Here, Dr. Rotter looked out over the audience. “That is the last entry of the Hop Along Nation. As you well know, the nation thrived for three hundred years, before unanimously deciding to perish with their planet in the great boil of 2023 AC. But as I stated before, they choose to do this. When there was already a plan in action that would’ve guaranteed their safety and well being for generations to come. All that was required of them was to give up some minor rights, but in return, their housing, food and other daily necessities would’ve been provided for. These rights, as some of you very well may know- was more of a truce between nations. However, the problem came when the cost of the mega aquarium was revealed and it was discovered that neither nation would be able to cover even a quarter of its construction. However, it was determined at the meeting of the Host of Nations, that the thirty- one member nations would build the aquarium for the Hop Along Nation, if they would consent to giving up their worthless property and other worldly possession they had acquired. At first peace talks were going swimmingly, but that all fell apart after the second condition was revealed. The Host of Nations, thought it would be a fair idea to open the aquadrome for the general public, to show how the Hop Along Nation went about their daily lives. A modest fee would be charged, that would then be used to pay for the up keep of this nation’s life of luxury.

The representatives of the Hop Along Nation blatantly refused, stating that they would rather give up their lives, then concede a few simple rights. After this, the nation refused any more help and chose instead to isolate them and their children from their would-be saviors. A few short years later, they all perished with their dying planet.

Now, as I mentioned in the beginning, all of this could’ve been prevented. If they had chosen to take the help offered them, then fine. But if they had refused, then I personally believe that they should have been forced to take it. Afterall, if a creature who is not as fortunate as the rest of us, loses their will to survive and self-govern, is it not our duty to become their caretakers? I ask you, my fellow Crowdidyians, no I beg you, please join with us and help prevent another civilization, though our lesser, from becoming extinct through self-harm. Rest assured that nothing has happened yet, but should we really take that chance.

Thank you for listening and I hope you have a pleasant evening.” Staring out over the stunned audience, Dr, Rotter smiled and lest the stage, as the crowd jumped to their feet and the sound of thunderous applause, bounced off the walls in the lecture hall. This was the kind of reception that he welcomed…no he expected and Dr. Rotter knew, that this was only the beginning.