10th std The Frog and the Nightingale

The Frog and the Nightingale

Q2 AND Q3 ARE TO BE NOTED DOWN IN THE NOTEBOOK

Q1 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

(a) So the frog and the nightingale
Journeyed up and down the scale,
For six hours till she was shivering
And her voice was hoarse and quivering.

i What is described as the journey?
ii How did the journey affect the nightingale?
iii Why did the frog and the nightingale begin the ‘journey’?
iv Give the antonym of the word ‘hoarse’.
i. The practice of musical notes by the frog and the nightingale is
described as the journey.
ii. The frog forced the nightingale to practice for six hours in wet weather
and this caused her to shiver and made her voice hoarse and quiver.
iii. The frog was jealous of the nightingale because she could sing better
than him, so he told her that she could become a winner only if she
trained under him otherwise she would remain a beginner.
iv. The antonym of the word ‘hoarse’ is mellow or soft.

(b) Other creatures loathed his voice
But, alas, they had no other choice.
And the crass cacophony
Blared out from the sumac tree

i Whose voice is talked about in the above lines?
ii Where did the ‘owner of the voice’ live?
iii Why did they loath his voice?
iv Give the antonym of the word – ‘loathed’.
i. The voice of the frog is talked about in the above lines.
ii. The frog( owner of the voice) lived in Bingle bog at the foot of the
sumac tree.
iii. The creatures loathed the voice of the frog because it was loud and
unpleasant and the frog croaked away from dusk to dawn every night.
iv. Antonym of the word -‘loathed’ is adored , liked.

(c) This is a fairy tale-
And you are Mozart in disguise
Come to earth before my eyes.

i Who is referred in the text as Mozart?
ii Why does the speaker call him a ‘Mozart in disguise’?
iii What advice did the ‘Mozart’ give the speaker of the above lines?
iv Find the synonym of the word ‘camouflage’
i. The nightingale refers to the frog as ‘Mozart’.
ii. The critical comments made by the frog on her singing and his self
praise, impressed the nightingale. She did not expect to find such talent
in a frog living in a bog. Hence, she calls him a ‘Mozart in disguise’.
iii. The frog told the nightingale that her singing was not much to boast
about. She would remain a beginner without proper training that he
could give.
iv. synonym of the word ‘camouflage’- disguise

(d) Oh! The nightingale confessed
Greatly flattered and impressed
That a critic of such note
Had discussed her art and throat

i Who was the critic?
ii Why was the nightingale impressed by him?
iii What does the nightingale tell him about her song?
iv Give the synonym of the phrase – ‘of such note’
i. The frog is critical of nightingale’s singing.
ii. The nightingale is flattered and impressed by the manner in which the
frog commented on her singing.
iii. The nightingale tells him that although the song is not divine, yet it is
her own creation.
iv. synonym of the phrase – ‘of such note’ - ability / calibre


Q2 Answer the following questions in 30-40 words. (TO BE NOTED DOWN IN THE  NOTEBOOK)

(a) Compare the reactions of the animals towards both the frog and the Nightingale.
The creatures of the Bingle Bog loathed the frog’s voice. They tried
complaints and insults, stones and sticks and even prayers to stop the frog
from singing but to no avail. However, the creatures admired and cheered the
nightingale’s singing.

(b) What compelled the nightingale to sing still dawn?
When the nightingale sang her first song after her arrival at Bingle Bog, all the
creatures were awestruck by her voice. She was greeted with cheers and
applause from everyone This admiration and applause was unusual for the nightingale.

 (c) Why did the frog ‘blare unrivalled’ after the death of the nightingale?
The frog had been singing in the bog despite criticism from all the creatures.
With the arrival of the nightingale, he feels threatened. He schemed to put the
bird out of the way and happily goes back to singing.

(d) What words has the poet used to convey his opinion about the frog’s singing?
The poet calls the frog’s song as crass cacophony – insensitive to the other
creatures living in the area. He also terms it as a Foghorn which is a loud
unpleasant noise that warns ships against dangers in the waters.

Q3 Answer the following questions in 100-120 words. (TO BE NOTED DOWN IN THE  NOTEBOOK)

(a) How did the Frog scheme to break the birds spirit and destroy her?
The frog pretended to be a master in music and promised to train the
nightingale. He got her addicted to the appreciation of the audience. He was
heartless. He forced her to practice in bad weather and for long hours when
she was not up to it. This affected her health and voice. He constantly
scolded her and it caused her to lose self confidence. She tried to do as the
frog demanded but finally burst a vein and died.

(b) Well poor bird she should have known.
That your song must be your own.’
Is the Frog right in his view? Give reasons to support your answer.
The nightingale has an enchanting voice and she enthralls the creatures of
the Bingle Bog with her singing. The cunning and jealous frog devises a plan
to get rid of her. The nightingale is unable to judge the true character of the
frog and is easily manipulated by the frog. The frog trains her in bad weather
and makes her over practice. As a result the nightingale loses the charm in
her voice, confidence, health, and finally her life.
The bird should have had confidence in herself and her singing not allowed
the frog to destroy her.

(c) What aspect of society does the poet want to highlight through the poem?
The poet, gives us a message of the importance of self-confidence and moral
courage in his poem - The 'Frog and the Nightingale'.
The frog despite his wicked nature believed that ‘your song must be your
own’. He had confidence to sing though he received so many brickbats.
Nothing could curb his determination to sing because he enjoyed it. In
contrast the nightingale was out to please people and finally destroyed
herself.
Our self-image is often based on what others make us believe we are. A poor self-image can do irreparable damage to us. You are what you think you are.
The Frog is cunning enough to make the nightingale feel insecure about her
singing and lead her to self destruction.