NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English (First Flight) Poem 3: A Tiger in the Zoo

Complete solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Poem 3 – “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris: an original summary, theme and message, stanza-wise explanation, word meanings, and every Thinking about the Poem question answered in full. The questions are reproduced exactly as in the NCERT book, and the answers, MCQs and extra questions are written in CBSE exam-ready style.

Class: 10 Subject: English Book: First Flight Type: Poem (Poem 3) Poet: Leslie Norris Session: 2026–27
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About the poet

Leslie Norris (1921–2006) was a celebrated Welsh poet and short-story writer, regarded as one of the most important Welsh writers of the twentieth century. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, he wrote with great sensitivity about nature, animals and the loss of innocence. His poetry is known for its sharp, vivid imagery and its compassion for living creatures. In “A Tiger in the Zoo”, Norris uses simple, controlled language and powerful contrast to express his concern for a wild animal robbed of its freedom – a theme of empathy that runs through much of his work.

Summary

“A Tiger in the Zoo” sets the helpless condition of a caged tiger against the free, fierce life it should be living in the wild. The poem opens with the tiger pacing inside its small cage. Though it moves quietly on its soft, velvet-like paws, it carries a silent, suppressed anger. Its bright stripes and powerful body seem completely out of place behind bars.

The poet then imagines what the tiger ought to be doing in its natural home. In the jungle it would be hiding in the shadows, gliding silently through the long grass near a water hole, waiting to pounce on the fat deer that pass by. It would be the master of its territory – powerful, alert and free.

The poet also pictures the tiger near a village at the edge of the jungle, snarling, baring its white fangs and sharp claws, and frightening the villagers. This image shows the natural strength and ferocity that the tiger is meant to display, but cannot.

The poem returns to the harsh reality of the zoo. The tiger is locked inside a concrete cell, its great strength trapped behind bars. It keeps pacing the small length of its cage and ignores the visitors who come to stare at it, as if they do not matter at all. At night it hears the last human voices and the patrolling cars of the keepers. Unable to act on its wild instincts, it can only stare with its shining, brilliant eyes at the brilliant stars in the open sky – longing silently for the freedom it has lost. Through this movement from cage to jungle and back to cage, Norris makes the reader feel the cruelty of imprisoning a magnificent wild creature.

Theme & message

The central theme of the poem is the loss of freedom and the cruelty of caging wild animals. By repeatedly contrasting the tiger’s helpless life in the zoo with the powerful, free life it should lead in the jungle, the poet shows how unnatural and painful captivity is. The poem is a quiet appeal for compassion towards animals and a reminder that every living creature has a right to live freely in its own natural habitat. It also gently criticises the human habit of keeping animals confined merely for display.

Stanza-wise explanation

Stanza 1 (zoo): The tiger walks up and down the few steps of its cage. Its “vivid stripes” are bright and beautiful, and it moves silently on soft, padded paws (“pads of velvet”). Yet beneath this calm there is a “quiet rage” – a deep, suppressed anger at being trapped.

Stanza 2 (jungle): The poet imagines the tiger as it should be – hiding (“lurking”) in the shadows, sliding through the long grass near a water hole, waiting for the plump deer to come close so it can hunt. This is the tiger’s natural, free life.

Stanza 3 (jungle): The tiger should be near the edge of the jungle, close to a village, snarling and showing its white fangs and claws, terrorising the villagers. This pictures its rightful power and ferocity.

Stanza 4 (zoo): In reality the tiger is “locked in a concrete cell”, its strength “behind bars”. It keeps stalking the small length of its cage and ignores the visitors, showing its quiet dignity and helplessness.

Stanza 5 (zoo): At night the tiger hears the last human voice and the patrolling cars. With its “brilliant eyes” it stares at the “brilliant stars” – a moving image of a captive creature longing for the open, free world it can see but never reach.

Word meanings

WordEnglish meaningHindi meaning
stalkswalks slowly and stealthilyदबे पाँव चलना
vividbright and clearचमकीला, स्पष्ट
stripeslong bands of colourधारियाँ
pads of velvetsoft cushion-like pawsमखमली गद्देदार पंजे
quiet ragesilent, suppressed angerशांत क्रोध
lurkinghiding and waiting secretlyघात लगाकर छिपना
slidingmoving smoothly and silentlyसरकना
water holea pond where animals drinkजलकुंड, तालाब
plumpfat, fleshyमोटा, हृष्ट-पुष्ट
snarlingmaking an angry, threatening soundगुर्राना
baringshowing, uncoveringदिखाना, खोलना
fangslong sharp teethनुकीले दाँत
clawssharp curved nailsपंजे (नाखून)
terrorisingfrightening greatlyआतंकित करना
concrete cella cage made of cementसीमेंट का पिंजरा
strengthpower, forceशक्ति, बल
ignoringpaying no attention toअनदेखा करना
patrollingguarding by moving aroundगश्त लगाना
brilliantvery bright, shiningदेदीप्यमान, चमकीला
despisedlooked down upon (used in poet’s wider sense)तिरस्कृत

Thinking about the Poem

1. Read the poem again, and work in pairs or groups to do the following tasks. (i) Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns. (ii) Find the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two columns. Now try to share ideas about how the poet uses words and images to contrast the two situations.

