Difference between Anything and Something

Is there any meaning difference between these two sentences below?

If this story has taught us anything, it's that...

If this story has taught us something, it's that...

If there's not, why is the former preferred over the latter?

Solution 1:

If this story has taught us anything, it's that...

If this story has taught us something, it's that...

The anything refers to one thing of many possible. The something refers to one thing in particular. That is the general meaning and the reason that the first phrase/usage is common and the second is less so. Both are grammatical.

The usage tells the story of a lesson that is gained from the story or experience. It could be that if we learned just one thing, or only one thing it is the following. It is generally about to tell us about that thing whether it is one of many or a specific thing. It makes a special emphasis for the lesson that follows.