Wednesday, December 12, 2007

starfish


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, 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, "I made a difference to that one!"

Everything in life happens because of passion... everything right in life happens because of compassion.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow laveeet!

gypsy soul said...

where in manila did you catch this beautiful creature?

Pat said...

How interesting! Great photo of such an interesting creature!

Pat


Pat's Photos
Guelph Daily Photo
Photography Cafe

pusa said...

@chech - ankyut kyut nya kaya lang patay na sha nun nakita ko :(

@elay - i cheated (this photo was taken on my last boracay trip) been meaning to post this beautiful sotry and this is the perfect photo to go :)

@pat - thanks :)

Olivier said...

une belle histoire avec une belle photo. je trouve que les étoiles de mer sont superbes et font rêver

A beautiful story with a beautiful picture. I find that the starfish are superb and dreams

Mo said...

Very profound. Especially for this time of the year.

Anonymous said...

very good post...it reminds me that I always pick up these large ground worms we call fish worms after it rains and early in the morning. The sunrise has caught them above ground on the sidewalks and streets. Millions of them. And if they cannot get back in the grass and find a hole the sun will bake and kill them. So I always pick those on the sidewalk up and toss them into the grass. It gives those, at least, a chance. For each one I rescue I also get one extra day here before I am dead. So it pays to be nice.

pusa said...

@oldmanlincoldn - oh you really have a pure heart, bless you my dear. too bad this particular star fish is already dead when i found it :(

@mo - yes, makes us ponder how we take for granted small act of kindness

@olivier - starfish are really beautiful, thanks

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I'm a Filipina from UK :-) I enjoy visiting your photoblog each time I go on line. I've learned about this when I chanced upon Photo Blog as I was thinking of doing the same for the place where I live...pero alam mo, I admire you for your effort and time and of course talent that you reached your 200th post :-) That's really nice and you are indeed an inspiration! Keep it up! I've got your website on my favourites on my desktop and you always make my day when I see photos of our beloved Pilipinas :-) Take care! - Len

pusa said...

hi len, thank you! tumaba ang puso ko :) i'll try to keep on posting...have a great day, tnx again :)

Sidney said...

That is a very nice story... very true... I hear so many times people saying we can't do anything about the problem... we can't fight poverty, we can't help street children...

I go back to Belgium soon. Will not be back in blogging world before the end of January so I take this opportunity to wish you already a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May all your dreams come true in 2008!

pusa said...

hi sidney - yes, we can still make a difference, however small it may be :)

wish you a merry christmas and a prosperous new year too... enjoy your holidays and have a safe trip. take care

Rey said...

A very warm story for a very simple object...

I used to play with starfishes when I was a child. But I made sure they go back to the water where they belong. :)

Fénix - Bostonscapes said...

Thank you for the warm wishes you left for me on my blog. The very same is wished upon you. May the up coming year bring you happiness and joy. :)

Anonymous said...

this story reminds me of Mother Teresa who is quoted as saying something similar when told she couldn't make a difference because thousands of homeless people die everyday in India.

Ibyang said...

i love love love this starfish story and i also plan to share it in my blog soon.

i believe that however small, we can still make a difference in our own way.

nice photo too!!!

ibyang :)

Joy said...

I have always loved this story. It somehow resonates with me. And I love starfishes. I love them in lavender especially. Try observing them 120ft under water :D

joy
Norwich Daily Photo
The Goddess In You
Your Love Coach

Ming the Merciless said...

It looks alive. I have only seen them at the aquirium.

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