How to Tell Wild Animals The Ball Poem

How to Tell Wild Animals, The Ball Poem AP 10th Class English First Flight 3rd Poem Questions and Answers

Poem : How to Tell Wild Animals Thinking about the Poem :

Question 1.
Does dyin really rhyme with lion? Can you say it in such a way that it does?

Answer: Yes. The word dyin rhymes with lion ONLY in the poem. The poet uses dyin in the place of dying, for the purposes of rhyme and prosody. We normally say the word as dying and that way it doesnt rhyme with lion. So, we cant say in such a way that it does in the poem

Question 2.
How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do so, according to him?

Answer: The poet suggests that we can identify either the lion or the tiger with the help of their sudden attacks on us. Pouncing on their prey is their basic nature. That tells us that they are tigers and lions. But we learn that they are lions or tigers only when we are being killed and eaten. The poet says so for poetic purposes of humour and effect

Question 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 word lept and lep are not spelt correctly. The correct spelling is leapt and leap. The poet spells them like that to meet the rules of prosody. The poet exercises her poetic licence and takes liberty with spellings, usage, etc. We find quite a good number of such examples in the poem

Question 4.
Do you know what a bearhug is ? Its a friendly and strong hug - such as bears are thought to give, as they attack you ! Again, hyenas are thought to laugh, and crocodiles to weep (crocodile tears) as they swallow their victims. Are there similar expressions andi popular ideas about wild animals in your own language(s)?

Answer: Yes. There are quite a good number of expressions like crocodile tears in our own language (Telugu). Some examples are: a fox/jackals tricks ; monkeys acts ; lions share , etc

Question 5.
Look at the line "A novice might nonplus". How would you write this correctly? Why is the poets incorrect line better in the poem?

Answer: The correct way to write "A novice might nonplus" is "A novice might be nonplussed". The poets incorrect line is better than the correct line in two ways. The word nonplus rhymes well with the word thus. Dropping be and sed meets the meter needs of the line. It also adds to the humour and lighter vein of the poem

Question 6.
Can you find other examples of poets taking liberties with language, either in English or in your own language(s)? Can you find examples of humorous poems in your own language(s)?

Answer: Yes, quite a good number of poets take liberties with language in English as well as in other languages. "The most cruellest cut of all" is one classic example of liberties exploited by writers. Shakespeare boldly uses the above ungrammatical (double superlative) expression. Many are such instances

Question 7.
Much of the humour in the poem arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. If there are particular lines in the poem that you especially like, share these with the class, speaking briefly about what it is about the ideas or the language that you like or find funny?

Answer: as you are dyin/ Youll know it is the Asian Lion.. This simple rule (if it eats you) will help you learn.. Who hugs you very, very hard.. are the lines I am very much impressed with. In terms of language and ideas, they fill the readers heart with fun and fear at once

Poem : The Ball Poem Thinking, about the Poem :

Question 1.
Why does the poet say, "I would not intrude on him"? Why doesnt he offer him money to buy another ball?

Answer: The poet says he doesnt like to interfere with the boys feelings. The loss of the ball is an experience that teaches the boy lifes lessons. Hence the poet wants to stay away without even giving money to buy another ball

Question 2.
"staring down / All his young days into the harbour where / His ball went." Do you think the boy has had the ball for a long time? Is it linked to the memories of days when he played with it?

Answer: Yes, the boy had the ball for a long time. Yes, the ball is linked to the memories of the days the boy played with the ball

Question 3.
What does "in the world of possessions" mean?

Answer: The expression "in the world of possessions" means " in situations where owning things is important". These are the days when people love to own things and ignore the value of relationships

Question 4.
Do you think the boy has lost anything earlier? Pick out the words that suggest the answer?

Answer: No, the boy has not lost anything earlier. The words that express this fact clearly are: "He senses first responsibility"

Question 5.
What does the poet say the boy is learning from the loss of the ball ? Try to explain this in your own words?

Answer: The boy, according to the poet, is learning to put up with the loss of things. He is picking up the knowledge of loss

Question 6.
Have you ever lost something you liked very much? Write the paragraph describing how you felt then, and saying whether - and how - you got over your loss?

