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English

The Frog and the Nightingale (Complete Material)

Study Material

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Class - 10th

Arvind Vihar, Baghmugalia, Bhopal Nagendra Prasad Sharma (94243-65475)

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Excel Classes – The Frog and the Nightingale

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Frog and the Nightingale notes:

Summary:

� There lived a frog in a forest called Bingle Bog. � All the animals and birds loathed/hated the frog for his night-long

croaking. � In spite of their pleas, warnings and threats, the frog continued to croak

at night. � One night a nightingale came to this forest and sang a melodious song

and instantly became the sweetheart of all the animals and birds of Bingle Bog.

� Animals and birds gathered in thousands to attend her concerts every night but frog kept himself away, unable to see the instance fame the nightingale won. He decided to get rid of the nightingale.

� The frog presented himself as a great singer, impressed the nightingale and offered to train her to become a great singer with his experience and skills.

� The senseless nightingale was terribly impressed by the Mozart of Bingle Bog and took training.

� Day and night the frog taught the bird and under harsh weather and due to overexertion, she lost her voice.

� When the nightingale saw her audience melt away, she sang without dedication.

� The frog scolded her often, got her confidence drained out and made her nervous at the thought of singing.

� Following a training session, while taking deep breath, the bird died on the stage.

� The frog blamed the nightingale for being nervous and being influenced by crowds.

� With the nightingale murdered so cunningly, the frog went on being the only singer of the Bingle Bog.

Theme: The theme of the poem could be easily linked to multiple instances yet the most common connection is with power politics played in the society. People resort to any means to get rid of their rivals in any field. When an existing singer sees potential threats from a rising singer, he eliminates him/her using one of the many ways.

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About the Poet: Vikram Seth is a well-known poet in India. He was born in 1952 in Calcutta (Kolkata). The poem The Frog and the Nightingale is from his book of poems called Beastly tales from Here and There (1991). As the title makes it explicit that the poems are based on narratives from various parts of the world, Greece, China, India and Ukrain not to mention the fantasy world of Gup. The poems highlight the tension between good and evil. These tales in verse are simple to read and are like the fables, teaching important lessons of life. The poem under study portrays the cunning frog and the Naïve Nightingale who pays the price of her innocence by losing her purity, her originality and ultimately her life. Gist of the Poem : (Lines 1-34) Once upon a time a frog living in Bingle Bog (marshy area) croaked away in his unpleasant voice all night. The other creatures hated his voice and did everything in their power to make him quiet-threw sticks, stones, prayed, insulted, complained ,threw bricks but all in vain. Nothing could stop the frog from minstrel ling (singing) all night in his harsh voice. One night his renditions were interrupted when a Nightingale perched itself on the Sumac Tree and burst into the most melodious song ever heard under the Sumac Tree. The other creatures of the Bingle Bog unused to such sweet voice heard her mesmerized by the beauty of the song. Creatures from all over the forest were drawn towards the bird‘s song and asked for a repeat performance. Toads, Tiddlers, teals Ducks and Herons cheered her song. Not used to praise the Nightingale kept giving performance the whole night. Next night when the nightingale got ready for the performance (She had all the mannerisms of an artist clearing of throat, adjusting the mike, her appearance). (Lines 35-60) The Frog made his presence felt introduced himself as the owner of the tree, known also for his deep voice and as a columnist for the Bog Trumpet (Magazine). Highly impressed by the Frog‘s credentials, the Nightingale was too eager to hear about his opinion. The Frog without mincing any words criticized her art as a professional. Nightingale being too naïve believed and defended herself by claiming to be original. The Frog brushed her claims aside and told her in no uncertain terms that without his guidance she would be nobody. (Lines 61-84) Unable to hide her excitement at her good luck, the nightingale accepted the honour of being trained by a musician of repute! The frog made it very clear that he would be charging a modest fee but assuring her that she would be able to pay back. So the Nightingale began her career as a performer-infused with confidence, filled with a zest for performance and inspired by the fawning,








sang and became a sensation overnight. The magical quality of her song attracted creatures of the Bingle Bog from far and wide. The opportunist frog cashed on the crowd and started charging admission fee. The arrogant and heartless frog never let an opportunity to make the Nightingale realize who was in control. Without a care for the bad weather, he would order her to practice, push her to her limit. In his role of a patron he became a hard task master, pushing the Nightingale to the verge of collapse. (Lines 85-110) Day after Day this went on, the Nightingale now sleep deprived and exhausted went on performing. The Sumac tree of Bingle Bog was humbled (honoured) by the presence of the elite of the Bingle Bog (Poet is being sarcastic about people who come to see musical performance only for the sake of showing off jewels, without little bit of interest in the art. Employing the pun on words the poet lists few royal titles-Duke, Count, Cardinal, Mallord, Earl who visited the Sumac tree to hear the Nightingale perform. On one hand the Frog was happy as his business was so profitable on the other hand he was jealous of the success of the Nightingale. His greed made him unreasonable, every day he would point out her flaws, criticized her singing, advised her on the technique; remind her of her goal of being successful and how much she owed him. (Lines 111-140) This constant badgering by the Frog robbed the Nightingale of her creativity. She started sounding bored, uninspired and no amount of mannerism could revive the audience. The cash collection started falling and the disinterested applause of few who still were coming gave her no happiness. It made her sorrowful and depressed. The frog was livid as his business was getting affected. He lost his temper and became cruel. He asked her to follow trends and give the people what they wanted. The Nightingale tried very hard, collected her wits about her, performed but alas she burst a vein and collapsed. The calculative Frog quickly washed his hands off the Nightingale. He pointed out how the Nightingale was a stupid creature, he tried to teach her but she was very nervous, easy on the ear and gullible. He became a little brazen as he pointed out the Bird should have known that one‘s song should be one‘s own (meaning -You can‘t let other people dictate your life. She should have known when to say no). The manipulative Frog not only cleared himself of all responsibility of the Bird‘s death but also made it appear that the bird was responsible for her death. He projects himself as a confident, practical and wise creature who sings with a élan! Hence the Frog resumed his position in the Bog and continued to blare out in his harsh and unpleasant voice undisputed and unrivalled. The moral of the poem is that one has to pay for one‘s gullibility. Being inspired and influenced by someone unknown and stranger is indeed a foolish work. The nightingale had to suffer for her misjudgment. If our self-image is based on what others make us believe we are, we will always be misguided. It is important to know your own worth. The Nightingale's gullible








servile nature results in her tragic death. The pompous, scheming frog plans her destruction after winning her trust. Lack of confidence and good judgement of character can bring misery from which there is no escape. Frog:

