Summary of How to Tell Wild Animals by Carolyn Wells NCERT Class 10th

Summary of How to Tell Wild Animals by Carolyn Wells with Detailed Explanation First Flight Class 10

Summary of the Poem The Tiger

The Tiger by Carolyn Wells

If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion....

In this stanza, the poet says that this is an extreme situation to identify a lion. The poet says that if the roar of the animal is so fearsome that you feel like you are dying then you can be sure that you are near a lion.

Or if some time when roaming round,
A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground,
Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.

In this stanza, the poet says that what to do if you see a wild animal with black stripes on yellow body. If he starts eating you then you can be sure that it is a tiger. But it is better not to wait to be a tiger’s lunch to identify it.

If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard.
’Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.

In this stanza, the poet asks what do you think if you happen to see an animal with spots which gives it a salt and pepper appearance, wait until he leaps on you. Because no matter how hard you cry, it will continue pouncing on you. So, be careful and don’t allow it to leap on you.

If when you’re walking round your yard
You meet a creature there,
Who hugs you very, very hard,
Be sure it is a Bear.
If you have any doubts, I guess
He’ll give you just one more caress.

In this stanza, the poet says that years are thought to be good wrestlers and can give a really tight hug. Although a friendly hug is referred to as bear hug. But if a real bear will hug you, then it may not feel friendly at all.

Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The Crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re Crocodiles.

In this stanza, the poet describes that some animals are famous for their weird behaviour. For example, a laughing hyena’s voice resembles human’s laughing sound. A crocodile is said shed tears while eating its pray. So don’t wait for a hyena to laugh or for a crocodile to weep.

The true Chameleon is small,
A lizard sort of thing;
He hasn’t any ears at all,
And not a single wing.
If there is nothing on the tree,
’Tis the chameleon you see.

A chameleon or garden lizard is an expert at camouflage. If you are unable to see a thing on tree then chances are chameleon is sitting there. As it changes colour as per its surrounding it is difficult to see. This capacity of camouflage helps the lizard in saving it from hunters.

Quick Revision Notes

• If by chance you go to any forest in the East and if a huge terrible animal comes to you and if it roars loudly and if you are dying then you will come to know that it is an Asian Lion.

• If a wild animal with black stripes on yellow hide welcomes you and eats you then this simple rule will teach you that it is a Bengal tiger.

• When strolling if you see whose hide is covered with spots and it jumps at you and starts eating you then you understand that it is a leopard.  There will be no use of shouting with pain because it will continuously eat you.

• If you are just walking around in your yard and an animal meets you and it hugs you tightly then believe that it is a bear.

• If you have any doubt then I think that it will kiss you, a novice may be confused to recognize animals.

• You can differentiate between crocodile and hyena. Hyena always smiles but if tears come from its eyes then it is a crocodile.

• An original chameleon is like a lizard.  It doesn’t have ears or wings.  If there is nothing on the tree then you will find there a chameleon.

NCERT Solutions of How To Tell Wild Animals

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