‘The Mouse and the Snake’ Poem Explanation and Analysis

‘The Mouse and the Snake’ Poem Explanation and Analysis in English and Hindi. Vikram Seth wrote this poem as poetry for children. This poem is explained in easy and meaningful way to help learners, readers and school children get it in its right sense.

The Mouse and the Snake Poem

by Vikram Seth

One fine morning two small mice,
Much against their friend’s advice,
Visited a room where grain s
Undisturbed for months had lain.
Other mice had entered; none
Lived to eat and tell–not one.
But the two friends, unpoliced,
Broke in and began to feast;
And their laughter fell and rose,
Till their blood with horror froze.
Gold and shiny, vicious, long,
Venom-fanged, hypnotic, strong–
Slid a snake towards the pair,
Swallowed one right then and there,
Hissed obscenely at the other:
“That’s the first; and here’s another!”
And, when she stood shocked and still,
Sprang at once to make his kill.
Glared at him, and twitched her nose.
Every time he slid or sprang,
Dripping venom from each fang,
Out beyond his reach she leapt,
Till the snake, grown tired, crept
To his hole, slid first his head,
Then his gleaming, overfed
Trunk in, so that just his tail
Jutted out to thrash and flail.
Swift as rage the little mouse
Rushed towards the killer’s house,
Bit his tail once, twice, again,
Clung to it till, wild with pain,
Hissing wrath, the snake backed out,
Swerved his body round about,
Lunged towards the mouse and tried
Swallowing her–but she leapt wide
Every time he lunged, till he,
Wriggling back exhaustedly,
Slid inside his hole once more.
Then, exactly as before,
Down she clamped with might and main
On his tail till, mad with pain,
Yet again the snake emerged.
This the battle ebbed and surged
And the mouse fought on and on
Till her strength was almost gone
–When the snake, without a sound,
Spat the dead mouse on the ground,
And, with mangled slither, stole
Unopposed into his hole.
Then the mouse came up and cried
Bitter tears for her who’d died.
Squeaking sadly, and bereft,
Corpse in mouth, she sobbed and left.
This was seen by Mr. Yang.
When his friend the poet Chang
Heard the mouse’s story later,
Eager to commemorate her,
As he walked back to his house,
He composed “The Faithful Mouse”–
Where in elegiac metre
He extols the Snake-Defeater
And in couplets sad and stoic
Celebrates her acts heroic–
Acts that prove that shock and pain,
Death and grief are not in vain–
Which fine lines, alive or dead,
Neither of the mice has read.

Line by Line Explanation of ‘The Mouse and the Snake’

Provided below is a simple yet thorough explanation and in-depth analysis of the poem “The Mouse and the Snake”. These explanations, presented in easy-to-understand language, will be beneficial for school students and children.

Lines 1-4:

“One fine morning two small mice,
Much against their friend’s advice,
Visited a room where grain
Undisturbed for months had lain.”

Vocabulary Notes: Against – Opposed to or not following (किसी चीज़ के विरोध में या न मानना); Undisturbed – Not touched or moved for a long time (बिना छेड़े या बिना हिलाए रखा हुआ).

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• Two small mice decide to explore a room filled with grain.
• Their friends had warned them not to go, but they ignore the advice.
• The grain has been left untouched for months.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Much against their friend’s advice” shows that the mice are disobedient and curious.
• The untouched grain symbolizes a dangerous temptation.

एक सुबह दो दोस्त चूहे अपने दोस्तों की सलाह ओर चेतावनी के बावजूद भी एक ऐसे कमरे में चले जाते हैं जहां अनाज रखा हुआ था ओर इस अनाज का कई महीने से कोई इस्तेमाल भी नहीं हुआ था। मतलब उस कमरे में की महीनों से किसी का आना-जाना नहीं हुआ था ।

Lines 5-6:

“Other mice had entered; none
Lived to eat and tell–not one.”

Vocabulary Notes: Unpoliced – Without any restrictions or supervision (बिना किसी रोक-टोक या निगरानी के); Broke in – Entered forcefully or without permission (जबरदस्ती या बिना अनुमति के अंदर जाना); Began to feast – Started eating a large amount joyfully (आनंदपूर्वक बहुत अधिक खाना शुरू किया)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

Other mice had gone into the same room before but never returned.

Deeper Analysis:

• The phrase “not one” emphasizes that no mouse has survived, creating suspense.
• This foreshadows danger—something deadly awaits inside.

उस कमरे में पहले भी कई चूहे जा चुके थे पर कोई भी जींद नहीं लौट कर आया.

Lines 7-8:

“But the two friends, unpoliced,
Broke in and began to feast;”

Vocabulary Notes: Unpoliced – Without any restrictions or supervision (बिना किसी रोक-टोक या निगरानी के); Broke in – Entered forcefully or without permission (जबरदस्ती या बिना अनुमति के अंदर जाना); Began to feast – Started eating a large amount joyfully (आनंदपूर्वक बहुत अधिक खाना शुरू किया)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

The two mice, feeling free because no one is watching over them, enter the room and start eating.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Unpoliced” means without restrictions or rules—they feel no fear of consequences.
• This represents reckless behaviour.

लेकिन ये दोनों दोस्त बिना किसी रोक-टोक ओर जांच-पड़ताल या कहें तो बिना किसी की निगरानी के उस कमरे में चले गए ओर अनाजों की दावत उड़ाने में जुट गए।

Lines 9-10:

“And their laughter fell and rose,
Till their blood with horror froze.”

Vocabulary Notes:

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The mice are happily enjoying their meal, laughing.
• Suddenly, something terrifies them, and they freeze in fear.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Laughter fell and rose” suggests excitement and joy.
• “Blood froze” is a metaphor for extreme fear.

ओर उनकी हंसी ओर ठहाके रह -रह कर उस कमरे में गूंज रहे थे ओर ये तब तक चल जब तक की उन का खून डर से जम नहीं गया। मतलब की कुछ ऐसा हुआ की वो दोनों बहुत डर गए.

Lines 11-12:

“Gold and shiny, vicious, long,
Venom-fanged, hypnotic, strong–”

Vocabulary Notes: Vicious – Extremely dangerous and cruel (अत्यंत खतरनाक और क्रूर); Venom-fanged – Having poisonous fangs or teeth (जहरीले दाँतों वाला); Hypnotic – Mesmerizing or having a controlling effect (मोहक या सम्मोहित करने वाला)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• A golden, shiny, long, and dangerous snake appears.
• It has venomous fangs and a hypnotic presence.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Gold and shiny” – The snake is visually striking, perhaps beautiful but deadly.
• “Vicious” – It is aggressive and merciless.
• “Long” – Emphasizes its size and strength.
• “Venom-fanged” – It has sharp, poison-filled teeth.
• “Hypnotic” – Its movements are mesmerizing, making it appear calm yet deadly.
• “Strong” – It is physically powerful, making it a formidable predator.

यहां पर एक सांप का जिक्र किया गया है जो उस कमरे में कमरे में आता है । वो दुष्ट, चमकीला, लंबा, जहरीले दांतों वाला एक आकर्षक तंदुरुस्त और बलशाली सांप था।

Lines 13-14:

“Slid a snake towards the pair,
Swallowed one right then and there,”

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The snake moves smoothly (slid) towards the two mice.
• It quickly eats one of them immediately.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Slid” – Instead of saying “moved”, the poet uses “slid” to highlight the silent, smooth, and sneaky movement of the snake.
• “Right then and there” – Shows how fast the attack happens.

वो सांप सरकते हुआ दोनों दोस्तों से एक के पास गया और उसे वहीं पर तुरंत उसी वक्त निगल गया।

Lines 15-16:

“Hissed obscenely at the other:
‘That’s the first; and here’s another!'”

