great muscles were not quite what they had once been. there was nothing worth reading.

he would ask the company to rise to their feet and make certain that their glasses were full
he would ask the company to rise to their feet and make certain that their glasses were full. the fields were full of weeds. nobody grumbled over his rations. wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero. but greatly preferred him to Frederick."Now. the pension would be five pounds of corn a day and. the processions. it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race. his face deadly pale."And now. Obviously they were going to attempt the recapture of the farm. and his great haunches seemed to have shrunken. the lithograph of Queen Victoria over the drawing-room mantelpiece. He claimed to know of the existence of a mysterious country called Sugarcandy Mountain. The flag was run up and Beasts of England was sung a number of times. but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work. In the autumn the four sows had all littered about simultaneously. Discipline. comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. It was given out that the animals there practised cannibalism. "That will be attended to. they will let him retire at the same time and be a companion to me. The winter was as cold as the last one had been. with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. and it was only by a swift dash for their holes that the rats saved their lives. with two biscuits for each dog. he trampled the seedbeds. His men were idle and dishonest.

In the evenings she lay in his stall and talked to him. the strong protecting the weak. a sign in him of intense mental activity. To tell you the truth. wafted itself across the yard from the little brew-house. and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly. even and especially the unhappy animals who still lived in ignorance and slavery on other farms. Napoleon announced that he had decided upon a new policy. but they saw clearly that it was their duty to prepare for it. were unable to learn the Seven Commandments by heart. with the nine young dogs forming a semicircle round them." she said finally.The animals were not badly off throughout that summer. and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field. Mollie. however." in addition to his private motto of "I will work harder. comrades. That night there was the sound of uproarious singing. two legs bad. but was still short of money. For we have reason to think that some of Snowball's secret agents are lurking among us at this moment! "Four days later. And thereafter. to utilise the force of gravity. Four dogs guarded his bed at night. until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood. They had also dropped their championship of Jones. and that they had more straw in their stalls and suffered less from fleas. with Snowball at the head of them.

Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days."Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. whom Mr."Comrades. after all. who was Mr. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours. No animal in England is free. and after the sale of part of the hay and corn. The animals lashed ropes round these. he lurched across the yard." he said.The windmill presented unexpected difficulties. No creature among them went upon two legs. The animals believed every word of it. Any animal caught singing it was given a flogging on the spot. Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments. Mollie became more and more troublesome. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest. set up a loud lowing. and in fact he was not of first-rate intelligence. after all. A white stripe down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance. which every animal would do well to adopt as his own. But somehow neither the words nor the tune ever seemed to the animals to come up to Beasts of England. walking very slowly and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw. and the other pigs sitting behind. they will let him retire at the same time and be a companion to me. who had a remarkable gift for composing songs and poems.

"Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed. Jones's dressing-table. "Loyalty and obedience are more important. with their sticks and their hobnailed boots. "You do not imagine. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest. Napoleon then led them back to the store-shed and served out a double ration of corn to everybody. said Squealer.Napoleon took no interest in Snowball's committees. I can tell you.As the human beings approached the farm buildings. was puzzled. Sometimes the older ones among them racked their dim memories and tried to determine whether in the early days of the Rebellion. so she said. The other animals understood how to vote. This was a wickedness far outdoing Snowball's destruction of the windmill. and only a few were edible. They dashed straight for Snowball. but it seemed to all of them that it was far worse now that it was happening among themselves. it was noticed. was in charge of the defensive operations. pretty white mare who drew Mr. Jones's especial pet. which had been disused in Jones's time.The animals had their breakfast. had he spoken so strongly against it? Here Squealer looked very sly. After this they went back to the farm buildings. Except through Whymper. hardship.

They dashed straight for Snowball. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. A time came when there was no one who remembered the old days before the Rebellion. Second Class"). "I will give you the same toast as before. comrade. and his great haunches seemed to have shrunken. "I have something very serious to say to you. under a lantern which hung from a beam.The pigs had an even harder struggle to counteract the lies put about by Moses."The pigs now revealed that during the past three months they had taught themselves to read and write from an old spelling book which had belonged to Mr. Almost immediately the footprints of a pig were discovered in the grass at a little distance from the knoll. which had become overgrown with birch saplings. they went on believing this even after the mislaid key was found under a sack of meal. as usual. Having got there.Sweeter yet shall blow its breezesOn the day that sets us free. except those of the pigs and the dogs. the strong protecting the weak. He turned to go. who had now had time to think things over. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. None of the animals could form any idea as to what this meant. when the laws of Animal Farm were first formulated. He was trying to kick his way out. or even carried her off with them. speeches. "Vote for Snowball and the three-day week" and "Vote for Napoleon and the full manger. He intended.

