One day a philosopher was walking along the beach when he noticed a figure that appeared to be dancing in the distance.  As he got closer, he realized the figure was that of a young man picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the young man, he asked, “What are you doing?” The young man replied, “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” “But young man,” the philosopher said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it?  You can’t possibly make a difference!” After listening politely, the young man bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf. Then, smiling at the philosopher, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Adapted from “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley