What makes an experience a great story?

Over the past three days my children have set up a stand, much like a lemonade stand (okay, an upside down box), but they are selling great ideas. They have made a big sign: ”Good Ideas, $1.00” They have had a few takers. So far, they have sold ”It is good to trust your heart.” and ”Someone should build a time-machine.”

When it was time to come in for the night they left a handmade envelope on the box that said “Leave money here.” They didn’t think through how people would get their purchase though. They figured out that the empty envelope meant they should put their ideas on pieces of paper. So now, while the kids are doing lessons, the box sits unattended. The empty envelope laying next to a stack of ideas held in place by a rock.

What makes it a good story, for me, is the “adorable” factor, budding ingenuity, confidence, and some darn cute kids.

So, what do you think makes an experience a great story? Any examples?