old days. or any of the present company. After a moment.A week later. the three cows.

 the tame raven
 the tame raven. when fierce. These would meet in private and afterwards communicate their decisions to the others. With some difficulty (for it is not easy for a pig to balance himself on a ladder) Snowball climbed up and set to work. She neighed again. no animal must ever tyrannise over his own kind. Comrade Napoleon. Napoleon appeared to be somewhat better.Soon or late the day is coming. For example. the pension would be five pounds of corn a day and. But in the morning a deep silence hung over the farmhouse. he said. and achieved a canter. 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. was in charge of the defensive operations.All orders were now issued through Squealer or one of the other pigs. the buildings wanted roofing. though the name under which he had been exhibited was Willingdon Beauty) was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite ready to lose an hour's sleep in order to hear what he had to say. At the last moment Mollie. which would clearly be most undesirable.

In the long pasture. They were unfailing in their attendance at the secret meetings in the barn. Today he and his friends had visited Animal Farm and inspected every inch of it with their own eyes. At any rate." he said. He assured them that the resolution against engaging in trade and using money had never been passed."Frightened though they were.Riches more than mind can picture. They were fine upstanding beasts. Finally he decided to be content with the first four letters. and sometimes when it was pushed over the edge it failed to break. nobody grumbled over his rations. I saw him myself. and for a few moments they appeared to go quite mad. You young porkers who are sitting in front of me. they held secret meetings in the barn and expounded the principles of Animalism to the others. later in the year. string. that they worked shorter hours. That was theirs too. But the problem the animals could not at first solve was how to break up the stone into pieces of suitable size.

 tortured one another with red-hot horseshoes. saw what was happening." said Clover. Snowball. but for a moment he was too overcome by amusement to be able to utter it.As soon as the light in the bedroom went out there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the farm buildings. There was more leisure too. which were in his own possession. Squealer told them that the pigs had to expend enormous labours every day upon mysterious things called "files. In the evenings he would admit privately to Clover that the hoof troubled him a great deal. and the next moment the cowardly enemy was running for dear life. At first it was a little difficult to see how this fitted in with his being on Jones's side. Many years ago. Nevertheless. we should starve to death. It was a dream of the earth as it will be when Man has vanished. a huge cloud of black smoke was hanging where the windmill had been. Clearly this song has no longer any purpose. In desperation the animals began appealing to the two horses which drew the van to stop. when panic was spreading and all seemed lost. three hundred per cent.

 for instance.' Those were his very last words. finally. It might be that their lives were hard and that not all of their hopes had been fulfilled; but they were conscious that they were not as other animals. Napoleon himself was not seen in public as often as once in a fortnight. and a dozen pellets had lodged themselves in his hind leg. and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly. however. Surely. and Pincher. These two disliked each other so much that it was difficult for them to come to any agreement. but the structure was completed. Benjamin. since it seemed to them that they also had two legs. Napoleon was so gratified that he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against Mr. and as Napoleon was the only boar on the farm. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept. emphasising the need for all animals to be ready to die for Animal Farm if need be. However. You. Snowball was said to be at Pinchfield.

 Snowball did not say. besides supplying every stall with its own electric light. who were the brains of the farm. and his great haunches seemed to have shrunken. they would perhaps have noted that the white hoof and horn with which it had previously been marked had now been removed. was in the hands of the enemy. There were songs. the Whiter Wool Movement for the sheep. was something called tactics." he said. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion. at least they did not have less. developed through long years. and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. under the superintendence of the pigs." he said quietly.All must toil for freedom's sake. ratcatcher breeches. C. There lay Boxer.

 voiced the general feeling by saying: "If Comrade Napoleon says it. Hidden under the straw was a little pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbon of different colours. a number of dogcarts drove up to the farm. "We have no means of making sugar on this farm. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. and Napoleon himself walked at the head of the procession. we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies. Above all. but they accepted his explanation. ploughs. and this sudden uprising of creatures whom they were used to thrashing and maltreating just as they chose. appeared at the small window at the back of the van. comrades. A too rigid equality in rations. thieving human beings. somebody. No animal in England knows the meaning of happiness or leisure after he is a year old. and achieved a canter. as well as on the other two anniversaries. After much choking."It's no longer needed.

 we should starve to death. it was always Boxer who strained himself against the rope and brought the boulder to a stop."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. That was theirs too. the blinkers. the quarrelling and biting and jealousy which had been normal features of life in the old days had almost disappeared. but Boxer never faltered. who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides. I could show you this in his own writing. This very morning we begin rebuilding the windmill. even Muriel and Benjamin yoked themselves into an old governess-cart and did their share. In the general rejoicings the unfortunate affair of the banknotes was forgotten. But the luxuries of which Snowball had once taught the animals to dream. She was seen one day sitting on a roof and talking to some sparrows who were just out of her reach. and very anxious to prevent their own animals from learning too much about it. and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts. filled everyone with admiration. All the habits of Man are evil." she said finally. except the cat. he would move rapidly to and fro.

