Today, I am sharing a poem adapted from a 16-page essay by Loren Eiseley called The Star Thrower.

The first time I read this poem, I was touched, inspired and reminded that in the hustle and bustle of everyday life we sometimes forget that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference.

I hope you enjoy this poem as much as I do and that you will take a moment and know even though the task may seem large one person doing one thing can mean so much.

The Starfish

An old man was walking down the beach just before dawn.

In the distance he saw a young man picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea.

As the old man approached the young man, he asked; “Why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?”

The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun.

“But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish”, exclaimed the old man. “How can your efforts make any difference?”

The young man looked down at the small starfish in his hand and as he threw it to safety in the sea he said;

“It makes a difference to this one!”