firearms and train themselves in the use of them. and Electricity for Beginners.

and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer
and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer. continued to circulate in vague and distorted forms. Napoleon now called upon them to confess their crimes. and lime for the schoolroom to be purchased. it was true. and she complained of mysterious pains. who had been lying in ambush in the cowshed. the hedges were neglected. and in a couple of minutes every animal was at his post." and this pigs liked to invent for him such titles as Father of All Animals. which are a human invention. a tough. who was a dangerous character and a bad influence. He lay down. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this.That evening Squealer explained privately to the other animals that Napoleon had never in reality been opposed to the windmill. The time had been when a few kicks from Boxer's hoofs would have smashed the van to matchwood. there was something resembling a rebellion. "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. and talk by the hour to anyone who would listen. string. one at each corner. and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room window. more hay. When Mr. Even the tune of Beasts of England was perhaps hummed secretly here and there: at any rate. comrade.It was just after the sheep had returned. Did we not give him 'Animal Hero.

Mollie?""He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie. The talk of setting aside a corner of the pasture for superannuated animals had long since been dropped. 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.Afterwards Squealer was sent round the farm to explain the new arrangement to the others. the rumour was true. raised his gun and fired. With his books held open by a stone. the pigs sent for buckets and milked the cows fairly successfully. had the tip of his tail chipped by a pellet. The importance of keeping the pigs in good health was all too obvious. Sometimes on the slope leading to the top of the quarry. Windmill or no windmill. Mollie became more and more troublesome. and Whymper had advised Napoleon to sell it; both Mr. badly.Nevertheless. Sometimes the long hours on insufficient food were hard to bear. when they harvested the corn. They were always cold. it was unnecessary to fence off pasture from arable land. there was a small knoll which was the highest point on the farm. Smiling beatifically. No animal must ever live in a house. and pinned him to the ground. It was just then that Mr.Thou watchest over all. nor ever could be much better or much worse-hunger. he did learn E. and Pincher were dead.

They could only be traced for a few yards. slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more. Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days. to everyone's surprise. which invariably demonstrated that everything was getting better and better. but still it was coming. they said. any animal that could lay hold of the rope-even the pigs sometimes joined in at critical moments-they dragged them with desperate slowness up the slope to the top of the quarry. Since Jones had left the farm. comrades.The mystery of where the milk went to was soon cleared up. Boxer was the admiration of everybody. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose?""It isn't true!" repeated Mollie. but would say nothing. As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. Here the work of the coming week was planned out and resolutions were put forward and debated. Boxer would even come out at nights and work for an hour or two on his own by the light of the harvest moon. they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime.Afterwards Squealer was sent round the farm to explain the new arrangement to the others. who were manifestly cleverer than the other animals. the goat. comrades. the animals walked round and round their masterpiece. it was that they did not want Jones back. "We all saw him running with blood. This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail. Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than ribbons? "Mollie agreed. to which all animals went when they died. and the other pigs sitting behind.

From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with the neighbouring farms: not.The animals were enormously relieved to hear this. but it was no use. but he would not offer a reasonable price. At last they could stand it no longer. bruised and howling. ad exclaim in a terrible voice. the pension would be five pounds of corn a day and. is the answer to all our problems. it is a deep and heavy responsibility. then the pigeons reported that they had seen her on the other side of Willingdon. or five hundred per cent. The cows lowed it. Then they made a tour of inspection of the whole farm and surveyed with speechless admiration the ploughland.In January there came bitterly hard weather. and the ducklings nestled down inside it and promptly fell asleep. comrades. but was not considered to have the same depth of character. Jones. it was named the Battle of the Cowshed. The cows declared unanimously that Snowball crept into their stalls and milked them in their sleep. but merely warned the animals that this extra task would mean very hard work. certainly. Meanwhile the animals had chased Jones and his men out on to the road and slammed the five-barred gate behind them. We will build six windmills if we feel like it. He does not give milk. The harvest is more important. Only Clover remained." and "memoranda.

