NCERT Textbook: Mijbil the Otter | English Class 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


Let ’s Begin 1. You have read the chapter ‘Mijbil the Otter’. Discuss with 
your partner the commitment the author had towards Mijbil, 
what arrangements he made for his pet. What good care 
did he take like getting ??sh, taking it for a walk or exercise, 
providing things, and space to play etc. Make a list and then 
share with other friends in the class. 
2.  Find out which illustrations will go with your list.
?
;
Unit 
6
Mijbil the Otter Unit-6.indd   73 20-02-2023   09:39:50
Reprint 2025-26
Page 2


Let ’s Begin 1. You have read the chapter ‘Mijbil the Otter’. Discuss with 
your partner the commitment the author had towards Mijbil, 
what arrangements he made for his pet. What good care 
did he take like getting ??sh, taking it for a walk or exercise, 
providing things, and space to play etc. Make a list and then 
share with other friends in the class. 
2.  Find out which illustrations will go with your list.
?
;
Unit 
6
Mijbil the Otter Unit-6.indd   73 20-02-2023   09:39:50
Reprint 2025-26
Words and Expr Essions 2 – Class x 74
3.  Mijbil is an active animal who shows many emotions. Refer 
to the chapter and complete the following Table.
What Mijbil Does How Mijbil feels
1. Plunges, rolls in water 1. Goes wild with joy.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
Reading Comp Rehension 
t ext i The following is a story of a baby Civet cat that fell from a tree 
and was raised by humans. It is a true story from Assam written 
by Rommel Shunmugam who is a conservation photographer. 
Through his photo stories, he seeks to inculcate in children a 
love for nature and wildlife. 
Civet cats are found in most parts of India. They are also called 
toddy cats. They live on palm trees and love to drink the sweet 
sap, which is collected by toddy tappers to make wine! Dharini 
and his family rescues and rehabilitates wild animals. These are 
mostly babies or animals that cannot look after themselves.
arboreal
inculcate
nocturnal
omnivorous
rehabilitates
Look Up 
and Understand Unit-6.indd   74 20-02-2023   09:39:51
Reprint 2025-26
Page 3


Let ’s Begin 1. You have read the chapter ‘Mijbil the Otter’. Discuss with 
your partner the commitment the author had towards Mijbil, 
what arrangements he made for his pet. What good care 
did he take like getting ??sh, taking it for a walk or exercise, 
providing things, and space to play etc. Make a list and then 
share with other friends in the class. 
2.  Find out which illustrations will go with your list.
?
;
Unit 
6
Mijbil the Otter Unit-6.indd   73 20-02-2023   09:39:50
Reprint 2025-26
Words and Expr Essions 2 – Class x 74
3.  Mijbil is an active animal who shows many emotions. Refer 
to the chapter and complete the following Table.
What Mijbil Does How Mijbil feels
1. Plunges, rolls in water 1. Goes wild with joy.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
Reading Comp Rehension 
t ext i The following is a story of a baby Civet cat that fell from a tree 
and was raised by humans. It is a true story from Assam written 
by Rommel Shunmugam who is a conservation photographer. 
Through his photo stories, he seeks to inculcate in children a 
love for nature and wildlife. 
Civet cats are found in most parts of India. They are also called 
toddy cats. They live on palm trees and love to drink the sweet 
sap, which is collected by toddy tappers to make wine! Dharini 
and his family rescues and rehabilitates wild animals. These are 
mostly babies or animals that cannot look after themselves.
arboreal
inculcate
nocturnal
omnivorous
rehabilitates
Look Up 
and Understand Unit-6.indd   74 20-02-2023   09:39:51
Reprint 2025-26
Unit 6 – Mijbil thE o ttEr 75
Sentences
Baby Bhakat
Hi! My name is Bhakat. I am a baby Civet cat. I 
am three month old. Shhh! I am taking a nap with 
my brothers. Yes, I live in a family of humans. 
They treat me like their own Baby!
My home is a little thatched hut by a river in 
a small village in Assam. The hut has an earthen 
??oor and mud-splattered walls. Its doors are 
always open. I come and go as I please! Mama 
takes care of all three of us! Her name is Anjali. 
She cooks, cleans and plays with me. I secretly 
think she loves me the most. She lets me be real 
naughty!
Mama is about to make brunch! She is making 
roti and vegetables. I don’t like vegetables, but I 
like fruits. I love meat. I am omnivorous. Mama 
always feeds me before anyone else! I love things 
dipped in milk. They are yummy!
