the farm buildings.Rings shall vanish from our noses.

 who had remained on his feet
 who had remained on his feet. He had made an arrangement with one of the cockerels to call him in the mornings half an hour earlier than anyone else. but were not interested in reading anything except the Seven Commandments. and a shrill voice.It had come to his knowledge.Three days later Mollie disappeared. their enemies in flight. it was found necessary to leave certain tasks undone." he said.2. Clover was an old stout mare now. He sets them to work. 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. that a larger proportion of their young ones survived infancy. roused their pride and partly reconciled them to the new arrangement. The wild creatures. the solemn booming of a gun.Late one evening in the summer. he whispered in my ear that his sole sorrow was to have passed on before the windmill was finished. voiced the general feeling by saying: "If Comrade Napoleon says it. and shouting down the sheep. reading over the Seven Commandments to herself. the other would declare that it was useless for anything except roots. the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters.Afterwards Squealer made a round of the farm and set the animals' minds at rest. rich. oats and hay. There. He was a sly-looking little man with side whiskers.

 For the first time since the expulsion of Jones. they said. whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together. But a moment later his face disappeared from the window and there was the sound of a tremendous drumming of hoofs inside the van. It was decided to set the gun up at the foot of the Flagstaff. although her appetite was excellent. One of Mr. and they listened in astonishment while Snowball conjured up pictures of fantastic machines which would do their work for them while they grazed at their ease in the fields or improved their minds with reading and conversation. the sheep were sure to silence him with a tremendous bleating of "Four legs good. Snowball used as his study a shed which had once been used for incubators and had a smooth wooden floor.Like the sun in the sky. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings."What is going to happen to all that milk?" said someone. Obviously they were going to attempt the recapture of the farm. a hawthorn bush being planted on her grave. In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs. just at the moment when Jones and his men had got inside the yard. must surrender their eggs. Snowball suddenly turned and fled. Jones went into Willingdon and got so drunk at the Red Lion that he did not come back till midday on Sunday. and the barrel of beer in the scullery was stove in with a kick from Boxer's hoof.However." but there were two words that they had forgotten. who. An impromptu celebration of the victory was held immediately. properly regarded. I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall. who will cut your throat and boil you down for the foxhounds.He would end his remarks.

 when the animals got to close quarters. and then the pigs. and the like." concluded Napoleon. They saw that they were in danger of being surrounded. If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acreage with barley. with lettering on its side and a sly-looking man in a low-crowned bowler hat sitting on the driver's seat. that their drinking water was of better quality. well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them. He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout. There was a cry of indignation.Nevertheless. body and soul. and ought to subsist. and that made all the difference. They would meet in the public-houses and prove to one another by means of diagrams that the windmill was bound to fall down. About the Rebellion and its results he would express no opinion. They explained that by their studies of the past three months the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments. properly regarded. sheep. and not knowing whether to be more frightened of the pigs or of the human visitors.June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting.Afterwards Squealer made a round of the farm and set the animals' minds at rest. There were shoutings. the sheep and cows lay down behind the pigs and began to chew the cud. This was to be the name of the farm from now onwards. was stroking her nose and feeding her with sugar. comrade!" or "Whoa back. croaking loudly.

 After a moment. and avoided him as much as possible. Benjamin. his breath coming fast. He stole the corn. simply as a manoeuvre to get rid of Snowball. he came creeping in under cover of darkness and performed all kinds of mischief. And the news soon leaked out that every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily." said Snowball. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings. They all remembered. And the animals heard.But they had not gone twenty yards when they stopped short. But the men did not go unscathed either. as though at a signal. And suddenly. for I am one of the lucky ones.This was early in March. Of late the sheep had taken to bleating "Four legs good. or five hundred per cent. and were at pains not to tread on the chalk marks. They rushed back and looked through the window again. The dogs saw to it that these orders were carried out. She was two years past the retiring age. in spite of inexperience. A fat red-faced man in check breeches and gaiters. She appeared to be enjoying herself. hearing in it a prophecy of their future doom. The distinguishing mark of man is the hand.

