NCERT Textbook - The Frog And The Nightingale | Literature Reader Class 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


CBSE
85
7 7
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.1    The Frog And The Nightingale
by Vikram Seth
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. 
Insensitive High - headed Manipulative
Humorous Egoistic Patronizing
Naïve 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
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.  
Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick
Mark Mark Mark
Page 2


CBSE
85
7 7
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.1    The Frog And The Nightingale
by Vikram Seth
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. 
Insensitive High - headed Manipulative
Humorous Egoistic Patronizing
Naïve 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
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.  
Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick
Mark Mark Mark
CBSE
Poetry 
86
3. Before you read the poem complete the word - web with the words that we 
associate with a Frog and a Nightingale.
4. Read Vikram Seth's poem : The Frog and the Nightingale.
Once upon a time a frog
1
Croaked away in Bingle Bog
Every night from dusk to dawn
2
He croaked awn and awn and awn.
3
5 Other creatures loathed his voice,
But, alas, they had no choice.
4
And the crass cacophony
Blared out from the sumac tree
At whose foot the frog each night
5
10 Minstrelled on till morning night.
Neither stones nor prayers nor sticks,
Insults or complaints or bricks
Stilled the frog's determination
6
To display his heart's elation .
15 But one night a nightingale
In the moonlight cold and pale
Perched upon the sumac tree
Casting forth her melody.
Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog.
Croak
Ugly
Frog
Melodious 
Nightingale
1 bog : an area of land that is very wet and muddy
2 awn : on misspelt and mispronounced so that it rhymes with dawn 
3 loathed : hated
4 cacophony : a very loud and unpleasant noise
5 minstrelled : sang
6 elation : great pride and joy
Page 3


CBSE
85
7 7
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.1    The Frog And The Nightingale
by Vikram Seth
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. 
Insensitive High - headed Manipulative
Humorous Egoistic Patronizing
Naïve 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
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.  
Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick
Mark Mark Mark
CBSE
Poetry 
86
3. Before you read the poem complete the word - web with the words that we 
associate with a Frog and a Nightingale.
4. Read Vikram Seth's poem : The Frog and the Nightingale.
Once upon a time a frog
1
Croaked away in Bingle Bog
Every night from dusk to dawn
2
He croaked awn and awn and awn.
3
5 Other creatures loathed his voice,
But, alas, they had no choice.
4
And the crass cacophony
Blared out from the sumac tree
At whose foot the frog each night
5
10 Minstrelled on till morning night.
Neither stones nor prayers nor sticks,
Insults or complaints or bricks
Stilled the frog's determination
6
To display his heart's elation .
15 But one night a nightingale
In the moonlight cold and pale
Perched upon the sumac tree
Casting forth her melody.
Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog.
Croak
Ugly
Frog
Melodious 
Nightingale
1 bog : an area of land that is very wet and muddy
2 awn : on misspelt and mispronounced so that it rhymes with dawn 
3 loathed : hated
4 cacophony : a very loud and unpleasant noise
5 minstrelled : sang
6 elation : great pride and joy
CBSE
Poetry
87
20 And the whole admiring bog
7
Stared towards the sumac, rapt ,
And, when she had ended, clapped,
Ducks had swum and herons waded
8
To her as she serenaded
9
25 And a solitary loon
Wept, beneath the summer moon.
10
Toads and teals and tiddlers, captured
11
By her voice, cheered on, enraptured:
12
"Bravo!" "Too divine!" "Encore!"
25 So the nightingale once more,
Quite unused to such applause,
Sang till dawn without a pause.
Next night when the Nightingale
Shook her head and twitched her tail,
35 Closed an eye and fluffed a wing
And had cleared her throat to sing
She was startled by a croak.
"Sorry - was that you who spoke?"
She enquired when the frog
40 Hopped towards her from the bog.
"Yes," the frog replied. "You see,
I'm the frog who owns this tree.
In this bog I've long been known
13
For my splendid baritone
45 And, of course, I wield my pen
For Bog Trumpet now and then".
"Did you… did you like my song?"
7 rapt : totally interested, so that you cannot think of anything else
8 serenaded : sang beautifully
9 loon : a large water bird
10 teal : a small duck
11 enraptured : filled with fascination and delight
12 encore : 'sing some more'
13 baritone : a male singing voice, fairly deep
Page 4


