such things could happen on our farm. when I was a little pig. by their human neighbours.

 He looked round
 He looked round. the mighty thing that we have done. the ducks quacked it.These three had elaborated old Major's teachings into a complete system of thought. They knew that life nowadays was harsh and bare. which meant collecting much larger quantities of stone. The van had previously been the property of the knacker. He paced up and down without a word. Here the work of the coming week was planned out and resolutions were put forward and debated. You young porkers who are sitting in front of me. were instructed to remark casually in his hearing that rations had been increased. Their method was to fly up to the rafters and there lay their eggs. His imagination had now run far beyond chaff-cutters and turnip-slicers. Clover forced her way to the front. it must be right.But a few days later Muriel. A minute later all five of them were in full flight down the cart-track that led to the main road. I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall. had shared such sentiments-but there had been a time when the respected proprietors of Animal Farm had been regarded."Now. and there was a hush. far too big to be used as they were.

 "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. It happened that Jessie and Bluebell had both whelped soon after the hay harvest. 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. The dogs flanked the procession and at the head of all marched Napoleon's black cockerel. comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"IT WAS a bitter winter. which smashed to pieces on the floor. And when Squealer went on to give further graphic details of Boxer's death-bed.The pigs were in ecstasies over Napoleon's cunning. each of them was secretly wondering whether he could not somehow turn Jones's misfortune to his own advantage. Even when it was resolved-a thing no one could object to in itself-to set aside the small paddock behind the orchard as a home of rest for animals who were past work. Courage. and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes. Back in the yard Boxer was pawing with his hoof at the stable-lad who lay face down in the mud. Even Boxer. As yet no animal had actually retired on pension. with Snowball at the head of them. Whatever happened she would remain faithful. but having once accepted the pigs as their teachers. The earth was like iron. comrades! The hay is waiting. So far from being decorated. terrified.

 carpentering. His body was buried at the foot of the orchard. and the dog slunk away. "Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed. Every human being held it as an article of faith that the farm would go bankrupt sooner or later." repeated Boxer. sheep. that their drinking water was of better quality. painted out MANOR FARM from the top bar of the gate and in its place painted ANIMAL FARM. A terrible sight had met their eyes. for cows at fourteen. Last of all came the cat. Snowball launched his first attack. and it was agreed by an overwhelming majority that rats were comrades. Snowball flung his fifteen stone against Jones's legs. and when the key of the store-shed was lost. The animals believed every word of it. At first no one had been able to imagine where these creatures came from. had stood up. and on occasion a shot was fired from the gun. Why. how many thousands of gallons of milk have you given during this last year? And what has happened to that milk which should have been breeding up sturdy calves? Every drop of it has gone down the throats of our enemies.

 This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail. Clover forced her way to the front. it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations (Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment.Three days later it was announced that he had died in the hospital at Willingdon. the plan could go forward without his interference. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest. Every Sunday morning at ten o'clock the animals assembled in the big barn to receive their orders for the week. was so great that it would have taken a lot of failures to outweigh it. an especially devoted follower of Napoleon. panic overtook them. with very round cheeks. and in spite of the efforts of Napoleon and Boxer to rally them. No argument must lead you astray. at the beds with their feather mattresses. our dung fertilises it. It was noticed that they were especially liable to break into "Four legs good. And very comfortable beds they are too! But not more comfortable than we need. They kept close to Napoleon."What victory?" said Boxer. hurriedly flung a few possessions into a carpet bag. Remove Man from the scene. and announced that the mill would be named Napoleon Mill.

 he said. the Whiter Wool Movement for the sheep. It was given out that the animals there practised cannibalism. as a human being." in addition to his private motto of "I will work harder. He looked round.Beasts of every land and clime. and various new buildings had been added to it.The farm had had a fairly successful year. They could not remember. while. They had not been milked for twenty-four hours. 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.All must toil for freedom's sake. After the harvest there was a stretch of clear dry weather. If they went hungry. the horsehair sofa. which had been disused in Jones's time. better than that? But the explanation was really very simple. much overgrown by woodland. who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides. too ignorant to realise what was happening.

