The sea it called to me one night,
I didn't know what for.
So guided by the moon's clear light
I ran down to the shore.

Ahead I saw a little man,
A shadow far away.
The waves were crashing to the sand,
But still I heard him say,

He was throwing something in the sea,
Steadily he threw,
As I approached I strained to see,
Then suddenly I knew.

Starfish countless in the night,
Lay sparkling on the moon lit shore.
The man he launched one out of sight
And then picked up one more

I stood and watched him fling them high
He turned in looked my way
He must have read my wondering eyes
For next I heard him say,

"The tide you see, is ebbing past
And left upon the shore.
Are starfish who are dying fast!
Please help me save some more."

I said "You must be MAD to try.
You'll only save a few.
There's THOUSANDS here and they'll all die.
There's nothing we can do....there's nothing we can do.
They're all just going to die."

He placed a starfish in my hand
And then he turned his head.
He slowly reached down to the sand,
Picked up another as he said,

The sea, it called to me one night.
I didn't know what for.