ANSWER (i) Movements / actions of the tiger:
In the cageIn the wild
stalks (the few steps of his cage)lurking in shadow
quiet (on pads of velvet)sliding through long grass
locked in a concrete cellsnarling around houses
stalking the length of his cagebaring his white fangs, his claws
ignoring visitorsterrorising the village
hears, stares (at the stars)—
(ii) Words describing the two places:
The cage / zooThe wild / jungle
few steps (of his cage)shadow
concrete celllong grass
behind barswater hole
length of his cagejungle’s edge
(visitors, patrolling cars)(houses, the village)
How the poet contrasts the two situations: The poet places gentle, restricted words for the zoo (“few steps”, “quiet”, “locked”, “concrete cell”, “behind bars”) against strong, active words for the jungle (“lurking”, “sliding”, “snarling”, “baring”, “terrorising”). In the cage the tiger’s power is reduced to slow pacing and silent rage; in the wild it is fierce, free and dangerous. By moving from the cage to the jungle and back to the cage, the poet makes the reader feel sharply how unnatural and tragic the tiger’s captivity is.

2. Notice the use of a word repeated in lines such as these: (i) On pads of velvet quiet, / In his quiet rage. (ii) And stares with his brilliant eyes / At the brilliant stars. What do you think is the effect of this repetition?

ANSWER The repetition emphasises and links two ideas, making each image more powerful. (i) Repeating “quiet” connects the tiger’s soft, silent paws with its silent anger. It shows that even the tiger’s rage is forced to stay quiet and controlled, because it is helpless and trapped. (ii) Repeating “brilliant” links the tiger’s shining eyes with the shining stars. It suggests that the tiger’s bright, living spirit is gazing longingly at the free, distant sky – deepening the sense of its yearning for freedom. Overall, the repetition adds rhythm and stress, and draws the reader’s attention to the contrast between the tiger’s caged condition and the freedom it desires.

3. Read the following two poems – one about a tiger and the other about a panther. Then discuss: Are zoos necessary for the protection or conservation of some species of animals? Are they useful for educating the public? Are there alternatives to zoos?

ANSWER (points for discussion) Are zoos necessary for conservation? To some extent, yes. Well-managed zoos run breeding programmes that protect endangered species (such as tigers, rhinos and certain birds) and help in research and rehabilitation. However, the poems ‘The Tiger’ (Peter Niblett) and ‘The Panther’ (Rainer Maria Rilke) show that captivity dulls and pains the animal – the panther’s will is “paralysed” and the tiger longs to be “wild, not on show”. Are they useful for educating the public? Yes, zoos let people, especially children, see and learn about animals they would never otherwise observe, which can build awareness and respect for wildlife. But seeing a depressed, caged animal can also give a false picture of its true nature. Are there alternatives? Yes – large national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves where animals live almost freely; open safari parks; and modern tools such as documentaries, virtual-reality experiences and online wildlife cameras can educate people without imprisoning animals. (Form your own opinion and support it with reasons.)

4. Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class.

SAMPLE RESPONSE (balanced view) In favour of zoos: Zoos play an important role in protecting endangered animals. Through scientific breeding programmes, medical care and protection from poachers, they help save species that might otherwise vanish. They also educate the public and inspire young people to care about wildlife and conservation. Against zoos: On the other hand, poems like “A Tiger in the Zoo” remind us that no cage can replace the freedom of the wild. A magnificent animal is reduced to pacing a concrete cell, its strength wasted and its spirit crushed. Keeping animals confined for human entertainment is unfair to creatures that are born to roam free. My view: I believe animals are best protected in large sanctuaries and national parks that imitate their natural habitat, while zoos should exist only where they are truly needed for conservation and are run humanely with enough space. (Present your own stand clearly in class.)

Extra questions

Short answer (30–40 words)

1. What does the phrase “quiet rage” tell us about the tiger?

ANSWER“Quiet rage” shows that the tiger is deeply angry at being caged, but is helpless to express it. Its anger is silent and suppressed because there is nothing it can do behind the bars.

2. Why does the tiger ignore the visitors?

ANSWERThe tiger ignores the visitors because they mean nothing to it. With quiet dignity it refuses to entertain those who have come merely to stare, showing its disdain for captivity and its longing for freedom.

3. What should the tiger be doing near the water hole, according to the poet?

ANSWERThe poet imagines the tiger sliding silently through the long grass near a water hole, hiding in the shadows and waiting to pounce on the plump deer that come there to drink – living its natural life as a hunter.

4. How is the tiger’s night in the zoo described?

ANSWERAt night the tiger hears the last human voice and the patrolling cars of the keepers. Unable to act on its instincts, it can only stare with its brilliant eyes at the brilliant stars in the open sky.

5. What is the significance of the tiger staring at the stars?

ANSWERThe stars stand for the vast, free world beyond the cage. By staring at them, the caged tiger silently expresses its deep longing for the freedom it has lost, making its captivity feel even more painful.

