“The Adventures of Toto” is a delightful and humorous story written by the celebrated Indian author Ruskin Bond, included in the Moments supplementary reader for Class 9 English, prescribed by ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education). The story narrates the amusing misadventures of a mischievous monkey named Toto, who is brought home by the narrator’s grandfather and creates endless chaos in the household. Through wit and warmth, the story explores the bond between humans and animals, and the joys and challenges of keeping unconventional pets.
Summary of The Adventures of Toto
The story begins when the narrator’s grandfather buys a small, red monkey named Toto from a tonga-driver for five rupees. Toto was being kept tied to a feeding-trough, and grandfather, being a great animal lover, felt that the monkey deserved a better place — his private zoo. However, grandmother does not approve of spending money on new animals, so grandfather hides Toto in a big black canvas bag and sneaks him into the house. That night, Toto is kept in a closet, but by morning, he has torn off the ornamental wallpaper, disturbed the narrator’s blazer, and smashed a wall mirror. He is then shifted to the servants’ quarters and placed in a cage near a big tortoise and a pair of rabbits. Though Toto cannot harm the tortoise, he terrorises the rabbits and the family’s old donkey Nana.
When grandfather has to travel to Saharanpur to collect his pension, he decides to take Toto along rather than leave him behind to cause trouble. He carries Toto hidden in a big canvas bag. On the train, the ticket collector notices the bag moving and demands to know what is inside. When Toto pops his head out, the ticket collector insists that Toto is a dog, as that is the only category of animal for which a fare exists on the railway. Grandfather has no choice but to pay the dog fare for Toto.
Back home, Toto’s antics continue. He learns to bathe like a human — he tests the water temperature with his hand, dips in one foot, then the other, lathers himself with soap, and sits in the water up to his neck. One day, when a large kettle of water had been left on the fire to boil for tea, Toto climbs in, finding the water warm enough for a bath. As the water heats up, he keeps jumping up and down to regulate his body temperature, until grandmother spots him and pulls him out just in time.
Toto’s love of food also leads to trouble. Once, he helps himself to a large dish of pullao that had been prepared for the family’s dinner. When the narrator attempts to take it away, Toto hurls a plate at him. He also tears clothes, breaks dishes, damages curtains, and destroys wallpaper — all habits that prove too costly for the family, which is not well-off. Finally, grandfather realises that Toto is not the kind of pet they can afford to keep. He is sold back to the tonga-driver for just three rupees — a loss of two rupees from the original price. Thus ends Toto’s brief but eventful stay with the family.
Think About It
Q1. How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
Answer: Toto originally belonged to a tonga-driver who kept the little monkey tied to a feeding-trough. The grandfather, who was a great lover of animals and maintained a private zoo at home, felt that Toto was out of place tied up with the tonga-driver. He was sympathetic towards the monkey and believed Toto would be happier and better cared for in his private zoo. So, he bought Toto from the tonga-driver for five rupees and brought him home secretly, hiding him in a big black canvas bag to avoid grandmother’s disapproval of yet another addition to his collection of animals.
Q2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
Answer: Ruskin Bond uses the word “pretty” in an interesting and slightly ironic sense. Toto is described as pretty because of his distinctive physical features. He had bright eyes that sparkled with mischief from under deep-set eyebrows. His teeth were white as pearls and often appeared in a smile that was charming yet could frighten elderly Anglo-Indian ladies. His fingers were quick and mischievous, and though his hands looked weathered, they were always busy with some prank. Most appealing of all was his tail, which served as a third hand — he could hang from branches with it, and use it to grab things just beyond the reach of his hands. Together, these features made Toto a unique and endearing creature, pretty in his own mischievous way.
Q3. Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?
Answer: Grandfather had to travel to Saharanpur to collect his pension. He could not leave Toto behind at home because the monkey was extremely mischievous and would create havoc if left unsupervised. So grandfather decided to take Toto along. He hid Toto in a big sturdy canvas bag and carried him onto the train. During the journey, the ticket collector noticed the bag moving and insisted on checking it. When Toto poked his head out, the ticket collector was faced with a dilemma — railway regulations did not have a separate fare category for monkeys. The only provision for animals was for dogs. Since he had to charge some fare for Toto, and since Toto was an animal with four limbs, the ticket collector classified him as a dog and charged the dog fare accordingly. Grandfather protested but had no choice and paid the dog fare for Toto.
