By the evening(Indicates a time frame, specifically the end of the day [baɪ ðə ˈivnɪŋ]), however(A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been previously said [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]). Napoleon(Refers to a specific character named Napoleon, likely a significant figure in the context [nəˈpoʊljən]) appeared(Gave the impression of being [əˈpɪrd]) to be(Used to connect 'appeared' with the state of being 'somewhat better' [tɪ bi]) somewhat better(Slightly improved in health or condition [ˈsəmˈwət ˈbɛtər]), and(A conjunction used to connect two related statements [ənd]) the following morning(The morning after the evening mentioned earlier [ðə ˈfɑloʊɪŋ ˈmɔrnɪŋ]) Squealer(Refers to a specific character named Squealer [squealer]) was able to(Had the ability or opportunity to [wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ]) tell them(Inform or communicate to a group of people [tɛl ðɛm]) that(Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) he(Refers to Napoleon [hi]) was well on the way(Making good progress [wɑz wɛl ɔn ðə weɪ]) to recovery(Returning to a healthy state [tɪ rɪˈkəvəri]). By the evening of that day(Refers to the end of the same day mentioned earlier [baɪ ðə ˈivnɪŋ əv ðət deɪ]) Napoleon(Refers to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]) was back at work(Had returned to his duties or labor [wɑz bæk æt wərk]), and(A conjunction used to connect two related statements [ənd]) on the next day(The day after the day Napoleon returned to work [ɔn ðə nɛkst deɪ]) it was learned(It became known or discovered [ɪt wɑz ˈlərnɪd]) that(Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) he(Refers to Napoleon [hi]) had instructed(Had given orders or directions to [hæd ˌɪnˈstrəktɪd]) Whymper(Refers to a specific character named Whymper [whymper]) to purchase(To buy something [tɪ ˈpərʧəs]) in Willingdon(Indicates the location where the purchase should be made, specifically in a place called Willingdon [ɪn willingdon]) some booklets(Multiple small books or pamphlets [səm ˈbʊklɪts]) on brewing and distilling(Relating to the processes of making beer and spirits [ɔn bruɪŋ ənd dɪˈstɪlɪŋ]). A week later(One week after the previous events [ə wik ˈleɪtər]) Napoleon(Refers to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]) gave orders(Issued commands or instructions [geɪv ˈɔrdərz]) that(Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) the small paddock(A small enclosed area of grassland [ðə smɔl ˈpædək]) beyond me orchard, which(Refers to the small paddock [wɪʧ]) it had previously been intended(There was a prior plan or intention [ɪt hæd ˈpriviəsli bɪn ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd]) to set aside(To reserve or allocate for a specific purpose [tɪ sɛt əˈsaɪd]) as a grazing-ground(An area of land used for animals to feed on grass [ɛz ə grazing-ground]) for animals(For the use of creatures [fər ˈænəməlz]) who were past work(Animals that were too old or unable to perform labor [hu wər pæst wərk]), was to be ploughed up(Was to be turned over with a plow [wɑz tɪ bi plaʊd əp]). It was given out(It was announced or stated [ɪt wɑz ˈgɪvɪn aʊt]) that(Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) the pasture(Land covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals [ðə ˈpæsʧər]) was exhausted(Had been depleted of nutrients or resources [wɑz ɪgˈzɔstɪd]) and needed re-seeding(Required new seeds to be planted [ənd ˈnidɪd re-seeding]): but(A conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]) it soon became known(It was quickly discovered [ɪt sun bɪˈkeɪm noʊn]) that(Introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) Napoleon(Refers to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]) intended(Planned or purposed [ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd]) to sow it with barley(To plant barley seeds in the area [tɪ soʊ ɪt wɪθ ˈbɑrli]).