Answer: Yes. I have lost a book of stories which I liked very much. I felt very bad about the loss, though I read all the stories many times. Time and engagement with other activities helped me overcome that sorrow

How to Tell Wild Animals Poem Summary in English

"How to Tell Wild Animals" is an interesting study in humorous zoology. It is very informative. It is also at once humorous and frightening. Poetic devices, of various sorts, abound in the poem. It tells us the way to identify different wild animals. And it follows a pattern. First, the distinct physical features of the animals are graphically presented

Then their unique traits are portrayed. A large brown beast that roars at its prey is the Asian Lion. A noble looking animal that has black stripes on a bright yellow background and eats its victim is the Bengal Tiger. The one with peppered spots and that leaps on you is the Leopard. The creatures that hug who go near them are Bears. Those which smile are Hyenas and that cry are Crocodiles. Last comes the Chameleon, very small like a lizard, and mingles with his surroundings in such a way that we see nothing

Additional Questions : How to Tell Wind Animals I. Read the following stanza

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 youre dyin Youll know it is the Asian Lion.

Question 1.
What animal might you encounter in the jungles of the east according to the stanza?

1. Tiger
2. Asian Lion
3. Elephant

Answer: Asian Lion

Question 2.
How does the Asian Lions roar signal its identity?

1. It is particularly loud
2. It is deep and resonant
3. It is high-pitched

Answer: It is deep and resonant

Question 3.
What emotion might you experience if faced with the Asian Lions roar?

1. Calmness
2. Fear
3. Curiosity

Answer: Fear

II. Read the following stanza

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

Question 1.
What distinctive feature does the Bengal Tiger possess according to the stanza?

1. Black spots on a yellow ground
2. Black stripes on a yellow ground
3. White stripes on an orange ground

Answer: Black stripes on a yellow ground

Question 2.
How might encountering the Bengal Tiger end, according to the stanza?

1. It will greet you affectionately
2. It will playfully interact with you
3. It will attack and potentially eat you

Answer: It will attack and potentially eat you

Question 3.
What advice does the stanza offer to help identify the Bengal Tiger?

1. Observe its speed and agility
2. Pay attention to its eating habits
3. Look for black stripes on a yellow ground

Answer: Look for black stripes on a yellow ground

III. Read the following stanza

If strolling forth, a beast you view, Whose hide with spots is peppered, As soon as he has lept on you, Youll know it is the Leopard. Twill do no good to roar with pain, Hell only lep and lep again

Question 1.
What physical characteristic distinguishes the Leopard according to the stanza?

1. Striped hide
2. Spotted hide
3. Solid-colored hide

Answer: Spotted hide

Question 2.
What action does the Leopard take upon encountering its prey?

1. It roars loudly
2. It attacks with its claws
3. It leaps onto its prey

Answer: It leaps onto its prey

Question 3.
How does the stanza suggest one might respond if attacked by a Leopard?

1. Run away as fast as possible

Answer: Run away as fast as possible

IV. Read the following stanza

If when youre 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 Hell give you just one more caress

Question 1.
What action might the Bear take upon encountering someone in their yard according to the stanza?

1. It will roar loudly
2. It will hug them tightly
3. It will run away quickly

Answer: t will hug them tightly

Question 2.
How does the stanza suggest one might recognize the presence of a Bear ?

1. By its loud growling
2. By its gentle demeanor
3. By its tight hugs

Answer: By its tight hugs

Question 3.
What is implied by the Bear giving "just one more caress"?

1. It wants to scare you away
2. It wants to comfort you
3. It wants to harm you further

Answer: It wants to scare you away

V. Read the following stanza

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 theyre Crocodiles

Question 1.
How does the stanza suggest distinguishing between Crocodiles and Hyenas?

1. By their size and weight
2. By their habitat preference
3. By their facial expressions

Answer: By their facial expressions

Question 2.
What facial expression do Hyenas typically have according to the stanza ?

1. Merry smiles
2. Angry frowns
3. Stern looks

Answer: Merry smiles

Question 3.
How can one identify a Crocodile according to the stanza?

1. By their loud roars
2. By their bright colors
3. By their tears

Answer: By their tears

VI. Read the following stanza

The true Chameleon is small, A lizard sort of thing; He hasnt any ears at all, And not a single wing. If there is nothing on the tree, Tis the chameleon you see

Question 1.
How is the size of the true Chameleon described in the stanza ?

1. Large and intimidating
2. Small and compact
3. Medium-sized and agile

Answer: Small and compact

Question 2.
What physical feature does the Chameleon lack according to the stanza ?

1. Ears
2. Eyes
3. Tail

Answer: Ears

Question 3.
How can one identify the presence of a Chameleon according to the stanza?

1. By its loud chirping
2. By its colorful wings
3. By the absence of other creatures on the tree

Answer: By the absence of other creatures on the tree

The Ball Poem VII. Read the following lines

What is the boy now, who has lost his ball, What, what is he to do? I saw it go Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then Merrily over - there it is in the water

Question 1.
What happened to the boys ball according to the stanza?

