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Word Meaning, Summary, Important Questions Of Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter
| Class 10

Hindi Meaning Of Difficult Words | Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter

1	An appalling spectacle	a shocking scene	एक भयावह तमाशा	astounding, dreadful, frightful.
2	As common as mosquitoes	easily found	मच्छरों की तरह आम है	….........
3	Cabled	sent a message by telegraph (an old method of communication)	तार द्वारा समाचार भेजना	connected, equipped, sent.
4	Craning	stretch out one’s body or neck in order to see something	गर्दन आगे निकालना	boosting, elevating, heaving
5	Crossed my mind	(a thought) came into my mind	विचार आना	reveal, strike, expose.
6	Flick	a quick, light movement	प्रहार	jerk, flip, stroke
7	Marshes	wetlands	दलदल	bog, quagmire, morass
8	Portly	stout	मोटा	adipescent, corpulent, crass
9	So as to speak	as it were (one could say this)	तो जैसा बोलना है	as it would be, as might be, in such a way that.
10	Squatting	to rest with your weight on your feet	उकडूँ बैठना	hunch, cower, cringe
11	Terrapin shell	the shell of small turtle found in North America	टेरापिन खोल	tortoise shell, carapace, horn-rimmed.
12	A stone’s throw	a very short distance	दोड़ी दूर पर	close range, holler, near.
13	Abreast	side by side	पास-पास	appositional, by jowl, closely
14	Accustomed	familiar	परिचित	usual, normal, habitual
15	Admiration	praise	प्रशंसा	compliment, magnification, laud
16	Affront	insult	अपमान	disgrace, offense, dishonor
17	Aloof and indifferent	keeping a distance	दुराव	detached, disinterested, incurious
18	Amazed	surprised	अचंभित	astonish, astound, bewilder
19	Ambush	to attack suddenly from a hidden position	घात लगाना	surprise attack, trap, snare
20	Apathy	absence of interest	उदासीनता	indifference, disinterest, unconcern
21	Appalling	shocking	डरावना	alarming, astounding, dreadful.
22	Apprarently	clearly	जाहिरा तौर पर	obviously, evidently, palpably
23	Armour	shield	कवच	harness, coat of mail, panzer
24	At length	at last	विस्तार से	ceaselessly, constantly, continually
25	Awarded	gave out	निर्णय करना	decide, take the plunge, judge
26	Badger	an animal	बिज्जू	hyena, brock, hyaena
27	Barrage	flood	नदी बांध	volley, fusillade, storm
28	Beaver	an animal	ऊदबिलाव	otter
29	Blood-spattered	blood covered	खून से लथपथ	gory, grisly, crimson.
30	Bounded on to	climbed up quickly	पर बँधा हुआ	enclosed, fringed, restricted.
31	Bowl	a container	कटोरा	chalice, teacup, porringer
32	Breakdown	a mechanical failure	टूट - फूट	dissolution, Breach, crack
33	Brontosaur	a prehistoric now extant	ब्रॉन्टोसोरस	apatosaurus, thunder lizard.
34	Casually	non-seriously	इत्तफ़ाक़ से	by chance, perchance, haphazardly
35	Characteristics	features	विशेषताएँ	attribute, quality, property
36	Charming	attractive	मनमोहक	adorable, cute, good-looking
37	Chinks	cracks	झनझन	ding, tinkle, tang
38	Chittering	make a twittering or chattering sound	चहकना	cheeping, chirruping, jargoning,
39	Christened	named	नाम दिया गया	baptize, call, lustrate
40	Chromium	a hard white metal used to make taps	क्रोमियम	…...........
41	Compulsive	irresistable	मजबूर	uncontrollable, compelling, overwhelming
42	Conceived	thought	विचार करना	mull, think, contemplate
43	Conjectural	based on guess	अनुमान पर आधारित	speculative, theoretical, hypothetical
44	Corridor	verandah	गलियारा	aisle, anteroom, gallery
45	Crook of my knees	soft inside part where you bend your knee	मेरे घुटनों का टेढ़ा	bend, curve, kink
46	Crouching	squat; typically in order to avoid detection or to defend oneself	क्राउचिंग	kneel, cower, cringe
47	Curry	a dish	करी	groom, smooth, dress
48	Damaged	broken	टूटा हुआ	defaced, deteriorated, out of gear
49	Distraction	diversion	व्याकुलता	quandary, ruction, stew
50	Distressed	troubled	तंग	tight, narrow, poky
51	Dragon	monster	ड्रैगन	drake, wyvern, tartar.
52	Dreaded	feared	डरना	fear, fright, panic
53	Dribble	repeated hits on a ball to make it go ahead	बूँद बूँद कर टपकना	trickle, drop, drizzle
54	Emerged	came out	उभर आया	jut, emerge, supervene
55	Eminently	highly; very	प्रमुख रूप से	greatly, highly, exceedingly
56	Engrossed	completely interested in	तल्लीन	immersed, absorbed
57	Eventful	full of events	घटनापूर्ण	occurring, decrescent
58	Exhaused	tired	थका हुआ	aweary, spun, forworn
59	Frontage	front side	अग्रभाग	contraposition, envisagement, Confrontation
