HOW TO TELL WILD ANIMALS

QUESTION AND ANSWERS

Short Answer Type Questions

1. How does one identify a chameleon?

Answer: A chameleon resembles a lizard and is a small, wingless, fearless creature.

The poet says that when there is nothing visible on the tree, there is the
chameleon camouflaged with the tree.

2. What is the famous saying associated with crocodiles and what does it
mean?

Answer: The famous saying associated with crocodiles is that of ‘shedding crocodile
tears’. It actually means tears or expressions of sorrow that are insincere, and are said
to be so named from a belief that crocodiles wept while devouring their prey.

3. What is the theme of the poem — ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’?

Answer: The theme of the poem is to create humour. The poet creates humour by
suggesting dangerous ways of identifying wild animals. You can identify most of the
beasts while they are attacking you. Instead of shouting for help or trying to protect
yourself, you are busy identifying the attacker—the idea creates humour.

4. What does the poet say about the Asian Lion in this poem?

Answer: The poet says that the Asian Lion is a large beast. He is brownish-yellow in
colour. He is found in forests of the eastern countries of the world. His roar is very
loud and terrifying.

5. How does the Bengal Tiger look? What is so distinct about a hint?

Answer: The poet says that the Bengal Tiger roams in the forest and look noble. His
skin is yellow and there are black stripes on it. As soon as the Bengal Tiger notices
someone he tries to eat him.
6. How does the poet describe the bear?

Answer: The poet suggests that the bear can enter a human colony also. That is why
you can encounter a bear even in your yard. As soon as the bear comes near a
human being, he embraces him. This embrace appears loving. But in fact, it can be
fatal.

7. Why does the poet say that a bear’s ‘hug’ may confuse a novice?

Answer: It is the tendency of a bear to kill his victim by embracing him. He hugs the
victim so tight that he usually dies. But a novice who does not know the ways of
bears may misunderstand his hug. He may think that it is a loving embrace.

8. What does the poet say about the crocodile and the hyena?

Answer: The poet describes the crocodile and the hyena humorously. The hyena
seems to be laughing. In fact, it does not laugh. Only its face appears so. On the
other hand, the crocodile has tears in his eyes when It eats its victim. it appears as if
he is shedding tears at the death of his victim. But this is not so.

9. How will you recognise the Bengal Tiger?

Answer: He is a very grand and impressive animal. His hide is yellowish. There are
black stripes all over his body. He is very agile. The moment he notices someone, he
will simply eat away that creature at once. If any animal fulfils all these traits, he must
be the Bengal Tiger.

10. How will you recognise the leopard?

Answer: The leopard is very agile and is always ready to pounce upon its prey. His
hide is spotted all over with dark spots. If he sees you, he will pounce upon you.
There will be no use of crying with pain. He will show no mercy and jump at you
once again.

11. How will you recognise a bear from other animals?

Answer: If you are walking around your courtyard, you can meet a creature there. If
he hugs you very hard, then, be sure he is the bear. His embrace is very hard and
tight. If you have any doubt about it, he will give you just one more caress.

12. Can a novice distinguish among wild animals? How can hyenas be
distinguished from crocodiles?

Answer: It is very difficult for a novice to distinguish among wild animals. He can be
easily confused. But it is very easy to distinguish between crocodiles and hyenas.
Hyenas come with merry smiles. Crocodiles can be recognised by the tears in their
eyes.

13. How will you recognise a chameleon?

Answer: A chameleon is a small creature. It looks like a lizard in appearance. It is

strange that he doesn’t have any ears. Nor does he have a single wing. If you see
such a creature sitting on a Tree, be sure he is a chameleon.

14. What does the bear do?

Answer: According to the poet, the bear embraces the human being tight. The
description of the bear has been presented in a humorous style. The bear comes
near a human being and embraces very hard. He hugs very tightly.

15. What humorous descriptions do you find in the poem?

Answer: We find some humorous descriptions about the animals in the poem. The
poet has created it by the selection of words and his pattern of explaining. As the
Bengal tiger is described noble, the bear hugs and the hyena smiles.

16. How would you recognise the Asian Lion?

Answer: He is found in the jungles of the eastern regions. He is a large and powerful
animal. He is yellow-brownish in colour. He roars so loudly that the roar is enough to
terrorise a person to death. If any animal has all these traits, he must be the Asian
Lion.
Long Answer Type Questions

1.’Many animals can be identified according to the poets’ suggestion. Name

the animals. Which ones would you like to identify? Are there any lessons for
us from this poem?

Answer: The poet has listed down the ways of identifying seven animals in the
poem, viz., and the lion, the Bengal Tiger, the leopard, the bear, the hyena, crocodiles
and chameleons. As for me, I would like to identify the bear, the Bengal Tiger and
the leopard. However, putting my life on the line just to identify the tiger and the
leopard doesn’t seem worth the risk! So if I see a noble beast with black stripes on
yellow, I’II knows the tiger, and the peppered spots will reveal the leopard. The bear
hug, I wouldn’t mind! The poetess, using humour, seems to warn readers against
venturing too close to these animals.

2. The poet has successfully used humour to be able to ‘tell’ or identify ‘Wild
Animals’. How do you think we need lots of it in our daily life?

Answer: Humour is the fuel of life. Without it, it would become difficult to continue
living. Today, the life of the common man is typically mired in stress, tension,
problems and sadness. It is amazing how the smallest problems may take on epic
proportions for a common person. In such a situation, it becomes necessary to have
a little humour in life. It gives us the much-needed respite from our monotonous
routine and helps us face life more positively. Thus, the poetess’ successful use of
humour helps livin our minds and brings a smile on our faces.

3. Every animal is unique and has some special characteristics. What tricks does
the poet adopt in distinguishing various wild animals?

Answer: No doubt, every animal is unique. Every wild animal has his own special
trait, colour, size and characteristics. The Asian Lion is found in the jungles of the
eastern regions. It is a huge and mighty creature with brownish hide. His roar is
enough to terrorise a person to death. The Bengal Tiger is a ‘noble’ and impressive
wild animals. He has yellowish hide and black stripes all over it. The Leopard has dark
spots all over his body. He is very agile. The moment he sees its prey, he pounces
upon it without showing any mercy. The bear is known by his strong and tight hug. It
becomes rather difficult for a novice to distinguish among wild animals. However,
hyenas and crocodiles can be easily recognised. Hyenas come smiling merrily while
crocodiles appear to be weeping. The chameleon is a small creature like a lizard. He
has no ears and doesn’t have even a single wing. You can find him sitting on a tree.

4. Carolyn Wells takes liberties with language and employs humour to describe
the wild animals. Give some examples of humorous descriptions in the poem.

Answer: It depends on the subject matter what style a poet chooses to adopt while
writing a poem. The poem describes wild animals and how to distinguish them. To
avoid oversimplification and monotony, the poet uses ‘humour’ as an effective
weapon. The ‘humour’ used in the poem is suggestive and mild. It is not biting or
scratching in effect. If the Asian Lion “roars at you as you’re dying”. The Bengal Tiger
is a ‘noble’ wild beast that “greets you” when you are roaming around in the jungle.
The unsparing Leopard will show no mercy and it will “do no good to roar with pain.”
If you have any doubts, the bear will “give you just one more caress.” The poet uses
subtle humour when he says: “Hyenas come with merry smiles; But if they weep
they’re Crocodiles”.