The Adventures of Toto

By Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond is a renowned Indian author of British descent, famous for his works set in the Himalayan foothills and his portrayal of everyday life in India. He has written numerous novels, short stories, and children’s books, often featuring themes of nature, innocence, and rural life. His notable works include “The Roof on the Roof” and “A Flight of Pigeons”. “The Adventures of Toto” is a humorous short story about a mischievous pet monkey named Toto, owned by the narrator’s grandfather. The story recounts Toto’s playful antics and the chaos he causes, such as damaging property and outsmarting his owners. Through the story, Bond highlights the playful yet unpredictable nature of animals, offering a light-hearted look at the bond between humans and their pets.

Q: How does Toto come to Grandfather’s private zoo?

Ans. Toto is bought by Grandfather from a Tonga driver for the sum of five rupees. Grandfather decides to add Toto to his private zoo, which already has a collection of various animals.

Q: “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?

Ans. Toto is described as a pretty monkey because of his bright eyes that sparkled with mischief beneath deep-set eyebrows, and his pearly white teeth, which often displayed a wide grin that frightened elderly Anglo-Indian ladies. His skin was wrinkled but made him appear more adorable, and his hands were quick and dexterous. His long tail, which he often used like an additional hand, added to his charming and pretty appearance.

Q: Why does Grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?

Ans. Grandfather takes Toto to Saharanpur because he does not want Toto to be discovered by Grandmother, who might have objected to another addition to the zoo. To take Toto along, Grandfather hides him in a canvas bag, ensuring that he cannot escape by securely tying the bag. The ticket collector insists on calling Toto a dog because according to railway rules, animals are charged based on their classification, and the ticket collector decides to categorize Toto as a dog to charge a fare for him.

Q: How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learned to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?

Ans. Toto takes a bath by jumping into a large bowl of warm water. He enjoys the bath thoroughly, first soaking himself and then applying soap. He has learned to take a bath by watching the narrator. Toto enjoys his bath so much that one day he jumps into a kettle of water kept on the stove for tea. The water is initially not very warm, which Toto enjoys, but it begins to get hotter. Luckily, Grandmother notices Toto in the Kettle and rescues him before he can boil himself alive.

Q: Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?

Ans. The author says this because Toto was very mischievous and caused a lot of trouble. He was destructive and damaged things in the house, such as tearing clothes, breaking dishes, and causing general chaos. His behavior made it difficult for the family to manage and afford him, leading to the conclusion that Toto was not suitable as a long-term pet.