O.E. bispell." ... Interesting that O.E.'bispell' disappeared, while German still has 'Beispiel' = example.

Hey, Dr. Bill: A "parable" is certainly an "example".

Your [typically] astute observation prompted me to wonder if there is a connection between our english word "spiel" [see definition below] and the "spiel" in "glockenspiel", and also in "beispiel".

It's easy to see the connection between a "spiel" and bells playing [see definition of "glockenspiel", also below].

But the connection with "Biespiel" is less obvious. Maybe[?], if we go back to where "biespiel" came from, we have our answer: Your definition: "related to ballein 'to throw.' Replaced O.E. bispell."

There is an element of "throwing" in "spiel", wouldn't you say? Throwing a spiel is like pitching a line.

We can also find a connection between our english word "spiel" and "parable" if we go back to the German roots of "spiel" - German, play in definition below.

First, let's compare a "play", in the sense of a "stage play", with a parable. Both tell a story. And a "stage play", like Shaw's "Major Barbara", can be allegorical, just like a parable.

And there is also a trace of light-hearted "play" in parable. A parable is wisdom play-acting as an entertaining story.

You could say a parable is 'playful' on the surface, but deep underneath ... just like the parable Anu gave us in today's AWAD "eleventh hour".

From Dictionary.com: glockenspiel

The glockenspiel (German, "play of bells", also known as orchestra bells and, in its portable form, lyra) is a musical instrument in the percussion family. It is similar to the xylophone, in that it has tuned bars laid out in a fashion resembling a piano keyboard. The xylophone's bars are wooden, while the glockenspiel's are metal.

Dictionary.com: spiel Informal n.

A lengthy or extravagant speech or argument usually intended to persuade.

intr. & tr.v. spieled, spiel·ing, spiels
To talk or say (something) at length or extravagantly.

[German, play, or Yiddish shpil, both from Middle High German spil, from Old High German.]