Mrs. Packletide's Tiger Summary Class 10 Literature Reader Chapter 2

Key Points of the Story

• Mrs. Packletide wants to shoot a tiger to outdo her rival, Loona Bimberton.
• She offers villagers money to help her hunt an old, harmless tiger.
• During the hunt, she fires her gun, but the tiger dies of fright, not the bullet.
• Villagers pretend she killed it to get the reward.
• Mrs. Packletide enjoys false fame and plans to show off.
• Miss Mebbin discovers the truth and blackmails her for money.
• Mrs. Packletide pays for Miss Mebbin’s cottage to keep the secret.
• She later says hunting is too expensive and gives it up.
• The story mocks vanity, jealousy, and false pride.

Detailed Summary

Mrs. Packletide's Motivation

• Mrs. Packletide wants to shoot a tiger, not for thrill or safety, but out of jealousy.
• She is envious of Loona Bimberton, who recently flew in an airplane and gained attention.
• Her goal is to gain social admiration and outshine Loona.

Planning the Hunt

• She offers ₹1000 to any village that can help her shoot a tiger.
• A village finds an old tiger that only hunts small animals like goats.
• Villagers protect and feed the tiger, waiting for Mrs. Packletide’s arrival.
• Mrs. Packletide plans a grand lunch and wants to gift Loona a tiger-claw brooch.

The Hunting Night

• Mrs. Packletide and her companion, Miss Mebbin, sit in a tree with a goat tied below.
• Miss Mebbin is practical, cautious, and focused on money.
• As the tiger approaches, Mrs. Packletide fires her rifle.
• The tiger collapses, and everyone assumes she has shot it.

Truth Behind the Tiger’s Death

• Miss Mebbin notices the goat is wounded, but the tiger has no bullet wound.
• They realize the tiger died of fright, not from being shot.
• Despite this, Mrs. Packletide pretends she killed it and enjoys the attention.

Fame and Rivalry

• Photos of Mrs. Packletide with the tiger are published in newspapers.
• Loona Bimberton is clearly upset but sends a formal thank-you note for the brooch.
• Mrs. Packletide believes she has successfully outdone Loona.

Miss Mebbin’s Blackmail

• Miss Mebbin hints that revealing the truth would be amusing.
• She mentions a cottage she wants but cannot afford.
• Mrs. Packletide realizes Miss Mebbin is blackmailing her and agrees to buy the cottage.

Ending and Moral

• Miss Mebbin gets her cottage and names it "Les Fauves" (The Wild Beasts).
• Mrs. Packletide vows never to hunt again, saying it’s too expensive.
• The story ends with a moral about vanity, jealousy, and the cost of deception.

Difficult Words

• Aviator: A person who flies an aircraft.
• Antecedents: Previous history or background.
• Propitious: Favorable or advantageous.
• Rendezvous: A meeting at an agreed time and place.
• Tethered: Tied up or secured.
• Mortal: Relating to death.
• Connived: Secretly allowed something to happen.
• Senile: Showing the weaknesses or diseases of old age.
• Disagreeably: In a way that is unpleasant or offensive.
• Emotions: Strong feelings such as joy, anger, or sadness.
• Indulges: Allows oneself to enjoy something.
• Expenses: Costs or payments for something.
• Speculation: Guessing or theorizing about something without firm evidence.
• Wealthy: Having a lot of money or valuable possessions.
• Accompanied: Being with someone or something.