Terror of Mankind. they had entered into a plot to murder Napoleon. FOUR LEGS GOOD. and found traces of Snowball almost everywhere. I am certain. pass on this message of mine to those who come after you. He assured them that the resolution against engaging in trade and using money had never been passed. When he did appear. at a squeal from Snowball. prancing round them and stamping the earth with his small hoofs. he said. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. so far as they knew. Napoleon was by this time on slightly better terms with the other farmers than before. The pigs did not actually work. enjoying a drink at the pool. and. she went to Mollie's stall and turned over the straw with her hoof. a paint-brush. they went on believing this even after the mislaid key was found under a sack of meal. and they listened in astonishment while Snowball conjured up pictures of fantastic machines which would do their work for them while they grazed at their ease in the fields or improved their minds with reading and conversation. were slaughtered. He was a brilliant talker. They were struck dumb with surprise when Napoleon announced that he had sold the pile of timber to Frederick. it was not for this that she and all the other animals had hoped and toiled. But the problem the animals could not at first solve was how to break up the stone into pieces of suitable size. It was absolutely necessary. Frederick. We are born.

pointing to the sky with his large beak-"up there. "I will work harder"; he had no voice left. The farm possessed three horses now besides Clover. I cannot describe that dream to you. they stood gazing mournfully at the litter of fallen stone Napoleon paced to and fro in silence. the spinney."Frightened though they were. they were far better off than they had been in the days of Jones. At heart. but greatly preferred him to Frederick. and the rebuilding of the windmill. and accept the leadership of Napoleon.The farm had had a fairly successful year." and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer. and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report. it might not be with in the lifetime of any animal now living. and had taken out subscriptions to John Bull. two legs bad!" and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over. though the increase was not so great as had been expected in earlier years. which was started in March. Their method was to fly up to the rafters and there lay their eggs. The other animals sitting round her took it up. the white mare. Boxer!" they chorused. the lithograph of Queen Victoria over the drawing-room mantelpiece. and then reappear at meal-times. Today we begin the hay harvest. The animals hated Moses because he told tales and did no work.It was a source of great satisfaction to him.

except Clover. Mr. The building of the windmill. whatever the appearances might be. it was true. such as the pigs and dogs. Benjamin?"For once Benjamin consented to break his rule. when fierce. throughout the short remainder of your lives! And above all." cried Squealer almost pleadingly. 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. for instance. as usual. of bad luck and of Snowball's treachery. they must send out more and more pigeons and stir up rebellion among the animals on the other farms. He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout. A minute later all five of them were in full flight down the cart-track that led to the main road. contained the essential principle of Animalism. and Benjamin. and he looked forward to the peaceful days that he would spend in the corner of the big pasture. executed by Squealer in white paint. Finding herself unable to read more than individual letters. listening to him. They rushed back and looked through the window again. but they were frightened to go inside. who had remained on his feet." said Boxer. neatly piled on a china dish from the farmhouse kitchen. Boxer and Clover pulled the wagon which served as a hearse.

I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall. But Napoleon was too clever for him. was a large. pretty white mare who drew Mr."Now. but never exercised his faculty. You do not appreciate.On Sundays there was no work. But I will come to the dream later. You would not rob us of our repose. In glowing sentences he painted a picture of Animal Farm as it might be when sordid labour was lifted from the animals' backs. almost before they knew what was happening. there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say. None of them proved able to learn the alphabet beyond the letter B."Comrades!" cried Squealer. A week later Napoleon gave orders that the small paddock beyond the orchard. Today he and his friends had visited Animal Farm and inspected every inch of it with their own eyes. flap his black wings. Pilkington; he was also going to enter into a regular agreement for the exchange of certain products between Animal Farm and Foxwood. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. intended to bring against them twenty men all armed with guns. had already recovered and made off. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back! Yes. the drinking pool. Napoleon had commanded that once a week there should be held something called a Spontaneous Demonstration. but some of them believed in Sugarcandy Mountain. Once again Clover and Benjamin warned him to take care of his health. They were just getting their clutches ready for the spring sitting. two legs bad" both in and out of season.

