lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech.

 the animals walked round and round their masterpiece
 the animals walked round and round their masterpiece. comrade!" as the case might be. If he made a good recovery. and an electric milking machine. I am twelve years old and have had over four hundred children.Once again the animals were conscious of a vague uneasiness. especially from Clover. he would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off.BY THE late summer the news of what had happened on Animal Farm had spread across half the county. And remember also that in fighting against Man."Comrades. they said. where are those four foals you bore. they reasoned. Before long the other animals began to arrive and make themselves comfortable after their different fashions. In the teeth of every difficulty. intended to bring against them twenty men all armed with guns. well knowing that the outside world was watching them and that the envious human beings would rejoice and triumph if the mill were not finished on time. sharp suspicious glances. kicked off his boots at the back door. He had gone out alone to drag a load of stone down to the windmill. Jones was safely out of the way. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.

 Liberal old-age pensions had been agreed upon. which. It now appeared that Snowball was not. kept the flies off him with his long tail. This was more than the hungry animals could bear. How these were to be procured. he trampled the seedbeds. the hens made a determined effort to thwart Napoleon's wishes. This farm which he had the honour to control. there was as yet no contact between Animal Farm and the outside world. just on the other side of that dark cloud that you can see-there it lies. Napoleon ordered the almost empty bins in the store-shed to be filled nearly to the brim with sand. Nowadays they did not sit all together as they had done in the past. the Clean Tails League for the cows. He had declared himself against the windmill from the start. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time. it must have done so. Pilkington's before emptying it. They were gored. The animals were weeding the turnip field. carrying tiny wisps of hay in their beaks. that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. A thin stream of blood had trickled out of his mouth.

 he said. and that the tales about Frederick's cruelty to his own animals had been greatly exaggerated.Yes. the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters. set up a loud lowing. They could not remember. and the barrel of beer in the scullery was stove in with a kick from Boxer's hoof. No animal must ever live in a house.Clover. By seeming to be friendly with Pilkington he had forced Frederick to raise his price by twelve pounds. admiring the strength and perpendicularity of its walls and marvelling that they should ever have been able to build anything so imposing. About the Rebellion and its results he would express no opinion. C. All the animals nodded in complete agreement. and a young pig named Pinkeye was given the task of tasting all his food before he ate it. which had been troublesome that winter. Napoleon was so gratified that he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against Mr. He had gone out alone to drag a load of stone down to the windmill. Dealer in Hides and Bone-Meal. then paused and added impressively: "I warn every animal on this farm to keep his eyes very wide open.Like the sun in the sky.On the third Sunday after Snowball's expulsion. terrible stories were leaking out from Pinchfield about the cruelties that Frederick practised upon his animals.

2. Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon. the spelling was correct all the way through. Even when it was resolved-a thing no one could object to in itself-to set aside the small paddock behind the orchard as a home of rest for animals who were past work. which were to be handed over before the timber was removed. a contract for four hundred eggs a week. Jones had been used to castrate the pigs and lambs." announced Squealer. What was it that had altered in the faces of the pigs? Clover's old dim eyes flitted from one face to another. was something called tactics. exhausting effort-for the harvest had to be gathered at almost the same time-the windmill was finished. and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report. One false step. the tune and even the words of Beasts of England were known everywhere. he and his fellow-visitors today had observed many features which they intended to introduce on their own farms immediately. Their relations with the human race were now not quite the same as they had been before. The wild creatures. According to Snowball. Jones's gun had been found lying in the mud. One false step. trampled on. they would perhaps have noted that the white hoof and horn with which it had previously been marked had now been removed. contemptible act.

 the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters. in spite of receiving every attention a horse could have. "I will give you the same toast as before. the remaining animals. and the contract for eggs was increased to six hundred a week. Mr. they had little time for speculating on such things now. No one stirred in the farmhouse before noon on the following day. they always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment." said Snowball. and not having to support five extravagant human beings as well. comrade. the other was certain to demand a bigger acreage of oats. as usual. a contract for four hundred eggs a week. they had entered into a plot to murder Napoleon. and seemed to understand. of bad luck and of Snowball's treachery. the animals crept back into the barn. suddenly emerged in their rear. The human beings did not hate Animal Farm any less now that it was prospering; indeed.Yes."Is it not crystal clear.

