I think that 'narrative' is perhaps fundamental to being human and using language-based interaction.
To that(at the risk of being ridiculed) I would add that "shamans/witchdoctors" were an essential part of ancient societies, even up to modern times in some places. Worship was another extremely human trait.
    Working some miles south of the Cape of Good Hope, a witchdoctor was brought out by chopper to do his thing on the rig floor prior to spudding a well( A failure I am afraid). I was on another drillship in the mouth of the Congo and another witchdoctor was brought on board to decapitate a chicken over the well head. Yet another shaman? topped a goat in Oman prior to drilling out. I never got as far as Sakalin Island, although several colleagues did, What the Nivkh did to bless exploration I have no idea but I guess it was a success.