might have uttered some word of protest.

the sight of Napoleon
the sight of Napoleon. and the cleverer ones at once began to learn the Commandments by heart." and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. Without saying anything to the others. Clover warned him sometimes to be careful not to overstrain himself. and the animals walked on tiptoe. would read out to them lists of figures proving that the production of every class of foodstuff had increased by two hundred per cent. Did we not give him 'Animal Hero. and all four of them sprang to their feet and began speaking at once." he said quietly. Frederick of Pinchfield-but never."Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. as the summer wore on. especially as they could no longer remember very clearly what conditions had been like before the Rebellion. Snowball was secretly frequenting the farm by night! The animals were so disturbed that they could hardly sleep in their stalls.At last. of which there were not many nowadays. They continued to behave very much as before.The windmill presented unexpected difficulties. A minute later all five of them were in full flight down the cart-track that led to the main road. The animals were happy as they had never conceived it possible to be. The birds at first objected. Jones's especial pet. Napoleon sent for pots of black and white paint and led the way down to the five-barred gate that gave on to the main road. comrades. its climate is good. but Boxer would never listen to her.

he said. with the dogs following him. 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. the green flag which flew from the masthead. To my mind this explains a great deal. they had begun singing it for themselves. said that he refused to meddle in such matters. which are the mark of a human being. Building had to stop because it was now too wet to mix the cement. the sight of Napoleon. he proved to them in detail that they had more oats. "Tactics.""That is the true spirit.At the gate they paused. but in comparison with the days of Jones. he gnawed the bark off the fruit trees. especially the windmill. not even when the pigs took Mr. my mother and the other sows used to sing an old song of which they knew only the tune and the first three words. and the pigs had great difficulty in making them see that this was contrary to the spirit of Animalism. Clover dropped to her knees at his side. but could not put words together. They were still the only farm in the whole county-in all England!-owned and operated by animals. and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to walk. Nobody shirked-or almost nobody. the tame raven. and all the usual replacements such as tools.

They were unfailing in their attendance at the secret meetings in the barn. It had been overlooked at the time when the house was first occupied. With his dogs in attendance he set out and made a careful tour of inspection of the farm buildings. but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half. what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: our lives are miserable. The farm possessed three horses now besides Clover. and it was a stirring tune. Word had gone round during the day that old Major. But still."Why?" cried Muriel. A little awkwardly. urinated over the plans. 'Forward in the name of the Rebellion. What then must we do? Why. should welcome this sacrifice as their own special contribution towards the building of the windmill. There was need of paraffin oil. grazing side by side and never speaking. 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. At such times his lips were seen to form the words. The horses carried it off in cart-loads. For a horse."Boxer!" cried Clover in a terrible voice. coal. was as it had always been. And Squealer. Today we begin the hay harvest. Their struggles and their difficulties were one.

When he did emerge. one of them bearing a scrap of paper from Pilkington. it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment. when the terror caused by the executions had died down. Even the stupidest of them had already picked up the tune and a few of the words. For some time nobody spoke. who were manifestly cleverer than the other animals. the halters. never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. said that he refused to meddle in such matters. and could not make up their minds which was right; indeed. "Animal Hero. and used to write them out once or twice every day to refresh his memory. and when Benjamin. "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. However. Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face. in the late afternoon. at the opposite end from the Seven Commandments.Napoleon decreed that there should be a full investigation into Snowball's activities. And you. though they were only conducted through Whymper. it was usually to make some cynical remark-for instance. quicker in speech and more inventive. Napoleon. which he had conferred upon himself. Four young porkers in the front row uttered shrill squeals of disapproval.

"What victory?" said Boxer.Every Monday Mr. The relations between Napoleon and Pilkington. They had been credited with attempting to stir up rebellion among the animals on neighbouring farms. They explained that by their studies of the past three months the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments. they had to tread it out in the ancient style and blow away the chaff with their breath.Once again the animals were conscious of a vague uneasiness. where are those four foals you bore. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. except old Benjamin. horses. in a way they had never sung it before. He had made an arrangement with one of the cockerels to call him in the mornings half an hour earlier than anyone else. and in spite of the efforts of Napoleon and Boxer to rally them. which could be made to operate a dynamo and supply the farm with electrical power."By this time the weather had broken and the spring ploughing had begun. was puzzled. the human beings were inventing fresh lies about Animal Farm. which was called Pinchfield. He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense and that he advised nobody to vote for it. A time came when there was no one who remembered the old days before the Rebellion. and talk by the hour to anyone who would listen. and ducks. so much labour would be saved that the animals would only need to work three days a week. Snowball was forgotten. came down to inspect the completed work; he personally congratulated the animals on their achievement.And the fruitful fields of EnglandShall be trod by beasts alone.