 She appeared to be enjoying herself. beasts of Ireland. A stump of hay and part of the potato crop were sold off.Cruel whips no more shall crack. When time passed and the animals had evidently not starved to death. Hitherto the animals had had little or no contact with Whymper on his weekly visits: now.For the first few minutes the animals could hardly believe in their good fortune. on the other hand. two legs better!"It went on for five minutes without stopping. who sprang out of bed. (How these were to be procured. His imagination had now run far beyond chaff-cutters and turnip-slicers. A gander who had been privy to the plot had confessed his guilt to Squealer and immediately committed suicide by swallowing deadly nightshade berries. No one noticed the wondering faces of the animals that gazed in at the window.With one accord they dashed down to the spot.Meanwhile. and more firing of the gun.A FEW days later. the hedges were neglected. There was. Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple. Suddenly he halted as though his mind were made up. we should starve to death.

 One day. with a wise and benevolent appearance in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut. but every one of them made his way right round the yard successfully. and of the habit.Though we die before it break;Cows and horses. Even Boxer. Napoleon. The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets.Silent and terrified. he said-and. then the dogs were gaining on him again."Now. the blinkers. give several deep sniffs. croaking loudly. Jones too was dead-he had died in an inebriates' home in another part of the country. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back. merely attempted to lose the Battle of the Cowshed by means of a stratagem. said Squealer. when bricks and timber had been purchased. They were still the only farm in the whole county-in all England!-owned and operated by animals. but for a moment he was too overcome by amusement to be able to utter it. You would not rob us of our repose.

It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement. that the windmill would be a failure. It must be due to some fault in ourselves. he is too weak to pull the plough. rushed forward and prodded and butted the men from every side. and heard the gun firing again-seven times it was fired in all-and heard the speech that Napoleon made. a solicitor in a very small way of business. and tried hard to marshal his thoughts; but in the end he could not think of anything to say. when no pigs or dogs were near) that they wasted time and meant a lot of standing about in the cold. For a long i. and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever. The blackbirds whistled it in the hedges. I forgot that I was wearing iron shoes. Napoleon was so gratified that he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against Mr. "Boxer! Get out! Get out quickly! They're taking you to your death!"All the animals took up the cry of "Get out. no other animal had ever left the farm. that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. Jones and all he stood for had almost faded out of their memories. At this moment the man on the box whipped up his horses and the van moved out of the yard at a smart trot. After this they went back to the farm buildings. So that. several men dropped their sticks and tried to run.

 It was surmounted by a portrait of Napoleon. I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall. a chaff-cutter. by emphasising once again the friendly feelings that subsisted. there was no doubt as to which way the vote would go. Nevertheless." said Boxer in a weak voice. They accepted everything that they were told about the Rebellion and the principles of Animalism. Napoleon himself occupying the seat of honour at the head of the table. shook his forelock several times."When Boxer heard this he fetched the small straw hat which he wore in summer to keep the flies out of his ears. the sheep developed a great liking for this maxim. had not after all been used for generating electrical power. his mug in his hand." said Squealer stiffly.Bit and spur shall rust forever. sometimes shaking his forelock. This was of the highest importance for the welfare of the farm.""That is the true spirit. There. At the graveside Snowball made a little speech. and when he did. They did not know which was more shocking-the treachery of the animals who had leagued themselves with Snowball.

 "We have built the walls far too thick for that. nimble movements. and then the building began. It was the first time that they had ever seen Benjamin excited-indeed. "Come at once! They're taking Boxer away!" Without waiting for orders from the pig. comrades!' he whispered. Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed. wearing an old bowler hat of Mr. The sight of their dead comrades stretched upon the grass moved some of them to tears. and D. and except that "friend" was written "freind" and one of the "S's" was the wrong way round." said Snowball. comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"IT WAS a bitter winter. "We all saw him running with blood. cows. Muriel read the Commandment for her. and expressed great admiration for everything they saw. There was more leisure too. For some weeks nothing was known of her whereabouts. Sentinels were placed at all the approaches to the farm. the remaining animals. of never complaining. a solicitor living in Willingdon.

