Class 10 English Chapter 8 Question Answer | Mijbil the Otter
Welcome to HSLC Guru. In this article, we provide a complete set of questions and answers for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 8 – Mijbil the Otter by Gavin Maxwell. This chapter is an important part of the ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education) Class 10 English syllabus. Here you will find the summary, textbook solutions (Oral Comprehension Check, Thinking about the Text, and Thinking about the Language), additional short and long answer questions, MCQs, extract-based questions, and value-based questions to help you prepare thoroughly for your HSLC examination.
Summary of Mijbil the Otter
“Mijbil the Otter” is an autobiographical account by the Scottish naturalist and author Gavin Maxwell, taken from his book Ring of Bright Water. The chapter narrates the beautiful and heartwarming bond between Maxwell and his pet otter, Mijbil (affectionately called Mij), and the many adventures they shared together.
The story begins in early 1956 when Maxwell travels to Southern Iraq. Having recently lost his pet dog, he feels very lonely and decides that he would like to keep an otter instead of a dog. His home at Camusfearna, which is surrounded by water, seems like the perfect place for this experiment. Maxwell goes to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect his mail from Europe. He has to wait there for five days because his mail does not arrive on time. During this time, his friend suggests that he should get an otter from the Tigris marshes, where they are as common as mosquitoes and are often tamed by the Arabs.
Maxwell’s friend sends him an otter through two Arabs who arrive carrying a sack. When the sack is opened, the creature that emerges looks like a small, medievally conceived dragon because it is completely coated with mud. After being cleaned, the otter reveals itself to be a beautiful animal with soft, chocolate-brown fur resembling velvet. Maxwell names the otter Mijbil, or Mij for short. Interestingly, Mij’s species turns out to be previously unknown to science, and zoologists later name it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, commonly known as Maxwell’s otter.
For the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil is aloof and indifferent — neither hostile nor friendly. He sleeps on the floor, far from Maxwell’s bed. However, on the second night, Mij climbs onto Maxwell’s bed and sleeps in the crook of his knees. Gradually, the otter loses his apathy and begins to take a keen interest in his surroundings. Maxwell takes Mij to the bathroom, where the otter goes wild with joy in the water, plunging, rolling, and splashing. Two days later, Mij amazes Maxwell by escaping to the bathroom on his own and turning on the water tap with his paws, demonstrating remarkable intelligence.
Mij develops a love for playing with various objects. He juggles small items between his paws like a four-footed soccer player. His favourite toys are marbles and rubber balls. He also invents a unique game with a ping-pong ball and a damaged suitcase: he places the ball on the raised end of the suitcase and races around to catch it at the bottom as it rolls down the slope.
The most challenging part of the story involves transporting Mijbil from Iraq to London. British airlines do not allow animals on their flights, so Maxwell books a flight on another airline that goes from Basra to Paris and then Paris to London, with a stop at Cairo. Maxwell is told that Mij must travel in a box not more than eighteen inches square. He has a box made with an opening at one end and with the interior lined with a metal sheet. When Maxwell puts Mij inside the box and goes away briefly, an appalling spectacle awaits him upon his return. Mij has torn the metal lining to shreds and injured himself in the process. Blood trickles from the airholes. Maxwell quickly cleans and bandages the otter, but he is already late for his flight.
At the airport, Maxwell barely makes his flight. On the plane, he tells the air hostess about his predicament. She is extremely kind and sympathetic, and Maxwell calls her “the very queen of her kind.” She allows him to take Mij out of the box and place him on his lap. However, the moment the box is opened, Mij escapes and runs all over the aircraft, creating chaos. A woman screams, “A rat! A rat!” and passengers pull their feet up on their seats. Eventually, with the help of the air hostess, Maxwell catches Mij and calms him down. Mij spends the rest of the journey sitting on Maxwell’s knee, gazing out of the window.
In London, Mij becomes a source of curiosity. Since otters are not commonly seen in England, Londoners make wild and amusing guesses about what Mij might be. People variously identify him as a baby seal, a squirrel, a walrus, a beaver, a bear cub, a hippo, a leopard, and even a brontosaurus. One labourer asks Maxwell, “What is that supposed to be?” Mij also develops compulsive habits during walks. He would jump onto a low boundary wall near Maxwell’s house and run along its entire thirty-yard length at full speed, a routine he refused to skip.
The chapter beautifully illustrates the themes of companionship, love for animals, trust, and the joy of nurturing a bond with a wild creature. It shows that animals, like humans, have distinct personalities, emotions, and intelligence, and that caring for them can be both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Thinking about the Text (Textbook Questions and Answers)
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 106)
Q1. What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
Ans: Maxwell decided that instead of keeping a dog as a pet, he would keep an otter. His home at Camusfearna was ringed by water a very short distance from its door, making it an eminently suitable spot for this experiment. The water surrounding the area would provide the perfect natural habitat for the aquatic otter.
Q2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
Ans: Maxwell went to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and answer his mail from Europe. He had to wait there for five days because his mail did not arrive on time. During this waiting period, his friend suggested that he should get an otter from the Tigris marshes, where they were commonly found and often tamed by the local Arabs.
Q3. How does he get the otter? Does he get it on the same day?
Ans: Maxwell’s friend arranged to get him an otter from the Tigris marshes. Two Arabs brought the otter to Maxwell in a sack, along with a message from his friend. No, Maxwell did not get the otter on the same day he expressed his desire for one. His friend had to make arrangements, and the otter was delivered to him some time later. When the sack was opened, a creature resembling a small, medievally conceived dragon, covered in mud, emerged.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 108)
Q4. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days later?
Ans: When Maxwell first took Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter went wild with joy in the water. He plunged and rolled in it, pressing his belly against the water surface and shooting up and down the length of the bathtub. He made a great deal of splashing and appeared to be thoroughly delighted. Two days later, Mijbil escaped from Maxwell’s bedroom on his own, went to the bathroom, climbed up to the bathtub, and fumbled at the chromium taps with his paws. In less than a minute, the otter had turned the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water, and after a few more moments, he managed to achieve the full flow. This showed Mij’s remarkable intelligence and his love for water.
Q5. How was Mij transported to England?
Ans: Transporting Mij to England was a difficult task. British airlines did not allow animals to travel on their flights. So Maxwell booked a flight on another airline from Basra to Paris, and then from Paris to London, with a stop in Cairo. As per the airline’s requirement, Mij had to travel in a box that was not more than eighteen inches square. Maxwell had a special box constructed with an opening at one end and the interior lined with a metal sheet. However, the journey was full of complications, as Mij tore the box’s lining, injured himself, and later caused chaos on the plane when released from the box.
