The crossword solution for the term 'HIS IS A WHALE OF A TALE' is 'JONAH', which is a reference to the biblical story of JONAH and the Whale. In this story, God commands JONAH to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness, but JONAH instead attempts to flee by sea. During his voyage, a great storm arises and JONAH is thrown overboard, where he is swallowed by a giant fish. After three days, JONAH is released from the fish's belly and completes his mission.