Frame story
In short: An outer story that establishes who tells one or more inner stories, to whom and under what circumstances.
Term
How does it work in the tale?
In Mon ami Doudou, the grandfather and grandchildren belong to the outer story. Sourou the Patient is the inner tale the grandfather tells. Knowing who speaks and who listens shapes how we hear the tale.
How can you tell when the inner story begins?
When the grandfather starts telling, the setting and the cast change. Sourou, the king and the animal friends take the place of the grandchildren. Spotting that change lets you ask why the grandfather tells the tale at that moment. I’m Black Horse. When would you tell it to a friend?