Class 11 NCERT Solutions eNGLISH 

Woven Words Poetry Chapter 12

Ajamil and the tigers

Understanding the Poem

1. The poem has a literal level and a figurative level. Why has the poet chosen ‘tigers’ and ‘sheep’ to convey his message?

🔹 20 words: Tigers show powerful oppressors and sheep show innocent common people. The poet uses them to reflect political truth in simple terms.

🔹 40 words: The poet uses tigers as symbols of greedy, cunning rulers and sheep as helpless citizens. This contrast highlights political corruption and oppression. It makes the poem easier to understand while giving a deep message about power imbalance and manipulation.

🔹 60 words: Arun Kolatkar cleverly uses tigers to represent corrupt politicians and sheep to symbolize the helpless public. The tigers’ hunger and lies reflect the power-hungry behavior of leaders, while the sheep’s innocence reflects ordinary people. The metaphor adds depth to the poem, showing how the powerful misuse their strength, yet present themselves as friends. It’s a strong political satire using simple imagery.

🔹 80 words: The poet uses tigers and sheep to create a symbolic fable about political life. Tigers represent dishonest, power-hungry leaders who lie and manipulate, while sheep represent common people who are innocent and vulnerable. This contrast shows how rulers pretend to be friendly but are actually dangerous. By using animals, Kolatkar presents serious political ideas in a simple, effective way that exposes lies, fake promises, and the silent suffering of the masses. It’s a sharp commentary on real-world politics.

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✅ 2. What facet of political life does the behaviour of Ajamil illustrate?

🔹 20 words: Ajamil shows how some leaders ignore truth and accept lies to avoid conflict and maintain peace with dangerous people.

🔹 40 words: Ajamil represents a political leader who pretends to believe lies to keep peace. His behavior shows how some politicians choose diplomacy over truth, ignoring honest voices like the sheepdog to stay safe and maintain false harmony with the powerful.

🔹 60 words: Ajamil’s actions reflect a clever but compromised leader. Instead of supporting the honest sheepdog, he trusts the tiger king’s lies. This shows how politicians often avoid truth and justice to maintain peace with powerful enemies. His silence represents how political leaders sometimes ignore the right path to protect their power, create fake friendships, and avoid open conflicts, even if it harms the truth.

🔹 80 words: Ajamil illustrates a leader who sacrifices truth for peace. Despite knowing the tiger king is lying, he pretends to believe him. He ignores the sheepdog’s honesty and avoids eye contact, choosing diplomacy over truth. This reflects the behavior of many political leaders who remain silent or passive in front of liars to maintain a peaceful image. It shows the helplessness or double standards in politics, where false harmony matters more than standing by those who fight for justice.

✅ 3. Why have the words ‘pretended’ and ‘seemed’ been used in the lines:

> "...pretended to believe every single word

of what the tiger king said.

And seemed to be taken in by all the lies."

How does the sense of these lines connect with the line ‘Ajamil wasn’t a fool’?

🔹 20 words: These words show Ajamil acted wisely. He knew the truth but acted innocent to avoid conflict. He wasn’t really fooled.

🔹 40 words: “Pretended” and “seemed” show Ajamil’s cleverness. He understood the tigers’ lies but chose to act innocent to keep peace. These words connect with “Ajamil wasn’t a fool” because he knowingly avoided confrontation, showing political diplomacy, not ignorance.

🔹 60 words: The poet uses “pretended” and “seemed” to show that Ajamil knew the tigers were lying. However, he acted as if he believed them. This wasn’t foolishness, but a smart political move. The line “Ajamil wasn’t a fool” confirms he was aware of the truth but chose peace over conflict, reflecting political cunning, survival instinct, and emotional intelligence in leadership.

🔹 80 words: Words like “pretended” and “seemed” show that Ajamil wasn’t really convinced by the tiger king’s lies. He was fully aware of the falsehood but chose not to react. This connects directly with “Ajamil wasn’t a fool” because he acted wisely, using silence and politeness to avoid conflict. Instead of exposing the truth, he played along for the greater good. It reflects a leader’s tough choice—sacrificing truth to ensure harmony and showing political skill rather than being misled.

