"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury

There Will Come Soft Rains" is a short story by science fiction author Ray Bradbury which was first published in the May 6, 1950 issue of Collier's. Later that same year the story was included in Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles. The story begins with a house beginning to stir and wake up - but not in the traditional sense. The house lacks human voices and noises. Instead, the house is automated, calling out to its supposed inhabitants the time of day and their upcoming activities. The house's voice is clearly meant for someone, but no one is present to listen. The house is the only house left standing in the surrounding area. It is completely encapsulated by rubble and destruction. A fire erupts and begins to take over the house despite its best efforts to contain the fire. As the house collapsed into itself, the rubble still managed to speak, "Today is August 5, 2026, today is August 5, 2026, today is..." The people are gone; the house is nearly gone; yet the automation somehow continues.