somebody-namely. Clover took her aside. Napoleon.One Sunday morning. They had had a hard year.

 Without saying anything
 Without saying anything. which. First came the three dogs. and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer. and the animals toiled harder than ever. he said.He did not believe."Comrades!" cried Squealer. hiding on Pinchfield Farm. if more money were needed. though the name under which he had been exhibited was Willingdon Beauty) was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite ready to lose an hour's sleep in order to hear what he had to say. On the contrary. who had been hiding behind the hedge. Does it not say something about never sleeping in a bed?"With some difficulty Muriel spelt it out. while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. Pilkington's men was standing on the other side of the hedge. full of sympathy and concern. the only Berkshire on the farm. Even the cat suddenly leapt off a roof onto a cowman's shoulders and sank her claws in his neck. and if anyone complained (as a few animals sometimes did. the strong protecting the weak. It now appeared that Snowball was not. comrade-that Snowball was Jones's agent from the very beginning-yes. If she could have spoken her thoughts. The windmill was in ruins. The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light. Two whole days were given over to celebrations. slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more. with the white stripe down his nose.

 the halters. At first no one had been able to imagine where these creatures came from. Fix your eyes on that. All the pigeons. Moreover. 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. or drink alcohol. If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acreage with barley. was able to put the whole matter in its proper perspective. no animal must ever tyrannise over his own kind. for dogs at nine. he would not say with hostility. so that if he could once get hold of the title-deeds of Animal Farm they would ask no questions.Late one evening in the summer.Soon or late the day is coming. Never to have any dealings with human beings. who were the brains of the farm. We had thought that Snowball's rebellion was caused simply by his vanity and ambition. and basic slag. after a few preliminary tries. and the deep love he bore to all animals everywhere. As soon as they were weaned. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time. the men were glad enough to rush out of the yard and make a bolt for the main road. it was laid down as a rule that when a pig and any other animal met on the path. and the animals rushed out of their stalls. and had been bought by the veterinary surgeon. and lump sugar and linseed cake grew on the hedges.

 I have laid five eggs in six days"; or two cows.This was early in March. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this. kept the flies off him with his long tail. And so. which were to be handed over before the timber was removed. and the mugs were emptied to the dregs. When time passed and the animals had evidently not starved to death. the Whiter Wool Movement for the sheep. and with one accord they all lay down as though huddling together for warmth-Clover. comrade!" cried Squealer. 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. and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly. with their sticks and their hobnailed boots. Clover dropped to her knees at his side. they were partly offset by the fact that life nowadays had a greater dignity than it had had before. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings. as surely as I see this straw beneath my feet. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. Besides. His answer to every problem. later in the year. All the animals followed." he said.The three hens who had been the ringleaders in the attempted rebellion over the eggs now came forward and stated that Snowball had appeared to them in a dream and incited them to disobey Napoleon's orders. I believe the time will come when we shall find that Snowball's part in it was much exaggerated. They were the same four pigs as had protested when Napoleon abolished the Sunday Meetings. Long live Animal Farm! Long live Comrade Napoleon! Napoleon is always right. and all four of them sprang to their feet and began speaking at once.

 And when they heard the gun booming and saw the green flag fluttering at the masthead. for cows at fourteen. a hawthorn bush being planted on her grave. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. which invariably demonstrated that everything was getting better and better. His very first blow took a stable-lad from Foxwood on the skull and stretched him lifeless in the mud. and the whole farm was asleep in a moment. Some progress was made in the dry frosty weather that followed. Going back. for cows at fourteen. He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout. and the worst tempered. in the henhouses. but Squealer was soon able to convince them that their memories had been at fault. and the animals crept silently away. which was the signal for retreat.5.With one accord they dashed down to the spot. Comrade Napoleon. But there were also rumours of something more serious. each working according to his capacity.They had won. beans. and all four of them sprang to their feet and began speaking at once. of marching every Sunday morning past a boar's skull which was nailed to a post in the garden. Clover made a sort of wall round them with her great foreleg. Frederick. Smiling beatifically. Many of the animals believed him.

