But(conjunction indicating contrast or introduction of a statement [bət]) everyone(every person; all people [ˈɛvriˌwən]) worked(past tense of 'work', meaning to exert effort; to perform a task [wərkt]) according to(in proportion to; in agreement with [əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ]) his(belonging to him; possessive pronoun [hɪz]) capacity(the maximum amount that something can contain; ability to do something [kəˈpæsɪti]) The hens and ducks(referring to the female chickens and waterfowls collectively [ðə hɛnz ənd dəks]), for instance(as an example; for example [fər ˈɪnstəns]), saved(past tense of 'save', meaning to keep safe or rescue; in this context, to conserve [seɪvd]) five bushels of corn(a unit of dry measure, approximately 35.2 liters, of corn [faɪv ˈbʊʃəlz əv kɔrn]) at the harvest(during the time of gathering crops [æt ðə ˈhɑrvəst]) by gathering up(by collecting; by picking up [baɪ ˈgæðərɪŋ əp]) the stray grains(the grains that have fallen or been scattered [ðə streɪ greɪnz]). Nobody(no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]) stole(past tense of 'steal', meaning to take something without permission [stoʊl]), nobody(no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]) grumbled(past tense of 'grumble', meaning to complain in a low, indistinct way [ˈgrəmbəld]) over(concerning; about [ˈoʊvər]) his(belonging to him; possessive pronoun [hɪz]) rations(a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime [ˈræʃənz]), the quarrelling(arguing or fighting [ðə quarrelling]) and(conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) biting(using the teeth to cut or wound something [ˈbaɪtɪŋ]) and(conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) jealousy(the state or feeling of being jealous [ˈʤɛləsi]) which(used to introduce a relative clause [wɪʧ]) had been(past perfect tense of 'be', indicating a state that existed before a specific time in the past [hæd bɪn]) normal(usual; ordinary [ˈnɔrməl]) features(a distinctive attribute or aspect of something [ˈfiʧərz]) of life(relating to existence or the condition of being alive [əv laɪf]) in the old days(in the past; formerly [ɪn ðə oʊld deɪz]) had almost disappeared(had nearly vanished; had nearly ceased to exist [hæd ˈɔlˌmoʊst ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd]). Nobody(no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]) shirked(past tense of 'shirk', meaning to avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility [ʃərkt]) (used to indicate a pause or break in thought [–*])– or(used to link alternatives [ər]) almost(nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]) nobody(no person; not anyone [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]). Mollie(a proper noun, likely a character's name [ˈmɑli]), it was true(admitting that something is the case [ɪt wɑz tru]), was not good at(did not excel at; lacked skill in [wɑz nɑt gʊd æt]) getting up(rising from bed [ˈgɪtɪŋ əp]) in the mornings(during the early part of the day [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋz]), and(conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) had(past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]) a way of(a habit or tendency [ə weɪ əv]) leaving(departing from; going away from [ˈlivɪŋ]) work(activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]) early(before the usual or expected time [ˈərli]) on the ground that(because of; due to the reason that [ɔn ðə graʊnd ðət]) there was(there existed [ðɛr wɑz]) a stone(a small rock [ə stoʊn]) in her hoof(in the hard covering of the foot of an animal, such as a horse [ɪn hər huf]). And(conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the behaviour(the way in which someone conducts oneself or behaves [ðə bɪˈheɪvjər]) of the cat(referring to the feline animal [əv ðə kæt]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) somewhat(to some extent; rather [ˈsəmˈwət]) peculiar(strange; odd [pɪˈkjuljər]). It was soon noticed(it was quickly observed [ɪt wɑz sun ˈnoʊtɪst]) that(used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]) when(at