1. It was stolen
2. It got stuck in a tree
3. It fell into the water

Answer: It fell into the water

Question 2.
How did the ball move before ending up in the water?

1. It rolled slowly
2. It bounced merrily
3. It flew high

Answer: It bounced merrily

Question 3.
How does the speaker feel about the situation?

1. Annoyed
2. Happy
3. Concerned

Answer: Concerned

VIII. Read the following lines

No use to say O there are other balls: An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down All his young days into the harbour where His ball went

Question 1.
How does the boy react to losing his ball according to the stanza?

1. He laughs it off
2. He searches for other balls
3. He experiences intense grief

Answer: He experiences intense grief

Question 2.
What emotion does the phrase "ultimate shaking grief convey?

1. Happiness
2. Sadness
3. Anger

Answer: Sadness

Question 3.
What does the boy do after losing his ball?

1. He runs away
2. He searches for it frantically
3. He stands rigid and trembling

Answer: He stands rigid and trembling

IX. Read the following lines

I would not intrude on him; A dime, another ball, is worthless. Now He senses first responsibility In a world of possessions. People will take Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy

Question 1.
How does the speaker feel about the boys loss of his ball?

1. Indifferent
2. Sympathetic
3. Amused

Answer: Sympathetic

Question 2.
What does the speaker believe about the replacement of the lost ball?

1. It is necessary to replace it immediately
2. It is a futile effort
3. It will teach the boy responsibility

Answer: It is a futile effort

Question 3.
What lesson does the boy learn from losing his ball?

1. The value of possessions
2. The importance of sharing
3. The significance of friendship

Answer: The value of possessions

X. Read the following lines

And no one buys a ball back. Money is external. He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes, The epistemology of loss, how to stand up Knowing what every man must one day know And most know many days, how to stand up

Question 1.
What does the speaker suggest about the nature of money in relation to the boys loss?

1. Money cannot bring back what is lost
2. Money is the solution to all problems
3. Money is meaningless in such situations

Answer: Money is meaningless in such situations

Question 2.
How does the boy learn according to the stanza?

1. Through external teaching
2. Through observation and experience
3. Through reading books

Answer: Through observation and experience

Question 3.
What does the stanza imply about the unlversality of loss?

1. Loss is avoidable
2. Loss is temporary
3. Loss is inevitable for every person

Answer: Loss is inevitable for every person

Glossary :

How to tell wild animals : How to identify (recognize) beasts of

advance (v) : move forwards;

tawny (adj) : brown;

dyin (v+ing) : poetic form of dying; dying

discern (v) i : detect; recognize

strolling (v+ing) : wandering leisurely;

peppered (v-pp) : covered with lots of;

lept (v-pp) : poetic spelling of leapt; jumped on;

lep (v) : poetic spelling of leap; jump;

carers (n) : a gentle stroking or rubbing;

prey (n) : that which is caught and eaten;

novice (n) : a beginner;

nonplus (v) : perplex; confound;

Hyenas (n-plural) : a medium-sized African animal;

Chameleon (n) : a small reptile;

lizard (n) : a small reptile that is not a snake;

The Ball Poem Summary in English

The Ball Poem is a wonderful lesson in character building. It traces the evolution of ones personality. The poem describes a seemingly simple incident - a boy losing his ball. But it develops profound thoughts as to the knowledge man should acquire over time. On a particular day, the boy loses his ball as he plays with it. The ball rolls down and down and finally into sea water. The boy watches the ball in a thoughtful way. He feels sad. He stands stiff. He senses the first responsibility. He picks up knowledge about the ways of acquiring needed knowledge. Keenly observing narrator knows his duties very well. Trying to comfort the grief-stricken boy is no use. You can say there are many balls. You can buy another bigger or better ball. But such offers come in the way of the boys own progress. In this world of possessions the ability to accept loss is as essential as oxygen to breathe. Through the narrators stand, readers get excellent lessons in parenting. The reader glides through the poem as merrily and as easily as the ball rolls down the road!

Glossary :

bouncing (v-ing) : moving quickly, up and down again and again; ultimate (adj) : greatest, maximum;

shaking (v+ing) : affecting greatly;

grief (n) : sadness; sorrow;

rigid (adj) : stiff;

harbour (n) : a part of the sea close to the land where ships anchor or dock;

staring down all his young days : remembering and recollecting his past in a pensive and thoughtful way;

intrude (v) : interfere; come in the way where not welcome;

dime (n) : a unit of money;

world of possessions : the world that is after owning things, wealth, etc.; materialistic people;

desperate (adj) : hopeless;

epistemology (n) : the branch of philosophy that deals with the study of knowledge;