Introduction: Mijbil the Otter - Class 10 PDF Download

About the Author- Gavin Maxwell
Gavin Maxwell – A Short Biography

About the Author

Gavin Maxwell (15 July, 1914-7 September 1969) was a Scottish naturalist.  He is best known for his work with otters. Maxwell was born and brought up in a small village near Port William in Scotland. He died due to cancer in 1969.

 INTRODUCTION

Gavin Maxwell lives in a cottage in Camusfearna, in the West Highlands in Scotlands. He is fond of keeping pets. After the death of his pet dog Jennie, he was too sad to think of a dog again. The author is in Basra city of Iraq on a visit. There a friend of his presents him an otter. He takes this otter to England where he has a flat of his own. He has some interesting experiences during his air journey from Basra to Paris and London.

The theme of the Story

Gavin Maxwell lived in a cottage in Camusfearna, in the West Highlands in Scotland. When Maxwell’s dog Jonnie died, he became very sad. Life without a pet was quite lonely. When he visited Southern Iraq in 1959, he saw some Arab people having otters as pets. He also thought of having an otter. He named the otter, Mijbil. In the beginning, Mijbi was indifferent but he became quite intimate with the narrator. He faced a problem to transport the otter from Basra to England. Mijbil was packed in a box. Mijbil disappeared in the aeroplane when the box was opened. The air hostess helped him to find out Mijbil. In London, Mijbil remained a mystery for most people. They couldn’t recognise an otter. Some called Mijbil ‘a seal’ and some called him ‘a squirrel’. Others called him ‘a beaver’ and ‘a bear cub’. But the best question came from a labourer, “What is that supposed to be?” he asked.

Word-Meaning

Otter = a kind of animal (उदबिलाव); ringed by = surrounded by (से घिरा हुआ); at a stone’s throw = nearby (नजदीक); eminently = clearly (स्पष्ट); casually = non-seriously (गैर –गम्भीरता से); marshes = wetlands (गीला/दलदली इलाका); tamed = pet (पालतू); cabled = sent a telegram (तार भेजी); breakdown = being out of order (खराब होना); squatting = sitting on the haunches (उकडू होकर बैठना); squirmed = (हिलना); Sack = a large bag (बोरी); thraldom = being in the control of (के नियंत्रण में); fixation = strong attachment (तीव्र लगाव); emerged = came out (बाहर आना); spacious = big (बड़ा); resembled = looked like (शक्ल का मिलना); conceived = thought (सोचा); dragon = monster (दानव/अजगर); Symmetrical = in symmetry (एक सार); pointed = sharp(तीखा); armour = shield (ढाल/बचाव); velvet = soft cloth (मखमल); mole = an animal (मोल); previously =earlier(पहले);at length =at last (आखिर); christened  = named (नामकरण); hostile = unfriendly (गैर-दोस्ताना); aloof = alone (अकेला); indifferent = callous (उदासीन); Crook = bend (मोड़); apathy = lack of interest (रूचि की कमी); wild with joy = greatly in joy (बहुत खुश होना); plunging = diving (डुबकी लगाना); hippo = hippopotamus (दरियाई घोड़ा); characteristics = features (विशेषता); bowl = a container (बर्तन); static = fixed (स्थिर); provoking = causing anger (गुस्सा दिलाना); Disappearing = vanishing (गायब होना); corridor = verandah (बरामदा); fumbling= making awakened movement (टटोलना); chromium = a metal (क्रोमियम); paws = front part of foot (पंजे); amazed = surprised (हैरान); trickle = thin stream (पतली धारा); chittering = a kind of sound (एक प्रकार की आवाज़); irritation = frustration (निराशा); lead = string (डोरी); shuffling = dragging (खींचना); soccer = football (फुटबॉल); dribble = take forwards (आगे ले जाना); flick = quick movement (तीव्र हरकत); juggles = plays with (खेलना); pastime = hobby (शौक) ; Dreaded = feared (डर लगा); prospect = possibility (सम्भावना); transporting = taking (ले जाना); insisted = stressed (जोर दिया); packed = put into (में डाल दिया); accustomed = habitual (आदतन); hurried = made haste (जल्दी की); appalling = shocking (खराब); spectacle = scene (द्दश्य); chinks = cracks (दरारें); lid = cover (ढक्कन); trickled = came in small quantities (थोड़ी मात्रा में आना); whipped off = quickly took off (जल्दी से खोला); exhausted = tired (थक गया); blood-spattered = blood covered (खून से लथपथ); whimpered = cried softly (हल्के-हल्के रोना); shreds = pieces (टुकड़े); miserable = sad (उदास); tore through = drove fast (तेज़ी से कार चलाई); ricocheting = changing direction (दिशा बदलना); infuriated = angry (गुस्से में); retained = kept (रखा); profound = deep (गहरा); admiration = praise (तारीफ); gratitude = thankfulness (कृतज्ञता); In a flash = very quickly (बहुत जल्दी से); squawks and shrieks = cries (चीखें); screaming out = crying (चिल्लाना); portly = fat (मोटा); curry = a dish (एक सब्जी); charming = attractive (आकर्षक); resumed = started again (फिर से आरम्भ करना); craning my neck = raising (गर्दन उठाना); distressed = troubled (मुसीबत में); bounded = jumped (कूदा); nuzzle = rub gently with the nose (नाक से रगड़ना); Eventful = full of events (घटनापूर्ण); ping-pong balls = table-tennis balls (टेनिस-टेनिस की गेंदें); marbles = small glass balls (कंचे); terrapin shell = shell of a small turtle (छोटे कछुए का कवच); native = one’s place of birth (जन्म-स्थान); engrossed = busy (व्यस्त); damaged = broken (टूटा हुआ); at a slope = slanting (ढलान वाला); dash = run (भागना); ambush = to attack suddenly (अचानक हमला करना); crouching = keeping low (दुबकना); spring up = jump (कूदना); grab = hold, catch (पकड़ना); precisely = exactly (सही); compulsive = instinctive (प्रवृत्ति वाला); rituals = ceremonies (रस्में); squarely = exactly (एकदम सही); upright = straight (सीधा); railings = protecting fence (रेलिंग);frontage = front side (आगे का भाग); tug = pull (खींचना); gallop = run (भागना); distraction = diversion (रास्ता बदलना); Variety = newness (नयापन/विविधता); badger = an animal (एक प्रकार का जानवर); mongoose = an animal (नेवला); weasel = a kind of animal (एक जानवर); stoat = a kind of animal (एक जानवर) mink = an animal (एक जानवर); barrage = flood (बाढ़); conjectural = based on guess (अनुमान); sprayed = threw (फेंकना); random = casual (गैर-गम्भीर); guesses = interferences (अनुमान); seal = an animal (एक जानवर); walrus = an animal (एक जानवर); giggles = laughs (हँसना); beaver = an animal (एक जानवर); leopard = a wild animal (तेंदुआ); apparently = clearly (स्पष्ट); brontosaur = a prehistoric now extant (प्रागैतिहासिक लुप्त जानवर); awarded = gave out (देना); stare = look fixedly (एकटक देखना); affront = insult (अपमान करना); abreast = side by side (साथ-साथ); spat . threw the spittle (थूकना); glared = stare(घूरना); growled = grumbled (बुड़बुड़ाना).