Orwell - Animal Farm - Chapter 9
Gondrano was long in healing. They had begun to rebuild the mill the day after the closing celebrations of the victory. Gondrano refused to even take a day off and made a point of honor not to see her suffering. In the evening, Berta said in confidence to the base that gave him much trouble. Berta took care of the wound with a poultice of herbs that it was preparing chewing, and both she and Benjamin urged the Gondrano to work less. "A horse's lungs do not last forever," he said Berta. But Gondrano not listen to her. He still had one ambition, he said, see the windmill well under way before reaching the age limit.
From the beginning, when the laws of Animal Farm had been made, the age limit for horses and pigs were fixed at twelve, fourteen cows, nine dogs, seven sheep and five chickens and geese. They had also been approved large pensions for old age.
No animal was until then retired, but recently the topic was still very much debated. Now that the small field beyond the orchard had been made with barley, it was said that a corner of the large pasture was enclosed by a fence and the animals' elderly. For a horse, it was said, the pension would be five pounds of grain per day, and, in winter, fifteen pounds of hay with a carrot or possibly an apple on public holidays. The twelve years of Gondrano fell in late summer the following year.
Meanwhile life was hard. The winter was hard as it had been the previous one, and the food was even scarcer. Once again all rations were reduced, except those of pigs and dogs. A too rigid equality in rations, Clarinet explained, would not be the principles of the animal. In any case, he had no difficulty in proving to other animals that, despite appearances, actually they were not suffering from food shortages. For the time being, of course, had found it necessary to come to a new rationing (Clarinet always spoke of "rationing", never "reduction"), but compared to the time Jones was vastly better. Reading the numbers in a voice quick and sharp, minutely show them that they had more oats, more hay, more turnips than it did when Jones, who worked fewer hours, better quality drinking water, living longer, that there was a rather lower infant mortality, which had more straw for their bed and suffered less for fleas. The animals believed every word. Indeed, Jones and all that concerned him was almost entirely disappeared from memory. They knew that their present life was miserable and bitter, which often were hungry and cold and not sleeping when they were always at work. But, without doubt, must have been worse in the old days. They were happy to believe so. Also, you were slaves and were now free, and here was all the difference, as Clarinet never failed to detect.
Now there were many more mouths to feed. In the autumn the four sows had given birth at the same time, giving birth, among all, thirty-one piglets. The pigs were piebald, and Napoleon was poié the single boar on the farm, it was easy to see fatherhood. It was announced that later, when bricks and timber were purchased, would have built a school in the garden of the farmhouse. Meanwhile, the piglets received their education by Napoleon himself in the kitchen of the house. They practiced in the garden, and were discouraged from playing with other young animals. At about this time was also sets the rule that when a pig and any other animal met on the way, the other animal must stand aside: and also that all pigs at any level should have the privilege of bringing a Sunday green ribbon on the tail. The farm had a vintage fair, but there was always a shortage of money. We had buy bricks, sand and lime for the school and would have to make other savings for the purchase of machinery for the mill. Then it was necessary to lamp oil and candles for the house, sugar for Napoleon's private canteen (forbade the other animals and sugar would make them gain weight), in addition to the usual supplies of tools, nails, rope, coal, iron wire, scrap metal and biscuits for dogs. A sheaf of hay and part of the potato crop were sold and the contract for eggs was increased to six hundred a week, so that in that year the hens they laid eggs in numbers just sufficient to maintain the level. Rations, reduced in December, were further reduced in February and were prohibited lanterns in the stalls to save oil. But the pigs seemed quite well and in fact passarsela fatter. One day, at the end of February, a warm scent, delicious, appetizing, which the animals had never before heard, around the courtyard of the brewery from the time that Jones had fallen into disuse and was located behind the kitchen. Someone said it was the smell of cooked barley. The animals sniffed the air with hungry expression, and wondered if the hot mixture was preparing for their dinner. But there appeared no hot mixture and the following Sunday it was announced that the barley would be reserved only for pigs. The field beyond the orchard had already been sown with barley. And soon the news that any pig nosing now receives a daily pint of beer and half a gallon instead of Napoleon that was served in the Crown Derby soup tureen.
But the hardships that we had to endure were partly offset by the fact that life now had a rather more dignity than before. There were more songs, more speeches, more parades. Napoleon had commanded that once a week was held a so-called "spontaneous demonstration" whose purpose was to celebrate the struggles and triumphs of Animal Farm. At the appointed hour, the animals had to leave work and take a ride marched in military formation around the farm, the pigs were in the lead followed by the horses, then cows, then sheep and poultry last. The dogs flanked the deployment and at the head of all marched Napoleon's black cock. Gondrano Berta and held up a green flag with the hoof, horn and the caption "Long live Comrade Napoleon." Followed declamation of poetry, composed in honor of Napoleon's speeches and Clarinet, which gave details on recent increases in food production, and in certain circumstances was fired a rifle shot. The sheep were the most enthusiastic participants in the spontaneous demonstration, and if anyone complained (as some animals did when there were close to or pigs or dogs) to lose their time and to be exposed to cold at all, it was certain that the sheep the silences with their tremendous bleating "Four legs good, two legs bad. " But by and large the animals enjoyed these celebrations. Were comforting that they be recalled that, after all, were really their own masters and that the work they did was for their own benefit. So, with songs, marches, the figures for Clarinet, the roar of the gun, the shrill notes of the cock, the waving of the flag ended up forgetting, at least for some time that their stomach was empty.
