CH - 2 The Adventures of Toto (Extra Q+A and Notes)

CLASS: IX
Ch-2 The Adventures of Toto
(Extra Q+A and Notes)

INTRODUCTION
Keeping pets is a very popular hobby- however, when one has a baby monkey as
one’s pet, the experiences are bound to be very different. “The Adventures of
Toto” describes humorous episodes related to a mischievous pet monkey and the
failed efforts made by its owners to give it a comfortable home.
THEME
The story is based on the experiences of people who keep animals as pets. The
theme thus deals with the outcome of the interaction between humans and
animals. It shows that not all animals can adapt themselves to human way of life.
It requires a great deal of patience and skill to train animals to acquire non-
destructive behaviour.
MESSAGE
The writer intends to convey the message that baby animals look cute and we are
tempted to keep them as pets. However, we should not get carried away by their
prettiness because each animal has its own characteristics. Some animals, like
monkeys are very mischievous. They can cause a lot of damage if one is not
careful with them. So, one should not keep animals as pets unless one has
adequate information and skill to train and handle them. However , animals thrive
better in their natural habitat.
EXTRA SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Q1. Describe Toto, the monkey.
Ans. Toto was a pretty, little, red monkey. He had bright eyes, which sparkled with mischief, and
pearly white teeth. His hands looked dried-up as though they had been pickled in the sun
for many years. His fingers were quick and wicked, His tail added to his good looks and was very
useful. It served as a third hand. It was used to hang from a branch: and it was capable of scooping
up any delicacy that might be out of reach of his hands. Moreover, he was very
intelligent. All these qualities of Toto attracted him to Grandfather.
Q2. What attracted Grandfather to Toto?

Ans. Toto was a pretty, little, red monkey. He had bright eyes, which sparkled with mischief
and pearly, white teeth. His fingers were quick and wicked. His tail added to his good looks
and was very useful. It served as a third hand. It was used to hang from a branch: and it capable of
scooping up any delicacy that might be out of reach of his hands. Moreover, he was very
intelligent. All these qualities of Toto attracted him to Grandfather.
Q3. Where was Grandfather going? Why did Grandfather take Toto with him?
Ans. Grandfather was going to Saharanpur to collect his pension. Grandfather did not want
Grandmother to know that he had brought another animal, because she always fussed when he
brought an animal home. Toto was too destructive and mischievous to be left at home. Without
Grandmother getting to know about him, Grandfather could not decide where to keep him.
Therefore he had to take Toto with him.
Q4. Why did Toto throw a plate at Grandmother and a glass of water at the
author's aunt?
Ans. One day a large dish full of pullao was placed on the dining table. It was meant for the whole
family. Toto started eating rice from it. It made Grandmother scream and Toto threw & plate at her
and when the author's Aunt came to her help, Toto threw a glass of water at he face. He attacked
them because he thought they were snatching the dish from him.
EXTRA LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
Q.1. Toto was a monkey destined to live freely in a forest. The tonga-driver had taken away its
freedom but it roamed around freely in Grandfather's house still he was a big nuisance. What do
you think Grandfather should have done rather than giving him back to the tonga-wala for
rupees three?
Ans. Imagine spending your days in a beautiful golden cage, where you get your favourite food and
drinks. You also get to watch your favourite shows and surf the net. The only shortcoming
being....you can never leave. Would you actually like it there? Animals, too, are adapted to live in
their natural habitat. Toto would have enjoyed roaming freely in his natural habitat and would not
have been a nuisance. He was regarded as a nuisance because he was a misfit in a human house.
Toto, did not understand human behaviour though he was extremely intelligent. But, I feel, rather
than giving him back to the tonga-driver who used to tie him up to a feeding trough, it would have
been better for an animal lover, like Grandfather to have looked for some other better alternatives.
If, Grandfather was thinking of returning Toto, then perhaps a zoo would have been a better option
because he would have been accepted by his species in a forest.
Q2. How do you know that Grandfather was an animal lover?

Ans. Grandfather was undoubtedly an animal lover. He had his own private zoo. Grandfather, had a
pet turtle, a donkey, Nana, Toto and other animals, whose species is not mentioned. Even the fuss,
which Grandmother used to make, whenever he brought a new animal home, did not stop him from
getting Toto who was tied to a feeding trough. His heart went out to him and he bought him for five
rupees. Initially, fearing Grandmother's strong disapproval, he tried to keep presence a secret, till
she was in a good mood. Afterwards, he let him roam around freely his house, even though Toto
was destructive and mischievous. He was also given warm water to bathe during the winter season
and Toto enjoyed it thoroughly. It was only when things went out of hand and Toto strarted
attacking the house members that he decided to give him back to the tonga – driver.
Q3. Why was Toto transferred to- the closet, the big cage, the canvas bag and the stable?
Ans. Toto was highly mischievous and had a destructive nature. He was transferred to the
closet, the big cage, the canvas bag and the stable because Grandfather wanted to keep his
peg from the presence a secret from Grandmother. When in the closet, Toto had wrenched
the wall, tore the decorative paper in the closet and the author's school blazer into shreds.
Grandfather then put him with the other animals in a big cage, in the servant's quarters but he
disturbed other animals. Grandfather therefore had to take him with him, in a big canvas bag,
to Saharanpur because he knew Toto would create mischief and Grandmother would be
furious. Grandfather, then put him with Nana, the family donkey, in the stable but he hurt
him, too. Ultimately, Grandmother had to be taken into confidence.

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CLASS: IX

Ch-2 The Adventures of Toto

(Extra Q+A and Notes)

Q1. Describe Toto, the monkey.

Q2. What attracted Grandfather to Toto?

Q2. How do you know that Grandfather was an animal lover?

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