Starfish Story
This video is a modern adaptation of the “Starfish Story” originally written by Loren Eiseley in 1969. It’s a story about how important making a difference in people’s lives, even if it is just one. It’s a great video to encourage teachers, fostering families, and adoption parents.
The “Starfish Story” is a short parable that has become popular and widely shared as an inspirational tale. It was originally written by Loren Eiseley, an American anthropologist, educator, philosopher, and natural science writer. The story illustrates the power of individual actions to make a positive difference in the world, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may appear.
Here is the essence of the “Starfish Story”:
Once upon a time, there was an old man walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish stranded on the shore. As he walked, the man noticed a young girl picking up the starfish one by one and throwing them back into the ocean.
Curious, the old man approached the girl and asked her what she was doing. She replied, “I’m saving the starfish. They’ve been washed up on the beach, and if I don’t throw them back into the ocean, they will die.”
The old man looked at the vast number of stranded starfish and said, “But there are so many. It’s impossible for you to make a difference.”
The young girl picked up another starfish, threw it into the ocean, and said, “It made a difference to that one.”
The story emphasizes the importance of taking action and making a positive impact, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It encourages individuals to do what they can within their means to help others, knowing that even a small act of kindness can have a significant effect on someone’s life.
The “Starfish Story” has been widely shared as a metaphor for making a difference in various contexts, such as environmental conservation, community service, and personal relationships. It reminds us that our actions, no matter how small they may seem, can have a ripple effect and touch the lives of others in meaningful ways.
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September 8, 2021 @ 6:59 pm
Very inspiring story of caring for one another…. for all creation. Each one of us can make a difference in our own little ways but if everyone cares, then instead of ripples, we can make waves of difference….changing lives for the better.
April 13, 2019 @ 2:48 pm
Wonderful story, yes a little help is all we need. Thank you
December 6, 2012 @ 8:33 am
We can make a difference…by smiling each of other…by lovong each-other…by helping each-others…
March 7, 2012 @ 9:01 pm
THANKS FOR THIS STORY, BEAUTIFUL LESSON OF KINDNESS EVEN IN LITTLE THINGS IN EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE CAN HAVE. WHATEVER IT IS, IT WILL SURELY MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
February 1, 2012 @ 4:10 pm
This is another story that reminds of something from my past. I lived close to the beach for one year. Every morning I would ride my bike to the beach where I spent time walking on the sand. One morning, I noticed a surprising number of Horseshoe Crabs on the beach, many were lying on their backs and couldn’t flip over. Knowing they would die if I didn’t help them, I began carrying them to the water. I did this for one season until their egg laying season was over. Living in the wild isn’t easy or safe. Their lives are in danger every day. Every neighborhood is a bad neighborhood for our wild creatures. Feeling a little guilty about my comfortable life, where I don’t have to worry about being killed every time I leave my home, my heart goes out to them.
February 1, 2012 @ 10:37 am
Very trained metaphor…for a help done in benefit of others…when they need the most…
October 2, 2011 @ 6:17 am
Little act of kindness ,sure has done much good to that little fellow…
God bless you…….
September 17, 2011 @ 1:42 am
We live out in the country and get more than our share of strays some sick some wild. Neighbors and family tell us the same thing about not making a difference. My comment to them is that I am not here trying to save the world, but I CAN clean up my little corner. Our latest is a feral kitten a hours from death with an eye infection that had already killed the rest of the litter. We started her on massive antibiotics and worked with her constantly letting her know we were there with her. The vet told us there was no hope for her and the best thing to do was put her down. Couldn’t do it. Been almost 2 months now. She lost the one eye but it has not slowed her down. She is more active and sharper than the 3 yr old we have. With the one eye, she will never be an outside cat, but we would never give her up now.
June 10, 2011 @ 8:36 am
IN MY YOUNGER DAYS I WANTED TO “SAVE” THE WORLD… THEN REALITY SET IN AND I REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT SAVE EVERYONE, BUT ONE AT A TIME… AND THAT IS JUST WHAT I TRY TO DO, WITH GOD’S HELP, OF COURSE… YES, THE STARFISH STORY IS TRUE AND REAL… ONE AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS… THANK YOU
FOR HELPING ME UNDERSTAND DEAR LORD… THANK YOU…
By saving, it means doing someone a favor, helping them with their chores, comforting them, helping them with their finances, etc… (that is my definition of saving, maybe you have another meaning to it.)
Well done, my child, well done.
Blessings… Elizabeth W.
June 10, 2011 @ 2:41 am
‘T was a very wonderful story!!!
I love it…
June 9, 2011 @ 3:00 am
Very very good and interesting! Thank you so much!
June 8, 2011 @ 9:22 pm
I meant to say: “Out of the mouths of a child, we can certainly learn a great deal can’t we?” My thoughts are still the same above.
June 8, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
Well this is truly food for thought. Out of the mouths of a child, we can certainly a great deal can’t we? Beautifully written, beautifully illustrated. Thank you for sharing.
June 8, 2011 @ 3:33 pm
AMEN…AMEN…AND AMEN…
No matter where I go, to church, shopping, restaurants, etc. I always give a slight smile to the people who
pass me and they ALWAYS smile back and I hope it makes them feel good that they are important enough that
I smiled at them in friendship. And… I always say thank you to the clerks, etc. to make their day more
pleasant… In my working days, it made me feel special when the customers said thank you… Have a great day…have a great forever…
Blessings… Elizabeth W.
June 8, 2011 @ 2:39 pm
My sincere Prayer would be that each one viewing this moving metaphor about the Starfish will be Blessed in the LORD beyond comprehension. May God do something so miraculous in your life, and the lives of your Loved Ones, that Man will not be able to explain, but only proclaim it. God’s graciously loving, good hand will be upon you and yours today. Nehemiah 2:8, 18. Let us Love one another as Jesus Loved us, even while we were yet sinners. Trust Christ as Your personal Savior if to this point in life You haven’t been diligent about where You will spend eternity. I love You in Christ…
BECAUSE OF JESUS.period
Dr. Stan Craig, Pastor – Choice Hills Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina -= 1 Samuel 12:23, 24
June 8, 2011 @ 2:31 pm
I heard this before a while back, but it has never been so profound to me as it is now. In the last few years, I have been involved with rescue of animals..I have come to realize “you can’t save them all”. But it will never stop me from helping the ones I can..