The Cat Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words | WBBSE Class 10 English Lesson 7

by | Jul 3, 2024 | General | 0 comments

 

The Cat Summary

 

West Bengal Board Class 10 English The Cat Summary, Lesson Explanation with difficult word meanings from Bliss Book

 

The Cat– Are you looking for Summary and Lesson Explanation for West Bengal  Board Class 10 English Lesson 7 The Cat from Bliss Book. Get notes, summary of the Lesson followed by line by line explanation of the lesson along with the meanings of difficult words.

 

The Cat West Bengal Board Class 10 English 

Andrew Barton Paterson 

 

Related Link :The Cat Question Answers WBBSE Class 10 English Bliss Book

The Cat Introduction

The lesson “The Cat” by Andrew Barton Paterson helps us see cats in a new way. Many people think cats are lazy and only care about eating and sleeping. But the author shows us that cats are actually very interesting and have a lot of personality. During the day, a cat might seem lazy, lounging around the house and sometimes staring at a mouse-hole. However, when evening comes, the cat becomes lively and full of energy. It joins the family at tea time, purring and rubbing against their legs to get some food. The cat is especially friendly to guests because it hopes they have the best treats. If a guest only pets the cat without giving it food, the cat might scratch them gently to make its point, which the family finds amusing. After tea, the cat’s real adventures begin. It goes outside, climbs fences, and explores the neighborhood with grace and stealth, avoiding dangers like dogs and mischievous boys.

The cat meets up with other cats, and together they turn into fierce hunters, ready for a night of excitement. These backyard adventures are thrilling and fun for the cats, much more exciting than they might seem to us. The story also talks about how cats prefer their home over new places. When a family moves, a cat would rather stay in its familiar surroundings, even if that means living with new people. This shows that cats have a strong connection with their home territory.

Theme of the Lesson The Cat

The theme of “The Cat” by Andrew Barton Paterson revolves around the misunderstood nature and hidden depths of a cat’s personality. The author challenges common misconceptions that cats are lazy and unintelligent, revealing instead their rich character, athleticism, and adventurous spirit. Through vivid descriptions of a cat’s daily life and nocturnal activities, Paterson explains the complexity, independence, and adaptability of cats. The story emphasizes that there is more to cats than meets the eye, encouraging readers to appreciate and respect their unique personalities and lifestyles.

The Cat Summary

The lesson “The Cat” by Andrew Barton Paterson challenges the common belief that cats are lazy and unintelligent animals. Many people think cats only care about eating mice and drinking milk. However, Paterson shows that cats are full of character and enjoy life more than most humans. During the day, cats might seem lazy. They lounge around the house, take things easy, and sometimes stare at a mouse-hole for hours. People often think this is all a cat’s life is about. But when evening comes, the true nature of the cat is revealed. As the family sits down for tea, the cat appears, looking for food. It purrs loudly and rubs against the legs of family members. If there is a guest, the cat is very friendly, hoping the guest will share the best food eith it. If the guest only pets the cat instead of giving it food, the cat may gently scratch the guest’s leg to make its point, much to the family’s amusement. The family interprets this as the cat asking for food and finds it endearing. After tea, when the family gathers around the fire, the cat goes outside for its real adventure. It moves gracefully and quietly through the backyard, climbs fences, and explores rooftops, avoiding dangers like dogs and mischievous boys. The cat stretches its muscles, calls out to other cats, and soon they gather, turning from tame house pets into fierce hunters ready for a night of excitement. These backyard adventures are thrilling for the cats, much more exciting than they might seem to humans. The cats engage in playful and adventurous activities, treating suburban backyards as their hunting grounds. Paterson also addresses the idea that cats are more attached to their homes than to people. When a family moves, a cat prefers to stay in its familiar surroundings, even if it means living with new tenants. This shows that cats have a strong connection to their home territory and are comfortable in their known environment.

