Quick Revision Notes: Class 10 English (Poetry)

Chapter: How to Tell Wild Animals

Author: Carolyn Wells

### Introduction to the Poem

The poem "How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells is a humorous and lighthearted guide on how to identify various wild animals in the jungles of the East. The poet uses witty and dangerous descriptions to create humor (comic relief) while describing ferocious beasts.

### Stanza-wise Summary & Key Identification Features

1. The Asian Lion

• Where found: In the jungles of the East (Asia).
• Physical Description: A large, brownish-yellow beast.
• Key Behavior: If he roars at you while you are dying out of fear, you will know it is the Asian Lion.

2. The Bengal Tiger

• Key Features: Roams free, noble wild beast.
• Physical Description: Has black stripes on a yellow ground (background).
• Key Behavior: If he eats you ("greets you"), this simple rule may help you learn that it is the Bengal Tiger.

3. The Leopard

• Physical Description: Covered with spots (peppered).
• Key Behavior: As soon as he has lept (jumped) on you, you will know it is a Leopard. Crying with pain will do no good; he will keep on lep-ing (leaping).

4. The Bear

• Key Behavior: If you are walking in your yard and a creature meets you who hugs you very, very hard, be sure that it is a Bear.
• Note: If you are still in doubt, he might give you just one more caress (hug).

5. The Hyena and Crocodile

• Hyena: Comes with merry smiles. If they come with smiles, they are Hyenas.
• Crocodile: Always come with 'sweet' tears.
• Distinction: Hyenas are known for smiling, while Crocodiles are known for weeping (tears).

6. The Chameleon

• Physical Description: A small lizard-like creature, has no ears and not a single wing.
• Key Feature: If there is nothing on the tree, the Chameleon is what you see (it changes color to match its surroundings/camouflage).

### Poetic Devices Used

1. Rhyme Scheme:
   • The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABABCC in each stanza (e.g., yard - hard, beast - east, etc.).
2. Enjambment:
   • Running on of a sentence from one line to the next without a punctuation mark (e.g., “If there is nothing on the tree, / The chameleon you see.”).
3. Alliteration:
   • Repetition of a consonant sound at the start of closely placed words.
   • Example: nor novice night (N sound), wandering who (W sound), Pearls pepper (P sound).
4. Allusion:
   • Reference to a famous place or thing.
   • Example: "Asian Lion", "Bengal Tiger".
5. Inversion:
   • Inversion of the normal order of words for poetic effect.
   • Example: "The beast who takes you by the hand" (Poetic syntax).

### Important Glossary / Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

• East: Refers to Asian countries.
• Yard: A small enclosed area outside a house (आँगन).
• Noble: Belonging to a high social class, majestic (शानदार).
• Peppered: Covered with spots (चितkabra / धब्बेदार).
• Leap: Jump (छलांग लगाना).
• Caress: A gentle touch or hug (प्यार से छूना या गले लगाना).
• Nonplus: A state of confusion (भ्रम की स्थिति).
• Camouflage: Ability to blend with the surroundings to hide (रंग बदलना / छद्मावरण).