Samacheer Kalvi Class 10 English Solutions Poem 4 The Ant and the Cricket

A. Based on your understanding of the poem, read the following lines and answer the questions given below.

Question 1. "A silly young cricket accustomed to sing
Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring.”
(a) What was the routine of the cricket?
(b) Name the seasons mentioned here.
Answer:
(a) The cricket's usual habit was to sing and spend its time enjoying the spring season. It loved making music and having fun.
(b) The poem mentions summer and winter as the seasons. The cricket sings during summer and spring, and faces problems in winter.
In simple words: The cricket always sang during spring. Summer and winter are the seasons mentioned.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a question asks for routine, describe the regular, repeated actions of the character. For seasons, list them clearly as they appear in the text.

Question 2. "Began to complain when he found that, at home,
His cupboard was empty, and winter has come.”
(a) Who does 'he' refer to?
(b) Why was his cupboard empty?
Answer:
(a) 'He' refers to the foolish cricket.
(b) His cupboard was empty because he did not store any food during the summer months. This showed a lack of planning.
In simple words: 'He' is the silly cricket. His cupboard was empty because he did not save any food in summer.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to pronouns like 'he' or 'she' to correctly identify the character. Connect actions (not storing food) with consequences (empty cupboard).

Question 3. "Not a crumb to be found
On the snow-covered ground:”
(a) What couldn't he find on the ground?
(b) Why was the ground covered with snow?
Answer:
(a) He couldn't find even a small piece of bread or food on the ground. Everything was covered.
(b) The ground was covered with snow because the winter season had just started. Winter brings cold weather and snow.
In simple words: He could not find any food on the ground. The ground was covered with snow because it was winter.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand how poetic lines describe the situation. A "crumb" means a very small piece, showing the severity of the lack of food.

Question 4. "At last by starvation and famine made bold,
All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold,”
(a) What made the cricket bold?
(b) Why did the cricket drip and tremble?
Answer:
(a) Being very hungry due to starvation and a lack of food made the cricket brave enough to seek help. Desperation can make one do unusual things.
(b) The cricket was dripping wet and shaking from the cold because it was winter. The weather was very harsh.
In simple words: Hunger and a lack of food made the cricket bold. It was wet and cold because it was winter.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the cause-and-effect relationships clearly. Starvation is the cause, boldness is the effect; winter is the cause, dripping and trembling are the effects.

Question 5. "Away he set off to a miserly ant,
To keep if, to keep him alive, he would grant
His shelter from the rain,
And a mouthful of grain."
(a) Whom did the cricket want to meet? Why?
(b) What would keep him alive?
Answer:
(a) The cricket wanted to meet a thrifty ant to ask for a place to stay and some food. He desperately needed help to survive.
(b) Shelter from the rain and a small amount of grain would help him stay alive. These were his immediate needs.
In simple words: The cricket wanted to meet the ant to ask for food and shelter. Getting shelter and some grain would keep him alive.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a question asks "whom" and "why", always name the character and provide the reason for their action. "What" questions require specific details from the poem.

Question 6. "But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.”
(a) Why do you think ants neither borrow nor lend?
(b) Who says these lines to whom?
Answer:
(a) Ants are known to be very hard-working and organized. They plan well for the future, so they do not need to borrow or lend. This is their way of life.
(b) The ant says these lines to the silly cricket, explaining its strict rules.
In simple words: Ants are good planners and work hard, so they don't borrow or lend. The ant says this to the cricket.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the speaker and listener correctly. For character traits, use words that describe their nature, like "hard-working" or "good planners."

Question 7. "Not I!
My heart was so light
That I sang day and night,
For all nature looked gay."
(a) Who does 'I' refer to?
(b) What was the nature of cricket? How do you know?
Answer:
(a) 'I' refers to the cricket.
(b) The cricket's nature was to sing and be happy all day and night. We know this because it says its "heart was so light" and it "sang day and night" when nature looked cheerful. This shows it lived for the moment.
In simple words: 'I' means the cricket. The cricket loved to sing and be happy all the time, as it says its heart was light and it sang often.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a character's nature, back up your answer with direct phrases or actions mentioned in the poem, like "My heart was so light."

Question 8. "Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket,
And out of the door turned the poor little cricket,”
(a) The ant refused to help the cricket. Why?
(b) Explain the second line.
Answer:
(a) The ant refused to help the cricket because giving food to the lazy cricket would mean the ants themselves might not have enough and could face hunger later. Ants are very practical.
(b) The second line means that after the ant refused to help, it quickly closed its door. This forced the unfortunate cricket to leave and go away from the ant's home. The ant literally "turned" the cricket out.
In simple words: The ant did not help because it did not want to share its food with the lazy cricket. The second line means the ant quickly closed its door, making the cricket leave.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to explain a line, rephrase it in simpler words, clarifying any figurative language or implied actions. Connect the ant's refusal to its nature.