� He has been portrayed as arrogant, pompous, haughty, patronizing, opportunist, condescending and boastful.

� He is used to his position of the only singer of the Bingle Bog. � The entry of the melodious nightingale is an eye opener. � Being practical and worldly wise he uses his position to influence her. � He impresses upon her his superiority by discussing her art

condescendingly. � He manipulates the situation to his advantage, starts making profit by

charging admission fee. � His haughtiness is evident when he doesn‘t tolerate any slips on the

nightingale‘s part. � He gradually works on the nightingale‘s weakness- of being rich and

Famous (downfall of many). � A smooth talker brushes away the blame of nightingale‘s death by

philosophising it that ‘your song must be your own’. Nightingale

� She is portrayed as the innocent, naïve, gullible, polite, unsure, timid, shy and nervous type.

� The taste of appreciation enhances her self-esteem making her gullible. � The desire to impress makes her blind to the faults of the frog. � Her purity, originality and piousness get shadowed by the greed for

status and commercial success. � Trapped in the vicious circle of success, she pushes herself to a point of

exhaustion. � Addicted to her status, unable to get out of the clutches of the frog she

tries-the misguided efforts result in her death.








Line by line Explanation:

“Once upon a time a frog Croaked away in Bingle Bog

Every night from dusk to dawn He croaked awn and awn and awn Other creatures loathed his voice,

But, alas, they had no choice, And the crass cacophony

Blared out from the sumac tree At whose foot the frog each night Minstrelled on till morning night”

Meaning: A sunmac tree stood inside the Bingle Bog. A bog is a wet soft muddy ground. Such place is the favored habitat for frogs. Comfortably seated at the feet of the tree, the frog sang away to its heart’s content from evening till morning. Its loud and relentless croaking was heard for quite a distance. The high decibel and hoarseness of the frog’s din caused considerable nuisances for other creatures living nearby. Glossary:- Bingle Bog – A swampy forest where this happened. Dusk to dawn – Evening to morning Awn – On Loathed – Hated Alas! – A sad expression Cacophony - Blared out – Shouted; roared Sumac tree – A not very tall tree Minstrelled on – Sang Q.1. Why does the poem begin with “once upon a time?” Ans. The poem is a story poem. To create the effect of a story with a moral, the poet begins it this way. Q.2. What is Bingle Bog? Ans. Bingle Bog is marshy patch of land part of a forest where lived the frog in the poem apart from a number of other animals. Q.3. Where exactly did the frog live? Ans. The frog lived under a sumac tree in the Bingle Bog. Q.4. What was the time of the frog’s minstrels? Ans. The frog’s minstrel timing began in the late evening and extended up to early morning.








Q.5. What poetic device is employed in the line, “He croaked awn and awn and awn?” What does ‘awn’ mean? Ans. Repetition is the poetic device used in the line. Awn means a bristle-like growth on grains. Q.6. Why was there no choice for the creatures in Bingle Bog? Ans. The animals in the Bingle Bog had no choice because the frog went on croaking throughout every night and never heeded to their requests and threats. Q.7. What do the words, ‘crass-cacophony, blared out’ suggest about the quality of the frog’s singing? Ans. These words are suggestive of the frog’s rough, unpleasant and loud voice. Q.8. How was the frog known as in the Bingle Bog? Ans. The frog was known for his irritating sound that used to trouble all the creatures of the Bog. Q.9. What was the effect of the nightingale’s song? Ans. When the nightingale started casting her melody in the moonlight, the frog was left dumbstruck whereas the other creatures dream-walked to the sumac tree. The whole bog remained rapt and admired her voice and applauded her when she ended but the frog went mad at this. Q.10. How was the frog’s reaction to the nightingale different from the other creatures? What was the consequence of this ill feeling? Ans. The frog was obviously jealous of his rival, the nightingale and had finally decided to eliminate her.

“Neither stones nor prayers nor sticks. Insults or complaints or bricks Stilled the frogs determination To display his heart’s elation.

But one night a nightingale In the moonlight cold and pale Perched upon the sumac tree

Casting forth her melody Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog

And the whole admiring bog Stared towards the sumac, rapt,

And, when she had ended, clapped, Ducks had swum and herons waded

To her as she serenaded”








Meaning: The creatures beseeched the frog to stop its noise that they found too disagreeable to put up with. But, the vainglorious frog paid no heed to them, and continued with its night-long rendering. Finally, the irate creatures could stand the nuisance anymore and began to use sticks and stones to subdue the irrepressible singer. Neither the neighbors’ taunts, nor their physical threats could deter the frog’s dusk-to-dawn guttural outpourings. One night, a nightingale flew in from somewhere and perched on the branch of the sunmac tree. It began to sing in its natural melodious voice in the cold lonely night. Its voice left the frog flummoxed. All other inhabitants in the marshy land around began to listen to the new singer’s voice with great pleasure. At the end of her singing, she got a standing ovation from the audience listening in to it. Ducks swam and herons waded through the mud and slush to be nearer to the nightingale. She sang her way into the hearts of all the creatures in the bog.

