When I was a teenager, I heard a story, which I resort to whenever I feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the challenges facing us in making this world a better place. The story has evolved over time from its original. But the essence is this:
Early one morning, I was walking along the shore after a storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.
Off in the distance, I noticed another man standing, gazing at something in the sand. He then stooped and flung the object beyond the breaking surf.
As I walked toward him, I could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up a starfish and throw it into the sea. I called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The man looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves. They will die unless I throw them back into the water.”
I replied, “But there must be thousands of starfish on this beach! You’re only one man. I’m afraid you won’t be able to make much of a difference.”
The man bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled, and said, “I made a difference to that one!”
Silently, I sought and picked up a still-living star, spinning it far out into the wave. “I understand,” I said, “call me another thrower.” Only then I allowed myself to think, He is not alone any longer.
(Adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley. Mariner Books, 1979.)
Perhaps no one person can save the world, but they can save a life . . . or two. And just think how much we can accomplish collectively.
For suggestions on how you can help make a difference, visit Dr. Akhtar’s website at www.ayshaakhtar.com.