A Familiar Tune

Dear Journal,
     The circumstance about Manor Farm Animal Farm is most intriguing. They have even changed the name written across the barn to “Animal Farm” in large white letters that can be read thirty yards away. They have given themselves seven commandments of Animalism, neatly printed and spelled (though with an occasional backwards letter S):

Seven Commandments: image source

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
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.

It has captured my attention; indeed, news of the manor has spread across half the county. The animals raise a green and white flag every Sunday, symbolizing the fields of England with a white hoof and horn to represent the comradeship of all animals. From what I have heard from Mr. Pilkington of Foxwood and Mr. Frederick of Pinchfield, neighboring farms, there seems to be inefficiency and moral reprehensibility in the animals’ conduct. They believe the whole thing will be over within a fortnight, with animals starving and fighting amongst themselves. Both Pilkington and Frederick say that “this is what came of rebelling against laws of Nature.” While that may be so, animals everywhere are learning the tune “Beasts of England.” One hopes this will not become a trend sort of thing for other animals on neighboring farms...



- Mr. Whymper

Green and white flag: image source