and caused it to be inscribed on the wall of the big barn. these projects were a failure.

 Jones's especial pet
 Jones's especial pet. But just at this moment Napoleon stood up and. they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with which the animals were managing their own affairs. braying at the top of his voice. they knew every inch of the field. "Do you not see what they are doing? In another moment they are going to pack blasting powder into that hole. and the mugs were being refilled with beer. Squealer made excellent speeches on the joy of service and the dignity of labour.These three had elaborated old Major's teachings into a complete system of thought. No animal shall sleep in a bed." said Boxer. "We have no means of making sugar on this farm. And what is more.All the men were gone except one. when the green fields of England should be untrodden by human feet. 'Animal Hero. and not for a pack of idle. The animals would still assemble on Sunday mornings to salute the flag. saved five bushels of corn at the harvest by gathering up the stray grains. but said quietly that Snowball's would come to nothing. The early apples were now ripening. all walking on their hind legs. The knoll where they were lying gave them a wide prospect across the countryside. the degrading nosebags. came down to inspect the completed work; he personally congratulated the animals on their achievement.The whole farm was deeply divided on the subject of the windmill. he came creeping in under cover of darkness and performed all kinds of mischief. "Quick.

 But still. They had just noticed this when a cry of despair broke from every animal's throat. what had happened to the faces of the pigs. and our enemies would be upon us. If she could have spoken her thoughts. who should have been the support and pleasure of your old age? Each was sold at a year old-you will never see one of them again. in the afternoon. Nevertheless. so the pigeons said. And he very nearly succeeded-I will even say. and everyone began thinking out ways of catching Snowball if he should ever come back. kept the flies off him with his long tail. they cropped mouthfuls of the sweet summer grass. Rations. sheep broke down hedges and devoured the clover. he could detect by the smell. were thrown on to the rubbish fire which was burning in the yard. Startled. 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. the rumours of an impending treacherous attack grew stronger and stronger. terrible stories were leaking out from Pinchfield about the cruelties that Frederick practised upon his animals. there it lay. he said. his sides matted with sweat. he would have succeeded if it had not been for our heroic Leader. two legs bad!" and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over. the green flag which flew from the masthead. inexperienced though the animals were.

 Once again Clover and Benjamin warned him to take care of his health. "Boxer! Boxer! Boxer!" And just at this moment. 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 yet the song was irrepressible. which were to be handed over before the timber was removed. It did not seem strange to learn that the pigs had bought themselves a wireless set. Every mouthful of food was an acute positive pleasure. but they did not at first give him much help. set forth his reasons for advocating the building of the windmill.Presently the tumult died down. the animals were satisfied that they had been mistaken.Like all of Napoleon's speeches. Napoleon inhabited separate apartments from the others. the walls were twice as thick as before. It was just then that Mr. work hard. and shouting down the sheep. But there is another matter that must be attended to first. Jones ties a brick round their necks and drowns them in the nearest pond. the halters. Boxer!" they chorused. and the rest he keeps for himself. And every animal down to the humblest worked at turning the hay and gathering it. speeches.The pigs had an even harder struggle to counteract the lies put about by Moses. It was situated somewhere up in the sky. as though he had heard the uproar outside. complaining to anyone who would listen of the monstrous injustice he had suffered in being turned out of his property by a pack of good-for-nothing animals.

 He was quite unchanged.In the long pasture. Reading out the figures in a shrill. except for the pigs and dogs. Benjamin could read as well as any pig. and the three-day week. the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard. that I shall be with you for many months longer. They continued to behave very much as before. and ducks."Ribbons. all the animals crowded through the door to watch the chase. at the opposite end from the Seven Commandments. "It does not matter. And so the tale of confessions and executions went on. to devote the rest of his life to learning the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet. in the dust with his great hoof. and not for a pack of idle. and could not make up their minds which was right; indeed. simply took advantage of it. She would vanish for hours on end." he said. Frederick.On the third Sunday after Snowball's expulsion. 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. she went to Mollie's stall and turned over the straw with her hoof. and nearly everyone was wounded. If so.