In April, Animal Farm was proclaimed a republic and it was necessary to elect a president. There was only one candidate, Napoleon, who was elected unanimously. On the same day it was learned that other documents had been discovered that reveal new details about Snowball's complicity with Jones. Now appeared that Snowball had not only tried to lose the Battle of the tricks of the Closed Cows, like the animals had hitherto believed, but openly that he had fought alongside Jones. It was in fact that he had actually led the human forces and charged into battle shouting "Long live Humanity!"; Wounds on the back of Snowball, who only a few animals you have seen, had been inflicted by the teeth Napoleon.
A Midsummer Moses the raven suddenly reappeared on the farm after an absence of several years. It was not changed, still did not work and with the same enthusiasm as he spoke, as always, Mount Zuccherocandito. Perching on a tree stump, beating its wings and talked for hours to anyone who would listen. "Up there, comrades," he said solemnly, pointing to the sky his big mouth 'up there, just beyond the dark cloud that you see, there is the Monte Zuccherocandito, that happy country where the poor animals of their labors rest forever! "He claimed there was also one of its top flight and have seen the everlasting fields of clover and the linseed cake and lump sugar growing on the hedges. Many animals were providing the faith. Their lives now, he argued, was hunger and fatigue was not fair and unreasonable that a better world should exist somewhere else? A difficult thing to define was the attitude of the pigs towards Moses. They declared contemptuously that his stories about Monte Zuccherocandito were all lies, also allowed him to stay on the farm, not to work, and gave him a glass of beer a day. When the base was healed, Gondrano began to work harder than ever. Really struggled that year the animals as slaves. Besides the regular course of the farm and the reconstruction of the mill, there was a school for piglets that was begun in March. Sometimes, with insufficient food, long hours were hard to bear. Gondrano but never hesitated. In nothing I did or said there was no sign that his strength was not what was always was. Just his appearance had changed a little: his coat was not quite so bright and his hips seemed to have big contracts. The other said, "Gondrano will recover in the spring when the grass shall grow" but it was spring and Gondrano not fattening at all. Sometimes on the slope leading to the top of the quarry, when the muscles tended to the weight of a large boulder, it seemed that nothing kept him in the foot if not the will to go forward. Then he saw her lips form the words: "I will work more 'no's voice was left. Once again, Berta and Benjamin urged him to take care of his health, but Gondrano not listen to her. His twelfth birthday was approaching. He did not care of whatever happened, even a good supply of stone was accumulated at the mill. In a late summer evening a sudden voice that something had happened to Gondrano ran the farm. He had gone alone to drag a load of stones to the mill. Unfortunately, the voice was real. Moments later two pigeons came in rapid flight, with the news: "Gondrano has fallen! E 'lying on his side and he can not get up. " Half
farm ran the altitude where the mill once stood. There Gondrano lay between the shafts of the cart, his neck stretched out, unable even to lift his head. The eye was glassy and sides covered with sweat. A thin trickle of blood dripped from his mouth. Berta knelt beside him.
"Gondrano cried," how are you? "
" They are the lungs, "said Gondrano weakly.
"Never mind. I think you can finish the windmill without me. There is a good supply of stones in the reserve. In any case, I was only a month before me. Actually, I waited with great desire the time of my retirement. And perhaps, even poié Benjamin is getting old, allow him to retire with me and keep me company. "
" We must seek help immediately, "said Berta" What you hear someone run Clarinet to what has happened. "
All other animals immediately ran to the house to give the Clarinet news. Berta only remained, and Benjamin, that he lay down beside Gondrano and, without speaking, the flies away with the long tail. After about fifteen minutes Clarinet appeared, full of sympathy and solicitude. He said that Comrade Napoleon had learned with deep sorrow the tragedy befallen one of the most loyal workers on the farm and that he was already combining to send Gondrano care in hospital in Willingdon. In this story a sense of unease invaded animals. Unless Mollie and Snowball, no animal had ever left the farm and the thought of their sick comrade in the hands of humans disturbs them. But Clarinet soon convinced them that the veterinary surgeon in Willingdon could treat very Gondrano better than was possible at the farm. And half an hour later, when he was a little taken over Gondrano was made to stand up and accompanied to the barn where Bertha and Benjamin had prepared a good bed of straw. During the next two days Gondrano remained in the stable. The pigs had sent a large bottle of pink medicine which they had found a pharmacy in the cabinet of the bathroom, Berta and administered it to him twice a day, after meals. Laser lay next to him and spoke to him, while Benjamin kept the flies away. Gondrano said not to be sorry for what had happened. If you heal well could hope to live another three years and already looking forward to quiet days she would spend in the corner of large pasture. It would be the first time that he had time to study and improve his mind. It was his intention, he said, to devote the rest of his life to learning the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet. However
Benjamin and Bertha could stay with him until after working hours, and was in the middle of the day that the van came to take him away. The animals were all at work, intent on weeding turnips under the supervision of pigs, with amazement when they saw Benjamin come galloping from the direction of the buildings was as loud braying. It was the first time I saw Benjamin excited the first time I saw him gallop. "Hurry, hurry," cried. "Come now! Gondrano are stealing! " Without waiting for orders from the pig, the animals broke off work and rushed into the buildings. In the courtyard stood a large closed van, drawn by two horses in a van with inscriptions on the sides and a smart-looking man, wearing a peaked cap, seated on the box. And the place of Gondrano the barn was empty.