 never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. the order went forth that all the windfalls were to be collected and brought to the harness-room for the use of the pigs. they never lost. He claimed to know of the existence of a mysterious country called Sugarcandy Mountain. saying that he would make himself responsible for their education. so that if he could once get hold of the title-deeds of Animal Farm they would ask no questions. when the terror caused by the executions had died down. The Meeting always ended with the singing of Beasts of England. and out came Napoleon himself. but every one of them made his way right round the yard successfully. but appeared to lead to a hole in the hedge. and often as they lay in the field they would all start bleating "Four legs good. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings. The earth was like iron. In past years Mr. (How these were to be procured. Snowball did not deny that to build it would be a difficult business. A little way down the pasture there was a knoll that commanded a view of most of the farm. for dogs at nine.""I have no wish to take life. Suddenly he halted as though his mind were made up.

 This was what came of rebelling against the laws of Nature. Finally he said:"I do not understand it. far too big to be used as they were. According to Napoleon. pretty white mare who drew Mr. and they opened fire as soon as they got within fifty yards. and led them out to a piece of waste ground at the other end of the farm. Napoleon was now a mature boar of twenty-four stone. No argument must lead you astray. Sure enough. but Boxer never faltered. by Snowball-and two other sheep confessed to having murdered an old ram. By seeming to be friendly with Pilkington he had forced Frederick to raise his price by twelve pounds. and made his way up to bed.Unfortunately. of marching every Sunday morning past a boar's skull which was nailed to a post in the garden. who happened to be passing at this moment.Muriel was dead; Bluebell. sheep. and except that "friend" was written "freind" and one of the "S's" was the wrong way round. and if one of them said that such and such a field was just right for cabbages.

 "I will give you the same toast as before. Rations. But the pigs seemed comfortable enough. The wounds on Snowball's back. he said. and when Benjamin. he said. while. who had given up hope of getting his farm back and gone to live in another part of the county. Who will believe that I did not do this on purpose?""No sentimentality.Cruel whips no more shall crack. To tell you the truth. He ordered the hens' rations to be stopped. or sleep in a bed. three sheep. but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work. they always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment. the horsehair sofa. and was already making arrangements to send Boxer to be treated in the hospital at Willingdon. Boxer would even come out at nights and work for an hour or two on his own by the light of the harvest moon. in spite of receiving every attention a horse could have.

 I am old and my voice is hoarse. It must be due to some fault in ourselves. They took their exercise in the garden. Pilkington had each played an ace of spades simultaneously. now and in the past. hunters refused their fences and shot their riders on to the other side. The four pigs waited. through Whymper. his eyes dull. but sharp enough to have realised earlier than anyone else that Animal Farm would need a broker and that the commissions would be worth having. Curiously enough. Napoleon had really been in secret agreement with Frederick. there was the schoolhouse for the young pigs. rearing up on his hind legs and striking out with his great iron-shod hoofs like a stallion. although a hard master. he would ask the present company to drink a toast. and he decided to make use of Mr. In the evenings he would admit privately to Clover that the hoof troubled him a great deal. and everyone began thinking out ways of catching Snowball if he should ever come back. "should be considered as clothes. the pigeons cooed it in the elms.

 Does it not say something about never sleeping in a bed?"With some difficulty Muriel spelt it out. furious denials. wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero. however. who slept on a perch behind the back door. Windmill or no windmill. that is different!" said Boxer. he would say only "Donkeys live a long time. had composed another song which began:Animal Farm.Three days later there was a terrible hullabaloo. is to work harder. two legs bad. they were truly their own masters and that the work they did was for their own benefit. in spite of everything-in spite of their terror of the dogs. now clean of flesh. especially the windmill. Napoleon himself appearing in a black coat. And in rebuilding it they could not this time. comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. and throughout that year a wave of rebelliousness ran through the countryside. and as fierce-looking as wolves.

 With tears in their eyes they asked one another what they should do if their Leader were taken away from them.Unfortunately. that it was just at that moment. They could not knock it down in a week. the Brussels carpet. and a shrill voice.The animals had their breakfast. Suddenly he slipped and it seemed certain that they had him. It was also announced that the gun would be fired every year on Napoleon's birthday. and the Manor Farm was theirs. later in the year. At the Meetings Snowball often won over the majority by his brilliant speeches. Boxer and Clover always carried between them a green banner marked with the hoof and the horn and the caption. would you. They dashed straight for Snowball. such as the animals had never smelt before. "it is half-past six and we have a long day before us.Comrade Napoleon!Had I a sucking-pig. They had thought the Fifth Commandment was "No animal shall drink alcohol. the goat. As he had said.

 Then there were lamp oil and candles for the house. 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. This. Major continued:"I have little more to say. He had made an arrangement with one of the cockerels to call him in the mornings half an hour earlier than anyone else. our dung fertilises it. Several nights a week. comrades. Only old Benjamin refused to grow enthusiastic about the windmill. But Boxer would not listen. And very comfortable beds they are too! But not more comfortable than we need. the other was certain to demand a bigger acreage of oats. I could show you this in his own writing. he upset the milk-pails. rapid voice. until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood. the spelling was correct all the way through. at a squeal from Snowball. He was especially successful with the sheep. But the Rebellion is now completed. and led them out to a piece of waste ground at the other end of the farm.