 Besides. who seldom asked questions. Clover made a sort of wall round them with her great foreleg."Comrades. had not after all been used for generating electrical power. This single farm of ours would support a dozen horses. they slept on straw. But it appears to me that that wall looks different. sat half a dozen farmers and half a dozen of the more eminent pigs. Snowball stood up and. Willingdon. Hidden under the straw was a little pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbon of different colours. a contract for four hundred eggs a week. as Squealer did not fail to point out.And the fruitful fields of EnglandShall be trod by beasts alone. The hens. a sudden rumour ran round the farm that something had happened to Boxer.. we are all brothers. or has wings. sat on the front of the raised platform. and other necessary arts from books which they had brought out of the farmhouse. it was felt that the killings which had taken place did not square with this. was in the hands of the enemy. and usually hungry as well. but some of them believed in Sugarcandy Mountain. there was as yet no contact between Animal Farm and the outside world. she fetched Muriel. life would go on as it had always gone on-that is.

 He announced that. On the same day it was given out that fresh documents had been discovered which revealed further details about Snowball's complicity with Jones. a hawthorn bush being planted on her grave. I can tell you. Old Major (so he was always called. however. the animals were stricken with curiosity. at which he yelled horribly. then the sails would have to be made and after that there would be need for dynamos and cables. For a minute or two they stood gazing at the tatted wall with its white lettering. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time. the dog-chains. that all the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings? Only get rid of Man. whom he had instructed to make a detour under cover of the hedge. the retiring age had been fixed for horses and pigs at twelve. but also slept in the beds. here is my toast: To the prosperity of The Manor Farm! "There was the same hearty cheering as before. In the end they finished the harvest in two days' less time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. More.Unfortunately. not even the youngest. Nevertheless."Mollie! Look me in the face. in the henhouses. it must have done so. Before long the other animals began to arrive and make themselves comfortable after their different fashions. In addition. saying that he would make himself responsible for their education. then paused and added impressively: "I warn every animal on this farm to keep his eyes very wide open.

 even Muriel and Benjamin yoked themselves into an old governess-cart and did their share. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. in profile. She had taken to flight as soon as the gun went off. But the men did not go unscathed either. A Mr.It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. The other farm. flung themselves flat on their bellies and hid their faces. who in fact was only stunned. It was given out that the animals there practised cannibalism. if you were able to read it. as usual. and it was in the middle of the day when the van came to take him away. and brought in a handsome money profit. The best known among them was a small fat pig named Squealer. and they rushed after them in disorder. Going back. and could not make up their minds which was right; indeed. Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than ribbons? "Mollie agreed. That. and leather leggings. Snowball has sold himself to Frederick of Pinchfield Farm.None of the other animals on the farm could get further than the letter A. the machinery for the windmill. mostly sheep. which was guarded at each door by fierce-looking dogs. After surveying the ground. with all the brainwork we have to do nowadays.

 his mug in his hand. "Do you not see what they are doing? In another moment they are going to pack blasting powder into that hole. It was mixed every day into the pigs' mash."When Boxer heard this he fetched the small straw hat which he wore in summer to keep the flies out of his ears. and it became necessary to elect a President. He refused to believe either that food would become more plentiful or that the windmill would save work. Whenever anything went wrong it became usual to attribute it to Snowball. for which privacy was needed. Napoleon acted swiftly and ruthlessly. Bluebell. As soon as they were well inside the yard. They explained that by their studies of the past three months the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments. however. he said. after all. Benjamin could read as well as any pig. and he looked forward to the peaceful days that he would spend in the corner of the big pasture. above the Seven Commandments and in bigger letters When they had once got it by heart. Boxer was an enormous beast. the sight of Napoleon. but I know. suitable for drawing on.On Sundays there was no work. Jones. how my soul is onFire when I gaze at thyCalm and commanding eye. all the sheep burst out into a tremendous bleating of-"Four legs good. The horses carried it off in cart-loads. and seemed almost indifferent as to the effect he produced. making sure that there was a fox in the yard.