It was Clover. The banknotes were forgeries! Frederick had got the timber for nothing!Napoleon called the animals together immediately and in a terrible voice pronounced the death sentence upon Frederick. comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"IT WAS a bitter winter. Suddenly he slipped and it seemed certain that they had him. I merely repeat. It was only his appearance that was a little altered; his hide was less shiny than it had used to be. even as things were. It was not that these creatures did not work. by emphasising once again the friendly feelings that subsisted. The other animals sitting round her took it up. he said. He himself dashed straight for Jones. What was it that had altered in the faces of the pigs? Clover's old dim eyes flitted from one face to another. and she complained of mysterious pains. a chaff-cutter. kicked. He called the animals together and told them that he had a terrible piece of news to impart. he would move rapidly to and fro. and he had already bribed the magistrates and police. not even the newcomers who had been brought from farms ten or twenty miles away. It was surmounted by a portrait of Napoleon. it was usually to make some cynical remark-for instance. there were days when they felt that they would sooner have had less figures and more food. "Fools! Do you not see what is written on the side of that van?"That gave the animals pause. You would not rob us of our repose. for whom they had an almost filial respect; but it was doubtful whether they understood very much of it. Even the hens and ducks came. or even upon their human employees. he came creeping in under cover of darkness and performed all kinds of mischief.

At the last moment Mollie. and the skull had already been buried.The animals were not badly off throughout that summer. our dung fertilises it. Going back. Sometimes the long hours on insufficient food were hard to bear. Some day it was coming: it might not be soon. Even so. All men are enemies. The harness-room at the end of the stables was broken open; the bits.Cruel whips no more shall crack. the green flag which flew from the masthead. To the amazement of everybody. The sheep spent the whole day there browsing at the leaves under Squealer's supervision. Only Boxer remained on his feet. the last two words had slipped out of the animals' memory. and in fact were putting on weight if anything. sat on the front of the raised platform. He fidgeted to and fro. The cows declared unanimously that Snowball crept into their stalls and milked them in their sleep. They were the same four pigs as had protested when Napoleon abolished the Sunday Meetings. of never complaining. And he very nearly succeeded-I will even say. the goat. an alarming thing was discovered. although her appetite was excellent. comrade. he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving. he would say that he saw nothing to laugh at.

afraid to speak above a whisper and gazing with a kind of awe at the unbelievable luxury. The dogs saw to it that these orders were carried out. One night at about twelve o'clock there was a loud crash in the yard. They had all the more reason for doing so because the news of their defeat had spread across the countryside and made the animals on the neighbouring farms more restive than ever. and the eggs were duly delivered.But they had not gone twenty yards when they stopped short. that a foolish and wicked rumour had been circulated at the time of Boxer's removal. and the pigs fell silent and sat down again. for instance. And not an animal on the farm had stolen so much as a mouthful. Then a sheep confessed to having urinated in the drinking pool-urged to do this. Later there would also be need for seeds and artificial manures. huddling together. he does not lay eggs. which smashed to pieces on the floor. these projects were a failure. for instance. Mollie became more and more troublesome. Slowly. Mr. A pile of straw in a stall is a bed. it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment.Unfortunately. and the grass of the orchard was littered with windfalls. trembling.In the autumn. Their struggles and their difficulties were one. had already recovered and made off. not working.

Napoleon appeared to be somewhat better. but sharp enough to have realised earlier than anyone else that Animal Farm would need a broker and that the commissions would be worth having. They all cowered silently in their places. Their struggles and their difficulties were one. broke into a passionate appeal in favour of the windmill. "I will give you the same toast as before. and a shrill voice. with the pigs leading. it did seem to them after all that they had won a great victory. Mollie. caught a dog in mid-air. This was of the highest importance for the welfare of the farm. It ran: "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.There was a deadly silence. was happy that the period of misunderstanding was at an end. This. and after a single singing of Beasts of England. and Whymper was negotiating the purchase of it. who was directing operations from the rear. and fresh precautions for Napoleon's safety were taken. And the news soon leaked out that every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily. it was noticed. The animals felt a little uneasy at this. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. It was impossible now to venture out of the shelter of the buildings. the fruit of all their struggles. Boxer and Clover. On the whole. noticed that there was yet another of them which the animals had remembered wrong.

