Helen Keller
 |
 |
 |
 |
Attitude Stories
The Star Fish Story
'It made a difference for that one'
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.'
So, can I encourage you to take the time to do something that will make difference to someone else's life ... and it doesn't have to be much and they don't need to know. Just take a moment, do something special ... the universe will know and that's enough.
Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)
Source - Wayne Mansfield publisher and editor of The Maverick Spirit Newsletter - http://www.maverickspirit.biz
More Stories
- Attitude Stories
- Happiness
- The Nails in the Fence
- The Carpenter
- What am I
- People will probably forget what you said ...
- The Star Fish
- I have a choice about today
- The Parable of the Marbles
- A New Ending
- I packed your parachute
- The Touchstone
- Knowing Right from Wrong and Embracing It
- If You Think You Can't
- Loyalty and Friendship
- Reacting to Rita
- Think About This
- Not Your Ordinary Sand Castle
- Be Thankful
- The Trouble Tree
- Each day is a gift
- How's Your Life
- Some Natural Highs
- The man who sold very good hotdogs
- Recipe for Forever
- Steps to Happiness
- The Optimist Creed
- Digging for Gold
- Broken Eggs and Shattered Glass
- Dancing with Friends
- Life
- Priceless gifts you can give
- Living Life and Having Fun
- One Life
- Please Listen To Me
- Life is Hallmark Card
- The Power of Responsibility
- Smile
- Whose list are you on?
- One Day at a Time
- Nine steps to ensure positive communication
- If only we believe
- The wit and wisdom of dogs
- Attitude
- Share Your Time
- All part of my job!
- Good Memories - The Gift That Keeps on Giving
- Glowing and Growing with the Appreciation
- Reflection of You
Top of page
Shopping Cart