The animals crowded round the van. "Goodbye, Gondrano! Cried in chorus. "Farewell,"
"Crazy, crazy," shouted Benjamin jumping around and beating the ground with their hooves. "Fools! Do not you see what is written on the sides of the van? "The animals have stayed and there was a murmur. Muriel began to spell the words, but Benjamin pushed it aside and read from a dead silence, "" Alfred Simmons, Butcher Equine and manufacture of glues, Willingdon. Retailer of leather and bone. kennels supplies. Understand what this means? Gondrano lead to the slaughter. "
A cry of horror came from the chest of all animals. At that moment the man on the box whipped up his horses and the van left the yard in good trot. All animals followed a loud voice. Berta forced the pace to move forward. The truck gained speed. Bertha tried to move his heavy limbs at a gallop. "Gondrano" cried. "Gondrano! Gondrano! Gondrano, "and at that very moment, as if he felt the noise outside, the nose of Gondrano, with the white stripe that ran down his nose, appeared at the window on the back of the van.
"Gondrano" shouted Berta terrible voice. "Gondrano, come down! Come down soon! They take you to death! "All animals picked up the cry:" Come down, Gondrano, come down. " But the van was going faster and faster, taking him away with is. Gondrano was not sure he understood what he had said Berta. But shortly after his face disappeared from the window and the noise of a tremendous clatter was heard inside the van. He tried to kick a way out. There was a time when few strokes of the socket Gondrano have smashed the van. But, alas, strength had deserted him and in seconds the shots became more weak shall cease altogether. Desperate, the animals turned their appeals to the two horses that pulled the van, begging them to stop. "Comrades, comrades," they shouted. "It does not lead to death your brother!" But the stupid brutes, too ignorant to realize what was happening, did nothing but shake his ears and pick up the pace. Too late was the thought of someone running back and close the great gate, and a moment later the truck crossed the road and quickly disappeared. Gondrano was not seen again. Three days later it was announced that he had died in the hospital in Willingdon, in spite of all care that can provide a horse. Clarinet was that came to share the news to others. He said this was the last hours of Gondrano.
"It was the most moving thing I've ever seen," said Clarinet, lifting his paw and wiping away a tear. "Until the last moment I was beside his bed, the last, almost too weak to speak, he whispered in my ear that his only regret was to die before the mill was completed. "Forward, comrades!" she whispered. "Next in the name of the Revolution! Long live Animal Farm! Long live Comrade Napoleon! Napoleon is always right!" These were his last words, comrades. "
Here the attitude Clarinet changed suddenly. He paused for a moment, and his little eyes suspicious glances from side to side before proceeding.
He knew, he said, a voice so silly how bad it was running at the time of transport Gondrano. Some animals had noticed that the van carrying Gondrano bore the inscription "Butcher's Horse," and concluded that it had suffered Gondrano had been sent to the slaughterhouse. It was almost unbelievable, "said Clarinet, that there might be animals so foolish. Of course, he cried indignantly, wagging his tail and jumping here and there, sure they knew their beloved Chief, Comrade Napoleon. But the explanation was simple: the van was a time of owned by a butcher and was then bought by the veterinarian who had not yet done so to delete the old registration. That's how the error arose.
Animals at this explanation proved a great relief. Clarinet And when he went on to give the minute details of the deathbed of Gondrano, the loving care he received and expensive drugs that Napoleon had paid no expense spared, their last doubts disappeared and the pain I felt for the death of their companion was mitigated by the thought that at least he died happy.
Napoleon himself participated in the meeting the following Sunday and said a short prayer in honor of Gondrano. It was not possible, he said, return the remains of their late comrade buried on the farm, but he had ordered a large wreath made from the leaves of a bay tree in his garden, to be placed on the grave of the deceased. A few days later he was going to take a big pig funeral banquet in honor of the deceased. Napoleon ended his speech by recalling the two most favored by Gondrano: "I will work more" and "Comrade Napoleon is always right", especially, he said, that every animal should have adopted as their own.
the day appointed for the banquet, a grocer's van came to Willingdon from the farm to deliver a big box. That night we heard loud singing, followed by a roar as of altercation that ends at about eleven o'clock with a tremendous shattering of glass. No one moved into the farmhouse before noon the next day, and it was rumored that no one knows how, the pigs had earned enough money to buy another case of whiskey.
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