60	Fumbling	trying to do something in a clumsy manner	लड़खड़ाता हुआ	flub, mishandle, screw up.
61	Gallop	run fast	सरपट दौड़ना	race, canter, rush
62	Giggles	laughs	मूर्ख की तरह हंसना	titter, snigger, snicker
63	Glared	stare	गुस्से से घूरना	scowl, frown, lour
64	Grab	hold, catch	पकड़ लेना	Capture, arrest, graspingness
65	Gratitude	thankfulness	कृतज्ञता	obligation, indebtedness, debt
66	Growled	grumbled	बढ़ता गया	snarl, bark, yap
67	Hippo	hippopotamus	दरियाई घोड़ा	….............
68	Hostile	unfriendly	शत्रुतापूर्ण	enemy, rancorous
69	Hurried	made haste	जल्दी कर दिया	hasten, dash, rush
70	Infuriated	very angry	संक्रमित	enrage, incense, madden
71	Insisted	stressed	ज़ोर देना	emphasize, stand up, intonate
72	Irritation	frustation	उत्तेजना	excitement, stimulation, provocation
73	Juggles	plays with	जादू	artifice, device, dodge
74	Lead	get on	आगे बढ़ना	proceed, come up, gain upon
75	Leopard	a wild animal	तेंदुआ	…..............
76	Lid	cover	ढक्कन	bonnet, cap, shroud
77	Mangoose	an animal	नेवला	Weasel
78	Marbles	small glass balls	पत्थर	head, mind, reason
79	Mink	an animal	एक प्रकार का ऊदबिलाव	…...........
80	Mole	an animal	छछूँदर	rat, musk
81	Native	one's place of birth	जन्मज	connate, congenital, to the manner born
82	Nuzzle	to rub gently with the nose	नाक से रगड़ना	nudge, prod, push
83	Packed	put into	पैक किया हुआ	load, stuff, cram
84	Pastime	distraction; entertainment	क्रीड़ा	play, dalliance, frolic
85	Paws	front part of foot	पंजे	claw, toe cap, clutch
86	Ping-pong balls	table-tennis balls	पिंग-पोंग बॉल्स	globe, baseball, sphere
87	Plunging	falling; sinking	डूबनेवाला	dive, wade in, fall, throw oneself
88	Pointed	sharp	नोकदार	spiry, jaggy, cuspidalate
89	Precisely	exactly	ठीक-ठीक	strictly, surely, orderly
90	Previously	earlier	पहले से	already, beforehand, antecedently
91	Profound	deep	गहरा	deeply, abyssal, cimmerian
92	Prospect	possibility	संभावना	hope, expectation, anticipation
93	Provoking	causing anger or some other reaction	उत्तेजक	stimulating, fermentative, dithyrambic
94	Railings	protecting fence	रक्षा बाड़	thread, strand, fibre
95	Random	casual	अनियमित	Irregular, Erratic, abnormal
96	Recognition	identification; acknowledgement	अभिज्ञान	recognizance, memento, souvenir
97	Resemblem	looked like	मेल खाना	dovetail, go together, harmonize
98	Resumed	started again	दुबारा आरम्भ करना	restart, recommence, begin again
99	Retained	kept	रोक रखना	adjourn, hold in
100	Ricocheting bullet	a bullet with changes direction after hitting a surface	रिकोषेटिंग बुलेट	…..........
101	Rituals	a religious ceremony	अनुष्ठान	rite, celebration
102	Screaming out	crying	चिल्लाकर कहना	howl, screech, shriek.
103	Seal	an animal	जलव्याघ्र	sea lion, sea dog
104	Shreds	pieces	टुकड़े टुकड़े करना	crumble, kibble, pulverize
105	Shuffling	dragging (here)	पैर घसीटना	shamble, drag one's feet, stumble
106	Soccer	football	फुटबॉल	…..........
107	Spacious	big	विशाल	huge, giant, large
108	Spectacle	scene	तमाशा	pageant, farce, slapstick
109	Sploshed	splashed	छिड़का हुआ पानी	splatter, swash, plash.
110	Sprayed	threw	छिटकाना	sprinkle, sparge, dabble
111	Spring up	jump	उत्पन्न होना	burgeon, expand, explode.
112	Squawks and shrieks	cries	स्क्वाक्स और चीखें	roar, shout, wail.
113	Squirmed	twisted about	ऐंठना	extract, feeze, pleach
114	Static	motionless	गतिहीन	sedentary, stagnant, inert
115	Stoat	a kind of animal	एक प्रकार का रोवेंदार चौपाया	…..............
116	Symmetrical	in symmetry	सममित	regular, uniform, consistent
117	Tamed	domesticate (an animal)	पालतू	pet, domestic
118	Thraldom	being in the control of	ग़ुलामी	vassalage, servitude, kabbalah
119	Took her into my confidence	here, shared with her my experiences or secrets	उसे मेरे अनुभवों के साथ साझा किया गया	….............
120	Transporting	taking	परिवहन	convey, carry, move
121	Trickle	flow in a small stream	बूंद-बूंद कर बहना	dribble, drizzle, flow
122	Trot off	to leave	टालमटोल करना	amble, hurry, jog.
123	Tug	pull	खिंचाव	exhaustion, gravitation, allurement
124	Upright	straight	सीधा	direct, perpendicular, erect
125	Variety	newness	विविधता	diversity, multifariousness, diversifiction
126	Vevlet	soft cloth	मख़मली	soft, delicate
127	Walrus	an animal	वालरस	…..........
128	Wild with joy	greatly in joy	आनंद के साथ जंगली	crazy with joy, delirious, extremely happy.
129	Whimpered	cried softly	बच्चे का सा रोना	cry, sniffle, snivel
130	Whipped off	quickly took off	मार पड़ी है	hurry, issue, light out.

