Question

What Things Does Mij Do which Tell You that he is an Intelligent, Friendly and Fun-loving Animal Who Needs Love?

Answer 1

Hint: The context of the above question is given in the chapter ‘ Mijbil the Otter’; it is written by Gavin Maxwell. It is a narration of a part of Gavin’s life. His dog’s death had left him sad and he did not wish to have another pet after that but, his love for animals could not let him resist. This time instead of a dog he adopted an otter.

Complete answer:
Gavin named his new pet, Mijbil. The following instances in the story tell us that otter is an Intelligent, friendly and fun-loving Animal who needs Love-
- On the first day, Mijbil slept far away from Gavin’s bed. It was on the second day when he gradually tried to get acquainted with Gavin and slept in the folds of his knees. And thereafter, started taking a keen interest in his surroundings as well.
- He loved playing with water and would make sure that even a drop of water is sufficiently splashed. His thoughts in the words of Gavin were, “ Water must be kept on the move and made to do things; when static it is wasted and provoking.”
- Two days into the house, Mijbil had become independent enough to turn on the tap in the bathroom and play with water. In some instances, he would tighten the tap further when the tap would not cooperate with him.
- He would spend his day playing with a rubber ball like a four-footed soccer player, throw it by the neck and dribble it.
- He would lay down on his back, put marbles on his stomach and would roll them without letting them fall.
- He would follow Gavin and appear in front of Gavin whenever called by name.
- In the plane after getting panicked, he returned to Gavin and gently rubbed Gavin’s face and neck with his nose. This shows he was very sensitive and sweet.
- He invented his own game with a damaged suitcase and a ping pong ball.
- He got accustomed and well trained to walk on the road in a short span of time. He would listen to all of Gavin’s instructions.

Note: It was while the narrator was in southern Iraq that he wanted to have an otter as his pet. His love, dedication and passion for animals are reflected in his patient behaviour while dealing with Mijbil and also when he takes a flight through a longer route just to ensure that Mijbil was on the same plane as his.