Q1. Why was the author’s home at Camusfearna a fit place for an otter?
Ans: It was an ideal location for an otter due to its abundant water surroundings. The presence of water provides a natural habitat for otters, allowing them to thrive and engage in their playful behaviours.
Q2. How was Mijbil transported from Basra to London?
Ans: Transporting Mijbil from Basra to London was a challenging task for Maxwell. The British airline did not allow animals on their flights, so he booked a flight to Paris with a different airline. An hour before departure, Mij was placed in a small box to help him adjust to it.
Q3. What is a characteristic of otter and how did Mijbil behave in the water?
Ans: The main characteristic of an otter is its tendency to spread water everywhere. Mijbil, the otter, would sit in a bowl of water and splash around until it overflowed. He loved to keep the water moving and enjoyed playing in it, demonstrating this typical otter behaviour.
Q4. How did Mijbil fumble at the tap in the bathroom? Did he succeed?
Ans: Maxwell observed Mijbil standing on the edge of the bathtub, fumbling with the taps using his paws. Within a minute, he managed to turn the tap enough to create a trickle of water, and shortly after, he achieved a full flow. Mijbil was fortunate to turn the tap the right way; on other occasions, he would sometimes tighten it too much, becoming frustrated when it wouldn’t cooperate.
Q5. How would Mijbil play with a rubber ball, and jiggle with small objects and marbles?
Ans: Mijbil spent hours shuffling a rubber ball around the room, resembling a four-footed soccer player. His favourite game, however, involved lying on his back and juggling small objects with his paws. Among his preferred toys were marbles, which he would roll up and down his belly without ever dropping them.
Q6. Why did Maxwell call the air hostess “the queen of her kind?”
Ans: Maxwell referred to the air hostess as “the queen of her kind” due to her friendliness and willingness to help. He appreciated her support, especially when he shared a parcel of fish for Mijbil, his pet otter. The air hostess even suggested that he could keep Mij on his knee during the flight, which further impressed Maxwell.
Q7. Why did the author book a flight to Paris instead of going directly to London?
Ans: The author chose to book a flight to Paris instead of directly to London because the British airline would not transport animals. To ensure his pet, Mij, could travel with him, he opted for a different airline that allowed animals.
Q8. What were the wild guesses that the average Londoners make in recognising Mijbil? Whose remark was adjudged best by Maxwell?
Ans: The average Londoners were taken aback by the sight of such a unique animal, leading to a flurry of wild guesses about what Mijbil might be. Some suggested he was a baby seal, while others thought he resembled a squirrel or even a walrus. Additional guesses included a beaver, a bear cub, and a leopard. The most notable remark came from a labourer who, upon seeing Mijbil, simply asked, “What is that supposed to be?”
Q9. Why has Mijbil christened Maxwell’s otter?
Ans: The narrator named his pet Mijbil, which is a type of otter that was previously unknown to science. This otter was later given the scientific name Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter, in honour of its owner, Maxwell.
Q10. How did Mijbil behave in the beginning? Did some change come in the otter afterwards?
Ans: During the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly. He remained aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor, far from Maxwell’s bed. However, on the second night, Mijbil came onto Maxwell’s bed and slept curled up by his knees until morning. Over the following days, he began to lose his apathy and showed a keen interest in his surroundings.
Q11. What compulsive habits like children did Mijbil develop during walks in the London streets?
Ans: Mijbil developed certain compulsive habits during his walks in the streets of London, similar to the rituals of children. For instance, he would jump onto the low wall of a primary school, which was about two feet high, and run along its length. This behaviour often distracted both the students and staff inside the school. Additionally, like children, he would touch every second lamp-post and engage with the environment around him.
Q12. How did Maxwell get Mijbil, the otter?
Ans: Maxwell decided to change his plans from getting a dog to having an otter as a pet. He asked a friend to help him find one. While he was in his bedroom reading his mail, two Arabs arrived with a sack. They handed him a note that read, “Here is your otter…” When the sack was opened, Maxwell was introduced to his new pet, Mijbil the otter.
Q13. How was `Mijbil’ a source of amazement on London streets?
Ans: The otter was a constant source of amazement for Londoners, as many had never seen one before. Their surprise was evident as they attempted to identify the animal, guessing it might be various creatures. Some thought it resembled a baby seal, while others suggested a squirrel or even a hippo. The variety of guesses highlighted the otter’s uniqueness and the curiosity it sparked among the crowd.
Q14. Why were Maxwell and his friends going to Basra?
Ans: Maxwell and his friends travelled to Basra to visit the Consulate-General of Iraq. Their purpose was to collect and respond to their mail from Europe.
Q15. Give an example from the text to show that Mijbil is an intelligent animal.
Ans: Mijbil demonstrated his intelligence through his love of play and creativity. He invented various games, such as rolling marbles on his flat belly and balancing a ball on the high end of a suitcase. He would then dash to the other end to catch the ball as it rolled down, showcasing his ability to think and strategise.
Q16. What happened when Mij disappeared at speed down the aircraft?
Ans: When Maxwell opened the box, Mijbil quickly leapt out and raced down the aisle of the aircraft. This sudden action caused a great commotion, with passengers letting out shrieks and cries. One woman even stood up, screaming, “A rat! A rat!” Maxwell caught a glimpse of Mij’s tail as it vanished beneath the legs of a portly Indian man. In his attempt to catch Mij, Maxwell stumbled and ended up with curry on his face. The air hostess, with a charming smile, suggested that he return to his seat while she searched for the otter.
Q17. Prove that Mijbil loved the water, giving two instances in support of your answer.
Ans: Mijbil loved the water, as shown by two clear instances. First, when taken to the bathroom, he was filled with joy, plunging and rolling in the water for half an hour. He created a huge mess, making enough splash to rival a hippo. This behaviour is typical of otters, who enjoy interacting with water.
Second, Mijbil demonstrated his love for water by escaping to the bathroom on his own. He quickly learned to turn on the tap, eagerly producing a flow of water. His excitement was evident as he played, showcasing his natural affinity for water.
Q18. Mijbil, the otter invented a game. What do you think would be the game that he invented?
Ans: Mij invented a game using a ping-pong ball and a damaged suitcase lid. The lid sloped down from one end, allowing the ball to roll. Mij would place the ball on the high end, then dash to the other side to ambush it as it came down. He enjoyed hiding and springing up to grab the ball, then trotting back to the high end to start again. This game kept him engrossed for up to half an hour.
Q19. What routine did Mijbil follow everyday while on the walk-in London?
Ans: Mij followed a routine during his daily walks home. He would tug Maxwell towards a low wall outside a primary school near their flat. Once there, Mij would jump onto the wall and gallop along its thirty-yard length. This playful act often caused a distraction for both the pupils and staff at the school.
Q20. When did it come to the author’s mind to have an otter?
Ans: The author decided to consider getting an otter after the death of his pet dog. He was not ready to have another dog, so he thought about purchasing an otter instead. He believed that Camusfearna, surrounded by water, would be an ideal place to keep an otter.
Q21. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?
Ans: Maxwell put the otter back in the box because he was running late for his flight. With only ten minutes left and the airport five miles away, he felt he had no choice. Although he felt bad about it, he believed it was necessary to ensure he made his flight.
Q22. When and why did Maxwell think of keeping an otter as a pet?
Ans: In early 1956, Maxwell travelled to Southern Iraq, where he considered keeping an otter as a pet. He believed that Camusfearna, being surrounded by water, would be an ideal location for this.
Q23. How did the otter look?
Ans: The otter was a small creature that resembled a medieval dragon. Its body was covered in symmetrical, pointed scales of mud, extending from its head to the tip of its tail. Between these scales, a soft, velvet fur, similar to that of a chocolate-brown mole, was visible.
Q24. How did the otter behave in the beginning?
Ans: Initially, the otter was neither hostile nor friendly. Instead, he was aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor, as far from the writer’s bed as possible. Over time, however, he began to show more interest in his surroundings.
Q25. What would Mij do on the low wall adjoining the school opposite to Maxwell’s flat in London?
Ans: Mij would tug Maxwell to the low wall that ran along the school, which was about two feet high. Once there, Mij would jump up and gallop the full length of the wall, which measured thirty yards. This playful act often distracted both the pupils and staff at the school.
