The Story of the Starfish Thrower

Sep 9, 2024

The timeless story of a young boy walking on the beach reminds us that without effort, nothing good happens. We can watch the world pass by us, or we can be an active participant.

Which will you choose? Choose to make a difference!

A young boy was walking along a beach. Thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm and were littered across the beach. When he came to each starfish, he would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched with amusement.

He had been doing this for some time when a man approached him and said, “Little boy, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The boy seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, he bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he looked up at the man and replied,

“Well, I made a difference for that one!”

And so, those watching (or reading) are left with the question, do I want to be a starfish or a starfish thrower?

Your first step as a starfish thrower is to find any worthy initiative that needs your help. The lists are endless…soup kitchens, non-profits, churches, volunteer organizations. Here is a list to help you out.

https://dosomething.org/article/community-service-project-ideas

What will I do? You have talents and gifts that can be used in many applications. Don’t doubt the power you have to make change. Don’t sell yourself short.

Where and when do I start? Now! If you don’t, you’ll fall back into your comfort zone and lose this moment of inspiration!

Adapted from “The Star Thrower” by Loren C. Eiseley

“The Star Thrower” from THE UNEXPECTED UNIVERSE by Loren Eiseley. Copyright © 1968 by Loren Eiseley and renewed 1996 by John A. Eichman, III. All rights reserved.