frame story

A frame story is a narrative technique where a main story is used to introduce or surround one or more smaller stories, called embedded or nested stories. Think of it as a "story within a story" structure—like when a narrator recounts an event, and within that recounting, characters tell their own tales. This approach creates a layered storytelling experience, providing context or framing for the main narrative. It helps engage the audience, offer multiple perspectives, or emphasize themes by linking different stories under a unifying framework.