It is the year 18,902 by the Old Reckoning, as the Great Thinker shuffles up to the Teaching Stone?

Question

. She looks down upon the eager faces of the young Acolytes. "I speak to you today of the creature Man" she intones slowly. "though long gone, he yet still has a lesson to teach. Difficult as it may be to believe, Man once had a civilization rivaling, perhaps even surpassing our own!" The crown mumurs uneasily. 'Yes! It is true. But as we say, 'With power comes corruption', and as the power of Men grew they became haughty and arrogant, til they fancied themselves like unto the Gods!" Gasps of surprise echo through the group. "Yes! Men challenged the Heavens themselves and sought to reshape the Earth to his will. The Gods became angry at man's presumption, and plagued him with disease, with hunger, with war! They scattered his peoples and smashed his cities! And Man was brought low, til all that now remains are a few pitiful remnants, some still deadly with the evil emanations they call 'radiation', setting the stage for Our ascent. Indeed, Man has much to teach us.
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-Who speaks?

Answer 1

The cockroaches.

Answer 2

The mermen and mermaids