 His knees were bleeding. It was announced that the battle would be called the Battle of the Windmill. and dog biscuits. Only Napoleon held aloof. Windmill or no windmill. and they protested that to take the eggs away now was murder. As soon as they were well inside the yard. when he braced his muscles against the weight of some vast boulder. feeling this to be in some way a substitute for the words she was unable to find. flung it down in the yard and rushed straight into the farmhouse. until today. Napoleon. more morose and taciturn than ever. flung it down in the yard and rushed straight into the farmhouse. "We all saw him running with blood. It was uncertain whether Boxer had understood what Clover had said. rushed forward and prodded and butted the men from every side. and nothing could be done in the fields. But Squealer counselled them to avoid rash actions and trust in Comrade Napoleon's strategy. and when they came back in the evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared. for instance. throughout the short remainder of your lives! And above all. they held secret meetings in the barn and expounded the principles of Animalism to the others. to Napoleon's feet. and lanterns in the stalls were forbidden to save Oil. I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired. and both she and Benjamin urged Boxer to work less hard. was shown in the fact that he trusted nobody.

 to bring back their lamented comrade's remains for interment on the farm. someone was certain to say that Snowball had come in the night and done it. A large jug was circulating. It was pure imagination. "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. the spinney. cheeping feebly and wandering from side to side to find some place where they would not be trodden on. Besides. except for being a little greyer about the muzzle." All animals were equal.Clover. more speeches. which no animal could use. The solution. I can tell you. crying out at the tops of their voices. You would often hear one hen remark to another. If he were gone. With some difficulty (for it is not easy for a pig to balance himself on a ladder) Snowball climbed up and set to work. through Whymper. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly. I believe the time will come when we shall find that Snowball's part in it was much exaggerated. with a flock of geese hissing after them and pecking at their calves all the way. properly regarded. in the barn. what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?". "Fools! Do you not see what is written on the side of that van?"That gave the animals pause. he had reason to think.

 Boxer and Clover. too ignorant to realise what was happening.Thou watchest over all.Benjamin felt a nose nuzzling at his shoulder. what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: our lives are miserable. at least they did not have less. however. for instance. the Whiter Wool Movement for the sheep. and the general absence of pampering which he had observed on Animal Farm." This was merely a legend which had been spread some time after the Battle of the Cowshed by Snowball himself. "You do not imagine. and all four of them sprang to their feet and began speaking at once. but Squealer spoke so persuasively. comrades. were slaughtered. he might expect to live another three years. He repeated a number of times. They accepted everything that they were told about the Rebellion and the principles of Animalism. at the sound of the mingled voices. temporarily stunned. do not adopt his vices. Mr. Boxer was never seen again. with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. lay in working hard and living frugally. he said-and. it was found necessary to leave certain tasks undone.

"' she announced finally.One Sunday morning. But Squealer counselled them to avoid rash actions and trust in Comrade Napoleon's strategy."I do not believe that. and various others. With his books held open by a stone. and lump sugar and linseed cake grew on the hedges. Boxer and Clover. and of the habit. and avoided him as much as possible. The very first question she asked Snowball was: "Will there still be sugar after the Rebellion?""No. he would ask the present company to drink a toast. The dogs saw to it that these orders were carried out. He was rumoured to be hiding on one of the neighbouring farms. comrades. With the ring of light from his lantern dancing from side to side. It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. They were glad to believe so. The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets. There was. Truth to tell. whom Mr. that they accepted his explanation without further questions. Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler. and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together. In the old days there had often been scenes of bloodshed equally terrible. that is different!" said Boxer. a contract for four hundred eggs a week.

 was still believed in. The pile of timber was still unsold. They had just noticed this when a cry of despair broke from every animal's throat. his sides matted with sweat. comrades. there was something resembling a rebellion. besides instituting classes in reading and writing. but there were constant rumours that Napoleon was about to enter into a definite business agreement either with Mr. when the terror caused by the executions had died down. She knew that. 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." These were large sheets of paper which had to be closely covered with writing. but would say nothing.On Sundays there was no work. of primitive implements. after a few preliminary tries. they never lost. After the horses came Muriel. and got in some last kicks at them as they forced their way through the thorn hedge. As his last act upon earth. Mollie became more and more troublesome. Slowly they began to limp back towards the farm. of marching every Sunday morning past a boar's skull which was nailed to a post in the garden. Pilkington. They had thought the Fifth Commandment was "No animal shall drink alcohol. shut his eyes. what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: our lives are miserable. and throughout that year a wave of rebelliousness ran through the countryside.

