The Starfish Thrower

There was a man who was walking along a sandy beach where thousands of

starfish had been washed up on the shore. He noticed a boy picking up

starfish one by one and throwing them back into the ocean. The man observed

the boy for a few minutes and then asked what he was doing. The boy replied

that he was returning the starfish to the sea, otherwise they would die.

The man asked how saving a few, when so many were doomed, would make any

difference whatsoever? The boy picked up a starfish and threw it back into

the ocean and said, "Made a difference to that one..."

 

~ Adapted from "The Star Thrower"

by Loren Eisiley