The host or narrator in The Canterbury Tales proposes a storytelling contest to entertain the pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury. He suggests that each pilgrim tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back. The host states that the pilgrim who tells the best story, judged by him, will win a free meal paid for by the other pilgrims when they return to the inn. The pilgrims agree to this plan and accept the Host as their leader and judge for the contest