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✅ 4. Why did Ajamil refuse to meet the sheepdog’s eyes?

🔹 20 words: Ajamil felt guilty. He avoided the dog’s eyes because he didn’t support his honesty and chose peace with liars instead.

🔹 40 words: Ajamil couldn’t face the sheepdog because he knew he had betrayed his honesty. The dog was loyal and truthful, but Ajamil ignored him to maintain peace with the lying tigers. His refusal shows guilt, shame, and moral weakness.

🔹 60 words: Ajamil refused to meet the sheepdog’s eyes because he was ashamed of not supporting him. The sheepdog had fought bravely and honestly, yet Ajamil chose to believe the lying tigers. His silence and eye avoidance show guilt, political compromise, and internal conflict. It reflects how leaders sometimes ignore loyal supporters to maintain ties with the powerful, even if it’s morally wrong.

🔹 80 words: Ajamil avoided the sheepdog’s eyes because he knew he was betraying the most loyal and truthful member of his team. The sheepdog risked everything to protect the sheep, yet Ajamil ignored his honest efforts and chose to trust the tigers’ lies. His silence was full of guilt. It shows how politicians sometimes let down those who truly protect the public, just to maintain false peace. This moment reflects Ajamil’s internal struggle and emotional discomfort with his own political compromise.

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✅ 5. ‘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.’

What do the phrases ‘play the flute all day’ and ‘a common bond’ refer to?

🔹 20 words: “Play the flute” means peace. “Common bond” means shared needs. When all are fed, harmony and coexistence naturally happen together.

🔹 40 words: “Play the flute” symbolizes peace, freedom, and joy. “Common bond” refers to mutual satisfaction—when both tigers and sheep are full, they don’t fight. The poet suggests that hunger causes conflict, and food creates unity, even among enemies.

🔹 60 words: The phrase “play the flute all day” means a peaceful life without fear or conflict. “A common bond” refers to shared fullness—when both predators and prey are well-fed, they can live in peace. The poet shows that many problems in society, including violence and power struggles, can be solved when basic needs like food and security are fulfilled for all.

🔹 80 words: “Play the flute all day” reflects a peaceful, relaxed life where there is no fear of attack. It shows that Ajamil, as a good shepherd, maintains balance. “A common bond” means shared satisfaction—when both tigers (rulers) and sheep (public) are full, they can live in harmony. The poet uses this to suggest that many conflicts arise from hunger, greed, or inequality. When everyone's needs are met, even natural enemies can share space peacefully, showing how prosperity builds peace.

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✅ 6. The poem is a satire against the present political class. How effectively does it convey the anger and anguish of the common man trapped in the system?

🔹 20 words: The poem sharply exposes political lies and hypocrisy. It shows how innocent people suffer while leaders fake peace and friendship.

🔹 40 words: This poem strongly criticizes dishonest politics. It shows how leaders lie, cheat, and make fake friendships while ignoring honest voices. The common man, like the sheepdog, feels betrayed and helpless. It effectively shows public frustration with corrupt political systems.

🔹 60 words: The poem is a powerful satire that reveals the false promises and manipulations of political leaders. Ajamil symbolizes a weak or selfish leader, and the tigers are corrupt rulers. The innocent suffer silently. The sheepdog represents the honest individual who is ignored. Through simple storytelling, the poet highlights the pain, helplessness, and anger of common people stuck in a corrupt, dishonest system.

🔹 80 words: Arun Kolatkar brilliantly uses humor and animal imagery to present a biting satire on modern politics. The poem shows how politicians manipulate truth, form fake alliances, and betray the honest voices like the sheepdog. The common man feels trapped in a system where justice is ignored and lies are celebrated. The contrast between appearance and reality exposes the emotional pain of the public. It reflects how truth is sacrificed for selfish interests, making the poem an effective political commentary with deep public relevance.

