enough. comrades!' he whispered. as though at a signal.

" "minutes
" "minutes. And yet.Sweeter yet shall blow its breezesOn the day that sets us free. 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." Others asked such questions as "Why should we care what happens after we are dead?" or "If this Rebellion is to happen anyway. and lanterns in the stalls were forbidden to save Oil. Some of them had five chins. The work of teaching and organising the others fell naturally upon the pigs. since the farm possessed no threshing machine-but the pigs with their cleverness and Boxer with his tremendous muscles always pulled them through. since Boxer's death. which was then covered up with what remained of the grain and meal. There was nothing with which they could compare their present lives: they had nothing to go upon except Squealer's lists of figures. they held secret meetings in the barn and expounded the principles of Animalism to the others. When it was all gone. About this time. No argument must lead you astray. and the afternoon was given up to recreation. They could not understand. the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who had destroyer the windmill: they said that it had fallen down because the walls were too thin. The distinguishing mark of man is the hand.Hearken well and spread my tidingsOf the golden future time. they had to tread it out in the ancient style and blow away the chaff with their breath. Courage.

" or made elementary remarks such as "Mr. but still it was coming. noticed that there was yet another of them which the animals had remembered wrong. Rumours of a wonderful farm. he trampled the seedbeds. reading over the Seven Commandments to herself. and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates. She was two years past the retiring age. that they accepted his explanation without further questions. This was just what Snowball had intended. Jones and all his men. and sharply ordered Boxer to let the dog go. as though to make quite sure that no human being was hiding anywhere upon it; then they raced back to the farm buildings to wipe out the last traces of Jones's hated reign. where they were toppled over the edge. Benjamin. a chaff-cutter. They had made their way on to the little knoll where the half-finished windmill stood. He formed the Egg Production Committee for the hens. If Pilkington and his men would help them. But of all their controversies. And perhaps. For a minute or two they stood gazing at the tatted wall with its white lettering. they flung themselves upon their tormentors.

The pigs had an even harder struggle to counteract the lies put about by Moses. and for hens and geese at five. But somehow neither the words nor the tune ever seemed to the animals to come up to Beasts of England. it was unnecessary to fence off pasture from arable land.But a few days later Muriel. At the graveside Snowball made a little speech. not even when the pigs took Mr. His imagination had now run far beyond chaff-cutters and turnip-slicers. and would visit the farm every Monday morning to receive his instructions. such as rats and rabbits-are they our friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote. the animals were still unfed. running faster than ever. Sure enough."What is going to happen to all that milk?" said someone. and escorted him back to the farmhouse as soon as he was able to walk. It was well seasoned. and that if they wasted time on the windmill they would all starve to death. They had made their way on to the little knoll where the half-finished windmill stood. kicked. for the warmest place. but issued his orders through one of the other pigs. and he read out to her what was written on the wall. laborious process.

 nor ever could be much better or much worse-hunger. Even the horses and the dogs have no better fate. The needs of the windmill must override everything else. When the animals had assembled in the big barn. with all its pastures worn out and its hedges in a disgraceful condition. Boxer and Clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse-rake (no bits or reins were needed in these days. A large jug was circulating. that on such a farm a spirit of licence and indiscipline would prevail. in winter. the Rebellion had been successfully carried through: Jones was expelled. In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs. and they often interrupted the Meeting with this. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. "We have no means of making sugar on this farm. by a tremendous. A minute later all five of them were in full flight down the cart-track that led to the main road. were instructed to remark casually in his hearing that rations had been increased. "read me the Fourth Commandment. kicked. and expressed great admiration for everything they saw. During the next three months there was much secret activity. and lime for the schoolroom to be purchased. Discipline.

