Fable Class 10 English Lesson 2

Complete English Poem, Pronunciation, Bengali meaning, and fully solved Madhyamik Activity Questions for WBBSE Class 10 English (Bliss) Lesson 2.

Amanatulla Mallick
Amanatulla Mallick
Uploaded: 26 February 2025 Last Update: 30 May 2026

Madhyamik 2027 Special Focus

This poem is highly important for the upcoming WBBSE Madhyamik Examination. Study the line-by-line translations and grammar exercises thoroughly.

Poem Text & Bengali Meaning

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel:
উচ্চারণ: দ্য মাউন্টেন অ্যান্ড দ্য স্কুইরেল
হ্যাড আ কোয়ারেল:
বাংলা অর্থ:
পর্বত এবং কাঠবেড়ালির মধ্যে
একটা ঝগড়া হয়েছিল:
And the former called the latter 'Little Prig.'
উচ্চারণ: অ্যান্ড দ্য ফর্মার কলড দ্য ল্যাটার 'লিটল প্রিগ।'
বাংলা অর্থ:
এবং প্রথমজন (পর্বত) দ্বিতীয়জনকে (কাঠবেড়ালিকে) বলল 'খুদে নীতিবাগীশ'।
Bun replied,
'You are doubtless very big;
উচ্চারণ: বান রিপ্লাইড,
'ইউ আর ডাউটলেস ভেরি বিগ;
বাংলা অর্থ:
কাঠবেড়ালি উত্তর দিল,
'তুমি নিঃসন্দেহে অনেক বড়ো;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.
উচ্চারণ: বাট অল সর্টস অফ থিংস অ্যান্ড ওয়েদার
মাস্ট বি টেকেন ইন টুগেদার,
টু মেক আপ আ ইয়ার
অ্যান্ড আ স্ফিয়ার।
বাংলা অর্থ:
কিন্তু সব ধরনের জিনিস এবং আবহাওয়াকে
অবশ্যই একসঙ্গে নিতে হবে,
একটি বছর তৈরি করতে
এবং একটি পৃথিবী (ভূমণ্ডল) গড়ে তুলতে।
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
উচ্চারণ: অ্যান্ড আই থিংক ইট নো ডিসগ্রেস
টু অকুপাই মাই প্লেস।
বাংলা অর্থ:
আর আমি এতে কোনো অগৌরব বা অপমান মনে করি না
আমার নিজের ছোটো জায়গাটা অধিকার করে থাকতে।
If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry.
উচ্চারণ: ইফ আই'ম নট সো লার্জ অ্যাজ ইউ,
ইউ আর নট সো স্মল অ্যাজ আই,
অ্যান্ড নট হাফ সো স্প্রাই।
বাংলা অর্থ:
আমি যদি তোমার মতো এত বড়ো না-ও হই,
তুমিও কিন্তু আমার মতো এত ছোটো নও,
আর আমার অর্ধেকও চটপটে বা প্রাণবন্ত নও।
I'll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track;
উচ্চারণ: আই'ল নট ডিনাই ইউ মেক
আ ভেরি প্রিটি স্কুইরেল ট্র্যাক;
বাংলা অর্থ:
আমি অস্বীকার করব না যে তুমি তৈরি করে দাও
কাঠবেড়ালির যাওয়ার খুব সুন্দর একটা রাস্তা;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.'
উচ্চারণ: ট্যালেন্টস ডিফার; অল ইজ ওয়েল অ্যান্ড ওয়াইজলি পুট;
ইফ আই ক্যাননট ক্যারি ফরেস্টস অন মাই ব্যাক,
নিদার ক্যান ইউ ক্র্যাক আ নাট।'
বাংলা অর্থ:
গুণের তফাত থাকে; সবকিছুই ভালো এবং বুদ্ধিমত্তার সাথে রাখা হয়েছে;
আমি যদি আমার পিঠে জঙ্গল বইতে না পারি,
তুমিও তো একটা বাদাম ভাঙতে পারো না।'

Word Trove

English WordMeaning in EnglishBengali Meaning
prigone who puts on an appearance of being morally correctনীতিবাগীশ
bunsquirrelকাঠবেড়ালি
disgraceshame / loss of respectঅগৌরব / অপমান
spryfull of life and energyচটপটে / প্রাণবন্ত
sphereglobe / the earthভূমণ্ডল / পৃথিবী

Comprehension Exercises

Exercise 1 Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) The quarrel was between the mountain and the - (iv) squirrel.

(b) Bun has no doubt that the mountain is - (ii) big.

(c) Unlike a mountain, a squirrel can crack a - (i) nut.

Exercise 2 State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer:

(a) The mountain called the squirrel "Little Bun". False
Supporting Statement: "And the former called the latter 'Little Prig.'"

(b) The squirrel is sprier than the mountain. True
Supporting Statement: "You are not so small as I, / And not half so spry."

(c) The mountain can carry forests on its back. True
Supporting Statement: "If I cannot carry forests on my back," (implies the mountain can).

Exercise 3 Answer the following questions:

(a) Who had a quarrel with the squirrel?
Answer: The mountain had a quarrel with the squirrel.

(b) What is not a disgrace to the squirrel?
Answer: To occupy its own small place in this world is not a disgrace to the squirrel.

(c) What is it that the squirrel doesn't deny?
Answer: The squirrel does not deny that the mountain is very big and makes a very pretty squirrel track.

Grammar in Use & Writing Activities

Exercise 4 Replace the underlined words with suitable phrasal verbs from the list given below. Change the form of verbs where necessary:

List: turn down, come over, put up with, come across

(a) Rabi met his friend in the park.
Answer: came across

(b) Tanushree cannot tolerate cruel behaviour to animals.
Answer: put up with

(c) His proposal was rejected.
Answer: turned down

Exercise 5 Change the voice of the following sentences:

(a) Lock the door.
Answer: Let the door be locked.

(b) Ashim knows the solution to this problem.
Answer: The solution to this problem is known to Ashim.

(c) I had written a letter.
Answer: A letter had been written by me.

Exercise 6 Write a letter to your friend (within 100 words) advising her / him to visit the public library in her / his locality as frequently as possible:

Station Road, Memari,

Purba Bardhaman.

Dear Akash,

Hope you are keeping well. Mother told me that nowadays you spend most of your free time playing games on your smartphone. I am writing this letter to advise you to change this habit and visit the public library in your locality as frequently as possible.

A public library is a storehouse of knowledge. It has a vast collection of books on different subjects. Reading books will not only help you in your studies but also broaden your outlook and increase your general knowledge. The peaceful environment there is perfect for concentration. Please get a library membership soon and start reading good books.

Convey my regards to uncle and aunt.

Your loving friend,

Rohan

Exercise 7 Write a paragraph (within 100 words) on the benefits of early morning exercises using the following points:

Hints: good for health - fresh air - keeps one active throughout the day - forms a good habit.

Benefits of Early Morning Exercises

Early morning exercise is immensely beneficial for both our body and mind. Waking up early and exercising in the open allows us to breathe fresh and unpolluted air, which improves our lung capacity and blood circulation. It keeps us physically fit and protects us from various lifestyle diseases. Moreover, a good morning workout refreshes the mind and keeps one active and energetic throughout the entire day. It also helps to reduce stress and increases concentration. Practicing early morning exercise forms a highly disciplined and good habit in our daily routine. Therefore, everyone should make it a habit to perform early morning exercises to lead a healthy and happy life.

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Fable (Madhyamik Class 10) - FAQs

The central theme of the poem is that everything in this universe, whether big or small, living or non-living, has a specific purpose and importance. Nobody is entirely superior or inferior, as talents differ and all are well and wisely put.

The huge mountain proudly looked down upon the tiny squirrel and called it 'Little Prig' (a person who acts morally superior) to insult it for being so small and insignificant in size.

The squirrel boldly replied that to make up a year and a complete sphere, all sorts of things and weather must be taken together. It stated that occupying its small place is not a disgrace, because while it cannot carry a forest on its back like the mountain, the mountain also cannot crack a nut like the squirrel.

The poem 'Fable' is written by the famous American essayist, lecturer, and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.