Characters & Traits
Who was Toto, and to whom did he belong?
Toto was a mischievous monkey belonging to the narrator’s grandfather.
Where was Toto first kept when he was brought home?
He was kept in a little closet in the narrator’s room.
What funny incident happened when Toto was tied to the peg?
He bit the pony, making it run wildly.
What is the central theme of *Adventures of Toto*?
The theme highlights the joys and troubles of keeping pets, especially mischievous ones.
What does the word 'mischievous' mean in the context of Toto?
Playfully troublesome or causing minor harm.
How is Grandfather described in the story?
Grandfather is shown as kind, adventurous, and fond of animals.
What happened when Toto was tied to the peg in the stable?
He bit the pony’s long ears, creating chaos in the stable.
How did Toto use his intelligence to escape confinement?
He tore off wallpaper, pulled out nails, and broke things to escape.
What lesson does the story teach about keeping animals?
That keeping wild animals as pets can be entertaining but also very difficult and impractical.
What does 'peculiar habit' refer to in the story?
Toto’s unusual way of testing water before bathing.
Why did Grandfather buy Toto?
He bought Toto from a tonga-driver for five rupees because he loved keeping pets.
Describe Toto’s adventure with the water kettle.
Toto nearly boiled himself alive by jumping into a kettle of water but enjoyed bathing in it.
Why is Toto’s bath in the kettle described humorously?
Because he acted like a human, testing the water before stepping in, but risked boiling himself.
How does the story reflect Grandfather’s love for animals?
Grandfather constantly buys and cares for animals, showing his kindness and adventurous spirit.
Find a synonym for 'destroy' used in the story.
‘Ruin’ or ‘wreck’ (as Toto ruined clothes and wallpaper).
How is Grandmother’s reaction to Toto different from Grandfather’s?
Grandmother was annoyed and disapproved of keeping Toto, unlike Grandfather who adored him.
How did Toto behave during the train journey?
Toto attracted attention by peeping out of the bag, forcing Grandfather to pay extra fare.
What was humorous about Toto’s behaviour on the train?
He kept jumping inside and outside the bag, scaring passengers and amusing others.
What message does the story give about human-animal relationships?
It shows that animals have distinct personalities, and humans must understand and respect them.
Explain the expression: 'Grandfather’s enthusiasm knew no bounds.'
It means Grandfather was extremely excited and happy about keeping pets.
What does Toto’s behaviour reveal about his nature?
Toto is intelligent, curious, and playful but also destructive and troublesome.
Why was Toto finally sold back to the tonga-driver?
Because his mischief caused too much trouble and expense for the family.
How does Ruskin Bond use humor to describe Toto’s mischief?
Through exaggeration, playful tone, and vivid description of Toto’s antics.
How does the story balance entertainment with a moral?
It entertains with humor but also warns about the chaos of keeping unsuitable pets.
What is meant by ‘troublesome pet’ in the story?
It refers to Toto being difficult to manage because of his destructive nature.