Long story: ear needs boxing (5)
I believe the answer is:
yearn
'long' is the definition.
(I know that long can be written as yearn)
'story ear needs boxing' is the wordplay.
'boxing' indicates a hidden word (the solution is contained or boxed up by the clue).
'YEARN' is hidden within 'story ear needs'.
(Other definitions for yearn that I've seen before include "Long - pine" , "Mark of injury" , "wish" , "Feel desire" , "Have a craving" .)