Classes are starting or are about to start in the Philippines. In Metropolitan Manila this means that traffic and stress will be slowly be coming back. The summer break from traffic will be like the fallen ice cream evaporated under the watch of the Sun. Aside from traffic jams, tuition fees and all the other things classes are made of one is reminded of libraries and books. Not enough books available.
Speaking of schools and libraries. One book I met and become a favorite read was George Orwell’s Animal Farm: A Fairy Story. If I were going to go on a long trip this would be one of the books since : a) It is easy to carry and (b) an easy and interesting read; and (b) it is a mirror.
Personally, I think this is one of the best works of George Orwell, I like it better than 1984 and Why I Write. And we would probably benefit if more people read it.
But why read Animal Farm?
One, It is a small and easy to carry book.
Two, It has Farm Animals in it. Not the cute ones from Disney but interesting Animals nonetheless.
Three, It is a Fairy Tale and we all love Fairy Tales.
Four, This is a subversive Fairy Tale and we all love Subversive Fairy Tales
Five, It is a Modern Day Fairy Tale warning against Communist Despotisms and all other revolutions, campaigns and political promises.
Six, It will grab and smash those rose colored glasses most idealists wear.
Seven, Where can you find a political story where the characters are named Old Major, Napoleon, Squealer, Benjamin the Donkey, and Snowball ?
Eight, It is probably the only Fairy Tale adapted into a feature film allegedly sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency.
Nine, George Orwell wrote it.
Ten and Lastly, It is the Fairy Tale that gave us the phrase –
All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
