Telling Stories

In many films or tales, there comes a time when the hero or heroine, or someone close to them, tells a story that sets the plot forward. He or she can tell a story to:
 * Explain the events in his or her past that made the protagonist who he or she is
 * Warn of an impending danger
 * Explain what sent the villain down a dark path
 * Talk sense into someone
 * Support a loved one

Examples

 * Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker the story of how Darth Vader became bad.
 * Gosalyn Waddlemeyer tells Darkwing Duck the story about her deceased grandfather, Professor Waddlemeyer.
 * Reubus Hagrid tells Harry Potter the story how he got the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead the night Lord Voldemort killed his parents and tried to kill him as an infant, who survived the Dark Lord's killing curse, thus giving him the title as "the boy who lived"
 * Queen Elinor tells Merida the story of the selfish prince to remind her of the consequences of her actions.
 * Robyn Starling tells Tom and Jerry the story about her beloved father and her wicked Aunt Figg who took over the house in his absence.
 * Jonathan tells Dracula the story of the LeBouve tragedy, but Dracula explains the real tale.
 * Zero Moustafa telling the story of himself and Gustave H to the Young Author. Likewise, the Author later writes a book with this story.
 * R.L. Stine tells Zach the story of how he became the horror writer he was.
 * Eggs, aided by Fish, tells Winnie Portley-Rind the story of how he was given to the boxtrolls by his father.
 * Future Launchpad McQuack tells Gosalyn Mallard the story how Darkwing Duck became Darkwarrior Duck.
 * Rubber Chicken tells "Ace Reporter" Gosalyn Mallard his side of the story and his nemesis Cement Head, who has been framing him for his crimes
 * Splinter tells a boy named Danny his story about his master Hamato Yoshi and his arch-rival, Oroku Saki
 * Blake Belladonna tells Sun Wukong the story of how the White Fang became a violent evil organization and how she herself left to become a Huntress.
 * Eddie Valiant tells Roger Rabbit his story about his brother's death.
 * Chuckles the clown explains to Woody how Lotso was replaced with another toy, which was the once kind bear's very beginning of darkness and that he now rules Sunnyside like a prison.
 * Wendy Darling tells Danny a Peter Pan story to help him cope with the bombings in World War II.
 * Jason and George Jeremiah explain the real story to their friends, Andrea Russo and William Young how they met Mortimer eight years ago before they became enemies.
 * Hayley Leary explains her story to Edward Waltrip that she was abused in her childhood by Tabitha Harperstein.
 * Jennifer Honey explains her story about her childhood, that she lost her parents and is mistreated by her evil Aunt Trunchbull to Matilda Wormwood.
 * Tigress tells Po the story of how Shifu raised Tai Lung, and how Tai Lung turned evil.
 * Osmosis Jones tells Drix the story about he accidently made Frank vomit in front of Shane's teacher.

Quotes
"You see, DW thought you ran away because he wouldn't let you help him. I tried getting him interested in his work again but it was no use. But then, one day everything turned around for him...he rediscovered his true purpose: to fight the forces of evil; it was time to get tough, real tough. Ah, the city loved him, he scared every crook out of St. Canard; but DW said that the city was still in danger [we see Darkwing Duck with Blood-red eyes harassing an overweight man] (Darkwing: Ceist and desist, citizen! Eat that and your cholesterol level is shot! You're inviting a heart attack, pal! Now get home and steam veggies before I really get mad!) {the man runs away} He wasn't Darkwing Duck anymore, he was Darkwarrior Duck."

- Launchpad McQuack telling Gosalyn the story of how Darkwing Duck became a sadistic and brutal sociopath known as Darkwarrior Duck

"(Jonathan notices a picture of a count and his wife hanging on the wall.) (Jonathan: Wow! I know her! I've seen that picture at the ruins of Lubov. There's a whole legend around that lady.) A legend? (Jonathan: The Lady Lubov. The story is that a lonely count met her by chance, and they say that no two souls were ever meant for each other. Eventually, they settled down at Castle Lubov and had a child. But then, a horrible tragedy happened. A fire started mysteriously one night, and it killed both of them. When I was at the castle, I could still feel their powerful love. They say it's as if a soul is still trapped in the ruins themselves.) (somberly) The legend is wrong. It was only the wife that died. (Jonathan: Oh.) And it was no mystery who killed her. She was killed by your kind! THEY are the real monsters. I built this place for my love, to protect her child. As a father, you do everything to keep your family safe, even if you have to break their trust. But now, Mavis has feelings for you."

