Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Have you ever looked at a tall, tall giraffe and wondered why its neck is so long. Or have you seen a little fish swimming with its wiggly fins and wondered how it breathes under the water. I help make those things happen, but I work very, very slowly. I am like a secret helper for all living things, helping them fit perfectly in their homes, whether it is a hot sunny desert or a cold, snowy field. I help them change a tiny bit at a time, over a long, long time. I am Evolution.

For a long, long time, nobody knew about me. Then, a man who loved to explore came along. His name was Charles Darwin. Way back in the 1830s, he went on a big adventure on a ship called the HMS Beagle. He sailed all around the big, wide world. He visited special islands and saw so many amazing animals. He saw little birds with big beaks, and other little birds with tiny beaks. He wondered why. He realized the birds changed their beaks to help them eat different kinds of yummy seeds. On November 24th, 1859, he wrote a special book to share his big idea. He told everyone that all living things are part of one big, happy family tree that grows and changes.

I am still working my slow magic today. You can see me in the tall trees that reach for the sun and the bright flowers that bees love to visit. I am in the fuzzy caterpillars that turn into beautiful butterflies and the fluffy polar bears who love the snow. I connect every living thing, from the tiniest ant crawling on the ground to the biggest blue whale swimming in the ocean. And guess what. You are a special part of this amazing story of life, too. You are growing and changing every single day.