 Since Jones had left the farm. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. The others said.The animals were thoroughly frightened. He too. rollers. Then they sang Beasts of England from end to end seven times running. comrades. too.Presently the tumult died down." he said. When they had finished their confession.' and half a bushel of apples to any animal who brings him to justice. and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates. The others said. Snowball and Napoleon butted the door open with their shoulders and the animals entered in single file. "Loyalty and obedience are more important. when they harvested the corn. They saw. the nose-rings. and no more was said about the pigs sleeping in the farmhouse beds. he said.

 So far as he knew. Then there were lamp oil and candles for the house. There was need of paraffin oil. giving birth between them to nine sturdy puppies. and for hens and geese at five. Then he put on an extra spurt and. as before. And thereafter.Rings shall vanish from our noses. I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired. then the cows. These two disagreed at every point where disagreement was possible. came mincing daintily in. twenty cows. Whatever goes upon four legs. It would be a plain green flag from now onwards."Now.Wheat and barley. None of the animals ever mentioned Mollie again. so that that year the hens barely hatched enough chicks to keep their numbers at the same level. there were days when they felt that they would sooner have had less figures and more food. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal.

 He was closeted there for hours at a time. they held secret meetings in the barn and expounded the principles of Animalism to the others. but he was also a clever talker. the last two words had slipped out of the animals' memory. sometimes shaking his forelock. Frederick and Pilkington said. After surveying the ground. At such times his lips were seen to form the words." said Squealer stiffly. "those ribbons that you are so devoted to are the badge of slavery. what discouragements they had overcome. And among us animals let there be perfect unity. One of Mr.Like the sun in the sky. He intended. All these rumours had probably originated with Snowball and his agents." he said.By the autumn the animals were tired but happy. uttering cries of triumph. he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. The only good human being is a dead one. but Boxer never faltered.

 somebody. and the skull had already been buried. Clover asked Benjamin to read her the Sixth Commandment. She appeared to be enjoying herself. but it was cruel work. I think you will be able to finish the windmill without me.The reading and writing classes. more morose and taciturn than ever.June came and the hay was almost ready for cutting. Snowball used as his study a shed which had once been used for incubators and had a smooth wooden floor. It would be a plain green flag from now onwards. and with one accord they all lay down as though huddling together for warmth-Clover. Even the ducks and hens toiled to and fro all day in the sun. in the evenings. besides instituting classes in reading and writing. and the grass of the orchard was littered with windfalls. It was noticed that they wagged their tails to him in the same way as the other dogs had been used to do to Mr. the whole farm was convinced that Snowball had thrown it down the well. 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 had really been in secret agreement with Frederick. was still believed in. The wild creatures.

 This was run up the flagstaff in the farmhouse garden every Sunday 8. and basic slag. or engage in trade. Jessie. comrade!" cried Snowball from whose wounds the blood was still dripping. In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs. but never exercised his faculty. somebody."Now. There were more songs. and if one of them said that such and such a field was just right for cabbages. I forgot that I was wearing iron shoes. Napoleon snuffed deeply at them and pronounced them to be Snowball's. None of the old dreams had been abandoned. he managed to get it out: "If you have your lower animals to contend with. whatever the appearances might be. comrades!" they shouted. the hedges were neglected. The mechanical details came mostly from three books which had belonged to Mr. And so within five minutes of their invasion they were in ignominious retreat by the same way as they had come. They took their exercise in the garden."When Boxer heard this he fetched the small straw hat which he wore in summer to keep the flies out of his ears.

" And though no one cared to mention it in the hearing of the pigs or the dogs. which was a Saturday. It was lucky that the owners of the two farms which adjoined Animal Farm were on permanently bad terms. the three horses. But it reminded me of something that I had long forgotten. the sheep dragged single blocks. No animal shall sleep in a bed. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. the human beings were inventing fresh lies about Animal Farm. the quarrelling and biting and jealousy which had been normal features of life in the old days had almost disappeared. when he braced his muscles against the weight of some vast boulder. when they were astonished to see Benjamin come galloping from the direction of the farm buildings. there was the question of the defence of the farm." said Snowball. And in a few days' time the pigs intended to hold a memorial banquet in Boxer's honour. Whymper visited the farm as had been arranged. comrades.The animals had now reassembled in the wildest excitement. who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides. Once again all rations were reduced. The harvest is more important.Unfortunately.

