Meanwhile(in the intervening period of time; at the same time [ˈminˌwaɪl]) Frederick(a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈfrɛdərɪk]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) his(belonging to Frederick [hɪz]) men(plural of man; adult male humans [mɛn]) had halted(had stopped; had come to a standstill [hæd ˈhɔltɪd]) about(near; in the vicinity of [əˈbaʊt]) the windmill(a structure that uses wind power to grind grain or perform other work [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]). The animals(referring to the animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]) watched(observed; looked at [wɔʧt]) them(referring to Frederick and his men [ðɛm]), and(a conjunction used to connect clauses [ənd]) a murmur(a low, continuous sound [ə ˈmərmər]) of dismay(of alarm, concern, or distress [əv dɪsˈmeɪ]) went round(spread through the group [wɛnt raʊnd]). Two(the number 2 [tu]) of(preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]) the men(referring to Frederick's men [ðə mɛn]) had produced(had brought out; had presented [hæd prəˈdust]) a crowbar(a metal bar with a flattened end, used for prying things open [ə ˈkroʊˌbɑr]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) a sledge hammer(a large, heavy hammer used for heavy work [ə slɛʤ ˈhæmər]). They(referring to the two men [ðeɪ]) were going to knock(were intending to strike forcefully to cause to fall [wər goʊɪŋ tɪ nɑk]) the windmill(the structure they intend to destroy [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]) down(to the ground; into a fallen position [daʊn]).
‘Impossible(expressing disbelief or denial that something can happen [‘‘impossible])!’ cried(exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]) Napoleon(a proper noun, likely the name of a character [nəˈpoʊljən]). ‘We(referring to a group including the speaker [wi]) have built(have constructed [hæv bɪlt]) the walls(the sides of the structure [ðə wɔlz]) far too thick(much too wide and solid [fɑr tu θɪk]) for that(for that purpose; to withstand such force [fər ðət]). They(referring to Frederick and his men [ðeɪ]) could not knock(would not be able to strike forcefully to cause to fall [kʊd nɑt nɑk]) it(referring to the windmill [ɪt]) down(to the ground; into a fallen position [daʊn]) in a week(within a period of seven days [ɪn ə wik]). Courage(bravery; fortitude [kərɪʤ]), comrades(fellow members or friends [ˈkɑmˌrædz])!’
But(a conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) Benjamin(a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈbɛnʤəmən]) was watching(was observing; was looking at [wɑz ˈwɑʧɪŋ]) the movements(the actions or motions [ðə ˈmuvmənts]) of(preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]) the men(referring to Frederick's men [ðə mɛn]) intently(with great concentration or focus [ˌɪnˈtɛntli]). The two(referring to two of the men [ðə tu]) with(accompanied by; holding [wɪθ]) the hammer(a tool used for striking [ðə ˈhæmər]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) the crowbar(a metal bar used for prying things open [ðə ˈkroʊˌbɑr]) were drilling(were making a hole [wər ˈdrɪlɪŋ]) a hole(an opening [ə hoʊl]) near(close to [nɪr]) the base(the bottom or foundation [ðə beɪs]) of(preposition indicating belonging or origin [əv]) the windmill(the structure they intend to destroy [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]). Slowly(at a slow pace [sˈloʊli]), and(a conjunction used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) with(having; showing [wɪθ]) an air(a manner or appearance [ən ɛr]) almost(nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]) of amusement(of finding something funny or entertaining [əv əmˈjuzmənt]), Benjamin(a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈbɛnʤəmən]) nodded(lowered and raised his head slightly [ˈnɑdɪd]) his(belonging to Benjamin [hɪz]) long muzzle(the projecting part of an animal's face, including the nose and mouth [lɔŋ ˈməzəl]).
