cuento

noun
  1. A Spanish word meaning 'story' or 'tale', often used to refer to a short story or a fictional narrative. noun
    The author wrote a captivating cuento that was published in a literary magazine.
    In Spanish class, we read a cuento about a magical forest.
  2. In some contexts, 'cuento' can also imply a lie or a fabricated story, similar to the English expression 'tall tale'. noun
    He told us a cuento about why he was late, but we didn't believe him.
    She always has a cuento ready when she doesn't want to tell the truth.