History Main / LetMeTellYouAStory

* "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

* Silent Bob's TitleDrop speech in ''ChasingAmy'' about his relationship with a girl named Amy qualifies as this.

** In 2 Samuel 12, UriahGambit King David has just had one of his soldiers killed to cover up the fact that he (David) had impregnated the man's wife]]. The prophet Nathan shows up and calls him to repent by giving an account of a rich man who stole the only lamb of his poor neighbor to feed a houseguest, despite having many sheep of his own. He asks what should be done to this man. David, incensed, declared that the man should be put to death and asked who he was. Nathan replies, "You are the man."

** In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan tells a story to call King David to repentance for sleeping with Bathsheba and sending her husband Uriah to his death. In the story, a rich man with many sheep slays a poor man's only lamb to feed a guest. King David declares that the rich man should be executed -- then Nathan tells him the "sheep" are wives and the rich man is him.

* [[Literature/TheBible The parables of Jesus]] are among the most famous examples. Jesus would often tell stories to convey his messages.
** Also in Literature/TheBible (2 Samuel 12), the prophet Nathan tells a story to call King David to repentance for sleeping with Bathsheba and sending her husband Uriah to his death. In the story, a rich man with many sheep slays a poor man's only lamb to feed a guest.

* [[Literature/TheBible The parables of Jesus]] are among the most famous examples. Jesus would often tell stories to convey his messages.
** Also in Literature/TheBible (2 Samuel 12), the prophet Nathan tells a story to call King David to repentance for sleeping with Bathsheba and sending her husband Uriah to his death. In the story, a rich man with many sheep slays a poor man's only lamb to feed a guest.
* Happens a lot in ''BoardwalkEmpire''. For instance, Margaret tells this to Lucy after Lucy brags that all she has to do is spread her legs to keep Nucky interested:
-->'''Margaret:''' When I was a girl in Ireland, a raggedy man would come around every spring with a little Bantam rooster. He'd trained it to peck out "The Mountains of Mourne" on a toy piano hung off his chest.
-->'''Lucy:''' So?
-->'''Margaret:''' Well... the first year he came, we all of us, the girls in that place, we thought it magical. The second year, we laughed behind our hands at the odd man and his tatters, and the third year we didn't even go, because "The Mountains of Mourne" was all that little rooster could ever do.
-->'''Lucy:''' So what's the point?
-->'''Margaret:''' [[TakeThat That maybe your cunny... isn't quite the draw you think it is.]]

* Jolee Bindo is prone to this in the ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' game.
* A favorite tool of Sophia's in ''TheGoldenGirls''. Sometimes subverted when her story ends up having absolutely no connection to the matter at hand.
* Silent Bob's TitleDrop speech in ''ChasingAmy'' about his relationship with a girl named Amy probably qualifies as this.

* In the ''Series/QuantumLeap'' episode "Jimmy", Sam leaps into a mentally retarded man in the 1960s. Eventually he freaks out in frustration, since he's being treated like an idiot all day. CasanovaWannabe Al interrupts him mid-rant: "There was this girl named Trudy..." Sam snaps at him that this is no time for another irrelevant, sleazy sex story -- but this time, the girl in question was Al's younger sister, who was also mentally retarded.

* In ''{{Bionicle}}'', [[KidAppealCharacter Lewa]] does this to [[TheStoic Kopaka]] and [[TheQuietOne Onua]]. He explains his plan by telling them the story of the three [[{{Hobbits}} Matoran]], the [[BigCreepyCrawlies Rama swarm]], and the[[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables basket of Bula berries]]. Cue Kopaka getting [[NotSoStoic more and more annoyed]] at Lewa ''[[CasualDangerDialogue because they're in the middle of a battle]]''.
-->'''Kopaka:''' I'm ''still'' waiting for the part where the heroic Toa Lewa saves the day!

* In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', Bruce Wayne is trying to figure out TheJoker's motivations. Alfred tells him [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efHCdKb5UWc this story]]:

* In the ''QuantumLeap'' episode "Jimmy", Sam leaps into a mentally retarded man in the 1960s. Eventually he freaks out in frustration, since he's being treated like an idiot all day. CasanovaWannabe Al interrupts him mid-rant: "There was this girl named Trudy..." Sam snaps at him that this is no time for another irrelevant, sleazy sex story -- but this time, the girl in question was Al's younger sister, who was also mentally retarded.

* In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', Bruce Wayne is trying to figure out TheJoker's motivations. Alfred tells him this:

* In ''TheDarkKnight'', Bruce Wayne is trying to figure out TheJoker's motivations. Alfred tells him this:

Alice and Bob are having a conversation. Alice wants to make a point, but to tell Bob straightforwardly wouldn't have the impact she wants to make. So she decides to tell him a story. The story at first seems somewhat random and unrelated to the matter at hand. However, once the story is finished, it becomes clear that there is a moral behind it. If Bob still seems confused about the story's relevance, Alice may spell it out for him. Or she may just leave him guessing.

