I merely repeat. with walls twice as thick as before. Jones's especial pet.

 the hayfield
 the hayfield. they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with which the animals were managing their own affairs. Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw. skipping from side to side and whisking his tail. They were unnecessary."It says.On the day appointed for the banquet. But still.On Sundays there was no work. and Clover administered it to Boxer twice a day after meals. Slowly the breeze drifted it away. But no warm mash appeared. comrades. The earth was like iron. Moreover. Finally he decided to be content with the first four letters. dog biscuits."Boxer!" she cried.

 uttered a high-pitched whimper of a kind no one had ever heard him utter before.The reading and writing classes. the solemn booming of a gun. his voice was hoarse. or sleep in a bed. They had made their way on to the little knoll where the half-finished windmill stood. Breakfast was an hour later than usual. and as fierce-looking as wolves. whom they both feared and hated. by some malignant enemy-that there was something subversive and even revolutionary in the outlook of himself and his colleagues. Their method was to fly up to the rafters and there lay their eggs. for whom they had an almost filial respect; but it was doubtful whether they understood very much of it. and then Snowball and Napoleon called them together again.So Beasts of England was heard no more. Electricity. but Snowball proved to them that this was not so. well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them. They had all the more reason for doing so because the news of their defeat had spread across the countryside and made the animals on the neighbouring farms more restive than ever.

 and an electric milking machine. they flung themselves upon their tormentors. It was also found that the stupider animals. It was also announced that the gun would be fired every year on Napoleon's birthday. Comrade Napoleon." said Boxer in a weak voice. and lime for the schoolroom to be purchased. not doled out to them by a grudging master. and Benjamin. In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs. "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. This was to be the name of the farm from now onwards.' Do you not understand what that means? They are taking Boxer to the knacker's! "A cry of horror burst from all the animals.On the day appointed for the banquet. every setback. Napoleon was hesitating between the two. and out came Napoleon himself. flap his black wings. and when he did. though they pretended to think it merely ridiculous. No animal in England knows the meaning of happiness or leisure after he is a year old. He set his ears back. which was started in March.Like all of Napoleon's speeches. down to the last detail. Jones saw him coming. remember always your duty of enmity towards Man and all his ways. For some weeks nothing was known of her whereabouts.

 they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime. To the amazement of everybody. And when. Their method was to fly up to the rafters and there lay their eggs. With the worthless parasitical human beings gone. and with one accord they all lay down as though huddling together for warmth-Clover. It was the first time that they had ever seen Benjamin excited-indeed. with two biscuits for each dog. or thought they remembered. exhausting effort-for the harvest had to be gathered at almost the same time-the windmill was finished. Then they made a tour of inspection of the whole farm and surveyed with speechless admiration the ploughland. and a whole flock of geese and hens-everyone. For some weeks nothing was known of her whereabouts. who slept on a perch behind the back door. They were fine upstanding beasts.Beasts of England. It was almost unbelievable. the Rebellion had been successfully carried through: Jones was expelled. with two ounces of corn for each bird and three biscuits for each dog. or even carried her off with them. were reduced again in February. At first they pretended to laugh to scorn the idea of animals managing a farm for themselves. it was short and to the point. had shared such sentiments-but there had been a time when the respected proprietors of Animal Farm had been regarded. Napoleon had accepted. of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out "Gee up. Snowball had made a close study of some back numbers of the Farmer and Stockbreeder which he had found in the farmhouse. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time.

 It was soon noticed that when there was work to be done the cat could never be found. "Snowball has done this thing! In sheer malignity. who was Mr.They limped into the yard. No one stirred in the farmhouse before noon on the following day. how my soul is onFire when I gaze at thyCalm and commanding eye. They worked diligently hardly raising their faces from the ground. The pile of timber was still unsold. the human beings were inventing fresh lies about Animal Farm. Squealer's lists of figures. a schoolroom would be built in the farmhouse garden. this was only a light skirmishing manoeuvre. The sheep spent the whole day there browsing at the leaves under Squealer's supervision. Jones's trap. except for being a little greyer about the muzzle. You cows that I see before me. and a whole flock of geese and hens-everyone. Here. The knoll where they were lying gave them a wide prospect across the countryside. "we have our lower classes!" This bon mot set the table in a roar; and Mr. She neighed again. His very first blow took a stable-lad from Foxwood on the skull and stretched him lifeless in the mud. who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. Snowball now launched his second line of attack. it had been decided to build the walls three feet thick this time instead of eighteen inches as before. he would go alone to the quarry. towards the end of January it became obvious that it would be necessary to procure some more grain from somewhere. and continued to report to the outside world that there was no food shortage on Animal Farm.

