Star Thrower

3. THE STAR THROWER

INTRODUCTION

Loren Eisley, the American anthropologist, was the originator of this related story. I have heard numerous speakers tell variations of it as part of their motivational talks, and I think it’s a wonderful tale of encouragement for people who are on the point of giving up – and haven’t we all felt like that at some point of time.

THE TALE

A man was walking along the beach when he noticed a young boy apparently picking something off the ground and throwing it out into the sea. As the man got closer to the boy he saw that the objects were starfish. And the boy was surrounded by them. For miles and miles all along the ‘shore’ there seemed to be millions of them.

‘Why in the world are you throwing starfish into the water?’ he asked the boy as he approached.

‘If these starfish are on the beach tomorrow morning when the tide goes out they will die,’ replied the boy, continuing with his work.

‘But that’s ridiculous!’ cried the man. ‘Look around you. There are thousands of miles of beach and millions of starfish. How can you believe that you’re doing could possibly make a difference?’

The young boy picked up another starfish, paused thoughtfully, and remarked as he tossed it out into the waves, ‘it makes a difference to this one.’


MORAL

What is never attempted will never be accomplished; even the smallest of efforts defeats apathy.

REFLECTION

The tale can be used to illustrate the importance of breaking a task down into small, achievable units, and having the faith and confidence to start.

- Who or what are the ‘starfish’ that you want to serve?
- What goal are you trying to achieve at the moment?
- In what way might you break it down into chunks?
- Is your goal worth the effort you might expend, why?
- How will you keep your resolve to start – and finish the task?