CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 15: How to Tell Wild Animals - NCERT Solutions

No, the word 'dyin' does not naturally rhyme with 'lion'. The standard pronunciation of 'lion' ends with an 'un' sound, while 'dyin' (a colloquial spelling of 'dying') ends with an 'in' sound. However, the poet uses this as a form of poetic license. If one were to pronounce 'lion' with a slightly altered accent, perhaps closer to 'lyin', it could create a near rhyme with 'dyin'. The poet likely intended this slight alteration for humorous effect and to fit the poem's rhythm.

The poet suggests identifying a lion by its large size and its 'tawny' (yellowish-brown) colour. A key characteristic mentioned is that a lion will roar loudly when it attacks its prey. In contrast, a tiger is described as having distinctive 'black stripes on a yellow coat' (a Bengal Tiger). The poet notes that a tiger attacks silently. According to the poet, one can attempt to identify these animals while 'roaming in the jungle', implying these are potential, albeit dangerous, encounters.

No, the words 'lept' and 'lep' are not standard English spellings. The correct spelling for the past tense of 'leap' is 'leapt' (or 'leaped'), and 'lep' is an incorrect form of 'leap'. The poet intentionally spells them this way, using 'poetic license'. This is done to maintain the poem's rhythm and rhyme scheme. By using these slightly altered spellings, the poet ensures the words fit the meter and rhyme with other words in the stanza, contributing to the poem's musicality and humorous tone.

A 'bearhug' is described as a powerful and potentially deadly embrace, where a bear might hold its prey tightly, often with its forelimbs, to crush it. This is not a friendly gesture but a predatory action.

Yes, there are many similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in various languages. For instance, in Hindi, the phrase 'Magarmach ke aansu' (crocodile tears) refers to a fake display of sadness. The saying 'Haathi ke daant dikhane ke aur, khane ke aur' (An elephant shows its teeth for one purpose but eats for another) implies hypocrisy. Another idiom, 'Girgit ke tarah rang badalna' (Changing colours like a chameleon), describes someone who is inconsistent or changes their stance easily. These expressions often attribute human-like emotions or behaviours to animals, sometimes humorously or metaphorically.

The line 'A novice might nonplus' would typically be written correctly in standard English as 'A novice might be nonplussed'. 'Nonplussed' means bewildered or perplexed. However, the poet's use of 'nonplus' is deliberate. By using 'nonplus', the poet creates a rhyme with the word 'thus' in the preceding line ('If there is nothing on the track, / It is the Leopard, that is black; / With spots on body, as soon as caught, / Then the novice might nonplus.'). This specific word choice, 'nonplus', fits the rhyme scheme and rhythm of the poem better than the grammatically correct 'be nonplussed', enhancing the poem's flow and humorous effect.

Poets frequently take liberties with language, a practice known as 'poetic license'. This allows them to alter word spellings, grammar, or syntax to achieve desired effects like rhyme, rhythm, or emphasis. For example, in English poetry, words might be shortened or archaic forms used. In the provided example, the word 'prest' is used instead of 'pressed' so that it rhymes with 'breast' in the lines: 'A tree whose hungry mouth is prest / Against the earth's sweat flowing breast'.

Many languages have humorous poems. For instance, in Hindi, poets like Harishankar Parsai and Kaka Hathrasi are known for their satirical and humorous writings, often using wordplay and everyday situations for comedic effect. These poems often rely on clever language use, exaggeration, and relatable scenarios to evoke laughter.

The poem is indeed rich in humour, stemming from both its imaginative ideas and its playful use of language. One particularly funny aspect is the casual, almost conversational tone used when describing potentially dangerous animals. For example, the lines describing the leopard's action, 'He'll only lep and lep again,' are humorous because of the repetition and the slightly awkward, bouncy image created by the word 'lep' (a variant of 'leap'). This makes the leopard's movement seem less menacing and more comically persistent. Another humorous idea is the very premise of trying to identify wild animals using such unconventional and potentially risky methods, presented in a light-hearted manner.