Introduction
Ruskin Bond hilariously outlines the challenges of tending to a pet monkey in the chapter”The Adventures of Toto.” In this story, the narrator’s grandfather purchased a monkey to raise as a pet. He gave a tonga driver five rupees for this and bought him a home. It turned out the monkey was very mischievous and caused a lot of problems in the house and zoo also. Thus, grandpa decided to sell back the monkey to the tonga driver.
Summary
The author’s grandfather loved collecting animals and had a zoo at home. A monkey named Toto was once purchased by him from a tonga driver for five rupees. Toto was a cute young monkey with bright eyes who was naturally very mischievous. His lengthy tail functioned as his third hand, and he possessed pearly-white teeth. Toto was kept a secret because grandma hated animals. Toto was very mischievous. When the author and his grandfather tied Toto to a hook and hid him in a closet, Toto snapped the hook and ran here and there. When he was kept with other animals or other people in the servants’ chamber he wouldn’t let any of them sleep at night.
When Grandfather had to travel to Saharanpur for work, he made the decision to bring the monkey along. Toto was taken to Saharanpur in a canvas bag. To prevent Toto from escaping, grandfather secured the canvas bag’s zip. Toto tried numerous times to get out of the bag but could not. At the train station, the other travelers were fascinated by this. At the Saharanpur train station, Toto popped his head out of the bag and giggled at the ticket inspector as he checked over grandfather’s ticket. To grandfather’s dismay, the ticket collector said that it was a dog, thus he was compelled to buy a ticket for 3 rupees for Toto.
After being allowed by grandma, Toto was given a spot next to Nana the donkey.
Toto and Nana did not get along well. Toto’s favorite pastime was taking a hot bath.
He once almost killed himself when he stepped into a kettle of boiling water. One day, Toto ate pulao as part of the family lunch. He tossed the empty dish from the tree, breaking it into several pieces. Thus, grandfather came to the conclusion that they could not have Toto in the house as his bad behavior worsened day by day. At last, he returned to the tonga driver and sold Toto for three rupees.
About the Author
British-born author Ruskin Bond is an Indian. He lives with his adopted family in “Landour,” Mussoorie, India. He is an Indian author of British ancestry. In India, he is considered a major novelist, children’s book writer, and literary icon. He wrote numerous children’s novels with inspirational themes, and the “Sahitya Akademi Award” was given to him in recognition of his literary accomplishments.
Conclusion
The necessity of acting appropriately in a friendly place is the most important lesson to be learned from the tale “Adventures of Toto.”Toto flung plates at Grandma and her friends, irritated other animals’ servants, and also brought havoc in the house. Thus, grandpa was compelled to return Toto to his rightful owner. Every other animal and bird in Grandfather’s personal zoo was upset by Toto.
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Textbook Questions
1. How does Toto come to their grandfather’s private zoo?
Ans: The author’s grandfather loved collecting animals and built a zoo within his home. He once saw a tonga driver holding a red-colored monkey captive and He was drawn to the monkey and wanted to add it to his collection. He bought Toto from the tonga driver for five rupees and in this way Toto got an entry in grandpa’s private zoo.
2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
Ans: The author thought Toto was attractive, as His eyes had a mischievous twinkle to them. His teeth were white as snow. He had a long tail, which acted as his third hand. According to the author’s grandfather, an animal’s tail adds to its charm. As a result, Toto was thought as a beautiful creature.
3. Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?
Ans: Toto was a mischievous monkey. He continued to upset every other animal in his grandfather’s personal zoo. It appeared that only his grandpa could control him effectively. So, in a bag, he carried Toto to Saharanpur. Toto was referred to as a dog by the ticket seller because the monkey did not fit the definition of a human.
4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learned to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?
Ans: Toto cautiously dipped his hand into the water to check its warmth. He moved slowly, first putting one foot in front of the other, until his neck was submerged in the water. He covered his entire body with the soap. He learned it all from the author. One day, Toto walked into a large kitchen where the kettle was boiling. He was enjoying the nice water, but jumped up and down when it suddenly grew hotter. Grandma came and rescued Toto from the boiling water.
5. Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?
Ans: Toto, according to the author, was a highly mischievous pet that they couldn’t retain for very long. He tore the drapes, the clothes, and the wallpaper. Moreover, he broke dishes and disturbed all the other animals in the zoo. Thus, the family decided to get rid of Toto because they could not afford all of this.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was a Toto?
Ans: The narrator’s grandfather purchased Toto, a young monkey, for five rupees from a tonga-driver. Toto was a charming monkey with sparkling eyes that twinkle with mischief.
2. How was Toto hidden away?
Ans: Grandmother did not agree with any additions to the grandfather’s current pet collection. Thus, Toto’s existence was kept a secret from her. As a result, Toto was bound to a peg fixed to the wall and kept in a closet that opened into the narrator’s bedroom wall.
3. How did Toto harm Nana the donkey?
Ans: The household donkey was named Nana. Toto and Nana were kept in the stable together, where they frequently squabbled. Toto would mock Nana by biting on his long ears with sharp teeth. Even Nana could no longer tolerate Toto.