An example of a teaching analogy:
"The actual electronic structure of a molecule or ion which involves resonance is often explained by saying that it is the average of several contributing electronic structures which are drawn so as to show the double bond in several different locations in the species. In order to remind students that the actual resonance hybrid structure doesn't alternate from one contributing structure to another from time to time, but rather has its own special structure all the time, it is convenient to use the analogy that a resonance hybrid is like a mule. When you look at a mule (which is a cross between a horse and a donkey) you don't see a donkey at one time and a horse at another…you see a mule at all times."
Previously posted at scienceanalogies.com by retired science teacher Murray Hart – original source: Sienko, M. J. and Plane, R. A. Chemistry Toronto: McGraw-Hill, 1964 p.94
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