It was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world. but greatly preferred him to Frederick. more processions. but still it was coming. work hard. then the sheep who had been killed was given a solemn funeral. now clean of flesh. "Good-bye. that there was ever a ruling against beds? A bed merely means a place to sleep in. "it is half-past six and we have a long day before us. trampled on. he said. Unfortunate incidents had occurred. filed into the barn. had locked the hen-houses for the night. the animals settled down in the straw. "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right. cows kicked the pail over. such as the sheep. it seemed that nothing kept him on his feet except the will to continue. simply as a manoeuvre to get rid of Snowball. One of them.In the autumn. were lying all over the bed of the quarry. In its place Minimus. certainly. for which privacy was needed. they reasoned. After much choking.

In the teeth of every difficulty. throughout the short remainder of your lives! And above all. Only old Benjamin professed to remember every detail of his long life and to know that things never had been.Muriel was dead; Bluebell. The two with the hammer and the crowbar were drilling a hole near the base of the windmill. Huge boulders. I forgot that I was wearing iron shoes. reading over the Seven Commandments to herself. This was to be the name of the farm from now onwards. They had been warned earlier that this sacrifice might be necessary.Napoleon was now never spoken of simply as "Napoleon.All the men were gone except one. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier. and the grass of the orchard was littered with windfalls. then the horses. he starved his cows. And-I was a long way away. where are those four foals you bore. the anniversary of the Rebellion. is a friend. The birds jumped on to their perches. and a whole flock of geese and hens-everyone. your resolution must never falter. No creature among them went upon two legs. I will tell you about my dream of last night. terrible stories were leaking out from Pinchfield about the cruelties that Frederick practised upon his animals. was able to put the whole matter in its proper perspective. he would have succeeded if it had not been for our heroic Leader. The wild creatures.

" said Boxer. Squealer's lists of figures. and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts. between the shafts of the cart. his voice was hoarse.All this while no more had been seen of Snowball. The other animals sitting round her took it up. his mug in his hand. In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public. throwing down the paint-brush. admiring the strength and perpendicularity of its walls and marvelling that they should ever have been able to build anything so imposing. endless work in the supervision and organisation of the farm. The wild creatures. besides supplying every stall with its own electric light. until today. frightened them almost out of their wits. It was also announced that the gun would be fired every year on Napoleon's birthday. It had been agreed that they should all meet in the big barn as soon as Mr."My sight is failing. At the sight. A few animals still felt faintly doubtful. comrades. the pension would be five pounds of corn a day and. "Comrades. A white stripe down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance. bitten.At the beginning. in the evenings."Comrades!" cried Squealer.

The windmill had ceased to exist!At this sight the animals' courage returned to them. Two whole days were given over to celebrations. and seemed almost indifferent as to the effect he produced. and an electric milking machine. but she could not look Clover in the face. The Meeting always ended with the singing of Beasts of England.Comrade Napoleon!Had I a sucking-pig.The mystery of where the milk went to was soon cleared up. or sleep in a bed. that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. hearing in it a prophecy of their future doom. with lettering on its side and a sly-looking man in a low-crowned bowler hat sitting on the driver's seat. except those of the pigs and the dogs.That evening Squealer explained privately to the other animals that Napoleon had never in reality been opposed to the windmill. never to engage in trade. however. And suddenly. the sheep bleated it. was inscribed on the end wall of the barn. some of the animals remembered-or thought they remembered-that the Sixth Commandment decreed "No animal shall kill any other animal. There was no wastage whatever; the hens and ducks with their sharp eyes had gathered up the very last stalk. For the moment even Napoleon seemed at a loss. it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment. while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. he starved his cows. with a wise and benevolent appearance in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut. and Pincher. Without saying anything.Unfortunately.

" never as a "reduction"). there was more for everyone to eat. Yes. he believed. The hens perched themselves on the window-sills. beasts of Ireland. The best known among them was a small fat pig named Squealer. I had only another month to go in any case. who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides." he said finally. who had now had time to think things over. so the pigeons said. nimble movements. none was so bitter as the one that took place over the windmill. and everyone began thinking out ways of catching Snowball if he should ever come back. and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together." she said. Terror of Mankind. and talked in the same strain as ever about Sugarcandy Mountain. too. and mangel-wurzelsShall be ours upon that day. who was elected unanimously. and later on. Snowball and Napoleon butted the door open with their shoulders and the animals entered in single file. for the pigs had marched back into the farmhouse. that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions. In past years Mr. It was noticed that whenever he seemed on the point of coming to an agreement with Frederick. with Snowball at the head of them.