CBSE
85
7 7
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.1    The Frog And The Nightingale
by Vikram Seth
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. 
Insensitive High - headed Manipulative
Humorous Egoistic Patronizing
Naïve 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
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.  
Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick
Mark Mark Mark
CBSE
Poetry 
86
3. Before you read the poem complete the word - web with the words that we 
associate with a Frog and a Nightingale.
4. Read Vikram Seth's poem : The Frog and the Nightingale.
Once upon a time a frog
1
Croaked away in Bingle Bog
Every night from dusk to dawn
2
He croaked awn and awn and awn.
3
5 Other creatures loathed his voice,
But, alas, they had no choice.
4
And the crass cacophony
Blared out from the sumac tree
At whose foot the frog each night
5
10 Minstrelled on till morning night.
Neither stones nor prayers nor sticks,
Insults or complaints or bricks
Stilled the frog's determination
6
To display his heart's elation .
15 But one night a nightingale
In the moonlight cold and pale
Perched upon the sumac tree
Casting forth her melody.
Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog.
Croak
Ugly
Frog
Melodious 
Nightingale
1 bog : an area of land that is very wet and muddy
2 awn : on misspelt and mispronounced so that it rhymes with dawn 
3 loathed : hated
4 cacophony : a very loud and unpleasant noise
5 minstrelled : sang
6 elation : great pride and joy
CBSE
Poetry
87
20 And the whole admiring bog
7
Stared towards the sumac, rapt ,
And, when she had ended, clapped,
Ducks had swum and herons waded
8
To her as she serenaded
9
25 And a solitary loon
Wept, beneath the summer moon.
10
Toads and teals and tiddlers, captured
11
By her voice, cheered on, enraptured:
12
"Bravo!" "Too divine!" "Encore!"
25 So the nightingale once more,
Quite unused to such applause,
Sang till dawn without a pause.
Next night when the Nightingale
Shook her head and twitched her tail,
35 Closed an eye and fluffed a wing
And had cleared her throat to sing
She was startled by a croak.
"Sorry - was that you who spoke?"
She enquired when the frog
40 Hopped towards her from the bog.
"Yes," the frog replied. "You see,
I'm the frog who owns this tree.
In this bog I've long been known
13
For my splendid baritone
45 And, of course, I wield my pen
For Bog Trumpet now and then".
"Did you… did you like my song?"
7 rapt : totally interested, so that you cannot think of anything else
8 serenaded : sang beautifully
9 loon : a large water bird
10 teal : a small duck
11 enraptured : filled with fascination and delight
12 encore : 'sing some more'
13 baritone : a male singing voice, fairly deep
CBSE
Poetry 
88
"Not too bad - but far too long.
14
The technique was fine of course,
50 But it lacked a certain force".
"Oh!" the nightingale confessed.
Greatly flattered and impressed
That a critic of such note
Had discussed her art and throat:
55 "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. "Without
Proper training such as I
60 - And few others - can supply.
You'll remain a mere beginner.
But with me you'll be a winner".
"Dearest frog", the nightingale
Breathed: "This is a fairy tale -
65 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"
Now the nightingale inspired,
15
70 Flushed with confidence, and fired
With both art and adoration,
Sang - and was a huge sensation.
Animals for miles around
Flocked towards the magic sound,
75 And the frog with great precision
Counted heads and charged admission.
14 technique : a method of doing something
15 flushed : very excited and pleased
Page 5


