When the Message Gets Lost in Translation

Years ago, I wrote a short story for my kids called The Frog and the Fly.

It begins with two children lying outside on a summer night, looking up at the stars. One makes a wish on a shooting star, and suddenly, her brother is turned into a frog.

Of course, she thinks it is hilarious. He does not.

The brother tries desperately to get her to turn him back into himself. “Turn me back,” he pleads. But to her, all she hears is “ribbit, ribbit.” His words make perfect sense to him, but from her side, they sound like nonsense.

Then he gets his chance. Another star, another wish, and this time, his sister is turned into a fly. Now it is her turn to demand, “Turn me back into myself.” But all he hears is the buzz of an insect. Once again, the message is lost in translation.

Just before the frog swallows the fly, another shooting star streaks across the sky. Their mother, watching from the kitchen window, makes her own wish, and both children are turned back into themselves.

The Problem of Misunderstood Messages

It is a playful story, but it carries a serious lesson. Each child knew exactly what they wanted to say. Each believed their meaning was clear. But from the other’s perspective, the message sounded like noise.

This happens all the time in business. A supplier may believe they are clearly communicating value, reliability, or performance. They know their story inside and out. But when the customer hears it, it may not land at all. It may sound like croaks and buzzes.

The result is frustration. One side insists they are being clear. The other side tunes out, laughs, or moves on. Both are talking, but neither is truly being heard.

Why Alignment Matters

For any business, especially those in competitive or technical markets, this misalignment poses a significant danger. When prospects cannot understand your message, they cannot see the value you provide. They might assume you do not have what they need, even if you do.

This is why alignment is so critical. Communication has to be framed not just in your own language, but in the language of the people you are trying to reach. What makes sense within your company must translate into clarity for those outside it.

The Lesson of the Shooting Star

In the story, it took a third voice – mom’s – to bring the children back into alignment. She was able to see the bigger picture and make a wish that restored balance. In business, that outside perspective might come from your customers themselves, through feedback, or from a fresh set of eyes examining your message. Sometimes, you need an external check to ensure that what you are saying is truly what the market is hearing.

Final Thought

The Frog and the Fly is a reminder that clear communication is not about how loudly you speak, or even how certain you are that you are making sense. It is about whether the other side can actually hear you.

If your prospects only hear ribbits and buzzes, you will never convince them of your value. But when you align your message with their perspective, you transform the noise into something meaningful. And that’s when real connections happen.