How to Tell Wild Animals Summary, Theme, and Poetic Devices

The poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” by Carolyn Wells is a delightful piece filled with humor, imagination, and clever observations about wild creatures. The poet introduces various ferocious animals, like lions, tigers, leopards, bears, crocodiles, hyenas, and chameleons, in a fun, rhyming manner that blends education with laughter. Through witty lines, she helps readers “identify” wild animals, though her methods are clearly impractical and exaggerated.
This light-hearted poem, prescribed in the Class 10 English textbook, not only entertains students but also sharpens their observation and language appreciation skills.

How to Tell Wild Animals Summary

Carolyn Wells uses wit and humor to describe dangerous wild animals through exaggerated “identification tips.” Each stanza introduces a new animal in an amusing way.

Stanza 1

Poem:
If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion...

Explanation:
The poet humorously introduces the Asian Lion, a strong and fierce creature found in eastern jungles. She jokingly says that if such a large, golden-brown beast roars at you while you are dying, you can be sure it is an Asian Lion. The exaggeration is comical, it playfully warns that identifying this animal comes at the cost of one’s life.

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Stanza 2

Poem:
Or if some time when roaming round,
A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground,
Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.

Explanation:
Here, the poet describes the Bengal Tiger, admired for its beauty and majesty. She says you can recognize it by its yellow coat with black stripes. But in a humorous twist, she adds that if the tiger greets you and then eats you, it’s definitely a Bengal Tiger! The comical exaggeration underlines both the tiger’s elegance and its deadly nature.

Stanza 3

Poem:
If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard.
’Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.

Explanation:
This stanza is about the Leopard, a fast and agile predator with a spotted coat. The poet warns that if a beast with spots jumps on you suddenly, it’s the leopard. No amount of roaring in pain will help, because it will “lep” (leap) again. The repetition of the word “lep” adds rhythm and humor, turning a fearful situation into a playful one.

Stanza 4

Poem:
If when you’re walking round your yard
You meet a creature there,
Who hugs you very, very hard,
Be sure it is a Bear.
If you have any doubts, I guess
He’ll give you just one more caress.

Explanation:
The Bear is introduced next, and the poet uses irony to describe it. If you encounter a creature that hugs you too tightly, it’s a bear. The “hug” here refers to a fatal grip, but the poet presents it as a form of affection. She humorously adds that if you’re unsure, the bear will give you another “caress,” meaning another deadly squeeze.

Stanza 5

Poem:
Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The Crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re Crocodiles.

Explanation:
The poet now helps us tell the difference between a Crocodile and a Hyena. A newcomer to the jungle may be confused, but the rule is simple, Hyenas appear to smile as they eat, while Crocodiles are known for their “tears.” The poet plays on the idioms “crocodile tears” (false sadness) and “laughing like a hyena” (greedy or cruel laughter), adding a layer of wit and wordplay.

Stanza 6

Poem:
The true Chameleon is small,
A lizard sort of thing;
He hasn’t any ears at all,
And not a single wing.
If there is nothing on the tree,
’Tis the chameleon you see.

Explanation:
The final stanza is about the Chameleon, a small reptile that changes its color to match its surroundings. The poet notes that it has no ears or wings, and humorously adds that if you see nothing on the tree, it’s probably the chameleon, so perfectly camouflaged that it becomes invisible.

How to Tell Wild Animals Question and Answers

1. Does ‘dyin’’ really rhyme with ‘lion’? Can you say it in such a way that it does?

Answer:
No, ‘dyin’’ and ‘lion’ do not rhyme perfectly in standard pronunciation. However, the poet deliberately shortens “dying” to “dyin’” to create a near-rhyme with “lion.” If pronounced casually or with a playful tone, the two words can sound similar. This poetic liberty adds humor and rhythm to the stanza.

2. How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do so, according to him?

Answer:
The poet suggests identifying the Asian Lion if you see a large, tawny beast roaring at you while you are dying. Similarly, the Bengal Tiger can be recognized by its black stripes on a yellow coat, but only after it has eaten you!
The poet humorously says that you can identify these animals only in fatal encounters, using exaggeration to make her point funny and memorable.

3. Do you think the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ in the third stanza are spelt correctly? Why does the poet spell them like this?

Answer:
No, the correct spelling should be “leapt.” The poet intentionally uses the incorrect forms “lept” and “lep” to maintain rhythm and rhyme with “peppered.” This creative choice makes the poem sound more playful and helps the reader enjoy the humorous tone.

4. Do you know what a ‘bearhug’ is? It’s a friendly and strong hug — such as bears are thought to give, as they attack you! Again, hyenas are thought to laugh, and crocodiles to weep (‘crocodile tears’) as they swallow their victims. Are there similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in your own language(s)?

Answer:
Yes, a bearhug refers to a tight, affectionate hug. The poet humorously connects it with the deadly grip of a real bear. In many languages, animals are used symbolically—like a “clever fox,” “brave lion,” or “wise owl.” These expressions reflect human qualities associated with animals and are used commonly in sayings and idioms.