Glossary:- Still – Stop Determination – Resolution; firm resolve Heart’s elation – Heart’s pride Perch – Sit Cast forth – Sing aloud Melody – Song Dumbstruck – Shocked Gaping – Keeping your mouth open because you are shocked Admire – Worship Rapt – Lost in something; enraptured. Serenade – Sing melodiously Q.1. How did the creatures try to stop the frog? Ans. The creatures of Bingle Bog tried to stop the frog’s singing by means of requests, prayers, threats, etc. They even went on beating the frog with sticks and hitting him with stones. Q.2. What was the frog’s determination? Ans. The frog’s determination was to sing throughout the night in spite of all the criticism and objections faced from the creatures of the Bingle Bog. Q.3. What was the frog’s heart’s elation? Ans. The frog’s heart’s elation was that he was a remarkable singer. Q.4. How did the frog display his heart’s elation? Ans. The frog displayed his heart’s elation by singing songs. Q.5. What was the Frog’s heart’s elation? How did he display it?








Ans. The pride that he was the peerless singer of the Bingle Bog was the frog’s heart’s elation. He displayed it by singing throughout the nights.

“And a solitary loon Wept, beneath the summer moon.

Toads and teals and tiddlers, captured By her voice, cheered on, enraptured:

“Bravo! ” “Too divine! ” “Encore! “ So the nightingale once more,

Quite unused to such applause, Sang till dawn without a pause.”

Meaning : The applause the nightingale received unnerved the frog. He became swagger was replaced by circumspection and doom. He became a miserable soul. In the meanwhile, the nightingale’s audience swelled. All the listeners were enthralled with her music. Showering praise on her profusely, they prodded the nightingale to continue to sing one after another. The adulation she received from her audience kept her going till dawn. Glossary:- Herons – Birds with long bills, long necks and long legs. Wade – Paddle Solitary – Lonely Loon – Mad person; a large water bird Captured – Attracted to Bravo! – Great! Too divine – So sweet Encore – Sing again! Unused – Not used to Dawn – Early morning Q.1. How did the Bingle Bog respond to the nightingale’s songs? Ans. The inhabitants of the Bingle Bog were thrilled when they heard the birdsong. A large number of them or all of them except the envious frog came to the sumac tree to listen to her concerts and when she ended each song, they heartily cheered for her. Q.2. Why the frog is called a solitary loon? (Exceptional Questions) Ans. Solitary loon means a lonely madman. Seeing that the nightingale’s song was unanimously loved by the whole Bingle Bog and that he had lost his fame, the frog became mad and he could not join the admiring creatures of the Bog and remained Solitary. Q.3. Explain , “quite unused to such applause”. Ans. It is evident that the nightingale had never been applauded as she was applauded in the Bingle Bog. The praises she was bestowed on were quite








unfamiliar to her. Reference to context: Other creatures loathed his voice, but, alas, they had no choice, And the crass cacophony blared out from the sumac tree At whose foot the frog each night minstrelled on till morning night.

“Next night when the Nightingale Shook her head and twitched her tail,

Closed an eye and fluffed a wing And had cleared her throat to sing

She was startled by a croak. “Sorry – was that you who spoke? “

She enquired when the frog Hopped towards her from the bog. “Yes,” the frog replied. “You see, I’m the frog who owns this tree

In this bog I’ve long been known For my splendid baritone

And, of course, I wield my pen For Bog Trumpet now and then”

“Did you… did you like my song? “ “Not too bad – but far too long.

The technique was fine of course, But it lacked a certain force”.

“Oh! ” the nightingale confessed. Greatly flattered and impressed

That a critic of such note Had discussed her art and throat:

“I don’t think the song’s divine. But – oh, well – at least it’s mine”.”

Meaning: The next night, the nightingale was getting ready to start another long singing session for the benefit of her admirers when the frog leapt towards her from the bog and announced his arrival with his usual croak. The nightingale was curious to hear him out. In a boastful voice, the frog declared that the tree she was resting on belonged to him. He then proceeded to expound his singing talent through which he had entertained the many creatures in the bog for long. He even stated how he wrote music for the Bog Trumpet band. The nightingale was impressed at the frog’s musical credentials, and wanted to know if he liked her concerts. Speaking like a music critic of renown, the frog began to pronounce his judgments. In a condescending tone, the frog said that the nightingale sang well, but her concert could be shorter. He had a word of praise for her technique. However, it lacked force, the frog said. The frog’s comments of praise emanating from the frog completely floored the nightingale. She was indeed very flattered to hear a reputed music critic like the frog speaking about her singing in such laudatory terms. She spoke to








herself saying that the singing might not be hugely sophisticated, but those were hers, after all. Glossary:- Twitch - Fluff - Croak – A frog’s sound Hop – Jump Bog Trumpet – Here the frog because it used to make loud sounds Startled – Interrupted Splendid - Baritone – Male voice Wield a pen – Write Confessed – Admitted; accepted Flattered – Having being praised Critic – An expert who can point out errors Note – Importance Art and throat – Song and voice Divine – Great Q.1. How did the frog plan to eliminate his rival? What did he do for this? Ans. The frog decided to eliminate the nightingale by being her trainer first and then making her voice as rough and uninspiring as his own. To become her trainer, the frog first pretended to be a critic of music and showered a lot of flattery on him saying that he was the renowned male singer of the Bingle Bog. Q.2. How did the frog introduce himself to the nightingale? Ans. On being asked about himself by the nightingale the frog answered that he owned the sumac tree and that he had been known for his splendid voice. Also he said that he had written a number of songs for the Bog Trumpet. Q.3. What did the frog say about the nightingale’s song? Ans. The nightingale asked him whether he liked her song or not. The frog said that the song wasn’t bad but was too long and it lacked some force. Q.4. How did the frog’s commenting her song mean to the nightingale? Ans. The nightingale was greatly impressed that such a critic had discussed her song. She said that she was happy that the song was her own creation.








