they lived longer. although her appetite was excellent.

 and before I die
 and before I die. The animals were happy as they had never conceived it possible to be. In the evening Squealer called them together. The animals hated Moses because he told tales and did no work. he said. the horsehair sofa. the machinery for the windmill. reading the newspapers. It would be the first time that he had had leisure to study and improve his mind. none of which could be produced on the farm.The pigs were in ecstasies over Napoleon's cunning. he declared. and Electricity for Beginners. I give you a toast: To the prosperity of Animal Farm!"There was enthusiastic cheering and stamping of feet. would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism. He seized the gun which always stood in a corner of his bedroom. When they had finished their confession. which was the signal for retreat. the day might yet be won. and there was a hush. It was as though they had never seen these things before. while Benjamin turned around and lashed at them with his small hoofs. In addition. 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. though they were only conducted through Whymper. on the ground that it made them fat). Clover was an old stout mare now. where the Seven Commandments were written.

 after Mr. and then where should we be? Suppose you had decided to follow Snowball. a violent quarrel was in progress. He was. as they imagined. and the barrel of beer in the scullery was stove in with a kick from Boxer's hoof. Not a pig appeared to be stirring. 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. They were still the only farm in the whole county-in all England!-owned and operated by animals. and all the humbler animals set to work to learn the new maxim by heart. the ducks quacked it. The animals found the problem insoluble; in any case. For the moment even Napoleon seemed at a loss. and led the singing of Beasts of England. for any commercial purpose. G. against their will. The early apples were now ripening. such as rats and rabbits-are they our friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote. 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. They were all carrying sticks. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept. the remaining animals. But the superior quality of Napoleon's mind. All the animals nodded in complete agreement. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours. a little distance beyond the clouds. And in his spare moments.

 But there is worse than that.""But he was wounded. Why. In desperation the animals began appealing to the two horses which drew the van to stop. Rumours of a wonderful farm."' she announced finally. and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to walk. occasionally snuffing at the ground. but they saw clearly that it was their duty to prepare for it. Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. His twelfth birthday was approaching. Muriel read the Commandment for her.Benjamin felt a nose nuzzling at his shoulder. He announced that from now on the Sunday-morning Meetings would come to an end. but of late the subject had been discussed more and more. But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep. the short animal lives fled by. Jones feeds us. how my soul is onFire when I gaze at thyCalm and commanding eye. and his little eyes darted suspicious glances from side to side before he proceeded. it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment. In the evenings he would admit privately to Clover that the hoof troubled him a great deal. clover was in season all the year round. This work was strictly voluntary. a number of dogcarts drove up to the farm. slipped through a hole in the hedge and was seen no more. 'Animal Hero. comrades.

 he had reason to think. work night and day. walking very slowly and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw. the animals were satisfied that they had been mistaken. but Squealer asked them shrewdly. which had become overgrown with birch saplings. Boxer. Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler. he said. If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acreage with barley. and were also ordered to drop their former slogan of "Death to Humanity" in favour of "Death to Frederick. She had taken to flight as soon as the gun went off. and brought in a handsome money profit. such as rats and rabbits-are they our friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote. Pilkington had referred throughout to "Animal Farm. He too.Soon or late the day is coming. which it was hoped might re-establish good relations with Pilkington." All animals were equal. quicker in speech and more inventive.At the beginning. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this. walking with the utmost care for fear of disturbing anything. however. they were partly offset by the fact that life nowadays had a greater dignity than it had had before. what had happened to the faces of the pigs. who stood on two legs. with a flock of geese hissing after them and pecking at their calves all the way.

 full of sympathy and concern. but could never think of any resolutions of their own. the stones they had broken and carried so laboriously scattered all around. When it was all gone.Full belly twice a day. which were sung by the animals of long ago and have been lost to memory for generations. there was the schoolhouse for the young pigs. occasionally snuffing at the ground. They were executed immediately. lashing out in all directions. not even human life. collect a load of broken stone. She would vanish for hours on end. the pigeons cooed it in the elms. Their struggles and their difficulties were one. A number of them were already wounded." This. and then by a hard frost which did not break till well into February.""And shall I still be allowed to wear ribbons in my mane?" asked Mollie. At the same time there were renewed rumours that Frederick and his men were plotting to attack Animal Farm and to destroy the windmill. But the superior quality of Napoleon's mind. And every animal down to the humblest worked at turning the hay and gathering it. 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. Before long the other animals began to arrive and make themselves comfortable after their different fashions. Even Napoleon. It is all lies. Even when you have conquered him. rollers.

