Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
I have no idea of the extent of this zoo. I know only my corner and whatever passes before
me. On the day I was wheeled in, I only noticed two gafes opening to admit me. When I stood
up I caught a glimpse of some cages ahead and also heard the voice of a lion. The man who
had transferred me from the forest stepped out of his jeep and said, after a glance in my
direction. 'He is all right. Now run up and see if the end cage is ready. This animal is used to
human company and a lot of free movement. We must keep him where people will be
passing. The open-air enclosure must also be available to him, when the wild ones are not let
out See to it.
They have shown me special consideration, by the grace of my Master, whom I may not see
again. All the same, lying here on the cool floor, I madly hope that my Master might suddenly
appear out of a crowd, open the door of my cage, and command, 'Come out, let us go. Such
is my dream. I keep scrutinizing faces, but all faces look dull and monotonous, none radiant
like
my Master's. Men, women, and children peer through the bars, and sometimes cry aloud,
*Ah, see this tiger. What a ferocious beast!' and make crude noises to rouse me, fling a stone
if the keeper is not looking, and move on to appreciate similarly the occupant of the next cage.
You are not likely to understand that I am different from the tiger next door, that I possess a
soul within this forbidding exterior. I can think, analyse, judge, remember and do everything
that you can do, perhaps with greater subtlety and sense. I lack only the faculty of speech.
But if you could read my thoughts, you would be welcome to come in and listen to the story
of my life. At least, you could slip your arm through the bars and touch me and I will hold out
my forepaw to greet you, after retracting my claws, of course. You are carried away by
appearances - my claws and fangs and the glowing eyes frighten you, no doubt. I don't blame
you. I don't know why God has chosen to give us this fierce make-up, the same God who has
created the parrot, the peacock, and the deer, which inspire poets and painters. I would not
blame you for keeping your distance.
I myself shuddered at my own reflection on the still surface of a pond while crouching for a
drink of water, not when I was really a wild beast, but after I came under the influence of iny
Master and learnt to question, "Who am I?'
Answers
Answer:
I have no idea of the extent of this zoo. I know only my corner and whatever passes before
me. On the day I was wheeled in, I only noticed two gafes opening to admit me. When I stood
up I caught a glimpse of some cages ahead and also heard the voice of a lion. The man who
had transferred me from the forest stepped out of his jeep and said, after a glance in my
direction. 'He is all right. Now run up and see if the end cage is ready. This animal is used to
human company and a lot of free movement. We must keep him where people will be
passing. The open-air enclosure must also be available to him, when the wild ones are not let
out See to it.
They have shown me special consideration, by the grace of my Master, whom I may not see
again. All the same, lying here on the cool floor, I madly hope that my Master might suddenly
appear out of a crowd, open the door of my cage, and command, 'Come out, let us go. Such
is my dream. I keep scrutinizing faces, but all faces look dull and monotonous, none radiant
like
my Master's. Men, women, and children peer through the bars, and sometimes cry aloud,
*Ah, see this tiger. What a ferocious beast!' and make crude noises to rouse me, fling a stone
if the keeper is not looking, and move on to appreciate similarly the occupant of the next cage.
You are not likely to understand that I am different from the tiger next door, that I possess a
soul within this forbidding exterior. I can think, analyse, judge, remember and do everything
that you can do, perhaps with greater subtlety and sense. I lack only the faculty of speech.
But if you could read my thoughts, you would be welcome to come in and listen to the story
of my life. At least, you could slip your arm through the bars and touch me and I will hold out
my forepaw to greet you, after retracting my claws, of course. You are carried away by
appearances - my claws and fangs and the glowing eyes frighten you, no doubt. I don't blame
you. I don't know why God has chosen to give us this fierce make-up, the same God who has
created the parrot, the peacock, and the deer, which inspire poets and painters. I would not
blame you for keeping your distance.
I myself shuddered at my own reflection on the still surface of a pond while crouching for a
drink of water, not when I was really a wild beast, but after I came under the influence of iny
Master and learnt to question, "Who am I?'
Explanation: