Sunday, September 20, 2015

The Starfish Story


The Starfish Story 
Adapted from the short story by Loren Eiseley

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one!"


This story has appeared all over the web in various forms. Sometimes it is a little girl throwing the starfish into the ocean, sometimes a young man. In any form it is a beautiful story and one that makes you think.

YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

6 comments:

DianeMoneyGoolsby said...

I heard this story in a seminar years ago--and I loved it. I've handcrafted cards using this and every person receiving them loved it also--thank you for posting it.

Diane

DianeMoneyGoolsby said...

I heard this story in a seminar years ago--and I loved it. I've handcrafted cards using this and every person receiving them loved it also--thank you for posting it.

Diane

DianeMoneyGoolsby said...

I heard this story in a seminar years ago--and I loved it. I've handcrafted cards using this and every person receiving them loved it also--thank you for posting it.

Diane

Jhaz said...

Nice story..if you want to make a difference just click the link below
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Marthasue said...

I love this story! Always will!

Kit said...

That story is why my shelter for homeless women is called Starfish House. Over the past ten years, l have made a difference in the lives of about twenty women--just a drop in the bucket, but it made a difference to those women!