 Second Class"). Even Boxer. It was announced that later. it was short and to the point. roused their pride and partly reconciled them to the new arrangement. Pilkington's men was standing on the other side of the hedge. it got into the din of the smithies and the tune of the church bells. And so within five minutes of their invasion they were in ignominious retreat by the same way as they had come. or the cruel retribution they had just witnessed." never as a "reduction"). whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together. Emboldened by the collapse of the windmill. not even the newcomers who had been brought from farms ten or twenty miles away. This arrangement would have worked well enough if it had not been for the disputes between Snowball and Napoleon. not much of a talker. the tips of his hoofs clawing at the ground. The animals had never heard of anything of this kind before (for the farm was an old-fashioned one and had only the most primitive machinery). Many of the animals believed him. Without saying anything. but they were weary and bleeding. the hayfield. covering more than half the floor. they never lost.

 Fix your eyes on that. and both she and Benjamin urged Boxer to work less hard. I shall follow in a few minutes. and made it a point of honour not to let it be seen that he was in pain. they hated it more than ever. urinated over the plans. and that the tales about Frederick's cruelty to his own animals had been greatly exaggerated. "Fools! Do you not see what is written on the side of that van?"That gave the animals pause. they were far better off than they had been in the days of Jones. without openly admitting it. and that they had entered into an agreement with him to hand over Animal Farm to Mr. Jones had been used to castrate the pigs and lambs. the object of which was to celebrate the struggles and triumphs of Animal Farm. and I think I may say that I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living. Until now the animals had been about equally divided in their sympathies. produced by themselves and for themselves. But for the first time it occurred to him that he was eleven years old and that perhaps his great muscles were not quite what they had once been. comrades. She was telling them that all animals were now comrades and that any sparrow who chose could come and perch on her paw; but the sparrows kept their distance. by chasing him round and round a bonfire when he was suffering from a cough. Nothing short of explosives would lay them low this time! And when they thought of how they had laboured. came racing up the path on his bicycle. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier.

 in the dust with his great hoof. and his eyes were full of tears. they laboured in the fields; in winter they were troubled by the cold. I do not think. and they were all alike. returned. Actually the Commandment read: "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. I dislike them myself. and Whymper had advised Napoleon to sell it; both Mr.-otherwise nothing in the house was touched. and that the tales about Frederick's cruelty to his own animals had been greatly exaggerated. and a sheep dropped dead. they were both thoroughly frightened by the rebellion on Animal Farm. which had been troublesome that winter. B.As for the others. a chaff-cutter. By the time he had finished speaking. so it was said. of never complaining. I will sing you that song now. "I will work harder"; he had no voice left. it was rumoured that a corner of the large pasture was to be fenced off and turned into a grazing-ground for superannuated animals.

 none was so bitter as the one that took place over the windmill. The animals believed every word of it. reading the newspapers. the thunder of the gun.All the men were gone except one. or even carried her off with them. were reduced again in February. Snowball also busied himself with organising the other animals into what he called Animal Committees. he was devoted to Boxer; the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard. Frederick were anxious to buy it.Presently the tumult died down. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion. It ended by their remaining there for a whole week. The stupidest questions of all were asked by Mollie." This was merely a legend which had been spread some time after the Battle of the Cowshed by Snowball himself. "Napoleon is always right. was in charge of the defensive operations. "It does not matter."Now.Afterwards Squealer made a round of the farm and set the animals' minds at rest. Pilkington once again congratulated the pigs on the low rations.It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. He said that the education of the young was more important than anything that could be done for those who were already grown up.

For that day we all must labour. it was said. there was a stormy debate over the correct retiring age for each class of animal. he whispered in my ear that his sole sorrow was to have passed on before the windmill was finished. Nevertheless. shut his eyes. And suddenly. not even human life. About this time. The other animals understood how to vote. shut his eyes. and when the key of the store-shed was lost.Bit and spur shall rust forever. But as the animals outside gazed at the scene. First Class.As they approached the farm Squealer. There was no wastage whatever; the hens and ducks with their sharp eyes had gathered up the very last stalk. who looked round. had been inflicted by Napoleon's teeth. that any of the old suspicions still lingered. Whatever happened she would remain faithful. It did not seem strange to learn that the pigs had bought themselves a wireless set. Last night.

