NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight

How to Tell Wild Animals

Updated For 2024-2025
Exams

 

Thinking about the Poem

Q.1: Does ‘dyin’ really rhyme with
‘lion’? Can you say it in such a way that it does?

Answer:
No, ‘dyin’ doesn’t really rhyme with ‘lion.’ However, the poet has intentionally
used the informal pronunciation ‘dyin’ to create a humorous effect and make it
sound like it rhymes with ‘lion.’ When said quickly or casually, the words can
be made to sound like they rhyme.

Q.2: How does the poet suggest that you
identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do so, according to him?

Answer:
The poet suggests identifying the lion by its loud roar and its large, tawny
(yellowish-brown) appearance. You can identify it when it is roaring at you,
likely indicating that you’re in danger. The tiger, on the other hand, is
identified by its black stripes on a yellow background. You can recognize it
when it attacks and eats you, making the identification a deadly one.

Q.3: Do you think the words ‘lept‘ and
‘lep’ in the third stanza are spelt correctly? Why does the poet spell them
like this?

Answer:
No, ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ are not the correct spellings of the words. The correct
spelling is ‘leapt.’ The poet spells them this way for humorous effect, making
the poem playful and lighthearted. The incorrect spellings contribute to the
poem’s whimsical tone.

Q.4: Do you know what a ‘bearhug’ is?
It’s a friendly and strong hug — such as bears are thought to give, as they
attack you! Again, hyenas are thought to laugh, and crocodiles to weep
(‘crocodile tears’) as they swallow their victims. Are there similar
expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in your own language(s)?

Answer:
Yes, in many languages and cultures, animals are often associated with certain
traits. For example, foxes are often seen as cunning or sly, while owls are
considered wise. In Hindi, for example, calling someone a ‘billi’ (cat) can
imply that they are sneaky or stealthy. Similarly, a person might be compared
to a ‘sher’ (lion) to highlight their bravery.

Q.5: Look at the line “A novice might
nonplus.” How would you write this ‘correctly’? Why is the poet’s ‘incorrect’
line better in the poem?

Answer:
The correct way to write the line would be “A novice might be nonplussed.”
However, the poet’s incorrect version adds to the humor and playful tone of the
poem. The use of informal and incorrect language makes the poem more amusing
and accessible, contributing to its light-hearted and comical nature.

Q.6: Can you find other examples of
poets taking liberties with language, either in English or in your own
language(s)? Can you find examples of humorous poems in your own language(s)?

Answer:
Yes, poets often take liberties with language to create a specific effect. For
example, Lewis Carroll’s poem Jabberwocky in Through the
Looking-Glass is famous for its use of invented words like “slithy” and
“mimsy.” In Hindi, a humorous poem like Chand Ka Kurta by Harivansh Rai
Bachchan uses playful language and imagination to describe the moon wearing a
kurta. These liberties make the poems more enjoyable and playful.

Q.7: Much of the humour in the poem
arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. If
there are particular lines in the poem that you especially like, share these
with the class, speaking briefly about what it is about the ideas or the
language that you like or find funny.

Answer:
One of the funniest lines in the poem is “If he roars at you as you’re dyin’ /
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion.” The idea that you would only recognize the
lion when it’s already too late is both dark and humorous. The use of the
casual, incorrect rhyme of ‘dyin’ with ‘lion’ adds to the humor. The poem plays
with the idea of identifying dangerous animals in situations where it’s already
clear you’re in danger, which adds to its charm and comedic effect.