An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A narrative that relates the details of some real or imaginary event, incident, or case; story (Dictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): From M.E., from O.E. talu “series, list, narrative, story;” cognate with Du. taal “speech, language,” Ger. Zahl “number,” O.Norse tala “number, speech,”

Etymology (PE): Matal “tale, history,” of unknown origin.