Class 10 English - GUJARAT
Prose: Mijbil the Otter
Mijbil the Otter is an engaging prose piece written by Gavin Maxwell, detailing his experiences of keeping an otter named Mijbil as a pet in Kamarane, Iraq, and later transporting him back to London. The chapter explores the deep, affectionate bond between humans and animals, highlighting the playful, intelligent, and curious nature of otters. For Gujarat (GSEB) board exams, students must focus on understanding character traits of Mijbil, Maxwell's emotions, key incidents like the flight journey, and answering textual comprehension questions accurately to score high marks.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Adoption of Mijbil
Gavin Maxwell decides to keep an otter instead of a dog after his pet dog's death, receiving Mijbil from a friendly Arab in the Tigris marshes.
Mij's Playful Nature
Mijbil shows an instant fascination with water, inventing his own games with marbles, ping-pong balls, and turning a suitcase into a water slide.
The Air Travel Crisis
Transporting Mijbil to London proves chaotic; he escapes from his box on the airplane, causing panic among passengers before Maxwell safely retrieves him.
London Adaptation and Curiosity
In London, Mijbil adapts to urban life, developing unique habits like walking on a lead and routine visits to a nearby primary school.
The 'Anonym' Creature
Londoners display great curiosity about Mijbil, guessing him to be various unusual animals since otters are rare pets in the city.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Gujarat (GSEB) Class 10 English board exam, prose chapters like 'Mijbil the Otter' typically carry around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include short answer questions (2 marks), objective/multiple-choice questions based on the text, and sometimes long answer questions focusing on character sketches or central themes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the author name the otter 'Mijbil'?
The author named him Mijbil, or 'Mij' for short, based on a scientific race of otters to which he belonged (Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli).
How did Mijbil react to water during the journey?
Mijbil showed an instant, joyous obsession with water, splashing violently in the bathtub and turning every drop of water he found into a game.
What were the various guesses made by Londoners about Mijbil?
Londoners made amusing guesses, identifying Mijbil as a baby seal, a squirrel, a walrus, a beaver, a bear cub, and even a hippo.
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