‘I thought so(Indicates the speaker's confirmation of a previous thought or suspicion. [‘‘i θɔt so’*’]),’ he(Refers to a male individual previously mentioned or understood in the context. [hi]) said(The act of uttering words; here, indicating the speaker is conveying their thoughts. [sɛd]). ‘Do(Used to form a question or emphasize a statement. [‘‘do]) you(Refers to the person being addressed. [ju]) not(Negates the following verb, creating a negative question or statement. [nɑt]) see(To perceive with the eyes; to understand or comprehend. [si]) what(Used to inquire about the nature or identity of something. [wət]) they(Refers to a group of people previously mentioned or understood. [ðeɪ]) are doing(Present continuous tense of the verb 'to do', indicating an ongoing action or activity. [ər duɪŋ])? (Indicates a question.)In(Expressing location or position within a space or time. [ɪn]) another(One more; an additional. [əˈnəðər]) moment(A very short period of time. [ˈmoʊmənt]) they(Refers to a group of people previously mentioned or understood. [ðeɪ]) are going to(Indicates a future intention or plan. [ər goʊɪŋ tɪ]) pack(To fill a container tightly with something. [pæk]) blasting powder(An explosive substance used for demolition or excavation. [ˈblæstɪŋ ˈpaʊdər]) into(Expressing movement or direction toward the inside of something. [ˈɪntu]) that(Referring to a specific object or place previously mentioned or understood. [ðət]) hole(An opening or cavity in something. [hoʊl]).’
Terrified(Feeling extreme fear or alarm. [ˈtɛrəˌfaɪd]), (A punctuation mark used to separate elements in a sentence.)the animals(Refers to the creatures in the story. [ðə ˈænəməlz]) waited(Remained in place or delayed action, often with anticipation or expectation. [ˈweɪtɪd]). (Indicates the end of the sentence.)It(Refers to the situation or action being described. [ɪt]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be'. [wɑz]) impossible(Not able to occur or be done. [ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl]) now(At the present time or moment. [naʊ]) to venture(To dare to go somewhere or do something risky. [tɪ ˈvɛnʧər]) out of(Moving or extending away from the inside of something. [aʊt əv]) the shelter(A place providing protection from danger or weather. [ðə ˈʃɛltər]) of(Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole. [əv]) the buildings(Refers to the structures providing shelter. [ðə ˈbɪldɪŋz]). (Indicates the end of the sentence.)After(Following in time or sequence. [ˈæftər]) a few minutes(A short period of time. [ə fju ˈmɪnəts]) the men(Refers to the male individuals previously mentioned. [ðə mɛn]) were seen(Observed or noticed by someone. [wər sin]) to be running(Engaged in the act of moving rapidly on foot. [tɪ bi ˈrənɪŋ]) in all directions(Moving towards various different places or points. [ɪn ɔl dɪˈrɛkʃɪnz]). (Indicates the end of the sentence.)Then(Following in time or sequence; next. [ðɛn]) there(Used to indicate the existence or presence of something. [ðɛr]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be'. [wɑz]) a deafening roar(An extremely loud and overwhelming noise. [ə ˈdɛfənɪŋ rɔr]). (Indicates the end of the sentence.)The pigeons(Refers to the birds in the story. [ðə ˈpɪʤənz]) swirled(Moved in a twisting or rotating pattern. [swərld]) into(Expressing movement or direction toward the inside of something. [ˈɪntu]) the air(The atmosphere surrounding the Earth. [ðə ɛr]), (A punctuation mark used to separate elements in a sentence.)and(Used to connect words or phrases. [ənd]) all(The whole number or quantity of something. [ɔl]) the animals(Refers to the creatures in the story. [ðə ˈænəməlz]), (A punctuation mark used to separate elements in a sentence.)except(Not including; excluding. [ɪkˈsɛpt]) Napoleon(A proper noun, likely referring to a character in the story. [nəˈpoʊljən]), (A punctuation mark used to separate elements in a sentence.)flung(Past tense of 'fling', meaning to throw or cast forcefully. [fləŋ]) themselves(Refers back to 'the animals', indicating they are acting upon themselves. [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]) flat(Lying horizontally or level with the ground. [flæt]) on(Expressing location or position on a surface. [ɔn]) their bellies(The underside of an animal's body. [ðɛr ˈbɛliz]) and(Used to connect words or phrases. [ənd]) hid(Past tense of 'hide', meaning to conceal or keep out of sight. [hɪd]) their faces(The front part of the head. [ðɛr ˈfeɪsɪz]). (Indicates the end of the sentence.)When(At the time or occasion that. [wɪn]) they(Refers to the animals. [ðeɪ]) got up(Rose from a lying or sitting position. [gɑt əp]) again(Once more; another time. [əˈgɛn]) a huge cloud(A very large mass of something suspended in the air. [ə juʤ klaʊd]) of(Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole. [əv]) black smoke(Dark-colored smoke, often associated with burning. [blæk smoʊk]) was hanging(Suspended in the air. [wɑz ˈhæŋɪŋ]) where(At or in the place that. [wɛr]) the windmill(A structure that uses wind power to generate energy. [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]) had been(Past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state that existed in the past. [hæd bɪn]). (Indicates the end of the sentence.)Slowly(In a slow manner; gradually. [sˈloʊli]) the breeze(A gentle wind. [ðə briz]) drifted(Moved gently by the wind or current. [ˈdrɪftɪd]) it(Refers to the cloud of black smoke. [ɪt]) away(To or at a distance from a particular place or person. [əˈweɪ]). (Indicates the end of the sentence.)The windmill(A structure that uses wind power to generate energy. [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]) had ceased(Past perfect tense of 'cease', meaning to come to an end or stop. [hæd sist]) to exist(To have objective reality or being. [tɪ ɪgˈzɪst])!
At this sight(Upon seeing this; referring to something previously mentioned or observed [æt ðɪs saɪt]) the animals’ courage(the bravery or boldness of the animals [ðə ˈænəməlz kərɪʤ]) returned to them(was restored or regained by the animals [rɪˈtərnd tɪ ðɛm]). The fear and despair(The feelings of being afraid and hopeless [ðə fɪr ənd dɪˈspɛr]) they had felt(that the animals had experienced [ðeɪ hæd fɛlt]) a moment earlier(just a short time before [ə ˈmoʊmənt ˈərliər]) were drowned(were overwhelmed or suppressed [wər draʊnd]) in their rage(by their intense anger [ɪn ðɛr reɪʤ]) against this vile, contemptible act(directed towards this disgusting and despicable action [əˈgɛnst ðɪs vaɪl kənˈtɛmptəbəl ækt]). A mighty cry for vengeance(A loud and powerful demand for revenge [ə ˈmaɪti kraɪ fər ˈvɛnʤəns]) went up(was raised or expressed [wɛnt əp]), and without waiting for further orders(and without pausing to receive additional instructions [ənd wɪˈθaʊt ˈweɪtɪŋ fər ˈfərðər ˈɔrdərz]) they charged forth(they rushed forward aggressively [ðeɪ ʧɑrʤd fɔrθ]) in a body(as a group [ɪn ə ˈbɑdi]) and made straight for the enemy(and headed directly towards their opponents [ənd meɪd streɪt fər ðə ˈɛnəmi]). This time(On this occasion [ðɪs taɪm]) they did not heed(they ignored or paid no attention to [ðeɪ dɪd nɑt hid]) the cruel pellets(the painful small projectiles (likely shot or bullets [ðə kruəl ˈpɛləts]) that swept over them(that passed