MP Board Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 2 – The Adventures of Toto

Who is Toto and how did the narrator’s grandfather get him?
Answer: Toto is a mischievous monkey bought by the narrator’s grandfather from a tonga-driver for five rupees, believing he could add fun to his private zoo.

What does Toto look like?
Answer: Toto has sparkling eyes, white teeth like pearls, dry hands, a tail for climbing, and looks quite cute and clever—but he’s very naughty.

Why was Toto kept secretly at first?
Answer: He was hidden in the narrator’s room because Grandmother did not like pets, and Grandfather wanted to avoid her disapproval.

What kind of destruction did Toto cause in the narrator’s room?
Answer: Toto tore off wallpaper, broke the author’s blazer, and created a mess in the room, showing how destructive he could be.

Why did Grandfather decide to take Toto to Saharanpur?
Answer: Grandfather took Toto along to Saharanpur to avoid Grandmother’s reaction after the monkey created chaos in the house.

What happened during the train journey to Saharanpur?
Answer: Toto suddenly peeked out of the bag, scared other passengers, and a ticket collector even charged a farefor him as a dog.

How did Toto behave in the zoo with other animals?
Answer: He was very troublesome—he didn’t get along with other animals and often showed aggression by pulling their tails or teasing them.

Describe Toto’s behavior during bath time.
Answer: Toto loved taking a bath in warm water, using soap like a human, but when the water cooled, he jumped out screaming.

What did Toto do to the family’s dinner one evening?
Answer: He snatched a plate of pulao, ran up a tree, and refused to give it back until he had eaten everything.

Why was Toto eventually sold back?
Answer: Due to his mischievous nature and the damage he caused, Grandfather sold him back to the tonga-driver for just three rupees.

What does Toto symbolize in the story?
Answer: Toto represents the wild, untamed side of nature, full of curiosity, energy, and unpredictability.

Was Toto a suitable pet? Give reasons.
Answer: No, because he was destructive, mischievous, and difficult to handle. He damaged clothes, dishes, and frightened guests and animals.

How did the family’s reaction to Toto change over time?
Answer: At first, Grandfather found him amusing, but soon, even he realized Toto’s antics were dangerous, and the family became fed up.

What message does the story convey about keeping wild animals as pets?
Answer: It tells us that wild animals, like monkeys, may not adapt to domestic life and can create problems and chaos.

How does the author describe Toto’s intelligence?
Answer: Toto shows signs of cleverness by using hands to bathe, stealing food, and outsmarting others—proving he was quite intelligent.

How did Grandmother react to Toto’s presence?
Answer: She was initially unhappy with yet another pet, especially a monkey, due to the mess he created and the stress it caused.

What do we learn about the narrator’s Grandfather?
Answer: He is an animal lover, adventurous and open-hearted, but also a bit naïve when it comes to handling wild animals like Toto.

Why did the ticket collector treat Toto as a dog?
Answer: Since the monkey was in a bag and not a human, the collector insisted on charging a fare, treating him as a pet animal.

What kind of tone is used in the story?
Answer: The tone is humorous and light-hearted, focusing on the comical trouble Toto causes while also sharing subtle lessons.

What lesson does the story teach about responsibility?
Answer: It shows that adopting animals requires careful thought and responsibility, not just emotional impulses or excitement.

How is Toto different from other pets?
Answer: Unlike dogs or cats, Toto is wild, uncontrollable, and unpredictable. His actions are led by instinct, not training or attachment.

Why was Toto’s tail important?
Answer: His tail was used for balancing and hanging, acting like a third hand, showing how monkeys use tails skillfully.

What do you find most amusing about Toto?
Answer: His attempt to bathe like a human, stealing rice, and sitting in a boiling pot until it cooled were both funny and strange.

How does the story end?
Answer: It ends with Grandfather realizing that Toto doesn’t belong in a home, so he sells him back, accepting that not all animals are meant to be pets.

What is the central idea of the story?
Answer: The story conveys that wild animals like Toto, despite their charm, are unfit for domestic life and can be troublesome as pets.