Summary of "The Adventures of Toto"
Grandfather bought Toto, a mischievous little monkey, from a tonga-driver for five rupees and decided to add him to his private zoo. Toto, with his sparkling eyes and pearly white teeth, was both charming and troublesome. He caused considerable damage in the house, ripping off wallpaper and tearing up clothes. To keep him out of trouble, Grandfather placed Toto in a big cage with other pets but had to take him along to Saharanpur when he left to collect his pension. Toto's antics on the journey, especially his unexpected appearance from a bag, caused a scene at the railway station, leading the ticket collector to charge him as a dog. Despite Toto's endearing nature, his destructive behaviour led Grandfather to eventually return him to the tonga-driver.
Think About It (Q&A)
How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
- Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver for five rupees because the monkey looked out of place tied to a feeding-trough.
“Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
- Toto had bright eyes that sparkled with mischief, pearly white teeth often displayed in a smile, and a tail that added to his good looks and served as a third hand.
Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?
- Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur because Toto wouldn't allow the other animals in the cage to sleep. He carried Toto in a black canvas kit-bag. The ticket collector called Toto a dog because of his classification of all animals as dogs for fare purposes, leading Grandfather to pay three rupees for Toto's fare.
How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?
- Toto tested the water temperature with his hand and stepped into the bath gradually, just as he had seen the narrator do. He almost boiled himself alive by getting into a kettle left on the fire, thinking the water was just warm enough for a bath, until it started boiling and Grandmother rescued him.
Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?
- Toto was too mischievous and destructive, causing frequent damage to clothes, curtains, and dishes, which the family couldn't afford to replace regularly.
