Conclusion

It has been nearly two years since that last journal entry. I read Animal Farm when it was published, and it alone inspired me to get my version of the story completed.
What was it Major said? Oh yes:

"And above all, pass on this message of mine to those who come after you, so that future generations shall carry on the struggle until it is victorious."

The first attempt of Animalism, so many years ago, ended in death, corruption, and an insatiably power-hungry tyrant. But I don't believe the cause is moot because of this one pig (or human, as the case could be made.)

My name is Snowball. I am an Animal Hero, First Class, defender of Animal Farm, and victor at The Battle of the Cowshed. I follow the ways of Animalism, as taught by Major. Let the stories in this blog be both a warning and a lesson to you. Do not let power corrupt who you are, and do not let those things which caused Napoleon to fall, cause you to stumble. I am here to encourage you, and to inspire you. And I think the best way I can do that is through a song a dear old friend sang for me once. It goes like this:



Comrade, thank you for reading my account of Animal Farm. May you follow the ways of Major always, and live under The Seven Commandments. Above all, may you find the will to continue the cause of Animalism all across the globe.

Signing off, for the last time,

Snowball

Napoleon's Deceit

Today I decided to do a reconnaissance mission. My goal? To find out the advancement of Animal Farm. What has gone on since my departure?

And boy did I accomplish my goal.

I left Ben & Son's at 7am after an early breakfast. I would have to move quickly: 10 miles is no small distance. I arrived at the border of Animal Farm by 10am after a few brief stops to relieve myself, and I began the process of methodically examining the farm in its entirety.
What I saw astonished me.

First of all, the windmill was being built. That didn't surprise me, as it suited Napoleon perfectly. I did make note that the walls were twice as thick as in my original plan.

As I drew near the farm house, I saw something that didn't make sense. A carriage was parked out front that didn't belong there. A human? I crept up to the farm house and peered through one of the windows. There, on the inside, was Napoleon (slightly fatter then I remember) talking with a human, clearly negotiating something. After rummaging through the carriage a bit, I found the man's name to be Arnold Whymper. This thought I again stashed away. Moving on, I made my way past the garbage heap. As I passed one of my old stomping grounds, the most repulsive of smells met my nose.
The smell was so disgusting that I had no choice but to investigate. I didn't have to get very close to the heap before I saw the cause of the putrid smell. There, in plain sight, lay several dead animals. Obviously mauled by the dogs, I saw a goose, a hen, and a sheep at least before I turned away.

Napoleon is getting seriously out of hand.

I got as close to where the Animal's were working without being seen and I simply eavesdropped, taking mental notes. After about 20 minutes of this, I began making my way back to Ben & Son's.

And now, as I am processing all that I have seen today, Napoleon's goals are clear to me. He intends a complete take-over of the farm- in word as well as in deed. Right now he still needs the other animals to believe him. For that, he has Squealer. It hurt me to overhear Squealer today; it has clearly become custom to blame me for things which have gone wrong on the farm- as if I'm some kind of phantom. On top of that it would seem as though Napoleon has began the process of slowly changing The Seven Commandments. He has become a master of the slow fade, and it pains me to see him leading my comrades astray. This is not what Major intended or would want! Napoleon no longer has any intention of following Animalism; rather, he wants power for himself and will do anything to get that power.

What can I do?

Snowball

The Seperation

What a turn of events. After such an honorable event and title, this? I am in complete and total shock.

Ever since Animal Farm was started, I knew certain needs would need to be met. If we were to be better off then the Jones', and follow The Seven Commandments as they were intended, we needed to take a new approach. The Battle of the Cowshed gave me a renewed vigor to put a plan together that would bring luxury and comfort that we animals had never experienced under the tyranny of humans. Of course Napoleon immediately disagreed with me. I pulled him aside countless times to work out our differences! "If not for the comrades, then at least for the well-being of us pigs!" I would say. Napoleon would always retort with "I have a better way." but he would never share what that was! How was anything to be done if all he did was keep his mouth shut?
So, I went on with my plans. Electricity, I decided, was the natural next step towards total comfort. I admit, I was a little wild with the promises I made. Electricity in every stall for every animal may not have ever have been feasible (call me Squealer if you must) but nonetheless it was clear that electricity of any kind would be a step in the right direction. I did much studying on methods of producing electricity using the rudimentary tools the wicked humans had left us.
Because Animal Farm had no moving body of water available, a windmill seemed like the only other option. Although the specifics looked rather difficult, the physical layout of the windmill seemed easy enough. The specifics could always be deciphered later. Nothing would get done without a building to do it in, after all.
So, I began reading and studying architecture books. How large would the windmill need to be? What dimensions? I decided to use the former incubator shed as my study. The floor proved perfect for chalk-drawing. Here I wrote my plans for the windmill.
My idea sold easily enough to the animals. Napoleon, however, remained a problem. He would always listen to my words with a kind of rebellious disinterest. Undoubtedly, if I got the other comrades on my side Napoleon would have to change his attitude!