About this time(Around this particular moment or period [əˈbaʊt ðɪs taɪm]) there occurred(an event happened or took place; a more formal way of saying 'happened' [ðɛr əˈkərd]) a strange incident(an unusual or peculiar event [ə streɪnʤ ˈɪnsədənt]) which hardly anyone(almost nobody [wɪʧ ˈhɑrdli ˈɛniˌwən]) was able to understand(could comprehend or figure out [wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd]). One night(on a particular night [wən naɪt]) at about twelve o'clock(approximately midnight [æt əˈbaʊt twɛlv əˈklɑk]) there was(indicates the existence or occurrence of something [ðɛr wɑz]) a loud crash(a sudden, noisy impact or breaking sound [ə laʊd kræʃ]) in the yard(the area surrounding a building [ɪn ðə jɑrd]), and the animals(referring to the group of animals in the story [ənd ðə ˈænəməlz]) rushed out(hurriedly exited [rəʃt aʊt]) of their stalls(the individual enclosures where the animals are kept [əv ðɛr stɔlz]). It was(introduces a description of the scene [ɪt wɑz]) a moonlit night(a night illuminated by the moon [ə ˈmunˌlɪt naɪt]). At the foot of(at the base or bottom of [æt ðə fʊt əv]) the end wall(the wall at the far side [ðə ɛnd wɔl]) of the big barn(referring to the large agricultural building [əv ðə bɪg bɑrn]), where the Seven Commandments(referring to the set of rules or principles [wɛr ðə ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]) were written(had been inscribed or painted [wər ˈrɪtən]), there lay(indicates the position of something [ðɛr leɪ]) a ladder(a structure used for climbing [ə ˈlædər]) broken in two pieces(separated into two parts due to damage [ˈbroʊkən ɪn tu ˈpisɪz]). Squealer(a character's name [squealer]), temporarily stunned(briefly dazed or confused [ˌtɛmpərˈɛrəli stənd]), was sprawling(lying spread out in an ungainly way [wɑz ˈsprɔlɪŋ]) beside it(next to the ladder [ˌbiˈsaɪd ɪt]), and near at hand(close by; within easy reach [ənd nɪr æt hænd]) there lay(indicates the position of something [ðɛr leɪ]) a lantern(a portable light source [ə ˈlæntərn]), a paintbrush(a tool used for applying paint [ə ˈpeɪntˌbrəʃ]) and an overturned pot(a container that has been knocked over [ənd ən ˈoʊvərˌtərnd pɑt]) of white paint(the substance used for coloring surfaces white [əv waɪt peɪnt]). The dogs(referring to the group of dogs in the story [ðə dɔgz]) immediately made(promptly formed [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli meɪd]) a ring round(a circle surrounding someone or something [ə rɪŋ raʊnd]) Squealer(a character's name [squealer]), and escorted him(accompanied him in a protective manner [ənd ɛˈskɔrtɪd ɪm]) back to the farmhouse(returning to the main house on the farm [bæk tɪ ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]) as soon as(immediately after [ɛz sun ɛz]) he was able to walk(he regained the ability to move on foot [hi wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ wɔk]). None of the animals(no animal [nən əv ðə ˈænəməlz]) could form any idea(could come up with any explanation [kʊd fɔrm ˈɛni aɪˈdiə]) as to what this meant(regarding the significance of the situation [ɛz tɪ wət ðɪs mɛnt]), except old Benjamin(excluding the character Benjamin [ɪkˈsɛpt oʊld ˈbɛnʤəmən]), who nodded his muzzle(who moved his snout up and down slightly [hu ˈnɑdɪd hɪz ˈməzəl]) with a knowing air(in a way that suggested he understood something others didn't [wɪθ ə noʊɪŋ ɛr]), and seemed to understand(appeared to comprehend [ənd simd tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd]), but would say nothing(chose not to reveal his understanding [bət wʊd seɪ ˈnəθɪŋ]).
But(conjunction indicating contrast or introduction of a new element [bət]) a few days later(a short time after a previous event [ə fju deɪz ˈleɪtər]) Muriel(a character's name [mˈjʊriəl]), reading over(carefully reviewing or examining something [ˈrɛdɪŋ ˈoʊvər]) the Seven Commandments(a set of rules or principles [ðə ˈsɛvən kəˈmændmənts]) to herself(doing something silently or privately [tɪ hərˈsɛlf]), noticed(became aware of something [ˈnoʊtɪst]) that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) there was(indicates the existence of something [ðɛr wɑz]) yet another(one more in addition to others [jɛt əˈnəðər]) of them(referring to the Seven Commandments [əv ðɛm]) which(relative pronoun referring to 'another of them' [wɪʧ]) the animals(referring to the animal characters in the story [ðə ˈænəməlz]) had remembered wrong(had recalled or understood incorrectly [hæd rɪˈmɛmbərd rɔŋ]). They had thought(the animals had believed [ðeɪ hæd θɔt]) that(introduces a clause stating what they thought [ðət]) the Fifth Commandment(a specific rule in the set of commandments [ðə fɪθ kəˈmændmənt]) was(linking verb [wɑz]) ‘No animal shall drink alcohol(the animals' incorrect recollection of the commandment [‘‘no ˈænəməl ʃæl drɪŋk ˈælkəˌhɑl])’, but(conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]) there were(indicates the existence of something [ðɛr wər]) two words(a specific number of words [tu wərdz]) that(relative pronoun referring to 'two words' [ðət]) they had forgotten(the animals had failed to remember [ðeɪ hæd fərˈgɑtən]). Actually(in reality; in fact [ˈæˌkʧuəli]) the Commandment(referring to the Fifth Commandment [ðə kəˈmændmənt]) read(stated; said [rɛd]): ‘No animal shall drink alcohol to excess(the actual wording of the commandment, including the forgotten words [‘‘no ˈænəməl ʃæl drɪŋk ˈælkəˌhɑl tɪ ˈɛkˌsɛs]).’
