Core stories then are the stories that are true, complex, and point to underlying principles and practices of a community. They help point the way forward, give a sense of groundedness, and are open-ended enough to grow, adapt, add new information to them as we learn more, and offer new insights into the life of the community. Core stories are narrative life-forces that build on the strengths of the organization. They are related to Core Values, Practices, and Community.