EXTRA QUESTIONS 

✅ 1. Who is Ajamil in the poem, and what does he represent?

🔹 20 words:

Ajamil is a shepherd. He represents a political leader who maintains peace by avoiding confrontation, even if it means ignoring truth.

🔹 40 words:

Ajamil is shown as a wise shepherd who balances peace and danger. Symbolically, he represents politicians who act diplomatic. Though he knows the tigers are lying, he chooses peace over honesty, showing how leaders sometimes avoid truth to maintain harmony.

🔹 60 words:

Ajamil, the shepherd in the poem, is a symbolic figure representing political leadership. He understands the lies told by the tiger king but pretends to believe them to maintain peace. He chooses diplomacy and peace over open confrontation. His character shows the common political attitude of avoiding truth and conflict, even if it means ignoring honest supporters like the sheepdog.

🔹 80 words:

Ajamil is the central figure in the poem, portrayed as a shepherd who seeks peace in a dangerous world. He symbolizes the political leader who is smart and diplomatic but also morally compromising. Although he knows the tiger king’s words are lies, he pretends to agree to avoid tension. Ajamil’s actions reflect the behavior of many real-world leaders who prioritize external peace over inner truth. His silence towards the sheepdog’s honesty adds emotional depth to his character.

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✅ 2. What role does the sheepdog play in the poem?

🔹 20 words:

The sheepdog is brave, honest, and loyal. He protects the sheep and stands for truth, unlike the compromising Ajamil.

🔹 40 words:

The sheepdog is a symbol of truth and loyalty. He captures all the tigers alone and brings them to Ajamil. Despite his bravery, Ajamil ignores him. This shows how honest individuals are often overlooked in politics for the sake of diplomacy.

🔹 60 words:

The sheepdog is one of the most honest and courageous characters in the poem. He single-handedly defeats the tiger army and protects the sheep. However, Ajamil ignores his efforts and sides with the liars. This contrast highlights how truth and loyalty are sometimes ignored by leaders who prefer compromise and false peace instead of valuing real protectors like the sheepdog.

🔹 80 words:

The sheepdog represents loyalty, truth, and action. He doesn’t talk much but works bravely to stop the tigers. Despite his honesty and success in protecting the sheep, Ajamil chooses to believe the tigers’ lies. This shows the tragedy of politics—how honest voices are silenced or ignored. The sheepdog’s frustration and Ajamil’s silence show a moral failure. He symbolizes the common man or truth-teller who is pushed aside in favor of liars who pretend to bring peace.

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✅ 3. Why did the tiger king lose the fight with the sheepdog?

🔹 20 words:

The tiger king underestimated the sheepdog’s speed and power. The dog captured all the tigers before they could attack.

🔹 40 words:

The tiger king lost because he wasn’t prepared for the sheepdog’s strength. The dog was fast, clever, and alert. He captured the king and all 50 tigers quickly. This shows that truth and loyalty can defeat power and greed.

🔹 60 words:

The tiger king led an attack against Ajamil’s flock, thinking they’d easily defeat the sheepdog. But the sheepdog was faster, stronger, and more determined. Before the tigers could act, he captured them all. This defeat symbolizes how overconfidence and evil intentions can be beaten by courage, truth, and loyalty, even when they come from a single brave individual.

🔹 80 words:

The tiger king believed in numbers and strength, planning a surprise attack on the sheep. However, he underestimated the sheepdog, who was extremely fast and alert. The dog acted with precision and power, capturing the tiger king and all 50 tigers before they could attack. This defeat isn’t just physical; it shows how the forces of truth, honesty, and responsibility, even in a single person or animal, can overpower collective evil or deception when they stand firm and act with courage.

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✅ 4. What is the main theme of the poem “Ajamil and the Tigers”?

🔹 20 words:

The poem’s main theme is political hypocrisy and the false peace leaders create by compromising with dishonest, dangerous forces.

🔹 40 words:

“Ajamil and the Tigers” deals with power, politics, and truth. It highlights how political leaders ignore loyal supporters and make deals with dangerous enemies. The poem criticizes the system where lies are rewarded and honest voices are sidelined or silenced.