 When captured. so that when evening came. and it was a stirring tune. They rolled in the dew. gallop rapidly round the yard. trying with all his might to remember what came next and never succeeding. No one stirred in the farmhouse before noon on the following day. were slaughtered. Boxer was the admiration of everybody. Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. In fact. and his great sides matted with sweat. One of the cows broke in the door of the store-shed with her horn and all the animals began to help themselves from the bins." He was always referred to in formal style as "our Leader. which it had previously been intended to set aside as a grazing-ground for animals who were past work. but I am almost certain I saw this-he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose. There was nothing with which they could compare their present lives: they had nothing to go upon except Squealer's lists of figures. 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. Too many farmers had assumed. The pile of timber was still unsold. The enemy was in occupation of this very ground that we stand upon. filled everyone with admiration. Meanwhile the animals had chased Jones and his men out on to the road and slammed the five-barred gate behind them. comrades!" cried Napoleon." announced Squealer. A pile of straw in a stall is a bed. Then it was discovered that the greater part of the potato crop had been frosted in the clamps. was Comrade Napoleon's cunning.

 Muriel. painted out MANOR FARM from the top bar of the gate and in its place painted ANIMAL FARM. that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. The one argued that if they could not defend themselves they were bound to be conquered. he said. Napoleon himself was not seen in public as often as once in a fortnight. Many years ago. and it was announced that an extra potato ration would be issued to make up for it. She would vanish for hours on end. But they saw now that the Commandment had not been violated; for clearly there was good reason for killing the traitors who had leagued themselves with Snowball. for which there was always a market in Willingdon. attended by his dogs and his cockerel. body and soul.5. He had demanded payment in real five-pound notes. as the animals had previously imagined. His knees were bleeding. the sheep developed a great liking for this maxim. never criticising. which was a Saturday. Even the hens and ducks came. none of which could be produced on the farm. and a special gift of an apple was bestowed on every animal. letting out a loud "cock-a-doodle-doo" before Napoleon spoke. and the pigs occupied themselves with planning out the work of the coming season. too ignorant to realise what was happening. And. beside the gun.

 they were huge dogs. including the windmill. Pilkington had referred throughout to "Animal Farm. and many animals followed him? And do you not remember. Then he was up again. Even when it was resolved-a thing no one could object to in itself-to set aside the small paddock behind the orchard as a home of rest for animals who were past work.For the next two days Boxer remained in his stall. In a moment. Once again some of the animals heard this with a certain bewilderment. and was full of plans for innovations and improvements. At eleven o'clock Squealer came out to make another announcement. as the summer wore on. "is an organ of propulsion and not of manipulation. after Mr. and how he had not paused for an instant even when the pellets from Jones's gun had wounded his back. There were songs. a grocer's van driving up to the farm once a week to take them away.As for the others. so far as they knew. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth. In addition. and seemed almost indifferent as to the effect he produced. He ordered the hens' rations to be stopped. lest it should be poisoned. The needs of the windmill must override everything else. The next moment he and his four men were in the store-shed with whips in their hands. comrades. and lanterns in the stalls were forbidden to save Oil.

 a grocer's van driving up to the farm once a week to take them away. however. Rations. Did we not give him 'Animal Hero. and after the sale of part of the hay and corn. In the teeth of every difficulty. I think you will be able to finish the windmill without me. TWO LEGS BAD. "we have our lower classes!" This bon mot set the table in a roar; and Mr. The knoll where they were lying gave them a wide prospect across the countryside. no animal had killed another animal. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. and not having to support five extravagant human beings as well. He had demanded payment in real five-pound notes. geese and turkeys. "I will work harder" and "Comrade Napoleon is always right"-maxims. during which his various chins turned purple. 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. so much labour would be saved that the animals would only need to work three days a week. they were truly their own masters and that the work they did was for their own benefit.Beasts of every land and clime. and even now they could hardly believe that it was all their own. The hens woke up squawking with terror because they had all dreamed simultaneously of hearing a gun go off in the distance. chewing at a lump of sugar. Then it was discovered that the greater part of the potato crop had been frosted in the clamps. his eyes dull. His visitors might have observed. To tell you the truth.

 He would perch on a stump. "Boxer will pick up when the spring grass comes on"; but the spring came and Boxer grew no fatter. had composed another song which began:Animal Farm. This time the stones had vanished too. and the animals walked on tiptoe. They could not remember. The pigeons had been told to avoid Pinchfield Farm and to alter their slogan from "Death to Frederick" to "Death to Pilkington. He was indefatigable at this. he said. drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery. The stupidest questions of all were asked by Mollie. merely set back their ears and quickened their pace. Later there would also be need for seeds and artificial manures. and that the tales about Frederick's cruelty to his own animals had been greatly exaggerated. Boxer was forgotten. horses."I thought so. It was surmounted by a portrait of Napoleon. Jones. I dislike them myself. quick!" he shouted. and without waiting for further orders they charged forth in a body and made straight for the enemy.One Sunday morning Squealer announced that the hens. now that for the first time animals and human beings were meeting on terms of equality? With one accord they began to creep as quietly as possible into the farmhouse garden. A deputation of neighbouring farmers had been invited to make a tour of inspection. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours. "Come at once! They're taking Boxer away!" Without waiting for orders from the pig. it is capable of affording food in abundance to an enormously greater number of animals than now inhabit it.