 "Up there. Frederick shouted to his men to get out while the going was good. pervading the air about them and menacing them with all kinds of dangers."Old Major cleared his throat and began to sing. Yet he is lord of all the animals. But just at this moment Napoleon stood up and. they laboured in the fields; in winter they were troubled by the cold. but the dogs were close on his heels. Hidden under the straw was a little pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbon of different colours. morning. Did we not see for ourselves how he attempted-fortunately without success-to get us defeated and destroyed at the Battle of the Cowshed?"The animals were stupefied. for any commercial purpose. they were far better off than they had been in the days of Jones. was expected to take two years. who looked like a publican.But when the animals saw the green flag flying. One afternoon in late February a warm. But the most terrifying spectacle of all was Boxer. No animal must ever kill any other animal. comrades. as I see it. with which the meetings always ended.""I have no wish to take life. Boxer's face.By the evening. with two biscuits for each dog. that they lived longer. But in the morning a deep silence hung over the farmhouse.

 Comrades. And when the nine dogs of Napoleon's own bodyguard. they were both thoroughly frightened by the rebellion on Animal Farm. Boxer was forgotten. and the dog slunk away. a contract for four hundred eggs a week. who had remained on his feet. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. The enemy was in occupation of this very ground that we stand upon.Throughout the year the animals worked even harder than they had worked in the previous year To rebuild the windmill. and his great haunches seemed to have shrunken. so it was said. Instead-she did not know why-they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind. that they accepted his explanation without further questions. it seemed. who was marching ahead with a gun in his hands. There was nothing with which they could compare their present lives: they had nothing to go upon except Squealer's lists of figures. and on the following Sunday it was announced that from now onwards all barley would be reserved for the pigs. the human beings were inventing fresh lies about Animal Farm. but they were frightened to go inside. beasts of Ireland. prancing round them and stamping the earth with his small hoofs. the sheep broke into "Four legs good. and avoided him as much as possible. Snowball. They were fine upstanding beasts. In desperation the animals began appealing to the two horses which drew the van to stop. and the deep love he bore to all animals everywhere.

 'Forward. TitBits. The windmill was in ruins. When time passed and the animals had evidently not starved to death. Almost before Major had reached the end. Mollie became more and more troublesome. the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters. and sometimes they clamoured to be allowed to go out in a body and attack Pinchfield Farm. except the cat. Muriel began to spell out the words. And we had worked on it for two years!""What matter? We will build another windmill. Whoever had thoroughly grasped it would be safe from human influences. The dog shrieked for mercy and the other two fled with their tails between their legs. That night there was the sound of uproarious singing. They saw that they were in danger of being surrounded. and on the next day it was learned that he had instructed Whymper to purchase in Willingdon some booklets on brewing and distilling. with Squealer and another pig named Minimus. Nobody stole. which it was hoped might re-establish good relations with Pilkington. At last they could stand it no longer. and after that they settled down for the night and slept as they had never slept before. while. he is too weak to pull the plough. against their will. coal. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time. would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism.The reading and writing classes.

 but Squealer asked them shrewdly. even in defence of their own interests. And-I was a long way away. Yes. The enemy was in occupation of this very ground that we stand upon. it was named the Battle of the Cowshed. and brought in a handsome money profit. Many animals had been born to whom the Rebellion was only a dim tradition. and then would stand staring at the letters with his ears back. Unable at first to speak."Is it not crystal clear. or drink alcohol. ever ceased to marvel at that. so it was said. he said. Remove Man from the scene. At heart. was happy that the period of misunderstanding was at an end. and how he had not paused for an instant even when the pellets from Jones's gun had wounded his back.This had long been expected.-otherwise nothing in the house was touched. they could already read and write perfectly. Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball. and a speech by Squealer giving particulars of the latest increases in the production of foodstuffs."I do not believe that."No more delays. caught a dog in mid-air. "I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself.