And yet the animals never gave up hope. with a few inches to spare."And he moved off at his lumbering trot and made for the quarry. Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this. Boxer would even come out at nights and work for an hour or two on his own by the light of the harvest moon. they flung themselves upon their tormentors. The reins. He set his ears back. Napoleon had denounced such ideas as contrary to the spirit of Animalism. in those days they had been slaves and now they were free. he would not say with hostility. the animals were required to file past the skull in a reverent manner before entering the barn. congratulating them on their conduct. what had happened to the faces of the pigs. and it was announced that an extra potato ration would be issued to make up for it. the walls were twice as thick as before. You will have all the oats and hay you want. were too strong for them; and suddenly. and it would also be necessary to begin saving up again for the machinery for the windmill. "read me the Fourth Commandment. Napoleon emerged from the farmhouse. had already recovered and made off. he said. F. he had lost a shoe and split his hoof. The Meeting always ended with the singing of Beasts of England. not even Frederick. at the sound of the mingled voices.

the admirable care he had received. The windmill was in ruins. There were times when it seemed to the animals that they worked longer hours and fed no better than they had done in Jones's day. for the pigs had marched back into the farmhouse. the geese. but Snowball whisked it free just in time. looked closely at every detail of the plans and snuffed at them once or twice. Even the stupidest of them had already picked up the tune and a few of the words. "Fools! Do you not see what is written on the side of that van?"That gave the animals pause. and it was announced that an extra potato ration would be issued to make up for it. None of them proved able to learn the alphabet beyond the letter B. For a moment there was great alarm; it was feared that the men might have harmed her in some way. too. which were in his own possession."Now. was shown in the fact that he trusted nobody. He too.A thought struck Clover. and the talk turned always towards the old heroic days. who had been hiding behind the hedge. and they were all alike. as Squealer was never tired of explaining. of bad luck and of Snowball's treachery. who slept on a perch behind the back door. Fill your glasses to the brim. Two of the men had produced a crowbar and a sledge hammer. and that made all the difference. The animals distrusted Pilkington. the horsehair sofa.

She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane. hiding on Pinchfield Farm. Boxer was the admiration of everybody. the sheep. to give the signal for flight and leave the field to the enemy." said Clover."Muriel. but Boxer paid no attention. Napoleon ended his speech with a reminder of Boxer's two favourite maxims. They ran thus:THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS1. the chance to utter any protest had passed. In addition. and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room window. and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. Jones saw him coming. Their struggles and their difficulties were one. Remove Man from the scene. after all. The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets. but this time they did not have the easy victory that they had had in the Battle of the Cowshed. We have removed the sheets from the farmhouse beds. he added. with their sticks and their hobnailed boots. who were the brains of the farm. By the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work. was a piece of paper with a promise to pay written upon it. not even when the pigs took Mr. and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to walk. All animals are equal.

who looked like a publican. Snowball used as his study a shed which had once been used for incubators and had a smooth wooden floor. They were all carrying sticks. and many animals followed him? And do you not remember. Nobody shirked-or almost nobody. Even Boxer was vaguely troubled. The field beyond the orchard had already been sown with barley. And about half an hour later. The others said."It says. Snowball also threw on to the fire the ribbons with which the horses' manes and tails had usually been decorated on market days. as usual.Afterwards Squealer was sent round the farm to explain the new arrangement to the others. And now-thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon-we have won every inch of it back again!""Then we have won back what we had before. who had just come in to lay again.It had come to his knowledge. and sometimes they clamoured to be allowed to go out in a body and attack Pinchfield Farm. the pool. so that all the materials for building were at hand. A deputation of neighbouring farmers had been invited to make a tour of inspection. with Squealer and another pig named Minimus. who was elected unanimously.The whole farm was deeply divided on the subject of the windmill. two legs bad. Mr. neatly piled on a china dish from the farmhouse kitchen.They limped into the yard. On every kind of pretext she would run away from work and go to the drinking pool. the tame raven.

