Mijbil the Otter – Summary and Important Questions for Board ( CBSE ENGLISH CLASS 10)

Mijbil the Otter – Summary and Important Questions for Board ( CBSE ENGLISH CLASS 10)

The story "Mijbil the Otter" by Gavin Maxwell details the author's fascinating experience of keeping an otter as a pet. After his dog died, Maxwell decided to get an otter while traveling in Iraq, believing the marshy environment of his home in Camusfearna would be perfect for one. He named the otter Mijbil. Initially, Mijbil was aloof, but he soon became extremely playful, displaying a deep love for water and creating his own games with marbles and ping-pong balls. The narrative follows their journey from Basra to London, including a chaotic flight where Mijbil escaped his box, and their life in London where Mijbil’s presence baffled the locals, leading to many hilarious guesses about his species.

A. Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Where did the author live?

ANS: The author lived in a cottage in Camusfearna, on the West Highlands of Scotland.

Q2. Why did Maxwell want to keep an otter as a pet?

ANS: Maxwell’s dog had recently died, leaving him lonely. He felt that the wet, marshy surroundings of Camusfearna would be an ideal habitat for an otter.

Q3. How did the author first receive Mijbil?

ANS: Two Arabs brought a sack to the author's room in Basra; it was a gift from his friend and contained the otter.

Q4. What was the otter's "true color" once the mud was removed?

ANS: After a month of cleaning, the author discovered that Mijbil had a soft velvet fur of a chocolate-brown color.

Q5. How did Mijbil pass his time in the London flat?

ANS: Mijbil spent hours playing with a selection of toys, including ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and a terrapin shell.

Q6. What happened when Maxwell left Mijbil in the bathroom?

ANS: Mijbil learned to turn the tap on by himself with his paws until the water flowed at full pressure.

Q7. Why was the airline strict about carrying Mijbil?

ANS: The airline insisted that Mijbil be kept in a box not more than eighteen inches square, to be placed on the floor at the author’s feet.

Q8. What was the "medievally conceived dragon" a reference to?

ANS: This was the author's first impression of Mijbil because the otter was covered in mud and scales of pointed skin.

Q9. What did Mijbil do to the box before the flight?

ANS: Mijbil tore the lining of the box to shreds, resulting in blood trickling from the air holes as he exhausted himself trying to escape.

Q10. What was the most common question Londoners asked Maxwell?

ANS: People who didn't recognize the animal would often ask, "What is that supposed to be?"

B. Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Describe the relationship between Maxwell and Mijbil.

ANS: The relationship evolved from mutual strangeness to deep affection. Initially, Mijbil was "neither hostile nor friendly," but he soon became a constant companion who slept in Maxwell’s bed and responded to his name. Their bond was tested during the stressful flight to London, where Maxwell’s concern for Mijbil’s safety showed his deep care for the creature.

Q2. What were the challenges Maxwell faced while transporting Mijbil from Basra to London?

ANS: The transport was a nightmare. First, British Airways refused to carry animals, so he had to book a different flight. Then, Mijbil injured himself trying to escape the box. During the flight, Mijbil escaped and caused a panic among passengers, and Maxwell had to manage the situation while keeping the otter calm.

Q3. How did Mijbil entertain himself in London? Describe his "games."

ANS: Mijbil was incredibly inventive. He played with a ping-pong ball on a sloping suitcase, waiting for the ball to roll down so he could "ambush" it. He also developed compulsive habits during walks, like jumping over a school wall or touching specific iron railings, showing his high intelligence and need for stimulation.

Q4. Explain the humor in the various guesses Londoners made about Mijbil.

ANS: The humor lies in the total ignorance of the city people regarding wild animals. They guessed he was anything from a baby seal or a beaver to a "marmot" or even a "hippo." This highlights the contrast between the author’s unique bond with a wild animal and the urban public's lack of connection with nature.

Q5. What does the story tell us about the responsibilities of owning an unconventional pet?

ANS: The story shows that owning a wild pet requires immense patience, preparation, and emotional resilience. Maxwell had to adapt his home, handle logistics for travel, and endure public scrutiny, all while ensuring the physical and emotional well-being of a creature that doesn't follow human rules.

C. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. What is the name of the author’s home in Scotland?

A) London B) Basra C) Camusfearna D) Tigris

ANS: C) Camusfearna

Q2. Mijbil was an otter of a race previously unknown to science, later named:

A) Maxwell’s Otter B) Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli C) Iraqi Otter D) Desert Otter

ANS: B) Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli

Q3. What did Mijbil use to turn on the tap?

A) His teeth B) His tail C) His paws D) His nose

ANS: C) His paws

Q4. How many hours did the flight from Cairo to London take?

A) Five B) Eight C) Ten D) Twelve