(Poem) How to Tell Wild Animals-Poem Summary English Class 10 In English

Chapter 3. (Poem) How to Tell Wild Animals

How to Tell Wild Animals is a humorous poem written by Carolyn Wells. The poet describes different wild animals in a funny and imaginative way, making the identification of these animals both entertaining and memorable. Instead of giving scientific facts, the poet uses humour, irony, and exaggeration to explain how one might "recognise" dangerous animals if they suddenly meet them in the jungle. The poem also highlights the unique characteristics of each animal while keeping readers amused. This page includes the English summary, Hindi summary, difficult words, central idea, and poetic devices based on the latest NCERT Class 10 English First Flight syllabus.

Poem Summary (English)

The poem begins with the poet playfully asking how one can identify wild animals while travelling through forests in the East. Instead of giving practical advice, she humorously explains that if a large, yellow-brown animal leaps at you and you are immediately eaten, then it must be an Asian Lion. This unexpected description creates a comic effect and introduces the light-hearted tone of the poem.

The poet then describes several other wild animals in a similarly amusing manner. According to her, if a striped animal attacks and kills you, it is a Bengal Tiger. If a huge animal hugs you tightly until you die, it is a Bear. A Hyena is recognised by its strange laughing sound, while a Crocodile appears to cry false tears after eating its victim. Through these exaggerated situations, the poet combines facts about animals with humour and irony.

In the final part of the poem, the poet describes the Chameleon, a small lizard that changes its colour according to its surroundings. Unlike the dangerous animals mentioned earlier, the Chameleon is harmless. If you see a creature sitting silently on a branch and it suddenly disappears from your sight, it is most likely a Chameleon that has blended into its surroundings.

Although the poem appears funny, it also introduces readers to the distinctive features of different wild animals. Carolyn Wells uses wit, imagination, and exaggeration to make learning enjoyable. The poem teaches that education can be entertaining when presented creatively.

Poem Summary (Hindi / सारांश)

"How to Tell Wild Animals" प्रसिद्ध कवयित्री Carolyn Wells द्वारा लिखी गई एक हास्यपूर्ण कविता है। इस कविता में कवयित्री विभिन्न जंगली जानवरों की पहचान बड़े ही मनोरंजक और व्यंग्यात्मक ढंग से कराती हैं। वे किसी वैज्ञानिक जानकारी के बजाय कल्पना, हास्य और अतिशयोक्ति का प्रयोग करके बताती हैं कि यदि जंगल में किसी जंगली जानवर से सामना हो जाए तो उसकी पहचान कैसे की जा सकती है।

कविता की शुरुआत एशियाई शेर के वर्णन से होती है। कवयित्री कहती हैं कि यदि कोई पीले-भूरे रंग का विशाल जानवर आप पर झपट पड़े और आपको खा जाए, तो समझ लीजिए कि वह एशियाई शेर था। इसी प्रकार यदि धारीदार बाघ आपको मार दे, तो वह बंगाल टाइगर है। यदि कोई विशाल भालू आपको प्यार से गले लगाए और उसी में आपकी मृत्यु हो जाए, तो वह भालू है। लकड़बग्घे (Hyena) की पहचान उसकी हँसी जैसी आवाज़ से होती है, जबकि मगरमच्छ अपने शिकार को खाने के बाद झूठे आँसू बहाता हुआ दिखाई देता है।

अंत में कवयित्री गिरगिट (Chameleon) का वर्णन करती हैं, जो अन्य जानवरों की तरह खतरनाक नहीं है। वह अपने आसपास के वातावरण के अनुसार अपना रंग बदल लेता है। यदि कोई छोटा-सा जीव पेड़ की डाल पर बैठा दिखाई दे और अचानक गायब हो जाए, तो समझना चाहिए कि वह गिरगिट है जिसने अपना रंग बदल लिया है।

यह कविता हमें मनोरंजन के साथ-साथ विभिन्न जंगली जानवरों की विशेषताओं से भी परिचित कराती है। कवयित्री यह संदेश देती हैं कि सीखना केवल गंभीर विषय नहीं होता, बल्कि हास्य और कल्पना के माध्यम से भी ज्ञान को रोचक बनाया जा सकता है।

Difficult Words and Meanings

1. Roaming – Moving from place to place freely.

2. Noble – Grand or majestic.

3. Beast – A wild animal.

4. Lep – Jumped suddenly.

5. Discern – To recognise or identify.

6. Tawny – Yellowish-brown in colour.

7. Roar – A loud deep sound made by a lion or tiger.

8. Fangs – Long, sharp teeth of a wild animal.

9. Hyena – A wild animal known for its laughing-like cry.

10. Crocodile Tears – False or insincere expression of sadness.

11. Chameleon – A lizard that changes its colour.

12. Lizard – A small reptile.

13. Camouflage – Blending with the surroundings for protection.

14. Inwardly – Deep within oneself.

15. Jungle – A dense forest with wild animals.

Central Idea / Theme

The central idea of How to Tell Wild Animals is to introduce different wild animals through humour and imagination. Carolyn Wells uses exaggeration and witty descriptions to make the poem entertaining while highlighting the unique characteristics of each animal. The poem proves that learning can be enjoyable when knowledge is presented in a creative and humorous way.

Poetic Devices

1. Humour

The entire poem is humorous because the poet identifies dangerous animals through funny and exaggerated situations.

2. Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds creates rhythm and musical effect.
Example: Bear hugs

3. Imagery

The poet creates vivid mental pictures of different wild animals and their actions.

4. Hyperbole

The poet deliberately exaggerates situations for comic effect, such as being eaten by a lion or hugged to death by a bear.

5. Irony

The advice appears helpful, but it becomes useful only after the victim has already been attacked, creating irony.

6. Rhyme Scheme

The poem follows the rhyme scheme ababcc in each stanza, giving it a pleasant rhythm and flow.