or during the time that [wɪn]) there was(there existed [ðɛr wɑz]) work(activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]) to be done(needing to be completed [tɪ bi dən]) the cat(referring to the feline animal [ðə kæt]) could never be found(was always impossible to locate [kʊd ˈnɛvər bi faʊnd]). She(pronoun referring to the cat [ʃi]) would vanish(would disappear suddenly and completely [wʊd ˈvænɪʃ]) for hours on end(for a long, continuous period of time [fər aʊərz ɔn ɛnd]), and then(and after that [ənd ðɛn]) reappear(appear again [ˌriəˈpɪr]) at meal-times(during the times when meals are eaten [æt meal-times]), or(used to link alternatives [ər]) in the evening(during the later part of the day [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋ]) after work was over(after the work had finished [ˈæftər wərk wɑz ˈoʊvər]), as though(as if; like [ɛz ðoʊ]) nothing had happened(no event had occurred [ˈnəθɪŋ hæd ˈhæpənd]). But(conjunction indicating contrast or introduction of a statement [bət]) she(pronoun referring to the cat [ʃi]) always(at all times; on all occasions [ˈɔlˌweɪz]) made(past tense of 'make', meaning to create or produce [meɪd]) such excellent excuses(very good reasons or justifications for her actions [səʧ ˈɛksələnt ɪkˈskjuzɪz]), and(conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) purred(made a low continuous vibratory sound expressing contentment [purred]) so affectionately(in a loving and caring manner [soʊ əˈfɛkʃənətli]), that(used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]) it was impossible(it was not possible [ɪt wɑz ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl]) not to believe(to be unable to disbelieve [nɑt tɪ bɪˈliv]) in her good intentions(in her sincere and positive purposes [ɪn hər gʊd ˌɪnˈtɛnʧənz]). Old Benjamin(referring to an elderly character named Benjamin [oʊld ˈbɛnʤəmən]), the donkey(referring to the animal [ðə ˈdɔŋki]), seemed(appeared to be [simd]) quite unchanged(completely the same [kwaɪt ənˈʧeɪnʤd]) since the Rebellion(from the time of the uprising or revolt [sɪns ðə rɪˈbɛljən]). He(pronoun referring to Benjamin [hi]) did his work(performed his tasks [dɪd hɪz wərk]) in the same(in an identical manner [ɪn ðə seɪm]) slow(moving or operating at a low speed [sloʊ]) obstinate(stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action [ˈɑbstənət]) way(a method, style, or manner of doing something [weɪ]) as(in the same way that [ɛz]) he had done it(he had performed the work [hi hæd dən ɪt]) in Jones’s time(during the period when Jones was in charge [ɪn ˈʤoʊnzɪz taɪm]), never(at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]) shirking(avoiding or neglecting a duty or responsibility [ˈʃərkɪŋ]) and(conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) never(at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]) volunteering(offering to do something without being asked [ˌvɔlənˈtɪrɪŋ]) for extra work(for additional tasks [fər ˈɛkstrə wərk]) either(used to indicate that the statement applies to both possibilities [ˈiðər]). About(concerning; regarding [əˈbaʊt]) the Rebellion(referring to the uprising or revolt [ðə rɪˈbɛljən]) and(conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) its(belonging to it; possessive pronoun [ɪts]) results(a consequence, effect, or outcome of something [rɪˈzəlts]) he(pronoun referring to Benjamin [hi]) would express(would state or make known [wʊd ɪkˈsprɛs]) no opinion(no view or judgment formed about something [noʊ əˈpɪnjən]). When(at or during the time that [wɪn]) asked(having been questioned [æst]) whether(expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]) he was not happier(he was not more content or joyful [hi wɑz nɑt ˈhæpiər]) now(at the present time [naʊ]) that(used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]) Jones(a proper noun, likely a character's name [ʤoʊnz]) was gone(had left; had disappeared [wɑz gɔn]), he(pronoun referring to Benjamin [hi]) would say(would state or utter [wʊd seɪ]) only(and no one or nothing more besides [ˈoʊnli]) ‘Donkeys(referring