🔹 60 words:

The main theme of the poem is political corruption and moral compromise. Ajamil represents leaders who choose peace with the powerful, even if they are dishonest. The sheepdog shows truth and loyalty, yet he is ignored. The poem teaches that false harmony is dangerous, and it exposes how the truth is often sacrificed by leaders who fear conflict or want to please all sides.

🔹 80 words:

The central theme of “Ajamil and the Tigers” is political deception and the betrayal of truth. The poem shows how leaders like Ajamil avoid facing uncomfortable truths by pretending to believe lies. While honest individuals like the sheepdog fight to protect the weak, they are ignored. The poem uses humor and animal characters to highlight how political leaders create fake peace, ignoring real danger. It’s a powerful satire that exposes the injustice of choosing lies over loyalty, and peace over truth.

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✅ 5. What does the friendship treaty at the end of the poem represent?

🔹 20 words:

The treaty represents a fake peace. It shows how leaders pretend everything is fine, even when dangers still exist.

🔹 40 words:

The friendship treaty symbolizes political compromise and false peace. Ajamil offers gifts and signs a treaty, knowing the tigers were lying. It reflects how politicians choose diplomacy over truth and create alliances with dishonest people, ignoring the risk to society.

🔹 60 words:

Ajamil’s friendship treaty with the tigers reflects how political leaders handle threats by pretending to believe in peace. He gives them gifts and signs a pact, even though he knows their real intentions. The treaty symbolizes fake friendships formed for selfish reasons. It criticizes political systems where appearances matter more than honesty, and where the truth is willingly ignored for convenience.

🔹 80 words:

The treaty in the poem represents how leaders make peace with their enemies by ignoring the truth. Even after the tiger king lies, Ajamil pretends to believe him and signs a treaty. He sends them away with gifts, showing false goodwill. This political move keeps the peace but at the cost of honesty. The treaty is not built on trust but on fear and diplomacy. It reflects the modern political habit of signing pacts that only hide deeper conflicts.

✅ 6. How is the poem a fable with a deeper meaning?

🔹 20 words:

It’s a fable because it uses animals to teach a lesson. The deeper meaning criticizes political dishonesty and moral compromise.

🔹 40 words:

The poem looks like a fable with talking animals and a simple story. But it holds a deeper message about how leaders ignore truth, reward liars, and maintain fake peace. It criticizes politics using an easy, story-like structure.

🔹 60 words:

Though it seems like a story with animals, the poem is a deep political fable. The tigers, dog, and Ajamil represent real-world figures. It teaches how dishonest people pretend to be friends, and how leaders support them for peace. The sheepdog shows truth, but is ignored. The fable format makes the criticism of society and politics more powerful and understandable.

🔹 80 words:

This poem is a modern fable using animals to represent different roles in society and politics. The surface story is about tigers, sheep, and a shepherd, but the deeper meaning criticizes political leaders who ignore truth and side with manipulators. The sheepdog symbolizes honesty and bravery, yet he is rejected. The poem teaches that behind fake smiles and treaties, real danger exists. Using a fable form makes the message easier to grasp and more impactful, especially for readers of all ages.

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✅ 7. What emotions does the sheepdog feel in the poem?

🔹 20 words:

The sheepdog feels angry, frustrated, and disappointed. His honest efforts are ignored by Ajamil, who trusts liars instead.

🔹 40 words:

The sheepdog is deeply hurt and frustrated. He protects the flock with honesty and courage but is ignored. He makes frantic signs, hoping Ajamil will notice the truth. His emotions show the pain of honest people being neglected by those in power.

🔹 60 words:

The sheepdog feels a mix of anger, sadness, and betrayal. He risks everything to protect the sheep and captures the tigers. But Ajamil ignores his honesty and supports the lying tiger king. The sheepdog makes desperate signs, but no one listens. His emotions reflect how loyal, truthful individuals often feel when leaders choose to believe lies over bravery and truth.

