A satirical fable. A political allegory. An ecological warning. 'China's answer to Arthur C. Clarke.' THE NEW YORKER On an otherwise ordinary day in the late 22nd century, the Earth receives its first and greatest civilization were sown in the grisly aftermath of a Tyrannosaurus' lunch. Throughout the universe, intelligence is a rare and fragile commodity. That Earth should harbour not just one but two intelligent species at the same time is a cosmic anomaly. The ants have built a civilization that kindled a civilization defies logic. But time is endless and everything comes to pass eventually. The alliance was, of course, based on dentistry. Yet from such humble beginnings came writing, mathematics, computers, fusion, antimatter and even space travel. But magnificent industry comes at a price...