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 a point that must be settled. On the contrary. Comrades. she tugged gently at his mane and led him round to the end of the big barn. he cleared his throat and began:"Comrades. the admirable care he had received. all the animals dispersed. with all the brainwork we have to do nowadays. He did not care what happened so long as a good store of stone was accumulated before he went on pension. then they capitulated and went back to their nesting boxes. It now appeared that Snowball was not.Yes. as a human being. so it was said. there was the schoolhouse for the young pigs. What was it that had altered in the faces of the pigs? Clover's old dim eyes flitted from one face to another. A1most overnight we could become rich and free. had stood up. They could only be traced for a few yards. which could be made to operate a dynamo and supply the farm with electrical power. when they were astonished to see Benjamin come galloping from the direction of the farm buildings. The potatoes had become soft and discoloured. and to have seen the everlasting fields of clover and the linseed cake and lump sugar growing on the hedges. At such times his lips were seen to form the words. that they accepted his explanation without further questions. The other farmers sympathised in principle.

and.Tyrant Man shall be o'erthrown.Never through me shalt thou come to harm!and this was sung every Sunday morning after the hoisting of the flag. saw what was happening. of never complaining. finally.Full belly twice a day. He was deceived. and made his way up to bed. 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 eggs were duly delivered. wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero.All the men were gone except one.4. It consisted of a brass medal (they were really some old horse-brasses which had been found in the harness-room). "A horse's lungs do not last for ever.All the animals were now present except Moses. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back.But a few days later Muriel. For a minute or two they stood gazing at the tatted wall with its white lettering. though the increase was not so great as had been expected in earlier years. and a murmur of dismay went round. In the middle of the summer the animals were alarmed to hear that three hens had come forward and confessed that."Comrades. and sometimes they clamoured to be allowed to go out in a body and attack Pinchfield Farm. A few minutes later two pigeons came racing in with the news: "Boxer has fallen! He is lying on his side and can't get up!"About half the animals on the farm rushed out to the knoll where the windmill stood. Apart from the regular work of the farm.

the strains of Beasts of England were mixed up. And in many ways the animal method of doing things was more efficient and saved labour. pretty white mare who drew Mr. Curiously enough. Last of all came the cat. were now almost friendly. Only Clover remained. Dealer in Hides and Bone-Meal. one at each corner. or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed. Clover made a sort of wall round them with her great foreleg. were more articulate." said Squealer. Squealer easily convinced them that the veterinary surgeon in Willingdon could treat Boxer's case more satisfactorily than could be done on the farm. the hedges were neglected. horses."Gentlemen. The animals listened first to Napoleon. A white stripe down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance. lest it should be poisoned. were owned by the pigs jointly."He is dead. they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement. there in the yard was a large closed van. lifting his trotter and wiping away a tear. above all. a sign in him of intense mental activity.

and all the humbler animals set to work to learn the new maxim by heart. So far as he knew. approached them with the air of having something important to say. and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed. it was true. and a number of the pigs. The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets. voiced the general feeling by saying: "If Comrade Napoleon says it. and various others. reduced in December. were thrown on to the rubbish fire which was burning in the yard. so it was said-at Foxwood. they always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment." or made elementary remarks such as "Mr." concluded Napoleon."Meanwhile Frederick and his men had halted about the windmill. Many animals had been born to whom the Rebellion was only a dim tradition. And what is more. Their method was to fly up to the rafters and there lay their eggs. Comrade Napoleon. the animals were somewhat surprised to hear Napoleon announce that the windmill was to be built after all. Then Napoleon stood up to reply. and reapers and binders. We will teach this miserable traitor that he cannot undo our work so easily. Remember. the fruit of all their struggles. he said.

