Here, you’ll find notes and answers for the chapter ‘The Lion Whisperer’ from the Class 7 English textbook ‘Jasper.’ The notes cover the summary, vocabulary meanings, character analysis, and the message or moral. The answers include responses to in-text questions as well as chapter-end exercises and questions.
Notes on ‘The Lion Whisperer’: Summary, vocabulary, character sketches, and the moral/message.
Summary of ‘The Lion Whisperer’:
The chapter “The Lion Whisperer” is about Kevin Richardson, a man from South Africa who formed a strong bond with lions. He met two lion cubs, Tau and Napoleon, and visited them daily, which changed his life. Though not trained, Kevin understood the animals deeply and treated them with love and trust instead of fear. He became famous for his special relationship with lions. To protect them, he built a sanctuary near Dinokeng Game Reserve. Kevin dreams of a world where animals can live freely without human harm. He is strongly against cub-petting and lion hunting. His work teaches us about compassion, wildlife conservation, and respecting nature.
सारांश (Hindi Summary)
“The Lion Whisperer” अध्याय केविन रिचर्डसन नामक एक व्यक्ति की कहानी है, जो दक्षिण अफ्रीका का रहने वाला है और शेरों से बहुत गहरा रिश्ता रखता है। उसने दो शेर के बच्चों, टाऊ और नेपोलियन से दोस्ती की और रोज़ उनसे मिलने गया। केविन जानवरों से प्यार और विश्वास के साथ पेश आता है, न कि डर या सज़ा से। शेर भी उसे अपनाते हैं। केविन ने शेरों के लिए एक सुरक्षित फार्म बनाया जहाँ वे खुले में घूम सकते हैं। वह शेरों के शिकार और पिंजरों में रखने के खिलाफ है। वह चाहता है कि जानवर आज़ादी से जंगल में रहें और इंसान उन्हें नुकसान न पहुँचाए। उसकी कहानी हमें दया और वन्यजीव संरक्षण की सीख देती है।
Character Sketch: Kevin Richardson (The Lion Whisperer)
Kevin Richardson is a kind, brave, and passionate man from South Africa who has a special bond with lions. He treats wild animals with love, not fear. He understands their feelings and never uses punishment or force. He plays with lions like a friend and protects them from harm. Kevin is not a trained animal expert, but his natural love and care make him a true animal lover and conservationist. He dreams of a world where animals live freely without being hunted or used for entertainment. His gentle nature and deep connection with animals make him truly unique.
Moral / Message of the Chapter
The chapter teaches us that love, care, and trust can build strong bonds—even with wild animals. It also gives the message of wildlife conservation, encouraging us to protect animals and let them live freely in their natural homes. We learn that humans should not harm animals for fun or money, but treat them with kindness and respect.
Vocabulary Notes (Meanings)
Here is a vocabulary list from the chapter “The Lion Whisperer”, with meanings in English and Hindi.
| Word | Meaning | Meaning (Hindi) |
|---|---|---|
| Whisperer | A person who can communicate gently and deeply | फुसफुसाने वाला / जिसे जानवर समझते हैं |
| Mesmerized | Amazed or deeply attracted | मंत्रमुग्ध |
| Terrified | Very scared or frightened | बहुत डरा हुआ |
| Profound | Deep and meaningful | गहरा और प्रभावशाली |
| Tumble | To roll or fall suddenly | लुढ़कना / गिरना |
| Cub | A baby lion or wild cat | शेर का बच्चा |
| Bond | A strong connection or relationship | संबंध / जुड़ाव |
| Behaviourist | A person who studies animal or human behavior | व्यवहार विशेषज्ञ |
| Adapt | To adjust or fit into a new situation | अनुकूल होना |
| Reciprocate | To return a feeling or action | बदले में जवाब देना / लौटाना |
| Conservationist | A person who works to protect nature and animals | संरक्षणवादी |
| Sanctuary | A safe place for animals | अभयारण्य / जानवरों का सुरक्षित स्थान |
| Cruel practices | Bad or harmful actions towards animals | क्रूर प्रथाएँ |
| Enclosure | A fenced or closed area for keeping animals | घेरा / बाड़ा |
| Endangered | At risk of disappearing or dying out | संकटग्रस्त / विलुप्त होने की कगार पर |
| Trophy hunting | Hunting animals for fun and keeping their body as a prize | शौक के लिए शिकार और उसकी ट्रॉफी रखना |
| Documentary | A non-fiction film based on real people or events | वृत्तचित्र |
| Companion | A friend or someone who stays with you | साथी |
| Interfere | To get involved in a way that causes problems | हस्तक्षेप करना |
Questions and answers for ‘The Lion the Whisperer’ from the Class 7 English book Jasper.
Intext-questions and Answers:
1. What were the difficulties that Kevin faced while shooting for the film?
Answer:
Kevin faced many difficulties while shooting the film White Lion. The lions in the film were from South Africa and were used to living freely in the wild. So, it was hard to train or give them directions. The bad weather also caused delays. Because of all this, the cost of the film increased, and it took four years to complete the film.
2. Do you think, is it possible to create a world as dreamt by the Lion Whisperer?
Answer:
Creating such a world is very difficult, but not impossible. Kevin dreams of a world where people do not harm or interfere with wild animals, and where lions can roam freely in their natural homes. If people stop hunting and harming animals, and protect forests, such a world can become real one day.
Chapter-end Questions and Answers
Comprehension
A. Answer the following questions
- How did Kevin start working with lions?
- Why did the lions accept Kevin as a friend?
- What was Kevin’s dream for the animals?
- Why does Kevin consider his lions different?
- How did the Lion Whisperer fulfil his dream?
