A Brief History of Life

When Kea hi Seymour was 12 years old, he watched a television show about kangaroos . He learned that these animals store energy in the long, stretchy tendons attached to their huge feet. Hitting the ground stretches the tendon like a rubber band, storing the energy from the impact. When the animal lifts off, the energy gets released, like a snapping rubber band, giving an extra boost of speed and power.

Next time you step outside, take a moment to notice all the plants. You may see a grassy lawn, weeds poking through the sidewalk, towering trees, moss growing on rocks or bricks, or maybe even a vegetable or flower garden. Now let this thought sink in: without plants, you and all the other human beings and animals on this planet couldn’t survive. We depend on plants for the air we breathe. But the relationship goes much deeper than that. We also rely on plants for food, clothing, medicines, materials, and so much more.