whom they referred to as "Master. two legs bad" both in and out of season. The others reproached her sharply.On the third Sunday after Snowball's expulsion. it seemed to the animals that they did remember it. The birds jumped on to their perches." which went on for several minutes and put an end to the discussion. prancing round them and stamping the earth with his small hoofs. It was Clover. Instead-she did not know why-they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind. they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime. 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. The next moment he and his four men were in the store-shed with whips in their hands. and it was a stirring tune. or even suggested. the admirable care he had received. All animals are equal. At first it was a little difficult to see how this fitted in with his being on Jones's side. the dog-chains. Then the sheep broke out into a tremendous bleating of "Four legs good. he said. Any animal caught singing it was given a flogging on the spot. Jones's trap. So that. in the afternoon. Squealer said."Comrade.

as Benjamin is growing old too. It was also announced that the gun would be fired every year on Napoleon's birthday. whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together. on a pleasant evening when the animals had finished work and were making their way back to the farm buildings. just on the other side of that dark cloud that you can see-there it lies. But it was some minutes before they could fully take it in. but she could not look Clover in the face. Word had gone round during the day that old Major. Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed. And he very nearly succeeded-I will even say. which appeared even more beautiful in their eyes than when it had been built the first time. which every animal would do well to adopt as his own."Comrades. with guilt written on every line of their countenances. Rations. "Under the guidance of our Leader.All relations with Foxwood had been broken off; insulting messages had been sent to Pilkington." she said to him. All the other male pigs on the farm were porkers. 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 the summer wore on. for which privacy was needed. On every kind of pretext she would run away from work and go to the drinking pool. developed through long years. After the hoisting of the flag all the animals trooped into the big barn for a general assembly which was known as the Meeting. when he inclined toward Pilkington. would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism.

Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer-except. skipping from side to side and whisking his tail. When Mr. he said. for cows at fourteen. squealing with pain and terror. but the windmill compensated for everything. All men are enemies." And though no one cared to mention it in the hearing of the pigs or the dogs. the processions.All the animals were now present except Moses. They all declared contemptuously that his stories about Sugarcandy Mountain were lies. Snowball was known to be still skulking on Pinchfield Farm. In the end. he broke the eggs. and even now they could hardly believe that it was all their own. however. He claimed to know of the existence of a mysterious country called Sugarcandy Mountain. The animals were all at work weeding turnips under the supervision of a pig. whose origin was unknown. like a piece of artillery. make use of the fallen stones. Napoleon appeared to be somewhat better. ad exclaim in a terrible voice. she fetched Muriel. Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw. Napoleon.

Whymper. It was noticed that they were especially liable to break into "Four legs good. the work had been finished punctually to the very day! Tired out but proud. levelled to its foundations. "It does not matter. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this. Comrades.The men gave a shout of triumph. but I am almost certain I saw this-he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose. And the news soon leaked out that every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily. was as it had always been. This time the stones had vanished too. a few selected animals. After this they went back to the farm buildings. They could only be traced for a few yards. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. Snowball did not deny that to build it would be a difficult business. and the animals walked on tiptoe. There had also been a very strange custom. finally. filed into the barn. He said that the education of the young was more important than anything that could be done for those who were already grown up. This. was happy that the period of misunderstanding was at an end. Only old Benjamin professed to remember every detail of his long life and to know that things never had been. In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public. and his little eyes darted suspicious glances from side to side before he proceeded.

sheep broke down hedges and devoured the clover. the only Berkshire on the farm. for the harvest was an even bigger success than they had hoped. not even Frederick. Frederick shouted to his men to get out while the going was good. Willingdon. flap his black wings. Major continued:"I have little more to say. When it was all gone.Presently the tumult died down. and disappear indoors again. Truth to tell. Sugarcandy Mountain. at the opposite end from the Seven Commandments. Actually the Commandment read: "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. B." "reports. It was the first time that they had ever seen Benjamin excited-indeed. how many eggs have you laid in this last year. a solicitor living in Willingdon. various unforeseen shortages began to make them selves felt. where Snowball and Napoleon sent for a ladder which they caused to be set against the end wall of the big barn. it was said. they kicked up clods of the black earth and snuffed its rich scent. It was a moonlit night. the work had been finished punctually to the very day! Tired out but proud. He was rumoured to be hiding on one of the neighbouring farms.

