Poetry · Chapter
Tiger and Elephant explained
A narrative poem describing a confrontation between a tiger and a herd of elephants in the jungle, where the mother elephant protects her baby and the herd leader defeats the tiger, concluding with praise for the noble defense of the young.
What happens
A narrative poem describing a confrontation between a tiger and a herd of elephants in the jungle, where the mother elephant protects her baby and the herd leader defeats the tiger, concluding with praise for the noble defense of the young.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Environment
The poem depicts a vivid scene of wildlife in the jungle, focusing on the behaviors of tigers and elephants in their natural habitat.
Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue
The story concludes with a moral praising the noble fight of beasts to protect their young, emphasizing virtue and familial duty.
Key passages
“On Ganges banks roams the tiger, And lion rules by the Niger”
The tiger is found along the Ganges riverbanks, while the lion dominates the Niger region.
Establishes the geographical settings of the animals.
“But mother saw fierce forest ranger, And she gave a cry of danger.”
The mother elephant spotted the dangerous tiger and alerted the herd with a warning call.
Highlights the mother's protective instinct.
“So now once more must praise be sung, To beasts who nobly fight for young”
We should again praise animals that bravely defend their offspring.
Moral of the poem, celebrating parental courage.