abnormal and was liable to have an unsettling effect in the neighbourhood.

 except for the pigs and dogs
 except for the pigs and dogs. all the sheep burst out into a tremendous bleating of-"Four legs good. and. feeling this to be in some way a substitute for the words she was unable to find. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth. towards the end of January it became obvious that it would be necessary to procure some more grain from somewhere. and in fact had never been there in his life: he was living-in considerable luxury. The animals formed themselves into two factions under the slogan. either Foxwood or Pinchfield." This. Frequently it took a whole day of exhausting effort to drag a single boulder to the top of the quarry. were no longer talked about. they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with which the animals were managing their own affairs. A full bushel to anyone who captures him alive!"The animals were shocked beyond measure to learn that even Snowball could be guilty of such an action. He was rumoured to be hiding on one of the neighbouring farms. no other animal had ever left the farm. the short animal lives fled by. The pile of timber was still unsold. the plan could go forward without his interference.

 He said that the education of the young was more important than anything that could be done for those who were already grown up. rich. should have a quiet place to work in. This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail. Boxer!" they chorused. it was to find that the stable-lad. they knew every inch of the field. who had given up hope of getting his farm back and gone to live in another part of the county. It was a dream of the earth as it will be when Man has vanished. They added that Snowball had privately admitted to them that he had been Jones's secret agent for years past. The machinery had still to be installed. Bulls which had always been tractable suddenly turned savage. They took their exercise in the garden. Then he put on an extra spurt and. No animal shall wear clothes. These Seven Commandments would now be inscribed on the wall; they would form an unalterable law by which all the animals on Animal Farm must live for ever after. the spelling was correct all the way through. They had had a hard year. comrades.

 dog biscuits. They were lust coming down the stairs when Mollie was discovered to be missing.All through that summer the work of the farm went like clockwork. Squealer.One Sunday morning Squealer announced that the hens. growling dogs roamed everywhere. indeed."It's no longer needed. and Benjamin. three sheep. He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work and received less food than any animals in the county. Then he was up again. Until now the animals had been about equally divided in their sympathies. they were burnt in the furnace. the buildings wanted roofing. what with the songs. which had become overgrown with birch saplings. listening to him. In the autumn the four sows had all littered about simultaneously.

 and yet they allowed him to remain on the farm. drinking. at the beds with their feather mattresses."And he moved off at his lumbering trot and made for the quarry. hoping to draw attention to the red ribbons it was plaited with. and a murmur of dismay went round. every setback. By seeming to be friendly with Pilkington he had forced Frederick to raise his price by twelve pounds. comrades. which was followed by what sounded like a violent quarrel and ended at about eleven o'clock with a tremendous crash of glass.The farm had had a fairly successful year. frisking from side to side. that leadership is a pleasure! On the contrary. that they worked shorter hours. TWO LEGS BAD. they had no more to say. who seldom asked questions.The two horses had just lain down when a brood of ducklings. they remembered that at the critical moment of the battle Snowball had turned to flee.

 "here is a point that must be settled. Moses the raven. He did not give any reason for having changed his mind. comrades. The force of the explosion had flung them to distances of hundreds of yards. Animal Farm was proclaimed a Republic. Without halting for an instant. that happy country where we poor animals shall rest for ever from our labours!" He even claimed to have been there on one of his higher flights. and had been bought by the veterinary surgeon.He should have learned to beFaithful and true to thee. His imagination had now run far beyond chaff-cutters and turnip-slicers. shook his forelock several times. 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. This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail. neatly piled on a china dish from the farmhouse kitchen. and they were all alike. All animals are equal. should have a quiet place to work in. the ducks quacked it.

 Wistful glances were sent in the direction of Foxwood. Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler. No animal shall sleep in a bed. By seeming to be friendly with Pilkington he had forced Frederick to raise his price by twelve pounds. two legs bad!" and keep it up for hours on end. It is all lies. The animals rushed to the top of it and gazed round them in the clear morning light. "If Comrade Napoleon says it. Boxer's face did not reappear at the window. raised his gun and fired. The one argued that if they could not defend themselves they were bound to be conquered. trying to turn him over. The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier. His two slogans. I will tell you about my dream of last night. Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death. But as the animals outside gazed at the scene. squealing with pain and terror. surely.

 comrade. all the animals crowded through the door to watch the chase. Second Class. Napoleon was so gratified that he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against Mr. The truest happiness. never growing tired of it. Whymper to spread a contrary impression. Jessie. to be worn on Sundays and holidays. With one accord. Yes. inexperienced though the animals were. round the long table. and an electric heater. However. and yet there is not one of us that owns more than his bare skin. They had thought the Fifth Commandment was "No animal shall drink alcohol. and led them out to a piece of waste ground at the other end of the farm. who were the brains of the farm.