““That’s not much to boast about”. Said the heartless frog. “Without

Proper training such as I – And few others can supply.

You’ll remain a mere beginner. But with me you’ll be a winner” “Dearest frog”, the nightingale Breathed: “This is a fairy tale - And you are Mozart in disguise Come to earth before my eyes”. “Well I charge a modest fee.”

“Oh! ” “But it won’t hurt, you’ll see” Now the nightingale inspired,

Flushed with confidence, and fired With both art and adoration,

Sang – and was a huge sensation. Animals for miles around

Flocked towards the magic sound, And the frog with great precision

Counted heads and charged admission.”

Meaning: In a tone befitting to that of a veteran mentor, the frog cautioned the nightingale that her singing would not take her very far. The frog rudely told her how she needed to hone her skills under his tutelage to let her talent blossom. The nightingale was ecstatic to receive such kind offer from the singing maestro frog. Her joy knew no bounds, because such a great singer had agreed to impart training to her. She felt as if she was dreaming. Mozart, the musical prodigy had descended from heaven to coach her, she said. Emboldened by the naivety of the nightingale, the frog said he would charge a modest fee for his services. It was a new dawn of life for the nightingale. She took to singing with great enthusiasm and energy. She soon became a singing sensation drawing music lovers from the surrounding animal kingdom. They came, they listened and they left surrendering their hearts to the nightingale. The frog counted the gate money. His cash register kept ringing with added intensity as the days went by. Glossary:- Boast about – Self glorification Heartless – Cruel Mere – Insignificant; Verum (Mal) Breathed – Spoke excitedly Fairy tale – Unbelievable story Mozart – A legendary musician from Austria








In disguise – Pretending Modest fee It won’t hurt You’ll see Inspired Flushed Fired Art and adoration Huge sensation Flocked Precision Q.1. Why is the frog said to be heartless? Ans. Even though the nightingale’s song was melodious and perfect, the frog said that she needed a proper training to obtain a strong voice otherwise she would remain a beginner only. He was too heartless to appreciate the caliber of a fellow singer who was much better than him. Q.2. Why did the frog agree to teach the nightingale? Ans. The frog found his rival in the nightingale. He somehow wanted to get rid of her. He thought of pretending to be benevolent with the bird as offered his coaching with a hope that he could ruin her sweet voice by rigorous practice in the rough weather and weaken her confidence by scolding her on the stage. Q.3. What was the frog’s critical analysis of the nightingale’s singing? Ans. The frog critically studied the nightingale’s song and judged that it was not as good as the other creatures had admired yet he admitted that its technique was good. He blamed that the nightingale’s songs lacked a certain force and were longer than what a song is supposed to be. He also said that the nightingale was a beginner and needed training from experts. Q.4. What made the nightingale feel proud of her singing even though she confesses that her songs were not divine? Ans. Though the nightingale admitted that her singing was not divine as praised by all the creatures of Bingle Bog except the frog, she feels proud of the same because the frog had said that her technique was fine. Q.5. What was the frog’s offer for the nightingale? Ans. The frog offered to train the nightingale to a perfect singer for a moderate fee. Q.6. How did the frog’s offer to teach her influence the nightingale? Ans. The nightingale was flushed with confidence and was a huge sensation, attracting animals from miles away. She sang more beautiful than ever with great passion and dedication.








“Though next morning it was raining, He began her vocal training.

“But I can’t sing in this weather” “Come my dear – we’ll sing together.

Just put on your scarf and sash, Koo-oh-ah! ko-ash! ko-ash! “ So the frog and nightingale

Journeyed up and down the scale For six hours, till she was shivering

and her voice was hoarse and quivering. Though subdued and sleep deprived,

In the night her throat revived, And the sumac tree was bowed, With a breathless, titled crowd: Owl of Sandwich, Duck of Kent,

Mallard and Milady Trent, Martin Cardinal Mephisto,

And the Coot of Monte Cristo, Ladies with tiaras glittering

In the interval sat twittering - And the frog observed them glitter With a joy both sweet and bitter.

Every day the frog who’d sold her Songs for silver tried to scold her:

“You must practice even longer Till your voice, like mine grows stronger.

In the second song last night You got nervous in mid-flight.

And, my dear, lay on more trills: Audiences enjoy such frills.

You must make your public happier: Give them something sharper snappier.

We must aim for better billings. You still owe me sixty shillings.””

Meaning: The frog was keen to show how astute a trainer he was. On a particularly wet day, he made the nightingale to come for the practice session. The water and the cold made her sulk at the suggestion of her mentor. She protested, but the frog had his way. He prevailed upon the hapless student to join him in the singing practice. The poor nightingale had no way to say ‘no’. For nearly six hours, she sang till her vocal chords began to fail her due to exhaustion and overwork. By night, she had managed to give another concert for the assembled gathering. Among the dignitaries that evening was the Owl of Sandwich, the Duck of Kent, Mallard and Milady Trent, Martin Cardinal Mephisto, and the








Coot of Monte Cristo. The lady guests kept chatting with great delight. It was an audience that seemed to have be succumbed to the soprano’s singing. The frog stood at the gate with his purse constantly bulging. But the happiness was tinged with a little sadness too. In some distant corner of his heart, jealousy was rearing its head. To get even with his shining pupil, the frog began to get unduly stern and demanding towards her. He urged her to work harder and harder to give her voice the necessary strength. He chided her for her very minor failings and asked her to make the songs more pulsating and heart-throbbing. He tersely reminded her that she still owed her sixty shillings. To earn that, she must add some innovations to her singing so that the public came to the concerts in larger numbers. Glossary:- Vocal training Scarf and sash Journeyed Scale Hoarse Quivering Subdued Sleep deprived Throat revived Sumac tree was bowed Breathless Titled Owl of Sandwich – Earl of Sandwich Duck of Kent – Duke of Kent Mallard and Milady Trent – My Lord and My Lady from Trent Martin Cardinal Mephisto – Bishop Mephisto Coot of Monte Cristo – Count of Monte Cristo Tiaras glittering Twittering - Glitter Bitter Silver Scold Mid-flight Lay on more trills Frills Snappier Better billings Sixty shillings