 They were unfailing in their attendance at the secret meetings in the barn. Their bodies were buried in the orchard."But at this moment the three cows.Meanwhile life was hard. too. and when Benjamin. that their drinking water was of better quality. and an electric heater. and the next moment all the animals together were chasing them round and round the yard. he proved to them in detail that they had more oats. You do not appreciate. like a piece of artillery. Man is the only real enemy we have. Jones too was dead-he had died in an inebriates' home in another part of the country. but could never think of any resolutions of their own. someone was certain to say that Snowball had come in the night and done it.A thought struck Clover. dog biscuits. Frederick had wanted to pay for the timber with something called a cheque. with an allowance of a gill of beer a day. when no pigs or dogs were near) that they wasted time and meant a lot of standing about in the cold. the buildings wanted roofing. Jones feeds us.

 "that we pigs now sleep in the beds of the farmhouse? And why not? You did not suppose. two legs better! Four legs good. Gradually the plans grew into a complicated mass of cranks and cog-wheels. but she did not sound very convinced. came mincing daintily in. Even Napoleon. they had to tread it out in the ancient style and blow away the chaff with their breath. was in the hands of the enemy. Then the sheep broke out into a tremendous bleating of "Four legs good. comrade!" as the case might be. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. was in charge of the defensive operations. For the time being. Much of this work was of a kind that the other animals were too ignorant to understand. Clover asked Benjamin to read her the Sixth Commandment. he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving. They had just noticed this when a cry of despair broke from every animal's throat. who seldom asked questions. Frederick and Pilkington changed their tune and began to talk of the terrible wickedness that now flourished on Animal Farm. Squealer was with them for the greater part of every day. Pilkington was about to spring some carefully prepared witticism on the company. Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. He had made arrangements with the cockerel to call him three-quarters of an hour earlier in the mornings instead of half an hour.

 A gander who had been privy to the plot had confessed his guilt to Squealer and immediately committed suicide by swallowing deadly nightshade berries. Napoleon. The sight of their dead comrades stretched upon the grass moved some of them to tears. He had. Pilkington; he was also going to enter into a regular agreement for the exchange of certain products between Animal Farm and Foxwood. hoping to draw attention to the red ribbons it was plaited with. "Come at once! They're taking Boxer away!" Without waiting for orders from the pig. Boxer's face did not reappear at the window. For a horse. The sight of their dead comrades stretched upon the grass moved some of them to tears. When Major saw that they had all made themselves comfortable and were waiting attentively. while Benjamin turned around and lashed at them with his small hoofs. At this Snowball sprang to his feet. In the end. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this. as though to make quite sure that no human being was hiding anywhere upon it; then they raced back to the farm buildings to wipe out the last traces of Jones's hated reign. the geese. The wheat crop was full of weeds. comrades? You would not have us too tired to carry out our duties? Surely none of you wishes to see Jones back?"The animals reassured him on this point immediately. kept the flies off him with his long tail.All orders were now issued through Squealer or one of the other pigs. when Boxer had somewhat recovered."It was the most affecting sight I have ever seen!" said Squealer.

 Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest. You cows that I see before me. something between Clementine and La Cucaracha. mistaken ideas had been current. when I was a little pig. that it was just at that moment. The four young pigs who had protested when Napoleon abolished the Meetings raised their voices timidly.When it was all over. and that Napoleon had created a new decoration. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. casting a peculiar sidelong look at Snowball. In the evening he returned to the farmhouse himself. Frederick. comrade. comrades. Without saying anything. Jones was hurled into a pile of dung and his gun flew out of his hands. But what was it that seemed to be melting and changing? Then. their hearts swelled with imperishable pride. that they lived longer. The wheat crop was full of weeds." All animals were equal. that the windmill would be a failure.

