[pbhjpbhj]

How many young kids have you met?

I used to be a Cub Scout (ages 7-10) leader in the UK. There were definitely certain children who could spin a yarn effortlessly. Though I can't rule out that being nurture it seems more likely to be based on a natural propensity.

Even in toddlers, with almost no language, some seem particularly adept at entertaining, which to me is a precursor for story-telling.

That's not being a novelist though, I think that's a different skill altogether. Novelists can be terrible story-tellers in person.

As a parent I've made up a few stories on the spot, it's really hard. Indeed just the telling part, with a story you think you know well (eg, for me, The Three Bears) is hard work.