5. Look at the line “A novice might nonplus.” How would you write this ‘correctly’? Why is the poet’s ‘incorrect’ line better in the poem?

Answer:
The correct way to write the line would be “A novice might be nonplussed.” However, the poet shortens it to fit the rhythm and rhyme scheme of the poem. This ‘incorrect’ phrasing makes the line sound more musical and humorous, which suits the light-hearted style of the poem.

6. Can you find other examples of poets taking liberties with language, either in English or in your own language(s)? Can you find examples of humorous poems in your own language(s)?

Answer:
Yes, many poets take liberties with spelling, grammar, or rhythm to create humor or a specific effect. For example, Ogden Nash is famous for using funny spellings and rhymes in English poetry. In Hindi, poets like Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Suryakant Tripathi ‘Nirala’ also played creatively with language. Such freedom makes poetry more expressive and engaging.

7. Much of the humour in the poem arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. If there are particular lines in the poem that you especially like, share these with the class, speaking briefly about what it is about the ideas or the language that you like or find funny.

Answer:
One particularly funny line is:
“If there is nothing on the tree, ’Tis the chameleon you see.”
This line is amusing because it humorously suggests that the chameleon is so perfectly camouflaged that it becomes invisible. The poet’s clever wordplay and simple rhyme create a light, witty tone that makes the entire poem enjoyable to read aloud.

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Theme of the Poem

How to Tell Wild Animals by Carolyn Wells is a humorous and imaginative poem that teaches readers how to identify wild animals in a playful way. The poet uses irony, exaggeration, and wit to describe dangerous encounters with animals like lions, tigers, leopards, and bears.

While the poem appears to be a guide on recognizing animals, it actually satirizes the idea of adventure and danger by suggesting that the only way to “identify” an animal is when it attacks you. Beneath the humor, the poem reminds readers of nature’s power and the risk of getting too close to wild creatures.

It also reflects the poet’s love for rhyme and rhythm, showing how language and humour can make even serious topics, like wild animal attacks, sound lighthearted and fun.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem

Below are the key poetic devices that make this poem rhythmic and amusing:

1. Rhyme Scheme:
   Each stanza follows a simple and catchy rhyme pattern, such as AABCCB or AABBCC, giving the poem a musical flow.
   Example:
   “If ever you should go by chance
   To jungles in the east;
   And if there should to you advance
   A large and tawny beast,”

2. Humour and Irony:
   The poet uses humour by describing dangerous situations as if they were simple learning experiences. For example, “If he roars at you as you’re dyin’, you’ll know it is the Asian Lion.”

3. Imagery:
   Vivid descriptions help readers picture the animals clearly, the “tawny beast” (lion), the “black stripes on yellow ground” (tiger), and the “spots” on the leopard.

4. Alliteration:
   Repetition of consonant sounds creates rhythm and emphasis.
   Example: “He’ll only lep and lep again.”

5. Personification:
   Animals are given human traits, for instance, the Hyena “smiles” and the Crocodile “weeps.”

6. Exaggeration (Hyperbole):
   The poet exaggerates events for humour, like being hugged to death by a bear or recognizing a tiger only after being eaten.

7. Colloquial Language and Poetic License:
   Words like “dyin’” and “lep” are deliberately misspelled to maintain rhyme and rhythm, showing the poet’s playful use of language.

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Conclusion

Carolyn Wells’ poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” is a delightful blend of humor, creativity, and clever wordplay. Through exaggerated situations and funny examples, the poet teaches readers how to identify wild animals, not through real-life facts, but through imagination and wit. Each stanza introduces a new animal, and each description becomes more amusing than the last.

For students, this poem is not only entertaining but also educational. It helps build vocabulary, introduces poetic devices, and shows how language can be used playfully. The rhythm, rhyme, and humor make it a favorite for poetry recitations and English lessons alike.

FAQs on How to Tell Wild Animals

Q1. Who is the poet of “How to Tell Wild Animals”?
The poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” was written by Carolyn Wells.

Q2. What is the theme of the poem?
The poem humorously describes how one might identify wild animals like lions, tigers, and bears. It celebrates imagination and teaches readers to enjoy the playfulness of language.

Q3. What kind of poem is “How to Tell Wild Animals”?
It is a humorous and narrative poem that uses rhyme and exaggeration to describe animals in a funny, memorable way.

Q4. What poetic devices are used in the poem?
The poem uses rhyme scheme, alliteration, personification, and imagery to create humor and rhythm.

Q5. What does the poet want to convey through the poem?
The poet wants to entertain readers while showing how poetry can make learning about nature and language both fun and imaginative.

Q6. Why is the poem popular among students?
Its funny tone, easy language, and rhythmic flow make it ideal for reading aloud, learning poetic devices, and improving pronunciation.

Q7. How does PlanetSpark help in learning such poems?
PlanetSpark’s 1:1 interactive classes encourage kids to understand the meaning, tone, and rhythm of poems, helping them develop confidence in reading and reciting English poetry.