Prepare the following Questions for your Board Exams 2025-26

MADAM RIDES THE BUS

Q1. Whenever we want to achieve something, difficulties always come in our way. What did Valli have to do to go and ride in a bus?

Ans: Careful Planning and Gathering Information

Valli’s strong desire to ride the bus led her to plan everything with precision. She observed the bus daily, listened to conversations of regular passengers, and asked discreet questions. Through this, she learnt important details—such as the bus fare, the distance, and the travel time.

Saving Money With Determination

To arrange the required amount, she saved every coin that came her way. She showed remarkable discipline by resisting temptations like buying peppermints, toys, or riding the merry-go-round at the village fair. Her ability to stifle her desires reflects her commitment.

Managing to Leave Home Secretly

Valli also had to slip out of the house unnoticed while her mother slept during the afternoon. Through determination, planning, and self-control, she overcame all difficulties and fulfilled her wish to ride the bus.

Q2. The people and surroundings are a great book to learn from. Mention the traits of Valli which help her learn from them.

Curiosity and Observational Skills

Valli is naturally curious. She spends long hours standing at her doorway, watching the street and observing the bus and its passengers. This habit teaches her much about the outside world.

Attentive Listening and Enquiry

She listens carefully to adults who regularly travel on the bus. By doing so, she learns the fare, timetable, and the details of the town. Her discreet questions show her eagerness to learn.

Confidence and Independence

Valli shows confidence when she stops the bus herself and insists on climbing in without help. She interacts boldly with the conductor and refuses to be treated like a child.

Self-discipline and Maturity

Her ability to save money, avoid unnecessary expenses, and control her desires displays maturity beyond her age. These traits help her learn valuable lessons about travel, people, and life.

Q3. Valli was an extraordinary girl who had the courage and self-confidence to realise her ambition. Discuss.

A Clear Ambition and Strong Determination

Valli’s ambition to ride the bus becomes the driving force of her actions. She collects all necessary information through observation and enquiry, showing organised and purposeful thinking.

Confidence in Handling Situations Alone

She confidently stops the bus, buys her ticket, and refuses help from adults. She behaves with a sense of independence, which impresses even the conductor, who jokingly calls her “madam.”

Courage During the Journey

Valli travels alone without fear and enjoys the changing scenery with excitement. Her emotional maturity appears when the sight of the dead cow deeply affects her, showing that she understands both joy and sorrow.

Planning and Self-control

Her disciplined savings and refusal to waste money on small pleasures prove her determination. Thus, Valli’s courage, confidence, and disciplined planning make her an extraordinary child capable of realising her dreams.

 MIJBIL THE OTTER 

Q1. No animal likes to be confined. Explain the statement with reference to the otter in the story.

Natural Habitat and Freedom

Mijbil, the otter, remained happiest only when he was close to water, which was his natural environment. When taken to the bathroom, he plunged, rolled, and splashed with excitement, showing that water brought out his true nature.

Restlessness in Confinement

Whenever Mijbil was confined—whether inside the sack or the wooden box—he reacted badly. He tore the lining of the box to shreds, injuring himself in the process. This showed that confinement distressed him.

Conclusion

Thus Mijbil remained active, joyful, and healthy only when he was free, proving that animals thrive best in their natural habitat, not in restricted spaces.

Q2. Why was Mijbil neither hostile nor friendly for the first twenty-four hours?

New Environment and Uncertainty

When Mijbil first arrived, everything was unfamiliar—the room, the people, the sounds. Naturally, he stayed aloof and cautious.

Textual Instance

The narrator notes that during the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil was “neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent.” He chose to sleep far away from the narrator, showing his desire for space.

Gradual Comfort

Once he felt safe, Mijbil’s behaviour changed. The next night, he climbed onto the narrator’s bed and slept in the crook of his knees, showing growing trust.

Q3. How can you say that Mijbil loved to be in water? Give reasons with reference to the story.

Joyful Reactions in Water

The moment Mijbil was taken to the bathroom, he went “wild with joy.” He plunged, rolled, and shot up and down the bathtub, making the water splash everywhere.

Natural Instinct

The narrator observes that otters must keep water “on the move” and feel restless when it is still. Mijbil overturned bowls and splashed in any water he found, proving his instinctive connection to water.

Conclusion

His excitement and playful energy whenever he encountered water clearly show that water was his natural habitat, where he felt most alive.

Q4. Mijbil caused a sensation in London. Expound with reference to the chapter.

Strange Sight for Londoners

Londoners had never seen an otter on a lead. People kept guessing what kind of animal Mij was—a baby seal, a rabbit, a walrus, a bear cub, even a brontosaur. Their wild guesses created amusement and curiosity wherever Mij went.

Public Reactions

Mijbil’s playful behaviour, such as running along the school wall or rolling toys, drew attention. Children and adults watched him with fascination.

Textual Instance

The narrator mentions a labourer who stared in disbelief and finally demanded, “What is that supposed to be?” These reactions show that Mijbil became an unusual sight, creating a sensation in the city.

Q5. What was the greatest obstacle faced by the narrator in transporting Mijbil to Camusfearna?

Airline Restrictions

The British airline refused to take animals on board. This forced the narrator to book a different flight via another country, greatly complicating his journey.

Unsafe Box Requirement

The airline insisted that Mijbil be carried in a small box. When left inside it, Mijbil tore it apart, injuring himself. This created panic and delay for the narrator.

Tight Schedule and Chaos

With only minutes left for departure, the narrator had to rush through the airport holding the damaged box. Thus, airline rules, Mijbil’s injuries, and the stressful situation were the biggest obstacles.

Q6. Mijbil is an active animal who shows many emotions. Explain with instances.

Playfulness

Mijbil loved playing with marbles, balls, and even invented games like rolling the ping-pong ball down the suitcase. He could juggle objects on his chest without dropping them, showing high activity and enthusiasm.

Affection and Trust

He showed affection by nuzzling the narrator’s face and neck on the airplane. This emotional bond developed after he began trusting the narrator.

Curiosity and Irritation

He was curious enough to turn taps to make water flow. At times, he chittered with irritation when the tap did not behave as he expected.

Conclusion

Through joy, curiosity, irritation, affection, and excitement, Mijbil expressed a wide range of emotions.

Q7. Give instances to show that Mijbil was an intelligent and social animal.

Signs of Intelligence

• Mijbil figured out how to turn the bathroom tap, producing a trickle and then full flow of water.

• He invented games using everyday objects, showing creativity.

• He understood and responded to commands, following the narrator wherever he went.

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Signs of Sociability

• Mijbil formed a strong bond with the narrator, sleeping near him and seeking comfort.

• In London, he interacted playfully with people, even though they misunderstood his species.

• He displayed habits similar to children, like running along the school wall to attract attention.

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Conclusion

Mijbil’s actions show both intelligence and a desire for companionship, making him an engaging and social pet.