🔹 80 words:

The sheepdog goes through frustration, anger, disappointment, and emotional pain. He is loyal and truthful, risking his life to save the sheep. But instead of being appreciated, he is ignored. Ajamil doesn’t even meet his eyes. The dog makes frantic signs to reveal the tiger king’s lies, but it’s all in vain. This represents how honest people feel silenced and helpless when truth is neglected in politics. His emotional state highlights the tragedy of truth being overlooked in favor of peace.

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✅ 8. Why did the tiger king lie to Ajamil after losing?

🔹 20 words:

The tiger king lied to escape punishment. He pretended they came as friends, hiding their real plan to eat the sheep.

🔹 40 words:

After being defeated, the tiger king lies to Ajamil to avoid blame. He says they weren’t attacking but visiting as friends. This lie saves their pride and covers up their true intention of harming the sheep. It shows political manipulation.

🔹 60 words:

The tiger king told a clever lie to protect himself and his group. He claimed they came in peace, not to attack. By doing this, he avoided punishment and flipped the situation in his favor. This lie also manipulated Ajamil emotionally, showing how the powerful use words to change narratives. It reflects how real-life leaders twist facts for personal gain.

🔹 80 words:

The tiger king lied to Ajamil to avoid being seen as a criminal. He claimed the tigers weren’t trying to kill sheep but were visiting as peaceful friends. This was a political move to gain sympathy and shift blame. Instead of accepting defeat, he cleverly twisted the truth to protect his group. The lie is meant to fool Ajamil and create a fake image of peace. It mirrors how leaders sometimes lie after failure to protect their power and avoid consequences.

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✅ 9. What is the poet’s attitude towards political leaders in the poem?

🔹 20 words:

The poet is critical. He shows leaders as dishonest and fake, choosing lies and false peace over truth and justice.

🔹 40 words:

The poet shows political leaders as clever but morally weak. He criticizes them for ignoring honest people and trusting liars. Leaders, like Ajamil, pretend to be wise but actually create false peace by siding with dangerous, dishonest forces for convenience.

🔹 60 words:

The poet’s attitude towards political leaders is clearly satirical and critical. He shows them making false decisions, ignoring loyal supporters, and believing liars for peace. Ajamil is shown as a smart but morally compromised leader. The poem suggests that such leaders betray the truth and promote diplomacy only for selfish benefit, not for the good of the people they serve.

🔹 80 words:

Arun Kolatkar presents political leaders as strategic yet dishonest figures who often ignore truth for maintaining power and peace. Through Ajamil, the poet criticizes those who pretend to be fair but actually support liars and betrayers like the tiger king. He highlights how such leaders hurt honest individuals, like the sheepdog, and create an illusion of peace. The poet’s tone is sarcastic and mocking, reflecting his disappointment with real-life political behavior and the moral compromises leaders often make.

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✅ 10. What message does the poem give about truth and diplomacy?

🔹 20 words:

The poem shows that truth is often ignored in politics. Diplomacy wins, even when it's based on lies and betrayal.

🔹 40 words:

The poem teaches that in politics, diplomacy often replaces honesty. Leaders prefer smooth relations over truth. Ajamil chooses fake peace with liars over supporting the loyal sheepdog. It reflects how political diplomacy can hide reality and cause injustice.

🔹 60 words:

“Ajamil and the Tigers” gives a strong message about how truth is often sacrificed in the name of diplomacy. Ajamil knows the tigers are lying but still accepts them as friends. He ignores the honest sheepdog. This shows that leaders may value peace and image more than truth, highlighting how political decisions are often based on convenience rather than honesty.

🔹 80 words:

The poem conveys that in the political world, truth often gets sidelined in favor of diplomacy and compromise. Ajamil, the shepherd, knowingly accepts the tigers’ lies to avoid conflict, ignoring the loyal sheepdog who represents truth. This act reflects the harsh reality of how leaders often choose to believe convenient lies over uncomfortable truths. The poem warns us that false peace created by ignoring truth may seem calm, but it weakens the moral fabric of leadership and society.

