Solutions

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 7 The Frog and the Nightingale

TextBook Questions

Question 1.
Listed below are a few character traits of people. Some are positive qualities, while others are not. Tick mark the ones you feel are desirable qualities in a person?
Characteristic Tick Mark Characteristic Tick Mark Characteristic Tick Mark
Insensitive High - headed Manipulative
Humorous Egoistic Patronizing
Naive Humble Submissive
Opportunistic Foolish Arrogant
Creative Original Conniving
Disapproving Helpful Innocent
Commanding Calculative Condescending
Benevolent Crafty Scheming
Simple Wise Rude
Overbearing Generous Boastful
Sly Gentle Proud
Territorial Aggressive Servile

Answer:

Humorous, Creative, Benevolent, Simple, Humble, Original, Helpful, Wise, Generous, Gentle, Innocent (Tick Mark in table)

Question 2.
Have you come across people who are not what they seem to be-like someone who is extremely friendly and helpful yet you are not very comfortable with him/her as you feel it is a put-on ? Have a class discussion about such people and why you feel as you do?

Answer:

Student 1: I know many people who are not what they seem. They use you to get their work done in a very clever way.

Student 2 Yes, I also agree with that. My mother is right in saying that excess of everything is bad. So, if we come across a person who is being too friendly with us, we must smell a rat and be careful.

Student 3 One of my friends is very helpful sometimes but I never find him too comfortable to be with and sooner or later his real motives are revealed when he asks for a bigger favour in return.

Note Students may extend the discussion on their own.

Question 3.
Before you read the poem complete the word-web with the words that we associate with a Frog and a Nightingale?

Answer:

Question 4.
The following is a summary of the poem but it is jumbled up. Write out the events in their correct order to form a continuous paragraph?
  • As a result, her voice lost its beauty, and the other creatures stopped coming to hear her sing
  • Soon the nightingale became famous, and creatures from miles around came to hear her sing
  • All the creatures in the bog cheered and clapped at her beautiful song
  • He offered to train the nightingale, so that she could sing even more beautifully
  • So the frog could sing unrivalled in the bog once more
  • The next night the frog introduced himself
  • The frog charged an admission fee, and earned a lot of money from these concerts
  • A frog croaked all night in a bog, in an unpleasant voice
  • But the frog made the nightingale rehearse continuously in the rain
  • One night a nightingale began to sing in a melodious voice
  • Finally, the nightingale burst a vein and died

Answer:

  • - 9
  • - 4
  • - 3
  • - 6
  • - 11
  • - 7
  • - 1
  • - 8
  • - 2
  • - 10
Question 5.
Now that you have read the poem, add more personality traits to the word- web of the frog and the nightingale as depicted in the poem. Then complete the table given below. (Some of the words in the box below may help you. You may also use the words given in Q.1.)?
Character Extract Personality traits
Nightingale Sorry - was that you who spoke? Polite, Timorous
Frog Yes,. you see,

I’m the frog who owns this tree In this bog I’ve long been known For my splendid baritone.

Nightingale Did you.did you like my song?
Frog Not too bad - but far too long The technique was fine, of course, But it Icfcked a certain force.
Frog Without proper training such as 1 And a few others pan supply You’ll remain a mere beginner. But with me you’ll be a winner.
Nightingale But 1 can’t sing in this weather.
Nightingale .This is a fairy tale - And you’re Mozart in disguise Come to earth before my eyes.
Frog Come, my dear - we’ll sing together.
Frog We must aim for better billing You still owe- me sixty shillings.
Frog Brainless bird - you’re on the stage Use your wits and follow fashion.

Puff your lungs out with your passion.

Frog .1 tried to teach her.

But she was a stupid creature.

Answer:

Character Extract Personality traits
Nightingale Sorry - was that you who spoke? Polite, Timorous
Frog Yes,. you see,

I’m the frog who owns this tree In this bog I’ve long been known For my splendid baritone.

Nightingale Did you.did you like my song?
Frog Not too bad - but far too long The technique was fine, of course, But it Icfcked a certain force.
Frog Without proper training such as 1 And a few others pan supply You’ll remain a mere beginner. But with me you’ll be a winner.
Nightingale But 1 can’t sing in this weather.
Nightingale .This is a fairy tale - And you’re Mozart in disguise Come to earth before my eyes.
Frog Come, my dear - we’ll sing together.
Frog We must aim for better billing You still owe- me sixty shillings.
Frog Brainless bird - you’re on the stage Use your wits and follow fashion.

Puff your lungs out with your passion.

Frog .1 tried to teach her.

But she was a stupid creature.

Question 6.
Divide yourselves into groups of four or five and brainstorm on any one of the given situations in order to create an imaginary dialogue or a comic strip. Keep in mind the characters and situations while doing so. Representatives from each group could then present the dialogues/read them to the class?

Answer:

  • The frog is croaking loudly
  • Duck Oh! what a cacophony! cant he be quiet? Loon (Pleading before frog) for God sake, please have mercy on us. Stop singing. (A teal threw a stone at the frog but it did not affect him) Heron (shouting at frog) You loathful fellow! Dont torture us with your crass behaviour. Toad ......
  • The first time that the nightingale sings, the creatures in the bog listening to her with interest remark
  • Nightingale Oh! what a beautiful evening let me rest here for sometime and sing a song. Frog Eh! who is this singing here in my territory? Nightingale Umph! It me, the nightingale. Duck lovely song! you are welcome here in the bog. Heron Oooh! weve never heard such an enthralling voice before,. loon (shedding tears of joy) "unbelievable". Toads Hush! sush! let listen to her. She sings so sweetly. Frog Croak-Croak- Dont you know that I am the owner of this bog and only I have the right to sing here, humph! Nightingale Oops, I didnt know that! Did you like my song. (Responses may vary)
  • Nightingale was ready to sing when she heard a croak
  • Nightingale (timidly) : Is that you who is croaking? Who are you? Frog: (vainly) Croak! Croak! Dont you know, I am the unrivalled king of this bog? Nightingale Oh! It my pleasure to meet you. Do you like my song? Frog Hmm! It O.K. but you lack technique. I am famous for my baritone. Nightingale .................
  • One morning it was raining and as usual, frog started training the nightingale
  • Nightingale Boom! I cant sing in this chilly weather. Frog Be brave! You silly bird. Just put on your scarf and start singing. Nightingale Ill try-koo-Oh-ah! Ko-ash! Ko-ash!" Oh! Im feeling totally drained out. Frog .......
  • The strenuous and gruelling schedule of singing had its effect on the nightingale and her song lost its charm
  • Frog Oh! people are no longer interested in coming to listen to the song. It a great loss to me. Nightingale Aha! you selfish frog. Cant you see my woeful countenance? I cant sing any more. Frog What! Croak! Croak! How can you say that? Sing with energy and passion. Nightingale ..............
Students are free to complete the conversation on their own by using these hints.
Question 7.
On the basis of your understanding of the poem, complete the sentences given below by choosing the appropriate option?
1. The frog aim was to?
  • make the nightingale a sensation
  • make the nightingale as good a singer as him
  • maintain his supremacy in the bog
  • make a lot of money

Answer:

  • maintain his supremacy in the bog
2. The animals reacted to the nightingale song with?
  • hatred
  • admiration
  • indifference
  • suggestions for improvement

Answer:

  • admiration
3. The nightingale accepted the frog tutelage as she?
  • was not confident of herself
  • wanted to become as good a singer as the frog
  • wanted to become a professional singer
  • was not a resident of Bingle Bog

Answer:

  • was not confident of herself
Question 8.
Read the stanza given below and complete the sentences by choosing the appropriate option?
Day by day the nightingale Grew more sorrowful and pale Night on night her tired song Zipped and trilled and bounced along, Till the birds and beasts grew tired At a voice so uninspired And the ticket office gross Crashed, and she grew more morose For her ears were now addicted To applause quite unrestricted, And to sing into the night All alone gave no delight.
(a) The nightingale was sorrowful and pale because she........?
  • had been practising in the rain
  • had been performing all night
  • was losing confidence in herself
  • was falling ill

Answer:

  • had been performing all night
(b) The audience was tired of her song because.......?
  • they had heard it many times
  • it had become rrechanical
  • she looked tired
  • she had added trill to her song

Answer:

  • it had become mechanical
(c) She no longer enjoyed singing alone as.........?
  • she wanted to sing only for titled crowd
  • she was now used to the appreciation she got
  • the frog was no longer with her
  • she had become proud of herself

Answer:

  • she was now used to the appreciation she got
Question 9.
Answer the following questions briefly?
  • How did the creatures of Single bog react to the nightingale singing

Answer:

The creatures of Bingle Bog appreciated the sweet voice of the nightingale. Every one clapped for her generously. All the animals gathered around the sumac tree. Ducks and herons waded through water and reached where nightingale was singing

  • Which are the different ways in which the frog asserts his importance

Answer:

The frog does not appreciate nightingale song when all the creatures of the bog like her voice

  • He introduces himself to the nightingale as the owner of the tree, the writer and critic, and the best singer
  • He also offers himself to train the nightingale in singing and charges a high tuition fee. He makes her to give musical concerts and charges entry fee
  • He compells her to give performances and take music lessons from him
  • He reprimands her for not singing sweetly when the business crashes
  • Why is the frog joy both sweet and bitter

Answer:

  • The frog joy is sweet because he was making a lot of money on the talent of the nightingale and earning a good business
  • But his joy turns bitter because he became jealous of the nightingale popularity
  • Why was the frog angry

Answer:

  • The frog was angry because he lost his business and money
  • He blamed nightingale for this loss
  • How did the frog become the unrivalled king of the bog again

Answer:

The frog snubbed nightingale for not performing well

  • The frog asked her to puff her lungs up
  • She did what the frog asked her to do
  • .She overstrained herself, a vein burst, she died
  • The frog became unrivalled king
Question 10.
Discuss the following questions and write the answers in your note-books?
I.Bring out the irony in the frog statement-Your song must be your own

Answer:

  • the nightingale said that her song was her own, the frog remarked that she should , not boast about that and gave lessons to improve her
  • Later when she died, frog hypocritically stole her statement and told the audience that he taught her to be original in her song
  • Do you think the end is justified

Answer:
No, the end is not justified because the revenge of the nightingale ruthless killing could not be taken as nobody could know frog reality

II.Do you think the nightingale is brainless ? Give reasons for your answer

Answer:
Yes, the nightingale is truly brainless because she could not understand the crafty scheme of the frog

  • let herself be dominated by the frog, trusted him blindly
  • was not confident about her talent, relied on frog
  • was easily influenced by him and died of her own foolishness
  • In spite of having a melodious voice and being a crowd puller, the nightingale turns out to be a loser and dies. How far is she responsible for her own downfall

Answer:
Nightingale despite being a crowd-puller and extremely talented singer fails utterly in surviving in the world of frivolities and value-sans society. She should have practical wisdom and should

have been aware of the behaviour of the frog towards her. Had she been confident about her talent and worth and not have followed the frog blindly, she could have saved herself and emerged as a successful singer. She is largely responsible for her own downfall and tragic deat

.
III.Do you agree with the Frog inference of the Nightingale character ? Give reasons for your answer

Answer:
No, I am not completely convinced by the inference that the frog has about the nightingales character. The nightingale is, in reality, a gullible bird but the frog portrayed her as a greedy and untalented bird. She won over the heart of her audience time and again with her original lyrics and compositions whereby the frog charged her with being stale. She was much better a singer than the frog but he made her take lessons from him. The frog presented the nightingale exactly the opposite to what she really was

Question 11.
The Frog and the nightingale is a spoof on the present society. Study the Mind Map given below. Divide yourselves into groups, select a box and discuss the statement given. Then present your views to the class?

CLASS DISCUSSION

How a person tries to put down another when that person is succeeding in his or her life. Our self-image is often b&sed on what others make us believe we are. A poor self-image can do irreparable damage to us. Do you agree with this statement? Elaborate with suitable reasons and. examples.

Answers:
Instant Success, results at any cost

Group 1

In today fast food world, people want everything in the wink of an eye. They chase after unmaterialistic goals and end up wasting their precious time and energy But in my opinion, to be successful in life, the quality of perseverance plays an important role.

Group 2

Success requires a person to accept responsibility and thinking that you will get success instantly is nothing but foolishness. Always remember that everything comes at a price. Passion, perseverance and perfection are the things that ensure success to a person.

Group 3

There is nothing like Instant success! In order to reach the highest level in any of the thing, proper practice and training are must. But unfortunately, modern society is incredibly impatient and want everything overnight. They must relax and take their time to get the results of their endeavours. A sustained but continuous effort is sure to give you good results. (This is a model answer. Responses may vary) Class Discussion

A poor self-image can do irrepairable damage to us. I fully agree with this statement and want to put before you a very wise quote by Albert Einstein. Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. We often tend to fear "what do people think about us

This fear influences our personality to a great extent and we form an opinion of ourselves based on what others make us believe we are. Children are especially vulnerable to accepting criticism and suffer from poor body image issue. They are always nagged by fears like - "Are they laughing at me! Im good at nothing, I can never be of any use to anybody. But these are destructive thoughts that result from a feeling of low self esteem. My advice to you is to stop hating yourself and forgive yourself for your mistakes. Nobody has the right to challenge your self-esteem. It your ownlife and you must line it your own way. Be the change and show the world

Writing Task

Question 12.
The nightingale has scaled the heights of success. But now the audience is dwindling, the frog is unhappy and reprimands her all the time. She is mentally and physically exhausted and fears failure. As the nightingale, write a diary entry highlighting her fears and analyzing the reasons for her failure?

Answer:

July 10, 20XX How lonesome and tired I am feeling! Today what I am, is a result of my short-sightedness. I was foolish enough to believe the scheming frog. Whatever he said, I accepted without questioning and could not see his real motives. Anxious to get instant success, I have brought ruin upon myself. I set unrealistic expectations for myself and failed to realize the implications of my actions. The frog was very cunning and befool me easily and exploited me till the end.Now, I repent my haste as even the audience, who used to listen to my songs with delight, have dwindled. I am a failure. How I wish 1 would have assessed myself accurately and acknowledged my strengths and weaknesses

Question 13.
Write an obituary for the nightingale. You may begin like this : May the kind soul (or you may make use of your own beginning)?

Answer:
May the kind soul rest in peace. How sweet and innocent was she when she first came here pleasing us all with her melodious voice. She was too innocent to understand the vile intentions of the sly frog. Few moments ago, she was flying and singing like she always wanted to. Now, shell sing forever in the kingdom of God. The bog is quiet now and our hearts long to hear you sing. God has lifted you in His arms and closed your weary eyes. And whispered Peace be thine."

Listening Task

Question 14.
Listen to a poem on a similar theme by Mary Howitt and compare the Fly to Vikram Seth Nightingale?

Important Question

NCERT CBSE for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 7 The Frog and the Nightingale Important Questions

Question 1.
Bring out the irony in the frog’s statement-"Your song must be your own."
Year of Question:(2014)

Answer:
The irony in the statement is that the frog was the one who tried to teach the nightingale to sing differently. He did not let her song be her own.

Question 2.
Do you think the end is justified?
Year of Question:(2013)

Answer:
Yes, the nightingale met a fitting end as she was truly brainless. She believed the frog and came under his influence even though the other creatures appreciated her song and came to hear her sing in large numbers. Moreover, she had no proof of the frog’s talent except for what he himself said.

Question 3.
Do you think the nightingale is ‘brainless’? Give reasons for your answer.
Year of Question:(2014)

Answer:
The nightingale was fooled by the frog. She took the frog at his word and followed him blindly and changed her song. She did not realise she had an appreciative audience even before the frog began to train her. She did not have the brains to realise the extent of her own talent.

Question 4.
In spite of having a melodious voice and being a crowd puller, the nightingale turns out to be a loser and dies. How far is she responsible for her own downfall?
Year of Question:(2012)

Answer:
The nightingale was fooled by the frog because she did not realise she had an appreciative audience even before the frog began to train her. She did not have the brains to realise the enormity of her talent even when the audience stopped coming to hear her sing. In fact, she was so under the frog’s influence that she lost her life.

Question 5.
Do you agree with the frog’s inference of the nightingale’s character? Give reasons for your answer.
Year of Question:(2010)

Answer:
Yes, she asks the frog (who claims to be a music critic) his opinion of her song despite having an appreciative audience the previous night; does not show much faith in her own ability. She is gullible and easily influenced.
The Frog and the Nightingale Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Bring out the character of the frog.
Year of Question:(2014)

Answer:
He is thick-skinned and impervious to insults. In spite of the creatures throwing stones, sticks and bricks at him, begging him to stop singing, insulting him and complaining about him, he refuses to comply. He is jealous of the nightingale and plots to get rid of her. He is presumptuous and offers to give training to the nightingale. He is possessive and territorial and proclaims that he owns the sumac tree. He is greedy and he exploits the nightingale. He is dismissive and condescending and treats the nightingale as a stupid creature.

Question 2.
Bring out the character of the nightingale.
Year of Question:(2011)

Answer:
She is nervous as she asks the frog (who claims to be a music critic) his opinion of her song despite having an appreciative audience. She is modest and does not consider her song to be of much merit despite the applause. She lacks in confidence. Despite having an appreciative audience she listens blindly to the frog and does not show much faith in her own ability. She is easily influenced and listens to the frog and believes him despite having no proof of his talent.

Question 3.
To some extent the nightingale was herself responsible for her downfall and death. Comment.
Year of Question:(2010)

Answer:
She is carried away by appreciation and could not understand that she was being fooled by the frog’s greed to gain recognition and fame. She left herself open to exploitation. She felt honoured to be singled out by the frog for appreciation and recognition. She did not see to through him. Despite having an appreciative audience, she did not have much faith in her ability and did not have the brains to realise the enojmity of her talent even when the audience stopped coming.

Question 4.
What is the moral of the poem?
Year of Question:(2014)

Answer:
We learn that one should exercise one’s individuality and reasoning without letting others lead one blindly. One should realise one’s limitations and capabilities and not leave oneself open for exploitation.

Question 5.
"Far too nervous, far too tense,
Far too prone to influence.
Well, poor bird-she should have known
That your song must be your own."
Do you agree with the frog’s statement? Justify your answer.
Year of Question:(2014)

Answer:
The nightingale came under the influence of the frog despite having an appreciative audience. She was completely controlled by him and did not have much faith in her ability and did not have the brains to realise the enormity of her talent. She was carried away by the dream of fame that the frog held out. She could not guess that she was being fooled by his greed to gain recognition and fame. This left her open to exploitation as she felt honoured to be singled out by the frog who was a music critic. She practised day and night in all sorts of weather and lost her melody, thereby losing her audience and eventually she died.

The Frog and the Nightingale Extra Questions and Answers Reference to Context

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in one or two lines only.

Question 1.
Once upon a time a frog
Croaked away in Bingle Bog.
Every night from dusk to dawn
He croaked awn and awn and awn.
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) What did the frog do all night?

Answer:
The frog croaked all night.

(b) How did the other creatures react to his voice?

Answer:
The other creatures hated the frog’s voice. They threw stones, sticks and bricks at him, begged him to stop singing, insulted him, and complained about him, but in vain.

(c) Find a word in the above lines which the poet has made up? Why has he done so?

Answer:
The word is‘Awn’. The poet has done so to create a rhyme scheme with dawn.

Question 2.
Other creatures loathed his voice,
But, alas, they had no choice,
And the crass cacophony
Blared put from the sumac tree
At whose foot the frog each night
Minstrelled on till morning light.
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Where did the frog live?

Answer:
The frog lived under the sumac tree in Bingle Bog.

(b) What did the other creatures not have any choice in? Why?
Answer:
The other creatures were forced to listen to the frog’s song all night. All their efforts to make him stop singing were in vain

(c) Explain‘crass cacophony’.

Answer:
The phrase means a very loud and unpleasant noise.

Question 3.
Neither stones nor prayers nor sticks,
Insults or complaints or bricks
Stilled the frog’s determination
To display his heart’s elation.

(a) How did the other creatures try to quieten the frog?

Answer:
The other creatures threw stones, sticks and bricks at the frog, begged him to stop singing, insulted him, and complained about him.

(b) Did they succeed in their efforts?

Answer:
No, they did not succeed in their efforts. The frog continued to sing despite their efforts.

(c) What feature of the frog’s personality is brought out in the above lines?

Answer:
The frog was thick-skinned and impervious to insults. He was determined and stubborn.

Question 4.
But one night a nightingale
In the moonlight cold and pale
Perched upon the sumac tree
Casting forth her melody.
Year of Question:(2011)

(a) Whose songs had echoed in the bog all night earlier?

Answer:
The frog’s song had echoed in the bog earlier all night.

(b) What did the nightingale do?

Answer:
The nightingale sat on the sumac tree singing her melodious song.

(c) How was the nightingale’s song different from the frog’s?

Answer:
The nightingale’s song was melodious while the frog’s song was crass cacophony. His voice sounded like a foghorn.

Question 5.
Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog,
And the whole admiring Bog
Stared towards the sumac, rapt,
And, when she had ended, clapped.
Year of Question:(2009)

(a) Explain the phrase ‘whole admiring Bog’.

Answer:
All the creatures of the Bog were struck with admiration for the nightingale’s song.

(b) How did the frog react to the nightingale’s song?
Answer:
The frog was dumbstruck by the beauty of her voice.

(c) What had been the frog’s experience at the sumac tree?

Answer:
When the frog sang, the other creatures threw stones, sticks and bricks at him, begged him to stop singing, insulted him and complained.

Question 6.
Ducks had swum and herons waded
To her as she serenaded,
And a solitary loon
Wept, beneath the summer moon.
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Who is ‘she’ in the above lines? Why did the ducks and herons come towards her?

Answer:
The nightingale, is being referred to in these lines. The ducks and herons came to hear her song.

(b) Who was the solitary loon? How was his behaviour different from that of the others?

Answer:
Loons are water birds. A single loon came to listen to the nightingale’s song. He was so overcome by emotions that he wept on hearing her beautiful song.

Question 7.
Toads and teals and tiddlers, captured
By her voice, cheered on, enraptured:
‘Bravo! ’ ‘Too divine!’ ‘Encore! ’
So the nightingale once more,
Quite unused to such applause,
Sang till dawn without a pause.
Year of Question:(2009)

(a) How do you know that the nightingale s song was a sensation?

Answer:
The creatures of the bog heard her voice and swam towards her. They listened to her song, enraptured and encouraged her to sing the whole night long.

(b) How did the nightingale react to the applause?

Answer:
The nightingale sang the whole night without a pause.

(c) Who are‘toads and teals and tiddlers’?

Answer:
The toads are a type of frog, teals are freshwater ducks and tiddlers are small fish. They were all a part of the nightingale’s adoring audience.

Question 8.
Next night when the Nightingale
Shook her head and twitched her tail,
Closed an eye and fluffed a wing
And had cleared her throat to sing
She was startled by a croak.
Year of Question:(2006)

(a) Where is the nightingale? Who lived at the foot of the tree?

Answer:
The nightingale is on the sumac tree in Bingle Bog. The frog lived at the foot of the tree.

(b) How do you know that the nightingale was getting ready to sing?

Answer:
The nightingale shook her head and twitched her tail. Then she closed an eye, fluffed a wing and cleared her throat preparing to start singing.

(c) What surprised the nightingale?

Answer:
The frog’s croak surprised the nightingale.

Question 9.
Sorry-was that you who spoke?
She enquired when the frog
Hopped towards her from the bog.
"Yes," the frog replied. "You see,
I’m the frog who owns this tree."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Who is ‘she’? What aspect of the frog’s personality is revealed in these lines?

Answer:
‘She’ is the nightingale. The frog is territorial and possessive.

(b) How did the frog introduce himself?

Answer:
The frog introduced himself as the owner of the sumac tree.

Question 10.
"Yes," the frog replied. "You see,
I’m the frog who owns this tree.
In this bog, I’ve long been known
For my splendid baritone
And, of course, I wield my pen
For Bog Trumpet now and then."
Year of Question:(2008)

(a) What quality does the frog reveal in the second line of this extract?

Answer:
The frog is boastful.

(b) What is a baritone?

Answer:
Baritone is a deep male singing voice.

(c) Why does he say this?

Answer:
The frog says this to impress the nightingale and to get her under his influence.

Question 11.
"Did you . did you like my song?"
"Not too bad-but far too long.
The technique was fine, of course,
But it lacked a certain force."

(a) Who is commenting on whose song? What is his comment?

Answer:
The frog is commenting on the nightingale’s song. He tells her that the song was not too bad but it was too long and it lacked intensity and depth.

(b) Do you think he is a fair judge of the other person’s song? Give reasons.

Answer:
No, the frog is not a fair judge because he is not a good singer himself and so possibly does not know much about singing. Moreover, he is jealous as the creatures who insulted his singing admired the nightingale’s song.

Question12.
"Oh!" the nightingale confessed,
Greatly flattered and impressed
That a critic of such note,
Had discussed her art and throat
Year of Question:(2011)

(a) What were his comments on the nightingale’s singing?

Answer:
The frog commented that the song was not too bad but it was far too long and it lacked intensity and depth.

(b) How did the nightingale respond to the criticism?

Answer:
The nightingale was dejected to hear that her song was not good enough but flattered and impressed to have been noticed by a great critic.

(c) What impression do you form of the nightingale?

Answer:
The nightingale lacked confidence and was prone to influence. She was naive and gullible.

Question 13.
"I don’t think the song’s divine
But-oh, well-at least it’s mine."
"That’s not much to boast about,"
Said the heartless frog.
Year of Question:(2010)

(a) Why does the nightingale feel her song is not divine?

Answer:
The nightingale is a modest creature. She is ready to accept her mistakes and is willing to learn.

(b) Who composed the nightingale’s song?

Answer:
It is the nightingale’s self-composed song.

(c) How does the frog change his own statement: "That’s not much to boast about," in the end?

Answer:
In the end the frog says that the bird should have realised that ‘your song must be your own.’

Question 14.
"That’s not much to boast about,"
Said the heartless frog. "Without
Proper training such as I
-And few others-can supply,"
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Who is the frog speaking to? What does ‘that’ refer to?

Answer:
The frog is speaking to the nightingale. ‘That’ refers to the fact that the song the nightingale sang was her own composition.

(b) Why is the frog referred to as heartless?

Answer:
The frog has been called heartless as he did not appreciate the nightingale’s melodious voice. He is cruel and uncaring about the nightingale’s feelings as he criticises her song.

Question 15.
"You’ll remain a mere beginner,
But with me you’ll be a winner."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) How willihe frog change the nightingale’s singing?

Answer:
By teaching the nightingale the technique of singing, the frog promised to transform her from a mere beginner to a singing sensation.

(b) On what condition does the frog agree to teach the nightingale? What according to the frog was lacking in the nightingale’s song?

Answer:
The frog agreed on the condition of charging a modest fee. According to the frog, the nightingale’s song was too long and lacked intensity and depth.

(c) How will the fee not hurt the nightingale?

Answer:
The frog will not take it directly from her but will charge admission fees from the creatures who come to hear the bird sing.

Question 16.
"Dearest frog," the nightingale Breathed;
"This is a fairy tale-
And you’re Mozart in disguise
Come to earth before my eyes."
"Well, I charge a modest fee."
"Oh! But it won’t hurt, you’ll see."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) What was a fairy tale?

Answer:
The fairy tale was that a famous singer and music critic like the frog was ready to teach the nightingale.

(b) How was the listener ‘Mozart in disguise’?

Answer:
The nightingale is flattered and impressed by the frog who claims to be a famous singer and a critic. She praises the frog by comparing him to the great music composer, Mozart.

(c) Why is the nightingale worried at the mention of the fee?

Answer:
She does not have much money to pay the frog for music lessons.

Question 17.
Now the nightingale, inspired,
Flushed with confidence, and fired
With both art and adoration, A
Sang-and was a huge sensation.
Year of Question:(2009)

(a) What inspired the nightingale to sing?

Answer:
The appreciation of the audience inspired the nightingale to sing beautifully.

(b) How did the nightingale become a sensation?

Answer:
The melodious song of the nightingale attracted creatures of the bog who came from miles around to hear her sing.

(c) Explain‘flushed with confidence’.

Answer:
The appreciation and success that the nightingale received made her feel confident. She also felt excited and pleased with herself as she began to sing.

Question 18.
Animals for miles around
Flocked towards the magic sound.
And the frog with great precision
Counted heads and charged admission.
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Why did the animals come in large numbers?

Answer:
The animals came to hear the nightingale’s song.

(b) What is the magic sound?

Answer:
The magic sound refers to the melodious song of the nightingale.

(c) How did the frog make money? "

Answer:
The frog charged the other creatures admission fee when they came to hear the nightingale sing and he kept the money as his fee for training the nightingale.

Question 19.
Though next morning it was raining,
He began her vocal training.
"But I can’t sing in this weather."
"Come, my dear-we’ll sing together."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) What training did the frog give the nightingale?

Answer:
The frog trained the nightingale to sing.

(b) What was the effect of the training?

Answer:
As a result of the training, the nightingale lost her melodious voice and the creatures of the bog lost interest in her. They no longer came to hear her sing.

(c) What was her protest?

Answer:
The nightingale could not sing in the rain.

Question 20.
"Just put on your scarf and sash,
Koo-oh-ah! ko-ash! ko-ash!"
So the frog and nightingale
Journeyed up and down the scale
For six hours, till she was shivering
And her voice was hoarse and quivering.
Year of Question:(2007)

(a) Why did the frog tell the nightingale to put on her scarf and her sash?

Answer:
As it was raining, the nightingale was a little reluctant but the frog wanted her to practise.

(b) Explain: ‘Journeyed up and down the scale’.

Answer:
It means they sang a number of notes-both high and low ones.

(c) What was the result of the practise on the nightingale?

Answer:
The frog made the nightingale practise in the rain for six hours. As a result she was shivering in the cold. Her throat became hoarse and her voice started shaking.

Question 21.
Though subdued and sleep-deprived,
In the night her throat revived,
And the sumac tree was bowed
With a breathless, titled crowd:
Owl of Sandwich, Duck of Kent,
Mallard and Milady Trent,
Martin Cardinal Mephisto,
And the Coot of Monte Cristo.
Year of Question:(2011)

(a) Why was the nightingale subdued?

Answer:
The nightingale had had no rest. She had been made to practise for long hours in the rain.

(b) What made the nightingale’s throat revive at night?

Answer:
The appreciative audience revived the nightingale’s throat.

(c) Explain: ‘titled crowd’. Who was the noted critic?

Answer:
The ‘titled crowd’ refers to the aristocratic creatures of the bog. The frog was the noted critic.

Question 22.
Ladies with tiaras glittering
In the interval sat twittering
And the frog observed them glitter
With a joy both sweet and bitter.
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Where had all the animals gathered? Why?

Answer:
The animals had gathered near the sumac tree to hear the song of the nightingale.

(b) Why was the frog’s joy both sweet and bitter?

Answer:
The frog’s joy was sweet as he was exploiting the nightingale and charging money from the creatures of ‘ the bog who came to hear her, which he pocketed. At the same time he was bitter because the creatures who came to hear the nightingale were the same ones who had insulted him when he used to sing.

Question 23.
Every day the frog who’d sold her
Songs for silver tried to scold her:
"You must practise even longer
Till your voice, like mine, grows stronger."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Who is ‘her’?

Answer:
The ‘her’ mentioned here is the nightingale.

(b) How did the frog sell her songs for silver?

Answer:
The frog made the nightingale sing every night and he earned money by charging an admission fee from all the creatures who came to hear her song.

(c) What did the frog tell the bird to do?

Answer:
The frog told her to practise for longer hours till her voice became as strong as his own.
He told her to puff up her lungs and sing with passion and add trills to her song.

Question 24.
"In the second song last night
You got nervous in mid-flight. ,
And, my dear, lay on morfe trills:
Audiences enjoy such frills."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Who speaks these lines and to whom?

Answer:
The frog speaks these lines to the nightingale.

(b) What advice does the speaker give the listener?
Answer:
The frog advises the nightingale to add trills to her song-that is, to sing two musical notes one after the other, repeatedly and very quickly and to bring variety to her songs.

(c) In what two ways was the speaker benefited by the training he gave?

Answer:
He earned a lot of money and was finally able to get rid of the nightingale.

Question 25.
"You must make your public happier:
Give them something sharper, snappier.
We must aim for better billings
You still owe me sixty shillings."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Who are the ‘public’? Why was this advice given?

Answer:
The creatures who come to hear the nightingale sing are the public. The frog tells her to sing songs which have a faster beat to impress the public.

(b) What is the meaning of ‘better billings’?

Answer:
It means better publicity for the show.

(c) What aspect of the speaker’s personality is shown in these lines?

Answer:
The lines show his greed for money, his heartlessness and ruthlessness.

Question 26.
Till the birds and beasts grew tired
At a voice so uninspired
And the ticket office gross
Crashed, and she grew more morose

(a) Whose voice is being referred to here? What had happened to make it uninspired?

Answer:
The nightingale’s voice is being referred to here. The frog had been training her and she had lost the natural sweetness of her voice.

(b) What does ‘ticket office gross’ mean?

Answer:
This refers to the money collected as the sale of tickets for a concert or a show.

(c) Why did it crash? Why did the nightingale grow morose?

Answer:
The creatures no longer came to hear the nightingale’s song, so the collections fell. The lack of an audience and the frog’s constant rebukes made her feel unhappy.

Question 27.
For her ears were now addicted
To applause quite unrestricted,
And to sing into the night
All alone gave no delight.
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) What had the nightingale become used to?

Answer:
The nightingale became used to an appreciative audience who applauded her.

(b) Why was she all alone?
Answer:
The nightingale’s voice was no longer as melodious as it had been earlier and the creatures of the bog no longer came to hear her sing.

(c) What was the result of the lack of applause?

Answer:
The nightingale became sorrowful and pale.

Question 28.
Now the frog puffed up with rage.
"Brainless bird-you’re on the stage-
Use your wits and follow fashion,
Puff your lungs out with your passion."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Why was the frog angry?

Answer:
The frog was angry as the nightingale’s voice no longer attracted the creatures of the bog as earlier and his earnings had dropped.

(b) Do you think the bird is brainless? Explain.

Answer:
Yes, the nightingale was truly brainless. She believed the frog and came under his influence even though the other creatures appreciated her song and came to hear her sing in large numbers. Moreover, she had no proof of the frog’s talent except for what he had himself said.

(c) What did the nightingale do to please the frog? What happened to her as a result?

Answer:
The nightingale puffed up her lungs to sing, burst a vein and died.

Question 29.
Trembling, terrified to fail,
Blind with tears, the nightingale
Heard him out in silence, tried,
Puffed up, burst a vein, and died.
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Why was the nightingale trembling?

Answer:
The nightingale was trembling because of the frog’s scolding.

(b) What did the frog wish the nightingale to do?

Answer:
The frog wanted her to use her wits and sing in a more fashionable style.

(c) Whom is she terrified to fail?

Answer:
The nightingale was terrified to fail her audience who paid to hear her sing and the frog who was training her.

Question 30.
Said the frog: "I tried to teach her,
But she was a stupid creature-
Far too nervous, far too tense.
Far too prone to influence."
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Whose influence did she come under? What was the effect of the influence?

Answer:
The nightingale came under the influence of the frog. She was completely controlled by him. He made her practise day and night in all sorts of weather. She lost the melody in her voice and her audience decreased. One day, as the frog scolded her and told her to puff up her lungs, she burst a vein and died.

(b) What do you learn from the poem?

Answer:
We leant that one should exercise one’s individuality and reasoning without letting others lead one blindly. One should realise one’s limitations and capabilities and not leave oneself open for exploitation.

Question 31.
"Well, poor bird-she should have known
That your song must be your own.
That’s why I sing with panache:
Koo-oh-ah! ko-ash! ko-ash!"
And the foghorn of the frog
Blared unrivalled through the Bog.
Year of Question:(2014)

(a) Why does the frog call the nightingale ‘poor bird’?

Answer:
The frog calls the nightingale ‘poor bird’ as she had died.

(b) What did the frog think of his own influence on the nightingale?
Answer:
The frog realises he was a bad influence on her. In the end, he confesses she should have realised her song should have been her own

(c) How did the frog gain by the nightingale’s death?
Answer:
Once again the frog was the unrivalled singer in the bog. He had got rid of his competition.

Important Questions and Answers: "The Frog and the Nightingale" by Vikram Seth

Question1.
How did the creatures of Bingle Bog react to the nightingales singing?

Answer:

  • Admiration: The creatures were highly impressed by the nightingales melodious voice
  • Applause: They clapped and cheered her performance, using words like "Bravo" and "Encore."
  • Attention: Animals like ducks, herons, and a solitary loon gathered to hear her sing beneath the moon
  • Enthusiasm: The entire bog was captivated by her beautiful voice
Question2.
What were the different ways the frog asserted his importance?

Answer:

  • Owning the Tree: The frog claimed that he was the one who "owned" the sumac tree where the nightingale sang
  • Boasting of Talent: He described his "splendid baritone" voice, trying to elevate his status
  • Critic and Trainer: He presented himself as an expert, offering to train the nightingale in exchange for a fee
  • Claiming Authority: The frog boasted that he wrote for the "Bog Trumpet" and positioned himself as a superior figure in the bog
Question3.
Why is the frogs joy both sweet and bitter?

Answer:

  • Sweet: The frog was happy because he gained financial success by charging admission fees for the nightingales performances
  • Bitter: Despite the success, he envied the nightingales popularity and wanted to maintain control over the bog
Question4.
Why was the frog angry?

Answer:

  • Falling Popularity: The nightingales voice began to lose its charm after constant practice, and fewer animals came to listen
  • Lack of Improvement: He criticized the nightingale for not improving her singing style and failing to attract a crowd
  • Loss of Profit: The decline in her popularity resulted in a decrease in his earnings, which frustrated him
Question5.
How did the frog become the unrivaled king of the bog again?

Answer:

  • Manipulation: The frog mentally and physically exhausted the nightingale by making her rehearse continuously, which drained her talent
  • Tragic Death: The nightingale eventually died from overexertion, leaving the frog as the only singer in the bog
  • Monopoly: After the nightingales death, the frog resumed his position as the only voice heard in the bog
Question6.
What does the frog mean when he says, "Your song must be your own"?

Answer:

  • Irony: The frog criticizes the nightingale for losing her originality and becoming dependent on his guidance. However, it was his manipulative training that made her lose her natural charm
  • Control: The statement highlights the irony of the frogs control over the nightingale, as she stopped singing from her heart
Question7.
Do you think the end is justified?

Answer:

  • Personal Opinion:
  • Yes: The nightingale allowed herself to be manipulated and failed to stay true to her talent, leading to her downfall
  • No: The frogs cruel behavior and exploitation of the nightingale make the ending unjust
Question8.
How was the nightingale responsible for her own downfall?

Answer:

  • Lack of Confidence: She doubted her own talent and allowed the frog to take control of her singing
  • Influence: She became overly dependent on the frogs guidance instead of trusting her own instincts
  • Desire for Approval: The nightingale craved applause and became addicted to external validation, which led her to overexert herself
Question9.
Why did the creatures in the bog grow tired of the nightingales song?

Answer:

  • Repetition: The nightingales voice became mechanical and lost its originality due to constant practice
  • Loss of Inspiration: Her once melodious and passionate voice became dull and uninspired
  • Lack of Joy: The nightingale no longer enjoyed singing and performed out of obligation, which affected her performances

Videos