The Parable Of The Starfish - Author Unknown

“One morning an elderly man was walking on a nearly deserted beach. He came upon a boy surrounded by thousands and thousands of starfish. As eagerly as he could, the youngster was picking them up and throwing them back into the ocean.

Puzzled, the older man looked at the young boy and asked, ‘Little boy, what are you doing?’

The youth responded without looking up, ‘I'm trying to save these starfish, sir.’

The old man chuckled aloud, and queried, ‘Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?’
Holding a starfish in his hand, the boy turned to the man and, gently tossing the starfish into the water, said, ‘It will make a difference to that one!’"





Isn't it beautiful?

I was introduced to this parable while working with the Starfish organization in 2004, while they were starting their New York Chapter. If you aren't familiar with Starfish, it is an organization helping to support the orphans of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. It is a horrific epidemic that in many ways seems like an endless battle. They use this parable as the mantra for the organization and I feel honored to be able to share it with you.

I believe that the children who have been impacted in a positive way by adults will grow up make a positive impact another child’s life, and another. We must remember to teach this, and remind / teach each other.