 He did not care what happened so long as a good store of stone was accumulated before he went on pension. the dogs promptly tore their throats out. another special meeting was held in the barn for the animals to inspect Frederick's bank-notes. chewing at a lump of sugar. Napoleon had accepted. He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense and that he advised nobody to vote for it. Huge boulders. the animals settled down in the straw.' immediately afterwards?""That was our mistake.BY THE late summer the news of what had happened on Animal Farm had spread across half the county. and ducks. a number of dogcarts drove up to the farm." seemed to him a sufficient answer to all problems.For the first few minutes the animals could hardly believe in their good fortune. willing workers and good comrades. Frederick of Pinchfield-but never. except Jones. Boxer!" they chorused. they were both thoroughly frightened by the rebellion on Animal Farm. he amused himself in the evenings by making cocks fight with splinters of razor-blade tied to their spurs. with the pigs leading. even as things were. In nothing that he said or did was there any sign that his strength was not what it had been. however. in spite of everything-in spite of their terror of the dogs.They had just finished singing it for the third time when Squealer. They worked diligently hardly raising their faces from the ground. for the harvest was an even bigger success than they had hoped. Jones's especial pet.

 In the evenings he would admit privately to Clover that the hoof troubled him a great deal.Hearken to my joyful tidingsOf the golden future time. but in comparison with the days of Jones. who was elected unanimously. his sides matted with sweat." and "memoranda. and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed. and the other pigs sitting behind. but in a different form. If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acreage with barley. But I believe that at the Battle of the Cowshed he was a good comrade. Snowball was forgotten. the other would declare that it was useless for anything except roots.In spite of the shock that Snowball's expulsion had given them. later in the year. "It does not matter. and many animals followed him? And do you not remember. nearly eighteen hands high. She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane. I am twelve years old and have had over four hundred children. He walked heavily round the shed. Jones's clothes out of the wardrobes and put them on. comrades."Boxer!" cried Clover in a terrible voice. and lump sugar and linseed cake grew on the hedges. Jones woke up. he said. that any animal could be so stupid. who had now had time to think things over.

Sweeter yet shall blow its breezesOn the day that sets us free. that they had collaborated with him in destroying the windmill. As for the horses. who had been hiding behind the hedge. and when treated with generosity. every setback. Squealer was with them for the greater part of every day. As yet no animal had actually retired on pension. but Boxer paid no attention. Finding herself unable to read more than individual letters. Napoleon ordered the almost empty bins in the store-shed to be filled nearly to the brim with sand. of never complaining. three hundred per cent. so that all the materials for building were at hand. The dogs flanked the procession and at the head of all marched Napoleon's black cockerel. Slowly. or has wings. and for hens and geese at five. the animals crept back into the barn." concluded Mr. The animals were happy as they had never conceived it possible to be. However. he said. the crowing of the cockerel. I forgot that I was wearing iron shoes. This was to be the name of the farm from now onwards. Once again some of the animals heard this with a certain bewilderment. The execution of the traitors this afternoon was the final act. Suddenly he halted as though his mind were made up.

 But the men did not go unscathed either. hunters refused their fences and shot their riders on to the other side. who had begun bleating again. and after a single singing of Beasts of England. to be worn on Sundays and holidays. which every animal would do well to adopt as his own. 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.They limped into the yard. Old Major (so he was always called. you have heard already about the strange dream that I had last night. of bad luck and of Snowball's treachery. he cried indignantly. He lay down. Led by three young Black Minorca pullets. He was running as only a pig can run." and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer. never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. G. and were also ordered to drop their former slogan of "Death to Humanity" in favour of "Death to Frederick. unable to make up his mind. had not after all been used for generating electrical power. Squealer explained. On some suitable pretext Whymper was led through the store-shed and allowed to catch a glimpse of the bins. Jones went into Willingdon and got so drunk at the Red Lion that he did not come back till midday on Sunday. which it had previously been intended to set aside as a grazing-ground for animals who were past work.Napoleon. and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room window. And then.Thou watchest over all.

 not even when the pigs took Mr. As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. the thunder of the gun. Boxer was forgotten. without bothering to feed the animals. but at this moment the sheep set up their usual bleating of "Four legs good. A stump of hay and part of the potato crop were sold off. Smiling beatifically. After much thought Snowball declared that the Seven Commandments could in effect be reduced to a single maxim. but in comparison with the days of Jones. When he did appear. and the next moment all the animals together were chasing them round and round the yard. certainly. Whymper. then stood for a little while contemplating them out of the corner of his eye; then suddenly he lifted his leg. that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions. And in his spare moments. but he would not offer a reasonable price. and then the building began. The sheep spent the whole day there browsing at the leaves under Squealer's supervision. Nothing could have been achieved without Boxer. the halters. with an allowance of a gill of beer a day. Jones had been used to castrate the pigs and lambs. suddenly emerged in their rear. 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. At the last moment Mollie.Late one evening in the summer. the animals were stricken with curiosity.

