another way to say tells the story

Recounts the story. This implies that someone is going over the events of the story again, perhaps in a different way or from a different perspective. For instance, a person might recount the story of their travels to their friends, highlighting different aspects compared to when they first experienced it.

Relates an account. When we say someone 'relates an account', it means they are sharing details about something that has happened, just like when one tells a story. It could be a personal experience, a fictional story, or an event they witnessed.

Depicts a narrative.

Depicts. In a formal writing or speech, we can use 'depicts' instead of 'tells the story'. For example, a historical research paper may depict the events of a certain era, which is like telling the story of that time in a more academic and formal way.

Unfolds the plot. A good story unfolds its plot gradually, revealing details and events as it progresses. This is another way to think about telling a story in a literary context, as it emphasizes the development and progression of the story over time.

You can also say 'relating a story'. This implies sharing or communicating a story in a more connected way, as if you are relating the events to someone. It gives a sense of building a connection between the story and the listener. For example, when you relate a story from your childhood, you are not just telling it but also making the listener feel as if they are part of that experience or at least understand it on a deeper level.

You can say 'lengthy tale' or 'extended narrative'.

At the tale's finale. This is a more dramatic way of saying it. It emphasizes the finality and grandeur of the end of the story, as if it's a big event. Just like in a movie, when the final scene is really important and this phrase can capture that feeling of the last part of the story being significant.

Background. For example, in a movie or a book, the background of a character can be seen as their back story.

An account of accomplishment. This phrase can be used in various contexts. For example, in a business setting, an account of accomplishment could be a detailed report of how a company grew from a small startup to a large enterprise. It can also be used for personal achievements, like an athlete's story of how they trained hard and won championships.