Q4. How does Toto take a bath? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?
Answer: Toto had clearly observed the family members bathing and had learned to mimic the process perfectly. He would first dip his hand into the water to test the temperature. Satisfied, he would put one foot in, then the other, gradually lowering himself in until he was sitting in the water up to his neck. He would then take the soap in his hands or feet and rub himself all over, enjoying his bath thoroughly. After bathing, he would dry himself with a towel.
One day, a large kitchen kettle had been left on the fire to heat water for tea. Toto found the water pleasantly warm and climbed into the kettle, sitting with only his head sticking out from the open top. As the fire continued to burn, the water gradually grew hotter. Instead of jumping out, Toto kept bobbing up and down, rising when the heat was too much and sinking back when he wanted warmth. He continued this dangerous game until grandmother came into the kitchen and hauled him out of the kettle before he could boil himself alive.
Q5. Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?
Answer: The author makes this observation because Toto’s mischievous and destructive habits made him extremely expensive and difficult to keep. He tore the ornamental wallpaper off the walls, smashed a wall mirror, damaged blazers, destroyed curtains, broke dishes, and terrorised other animals. He once even helped himself to a dish of pullao meant for the family’s dinner and threw a plate at the narrator when he tried to take it away. The family was not particularly well-off, and the constant cost of replacing damaged items made Toto’s upkeep financially unsustainable. His behaviour showed no sign of improving, and there was no way to discipline him effectively. For all these reasons, grandfather finally had to return Toto to the tonga-driver, accepting a loss of two rupees in the process. Toto was simply too destructive and costly for the family to keep.
Talk About It
Q1. Do you have a pet or know someone who has one? What are the advantages and disadvantages of keeping a pet?
Answer: Many families keep pets such as dogs, cats, birds, or fish. Pets offer wonderful companionship and can reduce feelings of loneliness and stress. They teach children responsibility, empathy, and care for other living beings. Pets also bring joy and laughter into a household, as seen with Toto’s amusing antics in the story.
However, there are also disadvantages. Pets require time, attention, and regular veterinary care, which can be costly. Some pets, like Toto, can be destructive or difficult to manage. They may not always get along with other animals or family members. Wild animals, in particular, are unsuitable as pets because they have natural instincts that cannot be domesticated, and keeping them away from their natural habitat is cruel. It is always better to keep pets that are suited to domestic life and to treat them with kindness and proper care.
Q2. Why do you think Ruskin Bond wrote this story with a humorous tone? What does humour add to the story?
Answer: Ruskin Bond uses humour to make the story entertaining and relatable. By presenting Toto’s destructive behaviour in a lighthearted way — such as the absurdity of a monkey being classified as a dog by a ticket collector, or Toto sitting in a boiling kettle — Bond keeps the reader amused rather than alarmed. Humour also softens the underlying message about the difficulties of keeping wild animals as pets. It makes the grandfather’s love for animals charming rather than irresponsible, and it helps the reader connect with the characters. The humour in the story reflects Bond’s gentle and affectionate style of writing, which celebrates the quirky side of everyday life.
Additional Questions
Short Answer Questions
Q1. Who is the author of “The Adventures of Toto”? Which textbook does it appear in?
Answer: “The Adventures of Toto” is written by Ruskin Bond, one of India’s most beloved English-language authors known for his stories about nature and life in the hills. The story appears in the Moments supplementary reader, which is the Class 9 English textbook prescribed for ASSEB students.
Q2. How much did grandfather pay for Toto, and how much did he get when he sold Toto back?
Answer: Grandfather bought Toto from the tonga-driver for five rupees. When Toto’s destructive behaviour became too much, grandfather sold him back to the same tonga-driver for only three rupees, making a loss of two rupees on the transaction.
Q3. Where did grandfather first hide Toto when he brought him home?
Answer: Grandfather first hid Toto in a big black canvas bag and brought him home without grandmother’s knowledge. That night, Toto was kept in a closet in the narrator’s bedroom. By morning, Toto had caused considerable damage — tearing the wallpaper, destroying a blazer, and smashing a mirror. He was then shifted to the servants’ quarters.
Q4. What animals were already in grandfather’s private zoo?