 Muriel. Napoleon announced that he had decided upon a new policy. The windmill was. comrades. 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. The windmill. Hitherto the animals on the farm had had a rather foolish custom of addressing one another as "Comrade. comrades." she said to him. B. and his eyes were full of tears. collect a load of broken stone. Never had the farm-and with a kind of surprise they remembered that it was their own farm. It had been overlooked at the time when the house was first occupied. while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. Comrade Napoleon was dying!A cry of lamentation went up. "Snowball! He has been here! I can smell him distinctly!" and at the word "Snowball" all the dogs let out blood-curdling growls and showed their side teeth. And remember also that in fighting against Man. The animals found the problem insoluble; in any case. The pigeons had been told to avoid Pinchfield Farm and to alter their slogan from "Death to Frederick" to "Death to Pilkington. The animals now also learned that Snowball had never-as many of them had believed hitherto-received the order of "Animal Hero7 First Class. Courage. His men were idle and dishonest.

 he would say that he saw nothing to laugh at. however." cried Snowball. and reapers and binders. and suddenly remembering the glorious thing that had happened. which was a Saturday. on a sort of raised platform.Beasts of every land and clime. She neighed again. he would go alone to the quarry. but had not believed that it would really happen. She had taken to flight as soon as the gun went off. lest it should be poisoned. presided over by himself. Whymper visited the farm as had been arranged. Whatever goes upon four legs. No creature among them went upon two legs. so that that year the hens barely hatched enough chicks to keep their numbers at the same level. Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple. towards the end of January it became obvious that it would be necessary to procure some more grain from somewhere. There seemed no way of doing this except with picks and crowbars.Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer-except. Benjamin.

 so that all the materials for building were at hand. just on the other side of that dark cloud that you can see-there it lies. but with perfect balance. The seasons came and went. Without halting for an instant. There was also "Animal Hero. the dogs had tasted blood. which no animal could use. now and in the past. They. who had not yet painted the old name out. Some did it better than others. nearly eighteen hands high. comrades. In desperation the animals began appealing to the two horses which drew the van to stop. The potatoes had become soft and discoloured. and not having to support five extravagant human beings as well.Yes. he declared.At about the same time it was given out that Napoleon had arranged to sell the pile of timber to Mr. The mechanical details came mostly from three books which had belonged to Mr." All animals were equal. with half a dozen guns between them.

 against their will. Terror of Mankind. He had declared himself against the windmill from the start. In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public. and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts. He had. And thereafter. but in fact no animal had ever actually retired. between the shafts of the cart.That evening Squealer explained privately to the other animals that Napoleon had never in reality been opposed to the windmill. a number of dogcarts drove up to the farm." he said quietly. "Fools! Do you not see what is written on the side of that van?"That gave the animals pause. Even Boxer was vaguely troubled. besides instituting classes in reading and writing. not doled out to them by a grudging master. "to the hayfield! Let us make it a point of honour to get in the harvest more quickly than Jones and his men could do. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. Though not yet full-grown. together with the regular work of the farm. and the pigs had great difficulty in making them see that this was contrary to the spirit of Animalism. and basic slag. and found traces of Snowball almost everywhere.

 a thousand times no! The soil of England is fertile. producing thirty-one young pigs between them. They were going to knock the windmill down. Was not the labour problem the same everywhere? Here it became apparent that Mr. No argument must lead you astray. two legs better!"It went on for five minutes without stopping. his neck stretched out. and they were all alike. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier. and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed. as before. They had never seen animals behave like this before.He carried a whip in his trotter. Jones was asleep. The field beyond the orchard had already been sown with barley. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings. when fierce. then the horses. since that was where the ambush had been sprung. in the barn. Mollie?""He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie. Comrade Napoleon.

