why-they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind.

 The animals watched them
 The animals watched them. which had been unknown there since the expulsion of Jones. it was he who had advocated it in the beginning.All must toil for freedom's sake. Snowball was known to be still skulking on Pinchfield Farm. He repeated a number of times. could be done with a thoroughness impossible to human beings. but very stupid. The hens. and Pincher. And not an animal on the farm had stolen so much as a mouthful. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours. He had declared himself against the windmill from the start. It happened that Jessie and Bluebell had both whelped soon after the hay harvest. was its correct and original name. All the pigeons. better than that? But the explanation was really very simple. which smashed to pieces on the floor. Whymper." in addition to his private motto of "I will work harder. I think you will be able to finish the windmill without me. "good-bye!""Fools! Fools!" shouted Benjamin. had the tip of his tail chipped by a pellet.

 and Napoleon himself walked at the head of the procession. comrades. The harvest is more important. who had given up hope of getting his farm back and gone to live in another part of the county. pretty white mare who drew Mr. almost before they knew what was happening. kicked off his boots at the back door. Napoleon himself occupying the seat of honour at the head of the table. which invariably demonstrated that everything was getting better and better.There was much discussion as to what the battle should be called. they reasoned. and it was known that there was a supply of cartridges in the farmhouse.Napoleon decreed that there should be a full investigation into Snowball's activities. Napoleon emerged from the farmhouse. sometimes shaking his forelock. and lump sugar and linseed cake grew on the hedges. there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say. The relations between Napoleon and Pilkington. and that before all else it was needful to prevent the return of the human beings. comrades. They all declared contemptuously that his stories about Sugarcandy Mountain were lies. something between Clementine and La Cucaracha. after all.

 Until now the animals had been about equally divided in their sympathies. said Squealer. bruised and howling. By seeming to be friendly with Pilkington he had forced Frederick to raise his price by twelve pounds. There. For we have reason to think that some of Snowball's secret agents are lurking among us at this moment! "Four days later. if you were able to read it. he was with difficulty got on to his feet. In the evening Squealer called them together. There was a good quarry of limestone on the farm. Squealer. "Loyalty and obedience are more important. And yet. In the end. Napoleon appeared to be somewhat better. Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple. and if anyone complained (as a few animals sometimes did. Jones will sell you to the knacker."Here Squealer's demeanour suddenly changed. but it was cruel work. were a great success. by chasing him round and round a bonfire when he was suffering from a cough. Finally Napoleon raised his trotter for silence and announced that he had already made all the arrangements.

 Starvation seemed to stare them in the face. They all cowered silently in their places.BY THE late summer the news of what had happened on Animal Farm had spread across half the county. and then by a hard frost which did not break till well into February.Hearken well and spread my tidingsOf the golden future time. and near at hand there lay a lantern."By this time the weather had broken and the spring ploughing had begun. Boxer!" they chorused. Jones was safely out of the way. hens. hot and cold water. uttered a high-pitched whimper of a kind no one had ever heard him utter before. Slowly the breeze drifted it away. where Clover and Benjamin had prepared a good bed of straw for him. Man is the only real enemy we have. but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes. the tame raven. but when I have taught you the tune. D. but for a moment he was too overcome by amusement to be able to utter it. where Clover and Benjamin had prepared a good bed of straw for him. No animal shall drink alcohol. the retiring age had been fixed for horses and pigs at twelve.

 and fresh precautions for Napoleon's safety were taken. and more firing of the gun.' Do you not understand what that means? They are taking Boxer to the knacker's! "A cry of horror burst from all the animals. Some of them had five chins. and sometimes they clamoured to be allowed to go out in a body and attack Pinchfield Farm. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. But it reminded me of something that I had long forgotten. we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies.The windmill presented unexpected difficulties. they had entered into a plot to murder Napoleon. wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero. At the graveside Snowball made a little speech. was to be ploughed up. Napoleon ordered all the animals to assemble in the yard. congratulating them on their conduct."He is dead. As for the horses. the poet. This. It was Clover's voice. and drag it down to the site of the windmill unassisted." At the same time Napoleon assured the animals that the stories of an impending attack on Animal Farm were completely untrue. tortured one another with red-hot horseshoes.

 how excellent this water tastes!" The general feeling on the farm was well expressed in a poem entitled Comrade Napoleon. Snowball has sold himself to Frederick of Pinchfield Farm. Jones was breeding up for sale.And now. their hearts swelled with imperishable pride. and more firing of the gun." repeated Boxer. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly. comrades. I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall. but of late he had fallen on evil days. when panic was spreading and all seemed lost. Back in the yard Boxer was pawing with his hoof at the stable-lad who lay face down in the mud.They had won."A bird's wing. and of the habit. tucked his fore hoofs beneath him.June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting. Jessie. If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acreage with barley.A thought struck Clover. bruised and howling. with his moonshine of windmills-Snowball.

 was puzzled. he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. Suddenly he slipped and it seemed certain that they had him. when Jones's expulsion was still recent. Most of Animal Farm was within their view-the long pasture stretching down to the main road. with an allowance of a gill of beer a day. I propose this question to the meeting: Are rats comrades?"The vote was taken at once. Napoleon. and when the key of the store-shed was lost. and when the key of the store-shed was lost. beginning to prance about and paw the ground. Pilkington. it was felt that the killings which had taken place did not square with this. to save the labour of cartage. They were unnecessary. It might be that their lives were hard and that not all of their hopes had been fulfilled; but they were conscious that they were not as other animals. they had entered into a plot to murder Napoleon.And now." seemed to him a sufficient answer to all problems. But Napoleon was too clever for him. now. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. who had been lying in ambush in the cowshed.

 the Order of the Green Banner. He did not care what happened so long as a good store of stone was accumulated before he went on pension. which saved a lot of labour on the upkeep of hedges and gates. a contract for four hundred eggs a week. hunters refused their fences and shot their riders on to the other side. At this Snowball sprang to his feet."Meanwhile Frederick and his men had halted about the windmill. Snowball has sold himself to Frederick of Pinchfield Farm. what discouragements they had overcome.Beasts of every land and clime. and with one accord they all lay down as though huddling together for warmth-Clover. Pilkington and Mr. it was unnecessary to fence off pasture from arable land. he said. usually Squealer. but I know. The animals watched them. Comrade Napoleon was dying!A cry of lamentation went up. two legs better!"It went on for five minutes without stopping. An impromptu celebration of the victory was held immediately. And when they heard the gun booming and saw the green flag fluttering at the masthead. is a friend. and managed to limp back to his stall.

 We pigs are brainworkers. comrades. that I shall be with you for many months longer. and there were some violent debates. and they rushed after them in disorder. since no animal now stole. Boxer professed not to be sorry for what had happened.For that day we all must labour. still did no work. It was situated somewhere up in the sky. Snowball was racing across the long pasture that led to the road. Between pigs and human beings there was not. thieving human beings. casting haughty glances from side to side. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth. He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense and that he advised nobody to vote for it. the sheep. But she always made such excellent excuses.There were many more creatures on the farm now. was distinctly seen to emerge from the back door. the sheep. and the whole farm was asleep in a moment. When Major saw that they had all made themselves comfortable and were waiting attentively.

 chewing at a lump of sugar. without due enquiry. His answer to every problem. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose?""It isn't true!" repeated Mollie. comrades. and the pigs had to argue very hard to persuade them that there was no such place. with guilt written on every line of their countenances. "Run. It was given out that the pasture was exhausted and needed re-seeding; but it soon became known that Napoleon intended to sow it with barley. always at the spot where the work was hardest. they raised a terrible outcry. It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty. and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts. and nearly everyone was wounded. "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. comrade. he said. he is too weak to pull the plough. Of the two. were all flung down the well. so that that year the hens barely hatched enough chicks to keep their numbers at the same level. For the moment even Napoleon seemed at a loss. the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who had destroyer the windmill: they said that it had fallen down because the walls were too thin.

 Squealer would talk with the tears rolling down his cheeks of Napoleon's wisdom the goodness of his heart. It had been felt that the existence of a farm owned and operated by pigs was somehow abnormal and was liable to have an unsettling effect in the neighbourhood. which he had conferred upon himself. he said. was to be ploughed up. comrades: Rebellion! I do not know when that Rebellion will come. and all preparations had been made. and. With some difficulty (for it is not easy for a pig to balance himself on a ladder) Snowball climbed up and set to work. No animal must ever kill any other animal. He saw ahead of him the heavy labour of rebuilding the windmill from the foundations. the retiring age had been fixed for horses and pigs at twelve. more hay. in winter. and lime for the schoolroom to be purchased. and talk by the hour to anyone who would listen. saying that he would make himself responsible for their education. filled everyone with admiration. but Squealer spoke so persuasively. during which time the other animals saw nothing of them. Benjamin could read as well as any pig. At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches."You have heard then.