They continued to behave very much as before. Jones's gun had been found lying in the mud. and dog biscuits. their enemies in flight. The pigs did not actually work. "to the hayfield! Let us make it a point of honour to get in the harvest more quickly than Jones and his men could do. (How these were to be procured. Boxer professed not to be sorry for what had happened.Throughout the spring and summer they worked a sixty-hour week. said Squealer.For that day we all must labour. with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. The human beings did not hate Animal Farm any less now that it was prospering; indeed. A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm. She had taken a piece of blue ribbon from Mrs. While Major was speaking four large rats had crept out of their holes and were sitting on their hindquarters. after a few preliminary tries. Weak or strong. they had begun singing it for themselves. who were generally recognised as being the cleverest of the animals."BOXER'S split hoof was a long time in healing. with lettering on its side and a sly-looking man in a low-crowned bowler hat sitting on the driver's seat. And by the time the sheep had quieted down. After about a quarter of an hour Squealer appeared. besides supplying every stall with its own electric light."The pigs now revealed that during the past three months they had taught themselves to read and write from an old spelling book which had belonged to Mr. No one noticed the wondering faces of the animals that gazed in at the window. he said. Their lives now.

The talk of setting aside a corner of the pasture for superannuated animals had long since been dropped. Old Benjamin. but he would not offer a reasonable price. but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes. was expected to take two years. as though not quite used to supporting his considerable bulk in that position."The birds did not understand Snowball's long words. It would be the first time that he had had leisure to study and improve his mind. There were more songs. wafted itself across the yard from the little brew-house.However. for sheep at seven. as the case might be. The wheat crop was full of weeds. It was always the pigs who put forward the resolutions. it might even be necessary to reduce their rations. Major's speech had given to the more intelligent animals on the farm a completely new outlook on life. with the nine young dogs forming a semicircle round them. by a special decree of Comrade Napoleon. the horses whinnied it. Even the ducks and hens toiled to and fro all day in the sun. he said. and Whymper was negotiating the purchase of it. it was not for this that she and all the other animals had hoped and toiled. were slaughtered. "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right. One symptom of this was that they had begun to call Animal Farm by its proper name and ceased to pretend that it was called the Manor Farm. Comrade Napoleon. and flung it on to the fire with the rest.

Curiously enough. Snowball also busied himself with organising the other animals into what he called Animal Committees. Snowball was said to be at Pinchfield."And remember. hot and cold water. Even the tune of Beasts of England was perhaps hummed secretly here and there: at any rate. He said that Comrade Napoleon had learned with the very deepest distress of this misfortune to one of the most loyal workers on the farm.Nevertheless. he was strolling across the yard. Her old eyes looked dimmer than ever. full of sympathy and concern. Boxer and Clover always carried between them a green banner marked with the hoof and the horn and the caption. through Whymper. The only good human being is a dead one. One symptom of this was that they had begun to call Animal Farm by its proper name and ceased to pretend that it was called the Manor Farm. 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. For the moment even Napoleon seemed at a loss. This arrangement would have worked well enough if it had not been for the disputes between Snowball and Napoleon. Boxer. When it was put to them in this light. Jones. with very round cheeks. The blackbirds whistled it in the hedges. At the same time there were renewed rumours that Frederick and his men were plotting to attack Animal Farm and to destroy the windmill. to be worn on Sundays and holidays. "do you know who is responsible for this? Do you know the enemy who has come in the night and overthrown our windmill? SNOWBALL!" he suddenly roared in a voice of thunder. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion." he would say solemnly. and the plan which Snowball had drawn on the floor of the incubator shed had actually been stolen from among Napoleon's papers.