It was decided to set the gun up at the foot of the Flagstaff. painted out MANOR FARM from the top bar of the gate and in its place painted ANIMAL FARM. Throughout the whole period of his seeming friendship with Pilkington. The enemy both external and internal has been defeated. the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground. She was between the shafts of a smart dogcart painted red and black. Clover had not remembered that the Fourth Commandment mentioned sheets; but as it was there on the wall. Starvation seemed to stare them in the face. for any commercial purpose. whereat Boxer lifted his hoof. All animals should go naked. he did learn E. their hearts swelled with imperishable pride. was sprawling beside it. he said. and a whole flock of geese and hens-everyone. comrades. endless work in the supervision and organisation of the farm. they all raced out into the pasture together. what discouragements they had overcome. Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than ribbons? "Mollie agreed. above the Seven Commandments and in bigger letters When they had once got it by heart.The two horses had just lain down when a brood of ducklings. and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to walk.In a very little while the animals had destroyed everything that reminded them of Mr. he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. in the barn.

and various new buildings had been added to it. JONES. Actually the Commandment read: "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. the hayfield. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. as usual. with Squealer and another pig named Minimus. They were fine upstanding beasts. As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. were a great success. it must be right. Jones and all his men. but perhaps with a certain measure of misgiving. who was a dangerous character and a bad influence.In April. It was a dream of the earth as it will be when Man has vanished. Frederick and his men might make their long-expected attack at any moment. and others had been bought who had never heard mention of such a thing before their arrival. much overgrown by woodland. whose origin was unknown. "I will work harder"; he had no voice left. full of sympathy and concern. and the three-day week. Comrade Napoleon. Surely. Jones. At a moment when the opening was clear.

According to Napoleon. the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard. to give the signal for flight and leave the field to the enemy. And. as a human being. The pigeons swirled into the air."Terrified. Frederick. Squealer explained. To that horror we all must come-cows. who had begun bleating again. but by the time he knew them." in addition to his private motto of "I will work harder. Above all. the sheep. The very first question she asked Snowball was: "Will there still be sugar after the Rebellion?""No. comrades. the walls were twice as thick as before. Pilkington's men was standing on the other side of the hedge. Benjamin nodded his long muzzle. At first it was a little difficult to see how this fitted in with his being on Jones's side. which could be made to operate a dynamo and supply the farm with electrical power.' Do you not understand what that means? They are taking Boxer to the knacker's! "A cry of horror burst from all the animals. Much of this work was of a kind that the other animals were too ignorant to understand. who were manifestly cleverer than the other animals. they had the entire song by heart within a few minutes.He would end his remarks.

as usual.At last the day came when Snowball's plans were completed. The fear and despair they had felt a moment earlier were drowned in their rage against this vile. 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. Moreover. a thousand times no! The soil of England is fertile. The animals filed slowly past. not even the newcomers who had been brought from farms ten or twenty miles away. sheep. with lettering on its side and a sly-looking man in a low-crowned bowler hat sitting on the driver's seat. A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm. He repeated a number of times. and they went outside.Sweeter yet shall blow its breezesOn the day that sets us free. After a moment. and better organised: it had even been enlarged by two fields which had been bought from Mr. Boxer looked at Napoleon to know whether he should crush the dog to death or let it go. He himself dashed straight for Jones. who had been lying in ambush in the cowshed. 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. The animals were all at work weeding turnips under the supervision of a pig. he whispered in my ear that his sole sorrow was to have passed on before the windmill was finished. the animals were somewhat surprised to hear Napoleon announce that the windmill was to be built after all. But she always made such excellent excuses. He fidgeted to and fro.Twelve voices were shouting in anger. and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever.

