Legend of the Starfish - Saturday Purple Colorchallenge
Starfish seem so docile, you'd never guess they're actually rather voracious predators whose favorite snacks are mollusks. Their delicate "arms" contain a hydraulic water vascular system that functions via many tiny projections called tube feet, and this is their method of locomotion. You may have heard that if a starfish loses an arm, it can grow another one, and this is true just as long the remaining portion still contains a bit the central nerve ring from which it can regenerate.
I came across this beautiful purple starfish in the waters of northern Florida. At first I wasn't sure if he was alive, but when I picked him up, the little tube feet on his arms started moving. He was gracious enough to agree to a photo, and after admiring him for a moment I put him back in the water so he could go on his way.
THE LEGEND OF THE STARFISH - Small Acts of Kindness Make a Difference
Here's a moving tale about the starfish. I don't know if it's true or not, but it's a wonderful message.
“A vacationing businessman was walking along a beach when he saw a young boy. Along the shore were many starfish that had been washed up by the tide and were sure to die before the tide returned. The boy was walked slowly along the shore and occasionally reached down and tossed the beached starfish back into the ocean.
The businessman, hoping to teach the boy a little lesson in common sense, walked up to the boy and said, “I have been watching what you are doing, son. You have a good heart, and I know you mean well, but do you realize how many beaches there are around here and how many starfish are dying on every beach every day.
Surely such an industrious and kind hearted boy such as yourself could find something better to do with your time. Do you really think that what you are doing is going to make a difference?”
The boy looked up at the man, and then he looked down at a starfish by his feet.
He picked up the starfish, and as he gently tossed it back into the ocean, he said, “It makes a difference to that one.”
Wow, that's really cool! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, violetmed---I appreciate you stopping by :)
Indeed a perfect lesson. We cant save them all, but we can save some...
Thanks old-guy-photos. Yup, we just do what we can.
@eyeofthestorm that was a beautiful starfish and a beautiful story. I really enjoyed your post. It was touching and well written. Keep up the good work! Have a great upcoming week!
Beautiful photo @eyeofthestorm! Starfish are so neat! It's fun finding sand-dollars in that part of the state too.The NW FL beaches are the most beautiful! When we lived in the NW part of the state, I found a stingray that had been trapped in some water and separated during high-tide, so he got separated from the ocean and was in a puddle of water. I moved it back to the ocean and it swam away. There's always something new and lovely to see at the beach.
If you're still in the Nothern part of FL, Fort Pickens is near Pensacola, and it is a very neat place to visit. You can find small conch shells out there too, but most have a crab living inside.
I agree, there's always something new and wonderful at the beach---it's one of my favorite places. I currently live in foggy old England and miss that Florida sun and warmth very much.
That is so cool that you got to see one in person, I hope to see some cool creatures of the sea when I go to Panama in Oct.
Sounds wonderful -- I hope you do too
That is a beautiful colored starfish and I love the story. That is how we can make a difference in the world. Don't feel overwhelmed when we see the need, just start doing what you can. Thanks for sharing!
I have never seen a purple starfish and it is beautiful. The story was beautiful too. This reminds me of when different organizations ask for donations. I want to give to all but that is financially impossible. So I give what I can and I console myself by saying, "I can't save the world but at least I can save some." Wouldn't this be a wonderful world if everyone was like that caring boy? : )
It certainly would be wonderful I know what you mean about wanting to give more but if we all give what we can, as you do, then it will add up. : )