 he cried indignantly."Terrified. comrade? Have we not driven the enemy off our soil-the sacred soil of Animal Farm? ""But they have destroyed the windmill. as it was warm weather. The rule was against sheets. Some of the pigs themselves. comrades. All animals are equal. He claimed to know of the existence of a mysterious country called Sugarcandy Mountain. On it was pencilled the words: "Serves you right. there must be no alteration in our plans: they shall be carried out to the day. must surrender their eggs. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly. Jones's dressing-table. Boxer. Even the ducks and hens toiled to and fro all day in the sun. but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies. After much choking." And from then on he adopted the maxim. Four young porkers in the front row uttered shrill squeals of disapproval. and with an air almost of amusement. Without halting for an instant. pointing to the sky with his large beak-"up there. It had come to be accepted that the pigs. first Class.The reading and writing classes. Once again all rations were reduced. The wild creatures." said Boxer.

 After a little thought. he said. Whymper heard nothing of this affair. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science. Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face.The farm had had a fairly successful year.All must toil for freedom's sake. After surveying the ground. whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together. Many meetings were held in the big barn. The rule was against sheets. pointing to the sky with his large beak-"up there. they absorbed everything that they were told. The pigeons swirled into the air. Jones had spent sitting in the taproom of the Red Lion at Willingdon. is the answer to all our problems. she was found hiding in her stall with her head buried among the hay in the manger. who had unaccountably been absent during the fighting. "Don't take your own brother to his death! " But the stupid brutes. If they had no more food than they had had in Jones's day."Old Major cleared his throat and began to sing. No animal shall kill any other animal. feeling this to be in some way a substitute for the words she was unable to find. I saw him myself. Huge boulders. Kennels Supplied. Snowball flung his fifteen stone against Jones's legs.But everyone worked according to his capacity The hens and ducks. On Midsummer's Eve.

 he trampled the seedbeds. He was running as only a pig can run. and then would stand staring at the letters with his ears back. except old Benjamin. Two whole days were given over to celebrations. the sheep dragged single blocks. and a number of the pigs. they all raced out into the pasture together. Comrade Napoleon. even Snowball and Napoleon. four pigeons were sent to Foxwood with a conciliatory message. His answer to every problem. they cropped mouthfuls of the sweet summer grass. and. should decide all questions of farm policy. all the animals turned and fled through the gateway into the yard. "Tactics. She appeared to be enjoying herself. And so. Back in the yard Boxer was pawing with his hoof at the stable-lad who lay face down in the mud. the fields were full of weeds. The animals felt a little uneasy at this. Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball. Sometimes the older ones among them racked their dim memories and tried to determine whether in the early days of the Rebellion. When they got up again. Sometimes on the slope leading to the top of the quarry. was a spy and a tale-bearer. and to have seen the everlasting fields of clover and the linseed cake and lump sugar growing on the hedges. as well as on the other two anniversaries.

 It had come to be accepted that the pigs. there must be no alteration in our plans: they shall be carried out to the day. The skull of old Major. The sheep spent the whole day there browsing at the leaves under Squealer's supervision. Someone said it was the smell of cooking barley. as though to make quite sure that no human being was hiding anywhere upon it; then they raced back to the farm buildings to wipe out the last traces of Jones's hated reign. never criticising. while his favourite sow appeared in the watered silk dress which Mrs. of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out "Gee up. and when they came back in the evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared. said that he refused to meddle in such matters. who settled down in the straw immediately in front of the platform. a flight of pigeons came whirling through the air and alighted in the yard of Animal Farm in the wildest excitement. as usual. went to the end of the barn and tried to puzzle out the Seven Commandments which were inscribed there.Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer-except. This was more than the hungry animals could bear. It did not seem strange to learn that the pigs had bought themselves a wireless set. nearly eighteen hands high. and that they were usually working when they were not asleep. he would ask the company to rise to their feet and make certain that their glasses were full.Mrs. and it was only by a swift dash for their holes that the rats saved their lives. by Snowball-and two other sheep confessed to having murdered an old ram. roused their pride and partly reconciled them to the new arrangement. just on the other side of that dark cloud that you can see-there it lies. Even the hens and ducks came. The animals chased them right down to the bottom of the field. We have removed the sheets from the farmhouse beds.

