Introduction
This poem explains how a frog takes advantage of a nightingale to make money. It demonstrates how the frog’s poor instruction led to the nightingale’s death. The frog and the nightingale’s story is a lesson in humility and respect. The frog learned that it is important to be humble and to respect the talents of others, even if they are different from his own.
Summary
Once upon a time, there was a clever frog that resided in “Bingle Bog”. From night till dawn, this frog croaked in a harsh voice. Even if the other creatures disliked his voice, they were forced to listen to him because all their shouts, cries, and protests were ignored.
Nightingale
After that, a nightingale visited the Bog one night. All the creatures of the Bog listened to her mesmerizing song. They repeatedly asked her to sing. Because she was unfamiliar with such cheers, the nightingale continued to sing.
The nightingale was set to start singing the following night when the jealous frog informed her that he owned the tree. He presented himself as a well-known “music critic”. The nightingale asked the frog to comment on her song since she was impressed by the frog’s credentials and unsure of her abilities.
She was informed by the “cunning frog” that she needed experience and that he would charge her to teach her. Excited and happy, the nightingale started practicing under the frog. He started charging everyone who came to hear the nightingale an entrance fee. She was forced to practice non-stop for several hours
The “melodic nature” of the nightingale’s voice soon started to fade. She was made even more miserable by the frog’s harsh warning. The bird tried to follow the frog’s instructions when he instructed her to blow air into her lungs and sing, but she burst a vein and died.
About the author
“Vikram Seth is an Indian novelist and poet”. He has published six books of poetry and three novels. His most prominent work is “A suitable boy”.
Conclusion
There is wisdom to be learned from the story of the frog and the nightingale. The frog realized the value of humility and the importance of appreciating the skills of others, no matter how unlike they may be from his own. The nightingale realized the value of considering various perspectives and appreciating the skills of others, even if they were less outstanding than her own. The story concludes with the frog and the nightingale having grown from their experiences and developed a respect for one another’s abilities.
Textbook Questions and Answers
1. How did the creatures of Single bog react to the nightingale’s singing?
Ans: The singing of the nightingale attracted the first favorable response from the animals of “Bingle Bog”. They flocked to the locations where they could hear the nightingale’s enchanting song. Birds and animals traveled long distances to listen to her lovely song.
2. Which are the different ways in which the frog asserts his importance?
Ans: The frog claims his significance as a critic of art and music. He further emphasizes his significance by controlling and ruling over the “Bingle Bog”. Additionally, he promises her that if she receives training from him, her singing would reach new heights.
3. Why is the frog’s joy both sweet and bitter?
Ans: The nightingale was drawing large crowds to the concert, and the frog was profiting from them. This gave him great satisfaction. Such crowds had never come to hear him sing, so his joy was poisoned by jealousy. The frog was jealous of the nightingale, which made him bitter.
4. Why was the frog angry?
Ans: The nightingale didn’t sing beautifully to help the frog get more money, therefore he was upset about it. Second, she was starting to sound “uninspired.” Her singing was suddenly “bouncing, zipping, and trilling”.
5. How did the frog become the unrivaled king of the bog again?
Ans: After the nightingale died, the frog reclaimed his throne as the undisputed ruler of the bog. No bird or animal could now sing as well as him. Second, he frightened everyone present there.
6. Bring out the irony in the frog’s statement – ‘Your song must be your own.
Ans: The irony in the frog’s statements is that initially, when he first met the nightingale, she expressed her satisfaction that the song was her original composition, he rebuked her, telling her it was nothing to talk about, and afterward, “when the bird has passed away, he claims that the poor bird should have known that he should have sung her song in her way”.
7. Do you think the end is justified?
Ans: The poem encourages us to believe in our abilities. It exposes the greedy side of society and warns us to protect ourselves from such individuals. Although the innocent bird dies in the end, I believe that it still sends a strong message and cautions us not to get easily influenced by anyone.
8. Do you think the nightingale is ‘brainless’? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: The nightingale is not stupid, but she is innocent, modest, and dismissive. She lacks confidence and is easily defeated by the cunning frog. She accepts the frog’s offer to train her because she wanted to become a well-known singer.
9. Despite 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 downfall?
Ans: The nightingale is to blame for her demise since she relies on the wicked frog and cannot judge him. She dies as a result of her stupidity and innocence.
10. Do you agree with the Frog’s inference of Nightingale’s character? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: The frog’s assessment of the nightingale is correct. She was unable to determine the frog’s true intention, which led me to believe that she was stupid, foolish, and weak.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the frog’s method of introducing himself to the nightingale?
Ans: The frog declared himself as the sumac tree owner, . He claimed to be a brilliant writer and critic who contributes to the magazine Bog Trumpet
2.Why is the nightingale referred to as foolish?
Ans: The nightingale made a mistake by listening to the frog’s words. She attempted to sound like him, but she eventually lost her lovely voice and passed away.
3.Comment on the frog’s personality.
Ans: The frog is portrayed in the poem as being highly cunning. He symbolizes those who are clever. He uses the nightingale to eliminate his opponent because he has a good understanding of the character of the bird. He lacks talent himself.