NCERT Revision Notes for Chapter 12 Ajamil and the Tigers Class 11 English Woven Words
CBSE NCERT Revision Notes1
Answer
In the fable ‘Ajamil and the Tigers’, Ajamil is shown to be a shepherd with a reliable sheep dog that protects his flock from the hungry tigers. The tigers complain to their king about not being able to hunt due to the sheep dog’s presence. When the tiger king goes to fight the sheep dog, he loses. Then he attacks the sheep dog again, this time with all of his tigers, but this time he loses.
The king of tigers used diplomacy and deception to explain to Ajamil that there was confusion regarding the sheep. He assured Ajamil that the tigers could have easily killed all the sheep at once, but believed in the importance of using peaceful means. Therefore, he approached Ajamil as a friend to resolve the issue amicably. The sheep dog tried to warn Ajamil about the tiger king’s lies, but Ajamil ignored the signs. Instead, he invited the king and his tigers to a dinner and struck a deal for peace by offering sheep in exchange. Now, there is harmony as the sheep and tigers peacefully coexist, allowing Ajamil to play his flute without worry.
2
Answer
Arun Kolatkar (1932–2004) is a talented poet, artist, and translator, excelled in both Marathi and English languages. He was educated in Pune and Mumbai, where he earned a diploma in painting from the J.J. School of Arts.3
and said, ‘We’re starving.
We’ve had nothing to eat,
not a bite,
for 15 days and 16 nights.
Ajamil has got
a new sheep dog.
He cramps our style
and won’t let us get within a mile
of meat.’
Answer
The tiger people approached their king with desperation, expressing their hunger after not having eaten for over two weeks. They explained how a new sheep dog belonging to Ajamil was preventing them from getting any food, making it nearly impossible for them to hunt and eat.4
said the tiger king.
‘Why didn’t you come to see me before?
Make preparations for a banquet.
I’m gonna teach that sheep dog a lesson he’ll never
forget.’
‘Hear hear,’ said the tigers.
‘Careful,’ said the queen.
But he was already gone.
Alone
into the darkness before the dawn.
Answer
The tiger king was surprised and upset that someone didn’t come to him earlier with important information. He decided to teach the sheep dog a lesson. The other tigers agreed with him. The queen warned him to be careful, but he had already left into the darkness before dawn, determined to confront the situation.5
the good king.
A black patch on his eye.
His tail in a sling.
And said, ‘I’ve got it all planned
now that I know the lie of the land.
All of us will have to try.
We’ll outnumber the son of a bitch.
And this time there will be no hitch.
Because this time I shall be leading the attack.’
Answer
After an hour, the king returned with a determined look in his eye and a bandage covering one eye. His tail was also injured but he seemed undeterred. He declared confidently that he had a plan now that he understood the situation. He vowed to lead the charge against their enemy with the gang of tigers ensuring that this time they would be victorious without any obstacles.6
the sheep dog was.
He took them all in as prisoners of war,
the 50 tigers and the tiger king,
before they could get their paws
on a single sheep.
They never had a chance.
The dog was in 51 places all at once.
He strung them all out in a daisy chain
and flung them in front of his boss in one big heap.
Answer
The sheep dog acted swiftly and efficiently, rounding up the 50 tigers and their king before they could harm any sheep. His speed was so impressive that he seemed to be in multiple places at once. He successfully captured them all and presented them to his boss, Ajamil in a neat pile.7
said the tiger king.
Looking a little ill
and spiting out a tooth.
‘But there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding.
We could’ve wiped out your herd in one clean sweep.
But we were not trying to creep up on your sheep.
We feel that means are more important than ends.
We were coming to see you as friends.
And that’s the truth.’
Answer
The tiger king manipulates and shifts his stance after the dog wins the fight on the battlefield. The tiger king complimented Ajamil on his dog. He then went on to rectify any misconceptions, stating that their encounter was not meant to cause harm to Ajamil’s sheep. Instead, the tigers were approaching him in a peaceful manner, hoping to build a positive relationship and communicate as friends. The tiger king clarify that their goal was not to start a conflict but rather establish a friendly connection with Ajamil.8
who had never told a lie in his life
He was built along simpler lines
and he was simply disgusted.
He kept on making frantic signs.
But Ajamil, the good shepherd
refused to meet his eyes
and pretended to believe every single word
of what the tiger king said.
And seemed to be taken in by all the lies.
Answer
The sheep dog, who was well-known for his honesty, made a valiant effort to warn the good shepherd Ajamil about the tiger king’s lies. Despite the frantic signs from the dog, Ajamil refused to acknowledge the truth and seemed to believe every word of the tiger king’s deceitful claims. Ajamil’s gullibility left the dog feeling disgusted.9
and asked them all to stay for dinner.
It was an offer the tigers couldn’t refuse.
And after the lamb chops and the roast,
when Ajamil proposed
they sign a long term friendship treaty,
all the tigers roared.
‘We couldn’t agree with you more.’
And swore they would be good friends all their lives
as they put down the forks and the knives.
Answer
After Ajamil freed the tigers and invited them to dinner, they happily accepted. They enjoyed the meal of lamb chops and roast, and when he suggested a long term friendship treaty, they enthusiastically agreed with loud roars. The tigers promised to be good friends forever as they finished their meal and put down their forks and the knives.10
with the tiger people and sent them back.
Laden with gifts of sheep, leather jackets and balls of
wool.
Ajamil wasn’t a fool.
Like all good shepherds he knew
that even tigers have got to eat some time.
A good shepherd sees to it they do.
He is free to play a flute all day
as well fed tigers and fat sheep drink from the same
pond
with a full stomach for a common bond.
Answer
Ajamil made a deal with the tiger people and then sent them away with gifts of sheep, leather jackets, and balls of wool. He wasn’t naive – he knew that even tigers need to eat. By ensuring they were well-fed, Ajamil was able to peacefully coexist with the tigers and continue playing his flute all day. In this way, he created a harmonious bond between the tigers and his flock of sheep.
This poem uses animals to represent different aspects of society, with sheep symbolizing the general public, sheepdogs as the military, and tigers as aggressive nations. The brave dog in the poem successfully captures the attacking tigers, but instead of punishing them like Ajamil would have, they are shown hospitality through a treaty of friendship.