Q.1. Why did the frog continue training the nightingale even in the bad weather? Ans. The frog began her vocal training despite the bad and rainy weather where even the nightingale had first refused to sing. But the frog forced her to sing for six hours continuously till she was shivering and her voice had become rough and unclear. The purpose was to give her maximum strain with a hope to make the creatures hate her voice and finally turn to his songs. Q.2. Explain, “journeyed up and down the scale.” Ans. Journeying up and down the scale refers to singing various music notes, up and down, on the music scale. Q.3. How did the sumac tree bow? Ans. The sumac tree bowed its branches with the weight of the animals and birds that perched on them to attend the nightingale’s concerts. Q.4. Why was the frog’s joy bitter and sweet at the same time? Ans. The frog was happy to see the nightingale take his training but it was a mixture of sweetness and bitterness. Q.5. How did the nightingale’s coming affect the frog? Ans. Before the nightingale’s coming the frog was the peerless singer of the Bingle Bog. He had no competitor to beat him at singing. But the coming of the nightingale was the end of his fame and monopoly. All the creatures admired the melodious songs sung by the nightingale and the frog was forgotten. Q.6. How did the frog effect mental torture upon the nightingale? Ans. Every day, the frog scolded the nightingale to practice even longer finding out her little mistakes like nervousness and not laying more trills and frills on her songs. He kept on reminding her of the fee dues to add to her strain. He made it a point that he interrupted her singing and corrected her in front of the titled crowd to let her down in all possible ways. Q.7. Why did the frog remind the nightingale that his fee was due? Ans. The frog was always aware of the fact that only extreme stress and overburden could kill the nightingale. By reminding the nightingale of the fee-due, the frog was able to make her more miserable and sad.








“Day by day the nightingale Grew more sorrowful and pale.

Night on night her tired song Zipped and trilled and bounced along,

Till the birds and beasts grew tired At a voice so uninspired

And the ticket office gross Crashed, and she grew more morose -

For her ears were now addicted To applause quite unrestricted,

And to sing into the night All alone gave no delight.

Now the frog puffed up with rage. “Brainless bird – you’re on the stage -

Use your wits and follow fashion. Puff your lungs out with your passion.”

Trembling, terrified to fail, Blind with tears, the nightingale Heard him out in silence, tried,

Puffed up, burst a vein, and died. Said the frog: “I tried to teach her, But she was a stupid creature - Far too nervous, far too tense.

Far too prone to influence. Well, poor bird – she should have known

That your song must be your own. That’s why I sing with panache:

“Koo-oh-ah! ko-ash! ko-ash! “ And the foghorn of the frog

Blared unrivalled through the bog.” Meaning : The endless harangue of the frog robbed the nightingale of her vitality and freshness. Her singing deteriorated to the point of being monotonous and drab. Soon the audience began to feel bored and came in lesser and lesser numbers. The gate money collection plummeted adding to her frustration and dismay. The earlier rapturous applause was gone. It made her a brooding bird. She could not enjoy singing to vacant audience seats. It was so discouraging. The frog was unforgiving. He came down hard on the demoralized nightingale and pressed her to come out with some louder and more vibrant style to woo back the audience. The poor bird tried hard, but met little success. She was thoroughly drained by then. Finally, she wanted to give her voice the best try ever, but sadly, in the process, ruptured the vein. She perished soon after.








The frog was remorseless. He did not see that he had driven the poor bird to death by his relentless pressure to copy him. Instead, he began to chide his dead pupil by calling him stupid, nervous, tense and impressionable. Quite cynically, he admonished the dead nightingale for having to imitate him (under his orders!) rather than sticking to her natural style — just the way he croaks his nights away with no regards for what others think of the noise. Glossary:- Pale Night on night Zipped Trilled Bounced Beasts Uninspired Ticket office gross Crashed Morose - Addicted Unrestricted, Delight. Puffed up Rage Brainless Wits Follow fashion Puff your lungs Passion Trembling Burst a vein Nervous Tense Prone to Influence Panache Foghorn Blared Unrivalled Q.1. How did the ticket office crash? What was the consequence? Ans. Initially there was amazing income at the ticket collection. But with the nightingale’s voice turning harsh, the audience lost interest in her song and there were few to attend her concerts. Q.2. How did the deterioration of the nightingale’s singing affect the audience?








Ans. When the nightingale’s singing declined, there were a few animals and birds to attend her concerts. The audience didn’t like to gather for her uninspired singing. Q.3. Why did the nightingale become morose? Ans. When the nightingale saw that there were fewer animals and birds to attend her concerts, she became sad because she had been happy to sing for packed audiences and applauding listeners in thousands. Q.4. What circumstances led to the ultimate end of the great singer, the nightingale? Ans. The nightingale was exhausted and her tired and uninspired song could no longer attract the crowd. She could not resist this as she had become used to applause and thus had become miserable too. The heartless frog scolded her even then calling her a brainless bird. She trembled, puffed up, burst a vein and died. Q.5. How did the frog wash his hands off the nightingale’s death? Ans. The frog said that he had tried to teach the nightingale but she was foolish, nervous and tensed and moreover much prone to influence. Q.6. What is the moral of the poem? Ans. The moral of the poem is that being inspired and influenced by someone much unknown and strange is indeed a foolish work. The nightingale could have very well judged that how could the frog with such a harsh voice be music maestro and she had to suffer for her misjudgment. Many people in the human society also try to take advantage of the innocence or ignorance of the people. Q.7. How did the frog get rid of the nightingale? Ans. Frog’s scheme was a great success. He made the nightingale sing under all weather conditions. When she was exhausted he forced her to continue her practice. Thus her song became monotonous and voice irritating. The audience began to thin away and this made the nightingale disinterested in her concerts. One night, while the nightingale sang forgetting she was on the stage, the frog yelled at her. Terrified, the nightingale tried to sing and died. This was the end of the nightingale