The most common term for these stories is the parable, a tale used to illustrate some message. The term often refers to religious parables meant to express spiritual concepts. Of course, it's not limited to that.

Old people are very prone to do this, often in the form of a RamblingOldManMonologue. They have a lot of stories to tell.

The musical version of this is MoralityBallad. See also AndThatLittleGirlWasMe.
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!!Examples

* [[TheBible The parables of Jesus]] are among the most famous examples. Jesus would often tell stories to convey his messages.
** Also in TheBible (2 Samuel 12), the prophet Nathan tells a story to call King David to repentance for sleeping with Bathsheba and sending her husband Uriah to his death. In the story, a rich man with many sheep slays a poor man's only lamb to feed a guest.
* Happens a lot in ''BoardwalkEmpire''. For instance, Margaret tells this to Lucy after Lucy brags that all she has to do is spread her legs to keep Nucky interested:
-->'''Margaret:''' When I was a girl in Ireland, a raggedy man would come around every spring with a little Bantam rooster. He'd trained it to peck out "The Mountains of Mourne" on a toy piano hung off his chest.
-->'''Lucy:''' So?
-->'''Margaret:''' Well... the first year he came, we all of us, the girls in that place, we thought it magical. The second year, we laughed behind our hands at the odd man and his tatters, and the third year we didn't even go, because "The Mountains of Mourne" was all that little rooster could ever do.
-->'''Lucy:''' So what's the point?

* In ''TheDarkKnight'', Bruce Wayne is trying to figure out TheJoker's motivations. Alfred tells him this:
-->'''Alfred:''' A long time ago, I was in Burma, my friends and I were working for the local government. They were trying to buy the loyalty of tribal leaders by bribing them with precious stones. But their caravans were being raided in a forest north of Rangoon by a bandit. So we went looking for the stones. But in six months, we never found anyone who traded with him. One day I saw a child playing with a ruby the size of a tangerine. The bandit had been throwing them away.
-->'''Bruce:''' Then why steal them?

* In ''TrainingDay'', [[DenzelWashington Alonzo's]] friend Roger decides to tell rookie officer Jake a joke. He tells him about a snail that gets thrown off some guy's porch into the backyard and nearly dies. However, it recovers and after awhile it gains enough strength to crawl again. After about a year, the snail makes it way back on to the porch. The man comes out, looks at and says, "What the ****'s your problem!?" Jake laughs until he sees Roger and Alonzo's serious expressions and realize that it isn't a joke at all. Roger tells him that when he figures the joke out, he'll figure the streets out.
** Also, there is a deleted scene where Alonzo tells Jake of one of his early work experiences involving a black man who was paid by another man named "[[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Spooky]]" to [[KickTheDog beat up a doberman he was raising]]. Alonzo came across the man with his fellow officer, who was completely accepting of it and explained to Alonzo that Spooky was teaching the dog to hate black people.
-->'''Alonzo:''' I'm saying that to say this. Soon as you think you've seen everything out on these streets, these streets will teach you something twisted.
* Jolee Bindo is prone to this in the ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' game.

* Silent Bob's {{Title Drop}} speech in ''ChasingAmy'' about his relationship with a girl named Amy probably qualifies as this.

* In the ''QuantumLeap'' episode "Jimmy", Sam leaps into a mentally retarded man in the 1960s. Eventually he freaks out in frustration, since he's being treated like an idiot all day. CasanovaWannabe Al interrupts him mid-rant: "There was this girl named Trudy..." Sam snaps at him that this is no time for another irrelevant, sleazy sex story -- but this time, the girl in question was Al's younger sister, who was also mentally retarded.

* In ''{{Bionicle}}'', [[KidAppealCharacter Lewa]] does this to [[TheStoic Kopaka]] and [[TheQuietOne Onua]]. He explains his plan by telling them the story of the three [[{{Hobbits}} Matoran]], the [[BigCreepyCrawlies Rama swarm]], and the[[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables basket of Bula berries]]. Cue Kopaka getting [[NotSoStoic more and more annoyed]] at Lewa ''[[CasualDangerDialogue because they're in the middle of a battle]]''.
-->'''Kopaka:''' I'm ''still'' waiting for the part where the heroic Toa Lewa saves the day!

* ''{{SpongeBob SquarePants}}'': Mr. Krabs' story to [=SpongeBob=] about spending a dollar on a soda to persuade [=SpongeBob=] to let his seahorse go.

