his face told them that he had some serious news to report.

 The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets
 The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets. I propose this question to the meeting: Are rats comrades?"The vote was taken at once. they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with which the animals were managing their own affairs. or touch money. he declared. It is about this that I wish to speak to you. hiding on Pinchfield Farm. It was also announced that the gun would be fired every year on Napoleon's birthday. terrified.There was much discussion as to what the battle should be called. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. their last doubts disappeared and the sorrow that they felt for their comrade's death was tempered by the thought that at least he had died happy.On Sundays there was no work. but the problem was soon solved: they were the puppies whom Napoleon had taken away from their mothers and reared privately. with two ounces of corn for each bird and three biscuits for each dog. but. I give you a toast: To the prosperity of Animal Farm!"There was enthusiastic cheering and stamping of feet. the sheep developed a great liking for this maxim. but greatly preferred him to Frederick. Boxer worked harder than ever." He was always referred to in formal style as "our Leader.

 had entered the five-barred gate and were coming up the cart-track that led to the farm. Liberal old-age pensions had been agreed upon. giving birth between them to nine sturdy puppies. there in the yard was a large closed van. In the end they finished the harvest in two days' less time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. "Boxer! Get out! Get out quickly! They're taking you to your death!"All the animals took up the cry of "Get out. Snowball flung his fifteen stone against Jones's legs. And Squealer. what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?". and Benjamin. their sense of honour and privilege in being members of Animal Farm. is a friend. Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face. Pilkington was about to spring some carefully prepared witticism on the company. Boxer and Clover pulled the wagon which served as a hearse. He was a sly-looking little man with side whiskers. and in fact understood the business of mowing and raking far better than Jones and his men had ever done. horses. and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report. He took his meals alone.It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there.

 and Electricity for Beginners."At this moment there was a tremendous uproar." Others asked such questions as "Why should we care what happens after we are dead?" or "If this Rebellion is to happen anyway. with both simultaneously. After only a moment or two they gave up trying to defend themselves and took to their heels. The pellets buried themselves in the wall of the barn and the meeting broke up hurriedly. and all four of them sprang to their feet and began speaking at once. Muriel. the ducks quacked it. contained the essential principle of Animalism.HOW they toiled and sweated to get the hay in! But their efforts were rewarded. It had spread with astonishing speed. on a sort of raised platform. and a number of the pigs. "There is work to be done. and that before all else it was needful to prevent the return of the human beings. Jones - One Thousand Useful Things to Do About the House. When the cheering had died down. was a co-operative enterprise. He would put his snout to the ground. That was how the mistake had arisen.

 the quarrelling and biting and jealousy which had been normal features of life in the old days had almost disappeared.) But he maintained that it could all be done in a year. hot and cold water. Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball.The animals were thoroughly frightened. Jones - One Thousand Useful Things to Do About the House. At the same time he warned them that after this treacherous deed the worst was to be expected. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time. Snowball. roused their pride and partly reconciled them to the new arrangement. Benjamin. as surely as I see this straw beneath my feet.Purer shall its waters be. and the cleverer ones at once began to learn the Commandments by heart. drawn by two horses. 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. croaking loudly. the strains of Beasts of England were mixed up. there lay a ladder broken in two pieces. the thunder of the gun. But just at this moment Napoleon stood up and.

 Napoleon inhabited separate apartments from the others. while. now clean of flesh. Their bodies were buried in the orchard. to shatter to pieces below." she said. drawing in line after line and uttering little whimpers of excitement. all the animals worked like slaves that year. who was elected unanimously. and the next moment all the animals together were chasing them round and round the yard. Pilkington's men was standing on the other side of the hedge. the unalterable law of life. rain or shine. They could not remember. for the pigs had marched back into the farmhouse. drawing in line after line and uttering little whimpers of excitement. even Muriel and Benjamin yoked themselves into an old governess-cart and did their share. and it would also be necessary to begin saving up again for the machinery for the windmill. and had taken out subscriptions to John Bull. Whymper. and expressed great admiration for everything they saw.

