A Tiger in the Zoo
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage
On pads of velvet quiet
In his quiet rage
He should be lurking in shadow
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge
Baring his white fangs, his claws
Terrorizing the village!
But he is locked in the concrete cell
His strength behind bars
Stalking the length of his cage
Ignoring vis itors
He hears the last voice at night
The patrolling cars
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
Word-Notes:
Sr. No. | Word | Meaning In English | Meaning In Hindi |
1. | Stalk | trail, follow | पीछा करना (शिकार करने के लिए ) |
2. | Vivid | clear | स्पष्ट |
3. | Stripes | colourful long lines | रंगीन धरियाँ |
4. | Lurking | waiting secretly | छिपकर इंतजार करना |
5. | Plump | pleasantly fat | मोटा-ताजा |
6. | Snarl | make an angry sound | गुर्राना |
7. | Fangs | long sharp teeth | लंबा तेज़ दाँत |
8. | Patrolling | going round an area or building to make sure that it is safe | किसी इलाके भवन को सुरक्षा की दृष्टि से चक्कर लगाना |
9. | Stare | look at somebody for a long time | घूरना |
I. On the basis of your reading of the poem, answer the following questions:
(a) Where does the tiger described in the poem live?
(b) Why would the tiger lurk in shadows?
(c) What would he do at the jungle’s edge?
(d) Why do you think the tiger is ignoring visitors?
(e) What is the last sound that the tiger hears in the night?
II. Pick out the words and phrases that describe the movements and actions of tiger at contrasting situations—when caged and when in forest.
Answers:
(a) Where does the tiger described in the poem live?
Ans. The tiger described in the poem lives in a cage in a zoo.
(b) Why would the tiger lurk in shadows?
Ans. The tiger lurks in the shadows near a water hole stalking other animals like plump deer to attack them.
(c) What would he do at the jungle’s edge?
Ans. He would be terrorizing the people in the villages near the forest
(d) Why do you think the tiger is ignoring visitors?
Ans. He is tired of visitors who throng the zoo day in and day out and they do not interest him anymore.
(e) What is the last sound that the tiger hears in the night?
Ans. He hears the sound of patrolling cars.
Q II. Pick out the words and phrases that describe the movements and actions of tiger at contrasting situations—when caged and when in forest.
Ans.
Caged | Forest |
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage Stalking the length of his cage Ignoring visitors. | He should be lurking in shadow Sliding through long grass He should be snarling around houses At the jungle’s edge |
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