Q1. How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
Ans: The writer’s grandfather liked to collect animals and had made a zoo at home. One day, he saw a red-coloured monkey tied to a trough with a Tonga driver. He liked the monkey and wanted to add it to his collection. He bought Toto from the tonga driver for a sum of five rupees.
Grandfather taking Toto to Saharanpur
Q2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
Ans: Toto is considered pretty because of his bright, sparkling eyes full of mischief, his pearly white teeth, and his lively expressions. His tail, which Grandfather thought added to his good looks, could also be used as a third hand.
Q3. Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?
Ans:
- Toto caused trouble for everyone in the household, even disturbing the other animals in Grandfather’s zoo at night. To give the other animals some peace, Grandfather decided to take Toto with him to Saharanpur.
- Grandfather carried Toto in a sturdy canvas bag with straw at the bottom for comfort. He placed Toto inside and secured the bag with a zipper.
- The ticket collector, following rules strictly, decided to charge for Toto as if he were a dog, since there was no specific fare for monkeys.
Q4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learned to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?
Ans:
- Toto takes a bath by testing the temperature of the water first with his hand, then stepping in gradually, like a human.
- He has learned to do this by observing the narrator.
- He almost boils himself alive when he finds a kettle of warm water on the stove, climbs into it, and stays in even as the water begins to boil, hopping up and down until Grandmother rescues him.
Q5. Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?
Ans: The author says this because Toto’s mischief and destructive behavior made it difficult for the family to afford keeping him. He destroyed household items like dishes, clothes, and wallpaper, causing trouble that the family could not manage long-term.