I. Read the given stanzas and choose the correct option from the list of options given:

Trembling, terrified to fail, Blind with tears, the nightingale Heard him out in silence, tried,

Puffed up, burst a vein, and died. 1. The nightingale was terrified of:

(a). Failure (b). Humiliation (c). losing her confidence (d). frog‘s anger

Ans. (d) 2. The most appropriate word that describes the nightingale’s character is:

(a). foolish (b). diffidence (c). humble (d). obedient

Ans. (a) 3. The nightingale died due to:

(a). lack of sleep (b). bursting of a vein (c). humiliation (d). grief

Ans. (b) II.

Well, poor bird she should have known That your song must be your own That‘s why I sing with panache :

Koo-oh-ah! ko-ash! ko-ash! And the foghorn of the frog

Blared unrivalled through the bog (1) The nightingale is referred to as a poor bird because she __________. (a) Couldn’t earn much money (b) Couldn’t impress her audience (c) Died due to humiliation (d) was too prone to influence and was foolish Ans. (d) (2)The meaning of the word “Panache” (a)Lack of confidence








(b) very confident (c)patience (d)very loud sound Ans. (b) (3) The traits of the frog reflected in the poem are__________ (a) Simplicity and innocence (b) Stupidity and foolishness (c) Sympathy and kindness (d) Cunningness and cruelty Ans. (d) III.

Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog And the whole admiring bog

Stared towards the sumac, rapt And, when she had ended, clapped

1. The animals of the Bog were dumbstruck because------ (a) The frog sang very well (b) The nightingale sang melodiously (c) The moon shone brightly (d) All the animals came to the same place Ans. (b) 2. “Whole Admiring Bog” means--------- (a) Creatures of the bog who hated the nightingale‘s song (b) Creatures of the bog who liked the frog‘s song (c) Creatures of the bog who admired the nightingale‘s song Ans. (c) 3. Everyone stared at the sumac because-------------- (a) The frog was speechless (b) The nightingale had perched on it (c) The nightingale was sitting and singing melodiously in her sweet voice Ans. (c) IV. Answer in 30-40 words: 1. How did the frog benefit from the nightingale‘s song? Ans. The nightingale sang melodiously. All the creatures came to listen to her singing. The wily frog charged admission fee from all of them. The frog made a lot of money, as everyone admired the nightingale‘s song. He also sold his songs to the nightingale and made money. In this way he got benefitted from the nightingale‘s song.








2. How did the frog train the nightingale in her singing? Ans. The training began on a rainy day. He coaxed her to sing, although she was quite unused to singing in that weather. He told her to journey up and down the scales of musical notes for six hours, without giving her any rest, till her voice became hoarse and trembling. He advised her to put on her scarf and sash as this would help her to sing in the weather. He also charged her a fee and told her to practice for a longer time each day till her voice, like his own, grew stronger. 3. What is your impression about the frog in the poem? Ans. The frog is an arrogant creature. All the creatures of the bog loath his song. Even prayers or bricks fail to silence him. He considers himself as the master of the bog. He is proud of his voice. He is jealous of the nightingale‘s popularity and is determined to remove her from the scene, and even succeeds. He is heartless.








FROG AND THE NIGHTINGALE TEXTBOOK ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS

Q1: How did the creatures of the Bingle bog react to the nightingale's singing? Answer-The creatures of bog were dumbstruck and gaped with the supernormal deliveries of the melody by the nightingale. Being enraptured all the animals acclaimed along with a loon crying. Ducks had swum, herons had waded and others being elated urged for some more melodies from the nightingale. (OR) Answer: The creatures of the Bingle Bog who were quite fed up of the unpleasant and harsh voice of the frog cheered, when they heard the melodious and beautiful voice of the nightingale. They were full of admiration and listened to her enchanting song with great interest. When her song ended, all the creatures clapped for her and asked her to sing some more. Ducks and herons waded towards her. All the creatures were filled with fascination and delight. Q2: Which were the different ways in which the frog asserts his importance? Answer -The frog geared up by professional jealousy tried to present himself to be a person of scholarly qualities in various ways. He first infiltrated into nightingale’s life as a critic of her melody. Then he had an assay to be a teacher of the nightingale. In presenting himself as a teacher he took the shelter of falsehood. He stated himself as a cognizant composer of the bog and one of the rarest of all prolific musicians. (OR) Answer: The frog introduced himself to the nightingale as the owner of the sumac tree. He proudly declared himself to be very famous singer of the Bog, who had a splendid baritone as well as a music critic who used to write for bog Trumpet magazine. He found faults with the nightingale's song in order to assert his superiority over her. He even offered to train her so as to improve her singing. The gullible nightingale was completely obstructed by the frog's sweet sugar coated words. Q3: Why is the frog's joy both sweet and bitter? Answer- The frog is undoubtedly in a state of professional jealousy. He exploits the nightingale in a dual way. Vengeful the frog abuses and torments over the nightingale every now and then. Highly acclaimed the nightingale becomes a matter bitter irritation to the frog as the applause dreamt by him is given to the nightingale. He feels swift joyousness when he keeps his pocket handy abusing the supernormal ability of the nightingale. (OR) Answer: The frog's joy is both sweet and bitter. His joy is sweet because he is able to earn a lot of money from the musical concerts at the cost of the nightingale. His joy is bitter because he is highly jealous of the nightingale who








