The Starfish
I came across this poem early on in the paperchase. It's another one of my favorites.
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 he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."
-- Author Unknown
And yes, I know I will make a difference in this little one's life....but it is she, who will make all the difference in mine. Oh, I can't wait.
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 he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."
-- Author Unknown
And yes, I know I will make a difference in this little one's life....but it is she, who will make all the difference in mine. Oh, I can't wait.
posted by Sara at 4/19/2007
2 Comments:
Sooooo beautifully put! You will be meant for each other, that I'm sure of :)
Hi Sara, I enjoy your blog. You may have seen this already but here is the blog of a lady who is working in China with Special Needs Orphans. She has taken this story to heart. She is doing some wonderful things. http://www.chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/
I also am single with a LID of 12/31/06. I live on the coast of Washington. My dog Moki looks just like your dog. I am about to start my own blog. I will let you know it when I do.
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