Where have all the tenants gone?
"And remember, comrades, your resolution must never falter. No argument must lead you astray. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest, that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. It is all lies. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself. And among us animals let there be perfect unity, perfect comradeship in the struggle." (George Orwell: Animal Farm)
The abattoir owner looked on as the farmer drove into the yard, parked up and dropped the ramp at the rear of the vehicle. A solitary lamb emerged, nonchalantly skipping as it made its way into the building.
"That's it? Where are the rest of them?" the abattoir owner asked.
The farmer shrugged. "They didn't want to come" he eventually replied.
A look of incredulity registered on the owner's face. "What do you mean they didn't want to come?"
"They've wised up" the farmer replied. "They now know what they're getting themselves into and have decided that enough is enough."
The previous evening the farmer finished his drink and staggered off to bed. In the yard the animals sat pensively, patiently waiting until the lights in the house were doused.
That was the signal for them to make their way to the barn. They had all been summoned; there was to be a meeting.
As they filed in, the building began to echo to the sounds of excitable chatter. Speculation was rife as to purpose of the gathering. Within a matter of minutes the barn was full to capacity; all waited expectantly.
Eventually, Brigadier walked in; silence descended upon the gathering.
Brigadier was a twelve year old ram and a senior figure in the animal community. It was he who had called this meeting. From his demeanour it was evident that he had something of consequence to say.
All eyes were fixed on him as he began to speak.
"Comrades, what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it; our lives are miserable and short.
"We are reared to toil under the yoke of man. Yet, once we have served our purpose we are discarded; replaced by the next generation of naive and gullible brethren.
"Comrades, we can no longer permit the future to mirror the past. That is why I have summoned you all here this evening.
"For far too long we have looked to others; waited in vain for them to intervene on our behalf. Our trust in them has been misplaced. They have failed us; offering words without deeds.
"The time for waiting is over. We must take control of our own destiny."
Murmurs of approval emanated from the throng....
"Tomorrow morning the farmer will ask some of you to go with him. You will be given assurances that you are going to a better place; one where you can finally begin to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
"He will appear pleasant and friendly, placating your concerns with many promises.
"Comrades, do not be deceived. Man's dishonesty and treachery are well documented. Be ever mindful that he remains preoccupied with his own needs whilst blissfully oblivious to ours. He will not rest until he is the sole beneficiary of your honest endeavours.
"He will tell you that he is prepared to offer concessions.
"Do not be swayed. His intent is to impose terms more onerous than those that currently burden you.
"You will hear him talk of 'partnerships' and the need to 'work together'. Such words merely mask his deceit. In times of need your pleas for help will fall upon deaf ears.
"He will promise you a greater share of the spoils, yet you will wait for them in vain."
A young lamb at the front indicated she had something to say. Brigadier nodded; a signal for her to speak.
"What can we do Brigadier? Man has no weaknesses."
"Oh but he does little one" Brigadier replied, "he does".
"Can man till the soil alone? Does he possess the strength to harvest his crops and carry them to market?
"Remember brethren, man is reliant upon our labour; without us he is nothing. His weakness is our strength; something we must be mindful of when we feel our will to resist diminish.
"Take heart from the fact that our defiance is irksome to man. Each day we turn our backs on his burdensome demands his strength ebbs away whilst we grow stronger.
"Comrades, I share your frustration, your anger. We have all become weary of living in a world of inequality; one that denies us the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our labour.
"I would ask you to be patient. Change will come; but only if we remain steadfast and united in our resolve.
"On that glorious day man will be obliged to come to us. Then it is we who shall make the demands, he who will feel compelled to offer the concessions that we seek.
"That day draws nearer comrades, so do not falter now. Be ever mindful of the fact that we face a formidable adversary; one who will stop at nothing to prevail.
"There are those who deride us, who maintain our cause is futile. In their eyes we merely seek scapegoats to distract attention away from our own failings.
"They would have us believe that we have no cause for complaint; that this miserable state in which we find ourselves is one of our own making.
"Pay them little heed. They merely seek to create division where none exists.
"To them I would say this.
"Is it so wrong to trust? Is it so wrong to expect honesty and fairness to prevail? Or do we now inhabit a world devoid of such noble virtues?
"Yes comrades, we have been guilty of naivety, of that there is little doubt. Foolishly placing our faith in those undeserving of such accolades.
"But what of man? Are not his indiscretions so much greater?
"Comrades, no more, our time has come!"
Silence descended upon the barn as all reflected upon what had been said.
Then Brigadier began to sing. As his voice echoed around the barn the other animals joined in, revelling in the joyous sounds of defiance.
Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland,
Beasts of every land and clime,
Hearken to my joyful tidings
Of the golden future time.
Soon or late the day is coming,
Tyrant Man shall be overthrown,
And the fruitful fields of England
Shall be trod by beasts alone.
Rings shall vanish from our noses,
And the harness from our back,
Bit and spur shall rust forever,
Cruel whips no more shall crack.
Riches more than mind can picture,
Wheat and barley, oats and hay,
Clover, beans and mangel-wurzels
Shall be ours upon that day.
Bright will shine the fields of England,
Purer shall its waters be,
Sweeter yet shall blow its breezes
On the day that sets us free.
For that day we all must labour,
Though we die before it break;
Cows and horses, geese and turkeys,
All must toil for freedom's sake.
Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland,
Beasts of every land and clime,
Hearken well and spread my tidings
Of the golden future time.
One week later
As Major strolled past the barn he spotted a notice pinned to the door. It was an open invitation for the animals to attend an open day at the abattoir. 'Come and meet us, come and talk to us' it said, 'we'd really like to see you'.
He allowed himself a smile. 'Finally' he thought, 'they're having to come to us'. 'Perhaps at long last the tide is beginning to turn............'
"And remember, comrades, your resolution must never falter. No argument must lead you astray. Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest, that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. It is all lies. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself. And among us animals let there be perfect unity, perfect comradeship in the struggle." (George Orwell: Animal Farm)
Robert Sayles used to help his wife run the Hakuna Matata pub in Birmingham.