Q6. What did Mij do to the box?
Ans: The box in which Mij was placed was lined with a metal sheet on the inside. Mij did not feel comfortable inside the box and desperately tried to escape. In his frantic attempts, he tore the metal lining of the box into shreds. In the process, he also hurt himself badly, and blood began to trickle from the airholes of the box. When Maxwell opened the box, he found Mij exhausted, injured, and covered in blood. The box itself was completely torn up from the inside.
Q7. Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”?
Ans: Maxwell called the airhostess “the very queen of her kind” because she was exceptionally kind, sympathetic, and helpful. When Maxwell told her about his distressing situation — how his otter had torn the box and injured himself, and how he was worried about the animal — the airhostess listened with genuine concern. She understood how Maxwell felt and immediately offered to help. She gave him permission to take the otter out of the box and keep it on his lap during the flight. Later, when Mij escaped and caused chaos on the plane, she also helped Maxwell catch the otter. Her compassion and willingness to go beyond her duty made Maxwell describe her as the best of her kind.
Q8. What happened when the box was opened?
Ans: When the box was opened on the plane, Mij immediately bolted out and disappeared at high speed down the aisle of the aircraft. There was instant pandemonium. A woman sitting nearby screamed, “A rat! A rat!” Passengers were frightened and pulled their feet up on their seats. Mij ran all over the plane, creating complete chaos. Eventually, with the help of the kind airhostess, Maxwell managed to catch Mij. After that, the otter settled down on Maxwell’s knee and spent the rest of the flight peacefully looking out of the window.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page 110)
Q9. What game had Mij invented?
Ans: Mij invented a unique and amusing game involving a ping-pong ball and a damaged suitcase. The suitcase had one side that formed a slope or ramp. Mij would place the ping-pong ball on the raised end of the suitcase and then race around to the other end to catch the ball as it rolled down the slope. He would do this repeatedly with great enthusiasm and delight. This game demonstrated Mij’s intelligence, playfulness, and ability to create entertainment for himself.
Q10. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What was Mij’s compulsive habit?
Ans: Compulsive habits are repetitive behaviours or actions that a person or animal performs habitually, almost involuntarily, without any clear or rational reason. These are habits that one feels compelled to repeat in a fixed pattern. Examples of compulsive habits in children include placing their feet precisely on the centre of each paving block, touching every seventh railing along a fence, or running a stick along a row of railings. Mij had his own compulsive habit. During walks with Maxwell, Mij would jump onto a low boundary wall outside a school near Maxwell’s house and run the full length of it, which was about thirty yards. He would gallop along the wall at top speed. This was a ritual that Mij insisted on performing every time they passed that route.
Q11. What group of animals do otters belong to?
Ans: Otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines. This group is shared by other animals such as badgers, mongooses, weasels, stoats, and minks. All Mustellines are known for being active, agile, and often semi-aquatic in nature.
Q12. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?
Ans: Since otters were not commonly seen in England, the average Londoner had no idea what Mij was. People made many wild and often hilarious guesses about the animal. Various people guessed that Mij was a baby seal, a squirrel, a walrus, a beaver, a bear cub, a hippo, a leopard, and even a brontosaurus. One labourer on the street asked Maxwell directly, “What is that supposed to be?” The wide range of guesses shows how unfamiliar Londoners were with otters as animals.
Thinking about the Text (Page 110)
Q1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly, and fun-loving animal?
Ans: Mij displays remarkable intelligence, friendliness, and a fun-loving nature throughout the chapter. His intelligence is demonstrated when he learns to turn on the bathroom tap by himself. Within just two days of being shown the bathroom, he escapes to it on his own, climbs onto the bathtub, and fumbles with the chromium taps until he produces a full flow of water. This shows his ability to observe, learn, and imitate. His friendliness is seen in the way he bonds with Maxwell. After being initially aloof, he climbs onto Maxwell’s bed on the second night and sleeps in the crook of his knees. He nuzzles Maxwell’s face with a “distressed chitter of recognition and welcome” when they are reunited on the plane. His fun-loving nature is evident in his love for water play, where he plunges, rolls, and splashes with wild joy. He also invents his own game with a ping-pong ball and a suitcase, and he enjoys juggling objects between his paws like a football player. He plays with marbles and rubber balls for hours. All these actions show Mij to be an intelligent, affectionate, and playful creature.
Q2. What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?
Ans: The text provides several interesting facts about otters. First, we learn that otters belong to a comparatively small group of animals called Mustellines, which also includes badgers, mongooses, weasels, stoats, and minks. Second, otters are found in the Tigris marshes of Iraq, where they are as common as mosquitoes. Third, the Arabs in Iraq often tame otters and keep them as pets. Fourth, otters have a deep love for water and can spend hours playing, diving, rolling, and splashing in it. Fifth, otters are highly intelligent animals capable of learning new skills, such as turning on water taps. Sixth, they are playful and inventive, capable of creating their own games. Seventh, Maxwell’s otter was of a species previously unknown to science, which was later named Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter. Eighth, otters have soft, velvet-like fur that can be chocolate-brown in colour. These details give us a rich understanding of otters as remarkable and fascinating creatures.
Q3. Why is Mij’s species now known as Maxwell’s otter?
Ans: Mij’s species is known as Maxwell’s otter because the otter that Maxwell kept as a pet turned out to belong to a race that was previously unknown to science. No zoologist had identified or classified this particular species before. When scientists examined Mij, they discovered that he represented a new subspecies. They officially named it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli in honour of Gavin Maxwell, who was the first person to bring this species to the attention of the scientific world. In common parlance, this subspecies came to be known simply as “Maxwell’s otter.”