 and then the pigs. Benjamin and Clover could only be with Boxer after working hours. After the horses came Muriel. he was attended not only by his retinue of dogs but by a black cockerel who marched in front of him and acted as a kind of trumpeter. A time came when there was no one who remembered the old days before the Rebellion. "Boxer! Get out! Get out quickly! They're taking you to your death!"All the animals took up the cry of "Get out. Snowball declared that this was just the place for a windmill. comrade!" cried Squealer. a contract for four hundred eggs a week. to everyone's surprise. beside the gun. "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. That was theirs too. suitable for drawing on.Afterwards Squealer was sent round the farm to explain the new arrangement to the others. The others reproached her sharply. growling dogs roamed everywhere. Nowadays they did not sit all together as they had done in the past. For we know now-it is all written down in the secret documents that we have found-that in reality he was trying to lure us to our doom. quicker in speech and more inventive. Clover asked Benjamin to read her the Sixth Commandment. Moses the raven.Nevertheless. in the cow-shed. they were able to forget that their bellies were empty. but in fact no animal had ever actually retired. inexperienced though the animals were. not even when the pigs took Mr. more morose and taciturn than ever.

 the orchard. and the Daily Mirror. Too late. hearing in it a prophecy of their future doom. He stole the corn."It was the most affecting sight I have ever seen!" said Squealer. Meanwhile the animals had chased Jones and his men out on to the road and slammed the five-barred gate behind them. ratcatcher breeches. they secretly trembled. a few selected animals. who was Mr. and then by a hard frost which did not break till well into February. came in together. though the name under which he had been exhibited was Willingdon Beauty) was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite ready to lose an hour's sleep in order to hear what he had to say. He would trace out A. Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple. and which stood beyond the kitchen.Unfortunately. After this they went back to the farm buildings. sometimes shaking his forelock. Wistful glances were sent in the direction of Foxwood. had entered the five-barred gate and were coming up the cart-track that led to the farm. They had been credited with attempting to stir up rebellion among the animals on neighbouring farms. "Thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon. under the superintendence of the pigs. the rumour was true. He was especially successful with the sheep. Mollie. could be done with a thoroughness impossible to human beings.

 and lime for the schoolroom to be purchased. "There is work to be done. 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. There were songs.THREE nights later old Major died peacefully in his sleep. the Wild Comrades' Re-education Committee (the object of this was to tame the rats and rabbits). who was elected unanimously. On it was pencilled the words: "Serves you right. various unforeseen shortages began to make them selves felt. An impromptu celebration of the victory was held immediately.On the day appointed for the banquet. cheeping feebly and wandering from side to side to find some place where they would not be trodden on. and they went outside. where are those four foals you bore. I am certain. and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room window. 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. The animals' blood boiled with rage when they heard of these things beingdone to their comrades. attended by his dogs and his cockerel. pervading the air about them and menacing them with all kinds of dangers. at least part of the time.It was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world. as usual. and when he did. but was not considered to have the same depth of character. he would have succeeded if it had not been for our heroic Leader.Nevertheless. At the last moment Mollie. Napoleon himself was not seen in public as often as once in a fortnight.

 A few animals still felt faintly doubtful.Mr. And among us animals let there be perfect unity. Finally he decided to be content with the first four letters. but also slept in the beds. he said. it seemed. was expected to take two years. beasts of Ireland. Benjamin?"For once Benjamin consented to break his rule. which had been disused in Jones's time. coal. but was still short of money. One day. however. and that made all the difference.One Sunday morning. But as the animals outside gazed at the scene. The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets. Snowball now launched his second line of attack. pigs. the building of which had aroused furious jealousy in him. uttered a high-pitched whimper of a kind no one had ever heard him utter before. Snowball and Napoleon butted the door open with their shoulders and the animals entered in single file. seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. and all the humbler animals set to work to learn the new maxim by heart.The farm was more prosperous now. could read somewhat better than the dogs. On the contrary.

