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Mijbil the Otter Extra Questions and Answers English First Flight Chapter 8
Summary:
This chapter talks about the experience of the author, Gavin Maxwell, with his pet, Mijbil. After the author’s dog Janine died, he was too upset to keep a dog as a pet again.
But, he found his days and nights too lonely. So, Maxwell decided to keep a rare animal as his pet- an otter. An otter is a carnivorous animal whose diet is based on fish and invertebrates.
The author traveled to Southern Iraq in the year 1956. It was then he decided to keep an otter as his pet instead of a dog. His cottage in Camusfearna was ringed by water. So, he knew his place was suitable for the experiment of trying to keep an otter.
The author once casually mentioned his wish about keeping an author to his friend. His friend also casually replied that he could get an otter from the Tigris Marshes. The otter was common as mosquitoes in the Tigris Marshes and was also tamed by the Arabs.
Both the friends went to Basra to the Consulate General to collect and answer their mail from Europe. But, the author’s mail had not yet arrived. He cabled to England, but nothing happened. After three days, Max tried to call.
It was necessary to book the call twenty-four hours in advance. But, unfortunately, the author could not even reach through the telephone for three days. The author’s friend left by then, and he got his mail after five days.
And finally, Maxwell got his otter. On opening the sack, came out Mij, who resembled a medieval conceived dragon. The otter was coated with symmetrical pointed scales of mud armor. He was covered with mud, and the author could see his actual color only after a month.
Mijbil was of an unknown race and was termed by the zoologists as Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, or Maxwell’s otter. For a day, Mijbil was aloof and indifferent. He stayed away from the author’s bed. But on the second night, Mijbil came close to the author to sleep and remained in the crook of his knees.
The next day the otter took a close look at his surroundings. Mijbil was overly excited about being led to the bathroom. He saw water and could not keep calm. The water must be all over the place; otherwise, it is wasted and provoking for the authors.
Mijbil was a fast learner. Two days later, the author saw him fumbling the chromium taps with his paw. The author was amazed because, in less than a minute, the otter produced the full flow of water. On some other days, he was irritated with the taps because he did not always turn them on the right side, and the water did not flow.
In a few more days, the bond between the author and Mijbil had grown. The otter would appear from nowhere when Maxwell called his name. Mijbil spent most of his time playing. Marbles were Mijbil’s favorite toy for lying on his back and juggling small objects between his paws. He could roll two or more marbles lying on his back without dropping them on the floor.
Days were peaceful at Basra. But, it was time to transport Mijbil to England and then to Camusfearna. The author had to book a flight in another airline to Paris and London because British Airlines did not allow animals.
The airlines insisted that the otter must be packed in a box within eighteen inches. The author did so but came back to a heart-wrenching sight. There was silence from the box. The air holes and chinks around the lid of the box had blood that was dried.
When the author opened the box, he saw Mijbil tired and exhausted. He had torn the lining of the box into tiny shreds of paper. But, unfortunately, the author put the animal in the box again.
He was late for the flight. He somehow managed to get on the flight. His seat was in the extreme front, and the air hostess was friendly and understanding. She suggested keeping Mijbil on his knee as he was hurt. But, as soon as the author opened the box, Mijbil escaped creating chaos in the flight.
But after several attempts from the air hostess and even the author, Mijbil himself returned to Maxwell. Mijbil and the author stayed in London for almost a month. Mijbil would play for hours with ping pong balls, marbles, rubber fruit, and terrapin shells from his native marshes.
The author helped Mijbil exercise on a lead as if he were a dog. Mijbil had also developed certain compulsive habits.
Many people fail to recognize otters as they are of a rare breed. They belong to a smaller group of animals called Mustellines. The family is shared by the badger, mongoose, weasel, mink, stoats, and many others.
Many people misunderstood the otter and called it squirrels, walrus, and even a hippo. The author ends the chapter in a humorous tone. A person working in the street asked him what the thing was supposed to be!
Very very short questions
1.) What was Mijbil’s Favorite toy?
Ans: Mijbil’s favorite toy was the marble.
In case you are missed :- Previous Chapter Extra Questions
2.) Where did the author stay?
Ans: The author stayed in Camusfearna.
Short questions
1.) How did Mijbil play?
Ans: Mij played with the marbles and juggled them from one toe to another. He also had other toys to play with but playing with marbles was his favorite hobby.
2.) How did Mijbil create chaos in the flight?
Ans: Mij was asked to put in a box. When the author did so, it had hurt itself. When an air hostess asked the author to keep the otter in his leg, he was happy. He opened the box but Mij in panic jumped out of the box. He kept going here and there and frightened many passengers.
Essay type Questions
1.) How did Mijbil become close to the author?
Ans: When Mijbil was first brought to the author’s house, his reaction was aloofness and indifference. But after two days, Mij slowly started to crawl up to the author’s bed and sleep in front of his knee…
2.) Describe the experiences and difficulties faced by the author in raising the otter.
In case you are missed :- Next Chapter Extra Questions