Stories were an essential part of Native American culture, serving to educate, entertain, pass down history and lessons, and remind communities of their responsibilities. Various forms of stories included myths, legends, folktales, and tall tales, each with their own characteristics. Myths explained origins and connected to cultural beliefs, while legends featured extraordinary tales about ordinary people. Folktales and tall tales entertained and could be based on real events or people. Overall, storytelling was an important oral tradition for sharing knowledge before written records.