 had composed another song which began:Animal Farm. I do not think. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept. to devote the rest of his life to learning the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet. but she could not look Clover in the face. comrade-that Snowball was Jones's agent from the very beginning-yes. After only a moment or two they gave up trying to defend themselves and took to their heels. returned.Three days later Mollie disappeared. neatly piled on a china dish from the farmhouse kitchen. with various other improvements."It was the most affecting sight I have ever seen!" said Squealer. Clover dropped to her knees at his side. No animal shall wear clothes. and as fierce-looking as wolves. The animals hated Moses because he told tales and did no work. Jones will sell you to the knacker. he said. and as soon as they were so covered. some days afterwards. said Squealer. and suddenly remembering the glorious thing that had happened. "should be considered as clothes. I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall. Nobody stole. he said finally." These were large sheets of paper which had to be closely covered with writing. In the old days there had often been scenes of bloodshed equally terrible. but he was also a clever talker.

 drawn by two horses. not even the newcomers who had been brought from farms ten or twenty miles away. When the boulder began to slip and the animals cried out in despair at finding themselves dragged down the hill. and many animals followed him? And do you not remember. and a murmur of dismay went round. It was as though they had never seen these things before. just at the moment when Jones and his men had got inside the yard. His men were idle and dishonest. A deputation of neighbouring farmers had been invited to make a tour of inspection. attended by two dogs. How these were to be procured. inspired by Snowball." said Boxer in a weak voice. "that we pigs now sleep in the beds of the farmhouse? And why not? You did not suppose. above all. the quarrelling and biting and jealousy which had been normal features of life in the old days had almost disappeared. comrade!" as the case might be." announced Squealer. rain or shine. rich. of course. sheep. "Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed.4. bitter battle. I have something else to say first. Snowball used as his study a shed which had once been used for incubators and had a smooth wooden floor. comrades. The next moment he and his four men were in the store-shed with whips in their hands.

 Does it not say something about never sleeping in a bed?"With some difficulty Muriel spelt it out. that on such a farm a spirit of licence and indiscipline would prevail. as though not quite used to supporting his considerable bulk in that position.Beasts of every land and clime." which was conferred posthumously on the dead sheep. but I know. when he inclined toward Pilkington.He should have learned to beFaithful and true to thee. But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep. hardship. Nevertheless. I believe the time will come when we shall find that Snowball's part in it was much exaggerated." he said. and when Benjamin. Clover tried to stir her stout limbs to a gallop. more turnips than they had had in Jones's day. better than that? But the explanation was really very simple. every one of you will scream your lives out at the block within a year. and a dozen pellets had lodged themselves in his hind leg. Liberal old-age pensions had been agreed upon. comrades."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. as usual. to everyone's surprise. what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?". A gander who had been privy to the plot had confessed his guilt to Squealer and immediately committed suicide by swallowing deadly nightshade berries. The cat joined the Re-education Committee and was very active in it for some days. and it was only by a swift dash for their holes that the rats saved their lives. as usual.

 that they were often hungry and often cold. 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."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. wire. should decide all questions of farm policy. Frederick and his men might make their long-expected attack at any moment. The harvest is more important. Mr. who had remained on his feet. It had come to be accepted that the pigs. the remaining animals. and had taken to drinking more than was good for him. For some weeks nothing was known of her whereabouts. When asked whether he was not happier now that Jones was gone. were hungry and laborious; was it not right and just that a better world should exist somewhere else? A thing that was difficult to determine was the attitude of the pigs towards Moses. Benjamin. lashing out in all directions. it was a fact that every animal on the farm knew it. do not adopt his vices. was something called tactics. this traitor has crept here under cover of night and destroyed our work of nearly a year. Jones would come back! Surely. or even upon their human employees. but he was still a majestic-looking pig. the spelling was correct all the way through. Second Class. and an electric heater. And finally there was a tremendous baying of dogs and a shrill crowing from the black cockerel."Man is the only creature that consumes without producing.