The first sign that showed me Napoleon had no intention of doing this, regardless of the others, came with a totally disrespectful act of the worst kind. One day, while I was working, Napoleon walked in (I left my study door open in case other comrades wanted to peak in and see how the project was advancing) and carefully began looking the plans over. I continued my work, keeping him just in my peripheral vision. He paused once or twice to sniff the plans, then he stood there as if contemplating their significance. By now I knew that he was amazed at how much thought I had actually put into this project. Just when I expected him to congratulate me, however, he did the most horrendous thing. Napoleon lifted his leg, eyed me, then urinated all over my plans! After he finished his business, he simply walked out without a word.
My draw just about dropped. The nerve! This nearly pushed me over the edge.

The real trouble, however, came a few weeks later.
My plans for the windmill were completed, and I was ready to present the finished project details to all of the comrades at the Meeting. Although the farm had been heavily divided on this subject of the windmill, I knew that any argument between Napoleon and I would be in my favor due to my superior rhetoric skills.

So, the Meeting began, and I presented my finished windmill project ideas. Although I was interrupted by an occasional "Four legs good! Two legs bad!" (a saying that all the sheep had picked up as their motto) my presentation went rather well. Next, Napoleon stood up to voice his opposition. To my astonishment, his argument was void of any reasoning or logic. He merely advised the others that it was a foolish idea and that they should not vote on it. I was slightly confused, as I knew this was not a normal action for Napoleon. His lack of courage, however, gave me a momentary inspiration. Using this inspiration as a catalyst, I stood up and began a speech of the most passionate kind.
I spoke of Animal Farm, not how it was, but how it could be. My speech closely resembled that of the Major, and I knew, just from looking into the eyes of my comrades, that the windmill would be well on its way soon enough. I spoke of how electricity would impact the lives of every comrade present in such a way that they could be comfortable and truly be free. My eloquence carried the day, and I knew that the vote would be in my favor.

And then, everything changed.

As I took my seat to wait for the vote to be called, I saw Napoleon stand up. He gave me an odd glance from the corner of his eyes, then let out the most terrible whimpering sound I have ever heard. All of a sudden the ground shook, and a loud baying noise could be heard coming from outside. Then, all of a sudden, nine huge dogs burst into the Meeting room growling and barking! They wore brass-studded collars and I immediately could tell they had been bred for one purpose: to be vicious.
As soon as they entered and saw me, they lunged straight towards me. Luckily my superior reflexes paid off, and I was scampering on all fours straight into the open air. I bolted for the long pasture, and finally could see the road up ahead. Then, all of a sudden, a rock appeared that I hadn't seen before, and I tripped! Not the time for clumsiness! I peered behind me almost a second too late for I was met by the sight of a huge dog's mouth! Up again, I pushed as much speed as I could out of my legs. I could feel the hot breath of the dogs behind me, and I could smell their dripping saliva as they grew hungry for a nice bacon dinner. Not today! One dog made a lunge for my tail, but I pushed every ounce of speed I had, and finally could see my salvation ahead. With only a few inches to spare, I was through a hole in the hedge.

How did this happen? Wasn't I just awarded Animal Hero, First Class? And now, betrayal? Surely my other comrades won't stand for this! Surely at least Squealer will come for me, if not Minimus!
I now see that Napoleon had been planning this power shift for some time. Forcing me, ever so slightly, into the outside so that when the time was right he could lock the door.

So, here I lay, lost somewhere outside of Manor Farm between it and Foxwood. I've found a dry spot on the ground underneath some trees, and I plan to sleep here for a couple nights while I pull my thoughts together.

I fear Animal Farm is in for its darkest days.

Snowball

Animal Farm!

The teaching is going rather well! Since Major's speech, and passing soon thereafter, much has been accomplished. The pigs, Napoleon and I to be specific, have taken the brunt of Animalism on our shoulders. At times it's rather hard for Napoleon and I to agree on what is true to Animalism. He seems to think the important thing is to grow into a strong farm that can take over the surrounding farms, and in turn all of England, then finally the world. He is a forward thinker- but I can't help but wonder if this brute force philosophy will only get us into more trouble.

On a lighter note, we finally decided upon a name for the new farm! Animal Farm! Clever, eh? Also- after using nearly all three months to argue and debate, all of us pigs have decided upon the Seven Commandments of Animal Farm! Here they are, just as they are written on the wall of the barn:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a freind.
3. No animal shall wear clotheƨ.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

After showing them to the other Comrades, we decided memorization should be attempted. Unfortunately, only a few of the others can actually comprehend all of the Commandments, much less memorize them. We'll have to start with the alphabet for some of the animals, so it will take much time.
I'm finding Napoleon has a short temper for such matters. He'd rather we were all pigs it seems. I think we need to put together committees that will actually get things accomplished- that's really what will work.

Well, I better go. Molly is conversing with Moses again. Both of them make me concerned. Molly is constantly asking about humans. She doesn't seem to understand that the hardest freedom is better then the best enslavement.
Moses is simply unreasonable altogether! Talks of Sugarcandy Mountain pour off of his lips! It's as if freedom isn't enough- he must invent some fake reality to bring about treason with the others! He would be better off leaving Animal Farm altogether.

Bye for now!
Snowball