A Tiger in the Zoo by Leslie Norris-Stanzas Explained
3. A Tiger in the Zoo by LESLIE NORRIS (for Class X) Stanza 1 He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. Line-to-line Explanation: The tiger in the zoo walks in the limited space provided to it in the cage. It takes a few steps. There are stripes on its body which are quite prominent (noticeable). Its paws are soft like velvet. No noise is produced when it walks on its ‘pads of velvet’. The tiger is silent but in rage (anger). Stanza 2. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass. Word-meanings: plump, lurking Explanation: Now the poet suggests that the cage is not the proper place for the tiger. It is not its natural habitat. The tiger in the cage is a victim of human cruelty. Usually tigers are found sitting under some bushes or long grass near a stream or water hole. As soon as they see their prey like deer coming t...