✅ 11. Why did the tigers complain to their king?

🔹 20 words:

The tigers complained because Ajamil’s new sheepdog stopped them from hunting sheep. They were starving and wanted action.

🔹 40 words:

The tigers were unable to hunt sheep for over two weeks because Ajamil’s dog was guarding the flock. They complained to their king, asking him to take action so they could eat. Their frustration pushed the king to lead an attack.

🔹 60 words:

The tigers were starving as they couldn’t hunt sheep due to Ajamil’s alert and fierce sheepdog. This sheepdog protected the flock so well that the tigers couldn’t come near. Feeling helpless and hungry, the tigers complained to their king. Their desperation forced the tiger king to personally plan and lead an attack against Ajamil’s protected sheep.

🔹 80 words:

The tigers were angry and hungry because Ajamil’s new sheepdog had made it impossible for them to hunt sheep. For 15 days and 16 nights, they hadn’t had a single bite. Their starvation made them desperate, so they approached their king for help. They wanted him to defeat the sheepdog and restore their hunting rights. This complaint led the tiger king to promise revenge and organize an attack. It shows how frustration and hunger can provoke rash political decisions.

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✅ 12. What does the sheepdog’s ability to be “in 51 places at once” suggest?

🔹 20 words:

It shows the sheepdog’s extraordinary skill, speed, and dedication. He is always alert and unbeatable, protecting the sheep completely.

🔹 40 words:

The line means the sheepdog is very powerful and fast. He works with amazing energy and protects the flock from all directions. His presence everywhere at once highlights his unmatched loyalty, courage, and commitment to duty. He’s a symbol of truth.

🔹 60 words:

The sheepdog’s ability to be in “51 places at once” is a metaphor for his alertness, bravery, and speed. It shows he’s not just one dog but a force of protection. His dedication to his job is so great that the tigers didn’t stand a chance. This line celebrates the qualities of those who fight alone to protect others with sincerity.

🔹 80 words:

This poetic line shows that the sheepdog is not ordinary. His super-fast movements and ability to guard every part of the flock at once make him unbeatable. The phrase suggests that he’s everywhere, like a guardian angel. It reflects his constant vigilance, discipline, and devotion to truth. The tigers never stood a chance because the sheepdog’s sense of duty and speed made him almost magical. This metaphor adds power to his character, highlighting the strength of one honest protector.

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✅ 13. How does the poem use irony to make its point?

🔹 20 words:

The poem uses irony by showing liars as “friends” and honest ones ignored. Truth loses while lies win in politics.

🔹 40 words:

Irony is seen when Ajamil trusts the tigers, who just tried to attack, and ignores the loyal sheepdog. This reversal shows how leaders often favor false peace over truth. The sheepdog’s honesty is dismissed, while the tigers get rewarded.

🔹 60 words:

The poem is rich in irony. The tigers, who wanted to kill sheep, lie and are treated like guests. The brave sheepdog, who saved the flock, is ignored. Ajamil acts like he believes the lie. The biggest irony is that the dishonest are rewarded, and the honest are avoided. It criticizes politics where truth is often sacrificed for false appearances.

🔹 80 words:

Irony flows through the entire poem. The sheepdog is the true hero, yet he is ignored. The tigers, who were caught trying to harm the sheep, are forgiven and treated like friends. Ajamil pretends to believe the tigers, knowing they lied. This ironic twist mirrors real-life political scenarios, where dishonest leaders are respected, and truthful voices are silenced. The poet uses this irony to highlight the tragedy of modern leadership that values diplomacy and false peace more than honesty and justice.

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✅ 14. What lesson does the poem teach about power and truth?

🔹 20 words:

The poem shows that power often hides the truth. Honest voices are ignored while liars gain respect and rewards.

🔹 40 words:

The poem teaches that truth alone isn’t enough in politics. Power can manipulate facts, and leaders may support liars for peace. The sheepdog is ignored despite being right. This shows how truth suffers when power and fake diplomacy rule decisions.

