Eastern sailor hurried back to tell tale (7)
I believe the answer is:
narrate
'tell tale' is the definition.
'narrate' can be an answer for 'tell' (synonyms). I also know that 'tale' relates to this answer.
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for narrate that I've seen before include "'Recount, tell (7)'" , "tell tales" , "Relate events" , "Tell a story, recite" , "Give (film) commentary" .)