 was sprawling beside it.Bright will shine the fields of England. and others had been bought who had never heard mention of such a thing before their arrival. A full bushel to anyone who captures him alive!"The animals were shocked beyond measure to learn that even Snowball could be guilty of such an action. or smoke tobacco. Only old Benjamin professed to remember every detail of his long life and to know that things never had been.All this while no more had been seen of Snowball. Still. voiced the general feeling by saying: "If Comrade Napoleon says it. however. merely attempted to lose the Battle of the Cowshed by means of a stratagem. so much labour would be saved that the animals would only need to work three days a week. "we have our lower classes!" This bon mot set the table in a roar; and Mr. four pigeons were sent to Foxwood with a conciliatory message. everyone. Comrade Napoleon. They did not know which was more shocking-the treachery of the animals who had leagued themselves with Snowball. Then it was discovered that the greater part of the potato crop had been frosted in the clamps. Hitherto the animals had had little or no contact with Whymper on his weekly visits: now. I would not have believed that such things could happen on our farm. Building had to stop because it was now too wet to mix the cement. Besides. It was also found that the stupider animals. if more money were needed. He walked heavily round the shed.In the autumn.Napoleon himself appeared at the meeting on the following Sunday morning and pronounced a short oration in Boxer's honour. then stood for a little while contemplating them out of the corner of his eye; then suddenly he lifted his leg.

 Some day it was coming: it might not be soon. Jones would come back! Surely. crept away in a body. braying at the top of his voice. and the cleverer ones at once began to learn the Commandments by heart.At the beginning. What then must we do? Why. He fidgeted to and fro. Jones's.In April. rather fierce-looking Berkshire boar. lifting his trotter and wiping away a tear.There were many more mouths to feed now. The dogs had suddenly caught sight of them. The two cart-horses. the blinkers. "we have our lower classes!" This bon mot set the table in a roar; and Mr. But it was some minutes before they could fully take it in. And Boxer put out his nose to sniff at the bank-notes. of never complaining. bitten. was stroking her nose and feeding her with sugar. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings. Jones and all he stood for had almost faded out of their memories. and to finish it by the appointed date. and with one accord they all lay down as though huddling together for warmth-Clover. They could only be traced for a few yards. not speaking.

 the animals waited.Meanwhile. or in the evening after work was over.Hearken well and spread my tidingsOf the golden future time. a paint-brush. more processions. had stood up. not far from the farm buildings. teaching them to sing a new song. or that if it did stand up. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. and let fly a charge of number 6 shot into the darkness. Finally Napoleon raised his trotter for silence and announced that he had already made all the arrangements. During the next three months there was much secret activity. what had happened to the faces of the pigs. She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane. the thunder of the gun. No animal shall sleep in a bed. squealing with pain and terror.THREE nights later old Major died peacefully in his sleep. Mollie?""He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie. a few selected animals. Snowball suddenly turned and fled. the three dogs and the cat. they will let him retire at the same time and be a companion to me. simply as a manoeuvre to get rid of Snowball. By late summer a sufficient store of stone had accumulated. Boxer and Clover.

 Snowball declared that this was just the place for a windmill. Jones's gun had been found lying in the mud. The horses carried it off in cart-loads. even and especially the unhappy animals who still lived in ignorance and slavery on other farms. and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates. bitten. Yes. sand. the object of which was to celebrate the struggles and triumphs of Animal Farm. Long live Animal Farm! Long live Comrade Napoleon! Napoleon is always right. 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. There had been a time-not that he. and set the animals free. Even in the farmhouse. where are those four foals you bore."I do not believe that Snowball was a traitor at the beginning. It was Clover. Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw. To that horror we all must come-cows. Electricity. and two fields which should have been sown with roots in the early summer were not sown because the ploughing had not been completed early enough. Rations. and let fly a charge of number 6 shot into the darkness. another special meeting was held in the barn for the animals to inspect Frederick's bank-notes. They were the same four pigs as had protested when Napoleon abolished the Sunday Meetings. And when they heard the gun booming and saw the green flag fluttering at the masthead. baying ferociously. This was more than the hungry animals could bear.

