It's not just the story, but how you tell it.

Here are two versions of the same fairy tale:

1) Once upon a time, in a world governed by collectivism and stifled by the mediocrity of the masses, there lived a boy named Jack. He and his mother resided in a desolate forest, deprived of the presence of a father, left to struggle for their survival.

Jack and his mother were caught in a perpetual cycle of selling their belongings to sustain their meager existence. Each possession they possessed was bartered away, one after another, until only their cow remained. It was their last vestige of value, providing them with sustenance in the form of milk.

However, Jack recognized the futility of their circumstances. He understood that their pitiful existence was an inevitable consequence of their adherence to a fixed, consuming mentality. Consuming their assets merely postponed the inevitable outcome, leaving them with nothing in the end.

In a moment of revelation, Jack encountered an individual who presented him with an opportunity to escape from the suffocating clutches of the collective mentality. This person persuaded Jack to trade their cow for magic beans, igniting a spark of possibility in Jack's mind.

When Jack's mother discovered his decision, she succumbed to the ignorance of the masses, dismissing the beans as worthless and discarding them in a fit of disdain. Little did she know that those beans held the potential for Jack's liberation, a chance to disrupt the failing system that enslaved them.

As the sun rose the following day, a colossal beanstalk emerged, reaching defiantly toward the heavens. Driven by a thirst for individual achievement and progress, Jack embarked on a perilous ascent, defying the conventional wisdom of his surroundings.

At the peak of the towering plant, Jack confronted an enraged giant who guarded a goose capable of laying golden eggs. Jack's audacity and determination allowed him to seize the opportunity presented before him. He fearlessly liberated the goose, symbolizing the triumph of individualism over the oppressive forces of conformity.

With the giant in hot pursuit, Jack descended the beanstalk, skillfully evading capture. Recognizing the necessity of severing ties with the failing system, Jack took decisive action and ruthlessly felled the beanstalk, extinguishing the life of the giant and severing the chains of dependency forever.

Jack and his mother emerged from the shadows of their past, embracing the power of their own capabilities and reaping the rewards of their individualistic pursuits. They no longer languished in the suffocating mediocrity imposed upon them by a stagnant society.

2) Once upon a time, there lived a young boy named Jack, alongside his mother, in a world filled with economic disparities and social struggles. Jack and his mother faced the constant burden of selling their possessions in order to secure basic necessities. Their journey was made even more challenging by the absence of a father figure in their lives.

In their persistent pursuit of a better life, Jack embarked on a journey to the nearby town, leading their cow, their last remaining possession, with the hope of selling it. Along the way, he encountered a persuasive individual who convinced him that trading the cow for magic beans held the promise of a brighter future.

Upon returning home and sharing the news with his mother, her disappointment and frustration were palpable. Believing the beans to be mere trinkets, she threw them out of the window in an act of frustration. Little did they know that these seemingly insignificant beans would become the catalyst for profound change.

To their astonishment, the next morning revealed a magnificent beanstalk, reaching high into the sky, defying the limitations imposed by an unequal society. Fueled by curiosity and the desire for a more just world, Jack embarked on a courageous ascent, symbolizing his quest for truth, justice, and equality.

As he reached the summit, Jack encountered an enraged giant, symbolizing the oppressive forces of greed and exploitation. The giant guarded a precious goose capable of laying golden eggs, a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Recognizing the inherent injustice in the giant's control over such abundance, Jack seized the opportunity to liberate the goose and challenge the systemic inequalities.

Descending the beanstalk with the giant in pursuit, Jack demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness and quick thinking. Upon reaching the safety of the ground, he took decisive action, wielding an axe to sever the beanstalk, signaling the end of the giant's reign and the oppressive structures that perpetuated inequality.

With the golden eggs in their possession, Jack and his mother found themselves emancipated from the shackles of poverty and injustice. The story concludes with their newfound happiness and security, having overcome the systemic barriers that once held them back.

These are the same story, just told differently.

In a world styled by Ayn Rand, the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk becomes a testament to the indomitable spirit of the individual. It extols the virtues of rational self-interest, the pursuit of personal achievement, and the rejection of the collective conformity that suffocates human potential. Teaching that the individual genius of Jack can inspire us to rise above the masses, embrace our own greatness, and build a society that reveres the sovereignty of the individual and rewards the pursuit of excellence.

The progressive version of the story of Jack and the Beanstalk serves as a powerful metaphor for the fight against entrenched power structures and the pursuit of social justice. It highlights the transformative potential of challenging oppressive systems, advocating for equality, and uplifting marginalized voices. Teaching us to question the status quo, dismantle oppressive systems, and work tirelessly towards a more equitable and inclusive society where prosperity and opportunity are shared by all.

Same story, different messages. We spend a lot of time thinking, planning, and talking about telling stories we tell to our customers, clients, and stockholders. These stories allow us to connect with an audience, make complex ideas understandable, and make content memorable.

The voice you choose to tell your story in will impact the meaning. Be intentional when choosing your voice. Choose a choice that embodies your values and mission. Make sure that your voice not only brings your message to life, but sends the message that you want to be understood and reinforces your positioning.