This story is from memory of a book I read over 2 decades ago, so apologies if I don’t do it justice. That book is Dan Millman’s ‘Way of the peaceful warrior’.
Dan and his mentor were walking along the beach. It was just after dawn and the sun was rising fast. It would be at full strength in a few hours.
The two friends were discussing the journey of life and the many lessons on the way. Shortly, they come to a deserted spot along the coast line. Thousands of star fish had been washed up upon the beach. They were drying out and would die if they didn’t get back into the water.
Immediately Dan’s mentor started picking one up and carrying down to the sea.
‘What’s the point’ said Dan. “There are too many of them. It is hopeless. We can never save them all. What difference can we make?”.
The starfish were obviously in pain and the scene was quite distressing.
“It makes a difference to this one.” said Dan’s mentor, picking up another star fish and starting the journey back down the beach.
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The moral of the story here. It that every little helps. Do what you can. Don’t be disheartened and no matter how big or small, work to make the world a better place.