Answer: Grandfather’s private zoo already had several animals, including a big tortoise, a pair of rabbits, and an old donkey named Nana. When Toto was brought in, he was placed in a cage alongside the tortoise and the rabbits. He quickly established that he was the boss among the smaller animals, though he wisely avoided picking a fight with the large tortoise. However, he tormented Nana the donkey and the rabbits.
Q5. How did Toto behave with Nana the donkey?
Answer: Toto and Nana the donkey did not get along. Toto would approach Nana and bite her ear, causing the poor donkey great discomfort. Nana would bray loudly and try to shake Toto off, but the mischievous monkey persisted. Their troubled relationship was one of the reasons the family could not allow Toto to roam freely in the zoo.
Q6. What incident involving pullao shows Toto’s love for food?
Answer: One day, a large dish of pullao (a cooked rice dish) had been prepared for the family’s dinner. Toto got to it before anyone else and began eating greedily. When the narrator tried to take the dish away, Toto picked up a plate and hurled it at him. This incident showed not only Toto’s love for food but also his quick temper when his meal was threatened.
Q7. Why did grandmother disapprove of grandfather’s habit of buying animals?
Answer: Grandmother disapproved because the family was not very well-off and could not afford the expense of feeding and caring for a growing collection of animals. Every new addition meant more expenditure on food, space, and care. Toto’s case was particularly bad because he was destructive and caused financial losses by breaking household items. Grandmother’s concern was practical — the money spent on these animals could be better used for the family’s own needs.
Q8. What does the incident at the railway station reveal about the ticket collector’s attitude?
Answer: The ticket collector’s insistence on calling Toto a dog reveals a rigid, rule-bound official mentality. He was unwilling to let Toto travel without a ticket, but since there was no category for monkeys in the railway fare chart, he bent the rules by classifying Toto under the nearest available category — that of a dog. The incident is humorous and also highlights how bureaucratic systems often struggle to deal with unusual or unexpected situations.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Give a detailed character sketch of Toto based on the story “The Adventures of Toto”.
Answer: Toto is the central character of Ruskin Bond’s story and is portrayed as a lively, mischievous, and entertaining monkey. Physically, he is described as a “pretty monkey” with bright, sparkling eyes that hint at mischief beneath deep-set eyebrows. His teeth are white as pearls and often displayed in a smile that could both charm and unsettle people. His tail functions as a third hand, giving him exceptional agility and reach.
Toto is extremely intelligent and observant — he learns to bathe like a human by watching family members. He tests water temperature before entering, uses soap, and even tries to dry himself with a towel. This intelligence, however, is paired with a complete lack of restraint, leading him into trouble. He jumps into a boiling kettle, throws food at people, tears wallpaper and curtains, breaks mirrors and dishes, and generally wreaks havoc wherever he goes.
Toto is also possessive and quick-tempered, as seen when he hurls a plate at the narrator for attempting to take away his pullao. He dominates weaker animals like the rabbits but wisely avoids confrontation with the large tortoise. His relationship with Nana the donkey is particularly antagonistic — he bites her ear at every opportunity.
Despite all his faults, Toto is portrayed with great affection by the author. Bond makes the reader laugh at Toto’s antics while also feeling sorry that he has to be returned. Toto represents the wild, untameable spirit of nature — fascinating, full of energy, and impossible to fully domesticate.
Q2. How does the story “The Adventures of Toto” highlight the theme of the relationship between humans and animals?
Answer: “The Adventures of Toto” offers a thoughtful and humorous exploration of the relationship between humans and animals. The grandfather represents the deeply compassionate animal-lover who sees every creature as deserving of care and a good home. His decision to buy Toto from the tonga-driver stems from genuine sympathy for the monkey’s condition. He is willing to spend money, face his wife’s displeasure, and even carry a monkey in a bag on a train — all out of love for animals.
However, the story also honestly portrays the limits of this relationship. Toto, despite the family’s best efforts, remains a wild animal at heart. He cannot be tamed or disciplined. His natural instincts — curiosity, energy, dominance, and mischief — are incompatible with domestic life. The financial cost of his destruction is something the family simply cannot afford.
The story subtly raises the question of whether it is right to keep wild animals as pets. While Bond does not preach, the narrative shows that despite the best intentions, forcing a wild creature into a domestic setting often ends in frustration for both the animal and its owners. The final act of returning Toto to the tonga-driver — though presented lightly — carries a bittersweet acknowledgement that Toto was never truly suited to this life. The story thus encourages readers to admire and love animals while also respecting their wild nature.
