The Starfish Story

The salty air fills my nostrils as I walk grungingly down the shore. I swear under my breath when the wind picks up from behind and tosses my straggly copper hair against my face. I hated the beach but I was stuck here for at least another month. The ship that would take me back to my humble home had been caught in a storm and sent off course. 1

I curse out to the wind when I stumble over a starfish that had been washed up on the beach. Only then do I notice that the sandy beach is littered with beached starfish. I groaned at the sight. 2

Now my walk is ruined even more! I can't possibly make my way around the starfish because the whole shore is covered in them. So, now I have to turn back around and head to the city. Oh, how I loathed the city. It was so noisy. 3

My old bones creak when I turn on my heels and clamber over a few more starfish. This was no fun for an old man!4

"Excuse me, sir." 5

I turn my head slightly and strain my eyes so I can see the young boy behind me. He wore poor clothes and looked too young to be out on his own. He was probably no older then the age of ten. 6

"Whatcha want?" I ask and give him a scowl. I do not want to be bother by a foolish boy that obviously looked like his family was in poverty.7

"You are standing on a starfish." The boy explains, ruffling his inky black hair for a moment. "May you move, please sir? I wish to throw it back to the sea. That way it has a second chance to live."8

I groan and mutter but I step aside. I turn once again so I can see the small boy pick up the starfish. He fingers it for a moment before hurling it toward the churning waves. 9

I continue to watch as he picks up more and more starfish. I can't help but chortle when he throws them in to the sea. 10

"You can not save all of 'em." I taunt. I can't help myself. The boy is so young and foolish, it makes me feel intelligent and wise over his little mind. "It will make no difference."11

The boy glances up at me, holding yet another starfish. He turns his gaze away and throws it. 12

"It would make a difference for that one." He replies. He gives me a wide smile before going back to his task.