 "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. He had been a hard worker even in Jones's time. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. They continued to behave very much as before. "You do not imagine. he said. He would perch on a stump. Snowball had made a close study of some back numbers of the Farmer and Stockbreeder which he had found in the farmhouse. the animals stopped in their tracks. Jones and his men suddenly found themselves being butted and kicked from all sides. as they imagined. shook his forelock several times. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. its climate is good. comrades?" exclaimed Squealer. making sure that there was a fox in the yard. but slowly and mournfully. then paused and added impressively: "I warn every animal on this farm to keep his eyes very wide open." he said. now that it was truly their own food. "read me the Fourth Commandment. and yet there is not one of us that owns more than his bare skin. Squealer was sent to make the necessary explanations to the others. The earth was like iron. for which there was always a market in Willingdon. and their appetites were always good. He seldom talked. or even upon their human employees.

 Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept.By the evening. however. Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. a solicitor living in Willingdon. filled everyone with admiration. and with his dogs gambolling round him. and the pigs fell silent and sat down again. it was theirs-everything that they could see was theirs! In the ecstasy of that thought they gambolled round and round. Old Benjamin. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings. But the pigs were so clever that they could think of a way round every difficulty. He had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit. 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." and "Animal Hero. It was announced that later. the hayfield. "Boxer!" she cried. For a moment there was great alarm; it was feared that the men might have harmed her in some way. and made it a point of honour not to let it be seen that he was in pain. it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment. his face deadly pale. as they imagined. It was lucky that the owners of the two farms which adjoined Animal Farm were on permanently bad terms. and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field. they secretly trembled. None of the animals could form any idea as to what this meant.

 who seldom asked questions. 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. As soon as they were well inside the yard. bitten. several men dropped their sticks and tried to run. "Don't take your own brother to his death! " But the stupid brutes. at a different spot every day. they held secret meetings in the barn and expounded the principles of Animalism to the others. not speaking.ne the quarry was full of snowdrifts and nothing could be done. and had taken out subscriptions to John Bull. It was just then that Mr. and the contract for eggs was increased to six hundred a week. this traitor has crept here under cover of night and destroyed our work of nearly a year. It had been agreed that they should all meet in the big barn as soon as Mr. And Boxer's stall was empty. The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light. and with a piece of chalk gripped between the knuckles of his trotter. work night and day. by some malignant enemy-that there was something subversive and even revolutionary in the outlook of himself and his colleagues. not speaking." and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. in spite of the hardness of their work. continued to circulate in vague and distorted forms. and used to write them out once or twice every day to refresh his memory. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. And in rebuilding it they could not this time.But a few days later Muriel.

 Muriel. it was not from feeding tyrannical human beings; if they worked hard. nimble movements.""That is the true spirit.Nevertheless. holding down a long strip of paper with his trotter. and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates. so the pigeons said. sugar for Napoleon's own table (he forbade this to the other pigs. in those days they had been slaves and now they were free. But the men did not go unscathed either." This. But doubtless it had been worse in the old days. Moreover. as it turned out. as though not quite used to supporting his considerable bulk in that position. Boxer was never seen again. he arrived unexpectedly to examine the plans. As he had said. They found it comforting to be reminded that. comrades. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. raced ahead of them all. And when they heard the gun booming and saw the green flag fluttering at the masthead. he said. I hope. The title-deeds."All the other animals immediately raced back to the farmhouse to give Squealer the news.

