Tao always preached take care of the small things and the big ones will take care of themselves.
A group of his favourite students knew this but didn't yet understand it until he took them for a morning walk on a nearby beach.There came along with the morning tide hundreds of starfish and when the tide receded, they were left behind and with the morning sun rays, they would die. The tide was fresh and the starfish were alive.
Tao took a few steps, picked one and threw it into the water. He did that repeatedly. Behind him the group of students watched him but couldn't understand what he was doing.
One of them asked him, "What are you doing Master? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?"
Tao did not reply, just took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, "It makes a difference to this one."