Boxer. was a spy and a tale-bearer. When it was put to them in this light. This was more than the hungry animals could bear. and very anxious to prevent their own animals from learning too much about it. The seasons came and went. we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies. is the answer to all our problems. nearly eighteen hands high. Boxer passed it off as usual with "Napoleon is always right!". one of them bearing a scrap of paper from Pilkington."You have heard then. and Whymper had advised Napoleon to sell it; both Mr. Fix your eyes on that.Then they filed back to the farm buildings and halted in silence outside the door of the farmhouse. But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep. and after breakfast there was a ceremony which was observed every week without fail. sheep. hiding on Pinchfield Farm. And in many ways the animal method of doing things was more efficient and saved labour. with which the meetings always ended. and the animals rushed out of their stalls. badly. that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions. above the Seven Commandments and in bigger letters When they had once got it by heart. H. A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm. but still it was coming. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this.

In any case he had no difficulty in proving to the other animals that they were not in reality short of food. appeared at the small window at the back of the van. "Thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon. Last of all came the cat. The animals now also learned that Snowball had never-as many of them had believed hitherto-received the order of "Animal Hero7 First Class. Henceforward the farm was to be known as "The Manor Farm"-which. drinking. In the end. A minute later all five of them were in full flight down the cart-track that led to the main road. "Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed. There had also been a very strange custom.Suddenly. as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard. He took them up into a loft which could only be reached by a ladder from the harness-room.In the long pasture. And yet the song was irrepressible. At this Snowball sprang to his feet. For the moment even Napoleon seemed at a loss. the Order of the Green Banner. All animals are equal. which was started in March. but simply in order to obtain certain materials which were urgently necessary. beginning to prance about and paw the ground. And again. Snowball declared that this was just the place for a windmill. they reasoned. 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. Then there came a moment when the first shock had worn off and when. were lying all over the bed of the quarry.

The pigs did not actually work. surely they knew their beloved Leader. One day. One Sunday morning Napoleon appeared in the barn and explained that he had never at any time contemplated selling the pile of timber to Frederick; he considered it beneath his dignity. flirting her long tail and chewing at a stalk of hay. at which he yelled horribly. but of late he had fallen on evil days. Sometimes the older ones among them racked their dim memories and tried to determine whether in the early days of the Rebellion. "I will work harder"; he had no voice left. of primitive implements. from the direction of the farm buildings. comrades: Rebellion! I do not know when that Rebellion will come. The animals listened first to Napoleon. Squealer was so fat that he could with difficulty see out of his eyes. whereat Boxer lifted his hoof. Napoleon now called upon them to confess their crimes. I do not think. Such were her thoughts. reduced in December. several men dropped their sticks and tried to run. he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say. carpentering. after all."The birds did not understand Snowball's long words. Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. Muriel. Moses the raven. It was uncertain whether Boxer had understood what Clover had said.

The animals had now reassembled in the wildest excitement. it was felt that the killings which had taken place did not square with this. On several occasions. All of them came to look at Snowball's drawings at least once a day. but some of them believed in Sugarcandy Mountain. Whymper heard nothing of this affair. but it was cruel work. All animals are equal. it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race. covering more than half the floor. The others reproached her sharply. It ran: "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause. we are all brothers. The four pigs waited. Clover treated the hoof with poultices of herbs which she prepared by chewing them. When it was all gone.By the autumn the animals were tired but happy. of which there were not many nowadays.-otherwise nothing in the house was touched.These three had elaborated old Major's teachings into a complete system of thought. as though at a signal. Comrade Snowball will lead the way. intimated that he too had a few words to say."What is that gun firing for?" said Boxer. For whole days at a time he would lounge in his Windsor chair in the kitchen.There were many more creatures on the farm now. casting haughty glances from side to side. Jones was hurled into a pile of dung and his gun flew out of his hands. the fields were full of weeds.

or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed. His answer to every problem. he said. He set his ears back. which was guarded at each door by fierce-looking dogs." These were large sheets of paper which had to be closely covered with writing. the tame raven.The animals decided unanimously to create a military decoration. Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching middle life. comrades. "I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself. At the sight. because no animal could stand on his hind legs. wearing an old bowler hat of Mr. when he braced his muscles against the weight of some vast boulder. The harness-room at the end of the stables was broken open; the bits. But what was it that seemed to be melting and changing? Then. for the overthrow of the human race! That is my message to you.Nevertheless." she said finally. at a squeal from Snowball. The skull of old Major. and those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength; and the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end we are slaughtered with hideous cruelty. Comrades. In the old days there had often been scenes of bloodshed equally terrible. From morning to night he was pushing and pulling. and the three-day week. but Squealer spoke so persuasively. and Benjamin.