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About The Poet | Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter

INTRODUCTION

Gavin Maxwell lived from 15 July 1914 to 7 September 1969. He was a naturalist and author, best known for his work with otters. His most popular book was Ring of Bright Water, published in 1960. This described how he brought an otter back from Iraq and raised it in Scotland. The otter, Mijbil, was eventually identified as a previously unknown sub-species of the Smooth-coated Otter, since named after Maxwell: Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli. Maxwell after the death of his dog decided not to keep the dog as the pet rather something else. He gets an opportunity to bring an otter which he named as Mijbil from Basra in Iraq. The lesson tells us about a great concern of a human being for animals. The otter was a kind of unknown animal to the author. When it came first to him it looked like a small dragon. In the beginning, Mijbil showed no interest in Maxwell but later on he lost his apathy and started showing interest in him. He enjoyed the water in the bathroom, small toys of the room and other small articles which in his surrounding. Thus it was a kind of animal has great understanding of the humans.

Short Summary Of Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter
In English

SUMMARY

In this story the author Gavin Maxwell tells us about his pet. After the death of the dog, he thought to have another pet. Early in 1956 he travelled to Southern Iraq. There he saw some Arab people having an otter as a pet. Then, pet he also thought of having an otter. He told this to his friend. His mail was due. Therefore, with a friend he went to Basra to receive his mail. His friend collected his mail and went away. After he had left, he received a sack in which there was an otter. The narrator christened it, Mijbil. First the otter slept on the floor but soon he entered the bed till the servant bought tea. When it went to bathroom it plunged and rolled in the bath tub joyfully. The narrator was extremely surprised when he found it struggling with the water tap. It had learnt how to turn on the tap. It spent most of its time playing with the rubber ball and marbles.

He was staying at Basra while he had to move to England and then to Camusfearna. But the problem was that some of the airlines did not allow transporting animals. Therefore, the narrator had to choose a different flight that allowed animals on board. As a result, Mijbil was packed in a box. Then the narrator went for the meals. When he returned to his room, he noticed blood coming out from the air holes. He got frightened. He hurriedly opened it and saw that Mijbil was almost unconscious. He removed all the sharp edges from the box and placed it again into the box. The time was passing and he managed to hire a taxi. There were only ten minutes for his flight. So he sat at the back seat of the taxi and placed the box on his lap. Somehow he managed to catch the flight and he boarded the plane. The air hostess was somewhat friendly and she allowed the narrator to place the otter on his lap. But as soon as the narrator opened the box the otter disappeared in the plane. This frightened the passengers. But the airhostess helped him to find out Mijbil again.

In London people did not recognize otters. They used to make blind guesses to recognize the animal. The most surprising event was when the laborer was digging his hole in the street. On seeing the animal, he placed down his tools and when the narrator neared him, he shouted, “What is that supposed to be?”

