One that forgives a tale-teller (8)
I believe the answer is:
pardoner
'one that forgives a tale-teller' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'one that forgives a' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'one' could be 'a' (a thing is one thing) and 'a' is found within the answer.
'a' could be 'one' and 'one' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pardoner that I've seen before include "Indulgent old character" , "He had a tale to tell" , "indulgent pilgrim?" , "Traveller to Canterbury" , "who goes further than commuter?" .)