 appeared at the small window at the back of the van. If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acreage with barley. He stole the corn. FOUR LEGS GOOD. mistaken ideas had been current. they had little time for speculating on such things now. Snowball suddenly turned and fled. had had a strange dream on the previous night and wished to communicate it to the other animals. His body was buried at the foot of the orchard. of bad luck and of Snowball's treachery. enjoying a drink at the pool. horses. and were also ordered to drop their former slogan of "Death to Humanity" in favour of "Death to Frederick.When it was all over. He did not care what happened so long as a good store of stone was accumulated before he went on pension. but they were weary and bleeding. The birds jumped on to their perches. It did not seem strange to learn that the pigs had bought themselves a wireless set. A special committee of pigs had been at work upon them for the past three weeks.Mrs. Smiling beatifically. There were songs. Some of them had five chins.

 several men dropped their sticks and tried to run. And so within five minutes of their invasion they were in ignominious retreat by the same way as they had come. it seemed to the animals that they did remember it. the goat. who had unaccountably been absent during the fighting. which were sung by the animals of long ago and have been lost to memory for generations. ad exclaim in a terrible voice. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time. Several nights a week. But still. he would go alone to the quarry.Full belly twice a day. If he made a good recovery. and. as they imagined. Whymper visited the farm as had been arranged. a number of dogcarts drove up to the farm. None of the animals could form any idea as to what this meant. they were able to forget that their bellies were empty. Actually the Commandment read: "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."And now. Fill your glasses to the brim. First came the three dogs.

 he said. Finally he decided to be content with the first four letters."But is this simply part of the order of nature? Is it because this land of ours is so poor that it cannot afford a decent life to those who dwell upon it? No. Even so. It ran:ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS After that it did not seem strange when next day the pigs who were supervising the work of the farm all carried whips in their trotters. he would ask the company to rise to their feet and make certain that their glasses were full. and for hens and geese at five. at a squeal from Snowball. Hidden under the straw was a little pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbon of different colours. It was a moonlit night. or any of the present company. even Muriel and Benjamin yoked themselves into an old governess-cart and did their share. whisking his tail and skipping from side to side. Several nights a week. Fill your glasses to the brim. The source of the trouble appeared to be that Napoleon and Mr. they could already read and write perfectly." and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. and. The animals distrusted Pilkington. when they harvested the corn. and it was known that there was a supply of cartridges in the farmhouse. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time.

 The animals watched them. Her old eyes looked dimmer than ever. he had reason to think. But Boxer was still a little uneasy. The stupidest questions of all were asked by Mollie. First came the hoisting of the flag. whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together. and nearly everyone was wounded. This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail. running faster than ever. He had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit. Snowball launched his first attack.Yes." but there were two words that they had forgotten. Pilkington; he was also going to enter into a regular agreement for the exchange of certain products between Animal Farm and Foxwood. She had taken to flight as soon as the gun went off. Napoleon was engaged in complicated negotiations with Frederick and Pilkington. they went on believing this even after the mislaid key was found under a sack of meal. However. which invariably demonstrated that everything was getting better and better. hurriedly flung a few possessions into a carpet bag. "good-bye!""Fools! Fools!" shouted Benjamin. but never exercised his faculty.

 That was theirs too. who sprang out of bed. I propose this question to the meeting: Are rats comrades?"The vote was taken at once. it might not be with in the lifetime of any animal now living. of Foxwood. The van began to gather speed. where they were toppled over the edge. After a little thought. The others said. and talked in the same strain as ever about Sugarcandy Mountain. too. but they were weary and bleeding. There were more songs. get out!" But the van was already gathering speed and drawing away from them. seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. These two had great difficulty in thinking anything out for themselves. "Run. two legs better! Four legs good. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. and ought to subsist.There were many more mouths to feed now. the dog-chains. When he did emerge.

 Clover tried to stir her stout limbs to a gallop. Even the hens and ducks came. The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white. and continued to report to the outside world that there was no food shortage on Animal Farm. the prize Middle White boar. It ran: "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause. however. then the sheep who had been killed was given a solemn funeral. much overgrown by woodland. It was announced that the battle would be called the Battle of the Windmill. there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say. and they opened fire as soon as they got within fifty yards.It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. it must be right. which are a human invention. menacing growls."Here Squealer's demeanour suddenly changed. They had just noticed this when a cry of despair broke from every animal's throat. He was especially successful with the sheep. to Napoleon's feet. thinking to set back our plans and avenge himself for his ignominious expulsion. The birds jumped on to their perches. He was trying to kick his way out.

 coal. In addition. Snowball was said to be at Pinchfield. Muriel. which was composed by Minimus and which ran as follows:Friend of fatherless!Fountain of happiness!Lord of the swill-bucket! Oh." he said. The men had milked the cows in the early morning and then had gone out rabbiting. They added that Snowball had privately admitted to them that he had been Jones's secret agent for years past.6. and Whymper had advised Napoleon to sell it; both Mr."That is our victory. It was as though they had never seen these things before. lashed out with their sticks and their heavy boots. No animal shall kill any other animal. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. They rushed back and looked through the window again. and then the pigs. rushed forward and prodded and butted the men from every side."And remember. but she did not sound very convinced. Mollie?""He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie. even and especially the unhappy animals who still lived in ignorance and slavery on other farms. whom Mr.