CBSE
85
7 7
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.1    The Frog And The Nightingale
by Vikram Seth
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. 
Insensitive High - headed Manipulative
Humorous Egoistic Patronizing
Naïve 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
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.  
Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick Characteristic Tick
Mark Mark Mark
CBSE
Poetry 
86
3. Before you read the poem complete the word - web with the words that we 
associate with a Frog and a Nightingale.
4. Read Vikram Seth's poem : The Frog and the Nightingale.
Once upon a time a frog
1
Croaked away in Bingle Bog
Every night from dusk to dawn
2
He croaked awn and awn and awn.
3
5 Other creatures loathed his voice,
But, alas, they had no choice.
4
And the crass cacophony
Blared out from the sumac tree
At whose foot the frog each night
5
10 Minstrelled on till morning night.
Neither stones nor prayers nor sticks,
Insults or complaints or bricks
Stilled the frog's determination
6
To display his heart's elation .
15 But one night a nightingale
In the moonlight cold and pale
Perched upon the sumac tree
Casting forth her melody.
Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog.
Croak
Ugly
Frog
Melodious 
Nightingale
1 bog : an area of land that is very wet and muddy
2 awn : on misspelt and mispronounced so that it rhymes with dawn 
3 loathed : hated
4 cacophony : a very loud and unpleasant noise
5 minstrelled : sang
6 elation : great pride and joy
CBSE
Poetry
87
20 And the whole admiring bog
7
Stared towards the sumac, rapt ,
And, when she had ended, clapped,
Ducks had swum and herons waded
8
To her as she serenaded
9
25 And a solitary loon
Wept, beneath the summer moon.
10
Toads and teals and tiddlers, captured
11
By her voice, cheered on, enraptured:
12
"Bravo!" "Too divine!" "Encore!"
25 So the nightingale once more,
Quite unused to such applause,
Sang till dawn without a pause.
Next night when the Nightingale
Shook her head and twitched her tail,
35 Closed an eye and fluffed a wing
And had cleared her throat to sing
She was startled by a croak.
"Sorry - was that you who spoke?"
She enquired when the frog
40 Hopped towards her from the bog.
"Yes," the frog replied. "You see,
I'm the frog who owns this tree.
In this bog I've long been known
13
For my splendid baritone
45 And, of course, I wield my pen
For Bog Trumpet now and then".
"Did you… did you like my song?"
7 rapt : totally interested, so that you cannot think of anything else
8 serenaded : sang beautifully
9 loon : a large water bird
10 teal : a small duck
11 enraptured : filled with fascination and delight
12 encore : 'sing some more'
13 baritone : a male singing voice, fairly deep
CBSE
Poetry 
88
"Not too bad - but far too long.
14
The technique was fine of course,
50 But it lacked a certain force".
"Oh!" the nightingale confessed.
Greatly flattered and impressed
That a critic of such note
Had discussed her art and throat:
55 "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. "Without
Proper training such as I
60 - And few others - can supply.
You'll remain a mere beginner.
But with me you'll be a winner".
"Dearest frog", the nightingale
Breathed: "This is a fairy tale -
65 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"
Now the nightingale inspired,
15
70 Flushed with confidence, and fired
With both art and adoration,
Sang - and was a huge sensation.
Animals for miles around
Flocked towards the magic sound,
75 And the frog with great precision
Counted heads and charged admission.
14 technique : a method of doing something
15 flushed : very excited and pleased
CBSE
Poetry
89
Though next morning it was raining,
He began her vocal training.
"But I can't sing in this weather".
80 "Come my dear - we'll sing together.
16
Just put on your scarf and sash ,
Koo-oh-ah! ko-ash! ko-ash!"
So the frog and nightingale
17
Journeyed up and down the scale
85 For six hours, till she was shivering
18 19
and her voice was hoarse and quivering .
20
Though subdued and sleep deprived,
In the night her throat revived,
And the sumac tree was bowed,
90 With a breathless, titled crowd:
Owl of Sandwich, Duck of Kent,
Mallard and Milady Trent,
Martin Cardinal Mephisto,
And the Coot of Monte Cristo,
21
95 Ladies with tiaras glittering
In the interval sat twittering -
And the frog observed them glitter
With a joy both sweet and bitter.
Every day the frog who'd sold her
100 Songs for silver tried to scold her:
"You must practice even longer
Till your voice, like mine grows stronger.
In the second song last night
You got nervous in mid-flight.
16 sash  : a long piece of cloth that you wear round the waist or over the shoulder, usually as a badge of 
honour
17 scale : a sequence of musical notes that go up and down, one after the other
18 hoarse : rough and unclear
19 quivering : shaking, trembling
20 subdued : quiet, with little energy 
21 tiara : a semicircular metal band decorated with jewels and worn by wealthy women on formal social 
occasions