🦦 Mijbil the Otter – Detailed Summary (Class 10 English)
Long, exam-oriented summaries in English and Hindi with author intro, key points, images, and related links. Perfect for board exam preparation.
👤 Author Introduction – Gavin Maxwell
Gavin Maxwell (1914–1969) was a Scottish naturalist, writer, and adventurer. He is best remembered for his famous work “Ring of Bright Water” where he wrote about keeping otters as pets in Scotland. His writing blends personal experiences with vivid descriptions of nature and wildlife. Maxwell was passionate about animals and believed in their companionship, often portraying them as loyal and loving beings. In “Mijbil the Otter”, he narrates his unique journey of adopting and raising an otter named Mijbil (or “Mij”), which came from the marshes of Iraq. Through this story, he highlights the deep emotional bond between humans and animals, the challenges of raising a wild creature, and the joy of companionship.
Image: Illustration – Mijbil the Otter with Gavin Maxwell
📖 Summary in English (Expanded)
The story begins in Iraq, where Gavin Maxwell was staying after the death of his pet dog. Feeling lonely, he decided to keep a pet. A friend suggested that instead of a dog, he should get an otter, as otters were common in the marshes of Mesopotamia. Maxwell immediately liked the idea because he wanted a companion that would be both playful and unusual.
After some days, his friend brought an otter for him, packed inside a small sack. At first, the creature looked strange – it was muddy, wild, and frightened. Slowly, the otter came out and explored the room. It looked different from what Maxwell had imagined: round head, small eyes, soft fur, and long tail. Maxwell named him Mijbil, or “Mij” for short.
In the beginning, Mij was nervous and shy. He hid under furniture and avoided contact. But after a few days, he became comfortable and playful. He showed natural curiosity, exploring every corner of the house. One of his favorite places was the bathroom. The otter loved water, and Maxwell noticed his natural instinct – he would splash, dive, and play in the tub for hours.
The author describes in detail how Mij would turn the bathroom into his playground. He would jump inside the bathtub, roll on his back, chase soap pieces, and even turn the water tap by himself. This showed his intelligence and adaptability. Maxwell realized that otters are not just wild animals, but also intelligent creatures capable of forming emotional bonds.
However, keeping Mijbil was not easy. The author had to return to London, and traveling with an otter on flights and trains was a challenge. Maxwell prepared a box with holes so that Mij could breathe. But during the air journey, Mij created chaos — he broke the box and ran around the aircraft, startling passengers. Still, many people found him amusing, and Maxwell managed to calm him down.
Once in London, people’s reactions to Mij were mixed. Some were scared, thinking he was a dangerous animal, while others were curious. Children especially loved him and wanted to play. Maxwell narrates one funny incident where a neighbor mistook Mij for a dragon or a strange animal.
Over time, Mij adapted to city life. He would go for walks with the author, swim in pools, and even travel in taxis. Despite being a wild animal, Mij developed deep affection for Maxwell. He would sleep beside him, follow him everywhere, and make little sounds of happiness whenever he was near. This showed that love and care can turn even wild creatures into faithful companions.
Maxwell also highlights how intelligent Mijbil was. For example, he invented his own games. He would roll marbles across the floor and chase them, or jump up and down the sofa like a mischievous child. He loved exploring cupboards and pulling things out, much like a curious toddler. The author humorously compares Mij’s playful nature with that of small children who always want to explore the unknown.
Mijbil’s love for water remained the most striking feature of his behavior. Whether in a small tub, sink, river, or swimming pool, he felt most alive when he was splashing around. The author explains that in the wild, otters are semi-aquatic animals, and water is their natural environment. But the special thing about Mij was that even in captivity, he never lost his cheerfulness. His joyful personality made him not just a pet but a true friend.
The narrative is not only about keeping an otter as a pet but also about the bond of love and trust between humans and animals. Maxwell shows that with patience and kindness, even wild creatures can live happily with humans. Mijbil, who started as a nervous and frightened otter, transformed into a loving companion full of energy, playfulness, and affection.