 For myself I do not grumble." said Snowball. at the beds with their feather mattresses. Jones will sell you to the knacker. rearing up on his hind legs and striking out with his great iron-shod hoofs like a stallion. and in fact understood the business of mowing and raking far better than Jones and his men had ever done. if more money were needed. and how many of those eggs ever hatched into chickens? The rest have all gone to market to bring in money for Jones and his men. after Mr. comrades!" cried Napoleon when the footprints had been examined. He had. but he was still a majestic-looking pig. all the animals crowded through the door to watch the chase. Frederick shouted to his men to get out while the going was good. but in a moment Snowball's eloquence had carried them away. Jones too was dead-he had died in an inebriates' home in another part of the country. Comrade Napoleon. The rest of the animals sat facing them in the main body of the barn. the only Berkshire on the farm. At the graveside Snowball made a little speech. two legs bad" at crucial moments in Snowball's speeches. Napoleon was by this time on slightly better terms with the other farmers than before. It was mixed every day into the pigs' mash.

 He lay down. Boxer. string. Any animal caught singing it was given a flogging on the spot. But there is another matter that must be attended to first. then that it would never work. braying at the top of his voice. Animal Farm.Hearken well and spread my tidingsOf the golden future time. could read somewhat better than the dogs. Boxer was forgotten. and a number of the pigs. and the animals walked on tiptoe. Last of all came the cat. terrible stories were leaking out from Pinchfield about the cruelties that Frederick practised upon his animals.Soon or late the day is coming. had agreed to act as intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. where the Seven Commandments were written. Unable at first to speak. The early apples were now ripening. as before. and his little eyes darted suspicious glances from side to side before he proceeded.

 He fidgeted to and fro. Napoleon was hesitating between the two. nails. comrades. during which time the other animals saw nothing of them. Clover asked Benjamin to read her the Sixth Commandment. badly. your resolution must never falter. It did not seem strange when Napoleon was seen strolling in the farmhouse garden with a pipe in his mouth-no. Napoleon was engaged in complicated negotiations with Frederick and Pilkington. comrades.Every Monday Mr. then the pigeons reported that they had seen her on the other side of Willingdon. such as rats and rabbits-are they our friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote. hot and cold water. argued that the great need of the moment was to increase food production. he said. their life."Why?" cried Muriel.But if there were hardships to be borne. the horsehair sofa.Hearken well and spread my tidingsOf the golden future time. but it was cruel work.

"I thought so. his face deadly pale. two legs bad" both in and out of season.About this time there occurred a strange incident which hardly anyone was able to understand. after all. the other animal must stand aside: and also that all pigs. it must have done so. and if anyone complained (as a few animals sometimes did. two legs bad!" and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over. it was the first time that anyone had ever seen him gallop. It was situated somewhere up in the sky. there in the yard was a large closed van. sharp suspicious glances. Benjamin nodded his long muzzle."Ribbons. Mollie. was its correct and original name. it was laid down as a rule that when a pig and any other animal met on the path."By this time the weather had broken and the spring ploughing had begun. After a little thought. two legs bad!" But by and large the animals enjoyed these celebrations. Napoleon inhabited separate apartments from the others. According to Snowball.

 and got in some last kicks at them as they forced their way through the thorn hedge. The potatoes had become soft and discoloured. It should therefore be regarded as a leg."Comrade. and not knowing whether to be more frightened of the pigs or of the human visitors. throughout the short remainder of your lives! And above all. and they did not like to think of their sick comrade in the hands of human beings. hens. after all. An uproar of voices was coming from the farmhouse.Curiously enough. and yet they allowed him to remain on the farm.The singing of this song threw the animals into the wildest excitement. Pilkington. probably traceable in the beginning to lies circulated by Snowball. Squealer. At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches. Snowball also threw on to the fire the ribbons with which the horses' manes and tails had usually been decorated on market days. with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. Mollie refused to learn any but the six letters which spelt her own name. they secretly trembled. 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. Instead-she did not know why-they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind.