A central, unique aspect of storytelling is its reliance on the audience to develop specific visual imagery and detail to complete and co-create the story. Most dictionaries define a story as a narrative account of a real or imagined event or events . Within the storytelling community, a story is more generally agreed to be a specific structure of narrative with a specific style and set of characters and which includes a sense of completeness. Through this sharing of experience we use stories to pass on accumulated wisdom, beliefs, and values. Through stories we explain how things are, why they are, and our role and purpose.
Stories are the building blocks of knowledge, the foundation of memory and learning.
Stories connect us with our humanness and link past, present, and future by teaching us to anticipate the possible consequences of our actions. It mandates the direct presentation of the story by the teller. The teller's role is to prepare and present the necessary language, vocalization, and physicality to effectively and efficiently communicate the images of a story. The completed story happens in the mind of the listener, unique and personal for each individual. Storytelling is an interactive performance art form.