E-Day

Since my last post much has happened in my life. Ben & Son's has remained my place of residence. Farmer Ben provides food and board for a small fee of some of my file-keeping abilities. In the meantime, I've found plenty of time to plan.

That's right, I've been planning.

After seeing Napoleon's evil campaign for the first time, I've returned for several visits. I've seen Napoleon break just about every rule he himself helped instate. He is power-hungry and blinded by it.
I've turned many of the pigeons so that they now help me by keeping me informed. I just received news the other day that Boxer had slipped while attempting to finish Napoleon's now-infamous windmill. Just the next day the same pigeon returned to tell me that a cart had picked up Boxer that had the word "glue" on the side. This sent me into a depression for several days. As blinded as Boxer was by Napoleon's leadership, he was a good horse, and always was a good friend for me. Molly and I wept together when I told her.

The timber-sale-fiasco greatly interests me as it shows that Animal Farm is low on resources. This fact alone brought back an idea I had had for some time. What would it look like if an escape mission were hatched? What if I led a group of animals to infiltrate Animal Farm and break those out that are innocent from the tyranny they are now under?
If I could only save Clover, or even Benjamin, it would be worth it.

I've entitled this mission Escape Day or "E-Day" for short. Already I have 15 pigeons, Molly, and several cows that Farmer Ben said could help under my leadership. Although a motley crew, the strength of the mission will be in the planning, not the force. Napoleon's strong point has never been his head, it's always been his muscle.

Something I've been struggling with is this: how do I justify my actions? Wasn't I in cahoots with Napoleon just months ago? Didn't I help found the very same institution I am now attempting to make crumble?

I'm not sure the answers to all of these questions. I do know this: I believe in Animalism, and in the words of Major. I believe that all animals are created equal, and I hold that truth to be evident in and of itself. I know that what Napoleon is doing is wrong, and I know that I am one of the few who possesses the ability and knowledge to thwart him. And I believe that because of those things, it's my responsibility to try to free those animals that remain innocent, even if only out of ignorance.

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 Dreary Days

Each day is harder then the last. I fear I will become victim to starvation, for I cannot even find so much as a good meal on my own. Perhaps if I had been one of the animals actually DOING the work rather then sitting back being the boss, I could know something about this land and grow some food. As it is, I eat what grass I can stomach. My meager sleeping quarters under the tree has proved less-then-suitable for the simple reason that every morning I wake more sore then the last.

I haven't seen so much as a pigeon for three full days, and I have grown lonely. I long even for one of the long-winded debates that Napoleon and I used to have.
Just writing that name makes me sick to my stomach. Napoleon.

What a monster. Replaying events in my head, I have no doubt that that pig is filled with deceit to the very top. Now, not only does he posses that deceit, but he is able to force others to believe it with an iron fist. How I wish I could save the others from their inevitable fate. None except Squealer and Minimus posses the kind of thought process that could stand up to Napoleon. I fear, however, that as neither of those two have come looking for me by now that they are in league with Napoleon.

So, I have no one. I have nothing.

Snowball