Poem 1: How to Tell Wild Animals
By Carolyn Wells
✅ Summary (Easy English):
This is a funny and playful poem. The poet tells us some dangerous and silly ways to recognize wild animals.
She says:
- If a large, yellow-brown animal (lion) roars at you while you’re dying, it’s an Asian Lion.
- If a big cat with black stripes eats you, it’s a Bengal Tiger.
- If a spotted animal jumps on you again and again, it’s a Leopard.
- If an animal hugs you very tightly, it’s a Bear.
- If an animal laughs, it’s a Hyena, and if it cries fake tears, it’s a Crocodile.
- If you see nothing on a tree, it could be a Chameleon (it changes color to hide).
The poet uses humor and rhyming words to make learning about wild animals fun.
🇮🇳 सारांश (हिंदी में):
यह एक मजेदार और हास्यपूर्ण कविता है। कवयित्री हमें जंगली जानवरों को पहचानने के अनोखे और खतरनाक तरीके बताती हैं।
वह कहती हैं:
- अगर एक बड़ा पीले-भूरे रंग का जानवर गरजता है और तुम मरने लगो, तो वह एशियाई शेर है।
- अगर एक पीले रंग के शरीर पर काली धारियों वाला जानवर तुम्हें खा जाए, तो वह बंगाल टाइगर है।
- अगर कोई चितकबरा जानवर तुम पर बार-बार छलांग लगाए, तो वह तेंदुआ है।
- अगर कोई जानवर तुम्हें कसकर गले लगाए, तो वह भालू है।
- अगर कोई जानवर हँसता है, तो वह हाइना है, और अगर वह नकली आँसू बहाए, तो वह मगरमच्छ है।
- अगर पेड़ पर कुछ न दिखे, तो वह गिरगिट हो सकता है।
कविता में हास्य और लय के साथ जंगली जानवरों की जानकारी दी गई है।
🐯 Poem: How to Tell Wild Animals
(by Carolyn Wells, Page 44–45)
1. Does ‘dyin’ really rhyme with ‘lion’? Can you say it in such a way that it does?
Answer:
No, in normal English “dyin'” and “lion” don’t rhyme. But the poet says it in a funny way so that they sound like they rhyme. It’s just for fun.
2. How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger?
Answer:
The poet says, if a big yellow-brown animal (lion) comes to you and roars loudly, it’s an Asian Lion.
If a wild animal with black stripes on yellow skin kills and eats you, it’s a Bengal Tiger!
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, the correct word is “leaped” or “leapt.” The poet spells it as “lep” to make the poem funny and match the rhythm. It is a joke.
4. What is a ‘bearhug’?
Answer:
A bearhug is a very strong and tight hug — like how a bear holds you. It sounds loving but can also be dangerous if the bear is real!
5. Line: “A novice might nonplus.” How would you write this correctly? Why is the poet’s way better?
Answer:
Correct way: A beginner might be confused.
The poet uses old or funny words like “nonplus” to make the poem rhyme and sound playful. It adds humor.
6. Can you find other funny or creative poems in your own language?
Answer (Example):
Yes! In Hindi, poets like Sukumar Ray and Kaka Hathrasi wrote funny poems using silly rhymes and funny situations. They are fun to read and make us laugh.
7. Lines you liked in the poem and why:
Example Answer:
I liked: “If he roars at you as you’re dyin’ / You’ll know it is the Asian Lion.”
Because it’s funny and scary at the same time. The rhyme is also silly and fun.