mknod's answer come close to what I mean: Is there an answer to the question 'Why am I telling this story' or is my name Mr. Can't-Stop-Talking?

So I asked my date why was he going on and on about his experiences with inflatable boats? He said, "We are sitting here looking out on the water and I am talking about the things I see and what they remind me of."

That's not a point.

The point could be, I want to impress you, I want to get close to you.

The point could be, Never buy an inflatable boat.

The point could be, The store that kept replacing or refunding my stupid useless boats is a good place -- but it wasn't.

Ultimately the point was this: The glue that is used in the seams cannot handle the heat - but I had to impose the point on the story because he was going round and round.

Do you simply mean a conclusion to the story like achieving the goal or resolving the conflict

A conclusion is very helpful! Good speakers will let the audience know when they end:

My take-home message is this: . . . Thank you for listening.

Are there any questions.

(My favourite) Let me end with a story: . . . Thank you.

Let me suggest to thenewgreen who raised this topic: If we could teach the fundamentals of storytelling in schools (beginning, middle, end), a reason, a goal (to connect, to teach, to solve problems, to share experiences and feelings), other things - job interviews, socializing, shyness, relationships, relating, and so on would be easier.

I might have some ideas on how as well.