Anna's Blog

 Posts Tagged ‘Serendipity’

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Nearly each day I wear a starfish around my neck. I get many compliments about the beautiful gift. This token of affection holds many memories for me but also carries a great deal of symbolism.

I referenced this story earlier in the week but thought I’d give you the full version on this quiet and serene Saturday afternoon as I listen to the laughter of my boys as we enjoy our time together, away from the hustle and bustle of the “real world”.

The Star Thrower

Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)

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.

Loren Eiseley was an anthropologist who wrote extensively. He was the ‘wise man’ in this story, which he wrote after his own experience one afternoon following a storm.

You can interpret this story in so many ways. For me it is a constant reminder, each day that I wake, get dressed, and place the beautiful starfish around my neck that I only have to make a difference in one person’s life at a time. Do one good deed. Make just one person smile. That’s it.