Introduction - The Adventures of Toto | English Literature for Grade 9 PDF Download

By- Ruskin Bond

INTRODUCTION

This is an interesting story. The narrator’s grandfather was fond of keeping different kinds of pets. One day, he bought a monkey from a tonga-driver for rupees five. Its name was Toto. It was a mischievous small monkey. At first, his pranks were amusing. The family members enjoyed these pranks. But with the passage of time, his mischiefs became wilder. He broke many things in the house. At last, grandfather realized that he could not keep Toto at home any longer. So, he sold Toto back to the tonga-driver for three rupees.

Introduction:(2)

Keeping pets is a very popular hobby. However, when one has a baby monkey as one’s pet, the experiences are bound to be very different. “The Adventures of Toto” describes humorous episodes related to a mischievous pet monkey and the failed efforts made by its owners to give it a comfortable home.

Theme / Central Idea of the Lesson. Analysis of The Adventures Of Toto

The story is based on the experiences of people who keep animals as pets. The theme thus deals with the outcome of the interaction between humans and animals. It shows that not all animals can adapt themselves to the human way of life. It requires a great deal of patience and skill to train animals to acquire non-destructive behaviour.

Theme (2)

The theme deals with the experience of having a wild animal as a pet. The narrator’s grandfather brought home a monkey called Tote, as he felt pity for the monkey. But the monkey created a lot of trouble for its owner and finally, he had to get rid of him. But we should respect animals and keep them in comfort. The experience of an animal lover is depicted in this story.

TITLE

The title “The Adventures of Toto” indicates directly at the central theme as well as at the protagonist. The story is about Toto, the pet baby monkey, and his numerous adventures. Of course, the title does not clarify ‘who’ or ‘what’ is Toto, but it does rouse the curiosity of the reader, which is one of the characteristics of a good title. In short, the title is suitable for this story.

Justification of the Title

Grandfather bought a monkey called Toto from a tonga-driver. Since the monkey is a wild animal it is not suitable to be kept as a pet. Toto was a naughty monkey. All the time he kept creating problems for others. The moment Toto entered the house, he started damaging the house and other things. He pulled out the peg, tore wallpapers and author’s blazer. He never let other animals live in harmony. He proved to be an expensive deal. So, since the lesson describes the adventures of Toto, the title is appropriate.

Vocabulary 

Sparkled—shone brightly; Beneath—below; Elderly—old aged person; Wicked—naughty; Scoop up—lift quickly; Delicacy—a tasty food item; Fussed—showed annoyance; Secret-something kept or meant to be kept unknown; Particular—special; Closet—a cupboard; Wrenched—pulled; Socket—hole to fit in; Shred-torn pieces; Blazer—jacket; Sociably—amiably; Tame—pet; Unfortunately—unluckily; Exhibition—public show; Occasionally—not frequently; Attract—to charm; Suddenly-abruptly; Poked—pushed; Grin—showed teeth; Qualify—gain ability; Quadruped—four legged; Prodded—pushed; Pleased—felt happy; Triumphant—rejoicing; Comfortable—relaxed; Stable—cattle shed; Apparent—visible; Halter—rope; Slap—quick hit with palm; Haunch—hind part of an animal with four legs; Jerked—moved suddenly; Fastened—fixed together at a place; Treat—special experience; Cunningly—cleverly; Gradually—slowly; Performance—act; Kettle—a container; Lid—cover; Hopping—jumping across; Hauled—pulled; Dish—a flat shallow container for cooking food; Stuffing—eating a lot; Screamed—cried; Jackfruit tree—a fruit tree; Spite—hurt; Realised—felt.

Important Word-Meanings of difficult words from the lesson- The Adventures Of Toto

 Mischievous = naughty =शरारती ;docile = gentle = विनम्र ; feeding-trough = manger =खुरली,नांद; sparkled = shone =चमकती था ; pearly = like pearls = मोतियों जैसे ;  displayed = shown =दिखाए ; frightened = terrified =भयभीत ; pickled = salted and dried = wicked = evil looking = बुरी लगने वाली ;  scooping up =picking up = उठाना ; delicacy  =tasty dish = स्वादिष्ट व्यंजन ‘; fussed = made too much noise = बहुत शोर करना ; peg = peg =खूंटी ; fastened = stuck into =ठोकी हुई ; release = free =आजाद करना ; ornamental = decorative = सजावटी; naked = bare = खाली ; wrenched = taken out =बाहर निकालना ; socket  = hole = छिद्र; blazer = coat = कोट  in shreds = torn into pieces = टुकड़े –टुकड़े करना Performance = deed = काम ; sociably = peacefully =शांति से ; tortoise = tortoise = कछुआ ; squirrel = squirrel =गिलहरी ; tame = pet = पालतू ;canvas = thick cloth =मोटा कपड़ा ; straw = hay =फूंस ; Abode = place of living =रहने का स्थान ; curious = inquisitive =जिज्ञासु ; turnstile = a revolving door that allows one person at a time to pass through =घूमने वाला दरवाजा जिसमें से एक समय में एक ही व्यक्ति गुजर सकता है ;  poked = took out =बाहर निकलना ; grin = to show teeth in smile = मुस्कराहट मे दाँत दिखाना ; taken aback= surprised = हैरान हुआ ; annoyance = irritation =परेशानी ,खीज ; quadruped = creature of four legs =चार टाँगों का प्राणी ; prodded = searched with hand = हाथ से टटोला ; triumphant = victorious =विजयी Stable = place where animals are kept = तबेला ; apparent = clear =स्पष्ट ; halter = rope = रस्सी ; haunches = back part of body =शरीर का पिछला भाग ; dragging= pulling= खींचना  ; cunningly = cleverly =चालाकी से ; gradually = slowly = धीरे –धीरे ; Sticking out = keeping out =बाहर रहना ; hopping up = jumping up = कूदना ; hauled = took out = बाहर निकाला ; stuffing = filling up = भरना ,खाना ; screamed = cried = चिल्लाई ; jackfruit = a vegetable = कटहल ; spite = insult =अपमानित करना ; chattered = made a sound =आवाज़ की  ; well-to-do = rich =अमीर ; afford = bear = सहन करना