* In ''{{Bionicle}}'', [[TheBumblebee Lewa]] does this to [[TheStoic Kopaka]] and [[TheQuietOne Onua]]. He explains his plan by telling them the story of the three [[{{Hobbits}} Matoran]], the [[BigCreepyCrawlies Rama swarm]], and the[[FantasticFruitsAndVegetables basket of Bula berries]]. Cue Kopaka getting [[NotSoStoic more and more annoyed]] at Lewa ''[[CasualDangerDialogue because they're in the middle of a battle]]''.

* Happens a lot in ''BoardwalkEmpire''. Also, Margaret tells this to Lucy after Lucy brags that all she has to do is spread her legs to keep Nucky interested:

* ''TheThreeMusketeers'' adaptation with KieferSutherland: "Love? Let me tell you about love."

* Jolee Bindo is prone to this in the ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' game.

* Happens a lot in ''BoardwalkEmpire''. The page quote is one of many. Also, Margaret tells this to Lucy after Lucy brags that all she has to do is spread her legs to keep Nucky interested:

* A favorite tool of Sophia's in ''TheGoldenGirls''. Sometimes suvberted when her story ends up having absolutely no connection to the matter at hand. reply:

* In ''[[ForgottenRealms Daughter of the Drow]]'', a warrior amused drow mage (who saved him from carnivores and tried to claim as a slave) with a folk tale about how "old favors are soon forgotten". Then [[spoiler:managed to get away and added the phrase to his "farewell" as he ran off]].

* ''TheGoldenGirls'': Subverted with Rose's St. Olaf stories. While she tries to make some sort of point, her stories tend to [[{{ShaggyDogStory}} go on]] [[{{Metaphorgotten}} a tangent]].
* Parodied in ''TheSimpsons'' episode "The Heartbroke Kid", when Bart is sent to a fat camp and Tab Spangler, the camp owner, catches him pigging out:

Old people are very prone to do this in the form of a RamblingOldManMonologue. They have a lot of stories to tell.

Old people are very prone to do this. They have a lot of stories to tell.

* In the ''QuantumLeap'' episode "Jimmy", Sam leaps into a mentally retarded man in the 1960s. Eventually he freaks out in frustration, since he's being treated like an idiot all day. CasanovaWannabe Al interrupts him mid-rant: "There was this girl named Trudy..." Sam snaps at him that this is no time for another irrelevant, sleazy sex story -- but this time, the girl in question was Al's younger sister, who was also mentally retarded. In the Italian mystery novel ''The Terra Cotta Dog'':The police officer protagonist is invited to meet with Tano the Greek, a feared gangster (and {{gayngster}}) who turns out to be something of a NobleDemon. To explain why he wants to turn himself in, Tano tells this story about a guy who bet someone that he could make a cat eat some very spicy mustard- the method involves AssShove-ing it, causing the cat to start licking the mustard because of the pain.
* The point of the story is that Tano is being threatened by a younger generation of gangsters and so turning himself in (and getting a LuxuryPrisonSuite) is the better option- like with the mustard,turning himself in is a bad option that becomes a good one when a worse option comes along.

* In the ''QuantumLeap'' episode "Jimmy", Sam leaps into a mentally retarded man in the 1960s. Eventually he freaks out in frustration, since he's being treated like an idiot all day. CasanovaWannabe Al interrupts him mid-rant: "There was this girl named Trudy..." Sam snaps at him that this is no time for another irrelevant, sleazy sex story -- but this time, the girl in question was Al's younger sister, who was also mentally retarded.
* In the Italian mystery novel ''The Terra Cotta Dog'':The police officer protagonist is invited to meet with Tano the Greek, a feared gangster (and {{gayngster}}) who turns out to be something of a NobleDemon. To explain why he wants to turn himself in, Tano tells this story about a guy who bet someone that he could make a cat eat some very spicy mustard- the method involves AssShove-ing it, causing the cat to start licking the mustard because of the pain.

* In the ''QuantumLeap'' episode "Jimmy", Sam has leapt into a mentally retarded man in the 1960s, and as he's freaking out in frustration at being treated like an idiot all day, Al interrupts him: "There was this girl named Trudy..." Sam snaps at him that this is no time for [[TheLeisureSuitLarry another irrelevant, sleazy sex story]]--but this time, the girl in question was Al's younger sister, who was also mentally retarded.

The most common term for these stories is the parable, an allegorical tale used to illustrate some message. The term often refers to religious parables meant to express spiritual concepts. Of course, it's not limited to that.

