The Frog and the Nightingale Summary Class 10 Literature Reader Chapter 7

SUMMARY

• In a bog called Bingle Bog, there lived a frog who sang nonstop from evening until dawn.
• All the creatures in the bog found his songs unpleasant and tried to beat and insult him.
• Despite their attempts, the frog remained indifferent and proud, continuing to sing in his off-key voice as a way to express his joy.

The Nightingale's Arrival

• One day, the bog's creatures were surprised by the beautiful and soothing song of a nightingale.
• The frog was shocked and felt jealous, wanting to be the best singer in the bog.
• The nightingale's song attracted creatures from miles away, who praised her greatly.

The Frog's Manipulation

• The frog claimed to own the tree where the nightingale sang and called himself a music critic for 'Bog Trumpet'.
• He impressed the nightingale, making her believe he was an important musician.
• When the frog offered to train her for a small fee, she eagerly accepted.
• This marked the start of the frog's exploitation.
• He organised concerts and made money from her performances.
• The frog forced the nightingale to practice even in bad weather, insisting she sing passionately as the audience expected.

Downfall of the Nightingale

• At first, many creatures came to hear her, but soon the crowd faded as her songs became dull and her voice strained.
• The frog often scolded and humiliated her.
• Eventually, the nightingale, overwhelmed by stress and fatigue, suffered a burst vein and died.

The frog called the nightingale 'stupid', 'nervous', and 'without originality'. These insulting remarks came after her performance, showing the frog's manipulative nature and his aim to damage her confidence. At first, the nightingale had enchanted the entire bog with her beautiful song. The amazed audience stared towards the sumac, captivated, and when she finished, they applauded. She was unused to such admiration.

However, the frog forced the nightingale to practice over and over in the rain, trying to shape her into what he thought was a proper performer. He sang with flair, 'Koo-oh-ah! ko-ash! ko-ash!' and his loud croaking echoed throughout the bog. Eventually, the pressure became too heavy for the nightingale. Shaking, scared of failing, blinded by tears, she listened to him in silence, tried her best, but ultimately, she collapsed and died. The frog, pleased with himself, said, 'I tried to teach her, but she was a stupid creature—far too nervous, far too tense, far too prone to influence.' Poor bird—she should have realised that your song must be your own.