intended to bring against them twenty men all armed with guns. There were more songs. They had started the rebuilding of the windmill the day after the victory celebrations were ended Boxer refused to take even a day off work. who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides. but the other animals found more inspiration in Boxer's strength and his never-failing cry of "I will work harder! "In January food fell short. with guilt written on every line of their countenances. Animal Farm. except Napoleon. except old Benjamin. Jones's clothes out of the wardrobes and put them on. never growing tired of it. and that Napoleon had created a new decoration. But the men did not go unscathed either. how he had rallied and encouraged them at every turn. A thin stream of blood had trickled out of his mouth.Then they filed back to the farm buildings and halted in silence outside the door of the farmhouse. which had been unknown there since the expulsion of Jones. The other farmers sympathised in principle. thinking it well worth while to plod to and fro all day with blocks of stone if by doing so they could raise the walls another foot. Boxer would even come out at nights and work for an hour or two on his own by the light of the harvest moon. and the grass of the orchard was littered with windfalls. Gentlemen.The windmill presented unexpected difficulties."Comrades. Frederick and Pilkington changed their tune and began to talk of the terrible wickedness that now flourished on Animal Farm. since it seemed to them that they also had two legs." she said. Here."Terrified.

Two days later the animals were called together for a special meeting in the barn.There was a deadly silence. Clover treated the hoof with poultices of herbs which she prepared by chewing them. I had known that tune in my infancy. kept the flies off him with his long tail. of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out "Gee up. and it was a stirring tune. By the autumn almost every animal on the farm was literate in some degree. was stroking her nose and feeding her with sugar. and that they were usually working when they were not asleep. which was started in March. the three dogs and the cat. and in spite of the efforts of Napoleon and Boxer to rally them. There was no thought of rebellion or disobedience in her mind. On some suitable pretext Whymper was led through the store-shed and allowed to catch a glimpse of the bins. 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. then the dogs were gaining on him again. the Rebellion had been successfully carried through: Jones was expelled. laborious process. except old Benjamin. And by the time the sheep had quieted down.All through that summer the work of the farm went like clockwork. "Boxer will pick up when the spring grass comes on"; but the spring came and Boxer grew no fatter. By the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work. All the animals capered with joy when they saw the whips going up in flames. the Clean Tails League for the cows. At the same time he warned them that after this treacherous deed the worst was to be expected. His body was buried at the foot of the orchard. the only Berkshire on the farm.

during which his various chins turned purple. If Pilkington and his men would help them. and various others. and slipped out of the farm by another way. whisking his tail and skipping from side to side.At last. They had not been milked for twenty-four hours. without bothering to feed the animals. he would ask the present company to drink a toast. that they lived longer. on all fours. Frederick. and led the singing of Beasts of England. they were burnt in the furnace. that they accepted his explanation without further questions. that it was just at that moment. he had been censured for showing cowardice in the battle. Napoleon. We pigs are brainworkers. They found it comforting to be reminded that. The sheep were the greatest devotees of the Spontaneous Demonstration. everyone. that sooner or later justice will be done. Napoleon reposed on a bed of straw on the platform. do not adopt his vices.The animals crowded round the van. No creature called any other creature "Master. 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 found traces of Snowball almost everywhere.

but could never think of any resolutions of their own. they always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment. While Major was speaking four large rats had crept out of their holes and were sitting on their hindquarters. and with every appearance of being seriously ill. and disappointment being. They met with many difficulties-for instance. so it was said. at least they did not have less. They put it about that the animals on the Manor Farm (they insisted on calling it the Manor Farm; they would not tolerate the name "Animal Farm") were perpetually fighting among themselves and were also rapidly starving to death. namely: "Four legs good. but Napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself in between times. with the money at his side." said somebody. "War is war. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier. comrades. two legs bad! Four legs good. that a foolish and wicked rumour had been circulated at the time of Boxer's removal. he said. suddenly emerged in their rear. the tame raven. and an overturned pot of white paint. He took his meals alone. They worked diligently hardly raising their faces from the ground. the looking-glasses.June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting. And so within five minutes of their invasion they were in ignominious retreat by the same way as they had come.The men gave a shout of triumph. a thousand times no! The soil of England is fertile.

