Editor's Choice
Theme: Environment

Make a Difference

sunset beach.jpg

On a deserted beach at sunset
As he watched curiously
The native leaned down
Picked up something
And hurled it into the water
He would repeat the same feat
To his surprise time and again.

Puzzled, he asked the native -
I wonder what you are doing!
The native replied - It's low tide
Starfishes are washed up onto shore
I am throwing them back to the ocean
Lest they will die
Due to lack of the oxygen.

He parried - In numerous beaches on coast
There will be thousands of starfishes
You can perhaps restore a few
So don't you realize
The futility of your endeavor
You can't possibly make a difference.

The native just smiled
Bent down to pick up another one
As he threw it back into the ocean
He replied back -
It made a difference to that one.


(Based on an inspirational reading sometime back)
 
Image © Getty Images

10-Oct-2012

More By  : Dr. Jaipal Singh

Views: 1413     Comments: 10

Comments on this Poem

Comment Very simple but humane with great thought. Liked it very much Jaipal

Shailja bhattacharya
05-Nov-2018 05:58 AM

Comment Kundu sahib, I am happy you liked it. In fact, theme is very close to my heart too because I do things as per my conviction and without seeking any attention. I'm sure you do good things.

jairathore
04-Apr-2013 06:16 AM

Comment Such simple men are true humans. I love them. Thanks for giving me more strength to whatever good I do.

Sharbaaniranjan Kundu
03-Apr-2013 12:26 PM

Comment Thank you so much.

jairathore
12-Oct-2012 22:58 PM

Comment Great..loved it!

D. Reddy
12-Oct-2012 22:48 PM

Comment Thanks Aparna ji, for liking the poem and adding commensurate photograph

jairathore
12-Oct-2012 00:39 AM

Comment Thank you very much, Ms. Elizabeth, for liking the verse and your blessings. I admire your love for humanitarian cause.

jairathore
12-Oct-2012 00:34 AM

Comment Kulbir ji, please allow me to repeat your words..your appreciation is much appreciated.

jairathore
12-Oct-2012 00:29 AM

Comment Great write
Little things can often make a great difference
.Blessings
Elizabeth

elizabethdandy
11-Oct-2012 12:59 PM

Comment Good, and you're making a difference too!

Kulbir
11-Oct-2012 10:15 AM


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