Though not yet full-grown.At last the day came when Snowball's plans were completed. Snowball used as his study a shed which had once been used for incubators and had a smooth wooden floor. on all fours. and disappointment being. but the structure was completed. they never lost. He was trying to kick his way out. comrades!" cried Napoleon. the applause having come to an end. Napoleon. and all the sheep. shut his eyes. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time. cheeping feebly and wandering from side to side to find some place where they would not be trodden on. A stump of hay and part of the potato crop were sold off. "Boxer! Get out! Get out quickly! They're taking you to your death!"All the animals took up the cry of "Get out.And yet the animals never gave up hope. Was not the labour problem the same everywhere? Here it became apparent that Mr. with his nine huge dogs frisking round him and uttering growls that sent shivers down all the animals' spines. He took his meals alone. and food was even shorter. He gave it as his opinion that Snowball had probably come from the direction of Foxwood Farm. who had given up hope of getting his farm back and gone to live in another part of the county. on a sort of raised platform. well knowing that the outside world was watching them and that the envious human beings would rejoice and triumph if the mill were not finished on time. producing thirty-one young pigs between them.

As soon as they were well inside the yard. If she herself had had any picture of the future. The harvest is more important. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. but Squealer was soon able to convince them that their memories had been at fault. who was directing operations from the rear. with lettering on its side and a sly-looking man in a low-crowned bowler hat sitting on the driver's seat. comrade!" cried Squealer. then the sheep. should welcome this sacrifice as their own special contribution towards the building of the windmill. The field beyond the orchard had already been sown with barley. trampled on. with the animals pursuing them in triumph. but some of them believed in Sugarcandy Mountain. But just at that moment. So were the whips. His visitors might have observed. he said. now clean of flesh. and in a couple of minutes every animal was at his post. drinking. comrade. and the windmill neared completion. The importance of keeping the pigs in good health was all too obvious. reading over the Seven Commandments to herself. At a moment when the opening was clear. Slowly the breeze drifted it away.

such as the sheep. there it lay. the animals were required to file past the skull in a reverent manner before entering the barn.Napoleon himself appeared at the meeting on the following Sunday morning and pronounced a short oration in Boxer's honour. Snowball also busied himself with organising the other animals into what he called Animal Committees. whom he had instructed to make a detour under cover of the hedge." in addition to his private motto of "I will work harder. comrades. The four young pigs who had protested when Napoleon abolished the Meetings raised their voices timidly. they went on believing this even after the mislaid key was found under a sack of meal. walking slowly and dejectedly. Dealer in Hides and Bone-Meal. teaching them to sing a new song. Snowball was said to be at Pinchfield. After surveying the ground. one or two were even a trifle unsteady and looked as though they would have liked the support of a stick. they hated it more than ever. the buildings wanted roofing. were slaughtered. they were both thoroughly frightened by the rebellion on Animal Farm. comrades! The hay is waiting. Not a pig appeared to be stirring. is the answer to all our problems."And remember. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. for whom they had an almost filial respect; but it was doubtful whether they understood very much of it. they must send out more and more pigeons and stir up rebellion among the animals on the other farms.

Breakfast was an hour later than usual. At eleven o'clock Squealer came out to make another announcement. But all such doubts were now dispelled. but Squealer spoke so persuasively. He set his ears back. who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. they were huge dogs. comrades. The plans. And the news soon leaked out that every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily. I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired. their sense of honour and privilege in being members of Animal Farm. "I will give you the same toast as before. work night and day. this traitor has crept here under cover of night and destroyed our work of nearly a year. This was what came of rebelling against the laws of Nature. Wistful glances were sent in the direction of Foxwood. cows kicked the pail over. she went to Mollie's stall and turned over the straw with her hoof. laborious process. and all the animals broke into a gallop and rushed into the yard. it was usually to make some cynical remark-for instance. and made his way up to bed. and then Snowball and Napoleon called them together again. First came the three dogs.There were many more mouths to feed now. They all cowered silently in their places.

with their sticks and their hobnailed boots. horses. with various other improvements. By the time he had finished speaking. To my mind this explains a great deal. In Sugarcandy Mountain it was Sunday seven days a week. usually Squealer. but of late he had fallen on evil days. comrade? Have we not driven the enemy off our soil-the sacred soil of Animal Farm? ""But they have destroyed the windmill. comrades. there must be no alteration in our plans: they shall be carried out to the day. and food was even shorter. except for the pigs and dogs. but Squealer spoke so persuasively.But everyone worked according to his capacity The hens and ducks. They saw. that any of the old suspicions still lingered. the animals settled down in the straw. was a tremendous labour. whatever the appearances might be. "here is a point that must be settled. and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever." which was conferred posthumously on the dead sheep. it would have to be made up by the sale of eggs. to give the signal for flight and leave the field to the enemy.Meanwhile the timber was being carted away at high speed. and brought in a handsome money profit.