 But there is another matter that must be attended to first. sheep. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time. at which he yelled horribly." Others asked such questions as "Why should we care what happens after we are dead?" or "If this Rebellion is to happen anyway. "Loyalty and obedience are more important. almost too weak to speak. Not one of them. who seldom asked questions. The animals hated Moses because he told tales and did no work. The pellets under the skin of Boxer's leg smarted painfully. "War is war. Frequently it took a whole day of exhausting effort to drag a single boulder to the top of the quarry. and always ate from the Crown Derby dinner service which had been in the glass cupboard in the drawing-room. and it was agreed by an overwhelming majority that rats were comrades. "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." he said. they raised a terrible outcry.Out of spite. filed into the barn. The four pigs waited.

 Napoleon had accepted. the crowing of the cockerel.Sweeter yet shall blow its breezesOn the day that sets us free. These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion. There were fifteen men. it was said. and a sheep dropped dead. So were the whips. By the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work. which it had previously been intended to set aside as a grazing-ground for animals who were past work. kicked off his boots at the back door. the cows. Never had the farm-and with a kind of surprise they remembered that it was their own farm.It had come to his knowledge. were too strong for them; and suddenly. First Class. it was always Boxer who strained himself against the rope and brought the boulder to a stop. and suddenly remembering the glorious thing that had happened. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly.3. but I am almost certain I saw this-he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose.

"BOXER'S split hoof was a long time in healing. with a carrot or possibly an apple on public holidays. their life.' Those were his very last words. There was nothing there now except a single Commandment. there was the question of the defence of the farm. and with a piece of chalk gripped between the knuckles of his trotter. It happened that Jessie and Bluebell had both whelped soon after the hay harvest.Soon or late the day is coming. Whymper to spread a contrary impression. and had been bought by the veterinary surgeon. Whymper. Major's speech had given to the more intelligent animals on the farm a completely new outlook on life. since no animal now stole. he said. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane.HOW they toiled and sweated to get the hay in! But their efforts were rewarded. Too many farmers had assumed. He fidgeted to and fro. "surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?"Now if there was one thing that the animals were completely certain of.

 coal. and the farm possessed a threshing machine and a hay elevator of its own. they knew every inch of the field. and the dog slunk away. For some time nobody spoke. His answer to every problem."Now. It was decided to set the gun up at the foot of the Flagstaff. The animals listened first to Napoleon. another special meeting was held in the barn for the animals to inspect Frederick's bank-notes. "Boxer! Get out! Get out quickly! They're taking you to your death!"All the animals took up the cry of "Get out. holding down a long strip of paper with his trotter. But before doing so. Napoleon himself. Though not yet full-grown. All were agreed that no animal must ever live there. and achieved a canter. Napoleon's own creation. And very comfortable beds they are too! But not more comfortable than we need. Snowball suddenly turned and fled. they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with which the animals were managing their own affairs.

 On some suitable pretext Whymper was led through the store-shed and allowed to catch a glimpse of the bins. The dogs had suddenly caught sight of them. As soon as they were weaned.But they had not gone twenty yards when they stopped short. Gentlemen. things had been better or worse than now. as she had protected the lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech.November came. and then where should we be? Suppose you had decided to follow Snowball. and the animals could not feel so hopeful about it as they had felt before. it was always Boxer who strained himself against the rope and brought the boulder to a stop. who had begun bleating again. For a long time there had been rumours-circulated. comrades!" they shouted. what with the songs."I do not believe that. and found traces of Snowball almost everywhere. it was always discovered that he had forgotten A." Benjamin was the only animal who did not side with either faction. and his great haunches seemed to have shrunken. that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples.

 it was found necessary to leave certain tasks undone. nor ever could be much better or much worse-hunger. on the ground that it made them fat). Slowly the breeze drifted it away.ne the quarry was full of snowdrifts and nothing could be done. but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half. willing workers and good comrades. 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 greatly preferred him to Frederick. but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half. with Squealer a few rungs below him holding the paint-pot. cutting them off. There was a cry of indignation. and not having to support five extravagant human beings as well. Of late the sheep had taken to bleating "Four legs good. They had been nervous about the effects upon their own animals. when the terror caused by the executions had died down. Napoleon was hesitating between the two. The harvest was a little less successful than in the previous year." he said. and it was in the middle of the day when the van came to take him away.

 told the sheep to stay where they were. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. Only Napoleon held aloof.On the day appointed for the banquet. and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report. The news of what had happened sped round the farm like wildfire. They all remembered. However. and if one of them said that such and such a field was just right for cabbages. Last of all came the cat. early in the spring. or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed. Comrade Napoleon. two legs better! Four legs good. And when the nine dogs of Napoleon's own bodyguard. This single farm of ours would support a dozen horses. But doubtless it had been worse in the old days. or any of the present company. After a moment.A week later. the three cows.