Final answer:
Stories were handed down through oral tradition before they were ever preserved in writing, with cultures relying on memory and recitation to pass down knowledge and values.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to the collection and preservation of folk tales and stories via the written word, stories were primarily handed down through oral tradition. The Germanic peoples, similar to other groups such as early Jews and Greeks, relied heavily on spoken language to transmit tales and histories from generation to generation. These tales often served a didactic purpose, guiding the audience's beliefs and actions, functioning similarly to myths. While caves did serve as canvases for prehistoric peoples, their illustrations were more about communication and spirituality rather than storytelling in the narrative sense.
Historically significant works such as 'The Iliad', 'The Odyssey', and the 'Mahabharata' were initially part of an extensive oral culture. These epics were transmitted through memory and recitation, preserving cultural knowledge and values. In many civilizations, stories and cultural knowledge were not only orally communicated, but also embedded in rituals, spiritual practices, and day-to-day life, ensuring their continuation even in preliterate societies.