What may be described as a frame narrative such as used in Giovanni Boccacio's Decameron Chaucer's Canterbury Tales or McCaughrean's One Thousand and One Arabian Nights?

Answer 1

A narrator tells a story about something that happened to him or her. A story in which the narrator relates a story told to him or her by someone else.

A man at a party regales his guests with a story told to him by a friend of his.

Most often, however, frame narrative (also called a frame tale or frame story) means a story is related by the narrator within the larger story, but often told in the voice of another character. As such, one fuller first story contains another, smaller story (or several ones) within it. The scene and character often changes. Frame story could be confused with the technique of flashbacks, except it is not because it is not about the character who's main story is being told.

Let's say the story's protagonist is Sally. Abruptly, the story changes from an overall story about Sally and switches completely to a minor character's story, such as this secondary story:

Hilda always carried herself like a platoon sergeant! "We're going to the mall," she barked, as if an order rather than an invitation. "I don't understand why Peggy can't keep up with us!" Hilda remarked as she barged down nearly empty aisles toward the petite dress section. For a girl with a mouth like a military commando, Hilda only stood at 4-feet 11-inches. Her height deceived most people, who expected a demur and mild-mannered teen.

Answer 2

A frame narrative is a story that contains another story within it. In these examples, characters within the main narrative tell additional stories that are woven into the overall structure of the work. This technique provides a way to interconnect multiple stories and themes, enhancing the depth and complexity of the storytelling.