The Cat Summary in Hindi

एंड्रयू बार्टन पैटरसन का पाठ “द कैट” इस आम धारणा को चुनौती देता है कि बिल्लियाँ आलसी और नासमझ जानवर हैं। बहुत से लोग सोचते हैं कि बिल्लियाँ केवल चूहे खाने और दूध पीने की परवाह करती हैं। हालाँकि, पैटर्सन दिखाते हैं कि बिल्लियाँ वास्तव में चरित्र से भरी होती हैं और अधिकांश मनुष्यों की तुलना में जीवन का अधिक आनंद लेती हैं। दिन के दौरान, बिल्लियाँ आलसी लग सकती हैं। वे घर के चारों ओर घूमती हैं, चीजों को आसानी से लेती हैं, और कभी-कभी घंटों तक चूहे के बिल को देखती रहती हैं। लोग अक्सर सोचते हैं कि बिल्ली का जीवन बस इतना ही है। लेकिन जब शाम होती है तो बिल्ली का असली स्वभाव सामने आता है। जैसे ही परिवार चाय के लिए बैठता है, बिल्ली भोजन की तलाश में प्रकट होती है। यह जोर-जोर से गुर्राती है और परिवार के सदस्यों के पैरों से रगड़ खाती है। यदि कोई मेहमान है, तो बिल्ली विशेष रूप से मिलनसार होती है, उम्मीद करती है कि मेहमान सबसे अच्छा भोजन साझा करेगा। यदि मेहमान बिल्ली को खाना देने के बजाय उसे केवल सहलाता है, तो बिल्ली अपनी बात मनवाने के लिए, परिवार के मनोरंजन के लिए, मेहमान के पैर को धीरे से खरोंच सकती है। परिवार ने इसकी व्याख्या बिल्ली द्वारा भोजन माँगने के रूप में की और उन्हें यह प्रिय लगा। चाय के बाद, जब परिवार आग के चारों ओर इकट्ठा होता है, तो बिल्ली अपने असली रोमांच के लिए बाहर जाती है। यह कुत्तों और शरारती लड़कों जैसे खतरों से बचते हुए, पिछवाड़े के माध्यम से सुंदर और चुपचाप चलती है, बाड़ पर चढ़ती है और छतों का पता लगाती है। बिल्ली अपनी मांसपेशियों को फैलाती है, अन्य बिल्लियों को बुलाती है, और जल्द ही वे इकट्ठा हो जाती हैं, पालतू घरेलू पालतू जानवरों से उत्साह की रात के लिए तैयार भयंकर शिकारियों में बदल जाती हैं। ये पिछवाड़े के रोमांच बिल्लियों के लिए रोमांचकारी हैं, इंसानों की तुलना में कहीं अधिक रोमांचक हैं। बिल्लियाँ चंचल और साहसिक गतिविधियों में संलग्न रहती हैं, उपनगरीय पिछवाड़े को अपने शिकार के मैदान के रूप में मानती हैं। पैटर्सन इस विचार को भी संबोधित करते हैं कि बिल्लियाँ लोगों की तुलना में अपने घरों से अधिक जुड़ी होती हैं। जब कोई परिवार चलता है, तो बिल्ली अपने परिचित परिवेश में रहना पसंद करती है, भले ही इसका मतलब नए किरायेदारों के साथ रहना हो। इससे पता चलता है कि बिल्लियों का अपने गृह क्षेत्र से गहरा संबंध है और वे अपने ज्ञात वातावरण में सहज हैं।

The Cat Lesson Explanation

 

Unit 1

Passage: 

Most people think that the cat is an unintelligent animal, fond of ease and caring little for anything but mice and milk. But a cat has really more character than most human beings, and gets a great deal more satisfaction out of life. 

He—or she—is an athlete, an acrobat and a grim fighter. All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy and allows himself to be pestered by the attention of the people in the house. To pass the time away he sometimes watches a mouse-hole for an hour or two—just to keep himself from dying of boredom. People get this idea that this sort of thing is all that holds life for a cat. But watch him as the shades of evening fall. You can see the cat as he really is. 

 

Word Meanings:

character (n): personality

acrobat (n): one who entertains through difficult physical movements 

grim (adj.): serious 

loafs (v): to avoid activity

mouse-hole (n): a small hole dug by a mouse

 

Explanation: The passage begins by addressing a common misconception about cats. Many people believe that cats are lazy and not very smart, and that they only care about eating mice and drinking milk. However, the author argues that cats actually have a lot of personality and enjoy life more fully than many humans do. The author describes cats as athletes, acrobats, and fierce fighters, referring to their physical abilities and strength. During the day, a cat might seem lazy as it lounges around the house, allowing people to pet it. Sometimes, to avoid getting bored, a cat will watch a mouse-hole for a long time, giving the impression that it is not very active or intelligent. However, this daytime behavior is not the whole story of a cat’s life. The author suggests that people who think this way are missing out on understanding the true nature of cats. In the evening, when the sun sets, cats become more active and show their real character. This is the time when their true athletic and adventurous nature comes out.

Unit 2

Passage: 

When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share. He purrs noisily and rubs himself against the legs of the family members. If there is a guest at the table the cat is particularly civil to him, because the guest is likely to have the best of what is offered. Sometimes, instead of giving him something to eat, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat, and says, “Poor pussy! Poor pussy!” The cat soon tires of that. He puts up his claw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg. “Ow!” says the guest, “The cat stuck his claws into me!” The delighted family remarks, “Isn’t it sweet of him? Isn’t he intelligent? He wants you to give him something to eat.” 

 

Word Meanings:

purrs (v): to make a quiet, continuous, soft sound

stoops (v): bends

rakes (n): scratches

civil (adj.): polite and formal

strokes (n): an act of moving your hand, another part of the body, or an object gently over something or someone

 

Explanation: A typical scene during the family’s tea time from the perspective of the cat is described here. When the family gathers for tea, the cat comes into the room to get some food. The cat makes its presence known by purring loudly and rubbing against the legs of family members. This behavior is the cat’s way of asking for a share of the food. If there is a guest at the table, the cat is especially polite to them because the guest is likely to have the best treats. Sometimes, instead of giving the cat food, the guest just pets the cat and says kind things like, “Poor pussy! Poor pussy!” However, the cat quickly gets tired of this. To show that it wants food, not just attention, the cat gently but firmly scratches the guest’s leg with its claws. When the guest reacts in pain, exclaiming that the cat scratched them, the family is delighted. They think the cat’s behavior is cute and smart. They believe the cat is cleverly asking for food, and they express their amusement at how the cat communicates its needs.