Answers:
Answer Set – 1 (Short Answers)
1. How did Kevin start working with lions?
Answer:
Kevin began working with lions after meeting two cubs, Tau and Napoleon, at his friend’s Lion Park. He spent time bonding with them, and later, his friend Rodney Fuhr offered him a job at the park.
2. Why did the lions accept Kevin as a friend?
Answer:
The lions accepted Kevin as a friend because he treated them with love and trust. He played with them like another lion and understood each one’s personality, which made them feel safe and close to him.
3. What was Kevin’s dream for the animals?
Answer:
Kevin dreamed of giving lions a safe home and protecting them from hunting and captivity. He also wished for a world where wild animals could live freely without any interference from humans.
4. Why does Kevin consider his lions different?
Answer:
Kevin believes his lions are different because they were raised with love and care, not fear. They had strong bonds with him and responded positively, unlike other lions raised in harsh environments.
5. How did the Lion Whisperer fulfil his dream?
Answer:
Kevin used the money from the film White Lion to buy land and build a sanctuary. With Gerald Howell’s help, he moved the animals to a farm near Dinokeng Reserve, where they could live safely.
Answer Set – 2
1. How did Kevin start working with lions?
Answer:
Kevin started working with lions when he visited his friend Rodney Fuhr’s Lion Park. There, he met two six-month-old cubs, Tau and Napoleon. He spent a lot of time playing and bonding with them. Later, Fuhr offered Kevin a job at the park because he showed great interest and care for the animals.
2. Why did the lions accept Kevin as a friend?
Answer:
The lions accepted Kevin as a friend because he treated them with love, trust, and understanding. He didn’t use sticks or chains like others. He played with them like he was one of them and understood their individual personalities. So, the lions trusted him and accepted him.
3. What was Kevin’s dream for the animals?
Answer:
Kevin’s dream was to protect the lions and give them a safe and proper home. He wanted to build a place where lions could live freely under his care. He also dreamed of a world where humans do not harm wildlife and animals can live freely in the wild without needing sanctuaries.
4. Why does Kevin consider his lions different?
Answer:
Kevin considers his lions different because they were raised in a special environment full of love, care, and trust. Unlike other lions raised with fear or punishment, his lions were treated like family. They had a strong bond with him and responded to him in a friendly way.
5. How did the Lion Whisperer fulfil his dream?
Answer:
Kevin fulfilled his dream by using the money he earned from the film White Lion to buy part of the Lion Park. Later, with the help of Gerald Howell, he moved the animals to a farm near the Dinokeng Game Reserve. There, he built large enclosures where the lions could roam freely and safely.
B. Answer the following questions with reference to context.
1. “I was mesmerized and terrified, but most of all, I had a really profound experience. I visited those cubs every day for the next eight months.”
(a) Who is the speaker of the above lines?
Ans: The speaker is Kevin Richardson, also known as the Lion Whisperer.
(b) Which experience is the speaker referring to?
Ans: He is referring to the first time he met the lion cubs, Tau and Napoleon, at the Lion Park.
(c) How did this experience change his life?
Ans: This experience inspired Kevin to bond with lions. He visited them daily and later took up a job at the park, starting his journey with lions.
2. “Though he was not a trained animal behaviourist, Kevin could adapt to the job very well.”
(a) What kind of job is referred to here?
Ans: The job of working with lions at the Lion Park, including caring for them and forming strong bonds.
(b) Why was Kevin good at his job?
Ans: Kevin used love, trust, and understanding instead of fear or punishment. He treated each lion like his own child.
(c) How did the animals react to him?
Ans: The lions accepted him as one of their own. They trusted him and formed a close relationship with him.
3. “He says that if such cruel practices are abolished, he would give up all his lions.”
(a) Who is ‘he’ referred to here?
Ans: ‘He’ refers to Kevin Richardson, the Lion Whisperer.
(b) What cruel practices are being talked about?
Ans: The cruel practices are cub-petting, hunting lions, and keeping lions in circuses and zoos.
(c) What is his dream about the animals?
Ans: His dream is a world where lions live freely in the wild without human interference, and sanctuaries like his are not needed.
Ethical & Moral Reasoning
- The story of the Lion Whisperer is a story of love and compassion for animals. Do you think that the approach that Kevin used for treating animals is justified? Give reasons.
- The conservation of animals should be a priority in order to preserve the endangered animals of the planet. Write what you understand by wildlife conservation with reference to the work of “The Lion Whisperer’.
Answers:
1. The story of the Lion Whisperer is a story of love and compassion for animals. Do you think that the approach that Kevin used for treating animals is justified? Give reasons.
Answer:
Yes, Kevin’s approach is justified. He treated lions with love, not fear. He earned their trust and made them feel safe. Instead of using chains or punishment, he built a strong bond with them. His kind treatment helped people understand that animals also need care and respect.
OR
Answer:
Yes, Kevin’s way is justified because he treated wild animals with kindness, not fear. He became their friend by understanding them. His gentle methods proved that animals respond well to love and care, and that we don’t need to hurt animals to control or train them.
2. The conservation of animals should be a priority in order to preserve the endangered animals of the planet. Write what you understand by wildlife conservation with reference to the work of “The Lion Whisperer”.
Answer:
Wildlife conservation means protecting animals and their natural homes. Kevin’s work shows how rescued lions can live safely in large, natural enclosures. He saved lions from hunting and circus life. His dream is a world where lions live freely without harm. His work inspires people to protect wildlife.
OR
Wildlife conservation means saving animals and keeping them safe from danger. Kevin’s work shows how important it is to protect lions from hunting and captivity. He gave rescued lions a better life and built a safe home for them. His efforts teach us to respect and save wild animals.
