The Starfish Story

Reading through the list of comments left below on my Giveaway post I learnt a lot about fellow bloggers and casual readers alike and just what this time of year means to so many and how everyone has some kind of tradition, it got me thinking about our traditions and boy, do we have a lot ?
One that I started a couple of years ago was to give Christmas ornaments to friends, I really enjoy making something special and symbolic. One year I started painting starfish in Santa designs, snow flake designs and snowmen (Didn't like the snowmen so much) I would wrap each one up and put in with it a copy of the Starfish story telling them what a difference they have made in my life. It's still a favorite for teachers and this year a very special neighbor will be receiving one.
Making these ornaments especially the star ones are so easy a little one can make them. Simply go to you craft supply store and pick up a starfish, white acrylic paint, sparkle glaze and some red ribbon.
Paint your starfish white, wait for it to dry and then glaze it, the more glaze the more sparkles. Wait for that to dry and then using a hot glue gun or white Elmer's glue attach the ribbon and voila a very pretty sentimental ornament.


Note: Some starfish may smell a little fishy still, if you have a cat keep it away from your ornaments or it may decide to eat it, see what happened to poor Santa's arm ?


Here's a copy of the story for you to print out and add, I generally make it a lot smaller and add it to the ribbon hanger

The Starfish Story
adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977)

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, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."