Maybe 'tale'. Tales can be long and rambling, filled with various details and digressions. For example, in old folk tales, there are often long descriptions of characters' journeys or adventures that can seem a bit rambling. They are a common type of story that might fit this crossword clue.
Another possibility is 'anecdote'. While an anecdote is usually shorter than a full - blown story, some anecdotes can be long and rambling. They are personal or historical accounts that might go off on tangents as the teller tries to include all the relevant details. For instance, an old - timer might tell an anecdote about their youth that starts as a simple story but then meanders as they recall different events and people.
It could be 'yarn'. A yarn is often used to refer to a long, rambling, and perhaps even fictional story.
The word 'saga' is also a valid answer. Sagas are long, involved stories, often about a family or a community over a long period of time. They can include many sub - plots and detailed descriptions of events and relationships. For example, the Icelandic sagas are well - known for their long - winded and complex narratives.
It could be 'novella'. A novella is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, which might fit this crossword clue.
Another option could be 'parable'. Parables are short stories that convey a religious or moral lesson. While they are generally short, some parables can be more elaborate and thus considered a 'long short story' in relation to the crossword clue. Parables are found in many religious and cultural traditions, like in the Bible for example, and their length and complexity can differ.
Perhaps 'epic'. An epic is a long narrative that often involves many characters, complex plots and sub - plots, and a wide range of events. It can be a story of heroic deeds, like 'The Iliad' or 'The Odyssey' which are classic examples of long, involved stories.
Novel. A novel is a long written story, which is a very common answer for a crossword clue like 'long story'.
Epics could also fit. Epics are long narrative poems or stories that often deal with heroic deeds and adventures, so they are a great match for the 'long stories' crossword clue. They usually have a complex plot and a large number of characters.
A 'tale' could be an answer. Tales can range in length from very short to relatively long. They are a form of short story, and if it's a more extended tale, it can be seen as a 'long short story' which would work for the crossword clue.
It might also mean the highest level or floor in a building in some cases. Say, in a crossword that has a lot of architecture - related words. If the clue is something like 'Top Story in a Skyscraper', then it's about the topmost floor.
Maybe it's something like 'film footage' or 'video capture'.
It could be a word like 'plot' or 'tale'. Those are common terms associated with narratives and stories in crosswords.