Long answer (100–120 words)

6. How does the poet contrast the tiger’s life in the zoo with its life in the wild? What message does he convey?

ANSWERThe poet draws a sharp contrast between two worlds. In the zoo the tiger is confined to a “concrete cell”, pacing the “few steps” of its cage with “quiet rage”, ignoring visitors and helplessly staring at the stars. In the wild, however, it would be lurking in the shadows, sliding through long grass near a water hole to hunt plump deer, and snarling at the jungle’s edge, baring its fangs and terrorising the village. The free tiger is powerful and fierce; the caged one is reduced to silent frustration. Through this contrast, Norris conveys that caging wild animals is cruel and unnatural, and pleads for compassion and the right of every creature to live freely in its own habitat.

7. “A Tiger in the Zoo” is as much about human nature as about a tiger. Discuss.

ANSWERAlthough the poem describes a caged tiger, it also reflects on human attitudes and choices. It is humans who have locked away a magnificent animal merely to display it, ignoring its suffering as it “ignores” them in return. The poem quietly criticises the human desire to control and exhibit nature for entertainment. At a deeper level, the caged tiger can stand for any living being whose freedom and spirit are crushed by force or circumstance. By making us feel the tiger’s helpless rage and longing, Norris appeals to our conscience, urging empathy, respect for all life, and the wisdom to let wild creatures live freely in their natural homes.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. Who is the poet of “A Tiger in the Zoo”?

(a) Robert Frost   (b) Leslie Norris   (c) Robert Browning   (d) Rainer Maria Rilke

2. How does the tiger move on its “pads of velvet”?

(a) loudly   (b) clumsily   (c) quietly   (d) quickly

3. Where should the tiger be lurking, according to the poet?

(a) in shadow   (b) in the cage   (c) on a tree   (d) in the water

4. What does the tiger wait for near the water hole?

(a) visitors   (b) plump deer   (c) keepers   (d) other tigers

5. In the wild, the tiger would be “terrorising” the:

(a) zoo   (b) forest officers   (c) village   (d) hunters

6. The tiger in the zoo is locked in a:

(a) wooden box   (b) concrete cell   (c) iron net   (d) glass case

7. What does the tiger do to the visitors at the zoo?

(a) attacks them   (b) roars at them   (c) ignores them   (d) follows them

8. At night the tiger hears the last voice and the:

(a) patrolling cars   (b) ringing bells   (c) howling wind   (d) flowing river

9. The tiger stares with his brilliant eyes at the:

(a) visitors   (b) moon   (c) brilliant stars   (d) bars

10. The central theme of the poem is:

(a) the beauty of the zoo   (b) the loss of freedom and cruelty of captivity   (c) the danger of tigers   (d) the joy of hunting

Answer key: 1-(b)   2-(c)   3-(a)   4-(b)   5-(c)   6-(b)   7-(c)   8-(a)   9-(c)   10-(b)

Assertion–Reason – choose: (a) A and R true, R explains A; (b) A and R true, R does not explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

1. Assertion (A): The tiger paces its cage with “quiet rage”.

Reason (R): It is angry at being caged but is helpless to express its anger.

2. Assertion (A): The tiger ignores the visitors at the zoo.

Reason (R): The visitors set the tiger free every evening.

3. Assertion (A): The poet imagines the tiger snarling at the jungle’s edge.

Reason (R): The poet wants to show the natural strength and ferocity the tiger should display in the wild.

4. Assertion (A): The tiger stares at the brilliant stars at night.

Reason (R): It longs for the open, free world beyond its cage.

5. Assertion (A): Zoos are completely useless for wildlife.

Reason (R): Well-run zoos can help protect endangered species through breeding programmes.

Answer key: 1-(a)   2-(c) [A true; R false – the tiger remains caged]   3-(a)   4-(a)   5-(d) [A false; R true]

Exam tips

Score full marks on this poem

Always state the contrast between the zoo and the jungle – examiners look for it in almost every long answer. Learn the literary devices: repetition (“quiet…quiet”, “brilliant…brilliant”), imagery (“pads of velvet”, “vivid stripes”) and alliteration (“stalks…stripes…steps”). Note that the poem has a clear movement: zoo → jungle → jungle → zoo → zoo. Stanzas 1, 4 and 5 describe the zoo; stanzas 2 and 3 describe the wild. Quote only short phrases, not full stanzas, and always link your answer back to the poem’s message of freedom and compassion for animals.

FAQs

What is the central idea of “A Tiger in the Zoo”?

The poem contrasts a tiger’s helpless, caged life in the zoo with the free, powerful life it should lead in the wild, conveying the cruelty of captivity and the need for compassion towards animals.

Which stanzas describe the tiger in the zoo and which describe it in the jungle?

Stanzas 1, 4 and 5 describe the tiger in the zoo, while stanzas 2 and 3 imagine the tiger in its natural habitat, the jungle.

What is the effect of the repetition of “brilliant” in the last stanza?

Repeating “brilliant” links the tiger’s shining eyes with the shining stars, suggesting that the caged tiger’s bright spirit gazes longingly at the free, distant sky.

Questions are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT First Flight textbook; the summary, explanation and answers are written originally by ClearStudy.

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