About the Author
Ruskin Bond is a much-loved Indian writer born in 1934 in Kasauli, a hill town. He grew up in places like Dehradun and Mussoorie, where the mountains, rivers, and forests became his best friends. Bond writes simple, heartwarming stories about everyday life, ghosts, animals, and nature. His books make you feel like you're sitting with him under a mango tree, listening to fun tales. He has won big awards like the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi, and many of his stories are in school books. Bond lives a quiet life in the hills, still writing at over 90 years old, and he loves cricket, books, and stray dogs.
What’s the Story About?
This chapter is a super fun, laugh-out-loud story based on the writer's own childhood memories. It's all about a naughty pet monkey named Toto who brings chaos and joy to the family. Imagine having a pet that's smarter than a kid but twice as troublesome— that's Toto!
The story starts with the writer's grandfather, who loves animals like crazy. One day, he spots a funny-looking monkey tied to a feeding trough at a tonga driver's place. The monkey has bright, twinkling eyes, looks like a little boy in a wrestling match, and costs just Rs 5. Grandpa buys him on the spot and names him Toto. He sneaks Toto home in a bag because Grandma doesn't like new pets— she already puts up with dogs, a goat, and birds!
At home, Toto gets his own room, but he doesn't stay quiet. He pulls off bits of wallpaper, thinking it's edible, and scatters them like confetti. When no one's looking, he dips his tail in the inkpot and writes on the walls. Grandma gets mad, thinking it's a ghost, and shouts for Grandpa. But Toto's real adventure begins when the family decides to take him on a train trip to Saharanpur.
Grandpa hides Toto under a large black overcoat on the train. At first, it's fine, but then the station master comes to check tickets. Toto pops out, snatches the ticket, and starts a wild chase— jumping on the platform, tearing the ticket to bits, and scaring everyone. People think it's a robber or a wild animal! The train leaves without Toto, and Grandpa has to buy another ticket. Later, Toto hides in a football bag, and when the bag is kicked like a ball, he screams and bursts out, sending players running for their lives.
Back home, Toto lives on the neem tree, watching birds and plotting more mischief. He even tries to "cook" a dish by mixing up the kitchen stuff. The story ends with Toto staying as the family's favorite headache— proof that a little trouble makes life exciting.
In easy words, it's like a comedy movie about a clever monkey who turns boring days into hilarious ones. Through Toto's pranks, we see how pets can be like family members who keep you on your toes, full of surprises and giggles.
Who’s Who in the Story
- Toto: The star of the show—a young, black langur monkey with sparkling eyes and a tail like a curly question mark. He's super smart and naughty, always up to tricks like eating paint or starting fights on trains. Think of him as the class clown who gets everyone laughing (and yelling).
- Grandfather (Grandpa): The kind, animal-loving hero who buys Toto and protects him from Grandma's anger. He's patient and fun, like the uncle who sneaks you extra sweets.
- Grandmother (Grandma): The strict one who doesn't want more animals in the house. She gets scared and bossy when Toto makes a mess, but deep down, she's part of the family circus.
- The Narrator: That's the young Ruskin Bond himself, watching all the fun from the side. He tells the story like he's sharing a secret with you over tea.
- Tonga Driver: The seller of Toto—a simple cart driver who keeps the monkey tied up and sells him cheap because Toto bites everyone.
- Station Master: The grumpy railway man who chases Toto during the ticket drama, turning a quiet station into a monkey hunt.
Themes and Moral
Themes (main ideas):
- Fun in Mischief: Life gets boring without a bit of trouble. Toto's pranks show how small adventures, like a monkey chase, make ordinary days sparkle.
- Love for Animals: Grandpa's soft spot for strays teaches us to care for creatures, even if they're handfuls. Animals aren't just pets—they're friends with big personalities.
- Family Bonds and Laughter: In a big family with pets, chaos brings everyone closer. It's about sharing laughs over spills and scares, not staying perfect.
- Simple Joys of Childhood: The story feels like peeking into old hill-town days, where a Rs 5 monkey can be the best toy ever.
Moral (the lesson):
Embrace the wild side of life and the ones you love, even if they're messy. Like Toto, a little naughtiness keeps things lively—don't be too serious, and always make room for surprises. It reminds us: true happiness comes from hearts full of fun, not spotless rooms.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are some key words and phrases from the chapter. I explain them in plain, daily words, like telling a joke to your best friend, so you can see the picture in your head:
- Tonga: A horse-pulled cart for short rides, like an old-school auto-rickshaw that bumps along dirt roads.
- Langur: A type of monkey with a long tail and black face, common in Indian jungles—like the cheeky ones you see stealing bananas at roadside stalls.
- Wrestler's physique: A strong, muscular body like a fighter in a dangal, all bulky and ready for action.
- Peevish: Grumpy or easily annoyed, like when you're hungry and snap at your sibling for no reason.
- Incongruous: Something that doesn't fit or looks funny out of place, like wearing rain boots to a beach party.
- Platform: The flat area at a train station where you wait for the engine, full of chatter and chai sellers.
- Burlesque: A silly, over-the-top show full of jokes and tricks, like a comedy skit that makes your tummy hurt from laughing