You might have to listen for a few minutes before you get your answer, and it might seem a story that doesn't relate to what you're talking about, but if they want you to think about things and come to your own conclusion, then it's part of our way not to tell you what to do. It's not right to tell another what to do.
Our elders aren't comfortable speaking to non-natives, a lot of times you won't get the stories from them, and consequently they appear not to know what they're talking about or doing. And just because they're quieter or don't know how to say things in the English way doesn't mean that they don't have the knowledge or that they don't deserve your respect.