expression, godan verb (-ru)
tell vividly; give a graphic account; speak volumes
Used when something clearly and powerfully conveys a situation, often without words. The subject is typically an event, fact, or appearance, not a person.
彼の疲れた顔が、仕事の大変さを如実に物語っていた。
His tired face spoke volumes about how tough the job was.
この数字は、問題の深刻さを如実に物語っている。
These figures give a graphic account of the seriousness of the problem.