Making a Difference

[Cole Parker]

One day a man was walking along the beach
When he noticed a figure in the distance.
As he got closer he realized the figure was that of a boy
Picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy he asked,
"What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean.
The sun is up and the tide is going out.
If I don't throw them in, they will die."

"Son", the man said, "Don't you realize
There are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can't possibly make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,

And threw it into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said,

"I made a difference for that one!"

[Lugnutz]

Jamie used this in his story "Just Hit Send"

[Cole Parker]

Been too long since I read that, which I did more than once, to remember!

That's some memory you have, Lug!

C

[Lugnutz]

Elephants never forget.

[Rutabaga]

Among professional speakers the "starfish story" is considered a cliché that provokes rolling eyes. It has been used to death by motivational speakers.

R

[Cole Parker]

I kind of like it, though. Maybe that's why it's been used a lot.

C

[Lugnutz]

I like it too.

[Rutabaga]

I like it too. There is a biblical analog in Matthew 25:40, where Jesus says "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

R