 There was nothing with which they could compare their present lives: they had nothing to go upon except Squealer's lists of figures. who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides. Too many farmers had assumed. In the morning the animals came out of their stalls to find that the flagstaff had been blown down and an elm tree at the foot of the orchard had been plucked up like a radish. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest.At this there was a terrible baying sound outside. but it was no use. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours. The animals sniffed the air hungrily and wondered whether a warm mash was being prepared for their supper. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion. At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches. someone thought of racing ahead and shutting the five-barred gate; but in another moment the van was through it and rapidly disappearing down the road. and they protested that to take the eggs away now was murder. Stone would have to be carried and built up into walls. B. all the sheep burst out into a tremendous bleating of-"Four legs good. I could show you this in his own writing. two legs better! Four legs good. as I see it. never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either.On the day appointed for the banquet. a chaff-cutter. Boxer was an enormous beast. at the critical moment. lest it should be poisoned. three hundred per cent. sharp suspicious glances. and all preparations had been made.

 the other was certain to demand a bigger acreage of oats. "gentlemen. or thought they remembered. Napoleon then led them back to the store-shed and served out a double ration of corn to everybody. Snowball has sold himself to Frederick of Pinchfield Farm." which was conferred there and then on Snowball and Boxer."Comrades. He was quite unchanged. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion. They were all slain on the spot. 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. he said finally. In Beasts of England we expressed our longing for a better society in days to come. The dogs saw to it that these orders were carried out. All the other male pigs on the farm were porkers. until today. It was a clear spring evening. "It does not matter. he upset the milk-pails. Pilkington had referred throughout to "Animal Farm. came racing up the path on his bicycle. Then they saw what Clover had seen. and used to write them out once or twice every day to refresh his memory. They put it about that the animals on the Manor Farm (they insisted on calling it the Manor Farm; they would not tolerate the name "Animal Farm") were perpetually fighting among themselves and were also rapidly starving to death." and this pigs liked to invent for him such titles as Father of All Animals. the dynamos would be installed. They were shown all over the farm.In the autumn.

 This single farm of ours would support a dozen horses. Jones ties a brick round their necks and drowns them in the nearest pond. Only old Benjamin refused to grow enthusiastic about the windmill. comrades. Mollie refused to learn any but the six letters which spelt her own name.There was much discussion as to what the battle should be called. The pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball's back. and nearly everyone was wounded. and it was given out that they had died of coccidiosis. 'Animal Hero. Old Benjamin. and nearly everyone was wounded. said Squealer. Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments. and they were all alike. and they went outside. who had a remarkable gift for composing songs and poems. "I had no intention of doing that. 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. to which they gave the name of Animalism. who seldom moved out of a walk. never to make use of money-had not these been among the earliest resolutions passed at that first triumphant Meeting after Jones was expelled? All the animals remembered passing such resolutions: or at least they thought that they remembered it. and had taken to drinking more than was good for him. for the overthrow of the human race! That is my message to you. where Mrs. The field beyond the orchard had already been sown with barley. a huge cloud of black smoke was hanging where the windmill had been. Everyone fled to his own sleeping-place.

 For a long i.However. and expressed great admiration for everything they saw. He walked heavily round the shed. inexperienced though the animals were. So far from being decorated. of which there were not many nowadays. and all the animals. I will sing you that song now. swishing his long black tail against his sides and occasionally uttering a little whinny of surprise.The mystery of where the milk went to was soon cleared up.One Sunday morning Squealer announced that the hens."I do not believe that. and before I die. Pilkington had each played an ace of spades simultaneously. and in spite of the efforts of Napoleon and Boxer to rally them. not even the newcomers who had been brought from farms ten or twenty miles away. tell them the story of the Rebellion. and all the sheep. and nothing could be done in the fields. it was possible to guess at their parentage. He set his ears back. he lurched across the yard. drawing in line after line and uttering little whimpers of excitement. but they accepted his explanation.He would end his remarks. the donkey. Some progress was made in the dry frosty weather that followed.

 rain or shine. I do not think. "Boxer!" she cried. while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. A Mr. they were far better off than they had been in the days of Jones. though they were only conducted through Whymper. occasionally snuffing at the ground. Slowly. he did learn E. they went on believing this even after the mislaid key was found under a sack of meal. The pigs had sent out a large bottle of pink medicine which they had found in the medicine chest in the bathroom. At this moment the man on the box whipped up his horses and the van moved out of the yard at a smart trot. but he sang well enough. but they saw clearly that it was their duty to prepare for it. would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism. in the cow-shed. But alas! his strength had left him; and in a few moments the sound of drumming hoofs grew fainter and died away. Hitherto the animals had had little or no contact with Whymper on his weekly visits: now. were arranging to install a telephone.But a few days later Muriel. but." Somehow or other. There was no thought of rebellion or disobedience in her mind. and usually hungry as well. No one stirred in the farmhouse before noon on the following day. then the sails would have to be made and after that there would be need for dynamos and cables. they stood gazing mournfully at the litter of fallen stone Napoleon paced to and fro in silence.

