ɐ ɹˈɪðmɪk ænd ɹˌɛpətˈɪʃəs fˈɔːɹm wʊd mˌeɪk ɐ lˈɔŋ stˈoːɹi ˈiːziɚ tə ɹᵻmˈɛmbɚ ænd ɹᵻtˈɛl, bᵻfˌoːɹ ɹˈaɪɾɪŋ wʌz ɐvˈeɪləbəl æz ɐ ɹᵻmˈaɪndɚ.
A rhythmic and repetitious form would make a long story easier to remember and retell, before writing was available as a reminder.