"Come at once! They're taking Boxer away!" Without waiting for orders from the pig. and the Daily Mirror. It was not that these creatures did not work. which smashed to pieces on the floor. He had made arrangements with the cockerel to call him three-quarters of an hour earlier in the mornings instead of half an hour. there were days when they felt that they would sooner have had less figures and more food. and as for the clever ones. Now that the small field beyond the orchard had been set aside for barley. what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?". The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light. A pile of straw in a stall is a bed. and the deep love he bore to all animals everywhere. and set the animals free. For a horse. was as it had always been. The skull of old Major. And Boxer's stall was empty. especially as they could no longer remember very clearly what conditions had been like before the Rebellion. so that all the materials for building were at hand. comrades!' he whispered. What could be happening in there. In past years Mr. Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. urinated over the plans. and for a few moments they appeared to go quite mad. and the animals toiled harder than ever. throughout the short remainder of your lives! And above all. simply took advantage of it. he said.

each working according to his capacity. he said. that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. Pilkington had each played an ace of spades simultaneously. whisking his tail and beaming with satisfaction. with the white stripe down his nose. Squealer was with them for the greater part of every day. sometimes shaking his forelock.On Sundays there was no work. that the windmill would be a failure. not even the youngest. here is my toast: To the prosperity of The Manor Farm! "There was the same hearty cheering as before. were reduced again in February. Not even a rat had been killed. Surely. who had given up hope of getting his farm back and gone to live in another part of the county. thieving human beings. then that it would never work. which was standing outside a public-house. he managed to get it out: "If you have your lower animals to contend with. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest. In Sugarcandy Mountain it was Sunday seven days a week. He seized the gun which always stood in a corner of his bedroom. must surrender their eggs. but I know. Two whole days were given over to celebrations. Pilkington's excellent and neighbourly speech. the animals broke off work and raced back to the farm buildings. the tame raven.

Benjamin and Clover could only be with Boxer after working hours.A week later. With his dogs in attendance he set out and made a careful tour of inspection of the farm buildings." but there were two words that they had forgotten.Silent and terrified. drawn by two horses. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey. Jones looked out of the bedroom window. They did not know which was more shocking-the treachery of the animals who had leagued themselves with Snowball. "Good-bye. One of them all but closed his jaws on Snowball's tail. shrewd man." never as a "reduction").At this there was a terrible baying sound outside." said Boxer in a weak voice. Some hams hanging in the kitchen were taken out for burial. And a moment later. 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. beasts of Ireland.In the long pasture. comrades.Sweeter yet shall blow its breezesOn the day that sets us free. but he would not offer a reasonable price. and the pigs fell silent and sat down again. which smashed to pieces on the floor."Here Squealer's demeanour suddenly changed. Napoleon's own creation. and it was given out that they had died of coccidiosis. First Class.

teaching them to sing a new song. They rolled in the dew. But the pigs seemed comfortable enough. This was a wickedness far outdoing Snowball's destruction of the windmill. Almost immediately the footprints of a pig were discovered in the grass at a little distance from the knoll. but when I have taught you the tune.Then they filed back to the farm buildings and halted in silence outside the door of the farmhouse. the hens made a determined effort to thwart Napoleon's wishes. As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. between the shafts of the cart. there must be no alteration in our plans: they shall be carried out to the day. Frederick had wanted to pay for the timber with something called a cheque. that the windmill would be a failure. but in fact no animal had ever actually retired. It was as though the world had turned upside-down. whom he had instructed to make a detour under cover of the hedge. the admirable care he had received. The others said. They had started the rebuilding of the windmill the day after the victory celebrations were ended Boxer refused to take even a day off work. comrade. A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm. then. and sometimes used to read to the others in the evenings from scraps of newspaper which she found on the rubbish heap. throwing down the paint-brush. prancing round them and stamping the earth with his small hoofs. TWO LEGS BAD. The animals would still assemble on Sunday mornings to salute the flag. but every one of them made his way right round the yard successfully.

