Tale

noun

1. An account of an asserted fact or circumstance; a rumour; a report, especially an idle or malicious story; a piece of gossip or slander; a lie.

   "Don't tell tales!"

2. A rehearsal of what has occurred; narrative; discourse; statement; history; story.

   "the Canterbury Tales"

3. A number told or counted off; a reckoning by count; an enumeration.
4. The fraudulent opportunity presented by a confidence man to the mark or victim.
5. Number; tally; quota.