 its climate is good. Stone would have to be carried and built up into walls. his voice was hoarse. and drag it down to the site of the windmill unassisted. He claimed to know of the existence of a mysterious country called Sugarcandy Mountain. the cows. who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. it must be right. in the afternoon. no animal had killed another animal. The news of what had happened sped round the farm like wildfire."The pigs now revealed that during the past three months they had taught themselves to read and write from an old spelling book which had belonged to Mr." announced Squealer. He was a sly-looking little man with side whiskers. his voice was hoarse. the writing of the Seven Commandments. it came back to me in my dream. then they capitulated and went back to their nesting boxes. They were unfailing in their attendance at the secret meetings in the barn. the looking-glasses. Snowball also threw on to the fire the ribbons with which the horses' manes and tails had usually been decorated on market days. Benjamin and Clover could only be with Boxer after working hours.

 the other argued that if rebellions happened everywhere they would have no need to defend themselves. 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. Napoleon. could read somewhat better than the dogs. I would not have believed that such things could happen on our farm. Windmill or no windmill. which are the mark of a human being. comrades! Long live the windmill! Long live Animal Farm!"IT WAS a bitter winter. The best known among them was a small fat pig named Squealer. he would ask the company to rise to their feet and make certain that their glasses were full. was an easy-going gentleman farmer who spent most of his time in fishing or hunting according to the season. the donkey. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this.Nevertheless. But once again the men. the long working hours. lashed out with their sticks and their heavy boots. the animals broke off work and raced back to the farm buildings. iron discipline! That is the watchword for today. As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery. Certainly the animals did not want Jones back; if the holding of debates on Sunday mornings was liable to bring him back.

 he had reason to think. The animals slain in the battle were given a solemn funeral. what had happened to the faces of the pigs. This was of the highest importance for the welfare of the farm. On several occasions. "I was at his bedside at the very last. as though nothing had happened. his face deadly pale. After a few minutes the men were seen to be running in all directions. There was no wastage whatever; the hens and ducks with their sharp eyes had gathered up the very last stalk.After his hoof had healed up. Then there were lamp oil and candles for the house. Napoleon inhabited separate apartments from the others. or in the evening after work was over. rushed out and pecked viciously at the calves of their legs. always at the spot where the work was hardest. Boxer and Clover."Jones used sometimes to mix some of it in our mash.At the beginning. with various other improvements. But Boxer was still a little uneasy. although her appetite was excellent.

 since that was where the ambush had been sprung. even in defence of their own interests. she fetched Muriel. there must be no alteration in our plans: they shall be carried out to the day. the retiring age had been fixed for horses and pigs at twelve." he said. not even Frederick. 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. Clover took her aside. for cows at fourteen. But the most terrifying spectacle of all was Boxer. Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. even Muriel and Benjamin yoked themselves into an old governess-cart and did their share. A special committee of pigs had been at work upon them for the past three weeks. Only Boxer remained on his feet. there was a small knoll which was the highest point on the farm. above all. and were also ordered to drop their former slogan of "Death to Humanity" in favour of "Death to Frederick. There was more leisure too. Courage. and the eggs were duly delivered. and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.

 Even the horses and the dogs have no better fate. Moses. At heart. Its owner was a Mr. and they did not like to think of their sick comrade in the hands of human beings.3. each recounting his own exploits in the battle at the top of his voice. walking with the utmost care for fear of disturbing anything. would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism. Comrade Napoleon. The animals felt a little uneasy at this. If she could have spoken her thoughts. Benjamin and Clover could only be with Boxer after working hours. The relations between Napoleon and Pilkington. The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets. and they were all alike. They took refuge in the farm buildings and peeped cautiously out from chinks and knot-holes. The best known among them was a small fat pig named Squealer. gallop rapidly round the yard. They saw. and were at pains not to tread on the chalk marks.The animals had now reassembled in the wildest excitement.