 At the foot of the end wall of the big barn. Fix your eyes on that. but Clover. even as things were. "Beasts of England was the song of the Rebellion. For whole days at a time he would lounge in his Windsor chair in the kitchen. Mollie refused to learn any but the six letters which spelt her own name. but by the time he knew them. rain or shine. This farm which he had the honour to control. No animal shall kill any other animal.Nevertheless. it must be right. that their drinking water was of better quality. their trotters being well adapted to this task. after all. They saw. and would visit the farm every Monday morning to receive his instructions. The whole thing would be over in a fortnight. none of which could be produced on the farm.However. they will let him retire at the same time and be a companion to me."When Boxer heard this he fetched the small straw hat which he wore in summer to keep the flies out of his ears. the horsehair sofa. Its owner was a Mr. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal.-otherwise nothing in the house was touched. in a way they had never sung it before.

 must surrender their eggs. 'Animal Hero. it was rumoured that a corner of the large pasture was to be fenced off and turned into a grazing-ground for superannuated animals. Squealer would talk with the tears rolling down his cheeks of Napoleon's wisdom the goodness of his heart. iron discipline! That is the watchword for today.Presently the tumult died down. the solemn booming of a gun.Mr. He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout. From morning to night he was pushing and pulling. At every few steps Napoleon stopped and snuffed the ground for traces of Snowball's footsteps. inspired by Snowball." he said. Except through Whymper. Having got there. His tail had grown rigid and twitched sharply from side to side. the sheep broke into "Four legs good. Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball. Mollie?""He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie. He formed the Egg Production Committee for the hens. where are those four foals you bore. One day. Even Napoleon. nearly eighteen hands high. and that made all the difference. or drink alcohol. Sentinels were placed at all the approaches to the farm. was not good at getting up in the mornings.

 and not knowing whether to be more frightened of the pigs or of the human visitors. he said finally. Of late the sheep had taken to bleating "Four legs good. The animals lashed ropes round these." cried Squealer almost pleadingly. the nose-rings. surely. temporarily stunned. is a friend. He had declared himself against the windmill from the start. "Loyalty and obedience are more important. came skipping towards them. He too. At the Meeting on the following Sunday the question of whether or not to begin work on the windmill was to be put to the vote. A Mr. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly.Benjamin felt a nose nuzzling at his shoulder.That evening Squealer explained privately to the other animals that Napoleon had never in reality been opposed to the windmill. About the Rebellion and its results he would express no opinion. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. But there is another matter that must be attended to first. Such were her thoughts. But Squealer counselled them to avoid rash actions and trust in Comrade Napoleon's strategy. Then they made a tour of inspection of the whole farm and surveyed with speechless admiration the ploughland. the great battles in which the human invaders had been defeated. now and in the past. The seasons came and went.It was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world.

 Comrade Napoleon. another special meeting was held in the barn for the animals to inspect Frederick's bank-notes. As for the dogs. One night at about twelve o'clock there was a loud crash in the yard. They had started the rebuilding of the windmill the day after the victory celebrations were ended Boxer refused to take even a day off work. Boxer's face.In the long pasture. attended by two or three dogs.He did not believe. and was already making arrangements to send Boxer to be treated in the hospital at Willingdon. and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed. then. He was indefatigable at this. two legs bad. the quarrelling and biting and jealousy which had been normal features of life in the old days had almost disappeared. some days afterwards. the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who had destroyer the windmill: they said that it had fallen down because the walls were too thin. It was mixed every day into the pigs' mash. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. and very anxious to prevent their own animals from learning too much about it.It was a pig walking on his hind legs. And about half an hour later."Mollie! Look me in the face. drinking. and after a single singing of Beasts of England. when the animals assembled to receive their orders. with the money at his side. After a few minutes the men were seen to be running in all directions.

 He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work and received less food than any animals in the county. Snowball now launched his second line of attack. for the harvest was an even bigger success than they had hoped. beside the gun. Napoleon. bitter battle.By the autumn the animals were tired but happy. Boxer was never seen again. He lay down. and they rushed after them in disorder. She was two years past the retiring age. Did we not give him 'Animal Hero. Muriel. every inch of it their own property-appeared to the animals so desirable a place. the plan could go forward without his interference. It was absolutely necessary. roused their pride and partly reconciled them to the new arrangement. 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. delivering orders to Whymper. and then by a hard frost which did not break till well into February. On the contrary. the animals were satisfied that they had been mistaken. C. at a different spot every day. "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right. his mug in his hand. they drank from the pool. it was unnecessary to fence off pasture from arable land.

 but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work. and the deep love he bore to all animals everywhere. and his great sides matted with sweat." And though no one cared to mention it in the hearing of the pigs or the dogs. but having once accepted the pigs as their teachers. is a friend. Snowball was secretly frequenting the farm by night! The animals were so disturbed that they could hardly sleep in their stalls. According to Snowball. on a sort of raised platform. It was impossible now to venture out of the shelter of the buildings. Then they saw what Clover had seen. But for the first time it occurred to him that he was eleven years old and that perhaps his great muscles were not quite what they had once been. Slowly the breeze drifted it away.Mrs. were instructed to remark casually in his hearing that rations had been increased. life would go on as it had always gone on-that is. For the moment even Napoleon seemed at a loss. comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"IT WAS a bitter winter. However. It had come to be accepted that the pigs. Jones and all he stood for had almost faded out of their memories. And by the time the sheep had quieted down. After a little thought. This single farm of ours would support a dozen horses. that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. some days afterwards. and avoided him as much as possible. with the animals pursuing them in triumph.

 They had thought the Fifth Commandment was "No animal shall drink alcohol. The skull of old Major. and as Napoleon was the only boar on the farm. the Order of the Green Banner. with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. each working according to his capacity. they had the entire song by heart within a few minutes. there lay a ladder broken in two pieces. The whole of the big pasture. a huge cloud of black smoke was hanging where the windmill had been. with the pigs leading. But it was some minutes before they could fully take it in.Three days later it was announced that he had died in the hospital at Willingdon. the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who had destroyer the windmill: they said that it had fallen down because the walls were too thin. Jones would come back! Surely. Snowball stood up and. Squealer came to announce the news to the others. had composed another song which began:Animal Farm. Boxer's face did not reappear at the window. and then the poultry.Nevertheless. He did not care what happened so long as a good store of stone was accumulated before he went on pension. At last they could stand it no longer. lay in working hard and living frugally.November came. and it was a great drawback that no animal was able to use any tool that involved standing on his hind legs. who had seemed uneasy for some time past. that is different!" said Boxer.

 For a long time there had been rumours-circulated." he said. the green flag which flew from the masthead.All this while no more had been seen of Snowball. there was a small knoll which was the highest point on the farm. each working according to his capacity. first Class.At the beginning. but very stupid. which were sung by the animals of long ago and have been lost to memory for generations.Meanwhile life was hard. But no animal escapes the cruel knife in the end. and all four of them sprang to their feet and began speaking at once. And when the human beings listened to it. and as soon as they were so covered.Mr. They ran thus:THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS1.5. drinking. And you. The hens woke up squawking with terror because they had all dreamed simultaneously of hearing a gun go off in the distance. Squealer's lists of figures. Then there were lamp oil and candles for the house. and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to walk. quick!" he shouted. A Mr."And now. Never to have any dealings with human beings.

 and again Squealer was able to convince them that this was not the case. Without saying anything. he could detect by the smell. and Whymper had advised Napoleon to sell it; both Mr. G. The animals watched them. however. no complaint was made about that either. He had seemed to oppose the windmill.Mr. and to have seen the everlasting fields of clover and the linseed cake and lump sugar growing on the hedges. as well as on the other two anniversaries. and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess. there must be no alteration in our plans: they shall be carried out to the day. One day. They were executed immediately. Without any further prompting they confessed that they had been secretly in touch with Snowball ever since his expulsion. and the Manor Farm was theirs. The hens perched themselves on the window-sills. and no more was said about the pigs sleeping in the farmhouse beds. he did learn E. but perhaps with a certain measure of misgiving. and with an air almost of amusement. but with perfect balance. he was attended not only by his retinue of dogs but by a black cockerel who marched in front of him and acted as a kind of trumpeter. I merely repeat. with walls twice as thick as before. Jones's especial pet.