THE ADVENTURES OF TOTTO

THE ADVENTURES OF TOTTO

1. How does Toto come to grandfather's private zoo ?

Ans. Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver. The tonga-driver used to keep the monkey tied to a feeding-trough. The monkey looked out of place there. Grandfather bought it for five rupees. He decided to keep it in his private zoo.

2. ‘Toto was a pretty monkey’. In what sense is Toto pretty?

Ans. Toto has bright eyes. They have in them a sparkle of mischief. Toto has pearly white teeth. They often show a smile. Then there was his tail. It also adds to his good looks.

3. Why does Grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket-collector insist on calling Toto a dog ?

Ans. Toto does not let the other pets sleep at night. So Grandfather carries him to Saharanpur. He carries Toto in a canvas kit-bag. The ticket-collector calls Toto a dog because there was no separate rule for monkeys.

4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this?

Ans. Toto first tests the temperature of water in the bowl. Then he gradually steps into it. He goes neck-deep into the water. Then he rubs himself with soap. He has learnt all this by watching the author.

5. How does Toto almost boil himself alive?

Ans. One day Toto gets into a large kettle. It was kept on the fire to boil water for tea. Toto found the water quite warm for a bath. Soon the water began to boil. Toto raised himself a little. He found it was cold outside. He sat down again. He continued hopping up and down for some time. By chance grandmother came there. She at once pulled Toto out of the kettle. He was half-boiled.

6. Why does the author say, "Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long."?

Ans. Toto was in the habit of spoiling things. He would break dishes and clothes. He would tear curtains and wallpaper. When any of the author's came near him, he would try to tear her dress. So the author thought Toto could not be kept for long.

Other Important Questions

1. How did Toto get along with other animals?

Ans. Toto was kept in a big cage along with other animals. He did not allow any of his companions to sleep at night. He also did not get along well with the family donkey, Nana.

2. What did Toto do with the dish of pullao?

Ans. One day a large dish of pullao was kept in the centre of the dining-table. Toto started stuffing himself with rice. He ran away with the dish when Grandfather arrived there. Grandmother screamed at him. He threw the plate at her. It broke into many pieces.

3. Why was Toto sold back to the tonga-driver?

Ans. The writer's family was not well-to-do. They could not afford the dishes, clothes, curtains and wallpaper. So Toto was sold back to the toga driver.

Long Answer Type Question

Q. Describe Toto's mischief at lunch-time.

Ans. One day, at lunch-time, a large dish of pullao was left in the centre of the dining table. The writer and the members of his family entered the room. They found Toto stuffing himself with rice. Grandmother started screaming. Toto threw a plate at her. One of the writer's aunts rushed forward. Toto threw a glass of water in her face. When Grandfather arrived, Toto picked up the dish of pullao and went out through a window. He stayed in the branches of the jackfruit tree all afternoon. The dish was still in his arms. He ate slowly all the grains of rice in the dish. Then he threw the dish down from the tree. When the dish broke into pieces he chattered with delight.