Tuesday Talk - Starfish

 “Once, on ancient Earth, there was a human boy walking along a beach. There had just been a storm, and starfish had been scattered along the sands. The boy knew the fish would die, so he began to fling the fish to the sea. But every time he threw a starfish, another would wash ashore. "An old Earth man happened along and saw what the child was doing. He called out, 'Boy, what are you doing?' " 'Saving the starfish!' replied the boy. " 'But your attempts are useless, child! Every time you save one, another one returns, often the same one! You can't save them all, so why bother trying? Why does it matter, anyway?' called the old man. "The boy thought about this for a while, a starfish in his hand; he answered, "Well, it matters to this one." And then he flung the starfish into the welcoming sea.”

― Loren Eiseley, The Star Thrower

The above poem from the essay of Loren Eisley was a "theme song" when I worked at the special needs school, Challenged Child and Friends (now SISU.)  It was often read to us or given to us on a token gift as a reminder of the value of our work.  It was just a story until a month ago.

While walking on the beach at Pawley's Island we encountered a large number of petrified starfish.  Honestly I was worried if they were really dead when I picked up one to take back to the beach house.  I heard another guest ask the house manager about it and he said he didn't know why but there were times when large numbers of starfish or even jelly fish would wash up on the shore.  The next morning when I went for a Sunrise Walk I encountered a patch of freshly washed up Starfish.  These were obviously alive by the movement of their tentacles and star points.  I was fascinated and overwhelmed by the need to rescue.  Much like the little boy in the story, I started picking up starfish and flinging them into the ocean.

In the process I broke off a star point of one.  I only helped a few in comparison to the large number presented.  I became discouraged that it really didn't make a difference or matter. I wondered if it really made a difference to that starfish as it was "just a starfish" And was I "messing with it's destiny" by my interference. I felt silly and foolish as other people simply walked by.  And I couldn't help but keep thinking of that poem. 

However in that process, I learned the better way to pick up the starfish and fling it into the ocean.  Meaning as I practiced helping, I learned the better way to help. The practice improved my throwing, thus my skill refined.  When I finished there were a few (a little few) squirming starfish left on the shore,. The act most likely had a greater impact on me than the starfish. My thinking about starfish and "making a difference " was impacted by my involvement.  And maybe, just maybe there is a starfish out there thriving at it's starfish life because I took time to pick it up and throw it back in.  And I am sure he would send a note of thanks if he had my address.