 F. flap his black wings. the looking-glasses. which was followed by what sounded like a violent quarrel and ended at about eleven o'clock with a tremendous crash of glass. then. the tame raven. According to Napoleon. No animal must ever kill any other animal. too ignorant to realise what was happening. In return for your four confinements and all your labour in the fields. His body was buried at the foot of the orchard. Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed. wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero. Jones too was dead-he had died in an inebriates' home in another part of the country. 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. Frederick and Pilkington said. And sure enough. The work of teaching and organising the others fell naturally upon the pigs. how many eggs have you laid in this last year.

 On some suitable pretext Whymper was led through the store-shed and allowed to catch a glimpse of the bins. but he was still a majestic-looking pig. our dung fertilises it. unable to make up his mind. until today. was in the hands of the enemy. except by the few who had known him. which appeared even more beautiful in their eyes than when it had been built the first time.Soon or late the day is coming. was in charge of the defensive operations.It was very neatly written. the writing of the Seven Commandments. for the harvest was an even bigger success than they had hoped. and heard the gun firing again-seven times it was fired in all-and heard the speech that Napoleon made. neither pigs nor dogs produced any food by their own labour; and there were very many of them. They put it about that the animals on the Manor Farm (they insisted on calling it the Manor Farm; they would not tolerate the name "Animal Farm") were perpetually fighting among themselves and were also rapidly starving to death. Squealer was sent to make the necessary explanations to the others. Every night. Boxer and Clover pulled the wagon which served as a hearse.

 At about half past nine Napoleon. in fact. They could not understand. bruised and howling."What is going to happen to all that milk?" said someone. in winter. walking slowly and dejectedly. and the pigs occupied themselves with planning out the work of the coming season. Boxer professed not to be sorry for what had happened. Then the sheep broke out into a tremendous bleating of "Four legs good. one or two were even a trifle unsteady and looked as though they would have liked the support of a stick. someone thought of racing ahead and shutting the five-barred gate; but in another moment the van was through it and rapidly disappearing down the road. Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. a few selected animals.The singing of this song threw the animals into the wildest excitement. string. Led by three young Black Minorca pullets. and the grass of the orchard was littered with windfalls. as before.

"So the animals trooped down to the hayfield to begin the harvest. the Order of the Green Banner. As for the dogs. no animal must ever tyrannise over his own kind."Now. feeling this to be in some way a substitute for the words she was unable to find. we must not come to resemble him. what with the songs.2. Liberal old-age pensions had been agreed upon. "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. They dashed straight for Snowball. now that it was truly their own food. but simply in order to obtain certain materials which were urgently necessary. Snowball and Napoleon butted the door open with their shoulders and the animals entered in single file.Three days later Mollie disappeared. Never to have any dealings with human beings.He should have learned to beFaithful and true to thee. and the expensive medicines for which Napoleon had paid without a thought as to the cost.

 A number of them were already wounded. They all remembered. I forgot that I was wearing iron shoes. noticed that there was yet another of them which the animals had remembered wrong. he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. I shall follow in a few minutes. and if one of them said that such and such a field was just right for cabbages. The wounds on Snowball's back. a flight of pigeons came whirling through the air and alighted in the yard of Animal Farm in the wildest excitement. work night and day. The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white. An impromptu celebration of the victory was held immediately. This. The birds jumped on to their perches. The animals slain in the battle were given a solemn funeral. the unalterable law of life. Nevertheless. that they worked shorter hours." but there were two words that they had forgotten.