rapidly over them [ðət swɛpt ˈoʊvər ðɛm]) like hail(similar to a heavy shower of ice pellets [laɪk heɪl]). It was a savage, bitter battle(The fight was brutal and filled with resentment [ɪt wɑz ə ˈsævɪʤ ˈbɪtər ˈbætəl]). The men fired again and again(The men repeatedly shot their weapons [ðə mɛn faɪərd əˈgɛn ənd əˈgɛn]), and, when the animals got to close quarters(and when the animals came into close physical proximity [ənd wɪn ðə ˈænəməlz gɑt tɪ kloʊz kˈwɔrtərz]), lashed out(struck out violently [læʃt aʊt]) with their sticks and their heavy boots(using their wooden clubs and sturdy footwear as weapons [wɪθ ðɛr stɪks ənd ðɛr ˈhɛvi buts]). A cow, three sheep and two geese(Listing of animals [ə kaʊ θri ʃip ənd tu gis]) were killed(died as a result of the battle [wər kɪld]), and nearly everyone was wounded(and almost all of the animals sustained injuries [ənd ˈnɪrli ˈɛvriˌwən wɑz ˈwundɪd]). Even Napoleon(Referring to a specific character named Napoleon [ˈivɪn nəˈpoʊljən]), who was directing operations from the rear(who was overseeing the battle from a safer position behind the front lines [hu wɑz dɪˈrɛktɪŋ ˌɑpərˈeɪʃənz frəm ðə rɪr]), had the dp of his tail chipped by a pellet. But the men did not go unscathed either(However, the men also suffered injuries [bət ðə mɛn dɪd nɑt goʊ ənˈskeɪðd ˈiðər]). Three of them(Three of the men [θri əv ðɛm]) had their heads broken(sustained head injuries [hæd ðɛr hɛdz ˈbroʊkən]) by blows from Boxer's hoofs(caused by kicks from Boxer, a character, using his hooves [baɪ bloʊz frəm ˈbɑksərz hʊfs]), another was gored in the belly(another man had his abdomen pierced [əˈnəðər wɑz gɔrd ɪn ðə ˈbɛli]) by a cow's horn(by the horn of a cow [baɪ ə kaʊz hɔrn]), another had his trousers nearly torn off(another man had his pants almost completely ripped [əˈnəðər hæd hɪz ˈtraʊzərz ˈnɪrli tɔrn ɔf]) by Jessie and Bluebell(by two characters named Jessie and Bluebell [baɪ ˈʤɛsi ənd ˈbluˌbɛl]). And when the nine dogs(Referring to a group of nine dogs [ənd wɪn ðə naɪn dɔgz]) of Napoleon's own bodyguard(who served as Napoleon's personal protectors [əv nəˈpoʊliənz oʊn ˈbɑdiˌgɑrd]), whom he had instructed(who he had ordered [hum hi hæd ˌɪnˈstrəktɪd]) to make a detour under cover of the hedge(to go around secretly, hidden by the bushes [tɪ meɪk ə ˈditʊr ˈəndər ˈkəvər əv ðə hɛʤ]), suddenly appeared on the men's flank(unexpectedly showed up on the side of the men [ˈsədənli əˈpɪrd ɔn ðə mɛnz flæŋk]), baying ferociously(barking and howling aggressively [beɪɪŋ fərˈoʊʃɪsli]), panic overtook them(they were overcome with sudden fear [ˈpænɪk ˌoʊvərˈtʊk ðɛm]). They saw that they were in danger of being surrounded(They realized they were at risk of being encircled [ðeɪ sɔ ðət ðeɪ wər ɪn ˈdeɪnʤər əv biɪŋ sərˈaʊndɪd]). Frederick shouted to his men(Frederick, a character, yelled to his soldiers [ˈfrɛdərɪk ˈʃaʊtɪd tɪ hɪz mɛn]) to get out while the going was good(to escape while they still had the chance [tɪ gɪt aʊt waɪl ðə goʊɪŋ wɑz gʊd]), and the next moment(immediately afterwards [ənd ðə nɛkst ˈmoʊmənt]) the cowardly enemy(the fearful opponents [ðə ˈkaʊərdli ˈɛnəmi]) was running for dear life(were fleeing to save their lives [wɑz ˈrənɪŋ fər dɪr laɪf]). The animals chased them(The animals pursued them [ðə ˈænəməlz ʧeɪst ðɛm]) right down to the bottom of the field(all the way to the end of the field [raɪt daʊn tɪ ðə ˈbɑtəm əv ðə fild]), and got in some last kicks at them(and managed to land some final blows on them [ənd gɑt ɪn səm læst kɪks æt ðɛm]) as they forced their way through the thorn hedge(while they struggled to escape through the prickly bushes [ɛz ðeɪ fɔrst ðɛr weɪ θru ðə θɔrn hɛʤ]).