Alice and Bob are having a conversation. Alice wants to make a point, but to tell Bob straightfowardly wouldn't have the impact she wants to make. So she decides to tell him a story. The story at first seems somewhat random and unrelated to the matter at hand. However, once the story is finished it becomes clear that there is a moral behind it . If Bob still seems confused about the story's relevance Alice may spell it out for him. Or she may just leave him guessing.

The most common term for these stories are parables, allegorical tales used to illustrate some message. The term often refers to religious parables meant to express spiritual concepts. Of course, it's not limited to that.

* [[TheBible The Parables of Jesus]] are among the most well known examples. Jesus would often tell stories to convey his messages.
* Happens a lot in BoardwalkEmpire. The page quote is one of many. Also, Margaret tells this to Lucy after she brags that all she has to do is spread her legs to keep Nucky interested:
-->'''Margaret''': When I was a girl in Ireland, a raggedy man would come around every spring with a little Bantam rooster. He'd trained it to peck out "The Mountains of Mourne" on a toy piano hung off his chest.
-->'''Lucy''': So?
-->'''Margaret''': Well... the first year he came, we all of us, the girls in that place, we thought it magical. The second year, we laughed behind our hands at the odd man and his tatters, and the third year we didn't even go, because "The Mountains of Mourne" was all that little rooster could ever do.
-->'''Lucy''': So what's the point?
-->'''Margaret''': [[TakeThat That maybe your cunny... isn't quite the draw you think it is]].
* In TheDarkKnight, Bruce Wayne is trying to figure out The Joker's motivations. Alfred tells him this:
-->'''Alfred''': A long time ago, I was in Burma, my friends and I were working for the local government. They were trying to buy the loyalty of tribal leaders by bribing them with precious stones. But their caravans were being raided in a forest north of Rangoon by a bandit. So we went looking for the stones. But in six months, we never found anyone who traded with him. One day I saw a child playing with a ruby the size of a tangerine. The bandit had been throwing them away.
-->'''Bruce''': Then why steal them?
-->'''Alfred''': Because he thought it was good sport. Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. [[ForTheEvulz Some men just want to watch the world burn]].
* In TrainingDay, [[DenzelWashington Alonzo's]] friend Roger decides to tell rookie officer Jake a joke. He tells him about a snail that gets thrown off some guy's porch into the backyard and nearly dies. However, it recovers and after awhile it gains enough strength to crawl again. After about a year, the snail makes it way back on to the porch. The man comes out, looks at and says "What the ****'s your problem!?" Jake laughs until he sees Roger and Alonzo's serious expressions and realize that it isn't a joke at all. Roger tells him that when he figures the joke out, he'll figure the streets out.

-->'''Alonzo''': I'm saying that to say this. Soon as you think you've seen everything out on these streets, these streets will teach you something twisted.
* Jolee Bindo is prone to this in the KnightsOfTheOldRepublic game.

* Silent Bob's {{Title Drop}} speech in {{Chasing Amy}} about his relationship with a girl named Amy probably qualifies as this.
* TheThreeMusketeers adaptation with Keifer Sutherland, or however you spell his name. "Love? Let me tell you about love."

-->'''Kopaka''': I'm ''still'' waiting for the part where the heroic Toa Lewa saves the day!
* In ''[[ForgottenRealms Daughter of the Drow]]'' a warrior amused drow mage (who saved him from carnivores and tried to claim as a slave) with a folk-tale about how "old favors are soon forgotten". Then [[spoiler:managed to get away and added the phrase to his "farewell" as he ran off]].
* SpongebobSquarepants: Mr. Krabs' story about spending a dollar on a soda to Spongebob to convince him to let his seahorse go.
* TheGoldenGirls: Subverted with Rose's St. Olaf stories. While she tries to make some sort of point, her stories tend to [[{{ShaggyDogStory}} go on]] [[{{Metaphorgotten}} a tangent]].
* Also in TheBible (2 Samuel 12), the prophet Nathan tells a story to call King David to repentance for sleeping with Bathsheba and sending her husband Uriah to his death. In the story, a rich man with many sheep slays a poor man's only lamb to feed a guest.
* Parodied in ''TheSimpsons'' episode "The Heartbroke Kid", when Bart's sent to a fat camp, and Tab Spangler, the camp owner, catches him pigging out:
->'''Tab:''' Son, I'm gonna tell you a story about a young man who came here and failed. Well, that is the story. I shouldn't call a sentence a story. Anyway, it's you!

* In the Italian mystery novel ''The Terra Cotta Dog'':
The police officer protagonist is invited to meet with Tano the Greek, a feared gangster (and {{gayngster}}) who turns out to be something of a NobleDemon. To explain why he wants to turn himself in, Tano tells this story about a guy who bet someone that he could make a cat eat some very spicy mustard- the method involves AssShove-ing it, causing the cat to start licking the mustard because of the pain.