The sequence of events in a story is called a plot. This is basically the reason we have so many great stories to tell. The plot consists of five main events: the expository action, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the conclusion. The expository action is basically the beginning of the story. This is the background information - where we get to know the characters.
The rising action is where everything starts to go wrong. The main characters realize that there are complications to getting what they what. The climax is the do or die point, where the story turns. The characters make a critical decision.
Then comes the falling action. Everything settles down, and the characters go home. The conclusion is the end of the story. This could be an epilogue or something of the nature.