Mijbil the Otter

 Oral Comprehension Check Page 106

1. What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?

After the death of his pet dog, Maxwell wanted to have some other animal as a pet. He visited Southern Iraq in the year 1956. He got the idea of keeping an otter as a pet. This was the experiment. Otter’s natural habitats are swamps.  Camusfearna was surrounded by water, so it would be an ideal spot for this experiment.

2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?

The writer, Maxwell went to Basra to collect and answer his mail from Europe. He had to wait there for five days as his mail did not arrive.

3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.

His friend bought the otter for him and sent it to the place where he was staying. The author liked it. This is seen in his narration when he says that he made a body belt for him and took him to the bathroom to let the otter play with water.

4. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?

The otter belonged to a race unknown to the scientists then. The otter was named by zoologists as Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli. In short, it was called Maxwell’s otter.

5. Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was

* aloof and indifferent (This is to be ticked) [In the beginning, the otter was aloof and indifferent.]

* friendly

* hostile

6. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?

When the author first took Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter first went wild with joy in the water. He plunged and rolled in it. He jumped up and down the length of the bathtub. After two days, the otter suddenly disappeared and went to the bathroom to play in the water. Interestingly, he opened the tap on his own.

Page 108

1. How was Mijbil transported to England?

As British airlines did not allow pets on board the author had to book a ticket on a different airline from Iraq to Paris and then Paris to London. Mijbil was packed in a box as the airlines had directed the author.

2. What did Mij do to the box?

In order to take Mij to England he had to be packed in a box as per the directions of the airlines. A box was made and it was lined with a metal sheet. Mij didn’t feel comfortable in the box and tried to escape. In his attempt to escape, Mij tore into the metal lining of the box and hurt himself.

3. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?

There was no other way to carry Mij to London, other than packing him in a box. So, Maxwell put him in the box again. He must have felt pity on the way because the otter hurt himself. He must be worried as well.

4. Why does Maxwell say the air hostess was “the very queen of her kind”?

The air hostess was very sympathetic after listening to Maxwell’s story. She understood how he might be feeling and then gave him permission to take the otter out of the box. Due to all this, Maxwell referred her as “the very queen of her kind”.

5. What happened when the box was opened?

Short Answer: As soon as the box was opened, Mij ran out. Then it ran all over the place scaring all the passengers. It created chaos and most of the people on the plane got scared.

Long Answer: As soon as he opened the box, Mij flashed out of it and disappeared. Everyone on the flight panicked and a lady even climbed her chair. Finally, when he saw Mij’s tail disappearing beneath a turbaned man, he tried to catch hold of him and in the process, ended up covering his face with curry. After having created such chaos, the air hostess advised him to go to his seat while she brought Mij back to him.

Page 110

1. What game had Mij invented?

Mij invented a game of playing with the ball in a unique way. One of the author’s suitcases was damaged and had a slope on the top part. Mij would put the ball on the high end and run to catch it as it slid to the other end.

2. What are ‘compulsive habits"? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of i. school children ii. Mij?

Compulsive habits are usually strange acts or behavior which a person does without clear reason. For example, a player may put on his right shoes first as he believes it would bring him good luck, or a kid jumping over a fence, instead of going through the normal way. Usually, the compulsive behavior of children consists of mischief.

i. As per the narration, children must place their feet squarely on the center of each paving block; must touch every seventh upright of the iron railings, or pass to the outside of every second lamp post.

ii. Mijbil while on its way home would jump over the boundary wall railing and run at full speed throughout its length.

3. What group of animals do otters belong to?

Otters belong to a small group of animals called Mustellines. The other animals of this group are badger, mongoose, weasel, stoat, mink, and others.

4. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?

As otters are not found in England Londoners are not aware of them. Londoners made wild guesses about Mij. Their guesses ranged from a baby seal, a squirrel, and a hippo to a brontosaurus.

Thinking about the Text

(Pages 110, 111)

1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly, and fun-loving animal who needs love?

Mij invented his own game out of ping-pong ball and a worn-down suitcase. He loved water, and once he understood that on opening the tap water came out of it, he would get into the tub and play with water. These things show that he is an intelligent and fun-loving animal.

He had gradually formed a special attachment with Maxwell. He was desperate when Maxwell left him in a box and wanted to come out as soon as possible. This shows that he is friendly and needs love.

2. What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?

Otters belong to a small group of animals called Mustellines, shared by badgers, mongooses, weasels, stoats, mink, and others. They are found in large numbers in marshes. Arabs keep them as pets and tame them. Otters love to spread water and splash in it. Maxwell’s otter was of a race previously unknown to science and was named Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli.

3. Why is Mij’s species now known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?

The otter belonged to a race unknown to the scientists then. The otter was named by zoologists as Lutrogale Perspicillata Maxwelli. In short, it was called Maxwell’s otter.