- Jonathan telling Dracula the story of the Castle Lubov tragedy. Dracula explains the REAL tale, telling him that his wife was killed by humans. "Once, there was an ancient kingdom, its name long forgotten, ruled by a wise and fair king who was much beloved. And when he grew old, he divided the kingdom among his four sons, that they should be the pillars on which the peace of the land rested. But, the oldest prince wanted to rule the land for himself. He followed his own path, and the kingdom fell - to war, and chaos, and ruin."

- Queen Elinor telling Merida the story of the selfish prince to remind her of the outcomes of her actions.

"I used to have a babysitter, Edward. (Edward Waltrip: Is it true?) Mm-hmm. I was a eight-years-old just like you. (Edward Waltrip: Not yet. But I'm going to be in one month later.) Oh. (As Mrs. Leary speaks, we see a flashback in her childhood.) Years ago, my parents were going to town. I wanted to go with them, but they hired someone to watch over me while they're gone. But my babysitter is a mean lady and treated me very badly. (Edward Waltrip: What's your sitter's name?) Tabitha Harperstein. (Edward Waltrip: That's the same person who babysat me.) So, anyway, Tabitha bossed me around, made me do chores, and made my life miserable. (tearfully) When my parents got back, Ms. Harperstein lied that she was nice, and my parents didn't believe me. (The scene changes back to the present. Edward begins to comfort his adoptive mother.) (Edward Waltrip: Don't cry, Mrs. Leary.) (He wipes the tears off of her face.) (Edward Waltrip: I didn't know you were treated so badly, Mrs. Leary.) (He puts his hand on Mrs. Leary's hand.) (Edward Waltrip: I didn't know Tabitha treated you badly. I'm really sorry.) That's okay, honey. (she sniffles.) (Edward Waltrip: I guess you and I share everything in common, huh?) We sure do. (Edward Waltrip: You wanted a hug to make you better?) Thanks, sweetie. (She and Edward hug each other.)"

- Hayley Leary telling her story about her childhood to Edward Waltrip.

"(Po: Guys, guys, I know about Tai Lung. He was a student. The first ever to master...) (Tigress leans close to Po's face.) (Po:...the thousand scrolls of kung fu. And then he turned bad, and now he's in jail.) He wasn't just a student. (While Tigress speaks, we see the whole flashback of Shifu finding a baby Tai Lung outside of the Jade Palace.) Shifu found him as a cub...and he raised him as his son. (Tai Lung pulls Shifu's left moustache off and laughs.) And when the boy showed talent in kung fu, Shifu trained him. He believed in him. He told him he was destined for greatness. It was never enough for Tai Lung. (Flashback cuts to a full-grown Tai Lung demolishing a training dummy.) He wanted the Dragon Scroll, but Oogway saw darkness in his heart, and refused. Outraged, Tai Lung laid waste to the valley. (Tai Lung bursts into the doors of the Jade Palace.) He tried to take the scroll by force. (Shifu leaps at Tai Lung to deliver a kick.) And Shifu had to detroy what he created. (Shifu imagines Baby Tai Lung running towards him, and he hold his kick back.) But how could he? (Tai Lung knocks Shifu down, and jumps up to get the scroll. Oogway knocks the evil snow leopard out with strikes at his pressure points. Tai Lung fell to the ground in a heap.) Shifu loved Tai Lung like he'd never love anyone before...(Young Tigress in the training hall strikes a dummy in the same manner as Tai Lung, and Shifu corrects her form. Young Tigress felt sad.)...or since."

- Tigress telling Po the story of how Tai Lung turned evil.

"When I was younger, I suffered from terrible allergies that kept me indoors. And all the kids threw rocks at my window and called me names. So I created my OWN friends - monsters, demons, ghouls, to terrorize my neighborhood and all the kids that made fun of me. And they became real to me. And then one day, they actually... became REAL. My monsters literally leapt off the page. As long as the books remain locked, we're safe. But when they open, well, you've just seen what happens."

- R.L. Stine telling Zach and Champ why he became the horror writer he truly is.