Q3. Describe the journey of grandfather and Toto to Saharanpur. What does this episode reveal about both characters?
Answer: When grandfather had to travel to Saharanpur to collect his pension, he decided to take Toto along rather than leave the troublesome monkey behind. He placed Toto inside a large, sturdy canvas bag and carried it on the train. During the journey, the bag kept moving and bulging as Toto fidgeted inside. This soon attracted the attention of the ticket collector, who demanded to examine the bag. When Toto popped his head out, the ticket collector was presented with a problem — the railway had no specific fare category for monkeys. Unable to let an animal travel free, he classified Toto as a dog and charged the dog fare accordingly. Grandfather protested that Toto was a monkey, not a dog, but the collector was unmoved. Grandfather had no choice but to pay the dog’s fare for Toto.
This episode reveals several things. It shows grandfather’s resourcefulness and his great attachment to his animals — he will go to considerable lengths to keep Toto close rather than risk leaving him alone. It also shows his good humour; he accepts the absurd situation with grace and even amusement. Toto, meanwhile, demonstrates his lively nature even when confined to a bag — he cannot sit still and his natural curiosity leads him to pop his head out at the most inconvenient moment. The episode is one of the funniest in the story and is a perfect example of Ruskin Bond’s gentle, affectionate humour.
Q4. What qualities of Ruskin Bond as a writer are reflected in “The Adventures of Toto”?
Answer: “The Adventures of Toto” is a fine example of Ruskin Bond’s distinctive writing style. Several qualities stand out. First, Bond has a deep love for nature and animals, and this affection permeates every page of the story. He describes Toto’s physical features and habits with great tenderness, even while acknowledging the monkey’s destructive side. Second, Bond’s humour is gentle and warm — he finds comedy in everyday situations without being cruel or mean-spirited. The episode of the ticket collector, the boiling kettle, and the pullao incident are all presented in a way that makes the reader laugh without losing sympathy for the characters. Third, Bond writes with simplicity and clarity. His prose is easy to understand but richly descriptive, making the scenes vivid and memorable. Fourth, there is an autobiographical quality to the story — it is told in the first person by a child narrator, and Bond often draws on his own childhood memories for his writing. Finally, the story reflects Bond’s ability to find meaning and insight in small, ordinary events of life, making them universally relatable and enduring.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who wrote “The Adventures of Toto”?
(a) R.K. Narayan (b) Ruskin Bond (c) Mulk Raj Anand (d) Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: (b) Ruskin Bond
Q2. How much did grandfather pay for Toto?
(a) Three rupees (b) Ten rupees (c) Five rupees (d) Eight rupees
Answer: (c) Five rupees
Q3. From whom did grandfather buy Toto?
(a) A vegetable seller (b) A circus owner (c) A tonga-driver (d) A neighbour
Answer: (c) A tonga-driver
Q4. Why did the ticket collector classify Toto as a dog?
(a) Because Toto barked like a dog (b) Because there was no fare category for monkeys (c) Because grandfather told him to (d) Because Toto was inside a kennel
Answer: (b) Because there was no fare category for monkeys
Q5. What did Toto use as a “third hand”?
(a) His mouth (b) His feet (c) His tail (d) His ears
Answer: (c) His tail
Q6. What happened when Toto climbed into the boiling kettle?
(a) He fell asleep (b) He jumped out immediately (c) He kept bobbing up and down until grandmother rescued him (d) He called out for help
Answer: (c) He kept bobbing up and down until grandmother rescued him
Q7. What was the name of the family’s donkey?
(a) Tara (b) Nana (c) Rani (d) Moti
Answer: (b) Nana
Q8. For how much was Toto finally sold back to the tonga-driver?
(a) Five rupees (b) One rupee (c) Four rupees (d) Three rupees
Answer: (d) Three rupees
Q9. What food did Toto steal from the family’s dinner table?
(a) Dal (b) Pullao (c) Roti (d) Khichdi
Answer: (b) Pullao
Q10. Where was grandfather traveling when he took Toto in a bag on the train?
(a) Delhi (b) Dehradun (c) Saharanpur (d) Haridwar
Answer: (c) Saharanpur
We hope this comprehensive question-answer guide for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 2 – The Adventures of Toto has been helpful to ASSEB students preparing for their examinations. For more Class 9 and Class 10 English solutions, visit hslcguru.com.