The Adventures of Toto
by Ruskin Bond
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Summary in English
Toto was a pretty monkey, bought by the narrator’s grandfather from a tonga-driver for a sum of five
rupees. His bright eyes sparkled with mischief beneath deep-set eyebrows, and his teeth, which were a
pearly white, were very often displayed in a smile that frightened the life out of elderly Anglo–Indian
ladies. Grandmother didn’t like pets at all. So, once Toto was kept in a little closet. A few hours
later, when grandfather and the narrator came back to release Toto, they found that the walls, which had
been covered with some ornamental paper (Wall Paper) chosen by grandfather, now stood out as naked brick
and plaster. Toto had freed himself from the chain and the narrator’s blazer had been torn in shreds.
Now Toto was transferred to a big cage in the servants’ quarters where a number of grandfather’s pets
lived very sociably together – a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, a tame squirrel and a goat. But the monkey
wouldn’t allow any of his companions to sleep at night. So, the grandfather decided to take him along to
Dehra Dun the next day. When the grandfather was producing his ticket at the railway station, Toto
suddenly poked his head out of the bag and gave the ticket collector a wide grin. The ticket collector
charged extra three rupees from the grandfather for Toto. On another day. Toto nearly boiled himself
alive in the kitchen kettle.
Once when Toto found a large dish of rice on the dining table and started eating the rice; grandmother
scolded him. Toto in response threw the plate at her. An aunt of narrator came forward to save her but
Toto threw a glass of water at her. Then Toto ran away with a dish of pullao, sat on jackfruit tree till
evening eating the pullao. And then, in order to spite the grandmother, who had screamed at him he threw
the dish down the tree and chattered with delight when it broke into pieces.
Till now, the grandfather had realized that obviously Toto was not sort of pet they could keep for long.
They were not well-to-do, and could not afford the frequent loss of dishes, clothes, curtains and
wallpapers. So, at last, grandfather went to the tonga-driver, and sold Toto back to him – for only
three rupees.
Summary in Hindi
वर्णनकर्ता के दादा ने किसी तांगेवाले से एक बन्दर खरीदा। उसने इसके लिए पाँच रुपये चुकाए। यह टोटो था। दादा ने इसे अपने निजी चिड़ियाघर में रखने के लिए खरीदा। टोटो एक सुन्दर बन्दर था। उसकी चमकती आँखों में शरारत थी। उसके मोतियों जैसे सफेद दाँत थे। उसके हाथ सूखे हुये थे। उसकी उंगलियाँ तेज थीं। उसकी पूंछ तीसरे हाथ का काम करती थी। वर्णनकर्ता की दादी बात का बतंगड़ बना देती थी जब उसके दादा अपने चिड़ियाघर में एक नया जानवर डालते। इसलिए टोटो को एक अनजान जगह पर रखा गया। यह एक छोटी सी अलमारी थी। यह वर्णनकर्ता के बैडरूम में खुलती थी। टोटो को एक खुटी के साथ बांध कर रखा जाता था। टोटो की शरारतें कुछ घंटों पश्चात् वर्णनकर्ता ने अपने बैडरूम में एक परिवर्तन पाया। टोटो ने दीवारों से सजावटी कागज हटा दिया था। उसने खुटी को भी खींच कर निकाल दिया था। उसने वर्णनकर्ता के स्कूल ब्लेजर को भी फाड़ दिया था। टोटो की शरारतों से दादा को चैन मिलता था।
