Think about it
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Question 1.How does Toto come to grand-father’s private zoo?
Answer:Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver for five rupees. The tonga-driver kept the monkey tied to a feeding-trough. It looked so out of place there that grandfather decided he would add it to his private zoo.
Question 2.“Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
Answer:Toto had bright eyes sparkling with mischief, pearly white teeth, quick and wicked fingers and a gracious tail which served as a third hand. The smile of Toto was cute and frightened elderly Anglo- Indian ladies. Altogether all these qualities made him pretty.
Question 3.Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?
Answer:Toto was transferred to a big cage in the servants’ quarters where a number of grandfather’s pets lived together. However, Toto would not allow other animals to sleep at night. Therefore, grandfather, who had to leave for Saharanpur to collect his pension, decided to take it along with him.
There is nothing in the story to tell us why the ticket collector insisted on calling Toto a dog. You could discuss the second part of the question with your teacher.
Question 4.How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?
Answer:Toto cunningly tested the temperature with his hand then gradually stepped into the bath. He stepped first one foot, then the other, until he was into the water up to his neck. He rubbed himself all over with the soap. He learned it all from the author. Some day Toto got in a large kitchen kettle which was on fire to boil. He enjoyed the warm water but when the water turned out to be hot he jumped up and down. Suddenly the grandmother arrived at and pulled him out in half-boiled condition.
Question 5.Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?
Answer:Though Toto was pretty and clever, he was very mischievous and damaged the house by breaking dishes, tearing clothes and curtains. He also scared away the visitors by tearing their dresses. Furthermore he didn’t get along well with other animals in the house too. One day he crossed the line by picking up a dish of pulao and climbing a branch to eat it. When scolded he threw off the plate and broke it. That’s when grandfather decided that Toto was not the sort of pet to keep for long and he had had enough of the losses.
Talk about it
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Question 1.
Do you have a pet? Is your pet mis-chievous? Tell the class about it.
Answer:
Yes, I have a pet dog named Moti. My father had brought him from my maternal uncle’s house when he was very small. Moti is like a member of my family. I have special attachment to him. He is very active and vigilant. He is an epitome of loyalty. He keeps sitting beside the main gate at night. Whenever there is any unknown sound inside my house, he starts barking. All the members of my family love Moti very much. Moti proves to be really a gem many a time. He keeps us safe all the time. Our Moti is not mischievous. He is very sensible and sensitive as well. We feel secure in his presence. I pray to God to keep him healthy.