Class 10 Englsh Chapter - Mijbil the Otter

 

 Class 10 English

Class 10 English syllabus. Class 10 English NCERT Book, Class 10 English NCERT Solutions,

First Flight

Chapter 1 - A letter to God

Chapter 2 -  Long Walk to Freedom

Chapter 3 -  Two Stories About Flying 

Chapter 4 -  From the Diary of Anne Frank

Chapter 5 - Glimpses of India

Chapter 6 - Mijbil the Other 

Chapter “Mijbil the Otter” by Gavin Maxwell 

Summary – Mijbil the Otter

The chapter is a story about the author Gavin Maxwell and his pet otter named Mijbil (short form “Mij”). The author lived in Camusfearna, Scotland, and after his dog Jonnie’s death, he decided to keep an otter as a pet.

1. A friend brought an otter for him from the Tigris marshes in Iraq. This otter was named Mijbil.
2. At first, Mijbil was shy and stayed hidden, but gradually he became friendly and playful.
3. Mijbil was very intelligent and curious. He loved playing with water, marbles, and other things.
4. When the author had to travel back to England, it became difficult to carry Mijbil. Animals were not allowed to travel like normal pets. So, the author had to pack Mijbil in a box, which upset the otter.
5. During the flight, Mijbil created a commotion, but later he adjusted.
6. In London, Mijbil became very popular. People admired his playful and friendly nature.

Message of the Story:
The chapter shows the bond between humans and animals. It highlights love, care, and companionship between the writer and Mijbil. It also teaches us that wild animals, if treated with affection, can become our best friends.

📘 Exercises with Answers

✨ Mijbil the Otter 

1. Oral Comprehension Check

Q1. What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
👉 Maxwell thought his house, Camusfearna, which was close to water, would be the perfect place to try keeping an otter as a pet instead of a dog.

Q2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
👉 He went to Basra to receive a reply from his friend who promised to send him an otter. But the mail took time to arrive, so he waited for five days.

Q3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.
👉 Two Arabs delivered a sack containing the otter along with a letter from his friend. Yes, Maxwell instantly liked it—he even called his interest in otters an “otter fixation.”

Q4. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
👉 The species of otter was unknown before. Later, zoologists named it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli after him, so it became known as Maxwell’s otter.

Q5. In the beginning, how did the otter behave?
👉 At first, the otter kept to itself and did not show any interest in Maxwell—it was quiet and distant.

Q6. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?
👉 The first time, Mijbil jumped straight into the bathtub, splashed, rolled, and enjoyed himself like a happy child. Two days later, he went back alone and even managed to turn the tap to let the water flow, so he could play again.

2. Oral Comprehension Check

Q7. How was Mijbil transported to England?
👉 Maxwell booked a flight to London. The airline staff told him the otter must travel in a box. So he arranged an 18-inch box to carry Mijbil on the plane.

Q8. What did Mij do to the box?
👉 Mijbil hated being locked inside. He tore up the lining, hurt himself trying to escape, and almost destroyed the box.

Q9. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How did he feel when he did this?
👉 The airline forced him to use the box, so Maxwell had no choice. But he felt sad and worried because Mijbil was clearly uncomfortable and got injured.

Q10. Why does Maxwell say the air hostess was “the very queen of her kind”?
👉 Because she was kind and understanding. She allowed Maxwell to keep Mijbil on his lap instead of inside the box, which saved both him and the otter from more trouble.

Q11. What happened when the box was opened?
👉 The otter shot out like a bullet, ran around the plane, and caused a little chaos among passengers. But soon he came back and curled up on Maxwell’s lap.

3. Oral Comprehension Check

Q12. What game had Mij invented?
👉 He made up a game with a ping-pong ball and a sloping suitcase lid. He would place the ball on top, let it roll down, and then chase it.

Q13. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What were the compulsive habits of (i) school children and (ii) Mij?
👉 Compulsive habits are odd things people or animals do again and again, without a real reason.

(i) School children step on only certain tiles or touch railings while walking.
(ii) Mij had a habit of running across every boundary wall and balancing on them.

2. Think About the Text

Q1. What things show that Mijbil was intelligent, friendly, and fun-loving?
👉 He invented his own games, quickly learned how to turn on taps, enjoyed being with his owner, and always showed curiosity. His playful nature and love for companionship prove he was fun-loving and intelligent.

Q2. What do we learn about otters from this story?
👉 Otters are very social, playful, and curious animals. They enjoy water, can be trained, and can develop a strong bond with humans. They are smart and quick learners.

Q3. Why is Mij’s species called Maxwell’s otter?
👉 Because Gavin Maxwell was the first to bring this new species to people’s notice. Scientists officially named it after him.

Q4. Maxwell often speaks for Mij, telling us what the otter feels. Complete the table.

What Mij does	What he feels or thinks
Plunges and rolls in water, splashing	He feels as happy as a hippo in water
Screws the tap the wrong way	He gets annoyed and disappointed
Nuzzles Maxwell’s face and neck in the aeroplane	He feels comforted and reassured after being upset

Q5. Maxwell describes his pet otter in detail. Which statements are true/false?

1. Makes Mij seem almost human, like a small boy. – ✅ True

2. Shows that Maxwell is often irritated with what Mij does. – ❌ False

3. Shows that he is often surprised by what Mij does. – ✅ True

4. His description of Mij’s antics is comical. – ✅ True

5. Shows he observes Mij’s antics thoroughly. – ✅ True

6. Shows that he thinks Mij is an ordinary otter. – ❌ False

7. Shows that he thinks the otter is very unusual. – ✅ True

📘 Worksheet – Mijbil the Otter

By Gavin Maxwell

Part A – Oral Comprehension Check

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

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

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

4. Why was the otter named “Maxwell’s otter”?

5. 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 later?

7. How was Mij to be transported to England?

8. What did Mij do to the box?

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

10. Why does Maxwell call the air hostess “the very queen of her kind”?

11. What happened when the box was opened?

Part B – Think About the Text

1. What are some things we come to know about otters from this story?

2. Why is the otter named “Maxwell’s otter”?

3. Describe Mijbil’s love for water. How does he behave in the bathroom?

4. How did Mijbil behave during the flight?

5. Do you think the author and Mijbil shared a strong bond? Give examples from the text.

Part C – Vocabulary Work

1. Find words in the text which mean:
   

   • unfriendly
   • queenly kindness
   • tearing to pieces
   • excitement

2. Make sentences with these words.

Part D – Grammar Practice

1. Change these sentences into indirect speech:
   

   • Maxwell said, “I waited at Basra for days.”
   • The air hostess said, “Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”

2. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions:
   

   • Mijbil was placed ___ a box.
   • The author travelled ___ Basra to England.

Part E – Creative Writing

1. Imagine you are Maxwell. Write a diary entry about the day you first met Mijbil.

2. Suppose Mijbil could talk. Write a short paragraph in his voice about his journey to England.