टोटो को अब एक बड़े पिंजरे में स्थानांतरित कर दिया गया। यह नौकरों के क्वार्टर में था। वहाँ पर दादा के अन्य जानवर प्यार से रहते थे। ये एक कछुआ, दो खरगोश, एक गिलहरी, एक पालतू बकरी थे। बन्दर ने इन्हें शान्ति से सोने नहीं दिया। दादा को देहरादून छोड़ना था। उसे सहारनपुर से अपनी पेंशन लेनी थी। दादा ने काले रंग के मोटे कपड़े का एक बड़ा थैला लिया। उसने टोटो को इसमें डाल दिया। टोटो इस थैले से अपने हाथ बाहर नहीं निकाल सका। यह उसके लिए इतना मजबूत था कि वह दाँत से इसे काट नहीं सकता था। टोटो सहारनपुर तक इस थैले में रहा। दादा रेलवे स्टेशन से बाहर आ रहा था। टोटो ने गेट पर टिकट-क्लैक्टर की तरफ दाँत निकाले। टिकट-क्लैक्टर हैरान रह गया। उसने दादा को बताया कि उसके पास एक कुत्ता है। इसलिए उसे इस ‘कुत्ते’ का तीन रुपये किराया देना होगा। बेकार में दादा ने बहस की कि टोटो कुत्ता नहीं था। उसके पास उसका पालतू कछुआ भी था। इसलिए उसने टिकट-क्लैक्टर से पूछा कि उसे उसके लिए कितने पैसे देने होंगे। टिकट-क्लैक्टर ने कहा कि यह कुत्ता नहीं है। इसलिए उसके लिए उसे कुछ नहीं देना होगा। आखिरकार टोटो को घर में स्वीकारा गया। दादा ने टोटो को घुड़साल में एक आरामदायक जगह दे दी। वहाँ पर टोटो को परिवार की गधी नाना एक साथी के रूप में मिल गई। परन्तु टोटो ने उसे तंग करना जारी रखा। वे कभी मित्र नहीं बन सके। सर्दियों में दादा ने टोटो को गर्म पानी का एक बड़ा (कटोरा नुमा) बर्तन दिया। यह उसके नहाने के लिए था। टोटो इस बर्तन में बैठ जाता। फिर वह अपने शरीर पर साबुन लगाता और पूरे शरीर पर रगड़ता। जब पानी ठण्डा हो जाता तो वह इसमें से बाहर आ जाता। तब वह रसोई की आग के पास चला जाता। वहाँ वह अपने आप को गर्म करता। यदि कोई उस पर हँसता तो वह नहाने से मना कर देता। क बार टोटो ने स्वयं को लगभग जीवित उबाल लिया। आग पर रसोई की एक बड़ी केतली थी। यह चाय उबालने के लिए थी। टोटो ने ढक्कन हटाने का निर्णय किया। उसने नहाने के लिए पानी गर्म पाया। वह अन्दर गया। तभी पानी उबलने लगा। टोटो ने स्वयं को थोड़ा सा ऊपर उठाया। परन्तु वह फिर बैठ गया। उसने कूदना जारी रखा। दादी वहाँ आई। उसने उसे केतली से बाहर निकाल दिया।टोटो हमेशा शरारतें करता रहता। वह वस्तुओं के चिथड़े कर देता। उसने वर्णनकर्ता की चाची के कपड़े फाड़ डाले। एक दिन वर्णनकर्ता ने टोटो को खाने की मेज़ पर चावल खाते देख लिया। दादी चिल्लाई। टोटो ने उस पर प्लेट फेंक दी। लेखक की एक चाची आगे दौड़ी। टोटो ने उसके चेहरे पर पानी का एक गिलास फेंक दिया। जब दादा आया तो टोटो हाथ में पुलाव की प्लेट के साथ बाहर दौड़ गया। वह कटहल के वृक्ष की टहनियों पर चढ़ गया। उसने प्लेट दादी पर फेंक दी जब वह उस पर चिल्लाई। टोटो ने परिवार को काफी हानि पहुँचाई। प्लेटें तोड़ दी गई। कपड़े, परदे, दीवारों के सजाने के कागज फाड़ दिए गए। परिवार यह सब कुछ सहन नहीं कर सका। इसलिए दादा ने केवल तीन रुपये में टोटो को तांगा चालक के पास वापस बेच दिया।
Line by Line Full Explanation:
Have you ever had a baby monkey as a pet? Toto is a baby monkey. Let’s find out whether he is
mischievous or docile.
