Mijbil - The Otter

Gavin Maxwell-Naturalist

Mijbil - The Otter

Introduction

Otters are found in large numbers in the marshes near Basra, a town in Iraq. The narrator wanted to bring an Otter from Iraq to England and keep it as a pet. This lesson tells us about the author and his pet otter.

About the author

Gavin Maxwell was born on 15 July 1914. He was a naturalist and author. He is best known for his work with otters. In his book, ‘Ring of Bright Water’, he described how he brought an otter back from Iraq and raised it in Scotland. The book went on to sell over a million copies and was made into a film.

Summary

The author lived in a cottage in Camusfearna in Scotland. He had a pet dog Jonnie. When Jonnie died, he did not keep a dog again for some time. But life without a pet was lonely. So he decided to have an otter as a pet instead of a dog. His home in Scotland had much water around it. So it would be suitable for an otter.

The author happens to go to Iraq and he shared this idea with a friend who was travelling with him. His friend suggested that otters are found in the Tigris marshes of Iraq. The author had to wait in Basra for his mail. While he was waiting for his mail, an otter was brought to him by two Arabs in a sack.

The otter was a small dragon-like creature. It was covered with mud from head to tail. Under the mud, it had a soft velvet skin. It took the author many days to completely remove the mud from his body. He named the otter `Mijbil’. At first, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly. He was simply aloof and indifferent. On the first night, it slept on the floor. The next night, he slipped on the author’s bed and slept between his knees. Gradually, Mijbil started taking interest in its surroundings.

When Mijbil was taken to the bathroom, he enjoyed his bath. He went wild with joy in the water of the tub. The author knew that otters are fond of water. Soon the otter became habitual of being called as ‘Mij’. He followed the author when he called his name.

It spent most of its time playing with a rubber ball and marbles. He would throw the ball like a soccer player. His real play was when he lay on his back and played with small objects between his paws. He could throw the ball a flick of his neck. His favourite toys were marbles.

Eventually, it was time for the author to return to Camusfearna. He knew that the British Airline would not fly animals to London. So he had to book a flight to Paris in another airline and another to London. The airline advised that Mij should be packed in a box. To get him accustomed for the same, the author put Mij into it the box an hour before he started for the airport. When he returned after his meal he noticed blood trickling from the air holes. As he opened it, he found Mij troubled and covered with blood. Mij had torn the inner lining of the box. It was just ten minutes to the flight and the airport was five miles away. So the author put it back in the box and hurried to the airport.

The aircraft was waiting to take off. He rushed in. Inside the flight, he covered the place near his seat with newspapers. He gave the parcel of fish to the air hostess for the otter. She cooperated with the author and advised him to keep the pet on his knee. But soon Mij was out of the box. He disappeared and soon chaos followed in the plane. There were squawks and shrieks all around. The author found the otter beneath the legs of an Indian passenger. When he tried to catch the otter, his face got covered in curry. The air hostess assured him that she would find the otter. The author returned to his seat. After some time, the otter came to him and sat in his lap.

The otter and the author remained in London for nearly a month. Mijbil used to play for hours with toys, ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, etc. He would place the ball on the sloping top of the suitcase. Then he would hurry and catch it before the ball fell off the suitcase. The author used to take Mij out for exercise and walk. Mij developed certain habits on those walks. He went with the author like children playing, running and touching things in the streets.

In London, many people had not seen an otter. When they saw Mij, they would make guesses about what kind of an animal it was. The author faced a stream of questions filled with guesses. The people guessed that it could be a baby seal, a walrus, a hippo, a beaver, a bear cub, a leopard, etc. But nobody could guess that it was an otter.

Character Sketch

Mijbil, the Otter: Mijbil the Otter was an extremely lovable creature. He was intelligent too. It took him only a couple of days to get accustomed to the new surroundings with the author. Mijbil was intelligent enough to respond to the calls of the author. Also, he learnt how to turn on the water tap in the bathroom. Mijbil was extremely fond of water. He would splash. Plunge and roll about in any amount of water that he came across. The otter also comes across as a very sensitive creature. When the author leaves him inside a box, Mijbil is panic-stricken and in his attempt to escape from the box, he hurts himself grievously. His playful nature could be seen, when he escaped from the author’s lap and travelled all over the plane much to the surprise and fear of the other passengers. Thus, we see that Mijbil, the Otter was an extremely lovable and playful creature but also sensitive at times.

The theme of the story

The story clearly reflects the love that the author had for animals, especially, the otter. After having lost his pet dog, the author decides to keep an otter as a pet. Naturally, handling an otter or for that matter, any animal out of its habitat, is not an easy task. One has to be well aware of its habits, nature, food etc. Owning a pet is a lifetime of commitment involving considerable responsibility. The decision to acquire one, therefore, should be made by the whole family. Without full agreement by everyone, the pet could end up unwanted. Unfortunately, cute looking animals often suffer disadvantages, because people purchase them without consideration and the knowledge on how to take proper care of them. Hence, it is very important to read and research before adopting or buying a pet.