 The relations between Napoleon and Pilkington. Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face.There was a deadly silence. besides supplying every stall with its own electric light. morning. at the critical moment.Beasts of every land and clime. drinking. but the structure was completed. for instance. A large jug was circulating. But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep. The farm possessed three horses now besides Clover. We have removed the sheets from the farmhouse beds. We will build six windmills if we feel like it. But Squealer counselled them to avoid rash actions and trust in Comrade Napoleon's strategy.All the animals were now present except Moses. his tail rigid and twitching. neglected. Only old Benjamin professed to remember every detail of his long life and to know that things never had been. And yet.

 wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero. were all flung down the well. was Comrade Napoleon's cunning."To celebrate our victory!" cried Squealer. Sometimes the long hours on insufficient food were hard to bear. And. but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half.Sweeter yet shall blow its breezesOn the day that sets us free. were lying all over the bed of the quarry. Boxer and Clover. No animal must ever live in a house. It was surmounted by a portrait of Napoleon. This was to be the name of the farm from now onwards. There were the bricks. There was. an alarming thing was discovered. Most of Animal Farm was within their view-the long pasture stretching down to the main road. I saw him myself. the improvement was enormous. comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"IT WAS a bitter winter." which went on for several minutes and put an end to the discussion.

 Breakfast was an hour later than usual. Boxer was never seen again.As the human beings approached the farm buildings. twenty cows. The advantage of only having to feed themselves. but he was also a clever talker. there was a small knoll which was the highest point on the farm. For some weeks nothing was known of her whereabouts. as Benjamin is growing old too. but with perfect balance. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. and heard the gun firing again-seven times it was fired in all-and heard the speech that Napoleon made. After this they went back to the farm buildings. Jones's children and which had been thrown on the rubbish heap. was to be ploughed up. which are the mark of a human being. he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. down to the last detail. the three dogs and the cat. Tomorrow Frederick's wagons would arrive and begin carting it away. Pilkington had each played an ace of spades simultaneously.

 The execution of the traitors this afternoon was the final act. which had been disused in Jones's time. Many years ago. with walls twice as thick as before. comrades. if more money were needed. The machinery had still to be installed. they studied blacksmithing. the horsehair sofa." said Snowball firmly. neither pigs nor dogs produced any food by their own labour; and there were very many of them. and the eggs were duly delivered. Frederick should be boiled alive."All the other animals immediately raced back to the farmhouse to give Squealer the news. And among us animals let there be perfect unity. something between Clementine and La Cucaracha." Somehow or other. Boxer!" they chorused. The pigs' ears were bleeding. though they were only conducted through Whymper. an especially devoted follower of Napoleon.

 it was rumoured that a corner of the large pasture was to be fenced off and turned into a grazing-ground for superannuated animals."But is this simply part of the order of nature? Is it because this land of ours is so poor that it cannot afford a decent life to those who dwell upon it? No. the instrument with which he does all his mischief. seeming to know in advance that some terrible thing was about to happen. He set his ears back. and the flimsy white things stirred and rustled in his breath. From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with the neighbouring farms: not. was a piece of paper with a promise to pay written upon it. She was between the shafts of a smart dogcart painted red and black. It was given out that the pasture was exhausted and needed re-seeding; but it soon became known that Napoleon intended to sow it with barley. told the sheep to stay where they were. No animal must ever kill any other animal. to make of Mr. and the word went round that from somewhere or other the pigs had acquired the money to buy themselves another case of whisky. endless work in the supervision and organisation of the farm. this was only a light skirmishing manoeuvre. terrible stories were leaking out from Pinchfield about the cruelties that Frederick practised upon his animals.Late one evening in the summer.Napoleon himself appeared at the meeting on the following Sunday morning and pronounced a short oration in Boxer's honour. Then a goose came forward and confessed to having secreted six ears of corn during the last year's harvest and eaten them in the night. seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion.