The man of the house is Dharini. If not for him, I 
would not be alive today! My civet mother built a 
nest for me in a very tall coconut tree. One night 
I slipped and fell to the ground! When villagers 
found me they took me to Dharini. Dharini loves 
animals. I began to live in his home. I was very small. I could not 
walk. I ate and slept a lot!
Do you know why my eyes are so large? That’s because I am 
a nocturnal animal. I sleep in the day and am active in the night. 
My large eyes help me see better in the dark! I also have a very 
long tail! It helps me balance on tree-tops and branches. I mostly 
live on trees, though I do come down to the ground. Animals like 
me are called arboreal!
Inside Dharini’s house, I always snooze in the rafters. I like 
being high up; it reminds me of trees! One day I woke up to ??nd 
a strange sight, Dharini’s house was ??lling with water! In the 
night, the river behind the house started over??owing its banks! 
Inside everything was helter-skelter. Things were piled on top of 
one another! The monsoon had arrived!
Dharini and Anjali carried us babies outside the house! There 
was water everywhere and it was very muddy! But the sun was 
out and it was not raining! I stayed high on the fence and made 
sure even my long tail did not get wet! Dharini went to pick snails. 
Unit-6.indd   75 20-02-2023   09:39:52
Reprint 2025-26
Page 4


Let ’s Begin 1. You have read the chapter ‘Mijbil the Otter’. Discuss with 
your partner the commitment the author had towards Mijbil, 
what arrangements he made for his pet. What good care 
did he take like getting ??sh, taking it for a walk or exercise, 
providing things, and space to play etc. Make a list and then 
share with other friends in the class. 
2.  Find out which illustrations will go with your list.
?
;
Unit 
6
Mijbil the Otter Unit-6.indd   73 20-02-2023   09:39:50
Reprint 2025-26
Words and Expr Essions 2 – Class x 74
3.  Mijbil is an active animal who shows many emotions. Refer 
to the chapter and complete the following Table.
What Mijbil Does How Mijbil feels
1. Plunges, rolls in water 1. Goes wild with joy.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
Reading Comp Rehension 
t ext i The following is a story of a baby Civet cat that fell from a tree 
and was raised by humans. It is a true story from Assam written 
by Rommel Shunmugam who is a conservation photographer. 
Through his photo stories, he seeks to inculcate in children a 
love for nature and wildlife. 
Civet cats are found in most parts of India. They are also called 
toddy cats. They live on palm trees and love to drink the sweet 
sap, which is collected by toddy tappers to make wine! Dharini 
and his family rescues and rehabilitates wild animals. These are 
mostly babies or animals that cannot look after themselves.
arboreal
inculcate
nocturnal
omnivorous
rehabilitates
Look Up 
and Understand Unit-6.indd   74 20-02-2023   09:39:51
Reprint 2025-26
Unit 6 – Mijbil thE o ttEr 75
Sentences
Baby Bhakat
Hi! My name is Bhakat. I am a baby Civet cat. I 
am three month old. Shhh! I am taking a nap with 
my brothers. Yes, I live in a family of humans. 
They treat me like their own Baby!
My home is a little thatched hut by a river in 
a small village in Assam. The hut has an earthen 
??oor and mud-splattered walls. Its doors are 
always open. I come and go as I please! Mama 
takes care of all three of us! Her name is Anjali. 
She cooks, cleans and plays with me. I secretly 
think she loves me the most. She lets me be real 
naughty!
Mama is about to make brunch! She is making 
roti and vegetables. I don’t like vegetables, but I 
like fruits. I love meat. I am omnivorous. Mama 
always feeds me before anyone else! I love things 
dipped in milk. They are yummy!
The man of the house is Dharini. If not for him, I 
would not be alive today! My civet mother built a 
nest for me in a very tall coconut tree. One night 
I slipped and fell to the ground! When villagers 
found me they took me to Dharini. Dharini loves 
animals. I began to live in his home. I was very small. I could not 
walk. I ate and slept a lot!
Do you know why my eyes are so large? That’s because I am 
a nocturnal animal. I sleep in the day and am active in the night. 
My large eyes help me see better in the dark! I also have a very 
long tail! It helps me balance on tree-tops and branches. I mostly 
live on trees, though I do come down to the ground. Animals like 
me are called arboreal!
Inside Dharini’s house, I always snooze in the rafters. I like 
being high up; it reminds me of trees! One day I woke up to ??nd 
a strange sight, Dharini’s house was ??lling with water! In the 
night, the river behind the house started over??owing its banks! 