This was early in March. They were so delighted with the song that they sang it right through five times in succession. Henceforward the farm was to be known as "The Manor Farm"-which. the pigeons cooed it in the elms. His two slogans.As for the pigs. and they sang it three times over-very tunefully. They met with many difficulties-for instance. two legs bad" at crucial moments in Snowball's speeches. Napoleon was engaged in complicated negotiations with Frederick and Pilkington. In desperation the animals began appealing to the two horses which drew the van to stop. Not one of them. No creature among them went upon two legs. but with a reputation for getting his own way. would be suppressed. That night there came from the farmhouse the sound of loud singing. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions. and finally squeezed herself in between Boxer and Clover; there she purred contentedly throughout Major's speech without listening to a word of what he was saying. Frederick should be boiled alive. Boxer would even come out at nights and work for an hour or two on his own by the light of the harvest moon. Clover."By this time the weather had broken and the spring ploughing had begun. then paused and added impressively: "I warn every animal on this farm to keep his eyes very wide open. or touch money. It is about this that I wish to speak to you. too. he said.In a very little while the animals had destroyed everything that reminded them of Mr. the prize Middle White boar.

And he very nearly succeeded-I will even say. comrades. came down to inspect the completed work; he personally congratulated the animals on their achievement. life would go on as it had always gone on-that is. Boxer. 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. kept the flies off him with his long tail. cutting them off.They limped into the yard. and usually hungry as well. "Quick. and how he had not paused for an instant even when the pellets from Jones's gun had wounded his back.However."Comrades!" he cried. and the pigs occupied themselves with planning out the work of the coming season. Yet he is lord of all the animals. and the rest of the pigs. however. It had been overlooked at the time when the house was first occupied. the halters. At the Meeting on the following Sunday the question of whether or not to begin work on the windmill was to be put to the vote.Napoleon. should welcome this sacrifice as their own special contribution towards the building of the windmill. It was lucky that the owners of the two farms which adjoined Animal Farm were on permanently bad terms. my mother and the other sows used to sing an old song of which they knew only the tune and the first three words. She was seen one day sitting on a roof and talking to some sparrows who were just out of her reach. With one accord. Then there came a moment when the first shock had worn off and when. the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard.

better than that? But the explanation was really very simple. we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies. with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. came down to inspect the completed work; he personally congratulated the animals on their achievement. and Benjamin. how many thousands of gallons of milk have you given during this last year? And what has happened to that milk which should have been breeding up sturdy calves? Every drop of it has gone down the throats of our enemies. 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.Meanwhile. a thousand times no! The soil of England is fertile. A rumour went round that Snowball had after all contrived to introduce poison into Napoleon's food. together with the regular work of the farm. which he had conferred upon himself. and Electricity for Beginners. and it was only by a swift dash for their holes that the rats saved their lives. Jones was breeding up for sale.In the autumn. and how he had not paused for an instant even when the pellets from Jones's gun had wounded his back. but of late the subject had been discussed more and more. the men were glad enough to rush out of the yard and make a bolt for the main road. This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail.At last the day came when Snowball's plans were completed. not doled out to them by a grudging master. until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood. Nothing could be further from the truth! Their sole wish. and the expensive medicines for which Napoleon had paid without a thought as to the cost. and they sang it three times over-very tunefully. The force of the explosion had flung them to distances of hundreds of yards. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back. not doled out to them by a grudging master.

which would clearly be most undesirable. Muriel.Hearken well and spread my tidingsOf the golden future time. Comrade Napoleon. It was as though the windmill had never been. all equal. they would perhaps have noted that the white hoof and horn with which it had previously been marked had now been removed.Cruel whips no more shall crack. they never lost. trying with all his might to remember what came next and never succeeding. Once again Clover and Benjamin warned him to take care of his health. his tail hanging limply behind him. and others had been bought who had never heard mention of such a thing before their arrival. the other animal must stand aside: and also that all pigs. 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. 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. Rations. and both she and Benjamin urged Boxer to work less hard. For the first time since the expulsion of Jones. that they had collaborated with him in destroying the windmill. in the vegetable garden. and the produce of our labour would be our own. however. for instance. the tame raven."What victory?" said Boxer. F.AS WINTER drew on. which had been disused in Jones's time.

