Those words come from “The Star Thrower,” an essay written by poet, scientist and philosopher Loren Eiseley. In it, he describes an early morning encounter between two men walking along a lonely beach strewn with sea creatures washed ashore by a recent storm. One of the men is picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea in an effort to save the lives of as many as possible. The story—which offers the inspiration that each of us can make a difference in the face of great challenges—has become a parable of hope that Ira Riklis first heard years ago from his Rabbi.
As individuals, it’s all too easy to feel powerless to truly effect positive change in this world. Even someone as blessed with resources as Ira Riklis feels this sense of doubt at times. Just as the man who watched the star thrower at his seemingly hopeless task mused to himself, we tell ourselves “I gave it up a long time ago. Death is the only successful collector.” But as the light changed, so did his perspective until he, too, took up the immense task. “I flung and flung again,” he says. In the end he comes to the conclusion that: “The task was not to be assumed lightly, for it was men as well as starfish that we sought to save.” Are there starfish around you that you can save?