GREEN PARK INTERNATIONAL SR. SEC.

SCHOOL, NAMAKKAL
X – ENGLISH
MIJBIL THE OTTER
- Gavin Maxwell
I. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. Describe the havoc created by Mijbil on the aeroplane when it came out of the box.
When Maxwell opened the box, Mijbil in out and disappeared at high speed Own the aircraft.
He caused a great hue and cry n the aircraft. There were sounds of shrieks across the flight.
2. What were the guesses made by the Londoners about Mijbil?
According to Maxwell, the average Londoner does not reclog another. Whosever saw Mijbil
made different guesses about who he was. They go squirrel, a walrus, a hippo, a beaver, a bear cub, a
leopard and a brontosaur.
3. How was `Mijbil’ a source of amazement on London streets?
The otter was a constant source of amazement to the Lon do y few p nears a strange as very
had ever seen an otter. They were filled with surprise on seeing such animal. They guessed it with
different names of animals.
4. ‘ She was the very queen of her kind’. Explain the reason behind admiration for the air
hostess.
The air hostess whom the narrator called for assistance suggested to him that he could keep
Mijbil on his knee during the flight, so as to comfort him.
5. 5. Why was the author not allowed to take a flight of British Airways?
Ans. The British Airways did not allow pets on its flight, while the author had to carry his pet
otter along with him.
6. Why were Maxwell and his friends going to Basra?
Maxwell and his friends went to Basra to the Consulate-General (of Iraq) to collect and
answer their mail from Europe.
7. Give an example from the text to show that Mijbil is an intelligent animal.
Mij loved to play. He had invented many games of his own. One was rolling marbles on his
flat belly, another was keeping a ball on the high end of the suitcase and waiting at the other end for
its arrival.
8. What happened when Mij disappeared at speed down the aircraft?
Or
What happened when Maxwell opened the box on the plane?
When Maxwell opened the box, Mijbil flashed out and disappeared at high speed down the
aircraft. He caused a great hue and cry in the aircraft. There were sounds of shrieks across the flight.
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9. Prove that Mijbil loved the water, giving two instances in support of your answer.
Or
How did Maxwell learn of Mijbil’s love for water?
Mij loved to play in the water. Only once did the author lead him to the bathroom. Mex$
time he went to the bathroom on his own. He went wild in water, plunged and rolled in e’, He shot
up and down the bathtub and made enough slosh and splash in it.
10. Why the otter was named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
Ans. The otter was of a race previously unknown to science and was at length christened by
zoologists as ‘Maxwell’s otter’.
11. Mijbil, the otter invented a game. What do you think would be the game that he invented?
Or
What game did Mijbil invent?
Or
Describe some of the games Mij liked to play.
Mij invented his own game with a ping-pong ball. He used to keep the basilica lid of the
damaged suitcase which when closed, remained at a slope from one end. He to play in the water and
also liked to jump and gallop the full length of the 30-yard school well
12. What is the most common characteristic of an otter?
Or
Which groups of animals do otters belong to?
Otters belong to a small group of animals called Mussel lines. They are water-loving animals
and are generally found in marshy areas. They are intelligent, fun-loving and playful and are
harmless beautiful creatures.
13. What routine did Mijbil follow everyday while on the walk in London?
Or
What were the ‘compulsive habits’ of Mijbil?
Or
How did Mijbil pass his time in London?
Mij on his way home every day used to tug Maxwell to the low wall of a primary school
opposite to his flat. Mij would jump on to it, gallop the full length of its thirty yards and cause a
hopeless distraction to both pupils and staff within the primary school.
14. When did it come to the author’s mind to have an otter?
Or
Why did Maxwell keep an otter as a pet?
The author’s pet dog had died and hence he was not willing to keep another dog as a pet. So,
he thought of buying an otter and thought Camusfearna, ringed by water would be suitable for
keeping an otter.
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15. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?
Maxwell was getting late for the flight. There were only ten minutes left for the flight to take
off and the airport was five miles away. Hence he had to put the otter back into the box. He felt bad
on doing so but he had no other option.
16. When and why did Maxwell think of keeping an otter as a pet?
Maxwell had travelled to Southern Iraq early in the year of 1956. There he thought of
keeping an otter as a pet. He thought so because of Camusfearna. surrounded by water, could be a
suitable place for this purpose.
17. How did the otter look?
The otter was a small creature and it resembled with a medically conceived dragon. It was
coated with symmetrical seals at mud from head to the rip at the tail.
18. How did the otter behave in the beginning?
In the beginning, the otter was neither hostile nor friendly. He was simply aloof and
indifferent. He referred to sleep on the floor as far from the writer’s bed as possible.
19. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of school
children?
Things that one feels competed to do are ‘compulsive habits’. For example, school children
try to-nr place their feet on the centre of each paving block on the way. They touch every seventh
upright of the iron railings. Or, they pass to the outside of every second lamp post.
20. What would Mij do on the low wall adjoining the school opposite to Maxwell’s flat in London?
Along frontage of the school ran a low wall about two feet high. Mij would tug Maxwell to
this wall. Then Mij would jump on to it, and run with leaps the full length of its thirty yards.
21. What happened when Maxwell would call the otter by his name?
Mij would follow Maxwell without a lead and come to him when his name was called.
22. What had crossed the author’s mind and why? Or why did Maxwell think of keeping an otter
as a pet?
Maxwell’s favourite dog Jonnie died. It left him alone without a pet. He travelled to Southern
Iraq in 1956. By then it has crossed his mind that he should like to keep an otter instead of a dog. The
place he lived in was ringed by water. It was quite a suitable place for his new experiment.
23. What did his friend advise Maxwell?
Maxwell had already decided to keep an otter as a pet instead of a dog. He casually
mentioned it to a friend. He advised Maxwell that he should try to get an otter in the Tigris marshes.
Otters were as common there as were mosquitoes. They were often tamed by the Arabs.
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24. Why were they going to the Consulate-General in Basra? Why did he wait for five days there?
Maxwell and his companions were going to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and
answer their mail from Europe. He found that his friend’s mail had arrived but that he had not. He
cabled to England but nothing happened. He tried to telephone but didn’t get any success. His mail
came only after five days. Q4. Why did Maxwell get his mail after five days and what he did to get
it? Ans. Maxwell cabled to England. But even after three days, nothing happened. He then tried to
telephone. The call 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 holiday. On the third day, there
was another breakdown.
25. How did Maxwell get Mijbil, the otter?
Maxwell had changed his idea of keeping a dog as his pet. He decided to have an otter. He
had asked one of his friends to arrange for an otter. He went to his bedroom to read his mail. Two
Arabs were squatting on the floor. Beside them lay a sack. They handed him a note which said,
“Here is your otter …”. The sack was opened. In this way, Maxwell got his new pet — an otter.
26. Describe the physical appearance of Mijbil, the otter.
The creature that emerged from the sack was a unique one. He resembled like a very small
imaginary dragon of the Middle Ages. Its body was coated with pointed scales. Between them a soft
velvet fur was visible. It was like a chocolate brown mole.
27. Why has Mijbil christened Maxwell’s otter?
The narrator called his pet Mijbil. The otter, in fact, belonged to a race unknown to science so
far. It was christened at length by zoologists Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli or Maxwell’s otter. It
was christened after the name of his master.
28. How did Mijbil behave in the beginning? Did some change come in the otter afterwards?
During the first 24 hours, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly. He was aloof and
indifferent. He slept on the floor far away from Maxwell’s bed. However, a change came in Mijbil
afterwards. Ile started taking a keen interest in his surroundings. He went to Maxwell’s bed on the
second day and remained asleep in it.
29. How did MINI behave when he was taken to the bathroom?
The narrator took Mijbil on a lead to the bathroom. He went wild with joy in the water for
half an hour. He continued plunging and rolling in it. He splashed up and down the length of the
bathtub underwater. He made enough slosh and splash a fora hippo.
30. What is a characteristic of otter and how did Mijbil behave in the water?
The main characteristic of an otter is to extend and spread every drop of water about the
place. A bowl full of water must be overturned. He would sit in and splash in until it flows.
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31. How did Mijbil fumble at the tap in the bathroom? Did he succeed?
Maxwell saw Mijbil standing up on the end of his bathtub. He was fumbling at the taps with
his paws. Very soon he turned the tap to produce a trickle of water. And soon after he achieved the
full flow.
32. How would Mijbil play with a rubber ball, and jiggle with small objects and marbles?
Mijbil spent hours shuffling a rubber ball around the room like a four-footed soccer player.
But the real game which Mijbil enjoyed most was juggling with small objects with his paws lying on
his back. Mijbil’s favourite toys for his play were marbles.
33. How was Mijbil transported from Basra to London?
It was a difficult job for Maxwell to be transported from Basra to London. The British airline
wouldn’t fly animals. He booked a flight to Paris on another airline. Mijbil was put into a small box
an hour before so that he would become accustomed to it.
34. Why did Maxwell call the air hostess “the very queen of her kind?”
The air hostess was very friendly and cooperative. Maxwell took her into his confidence and
gave her a parcel of fish for Mijbil. He admired her and called her “the very queen of her kind”. The
air hostess suggested that he could keep his pet on his knee.
35. Where did Mijbil disappear and how was he found?
The moment the box was open Mij was out of it in a flash. He disappeared soon down the
aircraft. There were squawks and shrieks. A woman stood up crying for “A rat! A rat!” Mijbil was
found beneath the legs of a turbaned Indian. Maxwell dived for him but found his face covered in
curry. In the end, Mijbil himself came and sat on Maxwell’s knee.
36. What compulsive habits like children did Mijbil develop during walks in the London streets?
Mij developed some compulsive habits like children during the walks in the streets of
London. Children touched each pairing block or pass to the outside of every second lamp-post.
Mijbil would jump on to the low wall of a primary school. Doing so, he would distract both the
students and the staff.
37. What were the wild guesses that the average Londoners make in recognising Mijbil? Whose
remark was adjudged best by Maxwell?
The average Londoners were surprised to see such a unique animal. They made wild guesses
about the otter. Some called him ‘a baby seal’, ‘a squirrel’, ‘a walrus’. Others called him ‘beaver’, ‘a
bear cub’ and ‘a leopard’. The best remark came from a labourer. On seeing Mijbil, he asked, “What
is that supposed to be?”
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II. Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:

1. Mijbil did things which demonstrated its personality. Which qualities of the narrator are
shown in his care for Mijbil?
Mijbil was an intelligent, fun-loving and playful otter. It was fond of water. When Maxwell
took it to the bathroom, for half an hour, it went wild with joy in the water, plunging and rolling in it.
Maxwell treated Mijbil like his own son. He took care of him very well. He gave him lots of toys
including marbles, rubber balls, rubber fruits and a terrapin shell to play with. He also noticed
Mijbil’s habits and traits. Maxwell encouraged Mijbil to do whatever he liked to do. He took him out
for exercise every day. When Maxwell saw him in blood, he was horrified. He took him out of the
box; he jumped all over and then sat on Maxwell’s lap quietly.
2. Why did Maxwell want to have an otter for a pet? How did he get one?
Gavin Maxwell, the author, wanted to own a pet. His pet dog had died recently and he was
feeling too sad to think of keeping a dog as a pet again. So when he travelled to Southern Iraq, he
decided to keep an otter instead of a dog. His friend suggested to Maxwell that he could get an otter
in the Tigris marshes for they were very common there, like mosquitoes. Moreover, the friend also
informed, that otters were often trained by the Arabs. venally Maxwell and his friend went to Basra
to the Consulate-General to collect their mail. Later on, i.e., a few days later the author received his
mail and took it to his bedroom to ‘iced. There, he found two Arabs squatting on the floor with the
sack that contained the otter with a letter from his friend that said, “Here is your otter….”
3. What did Maxwell do to transport Mijbil to England?
After the British Airways refused to take a pet on its flight, the narrator booked a flight to
Paris by another airline. This airline insisted that the pet should be packed into a box not more than
eighteen inches square, to be carried on the floor near his feet. Maxwell had a box made, and an hour
before they started, put Mij into the box so that he would become accustomed to it and then left for a
hurried meal. But when he returned he was terrified. There was an appalling silence. Maxwell found
blood had trickled and dried around the air holes of the box. He tore open the box to find Mij
exhausted, and blood splattered, and whimpering and he caught hold of Maxwell’s leg. However,
since he had very little time left to board the flight, Maxwell just put Mij back into the box, holding
down the lid with his hand. On the flight, the stewardess, on hearing the author’s tale, permitted him
to travel with Mij on his knee. After the initial chaos, Mijbil travelled to London on the author’s
knee.
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4. Describe the relationship between the otter and Maxwell in your own words.
Maxwell and the otter Mijbil shared a lovely relationship. Maxwell treated Mij like his own
son. He took very good care of him. He gave him many toys including marbles, rubber bans, rubber
fruits and a terrapin shell to play with. He took him to the bathtub to play in the water knowing the
fascination of otters with water. He noticed his habits and traits. Mijbil hesitated on the first day but
then became very friendly. Maxwell encouraged Mijbil to do whatever he liked to do. He took him
out for exercise every day. When Maxwell saw blood on the box in which Mij was packed, he was
horrified. When Mij came out of the box he jumped all over but then came and sat on Maxwell’s
knees quietly.
5. How did it come to the mind of the writer that an otter can be substituted for dogs or cats?
The author’s pet dog had died, he was too sad to think of keeping a dog again. Maxwell’s
friend suggested him to get an otter from Tigris marshes for they were as common as mosquitoes
over there. Moreover, they were often trained by the Arabs. He had to go to Basra to the Consulate-
General to collect and answer his mail. His mail had not arrived yet so he had to wait. There he
received an otter sent by his friend through two Arabs. The author felt a strong attachment and
feelings for it. He liked it and kept it.
6. When did the author decide to have an otter as a pet? How did he get an otter?
The author had a pet dog. Jonnie. When Jonnie died, his life without a pet was lonely. In
1956. he went to Southern Iraq. He had decided by then that he would keep an otter as a pet instead
of a dog. His home in Scotland had much water around it. So it would be suitable for an otter. The
author shared this idea with a friend. He supported the idea and suggested that he should take an otter
from the Tigris marshes. He said that otters were in plenty at that place. One day, the author found
two Arabs in his room. They had brought a sack with them. In the sack, there was an otter. They said
that it was for him.
7. How did the otter look when the author got it? What name did he get it? How did the otter
enjoy being in the bathroom?
The otter was a small creature like a small dragon. It was covered with mud from head to tail.
Under the mud, it had soft velvet skin. The author named the otter ‘Mijbil’. His race was unknown to
scientists. On the first night, it slept on the floor. The next slipped on the author’s bed and slept
between his knees. Mijbil started taking interest in its surroundings. When Mijbil was taken to the
bathroom he enjoyed his bath. He went wild with joy in the water of the tub. The author knew that
the otters are fond of water. Two days later, Mijbil escaped from the bedroom. It went to the
bathroom. He sat into the bathtub and turned the tap on. He was happy under the running water.
 8

8. How did the author make arrangements for transporting his otter to London?
It was time for the author to come back from Iraq. He dreaded the prospect of transporting
Mij to England. He knew that the British Airline would not fly animals. So he had to book a flight to
Paris in another airline and another to London. The airline advised that Mij should be packed in a
box. The author put Mij into it the box an hour before he started for the airport so that Mij would
become accustomed to it. Then the author went for a meal. When he returned there was silence in the
box. He noticed blood from the air holes. He at once opened it. He found Mij troubled and covered
with blood. Mij had torn the inner lining of the box. It was just ten minutes to the flight and the
airport was five miles away. So the author put it back in the box and hurried to the airport. The car
driver drove very fact.
9. Describe the author’s experience with the otter in the aircraft. I [H.B.S.E. March. 20I7(Ser-C)]
When the author reached the airport, the aircraft was wailing to take off. He rushed in. He
covered the place new his scat with newspaper. lie gave the parcel of fish to the air hostess for the
otter. She cooperated with the author and advised him to keep the pet on his knee. But soon Mij was
out of the box. He disappeared very soon. Suddenly, there was chaos in the plane. There were
squawks and shrieks all around. A woman cried, “A rat, a rat!” The author saw the otter beneath the
legs of an Indian. When he tried to catch the otter, His face got covered in curry. The air hostess
assured him that she would find the otter. The author returned to his seat. After some time, the otter
came to him and sat in his lap.
10. Why did Maxwell decide to have an otter as a pet? How did he get it?
Maxwell’s pet dog Jonnie died. He felt alone without a pet. This time he decided to change
his pet. He decided to own an otter as his pet. His place, Camusfearna was ringed by water. It would
be a suitable place for this new experiment. One of his friends suggested that he could get an otter in
the Tigris marshes. Otters were as common in the Tigris marshes as were mosquitoes. They were
often tamed by the Arabs as pets. Maxwell got his mail after five days. He carried it to his bedroom
to read. There he found two Arabs squatting on the floor. A sack lay beside them. There was
something moving and twisting in it. The Arabs handed him a note from his friend. It read, “Here is
your otter …” The sack was opened. And there emerged a unique creature from the sack. Later on,
this otter was named Mijbil by Maxwell.
11. Why was Mijbil, the otter was christened Maxwell’s otter by zoologists? How did the otter
behave in the beginning and afterwards?
The otter. Mijbil was, in fact, of a race previously unknown to science. At last, it was
christened Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli by zoologists. It was also called Maxwell’s otter after the
name of its master.
In the beginning, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly. He was totally aloof and indifferent.
He chose to sleep on the floor as far from Maxwell’s bed as possible. But the change started coming
from the second night. He came on to his bed and remained asleep in the crook of his knees. He
began to lose his indifference and apathy. He started taking a keen interest in his surroundings. Later
on, he became playful and started enjoying his stay with his owner.
 9

12. What is a characteristic of otters? How did Mijbil enjoy himself by playing different games?
Maxwell learnt that extending and spreading every drop of water about the place is the main
characteristic of otters. And Mijbil was no exception. He went wild with joy in the water. He
continued rolling and plunging in the bathtub. He made enough slosh and splash for a hippo. A bowl
must be overturned. Water must be kept on the move until it overflows. Mijbil enjoyed himself doing
funny things. He would stand up on the end of the bathtub and turn the tap to its full flow. He spent
hours shuffling a rubber ball around the room like a four-footed soccer player. He would lie on his
back juggling with small objects between his paws. He enjoyed playing with marbles which were his
favourite toys for this pastime.
13. How was Mijbil transported from Basra to London? What scenes did the otter create in the
aircraft?
Transporting Mijbil from Basra to London was really a problem. The British airline would
not fly animals. Maxwell had to book a flight to Paris on another airline. According to the
instructions, Mijbil was put into a box not more than eighteen inches square. Luckily, the seat
booked for him was at the extreme front. He covered the floor around his feet with newspapers. The
air hostess was very friendly and cooperative. Maxwell gave her a parcel of fish for Mij to be kept in
a cool place. She suggested that he should keep his pet on his knee. The moment the box was
opened, Mij was out in a flash. He disappeared at high speed down the aircraft. The noisy scene was
created. There were squawks and shrieks all around. A woman stood up from her seat crying. “A
rat!A rat!” Maxwell saw Mijbil disappearing beneath the legs of a portly turbaned Indian. The air
hostess requested Maxwell to resume his scat. She hoped to find the animal and bring it to him.
Suddenly, he heard Mijbil’s voice from his feet. Mijbil bounded on to his knee and began to nuzzle
the face and neck of his owner.
14. What were strange and funny wild guesses that Londoners made about Mijbil? Who made the
best remark about the otter?
It was rather difficult for an average Londoner to recognise such a strange animal as an otter.
Most of them had never seen such a unique animal. The thing that surprised Maxwell that Londoners
made such funny and wild guesses about Mijbil, the otter. He faced a continuous barrage of
questions from the anxious but ignorant people. They made random guesses about the animal. Some
of them guessed that he was ‘a baby seal’ or ‘a squirrel’ or ‘a walrus’. Others also made fantastic
guesses. One called Mijbil ‘a beaver’. Another called it ‘a bear cub’. The third guessed that it was `a
leopard’. Mij was anything but an otter. The question that was awarded the highest score came from
a labourer. The surprised labourer spat, glared and growled out, “Here, Mister—what is that
supposed to be?”