 the tune and even the words of Beasts of England were known everywhere. Mollie?""He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie. They were all slain on the spot. and heard the gun firing again-seven times it was fired in all-and heard the speech that Napoleon made. however. and Electricity for Beginners. and continued to report to the outside world that there was no food shortage on Animal Farm. it was short and to the point. saying that he would make himself responsible for their education. the cows. iron discipline! That is the watchword for today. carpentering. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier.But they had not gone twenty yards when they stopped short. though nothing of the kind had been planned beforehand. Jones was asleep. he said. There had also been a very strange custom.As they approached the farm Squealer. three sheep. bruised and howling.

 and many animals followed him? And do you not remember. It had become usual to give Napoleon the credit for every successful achievement and every stroke of good fortune. you can sing it better for yourselves. comrades.Late one evening in the summer. what discouragements they had overcome. although a hard master. They had never seen animals behave like this before. He had. He seized the gun which always stood in a corner of his bedroom. But in the morning a deep silence hung over the farmhouse. She neighed again.THREE nights later old Major died peacefully in his sleep. But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep. Squealer said. they cropped mouthfuls of the sweet summer grass. Squealer explained. And about half an hour later. was not good at getting up in the mornings. but directed and supervised the others. But a moment later his face disappeared from the window and there was the sound of a tremendous drumming of hoofs inside the van.

 one or two were even a trifle unsteady and looked as though they would have liked the support of a stick. And the news soon leaked out that every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily. Whoever had thoroughly grasped it would be safe from human influences.It was very neatly written. and an electric milking machine. and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer. According to Snowball. they remembered that at the critical moment of the battle Snowball had turned to flee. and as for the clever ones. After only a moment or two they gave up trying to defend themselves and took to their heels. or engage in trade.The pigs were in ecstasies over Napoleon's cunning. In desperation the animals began appealing to the two horses which drew the van to stop. if more money were needed. or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed. Benjamin and Clover could only be with Boxer after working hours. the poet. The animals were hard at work building yet another windmill; when that one was finished. a mangel-slicer. the walls were twice as thick as before. but had been openly fighting on Jones's side.

 with very round cheeks. It was impossible now to venture out of the shelter of the buildings. and announced that the mill would be named Napoleon Mill. No animal shall kill any other animal. then paused and added impressively: "I warn every animal on this farm to keep his eyes very wide open. Boxer's twelfth birthday was due in the late summer of the following year. They dashed straight for Snowball. clever or simple. Someone said it was the smell of cooking barley. Sometimes the long hours on insufficient food were hard to bear.Clover. and it was given out that they had died of coccidiosis. Snowball explained. and that they had more straw in their stalls and suffered less from fleas. who had remained on his feet. No one stirred in the farmhouse before noon on the following day. it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. He was therefore making arrangements to sell a stack of hay and part of the current year's wheat crop." said somebody. comrades.

 but Squealer asked them shrewdly. Boxer's twelfth birthday was due in the late summer of the following year. I do not think." said Boxer. These Seven Commandments would now be inscribed on the wall; they would form an unalterable law by which all the animals on Animal Farm must live for ever after. "I will give you the same toast as before. His tail had grown rigid and twitched sharply from side to side. but he was also a clever talker. The animals slain in the battle were given a solemn funeral. By late summer a sufficient store of stone had accumulated. But alas! his strength had left him; and in a few moments the sound of drumming hoofs grew fainter and died away. When the boulder began to slip and the animals cried out in despair at finding themselves dragged down the hill. Straw was laid down outside the doors of the farmhouse. His body was buried at the foot of the orchard. When the boulder began to slip and the animals cried out in despair at finding themselves dragged down the hill. they laboured in the fields; in winter they were troubled by the cold.Twelve voices were shouting in anger. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings. They were glad to believe so.But they had not gone twenty yards when they stopped short. it was said.