Question 9. "He wished only to borrow;
He'd repay it tomorrow;"
(a) Pick out the rhyming words in the above lines.
(b) Give more examples of rhyming words from the poem.
Answer:
(a) The rhyming words in these lines are "borrow" and "tomorrow." They sound alike at the end.
(b) Other rhyming words from the poem include: sing-spring; home-come; found-ground; see-tree-me; bold-cold; ant-grant; rain-grain; tomorrow-sorrow; friend-lend; by-I; light-night; gay-say-away; wicket-cricket; true-two. Rhyming words create a musical sound.
In simple words: (a) "borrow" and "tomorrow" rhyme here. (b) Many words rhyme in the poem, like "sing" and "spring," or "bold" and "cold."

🎯 Exam Tip: When finding rhyming words, focus on the sounds at the end of the words. For a list, be thorough and extract as many pairs as possible.

Question 10. "My heart was so light
that I sang day and night,
For all nature looked gay.
"You sang, Sir, you say"?”
(a) Mention the rhyme scheme employed in the above lines.
Answer:
(a) The rhyme scheme used in these lines is 'aabb'. This means the first two lines rhyme, and the next two lines rhyme, creating a simple pattern.
In simple words: The lines rhyme in pairs, so the pattern is 'aabb'.

🎯 Exam Tip: To find the rhyme scheme, assign a letter to the end sound of each line. If a new sound appears, use a new letter; if a sound repeats, use the same letter. Then combine them (e.g., aabb).

B. Based on your understanding of the poem, complete the summary using the phrases given below.

In this narrative poem, the poet brings out the idea that is essential for every creature. He conveys this message to the readers through a story (1) __________. The ant spends all its summer saving (2) __________. The cricket (3) __________ happily in the summer. He (4) __________ anything for the winter. When winter comes, he is worried that his (5) __________ (6) __________ is empty. So, he seeks the help of the ant to have (7) __________ and a (8) __________ (9) __________ to stay. The cricket was even prepared to repay it in the future. The ant made it clear that ants (10) __________. He also enquired the cricket if it had saved anything when the weather was fine. The cricket answered that it had sung day and night enjoying (11) __________. The ant threw the cricket out and stated in a stern voice it should dance in the winter season too. In his concluding lines, the poet affirms that this is not (12) __________ but it is true and applicable to (13) __________ also.
Answers:
1. of an act and a cricket
2. for future
3. sings and dance
4. doesn't save
5. kitchen
6. cupboard
7. some grains
8. warm
9. place
10. never borrow or lend
11. the pleasant nature
12. just a fable
13. human being
Answer:
In this narrative poem, the poet brings out the idea that **planning** is essential for every creature. He conveys this message to the readers through a story **(1) of an ant and a cricket**. The ant spends all its summer saving **(2) for future**. The cricket **(3) sings and dances** happily in the summer. He **(4) doesn't save** anything for the winter. When winter comes, he is worried that his **(5) cupboard** is empty. So, he seeks the help of the ant to have **(7) some grains** and a **(8) warm (9) place** to stay. The cricket was even prepared to repay it in the future. The ant made it clear that ants **(10) never borrow or lend**. He also enquired the cricket if it had saved anything when the weather was fine. The cricket answered that it had sung day and night enjoying **(11) the pleasant nature**. The ant threw the cricket out and stated in a stern voice it should dance in the winter season too. In his concluding lines, the poet affirms that this is not **(12) just a fable** but it is true and applicable to **(13) human being** also. This poem teaches the importance of hard work and foresight.
In simple words: This summary talks about a poem with an ant and a cricket. The ant saves food for the future while the cricket only sings and dances, saving nothing. When winter comes, the cricket has no food and asks the ant for help. The ant refuses, saying they don't borrow or lend, and tells the cricket to dance in winter just like it sang in summer. The poem teaches that this story is true for people too.

🎯 Exam Tip: For summary completion questions, read the entire passage first to understand the context. Then, carefully choose the most fitting phrase from the given list for each blank, ensuring the completed sentence makes logical sense.