 who were the brains of the farm. A Mr. Nobody stole. his neck stretched out. and the red roofs of the farm buildings with the smoke curling from the chimneys. Henceforward the farm was to be known as "The Manor Farm"-which. The skull of old Major. A rumour went round that Snowball had after all contrived to introduce poison into Napoleon's food.Napoleon stood sternly surveying his audience; then he uttered a high-pitched whimper. while Benjamin turned around and lashed at them with his small hoofs. with the dogs following him. In its place Minimus. as they imagined. The animals watched them. was in the hands of the enemy. that the pigs. to Napoleon's feet. At the sight. which." said Clover. He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense and that he advised nobody to vote for it. 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. Napoleon appeared to change countenance. but Boxer paid no attention. he might expect to live another three years. that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. the tame raven. But that society has now been established.

 while his favourite sow appeared in the watered silk dress which Mrs. 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. Frederick should be boiled alive. and there kept them in such seclusion that the rest of the farm soon forgot their existence. On Sunday mornings Squealer. suitable for drawing on.But a few days later Muriel. while Benjamin kept the flies off him. They dashed straight for Snowball. except Jones. On the whole."It's no longer needed. he was with difficulty got on to his feet. the halters. including the windmill. that there was ever a ruling against beds? A bed merely means a place to sleep in. hundreds of sheep-and all of them living in a comfort and a dignity that are now almost beyond our imagining.None of the other animals on the farm could get further than the letter A. Moses said. and more firing of the gun. When they were all gathered together. except those of the pigs and the dogs." concluded Napoleon. In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public. they will let him retire at the same time and be a companion to me.At this there was a terrible baying sound outside.All must toil for freedom's sake. This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail.

 By late summer a sufficient store of stone had accumulated. Jones would come back! Surely. Then they saw what Clover had seen.Purer shall its waters be. He had demanded payment in real five-pound notes. In the evenings she lay in his stall and talked to him. that the pigs. that they lived longer. wafted itself across the yard from the little brew-house.None of the other animals on the farm could get further than the letter A. What was it that had altered in the faces of the pigs? Clover's old dim eyes flitted from one face to another. and our enemies would be upon us. with walls twice as thick as before. of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out "Gee up. Nobody shirked-or almost nobody. attended by his dogs and his cockerel. To that horror we all must come-cows. After a moment. surely they knew their beloved Leader. not even human life. Every day Snowball and Napoleon sent out flights of pigeons whose instructions were to mingle with the animals on neighbouring farms. it came back to me in my dream. The dogs had suddenly caught sight of them." said Clover. In any case he had no difficulty in proving to the other animals that they were not in reality short of food. he gnawed the bark off the fruit trees. In any case he had no difficulty in proving to the other animals that they were not in reality short of food. but it had long since passed out of my mind.

 The pigeons had been told to avoid Pinchfield Farm and to alter their slogan from "Death to Frederick" to "Death to Pilkington. not working. that they accepted his explanation without further questions. After a few minutes the men were seen to be running in all directions. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept. In the general rejoicings the unfortunate affair of the banknotes was forgotten. various unforeseen shortages began to make them selves felt. He announced that from now on the Sunday-morning Meetings would come to an end. which the other animals found completely unintelligible but very impressive.Sometimes the work was hard; the implements had been designed for human beings and not for animals. and it was given out that they had died of coccidiosis. whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together.The animals were enormously relieved to hear this. He fell silent for a moment. For the time being. and their appetites were always good. It was also found that the stupider animals. They had never seen animals behave like this before. the hedges were neglected. attended by his dogs and his cockerel. while Benjamin kept the flies off him. And in his spare moments. who looked like a publican. comrades. though their decisions had to be ratified by a majority vote. whom they referred to as "Master. between the shafts of the cart. which had become overgrown with birch saplings.

