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Question
How did the creatures of Bingle bog react to the nightingale's singing?
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Solution
The other bog animals were so engaged with the nightingale's song that they couldn't focus on anything else. It wasn't until she ended her song that everyone clapped. Herons began wading in the lake to express their joy after hearing her sing, and ducks resumed swimming. A lone loon was similarly captivated by the nightingale's music and started crying. All of these species had been looking at the sumac with respect until that moment.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
MarkMarkListed below are some character traits of people. A few of these are positive qualities, while others are not. Tick mark the ones you feel are desirable qualities in a person.
| Characteristic | Tick Mark | Characteristic | Tick Mark | Characteristic | Tick Mark |
| Insensitive | High - headed | Manipulative | |||
| Humorous | Egoistic | Patronizing | |||
| Naïve | Humble | Submissive | |||
|
Opportunistic |
Foolish | Arrogant | |||
| Creative | Original | Conniving | |||
| Disapproving | Helpful | Innocent | |||
| Commanding | Calculative | Condescending | |||
| Benevolent | Crafty | Scheming | |||
| Simple | Wise | Rude | |||
| Overbearing | Generous | Boastful | |||
| Sly | Gentle | Proud | |||
| Territorial | Aggressive | Servile |
Have you come across people who are not what they seem to be - like someone who is extremely friendly and helpful yet you are not very comfortable with him / her as you feel it is a put-on? Have a class discussion about such people and why you feel as you do.
Before you read the poem complete the word - web with the words that we associate with a Frog and a Nightingale
Now that you have read the poem, add more personality traits to the word-web of the frog and the nightingale as depicted in the poem. Then complete the given table. (Some of the words in the box below may help you. You may also use the words given in Q. 1.)
| Character | Extract | Personality traits |
| Nightingale | Sorry - was that you who spoke? | Polite, Timorous |
| Frog |
Yes,… you see, I'm the frog who owns this tree In this bog I've long been known For my splendid baritone. |
|
| Nightingale | Did you…did you like my song? | |
| Frog | Not too bad - but far too long The technique was fine, of course, But it lacked a certain force. | |
| Frog | Without proper training such as I And a few others can supply You'll remain a mere beginner, But with me you'll be a winner. | |
| Nightingale | But I can't sing in this weather | |
| Nightingale | …This is a fairy tale - And you're Mozart in disguise Come to earth before my eyes. | |
| Frog | Come, my dear - we'll sing together. | |
| Frog | We must aim for better billing You still owe me sixty shillings. |
|
| Frog | Brainless bird - you're on the stage Use your wits and follow fashion. Puff your lungs out with your passion. | |
| Frog | …I tried to teach her, But she was a stupid creature. |
| Dismissive Nervous Timid Presumptuous Superior Fawning Shy Polite Meek Possessive Dominating Mercenery |
On the basis of your understanding of the poem, complete the sentences given below by choosing the appropriate option.
- The frog's aim was to
On the basis of your understanding of the poem, complete the sentences given below by choosing the appropriate option.
- The animals reacted to the nightingale's song with
On the basis of your understanding of the poem, complete the sentences given below by choosing the appropriate option.
- The nightingale accepted the frog's tutelage as she
Answer the following question briefly.
Which are the different ways in which the frog asserts his importance?
Answer the following question briefly.
How did the frog become the unrivalled king of the bog again?
Discuss the following question and write the answer in your note-books.
Bring out the irony in the frog's statement - 'Your song must be your own'.
Discuss the following question and write the answer in your note-books.
Do you think that the end of the poem is justified ?
Discuss the following question and write the answer in your note-books.
Do you think the nightingale is 'brainless'? Give reasons for your answer.
Discuss the following question and write the answer in your note-books.
Inspite of having a melodious voice and being a crowd puller, the nightingale turns out to be a loser and dies. How far is she responsible for her own downfall?
Discuss the following question and write the answer in your note-books.
Do you agree with the Frog's inference of the Nightingale's character? Give reasons for your answer.
The Frog and the Nightingale is a spoof on the present society. Study the Mind Map given below. Divide yourselves into groups, select a box and discuss the statement given. Then present your views to the class.
Topics for CLASS DISCUSSION
a. How a person tries to put down another when that person is succeeding in his or her life.
b. Our self-image is often based on what others make us believe we are. A poor selfimage can do irreparable damage to us. Do you agree with this statement?
Elaborate with suitable reasons and examples.
Write an obituary for the nightingale. You may begin like this: May the kind soul……… (or you may make use of your own beginning)
Even though both, the frog from Vikram Seth’s poem, The Frog and the Nightingale and Abel's children from the play, The Dear Departed, display greed, there are differences. Elaborate, in about 150 words, how the greed of the frog and that of Abel's children differ in motivation, actions, relationship, and consequences.
