Treasure Starfish

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing．He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work．One day he was walking along the shore．As he looked down the beach，he saw a human figure moving like a dancer．He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day．So he began to walk faster to catch up．

As he got closer，he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing，but instead he was reaching down to the shore，picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean．

As he got closer he called out，“Good morning！What are you doing？”

The young man paused，looked up and replied，“Throwing starfish in the ocean．”

“I guess I should have asked，why are you throwing starfish in the ocean？”

“The sun is up，and the tide is going out．And if I don't throw them in they'll die．”

“But，young man，don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach，and starfish all along it？Youcan't possibly make a difference ！”

The young man listened politely，then bent down，picked another starfish and threw it into the sea，past the breaking waves and said，“It made a difference for that one．”

There is something very special in each and every one of us．We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference．And if we can become aware of that gift，we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future．We must each find our starfish．And if we throw our stars wisely and well，the world will be blessed．

Words and Expressions

- starfish n．海星

make a difference起作用，使不同

Read and recite the following sentences：

There is something very special in each and every one of us．We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference．And if we can become aware of that gift，we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future．

Now write out the sentences here：

There is something very special __________．We have all been gifted with __________．And if we can become __________，we gain through __________ of our visions the power to __________．

参考译文

珍贵的海星

从前，有一位哲人常到海边去写作。他有一个习惯，就是在开始之前要到海边散步。有一天，他正沿着岸边走。当顺着海边向远处看时，他看到一个人，那人的动作看起来像是一位舞蹈演员在跳舞。他很高兴，以为今天正好能看到有人跳舞。于是，他加快步伐，以免错过。

当靠近之后，他才看清这是一个年轻人，他不是在跳舞，而是弯下腰来，从海滩上捡着什么，轻轻地扔到海里。

他走近了大声说：“早上好！你在做什么？”

这个年轻人停了下来，抬起头回答道：“把海星扔进海里。”

“我想我问的是，为什么你要把海星扔进海里？”

“太阳升起来了，潮水就要退了，如果不把它们扔进海里，它们将会死去。”

“但是年轻人，难道你没有看到这长长的海滩上面布满了海星吗？你起不到什么作用的！”

年轻人有礼貌地听着，然后弯下腰，又捡起一只海星扔进了海里，穿过滚涌的波浪走了过来，他说道：“对于那一只就起作用了。”

我们身边每一个人都有特别的地方，我们都被赋予了发挥某些作用的能力。如果我们能意识到那种天赋，我们就会通过我们的想象力，获得改变未来的力量。我们必须找到我们的海星，如果我们明智而恰当地把我们的海星扔进了海里，那么这个世界就得到了祝福。