Inside everything was helter-skelter. Things were piled on top of 
one another! The monsoon had arrived!
Dharini and Anjali carried us babies outside the house! There 
was water everywhere and it was very muddy! But the sun was 
out and it was not raining! I stayed high on the fence and made 
sure even my long tail did not get wet! Dharini went to pick snails. 
Unit-6.indd   75 20-02-2023   09:39:52
Reprint 2025-26
Words and Expr Essions 2 – Class x 76
Snails had climbed branches and walls to escape drowning in 
the ??ood! Every gardener knows that snails eat plants. By eating 
snails, I ensure that they do not overrun your garden. I maintain 
the balance of life in nature!
When it ??oods, you ??nd ??sh everywhere! Dharini cast his net 
in the garden and began catching ??shes. They are kept in a pan 
of water to keep them alive and fresh to eat!
Montu, my brother, tried to be naughty! He caught me and 
threatened to dip me in water! He got a scolding from Dharini. 
I hate to be in water!  Back inside the house, it is time for me 
to play with Mama! I shall rest awhile and then be up again at 
night. Mama always leaves a midnight snack by the lantern! 
Rommel Shunmugam
Now read the following questions and tick the right answer.
Q.1. Dharini —
 (a) is the land owner (b) loves animals
 (c) is a gardener (d) is father of Bhakat
Q.2. Civet cats are also called ___________________.
 (a) Baby cats (b) Night cats
 (c) Toddy cats (d) Snail cats
Q.3. Baby Bhakat loves to eat ___________________.
 (a) roti (b) vegetables
 (c) fruits (d) meat
Q.4. Baby Bhakat hates to ___________________.
 (a) eat snails (b) be in water
 (c) play with Mama (d) sleep in the rafter
Q.5. The home for the Bhakat  is _________________________.
 (a) a garden near a river
 (b) the roof of the little hut
 (c) a little hut by a river
 (d) the nest in a coconut tree
Q.6. Tick the statement which is not true.
 (a) Dharani and Anjali treat Bhakat as their own baby.
 (b) They keep the door closed to keep Bhakat safe.
 (c) Anjali plays with Bhakat and lets it be naughty.
 (d) Anjali feeds Bhakat before anyone else.
Unit-6.indd   76 20-02-2023   09:39:52
Reprint 2025-26
Page 5


Let ’s Begin 1. You have read the chapter ‘Mijbil the Otter’. Discuss with 
your partner the commitment the author had towards Mijbil, 
what arrangements he made for his pet. What good care 
did he take like getting ??sh, taking it for a walk or exercise, 
providing things, and space to play etc. Make a list and then 
share with other friends in the class. 
2.  Find out which illustrations will go with your list.
?
;
Unit 
6
Mijbil the Otter Unit-6.indd   73 20-02-2023   09:39:50
Reprint 2025-26
Words and Expr Essions 2 – Class x 74
3.  Mijbil is an active animal who shows many emotions. Refer 
to the chapter and complete the following Table.
What Mijbil Does How Mijbil feels
1. Plunges, rolls in water 1. Goes wild with joy.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
Reading Comp Rehension 
t ext i The following is a story of a baby Civet cat that fell from a tree 
and was raised by humans. It is a true story from Assam written 
by Rommel Shunmugam who is a conservation photographer. 
Through his photo stories, he seeks to inculcate in children a 
love for nature and wildlife. 
Civet cats are found in most parts of India. They are also called 
toddy cats. They live on palm trees and love to drink the sweet 
sap, which is collected by toddy tappers to make wine! Dharini 
and his family rescues and rehabilitates wild animals. These are 
mostly babies or animals that cannot look after themselves.
arboreal
inculcate
nocturnal
omnivorous
rehabilitates
Look Up 
and Understand Unit-6.indd   74 20-02-2023   09:39:51
Reprint 2025-26
Unit 6 – Mijbil thE o ttEr 75
Sentences
Baby Bhakat
Hi! My name is Bhakat. I am a baby Civet cat. I 
am three month old. Shhh! I am taking a nap with 
my brothers. Yes, I live in a family of humans. 
They treat me like their own Baby!
My home is a little thatched hut by a river in 
a small village in Assam. The hut has an earthen 
??oor and mud-splattered walls. Its doors are 
always open. I come and go as I please! Mama 
takes care of all three of us! Her name is Anjali. 
She cooks, cleans and plays with me. I secretly 
think she loves me the most. She lets me be real 
naughty!