to the animal [‘‘donkeys]) live(to be alive; to exist [lɪv]) a long time(for an extended period [ə lɔŋ taɪm]). None of you(not any of you [nən əv ju]) has ever seen(has at any time in the past observed [həz ˈɛvər sin]) a dead donkey(a donkey that is no longer alive [ə dɛd ˈdɔŋki]),’ (used to indicate direct speech [’*])and(conjunction used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the others(the remaining people or animals [ðə ˈəðərz]) had to be(were required to be [hæd tɪ bi]) content(satisfied; pleased [ˈkɑntɛnt]) with(accompanied by; along with [wɪθ]) this(referring to the statement [ðɪs]) cryptic(mysterious or obscure [ˈkrɪptɪk]) answer(a reply or response [ˈænsər]).
On Sundays(Referring to every Sunday; indicating a recurring event on Sundays [ɔn ˈsənˌdiz]) there was no work(Meaning that no labor or employment was performed on Sundays [ðɛr wɑz noʊ wərk]). Breakfast(The first meal of the day, typically eaten in the morning [ˈbrɛkfəst]) was(Past tense of 'is', indicating a state of being in the past [wɑz]) an hour later(One hour later in time than the usual time [ən aʊər ˈleɪtər]) than usual(Compared to what is typical or customary [ðən ˈjuʒəwəl]), and after breakfast(Following the meal of breakfast [ənd ˈæftər ˈbrɛkfəst]) there was(Indicates the existence or occurrence of something [ðɛr wɑz]) a ceremony(A formal religious or public occasion, typically one celebrating a particular event or anniversary [ə ˈsɛrəˌmoʊni]) which was observed(That was followed or watched carefully [wɪʧ wɑz əbˈzərvd]) every week(Each week; on a weekly basis [ˈɛvəri wik]) without fail(Certainly; always; without exception [wɪˈθaʊt feɪl]). First came(The initial event or action was [fərst keɪm]) the hoisting of the flag(The act of raising a flag on a pole or mast [ðə ˈhɔɪstɪŋ əv ðə flæg]). Snowball(Name of a character, likely an animal in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]) had found(Past perfect tense of 'find', indicating that Snowball had discovered something [hæd faʊnd]) in the harness-room(A room where harnesses and other equipment for animals are stored [ɪn ðə harness-room]) an old green tablecloth(A covering for a table that is green and old [ən oʊld grin ˈteɪbəlˌklɔθ]) of Mrs. Jones’s(Belonging to Mrs. Jones, a character in the story [əv ˈmɪsɪz ˈʤoʊnzɪz]) and had painted(And had applied paint to something [ənd hæd ˈpeɪnɪd]) on it(Referring to the tablecloth [ɔn ɪt]) a hoof and a horn(The foot of an animal and a pointed projection from the head of an animal [ə huf ənd ə hɔrn]) in white(Using white paint or color [ɪn waɪt]). This(Referring to the tablecloth with the hoof and horn painted on it [ðɪs]) was run up(Was raised quickly [wɑz rən əp]) the flagstaff(A pole or mast on which a flag is flown [ðə ˈflægˌstæf]) in the farmhouse garden(In the garden of the farmhouse [ɪn ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs ˈgɑrdən]) every Sunday morning(Each Sunday morning; on a weekly basis [ˈɛvəri ˈsənˌdi ˈmɔrnɪŋ]). The flag(Referring to the flag with the hoof and horn [ðə flæg]) was green(The color of the flag was green [wɑz grin]), Snowball explained(Snowball, a character, provided an explanation [sˈnoʊˌbɔl ɪkˈspleɪnd]), to represent(To symbolize or stand for [tɪ ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt]) the green fields(Fields that are green in color, typically with grass or crops [ðə grin fildz]) of England(Referring to the country of England [əv ˈɪŋglənd]), while(Used to contrast two things [waɪl]) the hoof and horn(The foot of an animal and a pointed projection from the head of an animal [ðə huf ənd hɔrn]) signified(Represented or meant [ˈsɪgnəˌfaɪd]) the future Republic of the Animals(A future state where animals govern themselves [ðə fˈjuʧər riˈpəblɪk əv ðə ˈænəməlz]) which would arise(That would come into existence [wɪʧ wʊd əraɪz]) when the human race(When humans as a species [wɪn ðə ˈjumən reɪs]) had been finally overthrown(Had been completely defeated and removed from power [hæd bɪn ˈfaɪnəli ˌoʊvərθˈroʊn]). After the hoisting of the flag(Following the act of raising