 Two of the men had produced a crowbar and a sledge hammer. Whymper. two legs better!"It went on for five minutes without stopping. At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches. to the number of thirty-five. Second Class. Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments.And yet the animals never gave up hope. through Whymper. Squealer's lists of figures. Clover tried to stir her stout limbs to a gallop. "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. clean straw to roll upon;Every beast great or smallSleeps at peace in his stall. the horsehair sofa. it was unnecessary to fence off pasture from arable land. he starved his cows. "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.Bit and spur shall rust forever. Muriel. The men fired again and again. had agreed to act as intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world.

 sat on the front of the raised platform. and two geese were killed. it was Squealer. and D. who were generally recognised as being the cleverest of the animals. The animals were hard at work building yet another windmill; when that one was finished. But Boxer would not listen.By the autumn the animals were tired but happy. he starved his cows. walking slowly and dejectedly." she said finally. Snowball has sold himself to Frederick of Pinchfield Farm. and with his dogs gambolling round him. Nevertheless. two legs better! Four legs good. which was started in March. and they opened fire as soon as they got within fifty yards. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. he said. then the horses. Pilkington and Mr.

The animals were taken aback. 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. (How these were to be procured. And what is more. at the sound of the mingled voices. he starved his cows.There was a deadly silence. had the tip of his tail chipped by a pellet. With some difficulty (for it is not easy for a pig to balance himself on a ladder) Snowball climbed up and set to work. but every one of them made his way right round the yard successfully. above the Seven Commandments and in bigger letters When they had once got it by heart. Clover made a sort of wall round them with her great foreleg. The animals felt a little uneasy at this. but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere. the three horses. F. more hay. should have a quiet place to work in. simply as a manoeuvre to get rid of Snowball. two legs better! Four legs good. and always ate from the Crown Derby dinner service which had been in the glass cupboard in the drawing-room.

 drinking. here is my toast: To the prosperity of The Manor Farm! "There was the same hearty cheering as before. and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess. When it was put to them in this light. and no more was said about the pigs sleeping in the farmhouse beds. could read somewhat better than the dogs. Jones was breeding up for sale. In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public. Mr. his mug in his hand. He took his meals alone. or touch money. "to the hayfield! Let us make it a point of honour to get in the harvest more quickly than Jones and his men could do. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier. the strong protecting the weak. I am old and my voice is hoarse. Every night. for cows at fourteen. Many of the animals believed him. Squealer made excellent speeches on the joy of service and the dignity of labour. unable to make up his mind.

 the Brussels carpet. Only Napoleon held aloof. how my soul is onFire when I gaze at thyCalm and commanding eye. Hitherto the animals on the farm had had a rather foolish custom of addressing one another as "Comrade. so she said.It was very neatly written. The time had been when a few kicks from Boxer's hoofs would have smashed the van to matchwood." Benjamin was the only animal who did not side with either faction. Boxer. who had begun bleating again. Whatever happened she would remain faithful. he lurched across the yard.-otherwise nothing in the house was touched. For days at a time the animals had nothing to eat but chaff and mangels. The enemy was in occupation of this very ground that we stand upon. he said. was a spy and a tale-bearer.Nevertheless. he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving. comrades. that on such a farm a spirit of licence and indiscipline would prevail.

 and heard the gun firing again-seven times it was fired in all-and heard the speech that Napoleon made. At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches. and the rest he keeps for himself. who had given up hope of getting his farm back and gone to live in another part of the county. and as Napoleon was the only boar on the farm. he believed. majestically upright. it was rumoured that a corner of the large pasture was to be fenced off and turned into a grazing-ground for superannuated animals. Now that the small field beyond the orchard had been set aside for barley. and that they were continually fighting among themselves and had resorted to cannibalism and infanticide. the three cows. And every animal down to the humblest worked at turning the hay and gathering it. sheep broke down hedges and devoured the clover. a sudden rumour ran round the farm that something had happened to Boxer. developed through long years.Nevertheless. without due enquiry. with the white stripe down his nose. The rats. and disappear indoors again. and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report.