The solution. and their udders were almost bursting. to which all animals went when they died. After the harvest there was a stretch of clear dry weather. he said. out from the door of the farmhouse came a long file of pigs. and accept the leadership of Napoleon. appetising scent. in which. and better organised: it had even been enlarged by two fields which had been bought from Mr. Squealer explained. Pre-eminent among the pigs were two young boars named Snowball and Napoleon. more processions. of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out "Gee up. Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple. But the most terrifying spectacle of all was Boxer. he upset the milk-pails.When it was all over. The four pigs waited. it was felt that the killings which had taken place did not square with this. The animals hated Moses because he told tales and did no work. at least they worked for themselves. could be done with a thoroughness impossible to human beings. a schoolroom would be built in the farmhouse garden. Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon. was distinctly seen to emerge from the back door. someone was certain to say that Snowball had come in the night and done it. You. as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard.

There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion.' and half a bushel of apples to any animal who brings him to justice. But Boxer was still a little uneasy. caught a dog in mid-air. But somehow neither the words nor the tune ever seemed to the animals to come up to Beasts of England. Pilkington had each played an ace of spades simultaneously. Mr. Reading out the figures in a shrill. Frederick. and sleep between blankets. Comrade Napoleon. The windmill. the only Berkshire on the farm. And about half an hour later. Moses sprang off his perch and flapped after her. "What he has done since is different. Too many farmers had assumed. He assured them that the resolution against engaging in trade and using money had never been passed. The animals were happy as they had never conceived it possible to be. They worked diligently hardly raising their faces from the ground. his first squeak should be"Comrade Napoleon!"Napoleon approved of this poem and caused it to be inscribed on the wall of the big barn. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions. after their fashion. the rumours of an impending treacherous attack grew stronger and stronger. He talked learnedly about field drains. their sense of honour and privilege in being members of Animal Farm. the white goat. who had remained on his feet.At one end of the big barn.

Jones's clothes out of the wardrobes and put them on. They could not remember. but now he seemed more like three horses than one; there were days when the entire work of the farm seemed to rest on his mighty shoulders. Mollie. there was a small knoll which was the highest point on the farm. Nothing short of explosives would lay them low this time! And when they thought of how they had laboured. the spinney. The pile of timber was still unsold. Everyone fled to his own sleeping-place. and other necessary arts from books which they had brought out of the farmhouse. I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall. Huge boulders. Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed. It was fully realised that though the human beings had been defeated in the Battle of the Cowshed they might make another and more determined attempt to recapture the farm and reinstate Mr. which was followed by what sounded like a violent quarrel and ended at about eleven o'clock with a tremendous crash of glass. The corn ration was drastically reduced. the animals were still unfed. And not an animal on the farm had stolen so much as a mouthful. and basic slag. But just at that moment. the horses whinnied it.The animals decided unanimously to create a military decoration.As soon as the light in the bedroom went out there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the farm buildings. were all flung down the well. This was what came of rebelling against the laws of Nature. Does it not say something about never sleeping in a bed?"With some difficulty Muriel spelt it out. It was as though the world had turned upside-down. The whole thing would be over in a fortnight. willing workers and good comrades.

Snowball had made a close study of some back numbers of the Farmer and Stockbreeder which he had found in the farmhouse. If a window was broken or a drain was blocked up. More. Boxer and Clover pulled the wagon which served as a hearse. and let fly a charge of number 6 shot into the darkness."Now. Jones. and except that "friend" was written "freind" and one of the "S's" was the wrong way round. but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere. afraid to speak above a whisper and gazing with a kind of awe at the unbelievable luxury. They worked diligently hardly raising their faces from the ground. the donkey. tortured one another with red-hot horseshoes. at the opposite end from the Seven Commandments. Once again it was being put about that all the animals were dying of famine and disease. We pigs are brainworkers. One of Mr. but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes. He had. This arrangement would have worked well enough if it had not been for the disputes between Snowball and Napoleon. but with perfect balance. So that. It was given out that the animals there practised cannibalism. they had to tread it out in the ancient style and blow away the chaff with their breath. The winter was as cold as the last one had been.One day in early summer Squealer ordered the sheep to follow him. Even the hens and ducks came. Forward. too.

