How many stories are out there?

I've often heard this bit of wisdom, that there are only so many stories in the world, and all we do is tell and retell them.

I've heard it said on AW when people have been worried about sharing their storiesand ideas; what if the plot gets stolen, they say, and sold to an agent by the thief....

Well, the recieved wisdom sounds right to me; I've tried in my head from time to time to devise some totally original plot but some common theme or similarity to some fable or other always shows through.

But has anyone ever written a list? And how would we categorise the stories into their fundamental types? What are the basic themes?

If this has been done already, please tell me where I can read the list. If not, can we start our own list? Are there any list-loving geeks out there who might like to start? Or do you think that this is a stupid or impossible project, and why?

Wow

Thanks! thats an amazing collection of lists. I haven't had a chance to digest it properly yet, but for now my list-making urge is sated....

I should have known, of course, that the literary theorists out there would've tackled this one ad infinitum.

Still interested, though, to know if anyone out there has any other versions of the list.

Thanks again, Blueobsidian.

jenny