HOW TO TELL WILD
ANIMALS
By Carolyn Wells
This poem by Carolyn Wells is about the perilous ways of
identifying wild animals. The poet attempts to differentiate one animal from
another in a humorous way. The poet suggests that being so near to these wild
beasts is quite dangerous. The poem is, thus, quite educative because it informs
us about various features of wild animals.
EXPLANATION
STANZA 1
If ever
you ...........it is the Asian Lion
The poet warns the readers about the wild beasts that can be found in the jungle. He says that
if you go to any forest in the East, you will most certainly encounter a
gigantic and terrifying beast charging at you. You will notice that it is
brownish-yellow in colour. And if that beast roars at you and you feel like you
are going to die due to fear, you will come to know that it is the Asian Lion.
STANZA 2
Or if you
...........The Bengal Tiger to discern.
According to the poet, it is very likely that while roaming in
the forest, you are greeted by a wild beast. This wild animal is coated in
black stripes on a yellow hide and has a beautiful body. The poet warns the
readers that if they notice this beast and that if it eats them, this simple
rule will teach them that it is a ‘Bengal Tiger.’
STANZA 3
If
strolling forth, ...........lep and lep again.
The poet here helps the readers in identifying a leopard. He
claims that if you go for a walk in the forest, you might encounter a beast
with blotches on its skin. When this dangerous beast jumps at you, you will
realise it is a leopard because it will continue to jump on you and tear you
apart. Furthermore, screaming or crying in pain will be futile because it will
continue to pounce on you. So, be careful and don’t allow it to jump on you.
STANZA 4
If when
you’re ...........one more caress.
The poet says that you may come across a creature while walking in your
yard. Consider this creature to be a bear if it hugs you very tightly. Bears
are thought to be good wrestlers with the ability to give a really tight hug.
Although a friendly hug is referred to as a bear hug, if a real bear hugs you, it
may not feel friendly at all. The bear hugs a man to kill him. The poet further
adds that if you are ever in doubt, the bear will embrace you again till death.
STANZA 5
Though to
distinguish ...........they’re crocodiles.
According to the poet, a novice may be baffled and confused, and so may
be unable to distinguish between the various wild animals. Hence, the poet
helps in distinguishing the crocodile from the hyena. He says that a hyena
always laughs while it swallows its prey. The voice of a laughing hyena sounds
similar to that of human. A crocodile, on the other hand, is supposed to shed
tears while eating its prey. Thus, the poet, warns the readers not to wait for
a hyena to laugh or a crocodile to weep.
STANZA 6
The true
Chameleon ...........Chameleon you see.
In this stanza, the poet describes a chameleon. A chameleon, according
to him, is a little garden lizard. It doesn’t have ears or wings. The poet,
further, says that if you can't see a thing on the tree, a chameleon is
probably sitting there. A chameleon is an expert of camouflage (master of
disguise). It changes colour depending on its surroundings and is thus
difficult to see. The ability to disguise helps the lizard in saving it from
hunters.