GRANDFATHER bought Toto from a tonga-driver for the sum of five rupees. The tonga-driver used to keep
the little red monkey tied to a feeding-trough, and the monkey looked so out of place there that
Grandfather decided he would add the little fellow to his private zoo.
दादाजी ने टोटो को एक ताँगा – चालक से पाँच रुपये में खरीदा था । ताँगा - चालक ने उस छोटे लाल रंग के बंदर को एक नाँद के पास बाँधा करता था और बंदर उस जगह इतना अनुचित लगता था कि दादा जी ने उसे अपने निजी चिड़ियाघर में सम्मिलित करने का निश्चय कर लिया ।
Toto was a pretty monkey. His bright eyes sparkled with mischief beneath deep-set eyebrows, and his teeth, which were a pearly white, were very often displayed in a smile that frightened the life out of elderly Anglo-lndian ladies. But his hands looked dried-up as though they had been pickled in the sun for many years. Yet his fingers were quick and wicked; and his tail, while adding to his good looks (Grandfather believed a tail would add to anyone’s good looks), also served as a third hand. He could use it to hang from a branch; and it was capable of scooping up any delicacy that might be out of reach of his hands.
टोटी एक सुंदर बंदर था । उसकी चमकीली आँखें गहरी भौहों के नीचे शरारतपूर्ण ढंग से चमकती थीं , जब वह मुस्कराता था तो उसके मोतियों जैसे सफेद दाँतों को देखकर भारतीय अधेड़ उम्र की महिलाएँ डर जाती थी । परंतु उसके हाथ सूखे - सूखे लगते थे जैसे सालों धूप में सुखाए गए हों । फिर भी उसकी अंगुलियाँ फुर्तीली व शरारती थीं ; और उसकी पूंछ उसकी सुंदरता में चार - चाँद लगाती थीं । ( दादाजी के विचार में पूंछ से सभी के सौंदर्य में बढ़ोतरी होती है ) जो तीसरे हाथ का काम करती थी । वह इसका प्रयोग करके किसी भी शाखा से लटक सकता था और जहाँ हाथ पहुंच पाने में समर्थ नहीं होते थे , वहाँ से वह अपनी पूँछ से भोजन प्राप्त करने मे सक्षम हो जाता था।
Grandmother always fussed when Grandfather brought home some new bird or animal. So, it was decided that Toto’s presence should be kept a secret from her until she was in a particularly good mood. Grandfather and I put him away in a little closet opening into my bedroom wall, where he was tied securely — or so we thought — to a peg fastened into the wall.
दादाजी जब भी कोई नया पक्षी या जानवर घर पर लाते थे तो दादी हमेशा हंगामा करती थी । इस प्रकार यह निश्चय किया गया कि दादी जब तक विशेष रूप से सही मनोस्थिति में न हो तब तक टोटो की उपस्थिति गुप्त रखी जाए । दादा जी और मैंने उसे अपने शयन - कक्ष की दीवार में खुलने वाली कोठरी में एक खूटी से सुरक्षात्मक ढंग से बाँध दिया ।
A few hours later, when Grandfather and I came back to release Toto, we found that the walls, which had been covered with some ornamental paper chosen by Grandfather, now stood out as naked brick and plaster. The peg in the wall had been wrenched from its socket, and my school blazer, which had been hanging there, was in shreds. I wondered what Grandmother would say. But Grandfather didn’t worry; he seemed pleased with Toto’s performance. “He’s clever,” said Grandfather. “Given time, I’m sure he could have tied the torn pieces of your blazer into a rope, and made his escape from the window!”
कुछ घंटों पश्चात दादाजी और मैं टोटो को आजाद करने के लिए वापस आए तो हमने देखा कि उसने खूटी को उखाड़ दिया था और जिन दीवारों को दादाजी ने अपनी पसंद की सजावटी पन्नियों से ढका था, अब ईंट और बास्केटबॉल की नंगी दीवार खड़ी रह गई है। मेरे स्कूल का ब्लजर जो वहाँ टंगा था उसे टोटो ने फाड़कर चिथड़े कर दिया था। मुझे आश्चर्य था कि दादाजी क्या कहेंगी । हालांकि दादाजी को कोई चिंता नहीं हुई, वह टोटो के कारनामे से प्रसन्न लग रहे थे। "वह चतुर है", दादाजी बोले! "अगर समय मिलता है, तो मुझे यकीन है कि वह आपके ब्लेजर के चीथड़े को बाँधकर रस्सी बनाकर खिड़की के रास्ते भाग निकलता ।
His presence in the house still a secret, Toto was now transferred to a big cage in the servants’ quarters where a number of Grandfather’s pets lived very sociably together — a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, a tame squirrel and, for a while, my pet goat. But the monkey wouldn’t allow any of his companions to sleep at night; so, Grandfather, who had to leave Dehra Dun next day to collect his pension in Saharanpur, decided to take him along.
घर में उसकी उपस्थिति अब भी गोपनीय थी , टोटो को अब एक बड़े पिजरे में करके नौकर वाले कमरों में स्थानांतरित किया गया जहाँ दादाजी के अनेकों पालतू पशु मिल - जुलकर रहते थे- कछुआ , खरगोश का जोड़ा , एक पालतू गिलहरी तथा कुछ देर तक , अपनी पालतू बकरी भी । परंतु बंदर ने रात में अपने किसी भी साथी को सोने नहीं दिया , अत : दादाजी जिन्हें अगले दिन पेंशन लेने देहरादून से सहारनपुर जाना था ने टोटो को साथ ले जाने का निश्चय किया ।
Unfortunately, I could not accompany Grandfather on that trip, but he told me about it afterwards. A big black canvas kit-bag was provided for Toto. This, with some straw at the bottom, became his new abode. When the bag was closed, there was no escape. Toto could not get his hands through the opening, and the canvas was too strong for him to bite his way through. His efforts to get out only had the effect of making the bag roll about on the floor or occasionally jump into the air — an exhibition that attracted a curious crowd of onlookers on the Dehra Dun railway platform.
दुर्भाग्यवश मैं उस यात्रा में दादाजी के साथ नहीं जा सका था , परंतु उन्होंने बाद में मुझे बता दिया था । टोटो को रखने के लिए एक बड़ा काले रंग का किरचिम का किट - बैग उपलब्ध कराया गया । इसके तल में घास - फूस डाल दी गई , यह उसका नया घर बन गया । जब बैंग बंद कर दिया गया , उसके बाहर निकलने का कोई रास्ता न था । टोटो अपने हाथ बाहर नहीं निकाल सकता था तथा कपड़ा इतना मजबूत था कि वह दाँत से काटा नहीं सकता था । उसके प्रयासों का परिणाम केवल इतना था कि थैला प्लेटफॉर्म पर लुढ़कता रहा था या कभी - कभार हवा में उछल पड़ता था , एक प्रदर्शनी थी जिसमें देहरादून रेलवे प्लेटफार्म पर उत्सुक दर्शकों की भीड़ आकर्षित हो रही थी ।
Toto remained in the bag as far as Saharanpur, but while Grandfather was producing his ticket at the railway turnstile, Toto suddenly poked his head out of the bag and gave the ticket collector a wide grin. The poor man was taken aback; but, with great presence of mind and much to Grandfather’s annoyance, he said, “Sir, you have a dog with you. You’ll have to pay for it accordingly.” In vain did Grandfather take Toto out of the bag; in vain did he try to prove that a monkey did not qualify as a dog, or even as a quadruped. Toto was classified a dog by the ticket-collector; and three rupees was the sum handed over as his fare. Then Grandfather, just to get his own back, took from his pocket our pet tortoise, and said, “What must I pay for this, since you charge for all animals?” The ticket-collector looked closely at the tortoise, prodded it with his forefinger, gave Grandfather a pleased and triumphant look, and said, “No charge. It is not a dog.”