TITLE JUSTIFICATION

TITLE JUSTIFICATION

The title tells us exactly what the author, Gavin Maxwell narrates in the account Mijbil the Otter and his cute antics and human like traits. He gets an opportunity to bring an otter which he named as Mijbil from Basra in Iraq. The lesson tells us about a great concern of a human being for animals. The otter was a kind of unknown animal to the author. When it came first to him it looked like a small dragon. In the beginning, Mijbil showed no interest in Maxwell but later on he lost his apathy and started showing interest in him. He enjoyed the water in the bathroom, small toys of the room and other small articles in his surrounding. Thus it was a kind of animal which has great understanding of the humans.

THEME

THEME

Through the biographical account the writer expresses his love for animals, particularly the otter which he fondly named Mijbil. He fondly describes the human like characteristics of Mijbil. The way Maxwell describes the adorable animal is almost akin to a description of a cute and playful child. It is amazing how affectionate and intelligent otters are. The writer records his unfathomable love for Mijbil and how he changed his life drastically.

MESSAGE

MESSAGE

The message conveyed by this story is the immense love that the author had for his otter which he named Mijbil. He fondly describes the human like characteristics of Mijbil. The way Maxwell describes the adorable animal is almost akin to a description of a cute and playful child. It is amazing how affectionate and intelligent otters are. It is clear that the writer is a great animal lover and records all his joys and also the amazing events that unfolded in his life with the arrival of the lovable Mijbil.

CHARACTER SKETCH

CHARACTER SKETCH

Mijbil the Otter

Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines, shared by badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others. They are found in large numbers in marshes. Arabs keep them as pets and tame them. Otters love to spread water and splash in it. Maxwell’s otter was of a race previously unknown to science and was at length named by zoologists Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli, after the name of the author. When the author first took Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter first went wild with joy in the water. He plunged and rolled in it. He jumped up and down the length of the bathtub. He made enough slosh and splash. After two days, the otter suddenly disappeared and went to the bathroom to play in the water and opened the tap on his own. While on the flight, as soon as his box was opened, Mijbil ran out. Then it ran all over the place scaring all the passengers. It created a chaos and most of the people in the plane got scared. The airhostess requested the passengers to stay calm and assured them that she would find the otter. After a while, Mijbil returned to his owner, climbed on his knee and began to rub its nose on his face and neck. In London, Mijbil used to follow the narrator while walking on the streets. He developed certain habits during those walks. He went with him like children playing, running and touching things in the street. He would take the author near the wall of a primary school and then gallop on it. He was just like a playful, energetic and naughty child and brought a lot of love in the author’s life.

GLOSSARY

Ringed- surrounded;

Squirmed- twisted about;

Thraldom- being under the control of;

Armour a metallic coat worn for self-defense;

Provoking- causing anger or some other reaction;

Shuffling-mixing up:

Dreaded the prospect-was in great fear of something that would happen in the future;

Profound- deep, insightful;

Nuzzle-to rub gently with the nose;

Terrapin shell-the shell of small turtle found in North America;

Engrossed- completely interested in:

Upright-post or rod placed straight up:

Affront-insult; Abreast-side by side.

TYPE I: REFERENCE TO CONTEXT (VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS)

TYPE I: REFERENCE TO CONTEXT (VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS)

Read the extracts and answer the following questions:

When I casually mentioned this to a friend, he as casually replied that I had better get one in the Tigris marshes, for there they were as common as mosquitoes, and were often tamed by the Arabs. We were going to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and answer our mail from Europe. At the Consulate-General we found that my friend’s mail had arrived but that mine had not.

Questions

(i) What was they’?

(ii) Where were they going to get the otter?

(iii) What did the narrator mention casually to his friend?

(iv) What did the author find at the Consulate-General?

Answers

(i) ‘They’ refers to the otter.

(ii) They were going to get the otter from Tigris marshes.

(iii) The narrator had mentioned it to his friend that he was planning to acquire an otter as a pet.

(iv) At the Consulate-General, the author found that his mail had not arrived while his friend’s mail had arrived.

Mijbil, as I called the otter, was, in fact, of a race previously unknown to science, and was at length christened by zoologists Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter. For the first twenty-four hours Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible.

Questions

(i) Who was Mijbil?

(ii) How did the otter behave for the first twenty-four hours?

(iii) What was special about Mijbil?

(iv) Why is the otter called ‘Maxwell’s otter”?

Answers

(i) Mijbil was the name of the otter that the narrator brought.

(ii) For the first 24 hours the otter was indifferent and stayed aloof as far as possible from the narrator. (iii) Mybil belonged to a race previously unknown to science.

(iv) The otter was christened by zoologist Maxwell. So, in his honour, it was called Maxwell’s otter.