Thus, “Mijbil the Otter” is more than just a story — it is a lesson in compassion, responsibility, and the joy of connecting with nature. It shows us that animals, when treated with care, can become lifelong friends.
Image: Mijbil joyfully playing in water
📖 Summary in Hindi (हिंदी सारांश)
कहानी की शुरुआत इराक से होती है जहाँ गेविन मैक्सवेल अपने पालतू कुत्ते की मृत्यु के बाद अकेलापन महसूस कर रहे थे। उन्होंने नया पालतू जानवर रखने का सोचा। एक मित्र ने सुझाव दिया कि उन्हें ऊदबिलाव (Otter) पालना चाहिए, क्योंकि यह क्षेत्र दलदली इलाकों में आसानी से मिल जाते हैं। यह विचार मैक्सवेल को बहुत अच्छा लगा।
कुछ दिनों बाद उनके मित्र ने एक छोटे थैले में एक ऊदबिलाव भेजा। शुरू में वह प्राणी अजीब और डरा हुआ लगा। धीरे-धीरे उसने कमरे का निरीक्षण किया। गोल सिर, छोटी आँखें, मुलायम फर और लंबी पूंछ ने मैक्सवेल को आकर्षित किया। उन्होंने उसका नाम मिजबिल या संक्षेप में “मिज” रखा।
शुरुआती दिनों में मिज डरा-सहमा और छिपा रहता था, लेकिन कुछ समय बाद वह खेलने-कूदने वाला और जिज्ञासु हो गया। उसे सबसे ज्यादा पसंद था बाथरूम, जहाँ वह घंटों पानी में खेलता रहता। वह नल खोलना, पानी में डुबकी लगाना और साबुन से खेलना सीख गया। इससे पता चलता है कि वह बुद्धिमान और चंचल था।
लेकिन मिजबिल को पालना आसान नहीं था। लेखक को लंदन लौटना था और विमान यात्रा में ऊदबिलाव ले जाना कठिन काम था। उन्होंने मिज को छेद वाले डिब्बे में रखा, लेकिन उड़ान के दौरान मिज ने बॉक्स तोड़ दिया और यात्रियों के बीच इधर-उधर दौड़ने लगा। हालांकि यात्री उसे खतरनाक न मानकर मनोरंजक समझने लगे।
लंदन पहुँचकर भी मिज लोगों का ध्यान आकर्षित करता रहा। कुछ लोग डरते थे, तो कुछ जिज्ञासावश उसके पास आते। बच्चे उसे देखकर बहुत खुश होते। एक मजेदार घटना में एक पड़ोसी ने मिज को अजीब जानवर या ड्रैगन समझ लिया।
समय के साथ मिज शहर की जिंदगी का आदी हो गया। वह लेखक के साथ घूमने जाता, स्विमिंग पूल में खेलता और टैक्सी में भी यात्रा करता। धीरे-धीरे उसने मैक्सवेल के साथ गहरा लगाव विकसित कर लिया। वह उनके पास रहकर खुशी से आवाजें निकालता और हर जगह उनका पीछा करता। यह दिखाता है कि प्रेम और देखभाल से जंगली प्राणी भी सच्चे साथी बन सकते हैं।
इस प्रकार “मिजबिल द ऑटर” केवल एक पालतू जानवर की कहानी नहीं है, बल्कि यह इंसान और पशु के बीच प्रेम, विश्वास और जिम्मेदारी का संदेश देती है। यह हमें सिखाती है कि अगर हम धैर्य और दया से पेश आएँ तो पशु भी परिवार का हिस्सा बन सकते हैं।
📝 Key Points to Remember
- Gavin Maxwell decided to keep an otter after his dog’s death.
- His friend gifted him an otter from the marshes of Iraq.
- The otter was named Mijbil (Mij).
- At first Mij was shy and frightened but soon became playful and curious.
- Mij loved playing in water — in bathtubs, rivers, and pools.
- During a flight to London, Mij escaped from his box and created a funny scene.
- In London, Mij attracted attention — some people were scared, others amused.
- He became very attached to Maxwell, following him everywhere.
- The story shows that love, patience, and care can turn even wild animals into loyal companions.