सहारनपुर पहुंचने तक तो टोटो बैग मे रहा , परंतु दादाजी ने यांत्रिक गेट से बाहर निकलते समय जब अपना टिकट कलेक्टर को दिया तो टोटो ने थैले से सिर बाहर निकालकर अपने दाँत दिखाए । बेचारा आदमी डर गया , दिमाग से दादाजी के आक्रोश को भांपते हुए , उसने कहा , " श्रीमान , आपके साथ एक कुत्ता है , तुम्हें इसका भाड़ा देना होगा । " दादाजी ने टोटो को थैले से बाहर निकालकर सिद्ध करने का प्रयास किया कि वह कुत्ता नहीं चौपाया है और उसका भाड़ा बिलकुल नहीं लगना चाहिए , टिकट संग्राहक टोटो को कुत्ते में वर्गीकृत किया और तीन रुपये भाड़े के रूप में देने पड़े । तब दादाजी ने बदले की भावना से अपनी जेब से कछुआ निकाला और बोले , “ क्या मैं इसका भाड़ा दूं , क्या आप सभी पशुओं का भाड़ा लेते हो ? टिकट - संग्राहक ने कछुए को नजदीक से देखा , उसे अपनी अंगुली से दबाया और दादाजी की ओर प्रसन्नचित्त शौर्ययुक्त नजर डाली , और कहा , “ कोई भाड़ा नहीं । ” यह कुत्ता नहीं है । "
When Toto was finally accepted by Grandmother, he was given a comfortable home in the stable, where he had for a companion the family donkey, Nana. On Toto’s first night in the stable, Grandfather paid him a visit to see if he was comfortable. To his surprise he found Nana, without apparent cause, pulling at her halter and trying to keep her head as far as possible from a bundle of hay. Grandfather gave Nana a slap across her haunches, and she jerked back, dragging Toto with her. He had fastened on to her long ears with his sharp little teeth. Toto and Nana never became friends.
आखिर में जब दादीजी ने टोटो को स्वीकार कर लिया तो उसे अस्तबल में एक आरामघर दिया गया । वहाँ उसका साथी परिवार का गधा नाना था । अस्तबल में टोटो की पहली रात को दादा जी एक नजर देखने गए कि वह आराम से था या नहीं । उन्हें यह देखकर आश्चर्य हुआ कि नाना अपनी रस्सी को खींच रहा था तथा न जाने क्यों घास के ढेर से अपना सिर दूर हटाने का प्रयास कर रहा था ।
दादा जी ने नाना के पिछवाड़े पर एक थप्पड़ जड़ दिया तथा उसने एक झटके के साथ अपना सिर पीछे हटाया , टोटो भी साथ में खिंचा चला आया । वह ( टोटो ) नाना के लंबे कानों से चिपटा हुआ था और अपने पैने दाँत उसके कानों में गड़ाए था । टोटोव नाना कभी मित्र न हो सके ।
A great treat for Toto during cold winter evenings was the large bowl of warm water given him by Grandmother for his bath. He would cunningly test the temperature with his hand, then gradually step into the bath, first one foot, then the other (as he had seen me doing), until he was into the water up to his neck. Once comfortable, he would take the soap in his hands or feet, and rub himself all over. When the water became cold, he would get out and run as quickly as he could to the kitchen-fire in order to dry himself. If anyone laughed at him during this performance, Toto’s feelings would be hurt and he would refuse to go on with his bath. One day Toto nearly succeeded in boiling himself alive.
सर्दी की शामों में टोटो की खूब खातिरदारी होती थी , दादीजी उसे गरम पानी का एक बड़ा कटोरा नहाने के लिए देती थी , वह बड़ी चालाकी से पानी के तापमान का परीक्षण करता था , उसमें धीरे से हाथ डालकर देखता था कि पानी कितना गर्म है । वह धीरे - धीरे नहाता था । ( वह मुझे जैसा करते हुए देखा था ) पहले एक पैर फिर दूसरा , तब तक वह करता जब तक गर्दन तक पानी में न चला जाए । एक बार आराम से बैठ जाने पर वह तथा हाथ - पाँव में साबुन लगाकर मलता था । जब पानी ठंडा हो जाता तो वह पानी से बाहर निकलकर दौड़कर रसोई में चूल्हे के सामने सुखाने के लिए बैठ जाता था । यदि कोई उसे ऐसा करते देखकर हँस पड़ता तो उसको बुरा लग जाता था टोटो नहाना बंद कर देता था । एक दिन टोटो खुद ही लगभग जीवित ही उबलने वाला था ।
A large kitchen kettle had been left on the fire to boil for tea and Toto, finding himself with nothing better to do, decided to remove the lid. Finding the water just warm enough for a bath, he got in, with his head sticking out from the open kettle. This was just fine for a while, until the water began to boil. Toto then raised himself a little; but, finding it cold outside, sat down again. He continued hopping up and down for some time, until Grandmother arrived and hauled him, half-boiled, out of the kettle.
एक बड़ी केतली आग पर चाय के लिए पानी उबालने के लिए रखी थी । खाली बैठे इससे अच्छा कुछ न जानकर केतली के ढक्कन हटाने का निश्चय किया । नहाने के लिए पर्याप्त गरम पानी पाकर , उसमे वह अदर भुस गया , खुली केतली से उसने अपने मुंह को निकाले रखा । कुछ पल के लिए उसे अच्छा लगा जब तक पानी उबला नहीं था । टोटो जरा - सा बाहर निकला परंतु बाहर ठंड पाकर वह पुनः बैठ गया । उसने कुछ समय तक ऊपर - नीचे उछलना जारी रखा , जब तक दादी जी ने आधे उबले हुए को केतली से बाहर नहीं निकाला ।
If there is a part of the brain especially devoted to mischief, that part was largely developed in Toto. He was always tearing things to pieces. Whenever one of my aunts came near him, he made every effort to get hold of her dress and tear a hole in it.
अगर मस्तिष्क का कोई भी भाग शरारत करने के लिए बना है तो वह टोटो में सर्वाधिक विकसित था । वह हमेशा चीजों को फाइ - फाड़कर अलग किया करता था । जब भी मेरी एक बुआ उसके समीप जाती तो वह उनकी पोशाक पकड़कर छेद करने का हर संभव प्रयास करता था ।
One day, at lunch-time, a large dish of pullao stood in the centre of the dining-table. We entered the room to find Toto stuffing himself with rice. My grandmother screamed — and Toto threw a plate at her. One of my aunts rushed forward — and received a glass of water in the face. When Grandfather arrived, Toto picked up the dish of pullao and made his exit through a window. We found him in the branches of the jackfruit tree, the dish still in his arms. He remained there all afternoon, eating slowly through the rice, determined on finishing every grain. And then, in order to spite Grandmother, who had screamed at him, he threw the dish down from the tree, and chattered with delight when it broke into a hundred pieces.
एक दिन अपराहन के भोजन के समय खाने की मेज पर ( डाइनिंग टेबल ) पर पुलाव की एक बड़ी प्लेट रखी हुई थी । हम कमरे में अदर प्रविष्ट हुए और देखा कि टोटो चावल अपने मुंह में दूस रहा था । मेरी दादी माँ ने चीख मारी तथा टोटो ने उन पर प्लेट फेक दी । जब मेरी एक बुआ आगे बढ़ी तो उस पर पानी का गिलास फेंक दिया । जब दादाजी पहुंचे तो टोटो पुलाव की प्लेट लेकर खिड़की से बाहर भाग गया । हमने उसे कटहल के पेड़ की शाखाओं में पाया , प्लेट उसके हाथों में थी । वह पूरी दोपहर वहीं रहा , वह चावल का एक - एक दाना खाने पर आमादा था और फिर दादी को चिढ़ाने के लिए उसने खाली प्लेट पेड़ से नीचे फेंक दिया। जब प्लेट के सैकड़ों टुकड़े हो गए तो वह खुशी से चहचहाया।
Obviously, Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long. Even Grandfather realised that. We were not well-to-do, and could not afford the frequent loss of dishes, clothes, curtains and wallpaper. So, Grandfather found the tonga-driver, and sold Toto back to him — for only three rupees.