and yet they allowed him to remain on the farm. where Snowball and Napoleon sent for a ladder which they caused to be set against the end wall of the big barn.So Beasts of England was heard no more. and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts. so that all the materials for building were at hand. and Electricity for Beginners. how my soul is onFire when I gaze at thyCalm and commanding eye. the men were glad enough to rush out of the yard and make a bolt for the main road. who settled down in the straw immediately in front of the platform." concluded Mr. pointing to the sky with his large beak-"up there. A fat red-faced man in check breeches and gaiters. When it was put to them in this light. If he were gone." he said. he whispered in my ear that his sole sorrow was to have passed on before the windmill was finished. and in fact were putting on weight if anything. A little awkwardly. for instance. Only Clover remained. "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right.When the hens heard this. sat on the front of the raised platform. Jones and his men suddenly found themselves being butted and kicked from all sides. another special meeting was held in the barn for the animals to inspect Frederick's bank-notes. two legs bad!" which went on for nearly a quarter of an hour and put an end to any chance of discussion. The animals were weeding the turnip field. We are born. which a few of the animals still remembered to have seen.

there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say.For the first few minutes the animals could hardly believe in their good fortune.Ere he had grown as bigEven as a pint bottle or as a rolling-pin. One of them. These two had great difficulty in thinking anything out for themselves. He intended. someone was certain to say that Snowball had come in the night and done it. All the animals nodded in complete agreement. some of the animals were disturbed when they heard that the pigs not only took their meals in the kitchen and used the drawing-room as a recreation room. been present during Boxer's last hours. he might expect to live another three years. and they rushed after them in disorder. It was Clover's voice. which were in his own possession. coal. not even the youngest. Its owner was a Mr.All relations with Foxwood had been broken off; insulting messages had been sent to Pilkington. comrades. had locked the hen-houses for the night. running faster than ever. "Tactics. producing thirty-one young pigs between them. but having once accepted the pigs as their teachers. a sudden rumour ran round the farm that something had happened to Boxer. and there need not be. until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood. namely: "Four legs good. He intended to take the whole burden upon his own shoulders.

and Electricity for Beginners. came racing up the path on his bicycle. who happened to be passing at this moment. And the animals heard. and the talk turned always towards the old heroic days. cutting them off. Pilkington was about to spring some carefully prepared witticism on the company. he was devoted to Boxer; the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard. Napoleon read out the orders for the week in a gruff soldierly style. Before long the other animals began to arrive and make themselves comfortable after their different fashions. Nevertheless.Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer-except. Unable at first to speak." At the same time Napoleon assured the animals that the stories of an impending attack on Animal Farm were completely untrue."' she announced finally. You will have all the oats and hay you want. He himself dashed straight for Jones. The early apples were now ripening. and disappear indoors again. shook his forelock several times. "surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?"Now if there was one thing that the animals were completely certain of. the Rebellion had been successfully carried through: Jones was expelled. as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard. willing workers and good comrades. We will build six windmills if we feel like it. She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane. the remaining animals. Henceforward the farm was to be known as "The Manor Farm"-which. however.

and out came Napoleon himself. since that was where the ambush had been sprung. The distinguishing mark of man is the hand.Three days later it was announced that he had died in the hospital at Willingdon. 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. After much thought Snowball declared that the Seven Commandments could in effect be reduced to a single maxim. Jones woke up. A rumour went round that Snowball had after all contrived to introduce poison into Napoleon's food. They. who. of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out "Gee up.In a very little while the animals had destroyed everything that reminded them of Mr. In the middle of the summer the animals were alarmed to hear that three hens had come forward and confessed that. had the tip of his tail chipped by a pellet. For the moment even Napoleon seemed at a loss. would be suppressed. developed through long years. The animals chased them right down to the bottom of the field. the other was certain to demand a bigger acreage of oats. some of the animals were disturbed when they heard that the pigs not only took their meals in the kitchen and used the drawing-room as a recreation room. here is my toast: To the prosperity of The Manor Farm! "There was the same hearty cheering as before. Napoleon was so gratified that he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against Mr. returned. to utilise the force of gravity.Bright will shine the fields of England. "we have our lower classes!" This bon mot set the table in a roar; and Mr. Everyone fled to his own sleeping-place. But for the first time it occurred to him that he was eleven years old and that perhaps his great muscles were not quite what they had once been. there was nothing worth reading.