🔹 60 words:

Through Ajamil’s story, the poem teaches that power often wins over truth. The sheepdog, who is honest and loyal, is ignored by Ajamil, who believes the tigers’ lies. This shows how truth is sacrificed for convenience. Political leaders sometimes support falsehood to avoid conflict or protect their image, proving that power can manipulate situations, and truth may be left unheard.

🔹 80 words:

The poem teaches that in the world of politics, truth is often defeated by power and manipulation. The brave and loyal sheepdog represents honesty, yet he is dismissed by Ajamil. In contrast, the lying tiger king is treated as a friend. This reflects how powerful liars often use clever words to gain trust, while honest people are sidelined. The poet warns that such behavior weakens society. Real strength lies in standing with the truth, not in pleasing the powerful.

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✅ 15. What does Ajamil's behavior say about modern leadership?

🔹 20 words:

Ajamil reflects leaders who prefer peace over truth. He avoids conflict, even if it means ignoring honesty and supporting liars.

🔹 40 words:

Ajamil’s actions represent modern leaders who choose diplomacy over truth. He knows the tigers are lying but still pretends to believe them. This shows how some leaders avoid conflict and ignore loyal supporters to maintain a peaceful image or alliance.

🔹 60 words:

Ajamil symbolizes political leaders who sacrifice truth for comfort. Though he knows the tigers lied, he acts as if they’re honest. He avoids confrontation with them and doesn’t support the loyal sheepdog. His actions reflect how many modern politicians care more about appearances and false harmony than doing the right thing, even if that means ignoring the most honest voices around them.

🔹 80 words:

Ajamil’s behavior is a reflection of real-world political leadership, where truth is often compromised for maintaining peace or reputation. He knowingly believes the tiger king’s lies and avoids confronting them. He chooses not to support the loyal and honest sheepdog. This shows how leaders sometimes ignore their supporters and ally with dangerous forces for political survival. The poem criticizes this attitude and highlights how such choices may bring temporary peace but cause long-term harm to justice and loyalty.

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✅ 16. How is the poem an example of political satire?

🔹 20 words:

The poem mocks politicians who trust liars and ignore honest people. It uses animals and humor to criticize real-world politics.

🔹 40 words:

By using animals and storytelling, the poem makes fun of political leaders who avoid truth and favor diplomacy. It satirizes how liars gain power and the loyal are ignored. The sheepdog’s frustration shows public anger, making it clear satire.

🔹 60 words:

“Ajamil and the Tigers” is a sharp political satire. It uses the animal kingdom to reflect how politicians behave. Ajamil ignores the honest sheepdog and entertains the tiger king’s lies. The poem uses humor and irony to expose how truth is ignored in political systems. Through this symbolic tale, the poet cleverly shows the frustration of common people with corrupt leadership.

🔹 80 words:

This poem is a perfect example of political satire, where the poet uses animal characters to indirectly criticize modern political behavior. The tiger king symbolizes cunning rulers, the sheepdog stands for truth, and Ajamil represents the diplomatic but compromising leader. Instead of rewarding honesty, the leader entertains lies. The poet uses humor, irony, and symbolism to highlight the faults of real politicians—how they silence truth, make deals with wrongdoers, and maintain fake peace. It’s satire with deep political meaning.

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✅ 17. What does the poem say about appearances vs reality?

🔹 20 words:

The poem shows appearances can be false. Tigers pretend to be friendly, and Ajamil acts fooled, though he knows the truth.

🔹 40 words:

Appearances in the poem are misleading. The tigers act like guests, but they came to kill. Ajamil acts like he believes them but doesn’t. The sheepdog is honest, yet ignored. The poem shows that truth and reality are often hidden.

🔹 60 words:

The poem teaches that what we see isn’t always true. The tigers pretend to be peaceful, Ajamil acts friendly, and the sheepdog’s truth is unseen. Reality is different—there’s danger, betrayal, and diplomacy. Ajamil’s smile hides fear, and the tiger king’s words hide violence. The poem reveals how appearances are used in politics to cover up the truth.