is becoming famous day by day. The frog can never get respect and admiration from the creatures of bog as everyone hated his hoarse voice. Q4: Why was the frog angry? Answer - The frog was ostensibly angry. His anger was rather the outcome of the professional jealousy caused by the wide praised acceptability of the nightingale. As adduced by the frog the nightingale was not delivering the superfine melody as supervised by the frog. Frog advises the nightingale to have rigorous practice to attain frog like strong voice like the nightingale as the previous day the nightingale fumbled in the mid flight. (OR) Answer: The frog was angry because his strain of long practice and over-rehearsal had adversely affected the nightingale's singing. As a result, her voice lost his beauty and her tired, exhausted songs appeared mechanical to audience and the creatures could no longer enjoy her songs. The audience twiddle and the ticket office crashed because of which the frogs earning declined. So, he lost his temper and scolded the nightingale badly, calling her brainless bird. Q5: How did the frog become the unrivaled king of the bog again? Answer - The wicked frog with the abominable evil target first entrapped the innocuous nightingale presenting himself ostensibly a true master. The frog hence forth crushed the natural singing ability of the nightingale and made her a wretched one. Under incomparable and physical pressure the nightingale succumbed to death. And the frog successful in his devilish target remained unrivalled in the bog. (OR) Answer: The frog who was jealous of the nightingale because of her growing popularity devised of devil plan to get rid of her. He pretended to train her and made her practice for long hours, even in the rain. As a result, her voice lost the charm and the other creatures stop coming to hear her sing at the musical concert. The frog's earnings declined due to which he was annoyed with the nightingale. He urged her to sing loudly and with more passion. She didn't have any confidence in her own ability and genius. She blindly trusted the frog and sang with so much force that one of her vein bursted and she died. In this way, the frog became the unrivalled king of the bog again. Q6: Bring out the irony in the frog's statement-'Your song must be your own'. Answer - A double faced was the frog when he uttered the quoted line .Like a pretending magi he ascertains the fact which is the ideal one. And on contrary the frog did practice the opposite with the nightingale. He himself had been the tyrant who tormented the nightingale physically and mentally and crushed the natural singing ability of the nightingale due to professional jealously. He led








the nightingale on changing her singing and hence his comment is an ironic one. (OR) Answer: The nightingale had no confidence on her own. She had a very melodious voice but she was befooled by the frog, who was very jealous of her. He pretended to train her and made her practice for long hours, even in the rain.As a result, her voice lost the charm and one day she was told by the frog to sing more loudly. As she blindly trusted him, she sang with so much force that she died. The frog had planned all this deliberately. When she died, he passed this comment that everyone should follow one's own advice which seems highly ironical in this context. Q7: Do you think that the end is justified? Answer – No, the end is a discrepant and negative one. Hence the poet has presented a morose ending. Here innocence is crushed in the tyrannical hand of the frog. The nightingale meets the horns of death and it seems that darkness is winning over truth. But the poet to impart an implied massage about the present socio-economic scenario and the crushing of innocents like nightingale every now and then has dedicated the poem. (OR) Answer: In my opinion, this end portrays the victory of evil over good. The tragic end of innocent nightingale is not justified. The wicked and crook frog should get punishment in the end for his conspiracy. Q8: Do you think that the nightingale is 'brainless'? Give reasons for your answer. Answer - It is going be a harsh thing to say that the nightingale is brainless. The nightingale, a worthy possessor of the sweetest voice, is truly an intellectual one. The nightingale got tormented in hand of the frog only because she is innocent and simple. But she was truly with brain because her melodious voice influenced even the tiniest creature of bag. Hence the nightingale was a bird who had been the victim of wicked frog and not a brainless one. (OR) Answer: Yes, the nightingale is certainly 'brainless'. She foolishly and blindly trusted the frog and changed her style of singing. This led her to suffer the end she had met with. She failed to see through frog's wicked plans and turned out to be a loser and died. Q9: 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 down downfall? Answer - The nightingale is to some extent responsible for her own down fall. Apart from the fact that the wicked frog entrapped her and crumpled her voice








into a hoarse one, it was for her much innocence and simplicity she could not get off of the trap of the frog. (OR) Answer: The nightingale was totally responsible for her downfall. She had a very sweet and melodious voice. Her songs were full of enchantment and all the creatures were filled with fascination and delight on hearing her songs. In spite of her qualities, she was very easily be fooled by the frog. She lacked self-confidence and blindly trusted the frog. She didn't use her brain and did all what she was told to do. Her simple heartedness and lack of confidence were the main reasons for her downfall and the tragic end. Q10: Do you agree with the Frog's inference of the Nightingale's characracter? Give reasons for your answer. Answer - The inference by the frog is a pretention of his real character. The nightingale as described by the frog in the inference is not true. She was rather put under pressure by the frog and was a succumbed to death. A wicked murderer was the frog who destroyed the innocence, simplicity and the life of the nightingale. (OR) Answer: The Frog was very wicked and befooled the nightingale. He scolded and demoralized her. He made her sing so forcefully and loudly that she died. He used her for his benefit and even at her death, he was not sorry for his conspiracy. He called her stupid and he was right in saying so. Q11: Who do you hold guilty for the bird's death? Answer: According to me, frog was very wicked and befooled the nightingale. He scolded and demoralized her. He made her sing so forcefully and loudly that she died. But the nightingale was also equally responsible for her tragic end. She foolishly and blindly trusted the frog and changed her style of singing. This led her to suffer the end she had met with.








Unsolved I. Based on your understanding of the poem, choose the correct options for the following: 1.

