Class 9 Moments Supplementary Reader Chapter 2 Question Answers - The Adventures of Toto

Q1. Grandmother disliked pets. Was it appropriate for grandfather to keep a small zoo at home and bring in Toto, the monkey? Discuss.

Ans: Grandfather had a deep love for animals and created a private zoo at home, which included a tortoise, rabbits, a tame squirrel, and pet goats. He was mindful of Grandmother's dislike for pets. When he brought home Toto, the monkey, he kept it a secret. However, Toto was quite mischievous and caused numerous problems. From the moment he arrived, he damaged household items, including tearing wallpapers and the author's blazer. Additionally, Toto disrupted the harmony among the other pets and proved to be an expensive addition.

Given these issues, it was not appropriate for Grandfather to keep Toto in his private zoo. He should have considered Grandmother's feelings and preferences regarding pets.

Q2. Toto was a sharp and active monkey. Discuss.

Ans: Toto was a very observant and quick monkey. He closely watched how the narrator took a bath and imitated every action, even checking the water temperature with his hand. His appearance contributed to his clever image; he had deep-set eyebrows over sparkling eyes, pearly white teeth that often showed in a grin, quick fingers used for mischief, and a long tail. All these features made Toto seem like a smart monkey. However, he often used his intelligence for trouble. He ruined the wallpaper in the narrator’s bedroom, shredded his school blazer, disturbed other animals, bit the family donkey’s ears, made holes in the narrator’s aunt’s dresses, and stole and broke a dish of pulao. Thus, while Toto was sharp and active, he was difficult to train and could not be kept as a pet for long without causing chaos.

Q3. Describe, in brief, the adventures of Toto, the monkey.

Ans: The story follows a clever and mischievous monkey named Toto, who was purchased by the grandfather from a tonga driver for five rupees. Initially, Toto was kept in a small room next to the narrator's bedroom, where he caused chaos by tearing off wallpaper and ruining the narrator's school blazer.

Later, Toto was moved to the grandfather's private zoo in Saharanpur, where he was placed in a canvas cage. His antics kept the other animals awake at night. Toto even accompanied the grandfather to the stable, which cost an extra three rupees for his ticket. During this trip, he found the water too hot and annoyed a donkey.

One day, Toto climbed into a kettle on the fire. When he spotted a dish of food during lunch, he became excited, leading to a rescue by the grandfather. Throughout the story, Toto's curiosity and playful nature lead him into numerous funny and troublesome situations, creating chaos wherever he goes.

Q4. Why does Grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur, and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?

Ans: Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur to collect his pension. He couldn't leave Toto at home because it was still a secret from Grandmother, and Toto was quite mischievous. He had already caused trouble by tearing wallpaper and damaging the narrator's school blazer, making it risky to leave him behind. To ensure Toto wouldn’t escape or disturb other passengers, Grandfather packed him securely in a large, black canvas kit bag.

The train journey was mostly uneventful until Toto poked his head out of the bag at the Saharanpur platform and grinned at the ticket collector. The collector, surprised, insisted that Grandfather pay for Toto, claiming he was a dog since no ticket had been purchased for him. According to railway rules, only dogs required a fare, so the ticket collector classified Toto as a dog and charged three rupees for his fare.

In a bid to get back at the ticket collector, Grandfather then took out their pet tortoise and asked what the fare would be for it, since all animals were supposedly chargeable. The ticket collector examined the tortoise and, after a brief inspection, declared, “No charge. It is not a dog.”

Q5. How did Toto create problems for Grandfather on the way to Saharanpur?

Ans: Grandfather had to zip Toto into a large black canvas kit bag to take him from Dehradun to Saharanpur. The bag was designed to prevent Toto from escaping or biting through it. However, Toto was very restless and attempted to jump out, causing the bag to roll and bounce on the floor. This commotion attracted the attention of curious onlookers at the Dehradun railway platform, making it hard for Grandfather to keep Toto's presence a secret.

Upon arriving in Saharanpur, Toto unexpectedly poked his head out of the bag and grinned at the ticket collector. This cost Grandfather three rupees in fare, as the collector insisted that Toto was a dog. Despite Grandfather's attempts to argue that a monkey was not a dog, the ticket collector remained firm in his classification.

Q6. How did Toto like to have a bath in winter? How did he once get into serious trouble while trying to have a hot-water bath?

Ans: A great treat for Toto during cold winter evenings was his bath in a large bowl of warm water. He would cleverly test the temperature with his hand before gradually stepping in, first on one foot, then the other, until he was submerged up to his neck. Once comfortable, he would take soap in his hands or feet and rub himself all over. When the water cooled, he would quickly jump out and run to the kitchen fire to dry off. If anyone laughed at him, he would stop bathing, feeling hurt.

One day, Toto's love for hot baths led him into serious trouble. He noticed a kitchen kettle on the fire and, with nothing better to do, decided to remove the lid. Finding the water just warm enough, he climbed in, leaving his head sticking out. Initially, it was fine, but soon the water began to boil. Toto hopped in and out of the kettle, trying to escape the heat while finding it too cold outside. He kept this up until Grandmother arrived and rescued him, pulling him out just in time to prevent a disaster.

Q7. What human values do you see in Grandmother after reading this story?

Ans:

Grandmother appeared to be a tough woman. She often fussed when her Grandfather brought home a new bird or animal, but this fuss would fade once she was in a good mood. After a few days, she accepted Toto as the new pet. When Toto shredded the narrator's school blazer, the narrator worried about Grandmother's reaction, as she seemed very strict. However, her soft heart showed compassion for all creatures. Despite Toto's mischievous and destructive behaviour, Grandmother would overlook his antics and even provided him with a bowl of warm water for a bath. She also rescued Toto from being boiled in a kettle. Thus, it is clear that Grandmother had a kind heart, even though she appeared tough on the outside.

Q8. Grandfather possessed the values of childlike simplicity. Do you agree/disagree? Give reasons.

Ans:

Grandfather owned a private zoo filled with various animals, including a tortoise, a pair of rabbits, and a tame squirrel. His childlike love for animals led him to secretly acquire a monkey named Toto, despite Grandmother's disapproval. Grandfather's attempts to hide Toto, such as when he admired the monkey's cleverness after it shredded the narrator's school blazer, demonstrate his innocent nature. Furthermore, when he concealed Toto in a bag during their journey to Saharanpur and produced a tortoise from his pocket to show the ticket collector, it further confirms his childlike simplicity. These actions reveal that, despite his age, Grandfather retained a sense of wonder and joy akin to that of a child.

Q9. Grandfather had kept many animals in his private zoo and cared for them. Does this show that we should care about animals?

Ans:

Grandfather was a kind-hearted animal lover who created a private zoo at home. He frequently brought home new animals that he liked, showing his determination and patience. When he adopted Toto, he was pleased but faced challenges as Toto often disturbed the other animals. To help Toto adjust, Grandfather moved him around frequently. His strong character and love for animals made him a naturalist, treating his pets as family members.

Q10. Animals should be treated with love and respect. Comment on this statement with the lesson ‘The Adventures of Toto’ as the background.

Ans:

Animals should be treated with love and respect. It is essential to treat animals with kindness and avoid any form of cruelty. Even wild animals deserve care. In the story "The Adventures of Toto", the grandfather exemplifies this love and kindness. He creates a mini-zoo at home, providing a comfortable life for the animals, including Toto. Since pet animals offer us companionship, it is our responsibility to look after them with affection and concern.