The Star Thrower

(adapted from the writings of Loren Eiseley)

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the sea.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The boy replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The tide is going out & they are stranded. If I don't throw them back, they will die”.

“Son”, the man said, “don't you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? Why bother? The few you manage to save out of so many cannot possibly make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,and threw it purposefully back into the sea. Then, smiling at the man, he said “It will make a difference to that one”.