Mijbil the Otter

Chapter overview:
This story is about author’s pet Mijbil who was an otter. He tells that when his dog died, he
decided to have another pet. Soon, he shifted to Iraq where he saw people were keeping
otters as pets. He also decided to have an otter as a pet.
He describes, while he had to shift to England, how much problems were faced by him in
taking Mijbil with him. On reaching London, people did not recognise the otter. They used to
make guesses about the animal. The author thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with the
otter. This story teaches us how to look after pet animals.
Characters:
1. Gavin Maxwell (The narrator)- he is a very caring and polite person. He takes
complete care of his pet.
2. Mijbil the Otter: he is pet of Maxwell. He is very friendly, intelligent and a fun-loving
creature.
CBSE Questions:
Short Answer Type:
1. Why did Maxwell get his mail after five days and what did he do to get it? (2011)
2. What was the first characteristic of the otter discovered by narrator? (2014)
3. What, according to the writer, is the ‘real play’ of the otter? (2015)
4. Maxwell’s fear of sending Mij to England was legitimate. Give reason. (2021)
Long Answer Type:
1. Why do you think the otter was not friendly at first with the narrator? Can you relate
it with human nature as well? (2016)
Or
Why do you think the otter was not friendly at first with the narrator? How did it behave at
first? Why? (2019)