I will tell a plain tale, calmly, without excitement, without eloquence.

What plain tale of science can boast of such a rhetorical effect?

To the Public, for the indulgent ear it has inclined to a plain tale with few pretensions.

"Yours is a nice plain tale for a small tea-party; a quiet little bit of still-life, that is."

My plain tale draws towards a close.

Sit down, take thought before you speak, and let me hear a plain tale.

Mark now how a plain tale shall put you down.

"Collect yourself, Flora, and give me a plain tale!"

Her face was pale and she had been smoking; the brimming ashtray told a plain tale of a full night of cigarettes.

These concepts are often shelved by many as just plain old wives' tales.