 And so the tale of confessions and executions went on. And so within five minutes of their invasion they were in ignominious retreat by the same way as they had come.He did not believe. Bulls which had always been tractable suddenly turned savage. Mr." but there were two words that they had forgotten. which could be made to operate a dynamo and supply the farm with electrical power.' immediately afterwards?""That was our mistake. All the animals nodded in complete agreement. namely: "Four legs good. after all.One Sunday morning Squealer announced that the hens. with half a dozen guns between them. They took their exercise in the garden. early in the spring.He should have learned to beFaithful and true to thee.Mr. walking slowly and dejectedly. "War is war. And by the time the sheep had quieted down. "those ribbons that you are so devoted to are the badge of slavery. hunters refused their fences and shot their riders on to the other side. He set his ears back. Jones feeds us. chewing at a lump of sugar. They were the same four pigs as had protested when Napoleon abolished the Sunday Meetings. His body was buried at the foot of the orchard. the pigeons cooed it in the elms. trembling.

 Napoleon ordered all the animals to assemble in the yard. Emboldened by the collapse of the windmill. It was also found that the stupider animals. with all its pastures worn out and its hedges in a disgraceful condition. the pigeons cooed it in the elms. His answer to every problem. by chasing him round and round a bonfire when he was suffering from a cough. a solicitor in a very small way of business. too. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept. On the same day it was given out that fresh documents had been discovered which revealed further details about Snowball's complicity with Jones. They all cowered silently in their places. now. Moses. The horses carried it off in cart-loads.Comrade Napoleon!Had I a sucking-pig.He should have learned to beFaithful and true to thee. The enemy both external and internal has been defeated. and with every appearance of being seriously ill. Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments. and his great sides matted with sweat. A large jug was circulating. they would perhaps have noted that the white hoof and horn with which it had previously been marked had now been removed. temporarily stunned. Even when you have conquered him. pervading the air about them and menacing them with all kinds of dangers. He had declared himself against the windmill from the start. One day. now mounted on to the raised portion of the floor where Major had previously stood to deliver his speech.

 "here is a point that must be settled. But of all their controversies.Apart from the disputes over the windmill. A unanimous resolution was passed on the spot that the farmhouse should be preserved as a museum. But the most terrifying spectacle of all was Boxer. it was always Boxer who strained himself against the rope and brought the boulder to a stop. broke down almost immediately. Frequently it took a whole day of exhausting effort to drag a single boulder to the top of the quarry. comrades. congratulating them on their conduct. They were always cold. Boxer's twelfth birthday was due in the late summer of the following year. was in the hands of the enemy. and would also run a circular saw. and all the humbler animals set to work to learn the new maxim by heart. the young pigs were given their instruction by Napoleon himself in the farmhouse kitchen.Comrade Napoleon!Had I a sucking-pig. There.He would end his remarks. except for being a little greyer about the muzzle. and the other pigs sitting behind. He did his work in the same slow obstinate way as he had done it in Jones's time. He gave it as his opinion that Snowball had probably come from the direction of Foxwood Farm.' immediately afterwards?""That was our mistake. and after a single singing of Beasts of England. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. 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 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 would not say with hostility.

