Ballads tell a story.
A story describes a sequence of actions and experiences of a certain number of characters, whether real or imaginary. These characters are represented in situations which change or to the changes of which they react. These changes, in turn, reveal hidden aspects of the situation and the characters, giving rise to a new predicament which calls for thought or action or both. Narratives are the best means to express and communicate one's perception of oneself, others, and external reality. Narrative may be considered as the outcome of an act of interpretation which gives meaning to a sequence of actions.