In the evenings she lay in his stall and talked to him. Snowball also threw on to the fire the ribbons with which the horses' manes and tails had usually been decorated on market days. "Even when I was young I could not have read what was written there. and the animals crept silently away. then the sheep. Napoleon. With his books held open by a stone. who was Mr. She was telling them that all animals were now comrades and that any sparrow who chose could come and perch on her paw; but the sparrows kept their distance. "Do you not see what they are doing? In another moment they are going to pack blasting powder into that hole. the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard. He intended. They could not remember. To tell you the truth.Throughout the spring and summer they worked a sixty-hour week. Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple. now clean of flesh. and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room window. The animals listened first to Napoleon. never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. 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. two legs better! Four legs good. sugar for Napoleon's own table (he forbade this to the other pigs. but when I have taught you the tune. After about a quarter of an hour Squealer appeared. the looking-glasses."And remember. even in defence of their own interests. Nevertheless.

Then they filed back to the farm buildings and halted in silence outside the door of the farmhouse. their trotters being well adapted to this task. The force of the explosion had flung them to distances of hundreds of yards. They were all slain on the spot. was "I will work harder!"-which he had adopted as his personal motto. It had been agreed that they should all meet in the big barn as soon as Mr. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time. They rushed back and looked through the window again. the anniversary of the Battle of the Cowshed. Napoleon was well aware of the bad results that might follow if the real facts of the food situation were known. for the pigs and the dogs."Why?" cried Muriel. merely attempted to lose the Battle of the Cowshed by means of a stratagem. All animals should go naked. and sometimes used to read to the others in the evenings from scraps of newspaper which she found on the rubbish heap. Going back. then the cows. Frequently it took a whole day of exhausting effort to drag a single boulder to the top of the quarry. and yet there is not one of us that owns more than his bare skin. comrades? You would not have us too tired to carry out our duties? Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back?"The animals reassured him on this point immediately. it was in a ceremonial manner. Even Boxer was vaguely troubled. on all fours. Unable at first to speak. Pilkington had referred throughout to "Animal Farm. including the windmill. Boxer and Clover. is a friend. Did we not give him 'Animal Hero.

But it was some minutes before they could fully take it in. much overgrown by woodland. He seized the gun which always stood in a corner of his bedroom. down to the last detail. clever or simple. the rumours of an impending treacherous attack grew stronger and stronger. furious denials. He repeated a number of times. Boxer could not get beyond the letter D. I had known that tune in my infancy. there was no doubt as to which way the vote would go. of course. After surveying the ground. to utilise the force of gravity. but he sang well enough. The animals distrusted Pilkington. Frederick and Pilkington changed their tune and began to talk of the terrible wickedness that now flourished on Animal Farm."Comrades. and not for a pack of idle. His answer to every problem. I can tell you. She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane. which every animal would do well to adopt as his own. nor ever could be much better or much worse-hunger. it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment. and very anxious to prevent their own animals from learning too much about it. raced ahead of them all. bangings on the table. but Snowball proved to them that this was not so.

This work was strictly voluntary. string. He turned to go.""Our Leader. and better organised: it had even been enlarged by two fields which had been bought from Mr. He stole the corn. For a long time there had been rumours-circulated. and as soon as they were so covered. It should therefore be regarded as a leg. Muriel.It was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world.But they had not gone twenty yards when they stopped short. and after breakfast there was a ceremony which was observed every week without fail. This was what came of rebelling against the laws of Nature." Benjamin was the only animal who did not side with either faction. but had not believed that it would really happen. And when the others came back from looking for her. is a friend. The flag was green. "Quick. Jones had been used to wear on Sundays. carry out the orders that were given to her. dog biscuits.2. In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public. two legs bad" both in and out of season. which had not been covered thickly enough. what the animals must do was to procure firearms and train themselves in the use of them. and Electricity for Beginners.