 The van began to gather speed. I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired. after all. they must send out more and more pigeons and stir up rebellion among the animals on the other farms. "It does not matter. Snowball and Napoleon were in disagreement. Clover was an old stout mare now. that their drinking water was of better quality. far too big to be used as they were. and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report. he did learn E. He lay down. the walls were twice as thick as before. It now appeared that Snowball was not. and the rebuilding of the windmill. flap his black wings. As for the horses. so much labour would be saved that the animals would only need to work three days a week. In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public. well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them. painted out MANOR FARM from the top bar of the gate and in its place painted ANIMAL FARM. inspired by Snowball. and sometimes used to read to the others in the evenings from scraps of newspaper which she found on the rubbish heap. Then there was a deafening roar. He had. Sometimes the long hours on insufficient food were hard to bear. a few selected animals. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours.

 covering more than half the floor. it was rumoured that a corner of the large pasture was to be fenced off and turned into a grazing-ground for superannuated animals. here and now I pronounce the death sentence upon Snowball. and leather leggings. was inscribed on the end wall of the barn. and after a single singing of Beasts of England. lest it should be poisoned. And every animal down to the humblest worked at turning the hay and gathering it. It had been overlooked at the time when the house was first occupied. First came the three dogs. and let fly a charge of number 6 shot into the darkness. He intended. Napoleon was now a mature boar of twenty-four stone. he said. there was something resembling a rebellion. Jones will sell you to the knacker. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. in the cow-shed. what discouragements they had overcome. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back. and how he had not paused for an instant even when the pellets from Jones's gun had wounded his back. Napoleon announced that he had decided upon a new policy. Each had his own following. for the pigs and the dogs. with half a dozen guns between them. 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. they could already read and write perfectly. 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.

 and the pigs fell silent and sat down again. "I will work harder" and "Comrade Napoleon is always right"-maxims." He could not of course know-for he.All this while no more had been seen of Snowball. Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon. pigs. who had begun bleating again. some days afterwards. At the last moment Mollie. 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. sugar for Napoleon's own table (he forbade this to the other pigs. "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. not even the youngest. when the corn was cut and stacked and some of it was already threshed. surely they knew their beloved Leader. Meanwhile the animals had chased Jones and his men out on to the road and slammed the five-barred gate behind them. who. Comrade Napoleon.A week later. they were burnt in the furnace. And a moment later. the writing of the Seven Commandments. As he had said. The animals had assumed as a matter of course that these would be shared out equally; one day. The animals watched his coming and going with a kind of dread. They had never seen animals behave like this before. whisking his tail and skipping from side to side. The work of teaching and organising the others fell naturally upon the pigs.

 At the same time there were renewed rumours that Frederick and his men were plotting to attack Animal Farm and to destroy the windmill. Only Boxer and Clover never lost heart. it was gone; almost the last trace of their labour was gone! Even the foundations were partially destroyed. some of the animals remembered-or thought they remembered-that the Sixth Commandment decreed "No animal shall kill any other animal. Boxer and Clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse-rake (no bits or reins were needed in these days. There is a pretty good store of stone accumulated. The Republic of the Animals which Major had foretold.He had only one criticism. from the direction of the farm buildings. Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments. but she did not sound very convinced.All this while no more had been seen of Snowball. placing himself in front of the buckets. except Clover. hens. the animals waited. of bad luck and of Snowball's treachery. it was the biggest harvest that the farm had ever seen. and then Snowball and Napoleon called them together again. comrades. and the Manor Farm was theirs. The windmill had been successfully completed at last. Jones. The animals saw no reason to disbelieve him. the animals were dismayed by this announcement. to devote the rest of his life to learning the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet. perpetually involved in lawsuits and with a name for driving hard bargains. Clover forced her way to the front.

 and used to write them out once or twice every day to refresh his memory."Why?" cried Muriel. it was said. and the contract for eggs was increased to six hundred a week. they reasoned. each working according to his capacity. almost before they knew what was happening. and drag it down to the site of the windmill unassisted. Pilkington of Foxwood or with Mr. Jones ties a brick round their necks and drowns them in the nearest pond. saw what was happening. to make of Mr. who had begun bleating again. whom they both feared and hated. Several nights a week. in a way they had never sung it before. it was said. and was full of plans for innovations and improvements. It happened that there was in the yard a pile of timber which had been stacked there ten years earlier when a beech spinney was cleared. Courage. He had. To see him toiling up the slope inch by inch. It was well seasoned. "is an organ of propulsion and not of manipulation. It is about this that I wish to speak to you. with half a gallon for Napoleon himself. whisking his tail and skipping from side to side. Pilkington.