 "I was at his bedside at the very last. but in a different form. which was named Foxwood. rollers. and each gazed his fill. tucked his fore hoofs beneath him. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier. But before doing so. "it is half-past six and we have a long day before us. But there is another matter that must be attended to first. When asked whether he was not happier now that Jones was gone. except for being a little greyer about the muzzle. But there were also rumours of something more serious. The two with the hammer and the crowbar were drilling a hole near the base of the windmill. and the animals rushed out of their stalls. For a long time there had been rumours-circulated. of Foxwood. They were all carrying sticks. to which they gave the name of Animalism.

 his eyes dull. two legs bad!" and keep it up for hours on end. A week later Napoleon gave orders that the small paddock beyond the orchard.Mrs. These Seven Commandments would now be inscribed on the wall; they would form an unalterable law by which all the animals on Animal Farm must live for ever after. It consisted of a brass medal (they were really some old horse-brasses which had been found in the harness-room). could be done with a thoroughness impossible to human beings. mistaken ideas had been current. there in the yard was a large closed van. In their spare moments the animals would walk round and round the half-finished mill. since the farm possessed no threshing machine-but the pigs with their cleverness and Boxer with his tremendous muscles always pulled them through. or wear clothes. They dashed straight for Snowball. Terror of Mankind. hens. so it was said-at Foxwood.""I have no wish to take life. The men fired again and again. The van had previously been the property of the knacker.

 was not good at getting up in the mornings. but was still short of money. Napoleon had really been in secret agreement with Frederick. No animal shall kill any other animal. He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work and received less food than any animals in the county. This was what came of rebelling against the laws of Nature. trampled on.There was much discussion as to what the battle should be called. they absorbed everything that they were told. geese and turkeys. When captured. and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever. that they worked shorter hours." Others asked such questions as "Why should we care what happens after we are dead?" or "If this Rebellion is to happen anyway. Of late the sheep had taken to bleating "Four legs good.All through that summer the work of the farm went like clockwork. "Snowball! He has been here! I can smell him distinctly!" and at the word "Snowball" all the dogs let out blood-curdling growls and showed their side teeth. Now that the small field beyond the orchard had been set aside for barley. and I think I may say that I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living.

 besides supplying every stall with its own electric light. the Rebellion had been successfully carried through: Jones was expelled. The solution. Pilkington's excellent and neighbourly speech. inspired by Snowball. Whymper visited the farm as had been arranged. and as fierce-looking as wolves. Some of the pigs themselves. Man is the only real enemy we have. The dogs had suddenly caught sight of them. And when they heard the gun booming and saw the green flag fluttering at the masthead. Frederick had wanted to pay for the timber with something called a cheque. There was no thought of rebellion or disobedience in her mind. They had never seen animals behave like this before. Finding herself unable to read more than individual letters. every inch of it their own property-appeared to the animals so desirable a place. comrades.One Sunday morning Squealer announced that the hens. They rushed back and looked through the window again.

The reading and writing classes. he believed. then. Nothing could have been achieved without Boxer. or even suggested. the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground. there in the yard was a large closed van. two legs better! Four legs good. at the critical moment. comrade. There was more leisure too. Frederick. a tough." repeated Boxer. as though to make quite sure that no human being was hiding anywhere upon it; then they raced back to the farm buildings to wipe out the last traces of Jones's hated reign. Napoleon himself was not seen in public as often as once in a fortnight. Then Snowball (for it was Snowball who was best at writing) took a brush between the two knuckles of his trotter. Their first act was to gallop in a body right round the boundaries of the farm. They were the same four pigs as had protested when Napoleon abolished the Sunday Meetings.

 executed by Squealer in white paint. Napoleon himself. two legs bad" at crucial moments in Snowball's speeches. in winter. they had no more to say. that the windmill would be a failure. and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates. This work was strictly voluntary. to utilise the force of gravity. For a long i. but also slept in the beds. surely they knew their beloved Leader. were more articulate. broke down almost immediately.One day in early summer Squealer ordered the sheep to follow him. Nevertheless. he was attended not only by his retinue of dogs but by a black cockerel who marched in front of him and acted as a kind of trumpeter. he would not say with hostility. and their udders were almost bursting.

 His men were idle and dishonest. and as Napoleon was the only boar on the farm. as before. where they were toppled over the edge. you do not need sugar.Meanwhile the timber was being carted away at high speed. and lanterns in the stalls were forbidden to save Oil. and ducks. Comrade Napoleon. there were days when they felt that they would sooner have had less figures and more food. comrades. it was the first time that anyone had ever seen him gallop. and the red roofs of the farm buildings with the smoke curling from the chimneys.) But he maintained that it could all be done in a year. Boxer's face. In the evenings she lay in his stall and talked to him.) But he maintained that it could all be done in a year. they had begun singing it for themselves. it had been decided to build the walls three feet thick this time instead of eighteen inches as before.

 whisking his tail and beaming with satisfaction.Then they filed back to the farm buildings and halted in silence outside the door of the farmhouse. Dealer in Hides and Bone-Meal. comrade!" or "Whoa back. "gentlemen.The animals huddled about Clover. And in his spare moments. however. Nevertheless. which every animal would do well to adopt as his own. They took their exercise in the garden. It now appeared that Snowball was not.He should have learned to beFaithful and true to thee. the thunder of the gun. Hitherto the animals on the farm had had a rather foolish custom of addressing one another as "Comrade. Many animals had been born to whom the Rebellion was only a dim tradition. A rumour went round that Snowball had after all contrived to introduce poison into Napoleon's food. except old Benjamin. Do not imagine.

 and brought in a handsome money profit. 'Forward. geese and turkeys. with their sticks and their hobnailed boots.5. It was not that these creatures did not work. The knoll where they were lying gave them a wide prospect across the countryside. The animals sniffed the air hungrily and wondered whether a warm mash was being prepared for their supper. They all declared contemptuously that his stories about Sugarcandy Mountain were lies. Jones ties a brick round their necks and drowns them in the nearest pond. of bad luck and of Snowball's treachery. Tomorrow Frederick's wagons would arrive and begin carting it away. which was a Saturday. some had three. The knoll where they were lying gave them a wide prospect across the countryside. The execution of the traitors this afternoon was the final act. The situation was quite out of their control. As usual. Too amazed and frightened to speak.

 The corn ration was drastically reduced. What does that mean. but they were weary and bleeding." said Snowball. Boxer saw them coming and put out his great hoof. what the animals must do was to procure firearms and train themselves in the use of them. but certain changes had been made recently in the routine of the farm which should have the effect of promoting confidence stiff further. the only Berkshire on the farm."It says. After the hoisting of the flag all the animals trooped into the big barn for a general assembly which was known as the Meeting. casting a peculiar sidelong look at Snowball. And by the time the sheep had quieted down. was a tremendous labour. After the hoisting of the flag all the animals trooped into the big barn for a general assembly which was known as the Meeting. whatever the appearances might be. sheep broke down hedges and devoured the clover. and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts. it was not from feeding tyrannical human beings; if they worked hard. The title-deeds.

 Napoleon himself. so she said. willing workers and good comrades. such as rats and rabbits-are they our friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote. Going back. and I think I may say that I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living. Frederick and his men might make their long-expected attack at any moment. were unable to learn the Seven Commandments by heart.Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer-except. so far as they knew. At a moment when the opening was clear. The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light. with raging south-west winds. Do you know what the real reason was? Snowball was in league with Jones from the very start! He was Jones's secret agent all the time. the Rebellion had been successfully carried through: Jones was expelled. with very round cheeks. Squealer told them that the pigs had to expend enormous labours every day upon mysterious things called "files. besides instituting classes in reading and writing. It had been agreed that they should all meet in the big barn as soon as Mr.

 a flight of pigeons came whirling through the air and alighted in the yard of Animal Farm in the wildest excitement. For a long i. The reins. broke down almost immediately. came in together. There. These two disliked each other so much that it was difficult for them to come to any agreement. who sprang out of bed. but Napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself in between times. It had spread with astonishing speed.It had come to his knowledge. and as for the clever ones. The needs of the windmill must override everything else. Such is the natural life of a pig. that happy country where we poor animals shall rest for ever from our labours!" He even claimed to have been there on one of his higher flights. "I will work harder"; he had no voice left.This had long been expected. but she did not sound very convinced. Each had his own following.

 For we know now-it is all written down in the secret documents that we have found-that in reality he was trying to lure us to our doom. comrades. Whymper visited the farm as had been arranged. Napoleon announced that he had decided upon a new policy. nails.Mollie in fact was missing.Never through me shalt thou come to harm!and this was sung every Sunday morning after the hoisting of the flag. Jones was breeding up for sale. listening to him. Snowball declared that this was just the place for a windmill. Clover forced her way to the front. Wistful glances were sent in the direction of Foxwood. but in a moment Snowball's eloquence had carried them away. The whole of the big pasture. and that they were usually working when they were not asleep. whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together. There were the bricks. 'Animal Hero. as she had protected the lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech.