Much of the humor in the poem arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. If there are particular lines in the poem that you especially like, share these with the class, speaking briefly about what it is about the ideas or the language that you like or find funny.

Students must try to do it at their own level:

These are the lines that I like the most:

If he roars at you as you’re dyin’

A noble wild beast greets you

Just notice if he eats you.

Twill do no good to roar with pain

Who hugs you very, very hard,

A novice might nonplus,

Hyenas come with merry smiles

The true Chameleon is small

In all these lines the ideas are treated

Humorously. They are wild beasts.

They can neither laugh, smile nor

Be gentle. They will kill the human

Beings at once as they get the chance.