You may have heard a story about a starfish. I have seen many a version of this tale in many a substitute class. But I couldn’t help but wonder if that’s the whole story. So let’s visit this beach and see what happens.

All along the shore was the same thing the young woman always saw: starfish, stranded on the sand, slowly killed by the sun. But today she saw something else. An old woman, picking up starfish, and placing them in the water, one by one. 

“There’s too many starfish drying out,” the young woman lamented. “I’m afraid you aren’t making a difference.”

The old woman returned another starfish to the sea. “It made a difference for that one.”

And here is where the story typically ends. It’s a good ending. But that’s not the end at this beach. 

The young woman, who we will call Marina, had a new thought. “I wish there was a way we could change the beach.”

The old woman, who we will call Coral, pondered this. Then an old man walked by. And Coral knew what to do. “Hi Finn. I know you care about animals. Would you like to help some with me?”

“Yes! Let me go get my wife.”

How inefficient this seemed to Marina. Why focus on just one person? Instead she made a sign to be seen by all. “Help the Starfish or Find a New Beach!” She climbed on a tall pile of rocks and shouted to all who could hear. Aside from a curious child who ran over to Coral, the people simply walked on by. Then Coral arrived.

“Would you like to help us with the starfish?”

Marina slumped down on her rock. “This isn’t working. I don’t even know why I’m here.”

“You have forgotten. Let me show you.” Coral took Marina back to the water. Finn had brought his wife, who brought her friend, who brought her son, who brought his neighbor, who worked alongside the child and Coral to save the starfish.

“Seven people? That’s no one.”

“They will be your Someones when you get to know them.” Coral handed Marina a starfish. “I’m hoping we’ll have eight people, if you too start to love the starfish.”
Marina looked up. People at the beach were noticing this group. One person joined, and another. Maybe this would become a beach where starfish are no longer left to die. 

Then Marina looked down at the creature in her hands. She looked at its patterns, let it rest on her hand in the water until it let the tide bring it to freedom. And now she understood, not just how to change the beach, but why.