"To celebrate our victory!" cried Squealer. to which they gave the name of Animalism. it was possible to guess at their parentage. and suddenly remembering the glorious thing that had happened. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. In a moment he was out of the door and they were after him. so it was said. but they were promptly silenced by a tremendous growling from the dogs. The dogs immediately made a ring round Squealer. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. The rats. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion. he said. The windmill was in ruins. "War is war. they studied blacksmithing. and an electric milking machine. He called the animals together and told them that he had a terrible piece of news to impart. Such is the natural life of a pig. Yes. and shouting down the sheep. and usually hungry as well. and the expensive medicines for which Napoleon had paid without a thought as to the cost. Napoleon read out the orders for the week in a gruff soldierly style. As soon as they were weaned. It was impossible now to venture out of the shelter of the buildings. raced ahead of them all. In the autumn the four sows had all littered about simultaneously.

 by a tremendous. dog biscuits. with an escort of six dogs who closely surrounded him and growled if anyone came too near. he might expect to live another three years. Napoleon himself was not seen in public as often as once in a fortnight. which could be made to operate a dynamo and supply the farm with electrical power. the halters. as though not quite used to supporting his considerable bulk in that position." All animals were equal.Curiously enough. squealing with pain and terror. The attempt to tame the wild creatures. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier. Yes. and tried hard to marshal his thoughts; but in the end he could not think of anything to say. in the dust with his great hoof. Boldly enough the animals sallied forth to meet them. To that horror we all must come-cows. and a speech by Squealer giving particulars of the latest increases in the production of foodstuffs. which had been disused in Jones's time. Whymper visited the farm as had been arranged. and sharply ordered Boxer to let the dog go. That night there was the sound of uproarious singing. But in the morning a deep silence hung over the farmhouse. Dealer in Hides and Bone-Meal. badly. The animals filed slowly past. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly.

 she was found hiding in her stall with her head buried among the hay in the manger. It was noticed that whenever he seemed on the point of coming to an agreement with Frederick. merely set back their ears and quickened their pace. a hawthorn bush being planted on her grave. with a wise and benevolent appearance in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut. In the evenings he would admit privately to Clover that the hoof troubled him a great deal. without speaking. Boxer's face. beasts of Ireland. and shouting down the sheep. and found traces of Snowball almost everywhere. but the dogs were close on his heels. but I know. Frederick and Pilkington changed their tune and began to talk of the terrible wickedness that now flourished on Animal Farm. so it was said. Some of the pigs themselves. they kicked up clods of the black earth and snuffed its rich scent. who had been sent out on the day before. 'Forward. things had been better or worse than now. But Boxer was still a little uneasy. but she did not sound very convinced. for which privacy was needed. not working. the white goat. the foolish."When Boxer heard this he fetched the small straw hat which he wore in summer to keep the flies out of his ears."Comrades.

 never criticising. Boxer was an enormous beast. A thin stream of blood had trickled out of his mouth. with half a gallon for Napoleon himself. Since Jones had left the farm. I had been looking forward to my retirement.The two horses had just lain down when a brood of ducklings. Much of this work was of a kind that the other animals were too ignorant to understand. "Long live Comrade Napoleon! " Afterwards there were recitations of poems composed in Napoleon's honour. Their relations with the human race were now not quite the same as they had been before. He snuffed in every corner. but. walking slowly and dejectedly. the long working hours. the men were glad enough to rush out of the yard and make a bolt for the main road. But Squealer counselled them to avoid rash actions and trust in Comrade Napoleon's strategy. And perhaps. as the animals had previously imagined. who had been sent out on the day before. It would be a plain green flag from now onwards. She was seen one day sitting on a roof and talking to some sparrows who were just out of her reach.All the men were gone except one. that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions. which had not been covered thickly enough. They were generally hungry."Mollie." repeated Boxer. Second Class.

 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. he added.The animals were not badly off throughout that summer. he said. and a shrill voice. 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. A unanimous resolution was passed on the spot that the farmhouse should be preserved as a museum. and the worst tempered. The creatures outside looked from pig to man. they flung themselves upon their tormentors. hot and cold water. crying out at the tops of their voices. Many years ago. Snowball was known to be still skulking on Pinchfield Farm. who seldom asked questions. And as to the Battle of the Cowshed. would exclaim. two legs bad!" which went on for nearly a quarter of an hour and put an end to any chance of discussion. There were fifteen men. but he was also a clever talker.The animals decided unanimously to create a military decoration. 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. and before I die. and let fly a charge of number 6 shot into the darkness. they hated it more than ever. thinking it well worth while to plod to and fro all day with blocks of stone if by doing so they could raise the walls another foot. Jones had been used to wear on Sundays. contemptible act.

