NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English Elective Chapter 44 Ajamil and the Tigers

The poet says that the sheep dog has never said a lie in his life. He was making frantic gestures while the shepherd was making friendship with the enemies. The sheep dog was brave enough to defeat all the tigers. He was not happy on signing a treaty with the enemy and Ajamil was well aware of his unhappiness. That is why the shepherd refused to meet his eyes.

Ajamil knows that the treaty is not forever. He is quite sure that the tigers will attack them again one day. Still he signs the treaty to delay the war and to get temporary peace. The poet says that Ajamil wasn’t a fool. Like all good shepherds he knew that even tigers have got to eat some time. While signing the treaty he was aware of this fact. He knew that the tigers would attack the sheep again and he was okay with it. So, the treaty he signed was a fake one, meant to fool the sheep.

The word 'pretended' is used in the poem to indicate that Ajamil was aware of the lies the tiger king was telling. Still he pretended to believe all those lies and looked as if (seemed) he was convinced of the tiger king's words. The words ‘pretended’ and ‘seemed’ are used to express Ajamil’s distrust in tigers. Ajamil was not a fool as he knew the reality of this fake friendship.

(a) Fable is a short story with animals as characters.

(b) A story or a poem or a picture with a hidden meaning.

(c) The use of humour to expose and criticize people's naivety, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

The poet has conveyed effectively, the anger and anguish of the common man who is trapped in the system of political corruption. In this game of apparent peace and prosperity it is the common man who is suffering. He loses his wealth, prosperity, peace and even life. He is helpless as his voice carries no weight.

There is an unholy nexus between the politicians, criminals and the businessmen. Ordinary people are either unaware of this nexus or they are made to believe in the apparent prosperity. Even if they are aware, they can’t raise their voice to question the political class. Thus, the poem is a satire conveying the anger and anguish of the common people.

This poem is a satire on the modern politics where sheep represents people, sheep dogs represent army or warriors, politicians are compared with Ajamil. The poet chooses tigers and sheep to express the political facet of humans. This poem can be read as a political allegory where corrupt politicians (like Ajamil) enjoy feasts at the cost of their own subjects (sheep) and don’t care at all for the great sacrifice the brave soldiers (sheepdog) make for the country. Tigers are very cruel and cunning. On the contrary sheep are symbol of innocence and helplessness.

People believe their political leaders blindly as they are innocent. The army, police and judiciary serve the people and try to protect them. However, the corrupt politicians are very cunning. They sacrifice some of their own people to feed the enemies. In other words, instead of protecting the interests of the people, the politicians feast on the people’s money and allow criminals and greedy businessmen to exploit them. Thus, they maintain a cordial relationship with these antisocial elements.

The poet has used the example of Ajamil to illustrate the arbitrary behaviour of the politicians who try to impose their supremacy without thinking about the welfare of the common people. In the poem, when the brave dog captures all the tigers, Ajamil, instead of punishing them signs a treaty of friendship with them. The poet wants to show the cunningness of the politicians who treat war prisoners with great hospitality and ignore the sacrifice and hard work of the honest and brave officers in the army, police, judiciary and the bureaucracy. We have many upright and brave officers in our country who serve the people honestly. Many soldiers and police personnel risk their life for the people and country, but the corrupt politicians don’t care for the welfare of people.

The modern system of politics aims to keep the subjects in good humour. Today most of the politicians are corrupt. They are less interested in well-being of citizens. Their only concern is the maintenance of their power, position and wealth. There is an illicit relationship between politicians and criminals of underground mafia and business establishments. The politicians befool ordinary people that they are doing everything for people’s wellbeing. Because if they want to remain in power, they need the support of the people.

At the same time the politicians want to acquire wealth through illicit means. For that they secretly support unlawful deeds of business establishments. They sign treaties with them - treaties that are against the interests of the people. Politicians take the help of notorious criminals to safeguard their position.

Thus, a politician creates a picture of well-being to all, the people, the criminals and businessmen, so that he can sit back and relax, enjoying life without worries. At the same time people believe that they are living in prosperity. They are not bothered even if some people lose their lives and some survive in abject poverty. The criminals, black marketers, businessmen, etc. are also happy that the politicians are there to support them.