I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour he went wild with joy in the water, plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and down the length of the bathtub underwater, and making enough slosh and splash for a hippo. This, I was to learn, is a characteristic of otters.

Questions

(i) What is a particular characteristic of otters?

(ii) What did the otter do inside the bathroom?

(iii) How did Mijbil react to the sight of water?

(iv) Why did the author make a body-belt?

Answers

(i) Playing with water is a particular characteristic of otters.

(ii) The otter played with water joyously inside the bathroom.

(iii) He went wild at the sight of water and plunged and rolled in it.

(iv) The author made a body-belt for himself in order to reign in his high energy and control his quick and energetic movements.

Very soon Mijbil would follow me without a lead and come to me when I called his name. He spent most of his time in play. He spent hours shuffling a rubber ball round the room like a four-footed soccer player using all four feet to dribble the ball, and he could also throw it, with a powerful flick of the neck, to a surprising height and distance.

Questions

(i) What was the favorite time pass of Mijbil?

(ii) What did the otter do when the narrator called his name?

(iii) What tells you that Mijbil had begun to obey the narrator?

(iv) What has been referred to as a four-footed soccer player?

Answers

(i)The favorite time pass of Mijbil was to shuffle the rubber ball using all his four legs.

(ii) The otter used to follow the narrator when he called his name.

(iii) After his earlier indifference Mijbil would follow the author without a lead and come to him when he called his name.

(iv) The otter has been referred to as a four-footed player of soccer.

The British airline to London would not fly animals, so I booked a flight to Paris on another airline, and from there to London. The airline insisted that Mij should be packed into a box not more than eighteen inches square, to be carried on the floor at my feet.

Questions

(i) Where was Mij being taken?

(ii) How was Mij being taken?

(iii) Why did the author book a flight to Paris?

(iv) What did the airline insist upon?

Answers

(i) Mij was being taken to London.

(ii) Mij was being taken by packing him in a box.

(iii) The British airline to London would not fly animals, so he booked a flight to Paris on another airline, and from there to London.

(iv) The airline insisted upon the fact that Mij should be packed in a box so that it can be carried.

When returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the box, but from its airholes and chinks around the lid, blood had trickled and dried. I whipped off the lock and tore open the lid, and Mij, exhausted and blood spattered, whimpered and caught at my leg.

Questions

(i) What was inside the box?

(ii) What was the condition of the box when the narrator returned?

(iii) What was Mijbil’s condition when the author opened the box?

(iv) Why did the author open the box?

Answers

(i) Mijbil was lying exhausted and blood spattered inside the box.

(ii) When the narrator returned, there was complete silence inside the box. Blood was coming out from the airholes and around the lid.

(iii) When the author opened the box he found that Mijbil was exhausted and blood spattered. He whimpered and caught at his leg

(iv) The author opened the box because Mij was caged inside it.

It was just ten minutes until the time of the flight, and I the airport was five miles distant. I put the miserable Mij back into the box, holding down the lid with my hand.

Questions

(i) How far was the airport?

(ii) How was Mij carried to the airport?

(iii) What was the author’s state of mind?

(iv) Why did the author not help Mij despite its weary condition?

Answers

(i) The airport was at a distance of 5 miles.

(ii) The narrator put Mij in the box again and held down the lid of the box with his hand.

(iii) The author was in a hurry as he had a flight to catch. At the same time he was worried for his pet. (iv) The author couldn’t help Mij despite its weary condition because he had to leave for the airport soon.

I was rushed through to it by infuriated officials. Luckily, the seat booked for me was at the extreme front. I covered the floor around my feet with newspapers, rang for the air hostess, and gave her a parcel of fish (for Mij) to keep in a cool place. took her into my confidence about the events of the last half hour.

Questions

(i) Why were the airport officials infuriated?

(ii) How did the narrator take the airhostess into his confidence?

(iii) Why did the author feel lucky?

(iv) Why did the author give fish to the airhostess?

Answers

(i) The airport officials were infuriated as the narrator arrived at the nick of time when the flight was about to leave.

(ii) The narrator confided to the airhostess about the events that had happened in the last half an hour.

(iii) The author felt lucky as his seat was in the extreme front and with Mijbil, and compared to a seat in the middle of the plane it was more convenient for him.

(iv) The author gave fish to the airhostess to be kept as food for Mijbil.

Mij was out of the box in a flash. He disappeared at high speed down the aircraft. There were squawks and shrieks, and a woman stood up on her seat screaming out, ‘A rat! A rat!”

Questions

(i) Why did the woman scream?

(ii) What did Mij do?

(iii) How did the atmosphere in the plane change?