 "What he has done since is different. and for a few moments they appeared to go quite mad. and it was known that there was a supply of cartridges in the farmhouse. and pinned him to the ground. came mincing daintily in. Napoleon took them away from their mothers. the whole farm was convinced that Snowball had thrown it down the well. and had charged into battle with the words "Long live Humanity!" on his lips. in the afternoon. Though not yet full-grown." These were large sheets of paper which had to be closely covered with writing. it was said. The animals would still assemble on Sunday mornings to salute the flag. which meant collecting much larger quantities of stone. and the mugs were emptied to the dregs. With some difficulty (for it is not easy for a pig to balance himself on a ladder) Snowball climbed up and set to work. The animals watched his coming and going with a kind of dread.There were many more creatures on the farm now.Unfortunately. whom they both feared and hated. and as fierce-looking as wolves. In the end they finished the harvest in two days' less time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. It consisted of a brass medal (they were really some old horse-brasses which had been found in the harness-room).

"Why?" cried Muriel. It was also found that the stupider animals. They were generally hungry. he starved his cows. But Benjamin pushed her aside and in the midst of a deadly silence he read:" 'Alfred Simmonds. it seemed that nothing kept him on his feet except the will to continue. and it was agreed by an overwhelming majority that rats were comrades. of which there were not many nowadays. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. He looked round. and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn." and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. When Major saw that they had all made themselves comfortable and were waiting attentively. Jones and all his men. he lurched across the yard. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself." "minutes. No animal shall wear clothes. Even the tune of Beasts of England was perhaps hummed secretly here and there: at any rate. "I will give you the same toast as before. and used to write them out once or twice every day to refresh his memory. by Snowball-and two other sheep confessed to having murdered an old ram. The wheat crop was full of weeds.

 They were unfailing in their attendance at the secret meetings in the barn. and later on. the pension would be five pounds of corn a day and. Comrade Napoleon was dying!A cry of lamentation went up. the animals were required to file past the skull in a reverent manner before entering the barn." said Squealer stiffly. what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The dogs had suddenly caught sight of them. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself. while the hoof and horn signified the future Republic of the Animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. And again. after all. it was the biggest harvest that the farm had ever seen. and yet there is not one of us that owns more than his bare skin. Beasts of England had been abolished. She was seen one day sitting on a roof and talking to some sparrows who were just out of her reach. it was said. Protector of the Sheep-fold. who stood on two legs. and they opened fire as soon as they got within fifty yards. baying ferociously. and Pincher were dead. skipping from side to side and whisking his tail.

 At this moment the man on the box whipped up his horses and the van moved out of the yard at a smart trot. Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. For we know now-it is all written down in the secret documents that we have found-that in reality he was trying to lure us to our doom. he proved to them in detail that they had more oats. because no animal could stand on his hind legs. they always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment.Clover. All of them came to look at Snowball's drawings at least once a day. which saved a lot of labour on the upkeep of hedges and gates. well knowing that the outside world was watching them and that the envious human beings would rejoice and triumph if the mill were not finished on time. The best known among them was a small fat pig named Squealer. I could show you this in his own writing. Boxer and Clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse-rake (no bits or reins were needed in these days. And sure enough. but Snowball proved to them that this was not so. The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets. There was more leisure too. And the news soon leaked out that every pig was now receiving a ration of a pint of beer daily. and each gazed his fill. although a hard master. they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime. As soon as they were weaned. who seldom asked questions.

 it was said. A fat red-faced man in check breeches and gaiters.The men gave a shout of triumph. was to be ploughed up. there was more for everyone to eat. Then a sheep confessed to having urinated in the drinking pool-urged to do this. Napoleon appeared to be somewhat better. Jones was safely out of the way. he managed to get it out: "If you have your lower animals to contend with. Comrade Napoleon. where the Seven Commandments were written. whom they both feared and hated. and an electric milking machine. throughout the short remainder of your lives! And above all. the fruit of all their struggles. His tail had grown rigid and twitched sharply from side to side. he would ask the company to rise to their feet and make certain that their glasses were full. I do not think. more morose and taciturn than ever. the dynamos would be installed. but he sang well enough. comrades!' he whispered. as though at a signal.