Vocabulary Notes: Obscenely – In a shocking, offensive, or evil manner (अशोभनीय, आपत्तिजनक या बुरी तरह से)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The snake hisses in a threatening way at the remaining mouse.
• It tells the second mouse, “I have eaten one, and now I will eat you!”

Deeper Analysis:

• “Hissed obscenely” – The snake’s hiss is not just scary but disgusting and cruel.
• “That’s the first; and here’s another!” – The snake sees the mice as mere food, showing its hunger and arrogance.

ओर दूसरे वाले चूहे पर बहुत तेज और बुरी तरह से फुफकारने लगा। सांप का मतलब ये था कि एक तो निगल गया और अब ये रहा दूसरा ।

Lines 17-18:

“And, when she stood shocked and still,
Sprang at once to make his kill.”

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The second mouse is frozen in fear.
• The snake immediately jumps forward to attack her.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Stood shocked and still” – Fear paralyzes the mouse for a moment.
• “Sprang” – The snake is fast, efficient, and merciless.

इस अचानक अनहोनी घटना को देखे दूसरा चूहा डर से स्तब्ध ओर भौचक्का रह गया और इस बीच सांप ने उस पर लपक कर उसे भी मारने की कोशिश की।

Lines 19-20:

Suddenly the mouse unfroze,
“Glared at him, and twitched her nose.”

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• Suddenly the mouse recovered from being stuck at one place and in one posture out of fear
• Instead of running away, the mouse glares (stares angrily) at the snake.
• She also twitches her nose—a sign of readiness.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Unfroze” – recovered from fear and swung back into action
• “Glared” – Instead of being weak, the mouse shows defiance.
• “Twitched her nose” – This small action shows that she is thinking, strategizing.

अचानक चूहा अपने डर से बाहर आया ओर सांप की तरफ गुस्से से घूरा ओर उसकी नाक को नोचते हुए वार किया। मतलब कि चूहा डर के भगा नहीं ओर गुस्से में उसका सामना किया। अपने दोस्त की मौत के दुख ने चूहे को क्रोधित ओर आक्रामक कर दिया था।

Lines 21-24:

“Every time he slid or sprang,
Dripping venom from each fang,
Out beyond his reach she leapt,
Till the snake, grown tired, crept”

Vocabulary Notes: Dripping – Falling or oozing in drops (बूंदों में टपकना या रिसना)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The snake keeps sliding forward or attacking.
• Its fangs are dripping venom, meaning it is deadly.
• The mouse jumps away every time to avoid being bitten.
• Eventually, the snake gets tired and retreats.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Dripping venom” – The snake is not just dangerous but full of poison, ready to kill.
• The mouse’s agility saves her—brains can outmatch brute strength.

हर बार जब भी सांप रेंगे ओर सरक कर अपने जहरीले दांतों से जहर टपकाने की कोशिश करता तब-तब्बू चूहा कूद कर उसको पकड़ से बाहर हो जाता था। ओर ये तब तक चलता रहा जब तक कि सांप थक के चूर नहीं हो गया।

Lines 25-28:

“To his hole, slid first his head,
Then his gleaming, overfed
Trunk in, so that just his tail
Jutted out to thrash and flail.”

Vocabulary Notes: Gleaming – Shining brightly (चमकदार); Overfed – Having eaten too much (बहुत अधिक खाने के कारण भरा हुआ); Jutted out – Sticking out from a surface (किसी सतह से बाहर निकला हुआ); Flail – To wave or move wildly (बेतहाशा लहराना या हिलाना)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The snake retreats into his hole, first putting his head inside.
• His body is “overfed”, meaning he has eaten too much.
• Only his tail is left outside, moving wildly.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Gleaming, overfed trunk” – The snake has eaten too much, making him lazy and vulnerable.
• “Jutted out to thrash and flail” – The tail’s movement suggests frustration.

