Tale six opens with only 5,000 humans remaining, including Jon Webster living in Geneva. This helps Fowler spread the word about the wonders of Jupiter, and most people opt to migrate to become Lopers. Joe makes a kaleidoscope that spreads the Juwain philosophy about understanding other people's points of view. Fowler comes back to Earth to spread the good news, but is blocked by Tyler Webster who knows everyone will leave for Jupiter. He volunteers to be transformed himself and discovers Jupiter is a Loper paradise. Fowler, the project leader, finds people are disappearing after being transformed into Lopers, the native creatures on Jupiter. Tale four and part of five take place on Jupiter. Joe also takes Juwain's manuscript and finishes developing the Martian Juwain's philosophy. Meanwhile, the mutant human, Joe, helps the ants begin to evolve. A census taker arrives and sees the changes to society and tells the Dogs they must be ready to take men's place if mankind fails. He also provides them with contact lenses so they can read. In tale 3, Bruce Webster alters Dogs' throats so they may talk. We also learn that robots, like the Websters' own Jenkins, do most of the work for man. In the second tale, the isolation created by living in the country living causes Tyler Webster's agoraphobia, which prevents him from helping his Martian friend Juwain. People also leave cities to hedge on the threat of nuclear war. Humans live mostly in the country, abandoning once thriving cities. Tale one begins with the decline of cities due to hydroponic farming, better methods of communication, atomic power, transportation by helicopter, and migration to other planets. Eventually, other Earth creatures evolve and the world is in danger of domination by ants.

The tales are passed down by the Dogs through the generations to the point where humans are considered mythical creatures. There are eight tales told from the perspective of dogs who take over humanity's place in the world. Simak is about the possible evolution of life on Earth, the role of violence in our society and the effects of colonizing other planets.

City by Clifford D. Simak