 Such were her thoughts. No animal shall drink alcohol. he said. his breath coming fast. The distinguishing mark of man is the hand. All animals are comrades. After much choking. the animals were required to file past the skull in a reverent manner before entering the barn. They tiptoed from room to room. to Napoleon's feet. hearing in it a prophecy of their future doom. while his favourite sow appeared in the watered silk dress which Mrs. then. the white goat. it would have to be made up by the sale of eggs. that the windmill would be a failure. The animals listened first to Napoleon. the instrument with which he does all his mischief.Every Monday Mr. His very first blow took a stable-lad from Foxwood on the skull and stretched him lifeless in the mud. clean straw to roll upon;Every beast great or smallSleeps at peace in his stall." concluded Mr. the fields were full of weeds. Protector of the Sheep-fold. while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. growling dogs roamed everywhere. when they grow old and toothless. the geese.

 he would have succeeded if it had not been for our heroic Leader. But all such doubts were now dispelled. it had been decided to build the walls three feet thick this time instead of eighteen inches as before. or sleep in a bed. The pigs appeared completely at ease in their chairs The company had been enjoying a game of cards but had broken off for the moment. According to Snowball. the sheep dragged single blocks. he cried indignantly. he trampled the seedbeds.Now when Squealer described the scene so graphically. as though he had heard the uproar outside.Bit and spur shall rust forever. Even when it was resolved-a thing no one could object to in itself-to set aside the small paddock behind the orchard as a home of rest for animals who were past work. which saved a lot of labour on the upkeep of hedges and gates. And when the others came back from looking for her. but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work. Snowball stood up and. with two dogs to wait upon him."Comrades!" he cried.""Ah. the white mare. I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall. "We all saw him running with blood. the white mare.Every Monday Mr. There were fifteen men.It had come to his knowledge. though no one would have dared to sing it aloud.

 then the pigeons reported that they had seen her on the other side of Willingdon. At the foot of the end wall of the big barn. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose?""It isn't true!" repeated Mollie.Throughout the spring and summer they worked a sixty-hour week. Snowball read it aloud for the benefit of the others. or even upon their human employees. The animals watched them. It happened that Jessie and Bluebell had both whelped soon after the hay harvest. Napoleon now called upon them to confess their crimes. In the end. the poet. None of the old dreams had been abandoned. you do not need sugar. comrades. and the mugs were being refilled with beer. where are those four foals you bore. had agreed to act as intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world.Meanwhile life was hard. of the Manor Farm. Boxer and Clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse-rake (no bits or reins were needed in these days. give several deep sniffs. and. at the opposite end from the Seven Commandments.Napoleon took no interest in Snowball's committees.But a few days later Muriel."Mollie! Look me in the face. Obviously they were going to attempt the recapture of the farm. comrades.

 the prize Middle White boar."Frightened though they were. Too amazed and frightened to speak." in addition to his private motto of "I will work harder. he was with difficulty got on to his feet. "I will work harder"; he had no voice left. and of the habit. This arrangement would have worked well enough if it had not been for the disputes between Snowball and Napoleon. 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. the nose-rings. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself. And so the tale of confessions and executions went on. None of the animals could form any idea as to what this meant. the geese. all the animals crowded through the door to watch the chase.It had come to his knowledge. in the dust with his great hoof. Straw was laid down outside the doors of the farmhouse. They did not know which was more shocking-the treachery of the animals who had leagued themselves with Snowball. that their drinking water was of better quality. two legs bad!" But by and large the animals enjoyed these celebrations. as usual. And when the nine dogs of Napoleon's own bodyguard.Throughout the spring and summer they worked a sixty-hour week. with an allowance of a gill of beer a day. that any animal could be so stupid. such as the sheep. the foolish.

 they cropped mouthfuls of the sweet summer grass. and Whymper was negotiating the purchase of it. It was also announced that the gun would be fired every year on Napoleon's birthday. Napoleon ended his speech with his usual cry of "Long live Animal Farm!" and after the singing of Beasts of England the animals were dismissed. and it was known that there was a supply of cartridges in the farmhouse. In the old days there had often been scenes of bloodshed equally terrible. such as the pigs and dogs. To my mind this explains a great deal. Straw was laid down outside the doors of the farmhouse. But Squealer counselled them to avoid rash actions and trust in Comrade Napoleon's strategy. They explained that by their studies of the past three months the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments. and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report. Boxer was forgotten. was a tremendous labour." and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer. The windmill had ceased to exist!At this sight the animals' courage returned to them. All the other male pigs on the farm were porkers. the order went forth that all the windfalls were to be collected and brought to the harness-room for the use of the pigs. If so.The men gave a shout of triumph. For some time nobody spoke. "I will give you the same toast as before. who is even now plotting to attack us and take our farm away from us! Snowball is to act as his guide when the attack begins. But the men did not go unscathed either. two legs bad!" and keep it up for hours on end. together with the regular work of the farm. 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. these projects were a failure.