[ It's definitely fake. But the storyteller had been so thrilled to tell it. ]

You are probably correct. Enthusiasm is an infectious thing as is pride. Who knows how the tales have changed over time? That's both the beauty and the limitation of an oral history.

But I am curious— do you find such exaggerations distasteful because you wish to know the truth or because you wish to challenge those who boast such claims?

[ Or some other option. As if those were the only two reasons someone would have doubt over such claims. ]