Mijbil the Otter Summary Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 6

Introduction

Mijbil the Otter by Gavin Maxwell is a heartwarming story about the author's journey of adopting and bonding with an otter named Mij. After losing his beloved dog, Maxwell decided to bring an otter from Iraq to his cottage in Camusfearna, Scotland. The story captures Mij’s playful antics, intelligence, and the challenges of caring for an unusual pet, offering a mix of humor, adventure, and the joy of companionship.

Gavin Maxwell, a renowned Scottish naturalist and writer, was known for his deep connection with nature and wildlife. His works, like Ring of Bright Water, explore the beauty of the natural world and his unique experiences with animals. Maxwell’s storytelling is both engaging and insightful, showcasing his love for wildlife and the bonds humans can form with it.

Key Points of the Story

• The story starts in early 1956 when the author travels to Southern Iraq.
• Inspired by the local wildlife, the author chooses to keep an otter instead of a dog.
• A friend says he can find an otter in the Tigris marshes, where they are often tamed.
• The author goes to the Consulate-General in Basra to collect his mail but finds none has arrived.
• After sending a cable to England, he waits for his mail, only to find two Arabs in his room with a sack containing an otter.
• The otter, named Mijbil, is muddy upon arrival, but Maxwell soon discovers Mij has soft, chocolate-brown fur beneath.
• Mijbil is later called Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter, by scientists.
• Initially, Mijbil is aloof, but soon he becomes affectionate and playful.
• The author learns about Mijbil’s love for water and his playful antics, like juggling marbles.
• The British airline to London wouldn’t transport animals, so the author books a flight to Paris, then to London.
• During the journey, Mijbil escapes, causing distress and chaos on the airplane.
• After reaching London, Mijbil continues to play and explore, amusing everyone around him.
• The story highlights the joy, challenges, and responsibilities of caring for an unusual pet, showcasing Mijbil’s playful nature and the happiness he brought to Maxwell’s life.

In early 1956, after the death of his beloved dog, Gavin Maxwell resolved to keep an otter instead. He believed his water-ringed cottage at Camusfearna, Scotland, would be an ideal home. While stationed in Basra, southern Iraq, Maxwell mentioned this plan to a friend, who arranged for an otter from the nearby Tigris marshes. Three days later, two Arabs appeared in Maxwell’s bedroom carrying a squirming sack—and with it, the beginnings of a lifelong bond.
Maxwell and Mijbil

When Maxwell first unwrapped the sack, the young otter was caked head to tail in mud. Only after painstakingly washing away the last crust did its rich, chocolate-brown fur—and delicate velvet underside—come to light. Naming him “Mijbil,” Maxwell soon learned that zoologists would recognize this animal as a previously unknown subspecies, christening it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli (“Maxwell’s otter”).

At first, Mijbil was neither hostile nor affectionate, choosing to sleep as far from Maxwell’s bed as possible. Within two nights, however, he began curling at Maxwell’s feet and quickly revealed a fiercely curious intellect. In the bathroom he transformed into a water-mad acrobat—plunging, rolling, and insisting on overturning every bowl until each drop of water was in motion. He even discovered how to turn the tap on and off, sometimes tightening it so furiously that Maxwell had to intervene.

Mijbil’s playfulness extended far beyond the bath. He learned to dribble a rubber ball across the floor using all four paws, and he juggled marbles on his wide, flat belly as though his life depended on it. These antics filled Maxwell’s home with laughter and deepened their friendship.

Transporting Mijbil to London proved harrowing. Britain’s national airline refused live animals, so Maxwell booked passage via Paris under a rule that the otter fit into an eighteen-inch box at his feet. Mijbil tore through the box lining in frantic escape attempts, leaving Maxwell to hold the lid shut as they raced to the airport. Once airborne, the otter burst free, scuttled under passengers’ seats, and sent one woman shrieking “A rat!” before finally returning to Maxwell’s lap.

In London, Mijbil adapted quickly to urban life. He spent hours engrossed with ping-pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and even a terrapin shell brought from Iraq. On leash, he developed endearing habits—leaping along a low schoolyard wall on the way home, much to the pupils’ astonishment. Passersby offered every guess under the sun—baby seal, squirrel, hippo—before Maxwell would proudly explain, “He’s an otter.”

Through every escape attempt, playful stunt, and stolen moment of affection, Mijbil proved himself not merely a curious novelty but an intelligent, spirited companion whose bond with Maxwell would endure long after their return to the Highlands.

Theme/ Message

Theme

• The story explores the theme of companionship and the unique bond between humans and animals.
• It also highlights the importance of adventure and embracing new experiences in life.
• Additionally, the narrative touches on the beauty of wildlife and the joy that comes from understanding and caring for it.

Message

• The message of the story is that animals can bring immense joy and happiness to our lives.
• It emphasizes that the relationships we form with pets can be deeply rewarding and fulfilling.
• The story encourages readers to appreciate the wonders of nature and the unique characteristics of different animals.
• Ultimately, it suggests that being open to new experiences can lead to unexpected joys and adventures.

Difficult Words

• Thraldom: Being under the control of someone or something.
• Fixation: A strong attachment or obsession with something.
• Apathy: Lack of interest or concern; indifference.
• Aloof: Not friendly or forthcoming; distant.
• Chromium: A shiny, metallic element often used for plating.
• Exhausted: Extremely tired or worn out.
• Trickle: A small, slow flow of liquid.
• Compulsive: Acting on an irresistible urge, often without control.
• Jugglers: People who keep several objects in motion in the air by catching and throwing them.
• Conjectural: Based on guesswork; not based on solid evidence.
• Infuriated: Extremely angry or enraged.
• Engrossed: Fully occupied with something; deeply absorbed.
• Marshes: Wet, low-lying areas where water often collects.
• Embarked: To begin a journey or adventure.
• Exhilarating: Making one feel very happy and excited.