how to tell wild animals summary class 10

A tongue-in-cheek survival guide by Carolyn Wells: Using dark humor to identify the world's most dangerous creatures.

The Asian Lion and the Bengal Tiger

In this how to tell wild animals summary class 10 standard deep-dive, we see Carolyn Wells's unique approach to wildlife identification. She suggests that you can identify an Asian Lion if a 'large and tawny beast' roars at you as you are 'dying'. Similarly, a Bengal Tiger can be recognized by the black stripes on its yellow ground—especially if it 'eats you' just after you notice him.

The Irony of Death: The humor lies in the fact that by the time you correctly identify the animal based on the poet’s advice, you will likely be dead. This 'gallows humor' is the hallmark of the poem.

The Leopard, Bear, and Crocodile

The poet continues her 'helpful' guide: A Leopard can be known by its 'peppered' spots and the way it 'leps and leps' on you. A Bear will give you a 'hard hug'—which is actually a deadly crush. She also distinguishes between the Crocodile (who has false tears) and the Hyena (who smiles as it eats you).

The True Chameleon

Finally, the poet describes the Chameleon. If there is 'nothing on the tree', it is the Chameleon you see. This is because Chameleons have the ability to change color to match their surroundings. This stanza is slightly more factual compared to the deadly humor of the preceding ones.

Poetic Device Analysis

To master the how to tell wild animals summary class 10 exam questions, you must focus on these literary tools:

Irony: The primary device used. Identifying animals through the act of being eaten by them is highly ironic.
Humorous Diction: The use of words like 'leps' (instead of leaps) and 'tawny' adds to the lighthearted tone.
Alliteration: "A noble wild beast greets you" (repetition of 'b') and "The Chameleon is small" create rhythm.
Stanza Structure: Each stanza is dedicated to a specific animal, maintaining a steady pacing of humor.

How to Tell Wild Animals Q&A (Board Special)

Master your revision with these expert-drafted answers:

Q1. How can you identify a Bengal Tiger?

A. According to the poet, you can identify a Bengal Tiger if you see a beast with black stripes on a yellow ground who eats you as soon as he greets you.

Q2. What is the difference between a Hyena and a Crocodile?

A. We can tell the difference based on their 'human-like' traits: Hyenas come with merry smiles, while Crocodiles weep as they consume their prey.

Q3. Why is the identification of the Asian Lion called 'humorous'?

A. It is humorous because the poet suggests that the best way to identify the lion is by its roar as it kills you. It’s an identification that serves no practical survival purpose.

The Humor of the Wild

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Board Exam Preparation Tips: How To Tell Wild Animals

To excel in the CBSE Board examinations for How To Tell Wild Animals, students should focus on the following key areas:

Identify the Central Theme: Often, boards ask about the underlying message (e.g., Faith in A Letter to God or Freedom in Nelson Mandela).
Character Analysis: Prepare 100-word sketches for all protagonists and antagonists mentioned in How To Tell Wild Animals.
Contextual Reference: Practice writing answers starting with a brief introduction to the author/poet and the setting.

Vocabulary Bank (High-Intent Keywords)

Word	Contextual Meaning
Poignant	Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
Metaphor	A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an action.
Resilience	The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

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