the flag [ˈæftər ðə ˈhɔɪstɪŋ əv ðə flæg]) all the animals(Every animal [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]) trooped into(Moved together as a group into [trupt ˈɪntu]) the big barn(A large building used for storing crops or housing animals [ðə bɪg bɑrn]) for a general assembly(For a meeting of all members [fər ə ˈʤɛnərəl əˈsɛmbli]) which was known as(That was called [wɪʧ wɑz noʊn ɛz]) the Meeting(The name of the assembly or gathering [ðə ˈmitɪŋ]). Here(In this place; at this point [hir]) the work of the coming week(The tasks and activities planned for the next week [ðə wərk əv ðə ˈkəmɪŋ wik]) was planned out(Was organized and scheduled [wɑz plænd aʊt]) and resolutions(Formal expressions of opinion or decisions [ənd ˌrɛzəˈluʃənz]) were put forward(Were presented or proposed [wər pʊt ˈfɔrwərd]) and debated(And discussed or argued about [ənd dəˈbeɪtɪd]). It was always(It was consistently the case that [ɪt wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz]) the pigs(Referring to the pigs, likely characters in the story [ðə pɪgz]) who put forward(Who presented or proposed [hu pʊt ˈfɔrwərd]) the resolutions(The formal expressions of opinion or decisions [ðə ˌrɛzəˈluʃənz]). The other animals(The remaining animals [ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]) understood(Comprehended or knew [ˌəndərˈstʊd]) how to vote(The method or process of casting a vote [haʊ tɪ voʊt]), but could never think(But were unable to conceive or imagine [bət kʊd ˈnɛvər θɪŋk]) of any resolutions(Of any formal expressions of opinion or decisions [əv ˈɛni ˌrɛzəˈluʃənz]) of their own(That originated from themselves [əv ðɛr oʊn]). Snowball and Napoleon(Names of characters, likely animals in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl ənd nəˈpoʊljən]) were by far(Were considerably or significantly [wər baɪ fɑr]) the most active(The most engaged or involved [ðə moʊst ˈæktɪv]) in the debates(In the discussions or arguments [ɪn ðə dəˈbeɪts]). But it was noticed(However, it was observed [bət ɪt wɑz ˈnoʊtɪst]) that these two(Referring to Snowball and Napoleon [ðət ðiz tu]) were never in agreement(Never had the same opinion or reached a consensus [wər ˈnɛvər ɪn əˈgrimənt]): whatever suggestion(Any proposal or idea [ˌwəˈtɛvər səˈʤɛsʧən]) either of them made(That either Snowball or Napoleon proposed [ˈiðər əv ðɛm meɪd]), the other(The remaining one of the two [ðə ˈəðər]) could be counted on(Could be relied upon [kʊd bi ˈkaʊntɪd ɔn]) to oppose it(To disagree with or resist it [tɪ əˈpoʊz ɪt]). Even when(Even in the situation that [ˈivɪn wɪn]) it was resolved(A decision was made [ɪt wɑz riˈzɑlvd]) – a thing no one could object to(Something that nobody could disagree with [ə θɪŋ noʊ wən kʊd ˈɑbʤɛkt tɪ]) in itself(On its own; inherently [ɪn ˌɪtˈsɛlf]) – to set aside(To allocate or reserve [tɪ sɛt əˈsaɪd]) the small paddock(A small enclosed area of grassland [ðə smɔl ˈpædək]) behind the orchard(Located at the rear of the orchard [bɪˈhaɪnd ðə ˈɔrʧərd]) as a home of rest(As a place for relaxation and retirement [ɛz ə hoʊm əv rɛst]) for animals(Intended for animals [fər ˈænəməlz]) who were past work(Who were too old or unable to work [hu wər pæst wərk]), there was(There existed [ðɛr wɑz]) a stormy debate(A heated and contentious discussion [ə ˈstɔrmi dəˈbeɪt]) over the correct retiring age(Regarding the appropriate age for retirement [ˈoʊvər ðə kərˈɛkt rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ eɪʤ]) for each class of animal(For each type or category of animal [fər iʧ klæs əv ˈænəməl]). The Meeting(Referring to the assembly or gathering [ðə ˈmitɪŋ]) always ended(Consistently concluded [ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈɛndɪd]) with the singing of(By performing the act of singing [wɪθ ðə ˈsɪŋɪŋ əv]) 'Beasts of England(The title of a song [bists əv ˈɪŋglənd])', and the afternoon(The time period after noon [ənd ðə ˌæftərˈnun]) was given up(Was dedicated or devoted [wɑz ˈgɪvɪn əp]) to recreation(To leisure activities and enjoyment [tɪ ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən]).