C. Answer each of the following questions in a paragraph about 100 words.

Question 1. 'Some crickets have four legs and some have two'. Elucidate this statement from the poet's point of view.
Answer: The poet uses this statement as a metaphor, comparing lazy humans to the cricket. Normally, crickets have four legs, but the poet humorously says some have two legs to refer to human beings who act as thoughtlessly as the cricket. This poetic device highlights that the story is not just a children's fable but has a deeper meaning for real life. It suggests that just like the cricket, some people do not plan for their future or for difficult times. Instead, they only enjoy the present moment without thinking ahead. The poet is calling such people "mindless," like the cricket, because they fail to prepare for what is to come. Life is a gift, and we must use it wisely.
In simple words: The poet means that some humans are lazy like the four-legged cricket. He says "two-legged crickets" to mean people who don't plan for the future, just like the cricket in the poem. It's a way to show that humans can also be foolish.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to elucidate a poetic statement, first explain its literal meaning and then its deeper, metaphorical meaning within the context of the poem's theme. Always link it back to the poet's message.

Question 2. Compare and contrast the attitude of the ant and the cricket.
Answer:
**Introduction:** This poem, taken from Aesop's fables, teaches us the importance of hard work. It shows us how different attitudes can lead to different outcomes.
**Attitude of Cricket:** The cricket was very lazy and carefree. It spent all summer singing and enjoying itself, without thinking about the future or saving any food for winter. It only lived for the present moment.
**Attitude of Ant:** In contrast, the ant was hardworking and wise. It worked diligently during the summer, saving food and preparing for the winter season. The ant followed a strict rule of never borrowing or lending, reflecting its disciplined nature.
**Comparison:** The poet presents the cricket as a borrower and the ant as a self-sufficient, non-lender. However, the ant's act of turning away the starving cricket at the end can be seen as harsh. Both characters show distinct approaches to life.
**Conclusion:** Through this poem, the poet advises us to be like the wise ant, planning and working hard for the future, instead of being careless like the cricket. We should learn from both of them to live a balanced life.
In simple words: The cricket was lazy; it just sang and played in summer and saved nothing. The ant was hardworking; it saved food for winter. The poem compares their different ways of living. It tells us to be like the ant, always planning and working hard for the future.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing and contrasting, present the characteristics of each subject separately first. Then, explicitly state their similarities (if any) and differences. Use clear subheadings for better organization.

Question 3. If given a chance, who would you want to be – the ant or the cricket. Justify your answer.
Answer: If I were given the choice between being an ant or a cricket, I would definitely choose to be an ant. I would not want to be a foolish cricket because it leads to suffering and regret. While enjoying life and having fun is important, I strongly believe in the importance of planning for the future. Being wise and intelligent, like the ant, means understanding the cycle of seasons and preparing for difficult times. The ant works hard, saves, and does not depend on others, which is a commendable quality. It teaches us the moral value that hard work and foresight are key to success and happiness in the long run. By being like the ant, one can avoid worries about the future and live a secure life.
In simple words: I would want to be an ant. The ant is wise and works hard, saving for the future. The cricket is silly and lazy, which leads to problems. It is better to plan and be responsible, just like the ant, so you don't worry about what comes next.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for a personal opinion with justification, clearly state your choice first. Then, provide strong reasons by citing the positive traits of your chosen character and contrasting them with the negative traits of the other, linking to the moral of the story.

The Ant and the Cricket Summary of the poem

The poem 'The Ant and the Cricket' tells a story about a hard-working ant and a lazy cricket. The last line of the poem says, "Some crickets have four legs and some have two," which teaches a moral lesson. This line points out that many lazy humans, who don't save or plan, are just like the cricket. The poet wants us to learn from this. He encourages us not to be lazy like the cricket but to be hard-working and responsible, like the ant, in our own lives. This helps us be prepared for what comes.
In simple words: This poem is about a hardworking ant and a lazy cricket. It tells us that some people are lazy like crickets and don't save for the future. The poet wants us to be hardworking like the ant instead of being lazy like the cricket.

🎯 Exam Tip: A good summary should capture the main characters, the central conflict, and the primary moral or lesson taught by the poem, without adding new information.

Glossary

accustomed to (y) – used to doing something regularly
gay (adj) – happy, joyful
crumb (n) – a very small piece of bread or food
famine (n) – a situation where there is not enough food, leading to hunger
miserly (adj) – unwilling to spend money or share
quoth (y) – said (an old way of saying 'said', often used in old stories)
hastily (adv) – very quickly or in a hurry
warrant (y) – to guarantee or promise that something is true or will happen
In simple words: This is a list of important words from the poem with their meanings, helping you understand the story better.

🎯 Exam Tip: When learning new words, try to use them in a sentence to understand their context and remember their meaning effectively. Pay attention to the part of speech indicated.