1. How does Toto come to Grandfather's private zoo?
Answer: Toto came to Grandfather's private zoo when Grandfather bought him from a tonga-driver for five rupees. The tonga-driver kept the little monkey tied to a feeding trough, where he looked unhappy and out of place. Feeling sorry for the monkey, Grandfather decided to rescue him and make him part of his private zoo, which already had many animals and birds. Since Grandmother disliked new pets, Toto's arrival was kept a secret at first. Although Toto was mischievous from the beginning, Grandfather admired his intelligence and playful nature. This incident shows Grandfather's great love for animals and his habit of collecting unusual pets.
2. "Toto was a pretty monkey." In what sense is Toto pretty?
Answer: The author describes Toto as a pretty monkey because of his attractive appearance and lively expressions. He had bright, sparkling eyes full of mischief, deep-set eyebrows, and pearly white teeth that often looked like a smile. His long tail acted like a third hand, helping him climb trees and pick up things that were out of reach. Though his hands looked old and dry, they were quick and skillful. Toto's beauty was not only physical but also reflected in his energetic and intelligent behaviour. His playful actions and cleverness made him a charming and unforgettable pet.
3. Why does Grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?
Answer: Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur because he had to collect his pension and did not want to leave the mischievous monkey at home. He carried Toto in a strong black canvas kit-bag filled with straw so that he could not escape during the journey. However, at the railway station Toto suddenly poked his head out of the bag and smiled at the ticket collector. The ticket collector insisted that Toto was a dog because railway rules required passengers to pay extra fare for animals. He refused to accept Grandfather's explanation that Toto was a monkey and charged three rupees as the fare. This incident adds humour to the story.
4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?
Answer: Toto loved taking warm baths during winter. Before entering the water, he carefully tested its temperature with his hand. Then he slowly stepped into the tub, first one foot and then the other, exactly as he had seen the narrator doing. He even rubbed soap all over his body and later dried himself near the kitchen fire. One day, he found a kettle of warm water on the stove and climbed inside it for a bath. As the water became hotter, he kept jumping up and down but did not get out because the air outside was cold. Fortunately, Grandmother rescued him before he was badly injured. This incident shows Toto's intelligence as well as his foolish curiosity.
5. Why does the author say, "Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long"?
Answer: The author says this because Toto was extremely naughty and destructive. He tore clothes, wallpaper, curtains and other household items. He disturbed other animals, troubled family members, and often created confusion in the house. Once he almost boiled himself alive, and on another occasion he threw dishes and broke them while eating pulao. Keeping him became expensive because he frequently damaged valuable things. Although everyone loved Toto for his cleverness and amusing behaviour, they could not afford the constant losses caused by his mischief. Therefore, Grandfather finally sold Toto back to the tonga-driver for three rupees, realising that he was too troublesome to keep as a pet.
Extra Questions
Q1.How did Grandfather get Toto? Why did he decide to keep Toto?
Answer: Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver for five rupees. The monkey was tied to a feeding trough and looked unhappy.
Grandfather loved collecting animals and had a private zoo. He felt sorry for Toto and wanted to rescue him from the poor conditions. He believed Toto would be happier with the other animals and become a part of his collection. His love for animals made him bring Toto home.
Q2. Who was Nana? Describe Toto's relationship with Nana.
Answer: Nana was the family's pet donkey.
Toto and Nana never became friends. On Toto's very first night in the stable, he bit Nana's long ears with his sharp teeth. Nana became frightened and tried to pull away from him. Grandfather had to separate them. This incident showed that Toto was mischievous and often troubled other animals instead of living peacefully with them.
Q3.Describe Toto's mischievous nature with suitable examples.
Answer: Toto was extremely naughty and playful. Soon after coming home, he tore off the wallpaper, broke the peg from the wall, and shredded the author's blazer. He disturbed other animals in the servants' quarters and frightened people with his tricks. During lunch, he threw plates and glasses, stole a dish of pulao, climbed a tree, and finally broke the dish. He also almost boiled himself alive by sitting inside a kettle. His constant mischief made him difficult to keep as a pet.
Q4.Why was Toto finally sold back to the tonga-driver?
Answer: Although everyone loved Toto, he was too mischievous to keep at home. He regularly damaged clothes, curtains, dishes, wallpaper, and household items. He troubled other animals and often created confusion. His behaviour caused financial loss to the family because they had to replace broken things repeatedly. Since they were not wealthy, Grandfather realised that keeping Toto was impossible. Therefore, he sold Toto back to the tonga-driver for three rupees.
Q5. Narrate the incident that took place during Grandfather's railway journey with Toto.
Answer: Grandfather carried Toto secretly in a strong canvas bag while travelling to Saharanpur. At the railway station, Toto suddenly poked his head out of the bag and smiled at the ticket collector. The collector declared that Toto was a dog and charged three rupees as fare. Grandfather argued that Toto was a monkey, but the ticket collector refused to change his decision. When Grandfather showed his pet tortoise, the collector said there was no charge because it was not a dog. The incident is both humorous and memorable.
Q6.Describe Toto's bathing habit. What does it reveal about him?
Answer: Toto loved taking warm baths during winter. He carefully checked the water temperature before stepping into the tub, just as he had seen the narrator doing. He rubbed soap over his body and then rushed to the kitchen fire to dry himself. Once, he climbed into a kettle of hot water and almost boiled himself alive because he liked the warmth. These incidents show that Toto was intelligent, observant, and liked copying human behaviour.
Q7.Write about Toto.
Answer: Toto was a clever, lively, and energetic monkey. He was attractive with bright sparkling eyes, white teeth, and a useful tail that acted like a third hand. He was curious and quickly learned by observing people. However, he was extremely mischievous and destructive. He tore clothes, damaged furniture, disturbed other animals, and created trouble wherever he went. At the same time, he was playful and entertaining, making everyone laugh with his funny actions. Toto's intelligence and naughty behaviour make him one of the most memorable animal characters in the story.
8.Write the character sketch of Grandfather.
Answer: Grandfather was a kind-hearted and compassionate animal lover. He maintained a private zoo and enjoyed collecting different birds and animals. He rescued Toto because he felt pity for the monkey's condition. He treated all his pets with affection and never wanted them to suffer. Although Toto caused many problems, Grandfather remained patient and caring. In the end, he sold Toto only because the family could not afford the damage caused by his mischief. His love for animals is clearly reflected throughout the story.
Q9."Toto brought both joy and trouble to the family." Justify the statement.
Answer: Toto was a source of great amusement because of his playful nature and clever tricks. He entertained everyone with his funny behaviour and copied human actions like taking a bath. However, he also caused endless trouble by tearing clothes, breaking dishes, damaging furniture, and frightening people. He often troubled other animals as well. Although the family loved him, his constant mischief made it impossible to keep him for long. Thus, Toto brought both happiness and problems to the household.