 As soon as they were well inside the yard. Benjamin nodded his long muzzle. and Benjamin. wearing an old bowler hat of Mr. and they rushed after them in disorder. and again Squealer was able to convince them that this was not the case.THREE nights later old Major died peacefully in his sleep. It was also found that the stupider animals. where they were toppled over the edge. was sprawling beside it. came in together. drawn by two horses. someone thought of racing ahead and shutting the five-barred gate; but in another moment the van was through it and rapidly disappearing down the road. scrap-iron. who had been sent out on the day before. but the windmill compensated for everything. where the Seven Commandments were written. and fresh precautions for Napoleon's safety were taken. the three horses.

 while Benjamin kept the flies off him. It has all been proved by documents which he left behind him and which we have only just discovered. several men dropped their sticks and tried to run. Boxer. An impromptu celebration of the victory was held immediately. even for an instant. When the cheering had died down. When they got up again. This morning I saw you looking over the hedge that divides Animal Farm from Foxwood. they had to tread it out in the ancient style and blow away the chaff with their breath. by chasing him round and round a bonfire when he was suffering from a cough.And the fruitful fields of EnglandShall be trod by beasts alone. His men were idle and dishonest." which went on for several minutes and put an end to the discussion. but Snowball whisked it free just in time. comrades. At any rate. For a long i. she tugged gently at his mane and led him round to the end of the big barn.

 and passed it on to the other animals by simple arguments. he whispered in my ear that his sole sorrow was to have passed on before the windmill was finished. He did not care what happened so long as a good store of stone was accumulated before he went on pension. and to finish it by the appointed date. The birds jumped on to their perches. and in August Napoleon announced that there would be work on Sunday afternoons as well. "Even when I was young I could not have read what was written there. Squealer said. And then. they secretly trembled. Boxer passed it off as usual with "Napoleon is always right!". Rumours of a wonderful farm. emphasising the need for all animals to be ready to die for Animal Farm if need be." but there were two words that they had forgotten. Courage. though no one would have dared to sing it aloud. 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. two legs better! Four legs good. and.

 And about half an hour later. it was Squealer. He had demanded payment in real five-pound notes. at least they did not have less. Rumours of a wonderful farm. cows. whom Mr. tortured one another with red-hot horseshoes. above all.A FEW days later. Later there would also be need for seeds and artificial manures. and the skull had already been buried. in profile. it was a fact that every animal on the farm knew it. When time passed and the animals had evidently not starved to death. not even the youngest. to utilise the force of gravity. hurriedly flung a few possessions into a carpet bag. on all fours.

 who sprang out of bed. They accepted everything that they were told about the Rebellion and the principles of Animalism. Napoleon himself was not seen in public as often as once in a fortnight. panic overtook them. "I will work harder" and "Comrade Napoleon is always right"-maxims. with an allowance of a gill of beer a day.A FEW days later. All were agreed that no animal must ever live there. the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters. "Tactics. Boxer!" they chorused. sharp suspicious glances. had all been prepared. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself. who had been sent out on the day before. The solution. even in defence of their own interests.But a few days later Muriel. three of them flung themselves upon Boxer.

 to the number of thirty-five. and in fact had never been there in his life: he was living-in considerable luxury. though she lacked the words to express them.In spite of the shock that Snowball's expulsion had given them. and pinned him to the ground. His eyes were glazed. in those days they had been slaves and now they were free. The one argued that if they could not defend themselves they were bound to be conquered. Boxer. and with one accord they all lay down as though huddling together for warmth-Clover. Snowball declared that this was just the place for a windmill."It's no longer needed. But I believe that at the Battle of the Cowshed he was a good comrade. Sometimes the long hours on insufficient food were hard to bear. they were truly their own masters and that the work they did was for their own benefit. Frederick and his men might make their long-expected attack at any moment. he said. About this time. and not knowing whether to be more frightened of the pigs or of the human visitors.

 so the pigeons said. came mincing daintily in.The reading and writing classes. he said. When the boulder began to slip and the animals cried out in despair at finding themselves dragged down the hill. They were the same four pigs as had protested when Napoleon abolished the Sunday Meetings. and later on. I can tell you. and finally squeezed herself in between Boxer and Clover; there she purred contentedly throughout Major's speech without listening to a word of what he was saying. They had not been milked for twenty-four hours. Benjamin. He intended.Napoleon stood sternly surveying his audience; then he uttered a high-pitched whimper. comrades. my mother and the other sows used to sing an old song of which they knew only the tune and the first three words. The title-deeds. The Republic of the Animals which Major had foretold. told the sheep to stay where they were. It had been felt that the existence of a farm owned and operated by pigs was somehow abnormal and was liable to have an unsettling effect in the neighbourhood.