How to Tell Wild Animals by Carolyn Wells

How to Tell Wild Animals by Carolyn Wells

Stanza1.

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...

Explanation: In the first stanza, the poet introduces us to the Asian Lion. It is found in the jungles of Eastern Asian countries. It is large in size and its colour is yellowish brown. It roars in such a way that the listener is about to die of its terror.

Stanza 2.

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

Explanation: In the second stanza, the poet describes the Bengal Tiger. He has black stripes on his yellow coloured body. The poet calls him ‘a noble beast’. The reason may be that the tiger kills only when he is hungry.

Stanza 3.

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.

Explanation: In the third stanza, we come to know about a leopard. His body is covered with black spots. He is very agile in attacking his prey. If he notices any human being, he will attack him by leaping. He will not roar but leap to attack his prey. He may kill even when he is not hungry.

Stanza  4.

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.

Explanation: The stanza 4 introduces us to a Bear. We also come to know that a bear gives a very hard hug before killing his prey. He may squeeze second time also if he doubts that his victim in still alive.

Thus, the poet introduces us to the fact as to how the bear press the prey to his chest in order to kill.

Stanza 5.

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.

Explanation: In the fifth stanza, the poet uses common sayings about hyenas and crocodiles. He says that hyena seems to laugh while eating their prey. The crocodiles seem to shed tears while swallowing their prey.

Stanza 6.

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.

Explanation: A chameleon is a lizard-type creature. He has no ears. He has no wings either. But it is very difficult to find out a chameleon on a tree because he changes his colour in case of danger.

Word-meanings

Questions & Answers

Important facts to note:

Q1. How can you recognize the Asian Lion? Or what does the poet say about the Asian Lion in this poem?

Ans. The Asian lion is large in size. Its body is brownish yellow in colour. Its roar is horrible. It makes its prey almost die of fear.  It is found in the forests of the Eastern countries.

Q2. Where are the Asian Lions found?

Ans. Asian lion is found in the forests of the eastern countries like India, Bangla Desh and Sri Lanka.

Q3. How does the Bengal Tiger look? What is so distinct about it?

Ans. The poet calls the Bengal tiger ‘a noble wild beast’. It has black stripes on its yellow body. He at once jumps at its prey to eat.

Q4. Why does the poet say that a bear’s hug may confuse a novice?

Ans. A bear kills his prey by hugging and pressing hard. A novice may think it an act of love. Actually, the bear tries to kill the person by hugging hard.

Q5. Where the chameleon is generally found? Which two things does a chameleon not have?

Ans. A chameleon is generally found on the branches of a tree. It has no ears and wings.

Q6. How can you distinguish a crocodile from a hyena?

Ans. It is said that crocodiles shed tears before killing its prey. A Hyena laughs before killing its prey.

Q7. How can you distinguish a tiger from a leopard?

Ans. A tiger has black stripes on his body. A leopard has black spots on his body.

Q8. How can you distinguish a lion from a tiger?

Ans. A lion has large and brownish yellow body. It roars terribly before attacking his prey. A tiger has black stripes on his body. He does not roar while attacking his prey.

Stanzas:

Stanza1.

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...

Word-meanings: 1.advance: comes/moves 2. tawny: brownish yellow in colour

Stanza 2.

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

Word-meanings : 1. Roaming: wandering about 2. Discern: notice

Stanza 3.

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.

Word-meanings: 1. Strolling: wandering, roaming 2. Peppered: covered with spots  3. Lept (leapt): jumped 4. Lep (leapt): jumped

Stanza  4.

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.

!. yard: courtyard 2. Hugs: embraces 3. Caress: embrace

Stanza 5.

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.

1.      Distinguish: differentiate/recognize 2. Novice: inexperienced person 3. Nonplus (nonplussed): confused

Stanza 6.

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.