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The Starfish Thrower The Keeper from the lighthouse was walking along the beach. It had been a long night, one of the worst storms he had ever experienced. He needed to get some fresh air, feel the sand between his toes and the sun on his face. As he walked, he noticed a young boy. He appeared to be picking something up off the sand and throwing it into the sea. As The Keeper got closer to the boy he noticed that the objects were starfish. He also noticed that the boy was surrounded by starfish. ‘Probably thrown up by the storm,' thought The Keeper. He looked quizzically at the young boy. ‘What was he doing here, where had he come from?' he wondered. The boy seemed to be so innocent, like a little angel. He was focused on his task, and The Keeper had to shout to get his attention. ‘Hello. What are you doing?' asked The Keeper. ‘I am helping these starfish back into the water. If they are on the beach tomorrow morning when the tide goes out, they will all die,' replied the boy, as he continued his work. ‘But that is ridiculous!' cried The Keeper. ‘Look around you. There are miles and miles of beach and millions of starfish. How can you believe that what you are doing could possibly make a difference?' The young boy picked up another starfish, and paused thoughtfully. He then looked at The Keeper, their eyes connecting momentarily, before he tossed the starfish out into the waves with a gentle smile, ‘It makes a difference to that one.' The Keeper stood, and for a moment, watched the boy as he continued his work. A broad smile crossed his crusted lips, and the weariness lifted from his shoulders and his soul. Then, without quite knowing why, he bent down and began picking up starfish… Loosely adapted from the short story ‘The Star Thrower' by Loren Eisley © Phil Wong 2006 |
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