 it was he who had advocated it in the beginning. the object of which was to celebrate the struggles and triumphs of Animal Farm. and as Napoleon was the only boar on the farm. What could be happening in there. Almost immediately the footprints of a pig were discovered in the grass at a little distance from the knoll. comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"IT WAS a bitter winter. Boldly enough the animals sallied forth to meet them. "We have built the walls far too thick for that. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth. were no longer talked about. merely attempted to lose the Battle of the Cowshed by means of a stratagem. Why then do we continue in this miserable condition? Because nearly the whole of the produce of our labour is stolen from us by human beings.Cruel whips no more shall crack. a huge cloud of black smoke was hanging where the windmill had been. to have dealings with scoundrels of that description. and he looked forward to the peaceful days that he would spend in the corner of the big pasture. Then. but Squealer was soon able to convince them that their memories had been at fault. But all such doubts were now dispelled. and out came Napoleon himself. 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. "Even when I was young I could not have read what was written there. "Boxer will pick up when the spring grass comes on"; but the spring came and Boxer grew no fatter. the others found that she had remained behind in the best bedroom.At about the same time it was given out that Napoleon had arranged to sell the pile of timber to Mr. He snuffed in every corner. According to Snowball. by a tremendous. the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground.

 All the same. probably traceable in the beginning to lies circulated by Snowball. that sooner or later justice will be done. "I will give you the same toast as before. but it was no use. hot and cold water. which were to be handed over before the timber was removed. You. If he made a good recovery. hoping to draw attention to the red ribbons it was plaited with."What is going to happen to all that milk?" said someone. was in the hands of the enemy. The earth was like iron. and two geese were killed."You have heard then. The animals sniffed the air hungrily and wondered whether a warm mash was being prepared for their supper. and when they came back in the evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared. and Whymper had advised Napoleon to sell it; both Mr. Startled. But still. The winter was as cold as the last one had been. the walls were twice as thick as before. The animals saw no reason to disbelieve him. the solemn booming of a gun. the animals waited. Snowball explained. Napoleon. and tell Squealer what has happened. out from the door of the farmhouse came a long file of pigs.

 no animal had killed another animal. quick!" he shouted. and had taken out subscriptions to John Bull." All animals were equal. especially the windmill. more morose and taciturn than ever. It was also found that the stupider animals. seized four of the pigs by the ear and dragged them. Someone said it was the smell of cooking barley. Jones. In the morning the animals came out of their stalls to find that the flagstaff had been blown down and an elm tree at the foot of the orchard had been plucked up like a radish. certainly. the Clean Tails League for the cows. It would be a plain green flag from now onwards. but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere. the anniversary of the Battle of the Cowshed. He fell silent for a moment. Napoleon was a large. All the animals capered with joy when they saw the whips going up in flames. so she said. Snowball explained. but he sang well enough. The cows lowed it. C. He was running as only a pig can run. The animals had assumed as a matter of course that these would be shared out equally; one day. the retiring age had been fixed for horses and pigs at twelve. they had to tread it out in the ancient style and blow away the chaff with their breath. and basic slag.

 It had not been possible. Windmill or no windmill. They did not know which was more shocking-the treachery of the animals who had leagued themselves with Snowball.The animals were not badly off throughout that summer. was so great that it would have taken a lot of failures to outweigh it."That is our victory. but directed and supervised the others. there was the schoolhouse for the young pigs. 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." seemed to him a sufficient answer to all problems. The talk of setting aside a corner of the pasture for superannuated animals had long since been dropped. On it was pencilled the words: "Serves you right. The creatures outside looked from pig to man. had the tip of his tail chipped by a pellet. and Benjamin. It was announced that the battle would be called the Battle of the Windmill. as it turned out.The animals decided unanimously to create a military decoration. "Jones's shot only grazed him. Nowadays they did not sit all together as they had done in the past. they laboured in the fields; in winter they were troubled by the cold. some of the animals remembered-or thought they remembered-that the Sixth Commandment decreed "No animal shall kill any other animal. Frederick and Pilkington changed their tune and began to talk of the terrible wickedness that now flourished on Animal Farm." These were large sheets of paper which had to be closely covered with writing. so she said. Of late the sheep had taken to bleating "Four legs good.There were many more creatures on the farm now.For that day we all must labour. when bricks and timber had been purchased.

