Courses
By Shailendra Singh
|
Updated on 17 Jun 2025, 15:33 IST
Chapter 6 of the First Flight book, titled Mijbil the Otter, is a very interesting and heartwarming story written by Gavin Maxwell. In this chapter, the author shares his real-life experience of adopting and living with a pet otter. The story takes us on a beautiful journey of friendship, care, and the bond between humans and animals.
The story begins when the author decides to own an otter after losing his pet dog. While he was in Iraq, one of his friends suggested that an otter might be a good companion. Soon, Gavin receives an otter from the marshes of Iraq, and he names it Mijbil, or simply Mij. The entire story revolves around the challenges and joys the author faces while taking care of Mijbil.
One of the most interesting parts of the story is how Mijbil slowly gets used to its new home. At first, everything is new and strange for the little otter. But soon, Mijbil becomes curious and playful. The author beautifully describes how Mijbil learns to swim in the bathtub, plays with rubber balls, and even creates new ways to enjoy water. The story shows the otter’s intelligence, curiosity, and friendly nature.
However, the journey is not always easy. The author faces many problems, especially while traveling with Mijbil from Iraq to London. He describes the difficulties he had to go through while taking Mijbil on a flight, managing the paperwork, and dealing with the reactions of people who had never seen an otter before. Despite all these challenges, the bond between Gavin and Mijbil remains strong and full of affection.
The chapter not only entertains readers with its amusing and emotional moments but also teaches important values like love for animals, patience, and responsibility. It shows how animals, just like humans, need care, understanding, and kindness to adjust and live happily in a new environment.
Do Check: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English
Loading PDF...
The NCERT Solutions for Mijbil the Otter help students understand the story in simple language. These solutions explain the meaning of difficult words, provide answers to textbook questions, and help students prepare well for their exams. With the help of these solutions, students can easily understand the main ideas, characters, and message of the chapter.
Students can now easily access the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 6 - Mijbil the Otter in PDF format. This free PDF download provides complete and accurate answers to all the textbook questions, explained in simple language. The solutions cover the summary, word meanings, important questions, and key points of the chapter, helping students understand the story better and prepare for exams confidently.
With the PDF, students can study anytime, even without an internet connection. The file is well-organized, easy to read, and follows the latest NCERT syllabus, making it a helpful study resource for quick revision and thorough understanding.
Q1. What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?
Maxwell wanted to try keeping an otter as a pet instead of a dog. He felt Camusfearna was perfect for this because it was surrounded by water not far from his house.
Q2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?
Maxwell went to the Consulate-General in Basra to collect his European letters. He waited for five days because his mail was delayed. When he tried to call, the phone system didn’t work the first day, and the next day was a public holiday. After five days of waiting and trying, his letters finally arrived.
Q3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.
When Maxwell received his mail, he found two Arabs with a moving sack. They gave him a note from his friend saying he had sent an otter. Maxwell liked the otter very much, as shown by his words “otter fixation,” showing his strong affection for it.
Q4. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
The otter’s species was new to science, so zoologists named it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli or Maxwell’s otter.
Q5. Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was:
Q6. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?
When Maxwell put Mijbil in the bathtub, the otter became very excited. He jumped, rolled, and splashed water everywhere. Two days later, Mijbil went to the bathroom by himself, turned on the tap using his paws, and happily played as water flowed out.
Q7. How was Mij to be transported to England?
Maxwell booked a flight to Paris and then to London. The airline said the otter should travel in a box no larger than 18 inches square, kept on the floor near Maxwell's feet.
Q8. What did Mij do to the box?
Mij found the metal-lined box uncomfortable and tried to escape. While doing so, he tore the metal lining, hurt himself, and started bleeding.
Q9. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?
Maxwell had no other way to carry Mij, so he had to put him back in the box. He felt sad and worried because the otter was hurt.
Q10. Why does Maxwell say the air hostess was “the very Queen of her kind”?
Maxwell praised the air hostess because she was kind and helpful. She allowed him to keep Mij on his lap during the flight and showed great understanding of their situation.
Q11. What happened when the box was opened?
