The Starfish Story

Author Unknown

Once upon a time, there was a pessimist walking along a lonely beach. Thousands of starfish had washed up on the shore, stranded and destined to die.

He saw a young boy picking up starfish, one by one, placing them back in the ocean. He stopped and observed the futility of the task.

Finally he approached the boy and asked, "May I ask what you are doing?"

The young man paused and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"Why?  There are thousands of starfish here and saving a few won't make any difference."

"Yes, but I can save this one, and another one, and to them it makes all the difference."