सांप अपने बिल में सरक कर जाने लगा। पहले सिर ओर फिर उसका चमकता हुआ हद से ज्यादा खाने की वजह से फूला हुआ शहरी का पिछला हिस्सा बिल में जाने लगा। आखिर में उसकी पूंछ बाहर निकली रह गई। पूंछ बाहर ही जमीन पर पटक रही थी, लहरा रही थी।

Lines 29-30:

“Swift as rage the little mouse
Rushed towards the killer’s house,”

Explanation of Poem Lines:

The mouse, filled with anger, moves quickly toward the snake’s hole.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Swift as rage” – This simile compares the mouse’s speed to anger, showing her fury and determination.
• “Killer’s house” – The snake’s hole is referred to as a house, but it is also a place of death.

गुस्से की तेजी से चूहा उस हत्यारे सांप की बिल की तरफ दौड़ कर झपटा।

Lines 31-34:

“Bit his tail once, twice, again,
Clung to it till, wild with pain,
Hissing wrath, the snake backed out,
Swerved his body round about,”

Vocabulary Notes: Clung – Held on tightly (मजबूती से पकड़ लिया); Swerved – Moved suddenly in a different direction (अचानक दिशा बदल लेना)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The mouse bites the snake’s tail multiple times.
• She holds on tightly, causing intense pain.
• The snake, furious and hissing, backs out of the hole and starts twisting its body in pain.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Clung to it till, wild with pain” – The mouse’s persistence forces the snake out.
• “Hissing wrath” – The snake is angry and suffering at the same time.
• “Swerved his body” – The snake is desperate and struggling.

चूहे ने उसकी पूंछ को पकड़ कर एक बार, दो बार, ओर बार-बार कुतरता रहा जब तक कि सांप दर्द से गुस्से में मुड़ वापस नहीं निकल आया। मतलब चूहा अपनी जान पर खेल कर उस सांप को सबक सिखाना चाहता था जिसने उसके दोस्त को मारा था।वो सांप को भाग के जाने नहीं देना चाहता था।

Lines 35-38:

“Lunged towards the mouse and tried
Swallowing her–but she leapt wide
Every time he lunged, till he,
Wriggling back exhaustedly,”

Vocabulary Notes: Lunged – Moved forward quickly to attack (तेजी से झपट्टा मारा); Wriggle – Twist and turn the body with small movements (छोटे-छोटे मोड़ों के साथ शरीर को मरोड़ना या लहराना)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The snake tries to attack and eat the mouse, but she jumps away every time.
• After many failed attempts, the snake becomes exhausted and retreats again.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Lunged” – The snake is desperate now, acting aggressively.
• “Leapt wide” – The mouse is quick and smart, avoiding every attack.
• “Wriggling back exhaustedly” – The mighty snake is tired out by the tiny mouse—intelligence defeats strength.

सांप तेजी से चूहे की तरफ झपटा ओर निगलने की कोशिश की पर उसकी हर इस तरह की कोशिश पर चूहा कूद कर उसकी पकड़ या गिरफ्त से काफी दूर हो जाता था। ये तब तक चलता रहा जब तक की बुरी तरह से थक कर सांप फिर से वापस जाने लगा।

Lines 39-42:

“Slid inside his hole once more.
Then, exactly as before,
Down she clamped with might and main
On his tail till, mad with pain,”

Vocabulary Notes: Clamped – Held tightly and firmly (मजबूती से पकड़ लिया); Might and main – With full strength and effort (पूरी ताकत और प्रयास के साथ)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The snake hides inside the hole again.
• The mouse, using all her strength, bites his tail again.
• The snake, in extreme pain, is forced to come out again.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Exactly as before” – The mouse follows the same strategy, showing her intelligence.
• “Might and main” – She is using all her power despite being much smaller.
• The repetition of attacks weakens the snake further.

सांप फिर से अपने बिल में जाने लगा लेकिन फिर पहले की तरह ही चूहे ने उसकी बाहर रह गई पुंछ को कस के अपनी पूरी ताकत लगाते हुए जकड़ लिया। तब तक पकड़े रहा जब तक की सांप दर्द से पागल नहीं हो गया।

Lines 43-46:

“Yet again the snake emerged.
Thus the battle ebbed and surged
And the mouse fought on and on
Till her strength was almost gone.”

Vocabulary Notes: Ebbed – Weakened or reduced in intensity (धीरे-धीरे कमजोर या कम होना); Surged – Increased or rose suddenly with force (अचानक तेज़ी से बढ़ना); Ebbed and Surged – Alternately weakened and became strong again (कभी कमजोर होना, कभी तेज़ हो जाना)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The snake keeps coming out as the fight continues.
• The mouse fights bravely but is growing weaker.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Ebb and surge” – The battle goes back and forth, like waves in the ocean.
• The mouse is relentless, showing courage and loyalty.

सांप फिर से बाहर निकल के आया। इस तरह से लड़ाई कभी हल्की ओर कभी तेज होते हुए आगे बढ़ती रही। चूहे मुस्तैदी से डट रहा ओर मुकाबला करता रहा। तब तक लड़ता रहा जब तक की सांप थक के पस्त नहीं हो गया। उसकी सारी ताकत लड़ने की खत्म हो गई।

Lines 47-50:

“–When the snake, without a sound,
Spat the dead mouse on the ground,
And, with mangled slither, stole
Unopposed into his hole.”

Vocabulary Notes: Spat – Forced something out of the mouth (मुंह से जोर से बाहर फेंकना); Mangled – Badly injured or twisted out of shape (बुरी तरह घायल या विकृत हो जाना); Slither – To move smoothly like a snake (साँप की तरह फिसलते हुए चलना)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The snake, in silence, finally spits out the dead body of the first mouse.
• Badly injured (“mangled slither”), the snake slowly retreats into his hole without resistance.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Without a sound” – The snake admits defeat silently.
• “Spat” – The snake is forced to release the dead mouse, showing the living mouse’s victory.
• “Unopposed” – The mouse no longer needs to fight; the snake gives up.

सांप ने बिना किसी आवाज के (बिना फुफकारे) पहले निगले गए मृत चूहे को जमीन पर मुंह से उगल दिया। फिर अपने छत-विछत यानि बुरी तरह से घायल ओर बिगड़े शरीर के साथ सरकते हुए वहाँ से चल कर गायब हो गया ओर चूहे ने भी अबकी बार उसे रोक नहीं।

Lines 51-54:

“Then the mouse came up and cried
Bitter tears for her who’d died.
Squeaking sadly, and bereft,
Corpse in mouth, she sobbed and left.”

Vocabulary Notes: Bereft – Deeply sad and deprived of something (शोकग्रस्त या किसी चीज़ से वंचित); Corpse – A dead body (मृत शरीर)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The surviving mouse mourns the death of her friend.
• She carries the dead body in her mouth and leaves, crying.

Deeper Analysis:

• “Bitter tears” – Her grief is deep and painful.
• “Squeaking sadly” – The poet personifies her emotions; animals feel loss too.
• “Bereft” – She feels alone and heartbroken.
• “Corpse in mouth” – A final act of respect and love.

तब दूसरा चूहा अपने मृत दोस्त चूहे के शरीर के पास आया। अपने दोस्त की मौत ओर जुदाई पर वो दुख से बहुत रोया ओर चिल्लाया। उस मृत शरीर को पाने मुंह में दबा के सिसकते हुए वो वह चल गया।

Lines 55-60:

“यह श्री यांग द्वारा देखा गया था।
जब उनके दोस्त कवि चांग “
“बाद में चूहे की कहानी सुनी,
उसे याद करने के लिए उत्सुक,
जैसे ही वह अपने घर वापस चला गया,
उसने ‘द फेथफुल माउस’ की रचना की”

Vocabulary Notes: Commemorate – To honour or remember someone or something (किसी की याद में सम्मान देना या स्मरण करना)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• A man named Mr. Yang witnesses the mouse’s brave fight and grief.
• He later tells his friend, Chang, who is a poet.
• The poet Chang writes a poem about the brave mouse, calling it “The Faithful Mouse.”