IX
Boxer's split hoof(Boxer is a character, split hoof refers to an injury [ˈbɑksərz splɪt huf]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) a long time(a considerable duration [ə lɔŋ taɪm]) in healing(the process of recovering from an injury [ɪn ˈhilɪŋ]). They(referring to a group of people, likely the other animals [ðeɪ]) had started(past perfect tense of 'start', indicating an action that began in the past and was completed before another past action [hæd ˈstɑrtɪd]) the rebuilding(the act of reconstructing something [ðə riˈbɪldɪŋ]) of the windmill(referring to a specific structure being rebuilt [əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]) the day after(the day following a specific event [ðə deɪ ˈæftər]) the victory celebrations(the festivities held to celebrate a victory [ðə ˈvɪktəri ˌsɛləˈbreɪʃənz]) were ended(had concluded [wər ˈɛndɪd]). Boxer(a character's name [ˈbɑksər]) refused(declined to do something [rɪfˈjuzd]) to take(in order to take [tɪ teɪk]) even(used to emphasize something unexpected or extreme [ˈivɪn]) a day off work(a day of rest from labor [ə deɪ ɔf wərk]), and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) made it(caused something to be [meɪd ɪt]) a point of honour(something considered a matter of principle or pride [ə pɔɪnt əv ˈɑnər]) not to let it be seen(to avoid showing [nɑt tɪ lɛt ɪt bi sin]) that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) he was(referring to Boxer [hi wɑz]) in pain(experiencing physical discomfort [ɪn peɪn]). In the evenings(during the evening time [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋz]) he would admit(he would confess or acknowledge [hi wʊd ədˈmɪt]) privately(in a confidential manner [ˈpraɪvətli]) to Clover(another character's name [tɪ ˈkloʊvər]) that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) the hoof(referring to Boxer's injured hoof [ðə huf]) troubled him(caused him discomfort or pain [ˈtrəbəld ɪm]) a great deal(very much [ə greɪt dil]). Clover(a character's name [ˈkloʊvər]) treated(applied a remedy to [ˈtritɪd]) the hoof(referring to Boxer's injured hoof [ðə huf]) with poultices(a soft, moist mass of material applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation [wɪθ ˈpoʊltəsɪz]) of herbs(made from plants with medicinal properties [əv ərbz]) which(relative pronoun referring to 'herbs' [wɪʧ]) she prepared(she made or got ready [ʃi priˈpɛrd]) by chewing them(by grinding them with her teeth [baɪ ʧuɪŋ ðɛm]), and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) both(referring to two people or things together [boʊθ]) she(referring to Clover [ʃi]) and(conjunction connecting two people [ənd]) Benjamin(another character's name [ˈbɛnʤəmən]) urged(strongly encouraged [ərʤd]) Boxer(a character's name [ˈbɑksər]) to work(to perform labor [tɪ wərk]) less hard(with less intensity or effort [lɛs hɑrd]). ‘A horse's lungs(referring to the respiratory organs of a horse [‘‘a ˈhɔrsəz ləŋz]) do not last(do not endure or continue [du nɑt læst]) for ever(indefinitely; without end [fər ˈɛvər)]),’ she said(Clover spoke [ʃi sɛd]) to him(referring to Boxer [tɪ ɪm]). But(conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]) Boxer(a character's name [ˈbɑksər]) would not listen(refused to pay attention [wʊd nɑt ˈlɪsən]). He had(he possessed [hi hæd]), he said(Boxer spoke [hi sɛd]), only one(just one [ˈoʊnli wən]) real ambition(genuine desire or goal [ril æmˈbɪʃən]) left(remaining [lɛft]) (dash indicating a pause or break [–*])– to see(to witness [tɪ si]) the windmill(referring to a specific structure [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]) well under way(making good progress [wɛl ˈəndər weɪ]) before(prior to [ˌbiˈfɔr]) he reached(he attained [hi riʧt]) the age(a specific point in time related to age [ðə eɪʤ]) for retirement(the time when one stops working [fər rɪˈtaɪərmənt]).