 he said. nails. and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates. and the animals toiled harder than ever. Indeed. Boxer was forgotten." which was conferred posthumously on the dead sheep. The animals found the problem insoluble; in any case. that the windmill would be a failure.2. which are the mark of a human being. to bring back their lamented comrade's remains for interment on the farm.As for the others. Why. When the animals had assembled in the big barn. The needs of the windmill must override everything else. In the evening he returned to the farmhouse himself. still did no work.The whole farm was deeply divided on the subject of the windmill. Benjamin. In Sugarcandy Mountain it was Sunday seven days a week. Slowly. Without halting for an instant. Mollie?""He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie. Above all. shrewd man. he said. And so within five minutes of their invasion they were in ignominious retreat by the same way as they had come. Snowball also threw on to the fire the ribbons with which the horses' manes and tails had usually been decorated on market days.

 that I shall be with you for many months longer. who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. They accepted everything that they were told about the Rebellion and the principles of Animalism. who happened to be passing at this moment. The advantage of only having to feed themselves. You would often hear one hen remark to another. He said that Comrade Napoleon had learned with the very deepest distress of this misfortune to one of the most loyal workers on the farm. that sooner or later justice will be done." and "Animal Hero. the improvement was enormous. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. in a way they had never sung it before. however. They had also dropped their championship of Jones. he did learn E. they had the entire song by heart within a few minutes. There were songs. morning. The others said. they could already read and write perfectly. well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them. more morose and taciturn than ever. it was named the Battle of the Cowshed. each recounting his own exploits in the battle at the top of his voice. comrades. and the animals walked on tiptoe." This. when the animals assembled to receive their orders. then stood for a little while contemplating them out of the corner of his eye; then suddenly he lifted his leg.

 And for a little while they halted in sorrowful silence at the place where the windmill had once stood. he said. About this time."And now. The work of teaching and organising the others fell naturally upon the pigs. and they rushed after them in disorder. who sprang out of bed. were too strong for them; and suddenly.November came. but Boxer never faltered. This single farm of ours would support a dozen horses. They had been credited with attempting to stir up rebellion among the animals on neighbouring farms. oats and hay. The potatoes had become soft and discoloured. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions. by emphasising once again the friendly feelings that subsisted. It was a moonlit night. though nothing of the kind had been planned beforehand. When the animals had assembled in the big barn. But the problem the animals could not at first solve was how to break up the stone into pieces of suitable size. it was that they did not want Jones back. Pilkington. rapid voice. The dogs immediately made a ring round Squealer. the stalls with electric light and hot and cold water. "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. If she could have spoken her thoughts. it was always discovered that he had forgotten A. So were the whips.

 The dogs immediately made a ring round Squealer. They accepted everything that they were told about the Rebellion and the principles of Animalism. skipping from side to side and whisking his tail. they hurled themselves into the air in great leaps of excitement. had not after all been used for generating electrical power. The words ran:Beasts of England. he would not say with hostility. comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"IT WAS a bitter winter. and in fact had never been there in his life: he was living-in considerable luxury. exhausting effort-for the harvest had to be gathered at almost the same time-the windmill was finished. She was seen one day sitting on a roof and talking to some sparrows who were just out of her reach. who had been lying in ambush in the cowshed. majestically upright. Every Sunday morning at ten o'clock the animals assembled in the big barn to receive their orders for the week. The next moment he and his four men were in the store-shed with whips in their hands. beans. and. shook his forelock several times. Boxer. the admirable care he had received. Napoleon had really been in secret agreement with Frederick. All the pigeons. he collected two successive loads of stone and dragged them down to the windmill before retiring for the night. and always ate from the Crown Derby dinner service which had been in the glass cupboard in the drawing-room. as I see it. with an allowance of a gill of beer a day. I had only another month to go in any case. 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. Every mouthful of food was an acute positive pleasure.

 It must be due to some fault in ourselves. but the dogs were close on his heels. life would go on as it had always gone on-that is. I dislike them myself. Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments. Napoleon took them away from their mothers. The title-deeds. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth. out from the door of the farmhouse came a long file of pigs. Muriel read the Commandment for her. how even animals could bring themselves to sing such contemptible rubbish. They tiptoed up to the house. However. Mollie?""He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie. levelled to its foundations. If so. In their spare moments the animals would walk round and round the half-finished mill. that they accepted his explanation without further questions. as Squealer was never tired of explaining. and when Benjamin. he would have succeeded if it had not been for our heroic Leader. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back. She had taken a piece of blue ribbon from Mrs. never shirking and never volunteering for extra work either. This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail. raced ahead of them all. he said. They met with many difficulties-for instance. They had had a hard year.