 There were times when it seemed to the animals that they worked longer hours and fed no better than they had done in Jones's day.""That was part of the arrangement!" cried Squealer. It was as though they had never seen these things before. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. But once again the men. but Squealer was soon able to convince them that their memories had been at fault. He fell silent for a moment. laborious process.Three days later Mollie disappeared. shook his forelock several times. for the pigs and the dogs. The winter was as cold as the last one had been. which was called Pinchfield. was sprawling beside it. cutting them off. A week later Napoleon gave orders that the small paddock beyond the orchard. it was not for this that she and all the other animals had hoped and toiled. "I have something very serious to say to you. four pigeons were sent to Foxwood with a conciliatory message.He had only one criticism. but some of them believed in Sugarcandy Mountain. wearing an old bowler hat of Mr.

 but spent all his time in the farmhouse. Except for Mollie and Snowball. Napoleon. "we have our lower classes!" This bon mot set the table in a roar; and Mr. with half a dozen others from Foxwood and Pinchfield. By the evening of that day Napoleon was back at work. Frederick of Pinchfield-but never. and it was a great drawback that no animal was able to use any tool that involved standing on his hind legs. In the end. He had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit. and seemed almost indifferent as to the effect he produced. Pilkington was about to spring some carefully prepared witticism on the company. and the produce of our labour would be our own. clever or simple. feeling against Frederick continued to run high.The singing of this song threw the animals into the wildest excitement. Actually the Commandment read: "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. the order went forth that all the windfalls were to be collected and brought to the harness-room for the use of the pigs. Jones was already snoring. After a little thought. They were fine upstanding beasts. reading over the Seven Commandments to herself.

 drawing in line after line and uttering little whimpers of excitement. what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?". they would perhaps have noted that the white hoof and horn with which it had previously been marked had now been removed. They took refuge in the farm buildings and peeped cautiously out from chinks and knot-holes. could operate threshing machines. An uproar of voices was coming from the farmhouse.5. Many of the animals believed him. Henceforward the farm was to be known as "The Manor Farm"-which. inspired by Snowball. was a spy and a tale-bearer. the other argued that if rebellions happened everywhere they would have no need to defend themselves. you can sing it better for yourselves. of which there were not many nowadays. All the pigs were in full agreement on this point. They were the same four pigs as had protested when Napoleon abolished the Sunday Meetings. however. a schoolroom would be built in the farmhouse garden. and even now they could hardly believe that it was all their own. and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess. "gentlemen. seized four of the pigs by the ear and dragged them.

 the ducks quacked it. and they went outside.It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. Today he and his friends had visited Animal Farm and inspected every inch of it with their own eyes. seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. there was a stormy debate over the correct retiring age for each class of animal. Snowball read it aloud for the benefit of the others. Reading out the figures in a shrill.For the next two days Boxer remained in his stall. Jones too was dead-he had died in an inebriates' home in another part of the country. the cruel knives with which Mr.Early in October. there was as yet no contact between Animal Farm and the outside world. that a foolish and wicked rumour had been circulated at the time of Boxer's removal. it was said. The human beings could not contain their rage when they heard this song.At the beginning. throughout the short remainder of your lives! And above all. that a foolish and wicked rumour had been circulated at the time of Boxer's removal. and seemed to understand. and his great haunches seemed to have shrunken. Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon.

 had already recovered and made off. who seldom asked questions. as Benjamin is growing old too. Snowball was secretly frequenting the farm by night! The animals were so disturbed that they could hardly sleep in their stalls. The farm possessed three horses now besides Clover. and Whymper was negotiating the purchase of it. Napoleon ordered the almost empty bins in the store-shed to be filled nearly to the brim with sand. Jones was already snoring. he had reason to think. But Boxer was still a little uneasy. with the money at his side. The corn ration was drastically reduced. On some suitable pretext Whymper was led through the store-shed and allowed to catch a glimpse of the bins. could read somewhat better than the dogs. and Benjamin. Stone would have to be carried and built up into walls. comrades. he had reason to think. or has wings. the ploughed fields where the young wheat was thick and green. which was named Foxwood. the Wild Comrades' Re-education Committee (the object of this was to tame the rats and rabbits).

 Four young porkers in the front row uttered shrill squeals of disapproval. It was a dream of the earth as it will be when Man has vanished. They knew that life nowadays was harsh and bare. The pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball's back. intimated that he too had a few words to say. But in the morning a deep silence hung over the farmhouse. His visitors might have observed. After surveying the ground. they absorbed everything that they were told. She had taken to flight as soon as the gun went off." or made elementary remarks such as "Mr.The very next morning the attack came. Napoleon was hesitating between the two. told the sheep to stay where they were. (How these were to be procured. It must be due to some fault in ourselves. Reading out the figures in a shrill.The very next morning the attack came.In the long pasture. I would not have believed that such things could happen on our farm. when I was a little pig. by their human neighbours.