Q4. Maxwell in the story speaks for Mij. He tells us what the otter feels and thinks on different occasions. Given below are some things that Mij does. Complete the table by writing what you think Mij might have been feeling or thinking.
| What Mij Does | How Mij Feels or Thinks |
|---|---|
| Plunges, rolls in water and water-Loss from the water | He is overjoyed and ecstatic. He feels wild with happiness at being in water, his natural element. |
| Nuzzles Maxwell’s face and neck on the plane | He feels relieved and grateful to be free from the box. He recognises Maxwell and is welcoming him with affection and a desperate need for comfort. |
| Tries to get the tap on and makes wrong turns | He feels frustrated and irritated that the tap is not working. He is determined and curious, wanting to figure out the mechanism to get water flowing. |
| Gallops along the wall at top speed | He feels excited, free, and full of energy. Running along the wall gives him a sense of adventure and fun during his daily walks. |
| Juggles small objects between his paws | He feels playful and entertained. He enjoys the challenge of manipulating objects, much like a child playing with toys. |
Q5. Read the following and choose the right answer:
(i) Maxwell’s description of Mij:
(a) makes Mij seem almost human, like a small boy — True
(b) shows that he is often surprised by what Mij does — True
(c) shows that he is an acute observer of__(the) animal’s behaviour — True
(d) makes us feel that Mij is a very unusual otter — True
Ans: All four statements are true. Maxwell describes Mij in an anthropomorphic manner, making the otter seem almost like a small boy with his own personality, moods, and desires. Maxwell is frequently surprised by Mij’s actions, such as when the otter learns to turn on the tap by himself. His vivid and detailed descriptions show that he is a careful and acute observer of animal behaviour. And throughout the chapter, Maxwell’s portrayal of Mij’s intelligence, playfulness, and unique habits makes us feel that Mij is indeed a very unusual and remarkable otter.
Thinking about the Language (Page 111)
I. Noun Modifiers
In the text, nouns, proper nouns, and adjective plus noun combinations are used as modifiers (words that describe or give more information about another noun).
Q1. Look at these examples from the text and say whether the modifiers (in italics) are nouns, proper nouns, or adjective plus noun:
| Phrase | Type of Modifier |
|---|---|
| An otter fixation | Noun |
| The iron railings | Noun |
| The Tigris marshes | Proper Noun |
| The London streets | Proper Noun |
| Soft velvet fur | Adjective + Noun |
| A four-footed soccer player | Adjective + Noun |
II. Collocation — Matching Words
Q2. Match the words on the left with a word on the right. Some words on the left can go with more than one word on the right:
| Left Column | Right Column (Answer) |
|---|---|
| A portion of | fried fish |
| A pool of | water / blood |
| Flakes of | snow |
| A huge heap of | stones |
| A gust of | wind |
| Little drops of | water / blood |
| A piece of | cotton |
| A pot of | gold |
III. Use of ‘Would’ and ‘Used to’
Q3. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘would’ or ‘used to’:
(i) Mij would play with a ball for hours every day.
(ii) Maxwell used to live in a house surrounded by water.
(iii) The otter would jump onto the wall and gallop along it every evening.
(iv) There used to be many otters in the Tigris marshes.
(v) Mij would juggle small objects between his paws for amusement.
Note: ‘Used to’ is used for past states or habits that no longer exist (e.g., “I used to live in Delhi” means I lived there once but no longer do). ‘Would’ is used for repeated past actions or habits (e.g., “He would play every day” means he repeatedly did this in the past). ‘Used to’ can describe both states and actions, but ‘would’ can only describe repeated actions, not states.
Additional Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks)
Q1. Where did Gavin Maxwell travel to in 1956? What was his purpose?
Ans: In early 1956, Gavin Maxwell travelled to Southern Iraq. His purpose was to visit the Consulate-General at Basra to collect and answer his mail from Europe. During this trip, he also got the idea of keeping an otter as a pet, which led to the acquisition of Mijbil.
Q2. Why was Camusfearna considered an ideal place for keeping an otter?
Ans: Camusfearna was considered an ideal place for keeping an otter because it was ringed by water a very short distance from its door. Since otters are semi-aquatic animals that love water, the water-surrounded environment of Camusfearna provided the perfect natural habitat for an otter to live, swim, and play.
Q3. What did the otter look like when it first emerged from the sack?
Ans: When the otter first emerged from the sack, it looked like a very small, medievally conceived dragon. Its entire body, from head to the tip of its tail, was coated with symmetrical, pointed scales of mud armour. Between the tips of these mud scales, a soft velvet fur like that of a chocolate-brown mole was visible. The otter had to be cleaned before its true appearance could be seen.
Q4. What was Mijbil’s scientific name? Why was the species named after Maxwell?
Ans: Mijbil’s scientific name was Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli. The species was named after Maxwell because his otter turned out to belong to a race that was previously unknown to science. Since Gavin Maxwell was the first person to discover and bring this subspecies to the attention of zoologists, they honoured him by including his name in the scientific classification. It came to be commonly known as Maxwell’s otter.
Q5. How did Mij behave during the first twenty-four hours with Maxwell?
Ans: During the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly. He was simply aloof and indifferent. He chose to sleep on the floor as far from Maxwell’s bed as possible. He did not show any interest in his surroundings or in Maxwell. It was only on the second night that Mij came onto Maxwell’s bed and slept in the crook of his knees, and gradually began to lose his apathy.
Q6. How did Mij show his love for water?
Ans: Mij showed his love for water in several ways. When Maxwell first took him to the bathroom, he went wild with joy, plunging, rolling, and splashing in the water. He would press his belly against the water and shoot up and down the length of the bathtub. Two days later, he escaped to the bathroom on his own and even learned to turn on the water tap with his paws. He would spend long periods playing in water, demonstrating his natural aquatic instincts.
Q7. What were Mij’s favourite toys? How did he play with them?
Ans: Mij’s favourite toys were marbles and rubber balls. He would juggle small objects between his paws like a four-footed soccer player, shuffling them up and down. He particularly enjoyed rolling marbles on his belly while lying on his back, manipulating them skilfully without letting them drop. He also invented a game with a ping-pong ball and a damaged suitcase, placing the ball on the raised end and racing to catch it as it rolled down.
Q8. Why could Maxwell not book a flight on British airlines?
Ans: Maxwell could not book a flight on British airlines because they did not permit the transport of animals on their aircraft. Since Maxwell had to carry his otter Mijbil with him, he was forced to book a flight on another airline that operated from Basra to Paris and then from Paris to London, with a stop at Cairo. This alternative airline allowed animals to travel in boxes.
Q9. Describe the condition of the box after Mij was left inside it.
Ans: When Maxwell returned to check on the box, there was an appalling spectacle. Complete silence came from the box, but around the air holes, blood had trickled and begun to form small pools on the floor. When Maxwell opened the box, he found that Mij had torn the metal lining of the box to shreds in his desperate attempts to escape. The otter was injured, exhausted, and covered in blood. The interior of the box was completely destroyed.
Q10. What happened on the plane when Mij was released from the box?