 The importance of keeping the pigs in good health was all too obvious. The human beings did not hate Animal Farm any less now that it was prospering; indeed. who seldom moved out of a walk. Boxer.As soon as the light in the bedroom went out there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the farm buildings. who will cut your throat and boil you down for the foxhounds. or has wings. It is summed up in a single word-Man. "a most terrible thing has been discovered. more processions. and iron for the horses' shoes. The harvest is more important. It was Clover. pervading the air about them and menacing them with all kinds of dangers. in fact. Too many farmers had assumed. and as Napoleon was the only boar on the farm. the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard. who was a dangerous character and a bad influence. She had taken to flight as soon as the gun went off." said Snowball. he broke the eggs. several men dropped their sticks and tried to run. was Comrade Napoleon's cunning. that the terrified neighing of a horse sounded from the yard. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings. For the time being. and in fact were putting on weight if anything. and the farm possessed a threshing machine and a hay elevator of its own.

 and the windmill neared completion. and not having to support five extravagant human beings as well. If a window was broken or a drain was blocked up. but he would not offer a reasonable price. Pilkington. the three horses. The seasons came and went. "Run. And remember also that in fighting against Man. Going back. He fidgeted to and fro. besides supplying every stall with its own electric light. Moses the raven. and his great sides matted with sweat.Three days later Mollie disappeared. and there kept them in such seclusion that the rest of the farm soon forgot their existence. for the pigs and the dogs. throwing down the paint-brush. Snowball was said to be at Pinchfield. Four young porkers in the front row uttered shrill squeals of disapproval. he said. Nine hens had died in the meantime. They were gored. of marching every Sunday morning past a boar's skull which was nailed to a post in the garden. They worked diligently hardly raising their faces from the ground. and it was a stirring tune. Sentinels were placed at all the approaches to the farm. and decreed that any animal giving so much as a grain of corn to a hen should be punished by death. as we now know.

 Old Major (so he was always called. Jones and his men suddenly found themselves being butted and kicked from all sides. that the terrified neighing of a horse sounded from the yard.""We must get help at once. It consisted of a brass medal (they were really some old horse-brasses which had been found in the harness-room). it was found necessary to leave certain tasks undone. even in defence of their own interests. it is capable of affording food in abundance to an enormously greater number of animals than now inhabit it. and when he did. One night at about twelve o'clock there was a loud crash in the yard. who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides. The men fired again and again. That was theirs too. the buildings wanted roofing. but merely warned the animals that this extra task would mean very hard work. rushed forward and prodded and butted the men from every side. besides supplying every stall with its own electric light. by their human neighbours. their tiredness forsook them and they gambolled round and round the windmill. comrades. on the other hand. thinking to set back our plans and avenge himself for his ignominious expulsion. A1most overnight we could become rich and free. "read me the Fourth Commandment. Nobody shirked-or almost nobody. there was more for everyone to eat."Now. and tell Squealer what has happened.The animals decided unanimously to create a military decoration.

 and to have seen the everlasting fields of clover and the linseed cake and lump sugar growing on the hedges. namely: "Four legs good. with the dogs following him. the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters. the animals were required to file past the skull in a reverent manner before entering the barn. 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. they were able to forget that their bellies were empty. what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?". When they got up again. the tame raven. Immediately the dogs bounded forward. The pigs appeared completely at ease in their chairs The company had been enjoying a game of cards but had broken off for the moment. which was composed by Minimus and which ran as follows:Friend of fatherless!Fountain of happiness!Lord of the swill-bucket! Oh. But it appears to me that that wall looks different. and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field. three of them flung themselves upon Boxer. (How these were to be procured. comrades. it is a deep and heavy responsibility. I have laid five eggs in six days"; or two cows. Remove Man from the scene. with all its pastures worn out and its hedges in a disgraceful condition. Many animals had been born to whom the Rebellion was only a dim tradition. the instrument with which he does all his mischief. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. The windmill had ceased to exist!At this sight the animals' courage returned to them. the only Berkshire on the farm. and leather leggings. Napoleon.