Passage:

The guest dares not do what he would like to do—kick the cat out of the window. So, with tears of rage and pain in his eyes, he affects to be very much amused, and sorts out a bit of fish from his plate and hands it down. The cat gingerly receives it, with a look in his eyes that says, “Another time, my friend, you won’t be so slow to understand.” He purrs as he retires to a safe distance from the guest’s boot before eating his food.

 

Word Meanings:

rage (n): extreme or violent anger

amused (adj.): showing that you think something is funny

gingerly (adverb): carefully, without making any noise

 

Explanation: After the cat scratches the guest to signal that it wants food, the guest is very upset. He feels both angry and in pain, but he doesn’t dare to show his true feelings by kicking the cat out of the window, which is what he really wants to do. Instead, the guest pretends to be amused by the situation, even though he is actually frustrated. With tears of anger and pain in his eyes, he forces a smile and picks out a piece of fish from his plate to give to the cat. The cat carefully takes the fish, and its expression seems to convey a message: “Next time, you should understand quicker.” The cat then purrs contentedly and moves to a safe distance from the guest’s reach before eating the fish. This way, the cat ensures it is out of range of any possible retaliation from the guest’s foot.

Unit 3

Passage: 

When the family has finished tea, and gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room. True life now begins for him. He saunters down his own backyard, springs to the top of the fence, drops lightly down to the other side. He trots across and skips to the roof of an empty shed. His movement becomes lithe and pantherlike. He looks keenly from side to side and moves noiselessly, for he has so many enemies—dogs and small boys with stones. 

On top of the shed, the cat arches his back and rakes his claws once or twice through the soft bark of the old roof. He stretches himself a few times to see if every muscle is in full working order. Then, drooping his head nearly to his paws, he sends across a call to his kindred. Before long they come, gliding, graceful shadows. No longer are they the meek creatures who an hour ago were mewing for fish and milk. They are now grim fighters.

 

Word Meanings:

saunters (v): walks in a slow, relaxed manner

lithe (adj.): graceful

keenly (adverb): extremely or very strongly

kindred (adj.): near ones

meek (adj.): quiet, gentle

 

Explanation:  The cat’s transformation and activities after the family finishes their tea and gathers around the fire are described in this passage. Once the family has finished tea and the atmosphere becomes relaxed around the fire, the cat takes this as its cue to leave the room casually. This marks the beginning of what the author describes as the cat’s true life. The cat  strolls through its own backyard, displaying a confident personality. It effortlessly springs up to the top of the fence, gracefully drops down to the other side, and skips onto the roof of an empty shed. As the cat moves, its actions become similar to that of a powerful panther. It is alert, scanning its surroundings keenly and moving quietly to avoid potential threats like dogs and mischievous boys who might throw stones. Once on top of the shed, the cat stretches and then arches its back, demonstrating its strength and readiness. The cat scratches its claws through the soft bark of the old roof, a behavior that helps it maintain its claws and mark its territory. After ensuring its muscles are in good condition through a few stretches, the cat sends out a call to other cats in the area. Before long, other cats respond and join the cat on the shed. These cats, once quiet and gentle inside the house, now appear as determined and strong fighters outside. The difference between the domesticated behavior of the cat indoors and its wild and assertive nature outdoors is described here.

Passage: 

Just think how much more he gets out of his life then you do out of yours! And the sports they have, too! As they get older they go in for sport to the suburban backyards. These backyards that are dull to us, are to them hunting grounds where they have more gallant adventure than King Arthur’s knights ever had.

It is always spoken as a reproach against cats that they are more fond of their home than of the people in it. Naturally, the cat doesn’t like to leave his country, the land where all his friends are, and where he knows every landmark. Exiled in a new land, he would have to learn a new geography. So, when the family moves, the cat, if allowed, will stay at the old house and attach himself to the new tenants. He will give them the privilege of boarding him while he enjoys life in his own way.

 

Word Meanings:

reproach (v): blame

suburban (n): an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live

gallant (adj.): polite and kind towards women, especially when in public

 

Explanation: The author suggests that cats derive much more satisfaction from their lives than many humans do. Cats engage in activities outdoors, especially as they age, turning simple and boring suburban backyards into thrilling hunting grounds. These spaces, which may seem dull to humans, become areas of adventure that rival the quests of legendary figures like King Arthur’s knights. Despite this adventurous spirit, cats are often criticized for seeming more attached to their home territory than to the people in it. The author explains that cats prefer to stay in familiar surroundings, where they have friends and know every single corner. Moving to a new place would mean adapting to an unfamiliar place, which is not ideal for a cat. Therefore, when families move, a cat, if allowed, may choose to stay behind at its old home. It will form attachments with new tenants and continue to enjoy life in its own way, showing its strong preference for familiar territory.

 

 

Also See : 

 

WBBSE Class 10 English Summary, Explanation, Difficult Words

 

 

WBBSE Class 10 English Question Answers

 

 

Submit a Comment