Ans: When Mij was released from the box on the plane, he immediately bolted out and disappeared at high speed down the aisle of the aircraft. Panic broke out among the passengers. A woman sitting nearby screamed, “A rat! A rat!” Passengers scrambled to pull their feet up on their seats. The otter ran all over the plane, creating complete pandemonium. Eventually, with the help of the kind airhostess, Maxwell managed to catch Mij and calm him down.
Q11. Why did the woman on the plane scream?
Ans: The woman on the plane screamed because when Mij bolted out of the box and ran down the aisle, she mistook the otter for a rat. Since she had never seen an otter before and Mij was running very fast in an enclosed space, the woman was terrified. She screamed, “A rat! A rat!” which added to the chaos and panic on the plane.
Q12. How did Mij spend the rest of the journey after being caught?
Ans: After being caught and calmed down, Mij spent the rest of the journey peacefully. He sat on Maxwell’s knee and seemed perfectly content. He would gaze out of the window at the passing scenery, nuzzle Maxwell’s face occasionally, and remained well-behaved for the remainder of the flight. This was a stark contrast to the earlier chaos he had created.
Q13. What were Mij’s compulsive habits during walks in London?
Ans: During walks in London, Mij developed a compulsive habit of jumping onto a low boundary wall outside a school near Maxwell’s house. Once on the wall, he would gallop along its entire length of about thirty yards at full speed. This was a fixed routine that Mij insisted on performing every time they passed that route. He refused to skip this ritual, no matter what.
Q14. What did Maxwell mean by calling Mij a “dogg-like” animal?
Ans: By describing Mij as a “dogg-like” animal, Maxwell meant that Mij displayed many qualities commonly associated with dogs. Like a dog, Mij was loyal, affectionate, and loved being close to his master. He followed Maxwell around, played games, responded to his presence with excitement, and formed a deep emotional bond with him. The comparison highlighted that an otter could be just as good a companion as a dog.
Q15. How did the people of London react to seeing Mij?
Ans: The people of London reacted with curiosity and bewilderment upon seeing Mij. Since otters were not commonly seen in England, the average Londoner had no idea what Mij was. People made wild and amusing guesses, variously identifying him as a baby seal, a squirrel, a walrus, a beaver, a bear cub, a hippo, a leopard, and even a brontosaurus. One labourer asked Maxwell directly, “What is that supposed to be?” The variety of guesses showed how unfamiliar Londoners were with otters.
Q16. What role did Maxwell’s friend play in helping him get an otter?
Ans: Maxwell’s friend played a crucial role in helping him get an otter. When Maxwell casually mentioned that he would like to keep an otter as a pet, his friend suggested that he should get one from the Tigris marshes, where they were as common as mosquitoes. Later, his friend arranged for two Arabs to bring an otter in a sack to Maxwell, along with a message. Without his friend’s knowledge of the area and his connections with the local people, Maxwell might not have been able to obtain Mijbil.
Q17. How did Mij demonstrate his intelligence?
Ans: Mij demonstrated his intelligence in several ways. The most striking example was when he learned to turn on the bathroom tap by himself. After being taken to the bathroom just once, Mij figured out how the tap worked. He escaped from the bedroom, went to the bathroom, climbed up to the bathtub, and fumbled with the chromium taps using his paws until he produced a full flow of water. He also invented his own game with a ping-pong ball and a suitcase, showing creative thinking. His ability to observe, learn, and create showed a level of intelligence that surprised even Maxwell.
Long Answer Questions (5-6 Marks)
Q1. Describe the journey of transporting Mijbil from Basra to London. What were the challenges Maxwell faced?
Ans: The journey of transporting Mijbil from Basra to London was full of challenges and unexpected complications. Maxwell’s first challenge was that British airlines did not allow animals on their flights. He therefore had to book a flight on another airline, which operated from Basra to Paris and then from Paris to London, with a stop at Cairo.
The airline required that the otter travel in a box not larger than eighteen inches square. Maxwell had a special box constructed with an opening at one end, and its interior was lined with a metal sheet. However, when Maxwell left Mij in the box for some time, he returned to find an appalling spectacle. Mij had torn the metal lining to shreds in a desperate attempt to escape. Blood was trickling from the airholes, and when Maxwell opened the box, he found Mij exhausted, injured, and covered in blood.
Maxwell quickly cleaned and bandaged the otter, but he was now running late for his flight. He rushed to the airport and barely made it in time. On the plane, Maxwell told the airhostess about his situation, and she proved to be exceptionally kind and sympathetic. She allowed Maxwell to take Mij out of the box and keep him on his lap. However, the moment the box was opened, Mij bolted out and ran down the aisle, causing panic among passengers. A woman screamed, “A rat! A rat!” and passengers scrambled to safety. Eventually, with the help of the airhostess, Maxwell caught Mij, who then settled peacefully on his knee for the rest of the journey. Despite all these difficulties, Maxwell successfully brought Mij to London.
Q2. Describe Mijbil’s personality and character based on the text. What qualities did Mij display?
Ans: Mijbil emerges as a fascinating animal with a distinct and well-defined personality in the story. His character can be understood through several key qualities.
First, Mij was intelligent. He demonstrated a remarkable ability to learn by observation. After being taken to the bathroom just once, he learned to escape from the bedroom, find his way to the bathroom, and turn on the water tap using his paws. This level of problem-solving ability is extraordinary for a wild animal.
Second, Mij was playful and inventive. He loved playing with various objects, particularly marbles and rubber balls. He would juggle small objects between his paws like a football player. He even invented his own game using a ping-pong ball and a suitcase, placing the ball on a slope and racing to catch it. This creative play shows both intelligence and a fun-loving nature.
Third, Mij was affectionate and loyal. After an initial period of aloofness, he bonded deeply with Maxwell. He would sleep in the crook of Maxwell’s knees, nuzzle his face with chittering sounds of recognition, and stay close to him. His attachment to Maxwell was similar to that of a pet dog to its master.
Fourth, Mij was water-loving. Being an otter, Mij had a natural love for water. He would go wild with joy in the bathtub, plunging, rolling, and splashing with great enthusiasm. He would spend hours playing in water.
Fifth, Mij had compulsive habits, such as running along a wall at full speed during every walk, showing a ritualistic side to his behaviour.
Overall, Mij’s personality was a blend of intelligence, playfulness, affection, and individuality that made him an extraordinary pet and companion.
Q3. How did the airhostess help Maxwell? Why does Maxwell call her “the very queen of her kind”?