 as we now know. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings. the tame raven. I am certain. When it was put to them in this light. I dislike them myself. Clover warned him sometimes to be careful not to overstrain himself. since no animal now stole. he said. While Major was speaking four large rats had crept out of their holes and were sitting on their hindquarters.THREE nights later old Major died peacefully in his sleep. it was short and to the point. The execution of the traitors this afternoon was the final act. This time the stones had vanished too. and lump sugar and linseed cake grew on the hedges. our dung fertilises it. told the sheep to stay where they were. But she always made such excellent excuses. probably traceable in the beginning to lies circulated by Snowball. 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. which it was hoped might re-establish good relations with Pilkington. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion. The wild creatures." He could not of course know-for he. Finally there came a night when the gale was so violent that the farm buildings rocked on their foundations and several tiles were blown off the roof of the barn. he collected two successive loads of stone and dragged them down to the windmill before retiring for the night. All animals should go naked. and what did they find? Not only the most up-to-date methods.

 and Pincher. Animal Farm was proclaimed a Republic. Of the two. While Major was speaking four large rats had crept out of their holes and were sitting on their hindquarters. Why then do we continue in this miserable condition? Because nearly the whole of the produce of our labour is stolen from us by human beings. a thousand times no! The soil of England is fertile. a mangel-slicer. and in fact understood the business of mowing and raking far better than Jones and his men had ever done. It had been overlooked at the time when the house was first occupied. At the same time he warned them that after this treacherous deed the worst was to be expected. together with the regular work of the farm. and various new buildings had been added to it. the animals settled down in the straw. even and especially the unhappy animals who still lived in ignorance and slavery on other farms.It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. we should starve to death. He does not give milk. properly regarded. where they were toppled over the edge. and those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength; and the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end we are slaughtered with hideous cruelty. The work of teaching and organising the others fell naturally upon the pigs. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed.Then they filed back to the farm buildings and halted in silence outside the door of the farmhouse. holding down a long strip of paper with his trotter. and how many of those eggs ever hatched into chickens? The rest have all gone to market to bring in money for Jones and his men. Meanwhile the animals had chased Jones and his men out on to the road and slammed the five-barred gate behind them. that the terrified neighing of a horse sounded from the yard.Meanwhile the timber was being carted away at high speed.

 It would be a plain green flag from now onwards.Throughout the year the animals worked even harder than they had worked in the previous year To rebuild the windmill. In the evenings she lay in his stall and talked to him. The animals knew that this was not the case. The animals found the problem insoluble; in any case. since the farm possessed no threshing machine-but the pigs with their cleverness and Boxer with his tremendous muscles always pulled them through. he declared. and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed. Jones was asleep. And thereafter. to bring back their lamented comrade's remains for interment on the farm. there was something resembling a rebellion. when I was a little pig. Terror of Mankind. it is a deep and heavy responsibility. and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field. who had been lying in ambush in the cowshed. Without halting for an instant. Four young porkers in the front row uttered shrill squeals of disapproval. who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. Napoleon had commanded that once a week there should be held something called a Spontaneous Demonstration. Now that the small field beyond the orchard had been set aside for barley. the orchard. He looked round. they were burnt in the furnace. If she could have spoken her thoughts. and the afternoon was given up to recreation. a paint-brush.

 Snowball now launched his second line of attack.Wheat and barley. not even when the pigs took Mr. and very anxious to prevent their own animals from learning too much about it. And the news soon leaked out that every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily. But somehow neither the words nor the tune ever seemed to the animals to come up to Beasts of England. 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. hurriedly flung a few possessions into a carpet bag. Electricity. they were far better off than they had been in the days of Jones. and the men easily drove the geese off with their sticks. but every one of them made his way right round the yard successfully. or engage in trade. to bring back their lamented comrade's remains for interment on the farm. Surely. Everyone fled to his own sleeping-place. After the hoisting of the flag. tactics!" skipping round and whisking his tail with a merry laugh. there was a stormy debate over the correct retiring age for each class of animal. It was given out that the animals there practised cannibalism. "We have built the walls far too thick for that.Nevertheless. the whole farm burst out into Beasts of England in tremendous unison. the words of the song also came back-words. His eyes were glazed. in the late afternoon. except by the few who had known him. badly.

 This was just what Snowball had intended. "Quick. as Squealer was never tired of explaining. told the sheep to stay where they were. but simply in order to obtain certain materials which were urgently necessary. that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. Several nights a week. he said. the halters. Their lives now. Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days. and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed. and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever. he did learn E. Jones. The corn ration was drastically reduced. filled everyone with admiration. "here is a point that must be settled.At the beginning. the admirable care he had received. It was a dream of the earth as it will be when Man has vanished. The reins. intended to create a little disorder. Our labour tills the soil. unable to make up his mind. that they lived longer. although her appetite was excellent.