1 . From climbing a human ladder to swimming with the crocodiles(鳄鱼), there's nothing this Spanish botanist wouldn't do in the name of plants.

Carlos Magdalena the Spanish botanist tried to ignore the "Crocodile Danger" sign as he walked into the lagoon. Based in the hot houses and labs of London’s Kew Gardens, he thought he’d spotted a new waterlily species and it wouldn’t be the first time he’d risked his life doing his job. His mission is to save the world’s most endangered plants. As well as Harrison Ford’s film character, the great gardener is also known as the Messiah, the Code Breaker and the Plant Whisperer. He’s suffered dehydration in the planet’s largest desert, driven through rivers to reach an uncommon vegetation and experienced sickness in the Peruvian Andes, where he climbed a human ladder next to a towering drop to reach a rare flower.

“Directly or indirectly plants provide the air we breathe, medicines, clothes, shelter, food and drink,” he says in a firm voice. “Without them we wouldn't be here. It’s as simple as that.”       

Carlos grew up rolling the peaks and valleys of northern Spain in search of natural wonders but quickly learned all was not well.

There are some 400,000 plant species, with many more waiting to be discovered, and it’s estimated that a quarter of them are facing dangers of dying out. “They need our help and we should use whatever means possible to ensure their survival.”

Often peering into microscope late into night, Carlos marked himself out in the botanic world. Before long he came to understand that plants have a way of talking and to understand their needs, you had to listen to them. His work was daunting(令人怯步的) but he eventually triumphed. “It was like scoring the winning goal in a World Cup final,” he says.

3 . An American architect (建筑师) was visiting London. He wanted to see all the famous buildings there so he stopped a taxi and asked the driver to take him to all the old and famous buildings in London.

The driver drove him to the Tower of London. “This is the Tower of London. It was a prison (监狱) in the old days,” he said.

“It is so small. In America we could build this in a day.” said the American.

The taxi driver took the American to Westminster Abbey. He said, “This is a famous church. Kings and queens get married here.”

The American looked at the old building and said, “Huh… we could build this in two days.”

The driver decided to take the American to a bigger church so he drove him to St Paul’s Cathedral. He stopped outside the church and said, “This is the most famous church in England. The great architect Christopher Wren built this church.”

The American got out of the taxi and looked at the church. “Huh. We could build this church in three days,” he said.

Next the driver took the American to the House of Parliament. “This is where British politicians (政治家) meet.”

“Huh.” The American said, “We could build this in four days.”

The driver said nothing and drove past Buckingham Palace, the home of Queen Elizabeth. As the taxi passed the palace, the American said, “Hey! What is this building? I have never seen such a beautiful one.”

The taxi driver looked at the palace and said, “I don’t know. It wasn’t there this morning.”