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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter covers the author's journey with his pet otter Mijbil, the theme of the human-animal bond, and important questions and answers.

Overview of Topics & Subtopics (Click to Jump)

1. Story Summary

Short Note:

• The author, Gavin Maxwell, acquires an otter cub, whom he names Mijbil, while travelling through Iraq, intending to bring him back to Scotland as a pet.

• During the long journey home, including a difficult flight and train travel, Mijbil causes chaos but also displays remarkable intelligence, playfulness and affection towards the author.

• Mijbil eventually settles happily into the author's life in Scotland, forming a deep and endearing bond with him, showcasing the unique and previously little-known behaviour of otters in captivity.

2. Character Sketch

Short Note:

• Mijbil: An intelligent, mischievous and affectionate otter who displays curious, almost human-like behaviour, quickly winning over people despite the chaos he sometimes causes.

• The Author (Gavin Maxwell): A patient and adventurous naturalist who develops a close bond with Mijbil, going to great lengths, including complicated travel arrangements, to bring the otter home safely.

3. Theme & Message

Short Note:

• The chapter highlights the deep emotional bond that can form between humans and animals, showing how patience, care and observation can uncover the delightful personality of a wild creature.

• It also emphasises the value of open-minded curiosity about nature, since the author's experience revealed much about otter behaviour previously unknown to naturalists.

Reading With Insight (Textbook Questions)

Q1: How did the author acquire Mijbil, and why did he decide to keep him?
Answer: The author decided to get an otter cub after his previous plan for a different pet fell through, and he received Mijbil from a source in Basra, Iraq, deciding to keep him because he became fascinated by the otter's playful, curious nature almost immediately.
Q2: What difficulties did the author face while bringing Mijbil to England?
Answer: The author faced numerous difficulties, including managing Mijbil's escape attempts, keeping him calm during a stressful flight, dealing with a leaking water container that flooded a train compartment, and handling public curiosity and panic caused by an unfamiliar animal in transit.
Q3: What unique behaviours of Mijbil surprised the author and other people?
Answer: Mijbil surprised people with his playful antics, his fondness for playing with a ping-pong ball, his ability to be walked on a lead like a dog, and his strong emotional attachment to the author, all of which were previously undocumented behaviours for otters.

Extract-Based / Short Answer Questions

Q4: What does the story reveal about the author's personality?
Answer: The story reveals the author to be patient, adventurous and deeply caring towards animals, willing to endure considerable inconvenience and chaos to properly care for and transport Mijbil safely to his new home.
Q5: Why is this chapter considered significant in terms of natural history?
Answer: The chapter is significant because the author's close observations of Mijbil contributed new information about otter behaviour and intelligence that was not well known before, making his personal account valuable to naturalists as well as general readers.
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More for this chapter

Class 10 › English › Mijbil the Otter
Chapter notesRead the chapterPractice MCQsCheck what you rememberChapter test10 questions on one pageOnline testTest 1, 2 and 3, one question at a timePYQPrevious year questionsStudy materialPDF notes
Topics in this chapter: Story SummaryCharacter SketchTheme & Message