"Sun, are you familiar with the White Fang? (Sun: Of course. I don’t think there’s a Faunus on the planet that hasn’t heard of them. Stupid, "holier than thou" creeps that use force to get whatever they want. A bunch of freaks if you ask me.) I was once member of the White Fang. (Sun, choking on his drink: Wait a minute! YOU were a member of the White Fang?!) That’s right. I was a member for most of my life actually. You could almost say that I was born into it. Back then, things were different. In the ashes of war, the White Fang was meant to be a symbol of peace and unity between the Faunus and humans. Of course, despite being promised equality, the Faunus were subjected to discrimination and hate. Humanity still thought of us as lesser beings. So, the White Fang rose up as the voice of our people. And I was there. I was at the front of every rally, I took part in every boycott, and I actually thought we were making a difference, but I was just a youthful optimist. Then, five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place. A new leader with new a way of thinking. Suddenly, our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks. We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us, hijacking cargo from companies that used Faunus labor, and the worst part was, it was working. We were being treated like equals, but not out of respect. Out of fear. So, I left. I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills to aid in their violence, and instead, I would dedicate my life to becoming a Huntress. So here I am: a criminal hiding in plain view, all with the help of a little black bow."

- Blake Belladonna telling Sun Wukong how the White Fang became the villainous organization it is today and how she left it to become a Huntress.

"Well, it begins, as it must, with our mutual friend's predecessor. The beloved, original concierge of the Grand Budapest. It begins of course with... (Title card: Part 1 - M. Gustave.) (Later on) There are still faint glimmers of civilization left in this barbaric slaughterhouse that was once known as humanity. He was one of them. What more is there to say? (Author: What happened in the end?) In the end, they shot him. So it all went to me. (Author: [voice-over] After dinner, we went and collected the keys to our rooms, but Monsieur Jean had abandoned his post.) I expect he's forgotten about us. (Author: [voice-over, while Zero goes behind the concierge counter, readjusts the crooked Boy with Apple and gives the Author a key to the M. Gustave suite] In recent years, of course, such properties and holdings as the Grand Budapest had, with very few exceptions, become common property. While the precise terms of his negotiations with the new government had never been announced, the result was an open secret: Zero Moustafa had traded a great and important fortune in exchange for one costly, unprofitable, doomed hotel. Why? Was it merely sentimental? It was quite forward of me and a bit out of character, but I felt I must know. For my health, I suppose.) (Author: Forgive me for asking, I hope I haven't upset you.) No, of course not. (Author: Is it simply your last connection to a vanished world...his world, if you will?) His world? No, I don't think so. You see, we shared a vocation. It wouldn't have been necessary. No, the hotel I keep for Agatha. We were happy here, for a little while. (opens the doors of the service elevator) To be frank, I think his world had vanished long before he ever entered it. But I will say, he certainly sustained the illusion with a marvelous grace. Are you going up? (Author: No, I'll sit for a little while. Good night.) (Zero smiles as the doors close between them.) (Author: [voice-over] The next week, I sailed for a cure in South America, and began a long, wandering journey abroad. I did not return to Europe for many years. It was an enchanting old ruin... (turns to his older self as the story goes back to 1985.) ...but I never managed to see it again.)"

- Zero Moustafa telling the story of his time with Gustave H. in the Grand Budapest hotel to the Author who, likewise, tells his story to the audience.

"All right, so who's behind all this? (Jax: (puts a file on her computer) Aamir Barkawi.) (Upon hearing the name, Asher sighs and takes a seat.) (Asher: Barkawi sells armaments. He's a f***ing criminal. Shielded by governments. Mike, there was a drone strike to get him two years ago, authorised by the G8, so we took a shot. He survived. We didn't know his family was there. His daughter was killed.) Well, he certainly got his revenge."

- Mike Banning listening to President Asher's story about Aamir Barkawi and a drone strike to take him out.

"We were investigating a robbery at the First National Bank of Toontown. Back in those days, me and Teddy liked working at Toontown, thought it was a lot of laughs. Anyway, this guy got away with a zillion simoleons. We trailed him to a little dive down on Yukster Street. We went in. Only he got the drop on us, literally. Dropped a piano on us from fifteen stories. Broke my arm, Teddy never made it. I never did find out who that guy was. All I remember was him standing over me laughing, with those burning red eyes, and that high, squeaky voice. He disappeared into Toontown after that."

- Eddie Valiant explaning his story to Roger Rabbit about his brother's death.