Storytelling describes the social and cultural activity of sharing stories, sometimes with improvisation, theatrics, or embellishment. Every culture has its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values. Crucial elements of stories and storytelling include plot, characters and narrative point of view.
Which his fair tongue—conceit's expositor— Delivers in such apt and gracious words, That aged ears play truant at his tales, And younger hearings are quite ravished.
William Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost (c. 1595-6), Act II, scene 1, line 72.