Think On This

A beautiful, touching and inspiring story of a little boy at the ocean. He runs all across the beach picking up stranded starfish returning them to the ocean. A man asked the child what on earth he was doing. The boy says he is saving the starfish. The man says not to be silly, that there are thousands of starfish on the beach and how could he possibly make a difference.

The boy hesitates for a moment then carefully reaches down and picks up another starfish and throws it back into the sea. Looking back at the man he says, "I made a huge difference for that one."

reply to post by Night Star


Simple, and elegant. Analogies abounds.

S & F

Thank you for posting this!!!
This was read by our principle at my High school graduation. Since I graduated from an alternative school we were each one of those rescued starfish. This means more than you could know.

You are awesome!

reply to post by 1Providence1


Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

reply to post by woodsmom


What an awesome school that must have been! Happy to have shared this with you.

It was many years ago when I first read this somewhere and I remember how profoundly, in all its' simplicity it affected me. I have also seen through my own life experiences how sometimes it is the simplest of things that matter most.

So dear readers, think on this and remember when you're feeling you may not be doing or saying enough, you just might be making all the difference in the world.

reply to post by Night Star

"Kindly let me help you or you will drown, said the monkey putting the fish safely up a tree.”

Out of curiosity... have you ever read Speaker For The Dead?

I've heard this story before, and every time I hear it, I think it's absolutely beautiful. It's a great reminder that, as stated above, even seemingly little or unimportant things can leave a huge impact on someone/something else.

reply to post by Night Star


It was, it was a school that each of the students had to prove their desire to learn to attend. We all came from different, and often rough circumstances, and had to leave the traditional public school system. My parents left state, I was homeless in Alaska and had no choice but to work. They provided the only chance I had to not be a dropout. These people gave their time and energy to us simply because they cared. They gave me the ability to graduate with a high grade point average, because I wanted it, and had no other chance to do so.

This is an excellent reminder to make a conscious effort to do more.

BardingTheBard
reply to post by Night Star

 

"Kindly let me help you or you will drown, said the monkey putting the fish safely up a tree.”

Out of curiosity... have you ever read Speaker For The Dead?

Poor fish. LOL

Sorry but I have not heard of that book. What is it about?

reply to post by invisiblemanda


So glad you enjoyed it.

reply to post by woodsmom


I see that even though you have been through tough times, you certainly turned out well. We need more people like those at that school in this world that truly have love and compassion.

roston
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Jeez I havn't made a thread in some time and I get a spammer. This has been reported.

Barrrrf!
Feel good stories always make me sick to my stomach.
I see the point and understand how some people would get drawn to it
but, it reminds me of kindergarten where we were too young and naive to understand
very simple and basic concepts so, we had to be told drivel like this in order to be able to
wrap our simple minds around such a simple concept.

I'm sorry, but I can't stop giggling at the image of some creature coming across a beach and throwing humans randomly into the suburbs.

Night Star
Sorry but I have not heard of that book. What is it about?

This thread.

GeneralChaos
Barrrrf!
Feel good stories always make me sick to my stomach.
I see the point and understand how some people would get drawn to it
but, it reminds me of kindergarten where we were too young and naive to understand
very simple and basic concepts so, we had to be told drivel like this in order to be able to
wrap our simple minds around such a simple concept.

edit on 18-9-2013 by GeneralChaos because: (no reason given)

People often think that they don't say or do enough, that they don't make a difference in any way when in actuality the simplest of things can make all the difference in the world. A little reminder and a sweet, simple yet profound little story goes a long way. A change from the constant bombardment of doom and gloom is like a breath of fresh air to some of us. I don't care if it comes from a childrens book or how basic it is.

reply to post by BardingTheBard


Damned new site and its bugs. I can't get the link to work.

reply to post by BardingTheBard


Oh I just found an audio book on youtube. Ooooooh Sci/Fi!!!! I'll give it a listen tomorrow. I love science fiction! Thanks!

GeneralChaos
Barrrrf!
Feel good stories always make me sick to my stomach.
I see the point and understand how some people would get drawn to it
but, it reminds me of kindergarten where we were too young and naive to understand
very simple and basic concepts so, we had to be told drivel like this in order to be able to
wrap our simple minds around such a simple concept.

edit on 18-9-2013 by GeneralChaos because: (no reason given)

Simple stories like this remind me of innocence and simple wisdom which we tend to forget in the complexity and monotony of the adult world. Many great thinkers arrive at simple, philosophical understandings of life. Sometimes we overlook the obvious; how what little good we can do still counts. Also, the spirit in the message is uplifting in an often dreary or downright morbid world we live in.

So, lighten up.

reply to post by LoneCloudHopper2


Awwwwww, thanks that's exactly how I feel!