8 Reasons Why Stories Matter: The Essential Purposes of Storytelling

Stories have been central to human experience for thousands of years. They entertain, inspire, and teach us how to navigate the complexities of life. But why, exactly, do stories matter? Here are eight profound reasons, each representing a unique purpose that stories serve in our lives—complete with personal examples that demonstrate their power.

1. Stories Are Survival Tools: "The Guide"

Purpose: Stories teach us how to navigate the world, offering wisdom for physical, emotional, and social survival.

From early cautionary tales warning about dangers to modern narratives exploring human psychology, stories provide a blueprint for life. They show us how to face challenges, make decisions, and adapt to the unexpected.

• Personal Example: Blue Lock serves as an incredible modern-day guide. Ego Jinpachi’s lesson on luck—that it’s not random but a result of putting yourself in the right place and being open to opportunities—resonates deeply. It aligns with the findings in The Luck Factor, showing that success often comes to those who create the conditions for it.

• Why It Matters: Stories distill hard-won knowledge into relatable, memorable formats, ensuring that essential lessons endure across generations.

2. Stories Create Empathy: "The Mirror"

Purpose: Stories reflect human experiences, allowing us to see the world through someone else’s eyes.

When we engage with a story, we step into another perspective, fostering compassion and understanding. This ability to empathize bridges divides, connecting us across differences in culture, experience, and time.

• Personal Example: Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth helps me empathize with those who have taken a wrong turn in life and are trying their hardest to fix things. It portrays how societal barriers and personal struggles can make moving forward feel impossible, yet these characters never stop striving.

• Why It Matters: Stories build a sense of shared humanity, reducing isolation and creating bonds between people.

  
  

3. Stories Help Us Find Meaning: "The Compass"

Purpose: Stories impose structure and meaning on life’s chaos, helping us process emotions and reconcile with uncertainty.

Life can feel unpredictable and overwhelming, but stories provide a way to make sense of it all. By presenting challenges with beginnings, middles, and ends, they help us organize our experiences and uncover purpose.

• Personal Example: Assassin’s Creed profoundly influenced my worldview with its mantra, “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.” Understanding its descriptive rather than prescriptive nature encouraged me to critically examine truth, responsibility, and accountability in my own life.

• Why It Matters: Stories guide us through life’s complexities, helping us find clarity and direction in confusing times.

  
  

4. Stories Inspire Transformation: "The Catalyst"

Purpose: Stories are agents of change, encouraging personal growth and societal evolution.

Through narratives, we see examples of courage, resilience, and revolution. Stories inspire us to confront our fears, challenge injustice, and imagine better futures.

• Personal Example: Watching History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi inspired me to take fitness seriously. Kenichi’s struggles, perseverance, and eventual triumph showed me that consistent effort and dedication can lead to extraordinary transformation.

• Why It Matters: Stories plant seeds for transformation within individuals and across societies.

5. Stories Preserve Culture: "The Vessel"

Purpose: Stories act as vessels of cultural memory, carrying traditions, values, and identity through generations.

Oral traditions, myths, and folktales have long been the backbone of cultural identity. They encapsulate people's wisdom, humor, and lessons, ensuring that their legacy endures.

• Personal Example: The Cherokee story of the White Wolf and the Black Wolf is often misrepresented as the “one you feed” parable, but the original version is far more profound. The story emphasizes that both wolves—representing different parts of ourselves—must be fed and treated as a team, working together to create balance and harmony within us. This version teaches a nuanced view of human nature, showing the importance of integrating all aspects of oneself rather than suppressing one in favor of the other.

• Why It Matters: Stories like this preserve cultural wisdom and deeper truths about human nature, challenging oversimplified interpretations and offering a richer understanding of identity and balance.

  
  

6. Stories Validate Our Experiences: "The Sanctuary"

Purpose: Stories remind us we’re not alone by reflecting and validating our emotions, struggles, and joys.

Seeing your experience reflected in a story can be profoundly comforting. It reminds us that others have faced similar challenges and triumphs, fostering a sense of belonging.

• Personal Example: Kaguya-Sama: Love is War resonated deeply with me, particularly Shirogane’s relentless drive to succeed and his feelings of inadequacy. Seeing his struggles validated my own experiences, offering comfort and solidarity.

• Why It Matters: Stories provide a safe space for readers to explore their feelings, offering reassurance and solidarity.

  
  

7. Stories Teach Without Preaching: "The Mentor"

Purpose: Stories are subtle teaching tools, offering moral, ethical, and practical guidance in an engaging way.

Unlike lectures, stories immerse us in experiences, allowing us to learn through the struggles and successes of characters. They explore gray areas, challenging us to think critically about our own values and choices.

• Personal Example: Chainsaw Man provides a subtle yet powerful message about self-worth and boundaries. Denji’s relationship with Makima highlights how manipulation can erode self-esteem, while his eventual reclamation of agency teaches the importance of valuing oneself.

• Why It Matters: Stories make lessons accessible and memorable, guiding us without feeling didactic.

8. Stories Entertain and Inspire: "The Flame"

Purpose: Stories captivate and delight us, sparking imagination, joy, and wonder.

At their simplest, stories are about enjoyment. They offer an escape from the mundane, a thrill for the senses, and moments of catharsis. They also inspire creativity, encouraging us to dream and imagine new possibilities.

• Personal Example: I’ve seen so many people dismiss Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (the film) as “for children” or “dumb,” yet those same people admit they had a good time. And to me, that’s all that matters. At the end of the day, stories must be entertaining first and foremost. Entertainment is the gateway to everything else on this list, and without it, a story can’t accomplish its deeper purposes.

• Why It Matters: Entertainment keeps storytelling accessible to everyone. It’s the spark that hooks people, creating a gateway to deeper engagement.

The Enduring Power of Stories

Each of these eight purposes reveals why stories are not just entertainment—they are essential to what makes us human. They teach us, connect us, and inspire us to grow. They give our lives meaning and our experiences validation. Most importantly, they remind us that we are never alone.

Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or simply someone who enjoys a good tale, understanding why stories matter allows you to engage with them on a deeper level. So next time you pick up a book or watch a film, remember: stories are more than just words—they’re the threads that weave us together.