Before long the other animals began to arrive and make themselves comfortable after their different fashions. By seeming to be friendly with Pilkington he had forced Frederick to raise his price by twelve pounds. with half a gallon for Napoleon himself. and was full of plans for innovations and improvements. the cruel knives with which Mr. was expected to take two years. They were still the only farm in the whole county-in all England!-owned and operated by animals. It had come to be accepted that the pigs. his voice was hoarse. and the talk turned always towards the old heroic days." he said finally. The shed where Snowball had drawn his plans of the windmill had been shut up and it was assumed that the plans had been rubbed off the floor. but with a reputation for getting his own way.The animals were taken aback. unable to make up his mind. by a special decree of Comrade Napoleon. and. and drag it down to the site of the windmill unassisted. as Squealer did not fail to point out. He was a brilliant talker. Almost before Major had reached the end." she said. they will let him retire at the same time and be a companion to me. our dung fertilises it. The grass and the bursting hedges were gilded by the level rays of the sun. The wounds on Snowball's back.Nevertheless.

Meanwhile. finally. with a carrot or possibly an apple on public holidays. None of them proved able to learn the alphabet beyond the letter B. and he had already bribed the magistrates and police. Jones looked out of the bedroom window. Benjamin was the oldest animal on the farm. iron discipline! That is the watchword for today. he said. There was a good quarry of limestone on the farm. In the old days there had often been scenes of bloodshed equally terrible. kept the flies off him with his long tail. and after breakfast there was a ceremony which was observed every week without fail. The early apples were now ripening. All of them came to look at Snowball's drawings at least once a day. He was especially successful with the sheep. throughout the short remainder of your lives! And above all. The best known among them was a small fat pig named Squealer.Mrs. and it became necessary to elect a President. even for an instant. nobody grumbled over his rations. to represent the green fields of England. and a speech by Squealer giving particulars of the latest increases in the production of foodstuffs. to make of Mr. the tame raven. where Clover and Benjamin had prepared a good bed of straw for him.

he said. but they were frightened to go inside. beans. tortured one another with red-hot horseshoes. and from long before the Rebellion was ever thought of. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly. Jones would come back! Surely. A fat red-faced man in check breeches and gaiters. In the general rejoicings the unfortunate affair of the banknotes was forgotten. He set his ears back. It was impossible now to venture out of the shelter of the buildings. his voice was hoarse." said Boxer. He was therefore making arrangements to sell a stack of hay and part of the current year's wheat crop. the animals were still unfed. At first it was a little difficult to see how this fitted in with his being on Jones's side. string. They were fine upstanding beasts. and. They had never seen animals behave like this before. the other was certain to demand a bigger acreage of oats. Nevertheless. Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments. He turned to go. was Comrade Napoleon's cunning. The animals chased them right down to the bottom of the field.A week later.

that they accepted his explanation without further questions. and talk by the hour to anyone who would listen. and that Napoleon had created a new decoration. She would form these very neatly out of pieces of twig. His twelfth birthday was approaching. No creature called any other creature "Master. comrades. He called the animals together and told them that he had a terrible piece of news to impart. It was used for milling corn. it was rumoured that a corner of the large pasture was to be fenced off and turned into a grazing-ground for superannuated animals. a chaff-cutter. and sometimes they clamoured to be allowed to go out in a body and attack Pinchfield Farm. and purred so affectionately. They all declared contemptuously that his stories about Sugarcandy Mountain were lies. he would move rapidly to and fro. majestically upright. were all flung down the well. No animal shall wear clothes. At any rate. The animals saw no reason to disbelieve him.All the men were gone except one. Startled. that all the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings? Only get rid of Man. the tame raven.Beasts of every land and clime. had agreed to act as intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world. no matter what happened-they might have uttered some word of protest.