🔹 80 words:

“Ajamil and the Tigers” highlights the gap between appearances and reality. The tigers, who just tried to attack, pretend to be friends. Ajamil, though aware of the lie, acts like he believes them. The sheepdog, representing truth, is ignored. These contrasts show how people, especially leaders, often hide their true thoughts behind false expressions. The poem reveals how fake smiles and false peace are used to hide betrayal, creating a world where appearances are more important than honesty and reality.

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✅ 18. What does the sheepdog's silence in the end represent?

🔹 20 words:

The sheepdog’s silence shows helplessness. He knows the truth but is ignored. It reflects how truth is often silenced.

🔹 40 words:

Though the sheepdog tries to expose the tigers’ lies, Ajamil ignores him. His silence shows that truth, no matter how clear, is sometimes not accepted. It represents the pain of honest people when leaders choose lies and false peace instead.

🔹 60 words:

The sheepdog doesn’t speak but makes frantic signs to show the truth. Yet Ajamil avoids eye contact and ignores him. His silence represents the frustration and pain of honest voices in politics. It’s a symbol of how even when truth is present, it can be silenced by those in power who prefer lies and convenience. His quietness becomes a powerful protest.

🔹 80 words:

The sheepdog’s silence at the end of the poem is powerful and emotional. Though he has protected the sheep and revealed the truth, Ajamil avoids looking at him and acts as if nothing happened. The sheepdog’s inability to speak up and being ignored reflects the helplessness of truth in a corrupt system. It symbolizes the many honest individuals in society whose actions speak louder than words, but still go unheard in front of diplomacy, politics, and fake peace.

✅ 19. How does Ajamil’s gift to the tigers reflect his political mindset?

🔹 20 words:

Ajamil gives gifts to the tigers to maintain peace. It shows he chooses diplomacy and appearances over truth and justice.

🔹 40 words:

By giving sheep, jackets, and wool to the tigers, Ajamil avoids conflict and ensures future peace. It reflects a political mindset that values deals and calm relations, even with liars. He prioritizes safety and peace over truth and loyalty.

🔹 60 words:

Ajamil sends the tigers away with gifts like sheep and wool. This action shows he wants to keep them happy and avoid future attacks. It reflects how political leaders try to win enemies with rewards instead of standing for truth. His gesture symbolizes the practice of offering bribes or favors for temporary peace, even if it means betraying the loyal ones.

🔹 80 words:

Ajamil’s decision to offer sheep, wool, and jackets to the tiger king and his group shows political diplomacy in action. He knows the tigers lied and tried to harm the flock, yet he chooses to maintain peace through gifts. This reflects a mindset where leaders use flattery and material offerings to avoid direct confrontation. Instead of praising the loyal sheepdog, Ajamil rewards the enemies. It’s a powerful symbol of how political deals often overlook truth in favor of strategic peacekeeping.

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✅ 20. What does the ending of the poem suggest about peace and justice?

🔹 20 words:

The ending shows peace without justice. Though everyone looks happy, truth is ignored. It’s a warning about false harmony.

🔹 40 words:

The poem ends with apparent peace—tigers and sheep live together. But justice isn’t served. The sheepdog’s truth is ignored, and liars are rewarded. It shows that peace without justice is weak and temporary. True peace must include fairness.

🔹 60 words:

Though the poem ends peacefully, with tigers and sheep sharing a pond, it’s not real justice. The sheepdog’s bravery is ignored, and the lying tigers are treated as friends. This ending warns us about the danger of false peace. It tells us that peace built on lies and injustice is fake, and truth must be acknowledged for real harmony to last.

🔹 80 words:

The ending of the poem gives an image of peace—Ajamil playing the flute while tigers and sheep drink from the same pond. But this peace is built on lies. The sheepdog’s truth is ignored, and the tigers are forgiven too easily. It reflects a situation where justice is sacrificed to create calm. The poem suggests that such peace is not lasting or fair. Real peace must be based on truth, justice, and the acknowledgment of those who protect and speak honestly.