(iv) What had Mij been compared with in the extract?

Answers

(i) The woman screamed as she thought that there was a rat inside the plane.

(ii) Mijbil came out of the box and disappeared beneath the seats.

(iii) When Mijbil came out the atmosphere changed a he squawked and the passengers shrieked out of fear.

(iv) In the extract, Mij had been compared with a rat.

Mij and I remained in London for nearly a month. He would play for hours with a selection of toys, ping pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and a terrapin shell that I had brought back from his native marshes With the ping-pong ball he invented a game of his own which could keep him engrossed for up to half an hour at a time. A suitcase that I had taken to Iraq had become damaged on the journey home, so that the lid, when closed, remained at a slope from one end to the other.

Questions

(i) How did Mij spend his time in London?

(ii) What game was invented by Mij?

(iii) What special trait did Mijbil display?

(iv) What sort of a creature was Mij?

Answers

(i) Mij spent his time by playing with his own selection of toys-ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit and a terrapin shell.

(ii) Mij put the ball on one end of the suitcase and ran to catch it when it slid to the other end. This game was invented by him.

(iii) Mijbil displayed high intelligence as he could invent a game.

(iv) Mij was a playful creature who loved sport.

TYPE II: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (30-40 WORDS EACH)

Answer the following questions:

What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?

Ans. The writer had gone to Southern Iraq in the year 1956. He took a fancy to the idea that instead of keeping a dog as a pet, he would acquire an otter Camusfearna was surrounded by water, so it would be an eminently suitable spot for this experiment.

Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?

Ans. The writer went to Basra in Iraq to collect and answer his mail that had come from Europe. He had to wait there for 5 days as his mail did not arrive.

How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.

Ans. The author’s friend bought the otter for him and sent it to the place where he was staying. After the initial amazement, the author liked it very much. This is evident in the lines, “The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees….” ” I made a body-belt for him…”.

Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?

Ans. The otter was named by zoologists as Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli. It was a previously unknown species of otters. Hence, it was called Maxwell’s otter in short.

What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?

Ans. When the author first took Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter first went wild with joy in the water. He plunged and rolled in it. He jumped up and down the length of the bathtub. He sloshed and splashed about in the water. After two days, the otter suddenly disappeared and went to the bathroom to play in the water and opened the tap to full flow on his own.

How was Mijbil transported to England?

Ans. As British airlines did not allow pets on board the author had to book a ticket on a different airline from Iraq to Paris and then Paris to London. Thus, Mijbil was packed in a box as the airlines had directed the author.

What did Mij do to the box?

Ans. The box in which the otter was kept was lined with a metal sheet. Mij didn’t feel comfortable in the box and tried to escape. In his attempt to escape, Mij tore into the metal lining of the box and in the process hurt himself. He had blood over him.

Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?

Ans. As soon as Maxwell removed the remaining lining of the box so that there were no cutting edges left, he found that just ten minutes were left for the flight

to take off. So, in order to reach the airport, he had to put the wretched otter back in the box. Maxwell would have felt pity for the otter’s miserable condition. He must have been feeling bad to put it again in the box, even after finding that it disliked being in the box.

Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”?

Ans. The airhostess was quite a generous and helpful lady. She not only allowed the injured otter to be taken inside the plane but also allowed Maxwell to carry it, the way he wanted. She showed a great spirit of cooperation. The way she understood the pain of both the otter and Maxwell, made Maxwell to develop a profound admiration for her. Thus. Maxwell addressed her as “the queen of her kind”, thus referring to her generous heart.

What happened when the box was opened?

Ans. As soon as the box was opened, Mij leapt out of it and disappeared. It started running all over the plane. The passengers were screaming out of fear. All this created chaos inside the plane. The airhostess suggested to the passengers to stay calm and assured them that she would find the otter. After a while, Mij returned to his owner, climbed on his knee and began to rub its nose on his face and neck.

What game had Mij invented?

Ans. Mij invented an intelligent game of playing with the ball in a unique way. One of the author’s suitcase was damaged and had a slope on the top part. Mij would put the ball on the high end and run to catch it as it slid to the lower end. He immensely enjoyed playing this game.

What group of animals do otters belong to?

Ans. Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines. The other animals of this group are badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink and others. Mijbil was one of the previously unknown variety of otters.

What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?

Ans. As otters are not found in England so Londoners made the wildest possible guesses about what Mij was. Their guesses ranged from thinking Mij to be a baby seal, or a squirrel, even a hippo and a brontosaurus.

Why is Mij’s species now known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?

Ans. Maxwell’s otter was of a race previously unknown to science and was at length named by zoologists as Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli. Hence, it is known as Maxwell’s otter in short. Thus it was named after the author, Gavin Maxwell.

What did the otter look like?

Ans. The otter looked like a small dragon belonging to the middle ages. It was covered with symmetrical pointed scales of mud. One could see between the scales a soft velvet fur like that of a chocolate-brown mole.

What, according to the writer, is the real play of the otter?

Ans. The real play of an otter is lying on his back and juggling with small objects between his paws. Mijbil would roll two or more marbles up and down on his wide, fat belly. He never dropped one to the floor. Their dexterous and quick movements are a delight to watch.

Why was the narrator not able to communicate when there was a delay in the arrival of the mail? Ans. The narrator was not able to contact because the telephone lines had to be booked twenty-four hours in advance. On the first day, the line was out of order, on the second day, the exchange was closed for a religious reason; and on the third day, there was a breakdown.

What was the first characteristic of the otter discovered by the narrator?

Ans. The first thing that the narrator observed about the otter was that he liked to play with water. When he was taken to the bathroom, for half an hour he went wild in the water with joy. He was plunging, jumping and rolling in the water. Soon he started going to the bathroom on his own and even learnt to open the tap to full flow.

How did Mij spend his time?

Ans. Mij spent most of his time in play. He spent hours shuffling the rubber ball round the room like a four footed soccer player. His real play was when he used to juggle small objects between his paws. Marbles were his favorite toy for his pastime.

Why was Mij packed inside the box?

Ans. The airlines did not allow animals in the plane. The author booked a flight to London via Paris. Mijbil was to be transported to England and the airlines insisted the narrator to pack him in a box so that he would not scare the other passengers and threaten their safety.

TYPE III: LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (100-120 WORDS EACH)

Answer the following questions:

What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of

(i) school children

(ii) Mij?

Ans. Compulsive habits are usually strange acts or behavior which a person does repeatedly without a clear reason. For example, a cricket player may put on his right shoes first as he believes it would bring him good luck or a kid jumping over a fence, instead of going through the passage way. Usually compulsive behavior of children are full of childhood mischief and those of adults are of incorrigible type.

(i) As per this story, children must place their feet squarely on the center of each paving block, must touch every seventh upright of the iron railings, or pass to the outside of every second lamp post.

(ii) Mijbil while on its way to home would jump over the boundary wall railing and run at full speed throughout its length.

What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love?

Ans. Mij invented his own game out of ping-pong ball and a worn down suitcase. He loved water, and once he understood that on opening the tap water came out of it, he would get into the tub and played with water. He had gradually formed a special attachment with Maxwell. It got desperate when Maxwell left it in a box and wanted to come out as soon as possible. He could invent his own games. Earlier he was indifferent to the author but later he started responding to him. Gradually he came to love and obey the author. He showed him affection by nuzzling the author’s face. All these actions of Mijbil clearly indicate that he was a friendly, fun loving and intelligent animal.

What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?

Ans. Otters belong to a small group of animals called Mustellines, shared by badger, mongoose, weasel. stoat, mink and others. They are found in large numbers in marshes. Arabs keep them as pets tame them. Otters love to spread water and splash in it. Maxwell’s otter was of a race previously unknown

to science and was at length named by zoologists Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli. Otters are adorable and intelligent creatures. They can invent games and are playful and boisterous. They love to splash in water and can’t resist it. They are capable of showing great love and affection to their masters. They have great reserves of speed and energy which is difficult to reign in

Comment on the airhostess whom the author met during the flight.

Ans. The airhostess of the flight was kind and friendly, and she allowed the narrator to place the otter on his lap. She could relate and empathize with the situation faced by the narrator. This shows that apart from being professional, she was a caring lady. She not only wanted to do her job but was also responsible as she helped the narrator in finding the otter. She did all that she could do for Maxwell and the otter. She was hard working and went out of her way to help the narrator in his hour of need. She comes across as a naturally compassionate person who helped the author beyond the call of duty.

The narrator called the airhostess the queen of her kind. This shows how caring and supportive she was. Do you find such people these days?

Ans. In today’s world, it is getting difficult to find people who show genuine care and support. Rather than helping others, they start giving excuses and quote rules and regulations. Few people think about the situation faced by others and helped others in all possible ways.

This is changing because of the change in the values of the people. They give first priority to their own safety and security. They care for themselves first and then think about others. The airhostess of the flight was kind and friendly, and she allowed the narrator to place the otter on his lap. She could relate and empathize with the situation faced by the narrator. This shows that apart from being professional, she was a caring lady. She not only wanted to do her job but was also responsible as she helped the narrator in finding the otter.

