Story Type #3: Stranger In A Strange Land

The Story


How would you like to enter a factory that has been closed for years?  The factory is shrouded in mystery due to it's eccentric owner Mr. Wonka.  For some unknown reason he starts a contest that will allow 5 children, the opportunity to tour his factory and learn all his candy making secrets.

Charlie Bucket is a poor boy who wins a golden ticket and takes the tour.  What will he learn during his tour?  Will he steal a piece of candy and sell it to Mr. Slugworth?  Will he fall victim to the temptations of all that candy?  Watch "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and find out.

Stranger in a Strange Land

The above story is an example of the third type of story that you can tell during a presentation.  In the above story Charlie walks into a factory which is like a strange land.  Not only must he keep up with Mr. Wonka but he must also learn to adapt to this new culture and it's surroundings.  As the movie continues on Charlie watches each of the other four children fall victim to various dangers.  They don't listen, they grab what they want, they don't use manners etc.  Charlie is bewildered and confused about how he should act.  At first he leans on Grandpa Joe but soon this experience is beyond both of their comprehension.  Eventually even Charlie steals a new type of candy and the enraged Mr. Wonka prepares to throw him out of the factory.  Charlie's tearful admission of guilt is the key that opens Mr. Wonka's heart and allows Charlie and his family to own, live in, and run the factory forever.


I doubt there is anyone who has watched this movie that wasn't moved just a little bit.


This type of story works with audiences who are selling a new product, entering a new country, buying a division of another company etc.  The traits that are necessary to do well in these situations are "intelligence, quickness on your feet, the ability to improvise, coolness and poise and learning."
- Morgan, Nick. Working the Room: How to Move People to Action through Audience-Centered Speaking. New York: Harvard Business School Press, 2003. Print. p. 66


How Should You Use This Information?

• Tell this story when your audience has the potential to be confused, or scared to try something new.  
• Make sure that you include details of what the character's in the story did to acclimate themselves in this new land.  Don't skimp here as confusion can quickly lead to attention drift.
• Make sure your story has a positive conclusion as you will want your audience to feel motivated to try what you are advocating.