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We know that living beings are suffering all across the planet today. Many of us are overwhelmed by the monumental, worldwide challenges that stand between our individual selves and those desperate to be rescued. None of us can single-handedly rescue the suffering masses of living beings, but this does not prohibit us from taking action. We don’t have to say, “There’s nothing I can do.” There are living beings in our backyards and in our communities who need our help today. Any and every compassionate action taken with intention, makes a difference . . . one-life-at-a-time.
The following adaptation from “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977), illustrates this beautifully.
Many Blessings to those of you who are continually aware that every life matters.
~Gerean Pflug, The Animal Spirits
THE STARFISH STORY
adapted from The Star Thrower
by 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, 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!”
As if he hadn’t heard, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
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