The start of a story can be at any time. It could be in ancient times, the modern era, or even in a fictional future. Without knowing which story you mean, it's hard to give an exact answer.
Well, that really varies. Some stories start centuries ago, while others might begin just yesterday. It all hinges on the context and the nature of the story being referred to.
It depends on the specific story. Different stories have different starting points. You might need to provide more details for a precise answer.