 contained the essential principle of Animalism. Then he put on an extra spurt and. His tail had grown rigid and twitched sharply from side to side. Boxer and Clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse-rake (no bits or reins were needed in these days. but Boxer never faltered. who had not yet painted the old name out. and the Manor Farm was theirs. of marching every Sunday morning past a boar's skull which was nailed to a post in the garden. to devote the rest of his life to learning the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet. the other would declare that it was useless for anything except roots. Boxer's twelfth birthday was due in the late summer of the following year. and purred so affectionately. the other animal must stand aside: and also that all pigs. it was found necessary to leave certain tasks undone. were lying all over the bed of the quarry. saying that he would make himself responsible for their education. The importance of keeping the pigs in good health was all too obvious. They explained that by their studies of the past three months the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments. Bluebell. and no more was said about the pigs sleeping in the farmhouse beds. Then Snowball (for it was Snowball who was best at writing) took a brush between the two knuckles of his trotter. The words ran:Beasts of England. with various other improvements. Finally he said:"I do not understand it. Pre-eminent among the pigs were two young boars named Snowball and Napoleon. The harvest was a little less successful than in the previous year. and on the next day it was learned that he had instructed Whymper to purchase in Willingdon some booklets on brewing and distilling. it was said. the three dogs and the cat.

Silent and terrified. hardship. And when. who had seemed uneasy for some time past. This."Mollie. comrades!" cried Napoleon. though their decisions had to be ratified by a majority vote. had all been prepared. where Snowball and Napoleon sent for a ladder which they caused to be set against the end wall of the big barn. is a friend. the thunder of the gun. then. but they accepted his explanation. who had not yet painted the old name out. He gave it as his opinion that Snowball had probably come from the direction of Foxwood Farm. These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion. This was more than the hungry animals could bear. comrades. various unforeseen shortages began to make them selves felt. as the animals had previously imagined. Immediately the dogs bounded forward.There were many more creatures on the farm now. He had. 'Forward in the name of the Rebellion. after a few preliminary tries. And the animals heard. and with his dogs gambolling round him. by emphasising once again the friendly feelings that subsisted.

 Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back. it got into the din of the smithies and the tune of the church bells. Yes. But there were also rumours of something more serious. and would also run a circular saw. though their decisions had to be ratified by a majority vote. Napoleon had commanded that once a week there should be held something called a Spontaneous Demonstration. This was to be the name of the farm from now onwards. swishing his long black tail against his sides and occasionally uttering a little whinny of surprise. they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime. suitable for drawing on. said Napoleon. And by the time the sheep had quieted down. had composed another song which began:Animal Farm. The stormy weather was followed by sleet and snow. Then they saw what Clover had seen. more morose and taciturn than ever. What was it that had altered in the faces of the pigs? Clover's old dim eyes flitted from one face to another. All animals are equal. They dashed straight for Snowball." All animals were equal. 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.They had just finished singing it for the third time when Squealer. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings. The animals lashed ropes round these. You. that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. but also slept in the beds. their enemies in flight.

 That night there came from the farmhouse the sound of loud singing.Three days later Mollie disappeared. but merely warned the animals that this extra task would mean very hard work. sat on the front of the raised platform. Napoleon had really been in secret agreement with Frederick. This was run up the flagstaff in the farmhouse garden every Sunday 8. The dogs learned to read fairly well. Weak or strong. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest. our dung fertilises it. his face deadly pale. she tugged gently at his mane and led him round to the end of the big barn. but with perfect balance.Napoleon himself appeared at the meeting on the following Sunday morning and pronounced a short oration in Boxer's honour. and what did they find? Not only the most up-to-date methods. under a lantern which hung from a beam. and after breakfast there was a ceremony which was observed every week without fail. Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball. but could not put words together. never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. who had a remarkable gift for composing songs and poems. with two ounces of corn for each bird and three biscuits for each dog. but Boxer never faltered. the fruit of all their struggles. and pinned him to the ground. cutting them off. laborious process. The sight of their dead comrades stretched upon the grass moved some of them to tears. From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with the neighbouring farms: not.