As soon as the box opened, Mij ran quickly around the plane. Passengers panicked, with one woman mistaking him for a rat. Maxwell spotted Mij under a passenger's legs but couldn’t catch him. The air hostess calmed Maxwell and later helped reunite him with Mij, who climbed back onto Maxwell’s lap.
Q12. What game had Mij invented?
Mij created a game where he placed a ping-pong ball on one end of a sloping lid and tried to catch it as it rolled down.
Q13. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of school children and Mij?
Compulsive habits are strange actions people do repeatedly without clear reasons. School children often step exactly in the center of paving blocks while walking. Mij would run and jump along the school wall’s length every time.
Q14. What group of animals do otters belong to?
Otters belong to the Mustelline group, which includes animals like mongoose, badger, weasel, stoat, mink, and others.
Q15. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?
Londoners were not familiar with otters. They guessed Mij to be a baby seal, walrus, squirrel, hippo, beaver, leopard, bear cub, and even a brontosaur.
Q1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving animal who needs love?
Mij showed his intelligence by inventing games with ping-pong balls and learning how to open taps to play in water. He became attached to Maxwell, tried to escape from the box to be with him, and clung to Maxwell when reunited. He enjoyed playing with different objects like balls, marbles, rubber fruits, and shells. He also showed that he loved Maxwell’s care and attention.
Q2. What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?
Otters are part of a small group called Mustellines, which includes animals like mongoose, badger, and mink. Mij’s type of otter was a new species named Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli. Otters often live in marshy areas and are sometimes kept as pets by Arabs. They enjoy playing in moving water and love playing games, especially with balls.
Q3. Why is Mij's species now known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?
Since Mij's species was previously unknown to science, zoologists named it after Maxwell as Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli or Maxwell’s otter.
Mijbil the Otter is a true story written by Gavin Maxwell. In this chapter, the author tells us about his experience of keeping an otter as a pet and the special bond they share.
After the death of his pet dog, Gavin Maxwell decides to get an otter. While he is in Iraq, his friend brings him an otter from the Tigris marshes. The author names the otter Mijbil or Mij. At first, Mijbil is shy and scared in his new home. But soon, he becomes playful and curious. He starts exploring the house and enjoys playing in water.
One day, Maxwell takes Mij to the bathroom, where Mij becomes very excited seeing the water. He jumps into the bathtub, swims, and plays happily. After this, playing with water becomes Mij’s favorite activity. He even learns how to turn on the water tap using his paws.
Later, the author needs to return to England and plans to take Mijbil with him. According to airline rules, Mij must travel in a small box. But Mij feels uncomfortable inside the box and tries to escape, hurting himself in the process. Maxwell feels sad but has no other option. During the flight, the kind air hostess allows Maxwell to keep Mij on his lap, which makes the journey easier for both.
During the flight, when the box is accidentally opened, Mij runs around the plane. Some passengers get scared, thinking he is a rat. But soon, Mij returns to Maxwell, and everything becomes normal again.
In London, people are surprised to see Mij because they are not familiar with otters. They make funny guesses, calling him a seal, a walrus, a beaver, and even a dinosaur. The story also tells us that Mij belongs to a rare species called Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, which was named after the author himself.
Through this beautiful story, we learn about the joy of having pets, the love between humans and animals, and the playful nature of otters. The story also shows Mij’s intelligence, as he invents games, plays with ping-pong balls, and learns new things quickly.
The story is about Gavin Maxwell’s real-life experience of keeping an otter named Mijbil as a pet. It shows the bond between the author and the otter, their fun moments together, and the challenges of traveling with Mijbil from Iraq to London.
The story is written by Gavin Maxwell, who was a British author and naturalist.
Mijbil belonged to a new species that was not known earlier. Zoologists named it Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli or Maxwell's otter in honor of the author.
The NCERT Solutions provide simple and accurate answers to all textbook questions. They help students understand the story better, prepare for exams, and improve their writing skills.
The main themes include friendship between humans and animals, love for pets, compassion, care, and the playful nature of animals.
You can easily download the NCERT Solutions PDF for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 6 - Mijbil the Otter from educational websites like Infinity Learn or your school's online portal for free.