निश्चित रूप से टोटों इस प्रकार पालतू नही था जिसको हम लंबे समय तक रख सकते थे यहाँ तक दादा जी ने भी महसूस कर लिया था कि हम सब इतने समृद्ध नि हैं कि निरंतर प्लेटो, पर्दों , वलपपेर्स के नुकसान को वहन केआर सकें। इसलिए दादा जी ने टोंगा ड्राईवर को वापस केवल 3 रूपिये मे बेंच दिया।
Exercises
Question and Answers
Exercise: All 2 marks and 5 marks imp Qs asked frequently in HBSE/CBSE
Q1: “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense was Toto pretty?
A: Toto had bright, shining 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.
Q2: How can you say that Toto was a mischievous pet?
A: Toto was indeed a very mischievous pet. He tore the wall papers of the rooms, and also tore the
school blazer. He troubled other fellow animals. He even managed to get himself into trouble by nearly
half boiling himself in a kettle. He made holes in dresses and curtains. Once he even scared the ticket
checker. He even broke dishes in the houses. He proved to be a big troublemaker for everyone. Thus, we
can say that Toto was a mischievous pet.
Q3: Why did the grandfather hide Toto for some time when he brought him home?
A: Grandmother was not very fond of animals. When he used to bring a new animal or bird, she used to
make a lot of fuss. To avoid this, grandfather hid Toto for some time and announced his arrival to her
when she was in a good mood.
Q4: Where was Toto kept immediately after grandfather got him? Why?
A: Toto was kept in a closet. He was tied securely to a peg because his presence was to be kept a secret
from the writer’s grandmother as she abhorred animals.
Q5: How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
A: Grandfather loved animals. He had made a zoo at home. One day he saw this attractive monkey with a
tonga- driver. The monkey was tied to a feeding- trough and seemed out of place there. Grandfather had
great liking for animals. So, he decided to buy Toto from the tonga- driver and bought it for five
rupees.
Q6: Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does ticker collector insist on
calling Toto a dog?
A: Toto was a mischievous monkey. He kept disturbing all other animals in grandfather’s private zoo. It
seemed that only grandfather could manage him properly. So, he took Toto to Saharanpur in a bag. The
ticket collector called Toto a dog as the monkey did not qualify the category of human beings.
Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur because as he was mischievous, it was not safe to leave him alone at
home. As he kept all other animals in grandfather’s private zoo. A bag made of strong canvas material
was arranged. Some straw was placed in it. Toto was placed inside the bag and the bag was sealed with
the zipper.
The ticket collector did not accept grandfather’s claim that Toto was not a dog. He called it a dog and
charged a ticket fee for it because only dogs were allowed to travel on trains. If Toto had to travel by
train, then, he would have to be termed as a dog.
Q7: How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this?
A: Toto would check the temperature of the water by inserting his hand in it. Then he would step into
the tub, one foot at a time. Finally, he would sit in it, with his face out. Then he would rub soap on
his body. When the water became cold, he would jump out and run to the stove in the kitchen to dry
himself. He had learnt this way of bathing from the writer.
Q8: How does Toto almost boiled himself alive? Toto used to love taking bathe in hot water.
A: One 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.
Q9: Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?
or
Q: Why did the grandfather give away Toto, the monkey?
A: The author says that Toto was not the kind of pet that they could keep for long because he was
extremely mischievous. He destroyed many things - he tore the wallpapers, clothes and curtains. He broke
dishes too. Not from so well to do family, as nobody could afford the frequent losses. So, author too
could not afford all this and so decided to get rid of Toto. He had become very difficult to handle and
so grandfather gave Toto away. He sold it back to same tonga driver.