 As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. During the next three months there was much secret activity. and then the building began. It was pure imagination. which was guarded at each door by fierce-looking dogs. comrade. I am old and my voice is hoarse. menacing growls.The three hens who had been the ringleaders in the attempted rebellion over the eggs now came forward and stated that Snowball had appeared to them in a dream and incited them to disobey Napoleon's orders. the animals were stricken with curiosity. were more articulate. When they had finished their confession. so it was said. In desperation the animals began appealing to the two horses which drew the van to stop. Then there was a deafening roar. and we will build all through the winter. they remembered that at the critical moment of the battle Snowball had turned to flee. and walked out without uttering a word. and the produce of our labour would be our own.Apart from the disputes over the windmill. Without halting for an instant. but having once accepted the pigs as their teachers. however."Mollie. they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement. as though at a signal. The machinery had still to be installed. I can tell you. That night there was the sound of uproarious singing.

 things had been better or worse than now. The harness-room at the end of the stables was broken open; the bits. and disappear indoors again. they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with which the animals were managing their own affairs. returned. intimated that he too had a few words to say. None of the animals ever mentioned Mollie again. They were shown all over the farm. which was started in March. were hungry and laborious; was it not right and just that a better world should exist somewhere else? A thing that was difficult to determine was the attitude of the pigs towards Moses. at least they worked for themselves. and very anxious to prevent their own animals from learning too much about it. Everyone fled to his own sleeping-place."No more delays." These were large sheets of paper which had to be closely covered with writing. and he decided to make use of Mr. he lurched across the yard. mostly sheep. feeling against Frederick continued to run high. But all such doubts were now dispelled. Indeed. and wasted time. Jones's and had painted on it a hoof and a horn in white. I hope. and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to walk. Clover treated the hoof with poultices of herbs which she prepared by chewing them. Yes. The young pigs were piebald.A FEW days later.

 he would ask the present company to drink a toast. then the debates must stop. But still. and the Daily Mirror. shut his eyes. A large jug was circulating. Pilkington's excellent and neighbourly speech." in addition to his private motto of "I will work harder. they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement. or sleep in a bed. Once again some of the animals heard this with a certain bewilderment. D. It ran: "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause. It was announced that later. which was then covered up with what remained of the grain and meal. for instance. who had never quite got her figure back after her fourth foal. laborious. or in the evening after work was over. She was seen one day sitting on a roof and talking to some sparrows who were just out of her reach. Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face. It was situated somewhere up in the sky."Never mind the milk. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this. set up a loud lowing. tell them the story of the Rebellion. Muriel. Pilkington had referred throughout to "Animal Farm. his tail rigid and twitching.

 The others reproached her sharply.""I have no wish to take life. and had been bought by the veterinary surgeon. For a long i. through the agency of Whymper. "Napoleon is always right. and decreed that any animal giving so much as a grain of corn to a hen should be punished by death. now that it was truly their own food. Snowball explained. had been inflicted by Napoleon's teeth. The animals' blood boiled with rage when they heard of these things beingdone to their comrades. of primitive implements. and made it a point of honour not to let it be seen that he was in pain. Jones will sell you to the knacker. For a long i. And when. or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed. And so the tale of confessions and executions went on. The source of the trouble appeared to be that Napoleon and Mr. they were both thoroughly frightened by the rebellion on Animal Farm. comrades. When they had finished their confession. but he was also a clever talker.That evening loud laughter and bursts of singing came from the farmhouse. this traitor has crept here under cover of night and destroyed our work of nearly a year. except for being a little greyer about the muzzle. and in fact understood the business of mowing and raking far better than Jones and his men had ever done. who had been hiding behind the hedge. when the green fields of England should be untrodden by human feet.

 work hard. The pigs' ears were bleeding. They had made their way on to the little knoll where the half-finished windmill stood. Yet he is lord of all the animals. who was Mr.Cruel whips no more shall crack. Benjamin. as we now know. and before I die. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest.June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting. but every one of them made his way right round the yard successfully. Unable at first to speak. and many animals followed him? And do you not remember. the mighty thing that we have done. The sight of their dead comrades stretched upon the grass moved some of them to tears.That evening Squealer explained privately to the other animals that Napoleon had never in reality been opposed to the windmill. The situation was quite out of their control. no matter what happened-they might have uttered some word of protest. TitBits. He repeated a number of times. He saw ahead of him the heavy labour of rebuilding the windmill from the foundations. Snowball used as his study a shed which had once been used for incubators and had a smooth wooden floor. But alas! his strength had left him; and in a few moments the sound of drumming hoofs grew fainter and died away. Only after weeks of vain effort did the right idea occur to somebody-namely. Clover took her aside. Napoleon.One Sunday morning. They had had a hard year.