So the Nightingale once more, Quite unused to such applause, Sang till dawn without a pause.

a) The nightingale was not used to so much appreciation as (i). She had had no audience before (ii). She was a no body so far (iii). This was her first performance (iv). She was unaware of her musical talent b) The creatures of the Bingle Bog requested her for another song as (i). They were tired of listening to the unpleasant notes of the frog (ii). They were all free and wanted to be entertained (iii). Her musical notes were a welcome change (iv). The frog was on a holiday c) The nightingale’s song made the frog think about (i). Ways of insulting the nightingale (ii). How ungrateful were the creatures of Bingle Bog (iii). How to take advantage of the situation (iv). Ways of teaching a lesson to the creatures of Bingle Bog 2.

That a critic of such note Had discussed her art and throat “I don‘t think the song is divine, But- oh, well at least it‘s mine”

a) The critics claim for his reputation was that he (i). Was known for his singing. (ii). Was owner of the tree. (iii). Writes for the bog trumpet. (iv). Reflects his arrogance. b) The nightingale is apologetic about her song as (i). The frog did not like it (ii). It was copied from some where (iii). The frog had pointed out the technical flaws (iv). The nightingale lacked confidence c) Her claim that “at least it’s mine” implies that








(i). The song was original (ii). She was proud of it (iii). She wanted to show off (iv). She was confident 3.

“But I can‘t sing in this weather”

“Come my dear-we’ll sing together. ----So the frog and nightingale

Journeyed up and down the scale. a) The nightingale resists the frog’s suggestion as (i). It was very hot (ii). It was raining (iii). It was very humid (iv). It was very cold b) The way frog brushes away her excuses reflects his (i). Arrogance (ii). Hard task master (iii). Servile (iv). Clever c) Journeyed up and down the scale’ means (i). Travel in Bingle Bog (ii). Travelling up and down the tree (iii). Singing on different notes (iv). Popularity ratings 4.

Day by day the nightingale Grew more sorrowful and pale Night on Night her tired song----

Till the birds and the beasts grew tired a) The nightingale was growing sad and pale as (i). The frog was always criticizing her (ii). He was making her practice for long hours (iii). She was afraid of displeasing her (iv). She felt trapped b) The birds and the beasts grew tired of (i). Waiting for the nightingale (ii). Paying the frog (iii). Uninspired songs of the nightingale








(iv). Nightingale‘s repetitive performance c) The effect of nightingale’s substandard performance was (i). The creatures started going to the frog‘s performance (ii). The creatures did not appreciate her performance (iii). The gross collection at the ticket office fell down (iv). The nightingale stopped singing 5.

Dumbstruck sat the gaping frog, And the admiring bog

Stared towards the sumac, rapt, And when she had ended, clapped.

a) She in the above lines refers to the __________. (i). Duck (ii). Heron (iii). Nightingale (iv). cuckoo b) The frog was dumb struck because__________. (i). he had never heard such a melodious voice (ii). he had never seen such a beautiful bird. (iii). a huge crowd had gathered to listen to his voice. (iv). he was being awarded for his beautiful voice. c) The whole bog clapped because__________. (i). the frog had told them to do so. (ii). the whole bog was in the habit of clapping (iii). she sang really very well (iv). she was really very beautiful and smart II. Short answer questions in about 30-40 words: (2 marks each) Based on your reading of the poem answer the following questions briefly:

1. In spite of the frog‘s crass cacophony how could he emerge as the winner?

2. What chance incident brought some respite to the creatures of Bingle Bog?

3. How did the frog encash on the nightingale‘s popularity? 4. What characteristics helped the frog to overpower the Nightingale? 5. What piece of advice did the frog give to the nightingale to improvise her

singing? 6. Why do you think the nightingale lost her appeal for the masses? 7. How did the celebrity status affect the nightingale? 8. What do you think the nightingale was afraid of?








9. In what sense was the nightingale a stupid creature? 10. How did the frog become the unrivalled king of the Bog? 11. “Every day the frog who‘d sold her

Songs for silver, tried to scold her.”

a) What actually made the frog scold her b) What does “silver” stand for? c) Contrast the nature of the frog and the nightingale in the light of the above lines.

12. And a solitary loon

Wept beneath the summer moon Toads and teals and tiddlers captured By her voice, cheered on, enraptured

Bravo! Too Divine! Encore a) Who are the two characters in this story in verse? b) What is such a poem called? c) What two tall claims did the frog make? d) Which tree did the frog own and what did he do there?

13. This is a fairy tale,

And you‘re Mozart in disguise Come to earth before my eyes.

a) Who is the speaker of the above lines? b) Who is Mozart in disguise? c) What comparison does the speaker wish to draw here?

14. Did you--- did you like my song?

Not too bad– but far too long. The technique was fine, of course,

But it lacked a certain force. a) What flaw did the frog find in the nightingale‘s song? b) What impression do you form about the frog? c) What is your opinion about the nightingale?








III. Long answer questions in about 100-150 words:

1. Do you think nightingale was responsible for her own death? Substantiate your answer with examples from the poem.

2. Taking the nightingale as a protégée was a ploy employed by the frog to save his position. Comment

3. The poem is an example of how professional rivalry can play with the lives of people. Elaborate.

4. Bring out the symbolism as used by the poet in the poem “The frog and the Nightingale”

5. Write the theme of the poem in 100 words. Use the given hints: Simple poem– great moral---- theme - talented but meek and servile– easily influenced—talent and person—soon destroyed. Nightingale symbol of meekness –has talent—frog---- selfish- haughty– arrogant. Nightingale– no confidence– comes under frogs influence.

6. How did the arrival of the nightingale affect the frog? 7. How did the frog kill the nightingale without any blame on him? 8. The frog was boastful and insensitive. Give reasons for your answer. 9. Think upon the gender bias and suppression in the poem (for

appreciation)




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