Deeper Analysis:

• The shift from animals to humans suggests the story has a larger meaning beyond nature.
• The mouse’s courage and loyalty become a legend.
• Art preserves heroism, even in the smallest creatures.

मिस्टर यांग ने ये सब देखा था। उनके मुंह से कवि चांग ने उस चूहे की कहानी सुनी। चांग उस चूहे की कहानी को लोगों की याद में सम्मान देने ओर इस तरह से आने वाले समय में भी उसको एक प्रकार से अमर कर देने के लिए तत्पर हो जाता है। यानि उसे लगता है की उसे जल्द से कुछ ऐसा करना चाहिए की आने वाली पीढ़ी भी उसका सम्मान करे ओर उसकी बहादुरी ओर दोस्ती की वफादारी को मनाए ओर उसका यशोगान करे।

घर लौट कर वो एक कविता “The Faithful Mouse’ यानि एक वफादार चूहा का संकलन करता है।

Lines 61-64:

“Where in elegiac metre
He extols the Snake-Defeater
And in couplets sad and stoic
Celebrates her acts heroic–”

Vocabulary Notes: Elegiac metre – A poetic form used to express sorrow or mourning (शोक या दुःख व्यक्त करने के लिए इस्तेमाल की जाने वाली काव्य शैली); Extol – To praise highly (ऊँची सराहना करना या प्रशंसा करना); Stoic – Not showing emotions despite pain or hardship (दुःख या कठिनाई के बावजूद भावनाएँ न दिखाना)।

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The poem praises the mouse as “The Snake-Defeater” in an elegiac (sad, mournful) style.
• It describes her bravery in couplets (rhyming lines).

Deeper Analysis:

• Even the smallest heroes deserve to be remembered.
• Stoic – The poem is serious, not overly emotional, just like the mouse’s calm bravery. (He writes about her in couplets (pairs of lines) that are sad (showing sorrow for her loss) and stoic (serious and without too much emotion). This means that while the poem honours the mouse’s bravery, it is written in a calm and serious tone rather than an emotional or dramatic one.)

कवि शोकपूर्ण काव्य शैली (elegiac metre) का उपयोग करते हुए साँप को हराने वाली चूहे की बहादुरी की सराहना करता है। वह दुख और भावनाहीन (stoic) दोहे (couplets) लिखकर उसकी वीरता का सम्मान करता है यानि उसके साहसिक कार्यों का उत्सव मनाता है।

Lines 65-68:

“Acts that prove that shock and pain,
Death and grief are not in vain–
Which fine lines, alive or dead,
Neither of the mice has read.”

Explanation of Poem Lines:

• The poem teaches that pain and loss have meaning.
• But ironically, the mice will never read it—they don’t know their story became famous.

Deeper Analysis:

• Heroic sacrifices have meaning beyond death.
• “Neither of the mice has read” – The mice’s bravery exists beyond recognition—true courage needs no reward.

इन पंक्तियों का अर्थ है कि चूहे के बहादुर कार्य यह साबित करते हैं कि आघात, पीड़ा, मृत्यु और दुख व्यर्थ नहीं होते; उनका एक उद्देश्य होता है। लेकिन, चाहे जीवित हो या मर चुके हों, दोनों में से किसी भी चूहे ने वह कविता कभी नहीं पढ़ी जो उनकी वीरता की प्रशंसा में लिखी गई थी।

यह कवि का विचार है कि जीवन में कष्ट और संघर्ष कुछ महत्वपूर्ण उद्देश्यों के लिए होते हैं, और इन कार्यों का सम्मान कभी न कभी किया जाता है, भले ही जिनके लिए यह किया गया, उन्होंने उन्हें स्वयं कभी सुना या पढ़ा न हो।