Ans: The airhostess played a crucial role in helping Maxwell during the stressful flight from Basra to London. When Maxwell boarded the plane, he was in a state of distress. His otter, Mijbil, had torn the metal lining of the box, injured himself, and there was blood everywhere. Maxwell was anxious about the otter’s health and worried about how to manage the situation on the flight.
When Maxwell told the airhostess about his predicament, she listened with genuine concern and sympathy. Instead of being rigid about airline rules, she showed compassion and understanding. She allowed Maxwell to take the otter out of the box and keep it on his lap during the flight. This was a significant gesture because it went beyond the normal rules of the airline and showed her willingness to put human and animal welfare above strict regulations.
When Mij escaped from the box and caused chaos on the plane, the airhostess did not panic or reprimand Maxwell. Instead, she actively helped him search for and catch the otter. She remained calm and supportive throughout the ordeal, helping to restore order on the flight.
Maxwell calls her “the very queen of her kind” because she represented the very best qualities one could hope for in an airhostess — empathy, kindness, quick thinking, and the willingness to help beyond the call of duty. In a situation where most people might have been annoyed or unhelpful, she showed exceptional compassion. Her kindness made a difficult journey bearable for Maxwell and ensured the safety of Mijbil.
Q4. “There is no dull moment when you have a pet.” How does Mijbil prove this statement? Explain with examples from the text.
Ans: The statement “There is no dull moment when you have a pet” is perfectly illustrated by Mijbil’s antics throughout the chapter. From the moment Maxwell acquires Mij, his life is filled with excitement, surprise, challenges, and joy.
First, Mij’s bathroom adventures kept Maxwell constantly entertained and surprised. The otter would go wild with joy in the water, splashing, plunging, and rolling with abandon. His ability to learn to turn on the tap by himself was an unexpected surprise that showed Maxwell the otter’s remarkable intelligence.
Second, Mij’s playful nature ensured there was never a dull moment at home. He would juggle marbles and rubber balls between his paws, play football with objects on the floor, and invent his own games with ping-pong balls and suitcases. Watching Mij play was a constant source of amusement.
Third, the journey to London was anything but dull. The drama of Mij tearing the box, the blood at the airholes, the race to the airport, and the pandemonium on the plane when Mij escaped were experiences that were terrifying and stressful, but certainly not dull.
Fourth, walks in London were always eventful. Mij’s compulsive habit of galloping along the boundary wall, his curious exploration of the streets, and the amusing reactions of Londoners who could not identify what animal he was — all these made every outing memorable.
Fifth, Mij’s emotional bond with Maxwell added warmth and meaning to daily life. The otter’s affectionate nuzzling, his recognition sounds, and his desire to be close to Maxwell created moments of deep connection.
Thus, Mijbil completely proves that having a pet means having a companion that fills every moment with interest, joy, and sometimes chaos.
Q5. What difficulties did Maxwell face in transporting Mij? How were these difficulties resolved?
Ans: Maxwell faced several major difficulties in transporting Mijbil from Basra to London.
The first difficulty was the airline restriction. British airlines did not permit the carriage of animals on their flights. Maxwell resolved this by booking a flight on another airline that operated from Basra to Paris and then Paris to London, which allowed animals to travel in boxes.
The second difficulty was the box. The airline required the otter to travel in a box not larger than eighteen inches square. Maxwell had a special box made with a metal-lined interior and an opening at one end. However, when Mij was placed in the box, he went berserk, tore the metal lining to shreds, and injured himself badly. Blood trickled from the airholes, creating an appalling sight.
The third difficulty was time. Maxwell had to clean and bandage the injured otter, which made him very late for his flight. He resolved this by rushing to the airport at top speed and barely catching the flight.
The fourth difficulty was managing Mij on the plane. Maxwell told the sympathetic airhostess about his situation, and she allowed him to take Mij out of the box. But when the box was opened, Mij escaped and ran amok on the plane, causing panic among passengers. The airhostess helped Maxwell catch the otter, and Mij eventually settled on Maxwell’s knee for the rest of the journey.
Through a combination of quick thinking, the help of a kind airhostess, and a great deal of patience, Maxwell managed to overcome all these difficulties and successfully bring Mijbil to London.
Q6. Describe how Mij’s behaviour changed from the time Maxwell got him to their life in London.
Ans: Mij’s behaviour underwent a significant transformation from the time Maxwell first received him to their settled life in London.
When Mij first arrived in a sack, he was covered in mud and resembled a small, medievally conceived dragon. During the first twenty-four hours, he was aloof and indifferent — neither hostile nor friendly. He kept his distance from Maxwell and chose to sleep on the floor as far from the bed as possible. This behaviour reflected his initial wariness and discomfort in a new environment.
On the second night, Mij showed the first signs of warming up. He climbed onto Maxwell’s bed and slept in the crook of his knees. During the day, he began to lose his apathy and take a keen interest in his surroundings. This marked the beginning of his bond with Maxwell.
In Basra, Mij discovered his love for water. He went wild with joy in the bathtub and soon learned to turn on the tap by himself. He started playing with various objects and developed his playful, inventive personality. He also became emotionally attached to Maxwell, as seen by his distressed chittering when reunited with him on the plane.
In London, Mij was fully settled and at ease. He developed regular routines, including his compulsive habit of galloping along the boundary wall during walks. He was comfortable with the surroundings and confident enough to explore the streets. He had transformed from a wary, aloof wild animal into a loyal, playful, and affectionate companion — much like a pet dog.
This gradual transformation shows how trust and care can build a deep bond between humans and animals.
Q7. Why is the chapter titled “Mijbil the Otter”? What makes this chapter interesting and engaging for the reader?
Ans: The chapter is titled “Mijbil the Otter” because the entire narrative revolves around the otter named Mijbil and its life with the author, Gavin Maxwell. The title directly identifies the central character of the story and sets the reader’s expectation that this will be an account about an unusual pet.
Several elements make this chapter interesting and engaging. First, the unusual choice of pet immediately captures the reader’s attention. While most people keep dogs or cats, Maxwell chose to keep an otter, which is a rare and unexpected choice. This novelty keeps the reader curious about what life with such an unusual pet would be like.
Second, Maxwell’s vivid and humorous descriptions bring Mij to life on the page. His comparison of the mud-covered otter to a “medievally conceived dragon,” the description of Mij as a “four-footed soccer player,” and the hilarious account of the plane incident are all written with wit and charm that make the reader smile.
Third, the dramatic moments create tension and excitement. The discovery of blood seeping from the box, the race to catch the flight, and Mij’s escape on the plane are all gripping episodes that keep the reader on edge.
Fourth, the emotional depth of the human-animal bond makes the reader feel connected to both Maxwell and Mij. The gradual development of trust and affection between them is touching and relatable.
Fifth, the humour in Londoners’ wild guesses about Mij’s identity adds a light-hearted and amusing dimension to the story. Overall, the chapter is a delightful blend of adventure, humour, drama, and emotion.
Q8. How does the chapter “Mijbil the Otter” highlight the theme of the human-animal bond? Discuss with reference to the relationship between Maxwell and Mij.
Ans: The chapter “Mijbil the Otter” is a beautiful exploration of the deep and meaningful bond that can exist between humans and animals. The relationship between Maxwell and Mij evolves from cautious unfamiliarity to profound affection and mutual dependence.
At the beginning, the relationship is marked by distance and wariness. Mij is aloof and indifferent, sleeping far from Maxwell. This mirrors how many relationships, whether human or animal, begin with caution and the need to establish trust. Maxwell is patient and does not force the otter to interact. He gives Mij space and time, which is crucial in building any relationship.
Gradually, trust develops. Mij climbs onto Maxwell’s bed, begins to play and explore, and shows signs of recognising Maxwell as a source of safety and comfort. The bond deepens when Maxwell takes Mij to the bathroom, introducing him to water — an element that gives Mij immense joy. Maxwell’s understanding of the otter’s needs and his willingness to accommodate them shows the effort required in maintaining a human-animal bond.
The transport episode reveals the depth of Maxwell’s commitment. Despite enormous difficulties — the box, the injuries, the race to the airport, the chaos on the plane — Maxwell never considers abandoning Mij. He goes through every hardship to ensure the otter’s safety and comfort. This self-sacrifice is a hallmark of genuine love and care.
The emotional connection between them is evident in small, tender moments — Mij nuzzling Maxwell’s face with a “distressed chitter of recognition and welcome,” sleeping in the crook of his knees, and sitting peacefully on his lap during the flight. These moments show that the bond is mutual: Mij loves and trusts Maxwell just as Maxwell loves and cares for Mij.
In London, their relationship reaches a comfortable domesticity. Mij has regular routines, favourite games, and compulsive habits, and Maxwell is fully integrated into the otter’s world. The chapter ultimately shows that the human-animal bond, when built on patience, trust, and genuine care, can be as rich and rewarding as any human relationship.
Q9. What do we learn about the nature and habits of otters from this chapter? Is an otter a suitable pet? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: From this chapter, we learn many interesting things about otters. Otters belong to the Mustelline family, which includes badgers, mongooses, weasels, stoats, and minks. They are semi-aquatic animals with a deep love for water. They have soft, velvet-like fur and are naturally agile and active. Otters are remarkably intelligent and can learn new skills through observation, such as turning on water taps. They are playful and inventive, capable of creating their own games. They can form strong emotional bonds with humans and display affection through physical contact and vocalisation. They also develop compulsive habits and fixed routines.
However, whether an otter makes a suitable pet is debatable. On one hand, the chapter shows that otters can be wonderful companions. Mij was intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and entertaining. His playful nature and emotional bond with Maxwell demonstrate that otters can provide the same joy and companionship as more traditional pets.
On the other hand, keeping an otter as a pet presents significant challenges. The transport episode shows how difficult it is to travel with an otter. Otters need constant access to water, which requires special arrangements. They can be destructive, as Mij demonstrated by tearing the box. They are wild animals that may not be as easily managed as domesticated pets. Additionally, in today’s world, keeping wild animals as pets raises important ethical and conservation concerns. Many otter species are endangered, and keeping them in captivity can harm wild populations.
Therefore, while the chapter shows that otters can form loving bonds with humans, the practical difficulties and ethical considerations suggest that they are not ideal pets for most people. Wild animals are generally best left in their natural habitats.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who is the author of “Mijbil the Otter”?
(a) Roald Dahl
(b) Gavin Maxwell
(c) Paulo Coelho
(d) Arup Kumar Dutta
Answer: (b) Gavin Maxwell
Q2. When did Maxwell travel to Southern Iraq?
(a) Early 1955
(b) Early 1956
(c) Early 1957
(d) Early 1958
Answer: (b) Early 1956
Q3. What animal did Maxwell want to keep instead of a dog?
(a) A cat
(b) A parrot
(c) An otter
(d) A rabbit
Answer: (c) An otter
Q4. Where were otters commonly found, according to Maxwell’s friend?
(a) Nile marshes
(b) Amazon marshes
(c) Tigris marshes
(d) Ganges marshes
Answer: (c) Tigris marshes
Q5. What did the otter look like when it first came out of the sack?
(a) A small dog
(b) A small dragon
(c) A small cat
(d) A small rabbit
Answer: (b) A small dragon
Q6. What was the scientific name given to Maxwell’s otter?
(a) Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli
(b) Lutrogale maxwelli perspicillata
(c) Maxwelli lutrogale perspicillata
(d) Perspicillata lutrogale maxwelli
Answer: (a) Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli
Q7. How was Mij’s behaviour during the first twenty-four hours?
(a) Friendly and playful
(b) Hostile and aggressive
(c) Aloof and indifferent
(d) Sad and depressed
Answer: (c) Aloof and indifferent
Q8. What had trickled out of the airholes of the box?
(a) Water
(b) Juice
(c) Paint
(d) Blood
Answer: (d) Blood
Q9. What did the woman on the plane think Mij was?
(a) A dog
(b) An otter
(c) A rat
(d) A seal
Answer: (c) A rat
Q10. What were Mij’s favourite toys?
(a) Toy cars
(b) Marbles
(c) Dolls
(d) Blocks
Answer: (b) Marbles
Q11. What group of animals do otters belong to?
(a) Felidae
(b) Canidae
(c) Mustellines
(d) Primates
Answer: (c) Mustellines
Q12. What does “an appalling spectacle” mean?
(a) A safe space
(b) A funny scene
(c) A mysterious situation
(d) A shocking scene
Answer: (d) A shocking scene
Q13. How many days did Maxwell wait in Basra for his mail?
(a) Two days
(b) Three days
(c) Five days
(d) Seven days
Answer: (c) Five days
Q14. What game did Mij invent using a ping-pong ball?
(a) He would throw it in the air and catch it
(b) He would place it on a suitcase slope and race to catch it
(c) He would push it into water
(d) He would hide it under the bed
Answer: (b) He would place it on a suitcase slope and race to catch it
Q15. Where did Maxwell live with Mij in England?
(a) Manchester
(b) Edinburgh
(c) London
(d) Birmingham
Answer: (c) London
Extract-Based Questions (with Answers)
Extract 1
“Early in the New Year of 1956, I travelled to Southern Iraq. A friend then casually suggested that I should get an otter. I had had one; Doha, but had not kept one since. By then it had crossed my mind that I should like to keep an otter instead of a dog, and that Camusfearna, ringed by water a stone’s throw from its door, would be an eminently suitable spot for this experiment.”
Q(a). When and where did the author travel?
Ans: The author, Gavin Maxwell, travelled to Southern Iraq in early 1956.
Q(b). What suggestion did the friend make?
Ans: The friend casually suggested that Maxwell should get an otter, as they were commonly found in the Tigris marshes of Iraq and were often tamed by the Arabs.
Q(c). Why did Maxwell consider Camusfearna suitable for this experiment?
Ans: Maxwell considered Camusfearna suitable because it was ringed by water a very short distance (a stone’s throw) from its door. Since otters are semi-aquatic animals that love water, this water-surrounded location would provide the perfect habitat for the otter.
Q(d). What does ‘experiment’ refer to in this context?
Ans: The ‘experiment’ refers to Maxwell’s plan to keep an otter as a pet instead of a dog. Since keeping an otter as a domestic pet is very unusual, Maxwell treated it as an experiment to see how well it would work.
Extract 2
“The creature that emerged from this sack on to the floor of the room resembled most of all a very small, medievally conceived dragon. From the head to the tip of the tail he was coated with symmetrical pointed scales of mud armour, between whose tips was visible a soft velvet fur like that of a chocolate-brown mole.”
Q(a). What creature is being described here?
Ans: The creature being described is an otter — specifically, Mijbil, the otter that Maxwell received from two Arabs in a sack.
Q(b). Why did the creature resemble a “medievally conceived dragon”?
Ans: The creature resembled a medievally conceived dragon because its entire body was coated with symmetrical, pointed scales of dried mud. This mud armour gave it a scaly, dragon-like appearance. The otter had not been cleaned and was covered in mud from head to tail.
Q(c). What was visible between the tips of the mud scales?
Ans: Between the tips of the mud scales, a soft velvet fur like that of a chocolate-brown mole was visible. This was the otter’s natural fur, which was hidden under the layer of dried mud.
Q(d). What literary device is used in this description?
Ans: The author uses a simile when he compares the otter to a “very small, medievally conceived dragon.” He also uses another simile when he compares the fur to that of “a chocolate-brown mole.” These vivid comparisons help the reader visualise the otter’s unusual appearance.
Extract 3
“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. The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning.”
Q(a). How did Mij behave during the first twenty-four hours?
Ans: During the first twenty-four hours, Mij was neither hostile nor friendly. He was simply aloof and indifferent. He kept his distance from Maxwell and chose to sleep on the floor as far from the bed as possible.
Q(b). What change occurred on the second night?
Ans: On the second night, Mij showed the first sign of warming up to Maxwell. He came onto Maxwell’s bed in the small hours (early hours of the morning) and slept in the crook of Maxwell’s knees. He remained there until the servant brought tea in the morning.
Q(c). What does the phrase “in the small hours” mean?
Ans: “In the small hours” means in the very early hours of the morning, typically between midnight and dawn. It suggests that Mij quietly came to Maxwell’s bed during the night when everyone was asleep.
Q(d). What does this extract tell us about the development of the bond between Maxwell and Mij?
Ans: This extract shows that the bond between Maxwell and Mij developed gradually. Initially, Mij was distant and wary. But by the second night, he had begun to trust Maxwell enough to come close to him and seek warmth and comfort. The movement from sleeping far away to sleeping in the crook of Maxwell’s knees symbolises the growing trust and affection between them.
Extract 4
“When I returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the box, but from between the slats and at the edges of the lid, blood had trickled and begun to form small pools on the floor.”
Q(a). What was the “appalling spectacle” that Maxwell saw?
Ans: The appalling spectacle was that blood had trickled from between the slats and at the edges of the lid of the box in which Mij was kept. The blood had begun to form small pools on the floor. There was complete silence from inside the box, which made the scene even more alarming.
Q(b). Why was there complete silence from the box?
Ans: There was complete silence from the box because Mij had exhausted himself in his desperate attempts to escape. He had torn the metal lining of the box to shreds and hurt himself in the process. The otter was likely lying exhausted and injured inside the box.
Q(c). What does “appalling” mean in this context?
Ans: “Appalling” means shocking, horrifying, or extremely distressing. In this context, it describes the terrifying sight of blood pooling on the floor and the ominous silence from the box, which suggested that something terrible had happened to the otter.
Q(d). What had Mij done inside the box?
Ans: Inside the box, Mij had desperately tried to escape. In his frantic efforts, he tore the metal lining of the box to shreds. During this process, he cut himself on the sharp edges of the torn metal, which caused the bleeding. The otter had exhausted and injured himself badly.
Extract 5
“Two days later, Mijbil escaped from my bedroom as I entered it, and I turned to see his tail disappearing round the bend of the corridor that led to the bathroom. By the time I got there he was up on the end of the bathtub and fumbling at the chromium taps with his paws.”
Q(a). Where did Mijbil escape to?
Ans: Mijbil escaped from Maxwell’s bedroom and went to the bathroom. Maxwell saw the otter’s tail disappearing around the bend of the corridor that led to the bathroom.
Q(b). What was Mij doing when Maxwell reached the bathroom?
Ans: When Maxwell reached the bathroom, Mij was perched on the end of the bathtub and was fumbling at the chromium taps with his paws, trying to turn them on to get water flowing.
Q(c). What does this incident tell us about Mij’s intelligence?
Ans: This incident demonstrates Mij’s remarkable intelligence. After being taken to the bathroom only once or twice, Mij had remembered the way to the bathroom on his own, understood that water came from the taps, and was attempting to turn them on with his paws. In less than a minute, he succeeded in producing a trickle of water. This ability to observe, remember, and imitate shows an extraordinary level of intelligence for a wild animal.
Q(d). What was the result of Mij’s efforts with the taps?
Ans: Mij’s efforts were successful. In less than a minute, he managed to turn the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water. After a moment or two more, he achieved the full flow of water. This amazed Maxwell, who watched the entire process in wonder.
Extract 6
“The species was doomed to become known as Maxwell’s otter. Doomed, by the way, because he was the first scientist to discover this particular sub-species. Doomed because it had not been previously known to science.”
Q(a). What species is being referred to here?
Ans: The species being referred to is Mijbil’s otter species, which was scientifically named Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, commonly known as Maxwell’s otter.
Q(b). Why was the species named after Maxwell?
Ans: The species was named after Maxwell because his otter Mijbil belonged to a subspecies that was previously unknown to science. Maxwell was the first person to discover and bring this species to the attention of zoologists. In recognition of his discovery, the species was named after him.
Q(c). What does “doomed” suggest in this context?
Ans: In this context, “doomed” is used in a light-hearted or ironic sense. It suggests that the species was destined or fated to be named after Maxwell. The word carries a humorous tone, implying that there was no escaping this naming, as Maxwell was the first to discover the subspecies.
Q(d). What was significant about Mij’s species?
Ans: The significant thing about Mij’s species was that it had not been previously known to science. It was a new subspecies that had never been identified, classified, or documented by any zoologist before. Maxwell’s discovery of this subspecies added a new entry to the scientific record of animal species.
Value-Based Questions
Q1. The airhostess in the story goes beyond the call of duty to help Maxwell. In today’s world, do you think people still show such compassion? What values does the airhostess represent?
Ans: The airhostess in the story represents some of the finest human values — empathy, compassion, kindness, and the willingness to help others even when it is not strictly part of one’s duty. She listens to Maxwell’s distressing situation with genuine concern, allows him to break the airline rules by taking the otter out of the box, and actively helps him catch Mij when the otter escapes on the plane. She does all this without complaint or irritation, showing remarkable patience and understanding.
In today’s world, while society has become more rule-bound and many people prioritise safety regulations over personal kindness, there are still individuals who show compassion in their daily lives. However, it is also true that strict rules and the fear of consequences sometimes prevent people from going beyond their duties to help others. The airhostess serves as an inspiring example of how small acts of kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Her actions remind us that rules and regulations are important, but they should not come at the cost of basic human values like empathy and compassion. We should all strive to be like her — kind, understanding, and willing to help when we see someone in genuine need.
Q2. What does the chapter “Mijbil the Otter” teach us about the responsibilities that come with keeping a pet? What values should a pet owner possess?
Ans: The chapter “Mijbil the Otter” provides valuable lessons about the responsibilities of pet ownership. Through Maxwell’s experience with Mijbil, we learn that keeping a pet is not just about enjoyment; it comes with significant duties and challenges.
First, a pet owner must have patience. When Mij was initially aloof and indifferent, Maxwell did not get frustrated. He gave the otter time and space to adjust to his new environment, which eventually led to a strong bond between them.
Second, a pet owner must be committed. Maxwell went through enormous trouble to transport Mij from Iraq to London — dealing with airline restrictions, the damaged box, the injured otter, and the chaos on the plane. He never considered abandoning Mij despite these difficulties.
Third, a pet owner must be understanding of the animal’s needs. Maxwell understood that Mij needed water to be happy, so he ensured access to the bathroom. He also allowed Mij to play, explore, and develop his own routines.
Fourth, a pet owner must show love and care. Maxwell cleaned and bandaged Mij when he was injured, made him comfortable during travel, and gave him the affection and attention he needed.
The values a pet owner should possess include patience, commitment, compassion, responsibility, selflessness, and a genuine love for animals. The chapter teaches us that a pet is a living being that depends entirely on its owner for safety, comfort, and happiness. Owning a pet is a privilege that comes with the duty to care for the animal throughout its life.
Q3. Maxwell chose an unconventional pet — an otter. What does this tell us about following our passions and making unusual choices in life? What values are highlighted through Maxwell’s decision?
Ans: Maxwell’s decision to keep an otter instead of a conventional pet like a dog tells us a great deal about following one’s passions and having the courage to make unconventional choices.
First, it demonstrates the value of individuality. Maxwell did not follow what most people would do. He had a unique desire to keep an otter, and he pursued it with determination. This teaches us that it is important to be true to ourselves and our interests, even if they differ from what society considers normal.
Second, it highlights courage and determination. Keeping an otter as a pet was an “experiment” — Maxwell knew it would be challenging, but he was willing to try. He faced many obstacles, from acquiring the otter in Iraq to transporting it across continents, but his determination never wavered.
Third, it showcases the value of open-mindedness. Maxwell was open to forming a bond with a wild, unusual creature. His openness allowed him to discover the joy, intelligence, and companionship that an otter could offer — experiences he might have missed if he had stuck to conventional choices.
Fourth, it teaches us about adventure and curiosity. Maxwell’s willingness to explore new possibilities led to a unique and enriching experience that gave him stories worth sharing with the world.
The chapter ultimately conveys the message that unconventional choices, when pursued with passion, responsibility, and commitment, can lead to extraordinary and fulfilling experiences. It encourages us to think beyond the ordinary and embrace our unique interests.
Character Sketch
Gavin Maxwell
Gavin Maxwell is the narrator and author of this chapter. He is a Scottish naturalist and writer who displays several admirable qualities throughout the story. He is a nature lover who has a deep appreciation for wildlife and decides to keep an otter as a pet. He is patient and caring, as seen in the way he gives Mij time to adjust and tends to his injuries. He is determined and resourceful, overcoming numerous obstacles to transport Mij from Iraq to London. He is a keen observer with a wonderful ability to describe animal behaviour in vivid, humorous, and touching detail. He is also an adventurous person who is not afraid to make unconventional choices. His deep bond with Mij shows his capacity for love and emotional connection with animals.
Mijbil (Mij)
Mijbil, affectionately called Mij, is the otter around whom the entire chapter revolves. He is initially aloof and wary but gradually transforms into a loving and trusting companion. He is remarkably intelligent, demonstrated by his ability to learn to turn on water taps by observation. He is playful and inventive, creating his own games and playing with marbles and balls for hours. He is water-loving, going wild with joy whenever he is near water. He has a distinct personality with compulsive habits and fixed routines. He is affectionate, nuzzling Maxwell’s face and sleeping in the crook of his knees. He belongs to a species previously unknown to science, later named Maxwell’s otter. Mij is a fascinating character who proves that wild animals, when treated with love and respect, can form deep and meaningful bonds with humans.
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