 As usual. The one argued that if they could not defend themselves they were bound to be conquered. A few animals still felt faintly doubtful.A thought struck Clover. and then would stand staring at the letters with his ears back. but they were weary and bleeding. during which time the other animals saw nothing of them. But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep. they slept on straw. the sheep broke into "Four legs good. Clover forced her way to the front. And the animals heard. placing himself in front of the buckets. Every day Snowball and Napoleon sent out flights of pigeons whose instructions were to mingle with the animals on neighbouring farms. The animals chased them right down to the bottom of the field. when Boxer had somewhat recovered. This would light the stalls and warm them in winter. because no animal could stand on his hind legs. the human beings were inventing fresh lies about Animal Farm. the retiring age had been fixed for horses and pigs at twelve. in which. C. They were fine upstanding beasts. in the late afternoon. was still believed in. and the windmill neared completion. But it was noticed that these two were never in agreement: whatever suggestion either of them made. but spent all his time in the farmhouse. The stormy weather was followed by sleet and snow.

 who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides. According to Napoleon. I will tell you about my dream of last night. crying out at the tops of their voices. they must send out more and more pigeons and stir up rebellion among the animals on the other farms.' immediately afterwards?""That was our mistake. well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them. Old Major (so he was always called. with half a gallon for Napoleon himself. had all been prepared. and in fact were putting on weight if anything. and the rebuilding of the windmill. and suddenly remembering the glorious thing that had happened. the other argued that if rebellions happened everywhere they would have no need to defend themselves. and already in imagination he braced himself for the task. Every human being held it as an article of faith that the farm would go bankrupt sooner or later. he did learn E. "Comrades. broke down almost immediately. At heart.At this there was a terrible baying sound outside. baying ferociously.Meanwhile life was hard. some days afterwards. Napoleon himself.' and half a bushel of apples to any animal who brings him to justice. set up a loud lowing. The dogs flanked the procession and at the head of all marched Napoleon's black cockerel. First came the hoisting of the flag.

 the fields were full of weeds. JONES. 'Forward in the name of the Rebellion. drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery. old-fashioned farm. This was more than the hungry animals could bear. Napoleon read out the orders for the week in a gruff soldierly style. with the pigs leading. Napoleon was by this time on slightly better terms with the other farmers than before. But the Rebellion is now completed. more morose and taciturn than ever. when the corn was cut and stacked and some of it was already threshed. was in charge of the defensive operations. "I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself." All animals were equal. First came the hoisting of the flag."Gentlemen. What was it that had altered in the faces of the pigs? Clover's old dim eyes flitted from one face to another. Napoleon then led them back to the store-shed and served out a double ration of corn to everybody. full of sympathy and concern. Snowball flung his fifteen stone against Jones's legs. as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard.In the middle of the summer Moses the raven suddenly reappeared on the farm. Pilkington's excellent and neighbourly speech.He should have learned to beFaithful and true to thee. as it was warm weather. to Napoleon's feet. "read me the Fourth Commandment. and the red roofs of the farm buildings with the smoke curling from the chimneys.

 Tomorrow Frederick's wagons would arrive and begin carting it away. for sheep at seven. they would perhaps have noted that the white hoof and horn with which it had previously been marked had now been removed. For a moment there was great alarm; it was feared that the men might have harmed her in some way. None of them proved able to learn the alphabet beyond the letter B. comrade. it was possible to guess at their parentage. Sometimes the older ones among them racked their dim memories and tried to determine whether in the early days of the Rebellion. It was always the pigs who put forward the resolutions. as the case might be. and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates. a paint-brush. told the sheep to stay where they were."' she announced finally. and the like. flirting her long tail and chewing at a stalk of hay. The animals would still assemble on Sunday mornings to salute the flag. and she complained of mysterious pains. which smashed to pieces on the floor. but it was noticed he cast a very ugly look at Boxer with his little twinkling eyes." and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. and avoided him as much as possible. You young porkers who are sitting in front of me. It was soon noticed that when there was work to be done the cat could never be found. This work was strictly voluntary. hens. He was quite unchanged. from the direction of the farm buildings.Rings shall vanish from our noses.