The Lost Child Chapter 1 English NCERT Solution ||Moments|| Class 9
Thinking about the Text (Page 11)
1. How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
Toto, a little red monkey, was bought by the grandfather from a tonga-driver for five rupees. The tonga-driver used to keep Toto tied to a feeding trough, and the grandfather felt that the monkey looked out of place there. So, he decided to add Toto to his private zoo.
2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
Toto was considered pretty because of his bright eyes that sparkled with mischief, his pearly white teeth, and his quick, nimble fingers. His tail, which served as a third hand, added to his charm. His cute smile, however, could frighten elderly Anglo-Indian ladies.
3. 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 he was too mischievous to be left alone at home. He carried Toto in a strong canvas bag to prevent him from escaping. At the Saharanpur railway station, the ticket collector insisted on calling Toto a dog because he did not fit the category of human beings, and thus, grandfather had to pay for Toto’s travel as if he were a dog.
4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?
Toto took a bath by first testing the temperature of the water with his hand, then gradually stepping into the bath, one foot at a time, until he was submerged up to his neck. He would then rub himself all over with soap. Toto learned this behavior by watching the narrator. One day, Toto jumped into a large kettle of water being heated for a bath. He enjoyed the warm water but when it started to get too hot, he began jumping up and down. Fortunately, the grandmother arrived in time to pull him out before he could boil himself alive.
5. Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?
The author says this because Toto was extremely mischievous and caused a lot of trouble. He would destroy household items, tear clothes, and disturb other animals in the zoo. His antics were too much to handle, making it impractical to keep him as a pet for long.