Why do you think the otter was not friendly at first with the narrator? Can you relate this to the human nature as well?

Ans. At first, the otter was not very friendly with the narrator as he had seen him for the first time. He was brought to a new place and new surroundings. He neither knew the narrator nor the place which made him à stay away from the narrator. But, as soon as he started becoming comfortable with the surroundings, he became friendly and came close to the narrator.

This is very similar to the human nature. Human beings first take time to understand others and then only become friendly with them. Unless they are comfortable in being with somebody, they try to stay away from that person.

Bringing Mijbil was a life changing experience for the author. Discuss.

Ans. Bringing Mijbil was truly a life changing experience for the author. After his earlier indifference to the author, Mij gradually became quite close to the author. He invented his own game out of ping-pong ball and a worn down suitcase, which delighted and amazed the author. He loved water, and once he understood that on opening the tap water came out of it, he would get into the tub and played with water. He had gradually formed a special attachment with Maxwell. It got desperate when Maxwell left it in a box and wanted to come out as soon as possible. He could invent his own games. Earlier he was indifferent to the author but later he started responding to him. Gradually he came to love and obey the author. He showed him affection by nuzzling the author’s face. All these actions of Mijbil brought a lot of love in the author’s life.

The account by Gavin Maxwell gives a message of loving animals. Comment.

Ans. This account of the author and his love for his pet Mijbil is a heartwarming narrative which conveys the strong bond the author felt for his pet otter named Mijbil. Earlier, he was indifferent to the author but later, he started responding to him. Gradually, he came to loves and obey the author. Mijbil showed him great affection by nuzzling the author’s face. The author loves the games Mijbil invented and observed with delight and surprise his dexterity in playing games. He recounts with pleasure and fondness how Mijbil behaved like a cute, adorable child, when he learnt how to open the bathroom tap. He took great pleasure in splashing the water and had boundless energy. Maxwell was a naturalist and his love of animals comes across strongly in the chapter.

Describe the commotion that Mijbil caused in the flight.

Ans. The author wished to go to London and take Mijbil with him. As British airlines did not allow pets on board the author had to book a ticket on a different airline from Iraq to Paris and then Paris to London. Thus, Mijbil was packed in a box as the airlines had directed the author. While on the flight, as soon as his box was opened. Mijbil ran out. Then it ran all over the place scaring all the passengers. It created a chaos and most of the people in the plane got scared. There

was much screaming and squeaking. The airhostess requested the passengers to stay calm and assured them that she would find the otter. After a while, Mijbil returned to his owner, climbed on his knee and unaware of the commotion that he had caused, began to rub its nose on the author’s face and neck.

Mijbil’s traits and behavior were quite similar to humans. Comment.

Ans. Mijbil’s traits and behavior were really quite similar to humans. In fact he was like a small child who was very lovable and playful. Earlier, he was indifferent to the author but later, he started responding to him. Gradually, he came to love and obey the author. Mijbil showed him great affection by nuzzling the author’s face. The author love the games Mijbil invented and observed with delight and surprise his dexterity in playing games. Mijbil behaved like a cute, adorable child, when he learnt how to open the bathroom tap. He took great pleasure in splashing the water and had boundless energy. He loved water, and once he understood that on opening the tap water came out of it, he would get into the tub and played with water. He invented his own games and spent quite some time playing on his own. Children too show such traits of playfulness and affection. Thus it can be said that Mijbil was quite similar to humans in terms of traits and behavior.

The author gives a delightful account of the Antics of Mijbil. Do you agree?

Ans. It is true that the author gives us a delightful account of the antics of Mijbil. After his earlier indifference to the author, Mij gradually became quite close to him. He invented his own game out of ping-pong ball and a worn down suitcase, which delighted and amazed the author. He loved water, and once he understood that on opening the tap water came out of it, he would get into the tub and played with water. He had gradually formed a special attachment with Maxwell. When the author wished to go to London and take Mijbil with him. Mijbil had to be packed in a box as the airlines had directed the author. While on the flight, as soon as his box was opened, Mijbil ran out. Then it ran all over the place scaring all the passengers. It created a chaos and most of the people in the plane got scared. There was much screaming and squeaking. The airhostess requested the passengers to stay calm and assured them that she would find the otter. After a while, Mijbil returned to his owner, climbed on his knee and unaware of the commotion that he had caused, began to rub its nose on the author’s face and neck. His antics are truly delightful to read.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

What problem did the author face in taking Mijbil to London?
What made Mijbil bleed in the box?
What did Maxwell feel when he had to put the blood spattered Mijbil back in his box?
What do you think about the airhostess whom the author met in the flight to London?
Describe Mijbil’s love for water.