Mama is about to make brunch! She is making 
roti and vegetables. I don’t like vegetables, but I 
like fruits. I love meat. I am omnivorous. Mama 
always feeds me before anyone else! I love things 
dipped in milk. They are yummy!
The man of the house is Dharini. If not for him, I 
would not be alive today! My civet mother built a 
nest for me in a very tall coconut tree. One night 
I slipped and fell to the ground! When villagers 
found me they took me to Dharini. Dharini loves 
animals. I began to live in his home. I was very small. I could not 
walk. I ate and slept a lot!
Do you know why my eyes are so large? That’s because I am 
a nocturnal animal. I sleep in the day and am active in the night. 
My large eyes help me see better in the dark! I also have a very 
long tail! It helps me balance on tree-tops and branches. I mostly 
live on trees, though I do come down to the ground. Animals like 
me are called arboreal!
Inside Dharini’s house, I always snooze in the rafters. I like 
being high up; it reminds me of trees! One day I woke up to ??nd 
a strange sight, Dharini’s house was ??lling with water! In the 
night, the river behind the house started over??owing its banks! 
Inside everything was helter-skelter. Things were piled on top of 
one another! The monsoon had arrived!
Dharini and Anjali carried us babies outside the house! There 
was water everywhere and it was very muddy! But the sun was 
out and it was not raining! I stayed high on the fence and made 
sure even my long tail did not get wet! Dharini went to pick snails. 
Unit-6.indd   75 20-02-2023   09:39:52
Reprint 2025-26
Words and Expr Essions 2 – Class x 76
Snails had climbed branches and walls to escape drowning in 
the ??ood! Every gardener knows that snails eat plants. By eating 
snails, I ensure that they do not overrun your garden. I maintain 
the balance of life in nature!
When it ??oods, you ??nd ??sh everywhere! Dharini cast his net 
in the garden and began catching ??shes. They are kept in a pan 
of water to keep them alive and fresh to eat!
Montu, my brother, tried to be naughty! He caught me and 
threatened to dip me in water! He got a scolding from Dharini. 
I hate to be in water!  Back inside the house, it is time for me 
to play with Mama! I shall rest awhile and then be up again at 
night. Mama always leaves a midnight snack by the lantern! 
Rommel Shunmugam
Now read the following questions and tick the right answer.
Q.1. Dharini —
 (a) is the land owner (b) loves animals
 (c) is a gardener (d) is father of Bhakat
Q.2. Civet cats are also called ___________________.
 (a) Baby cats (b) Night cats
 (c) Toddy cats (d) Snail cats
Q.3. Baby Bhakat loves to eat ___________________.
 (a) roti (b) vegetables
 (c) fruits (d) meat
Q.4. Baby Bhakat hates to ___________________.
 (a) eat snails (b) be in water
 (c) play with Mama (d) sleep in the rafter
Q.5. The home for the Bhakat  is _________________________.
 (a) a garden near a river
 (b) the roof of the little hut
 (c) a little hut by a river
 (d) the nest in a coconut tree
Q.6. Tick the statement which is not true.
 (a) Dharani and Anjali treat Bhakat as their own baby.
 (b) They keep the door closed to keep Bhakat safe.
 (c) Anjali plays with Bhakat and lets it be naughty.
 (d) Anjali feeds Bhakat before anyone else.
Unit-6.indd   76 20-02-2023   09:39:52
Reprint 2025-26
Unit 6 – Mijbil thE o ttEr 77
Sentences
t ext ii Read the passage given below and answer the questions that 
follow.
It’s not easy having Elephants in your backyard.
Around the world, as communities expand, and natural wild 
places are reduced, people and wildlife are increasingly coming 
into con??ict over living space and food.
It might be baboons in Namibia attacking young goats or 
elephants in Nepal eating crops or European bears and wolves 
killing livestock. The problem is universal, affects rich and poor, 
and is bad news for all concerned.
The impacts are often huge. People lose their crops and 
livestock (and therefore a source of income and food security), 
property, and sometimes their lives — even a severe injury caused 
by wildlife can result in a loss of livelihood. The animals, some of 
which are already threatened or even endangered, are sometimes 
killed in retaliation or to prevent future con??icts.
Human-wildlife con??ict is happening more and more, affecting a 
lot of different species. The effects of climate change will probably 
make the problem worse.
coexistence
con??ict
endangered
livestock
retaliation
Look Up 
and Understand Unit-6.indd   77 20-02-2023   09:39:53
Reprint 2025-26