Q10: Do you have a pet? Is your pet mischievous? Tell the class about it.
A: Yes, I have a pet dog named Max. My father had brought him from my maternal uncle’s house when he was
very small. Max 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 Max very much.
Max proves to be really a gem many a times. He keeps us safe all the time. Our Max is not mischievous.
He is docile. He is very sensible and sensitive as well. We feel secure in his presence. I pray to God
to keep him healthy.
Multiple Choice Questions:
A) Khushwant Singh
B) Ruskin Bond
C) Jane Austen
D) W. B. Yeast
Ans: B) Ruskin Bond
Q:2- What is this story about?
A) humour and adventure of a naughty monkey Toto
B) love animals
C) about habitats of monkeys
D) None
Ans: A) humour and adventure of a naughty monkey Toto
Q:3- From where did grandfather buy the monkey?
A) from the market
B) from a shop
C) from the jungle
D) from a tonga driver
Ans: D) from a tonga driver
Q:4- What was the price that grandfather paid to buy the monkey?
A) Rs.10/-
B) Rs.7/-
C) Rs.5/-
D) Rs.6/-
Ans: C) Rs.5/-
Q:5- Why did grandfather buy the monkey?
A) to have a companion
B) to help him
C) to add to the collection of animals in zoo at his home
D) None
Ans: C) to add to the collection of animals in zoo at his home
Q:6- Why was Toto kept secretly?
A) to save from other animals
B) because grandmother disliked animals
C) because he was naughty
D) None
Ans: B) because grandmother disliked animals
Q:7- Where was Toto kept?
A) in a cupboard
B) in the zoo
C) in the field
D) in the garden
Ans: A) in a cupboard
Q8- What kind of water did Toto like to take a bath in?
A) cold water
B) ice water
C) snow water
D) warm water
Ans: D) warm water
Q9- Why did grandfather sell Toto back to its first owner?
A) because he was missing him
B) They were not well to do and were unable to afford mischievous Toto
C) because he didnt like him
D) none
Ans: B) They were not well to do and were unable to afford mischievous Toto
Q10- At what price did grandfather sell Toto back its first owner?
A) Rs.10/-
B) Rs.9/-
C) Rs.7/-
D) Rs.3/-
Ans: D) Rs.3/-
Q11- Why did grandfather take Toto along with him at Saharanpur?
A) because he missed him
B) no one was at home
C) to save other animals
D) because he was mischievous so to give relief to other animals
Ans: D) because he was mischievous so to give relief to other animals
Q12- Who had taught Toto to take a bath?
A) writer
B) writers friend
C) his first owner
D) grandmother
Ans: A) writer
Q13- Name the things Toto destroyed at the writers home?
A) wall papers and clothes
B) curtains
C) dishes
D) all
Ans: D) all
Q14- What was the colour of Toto the monkey?
A) black
B) brown
C) white
D) red
Ans: D) red
Q15- Who used to give a bowl of warm water to Toto?
A) writer
B) grandmother
C) grandfather
D) none
Ans: B) grandmother
Q16- Why was Toto called pretty?
A) because of shining mischievous eyes
B) Because of red colour
C) because of his pearly white teeth
D) All
Ans: D) All
Q17- Why did the ticket collector call Toto a dog?
A) because he was peeping out of the bag
C) because of his dog like looks
C) to fix fare
D) All
Ans: C) to fix fare
Q18- How did Toto check the warmth of the water?
A) with writers help
B) by touching it outside
C) by putting his hand in it
D) None
Ans: C) by putting his hand in it
Q19- How did the ticket collector fix the fare for Toto?
A) By calling him a dog
B) By asking other passengers
C) By giving him a seat
D) By following his rule book
Ans: D) By following his rule book
Q20- The other animals in grandfathers private zoo were at whos mercy?
A) grandfathers
B) writers mercy
C) grandmothers
D) Totos mercy
Ans: D) Totos mercy
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