NLS - Starfish Story

NONNWEILER LEGAL SERVICES, LLC

Serving Southeastern Wisconsin

Story of the Starfish - Make a Difference!

Joy Nonnweiler, Ph.D., Esq.

(adapted from "The Star Thrower" by Loren Eiseley)

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who went 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 woman, and that what she was doing was not dancing at all. The young woman was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and gently 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 woman paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the wise man.

The young woman replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't help them, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young woman, there are miles of beach and stranded starfish all along every mile. You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young woman bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, she said, "It made a difference for that one."