Detailed Summary of The Adventures of Toto
The Adventures of Toto is a humorous story written by Ruskin Bond. It describes the mischievous activities of a pet monkey named Toto and shows how difficult it is to keep a monkey as a pet.
Introduction of Toto
The narrator’s grandfather was very fond of animals. He had many pets such as goats, white mice, rabbits, squirrels, and even a tortoise. One day, he saw a little monkey with a tonga-driver. The monkey looked unhappy because the tonga-driver treated him badly. Grandfather felt sorry for the monkey and bought him for five rupees. He named the monkey Toto.
Toto was a pretty monkey. He had bright sparkling eyes, pearly white teeth, quick fingers, and a long tail. His tail worked like a third hand and helped him to hang from branches. Though he looked cute, he was very naughty and mischievous.
Toto’s First Night
Grandmother did not like new animals in the house, so Grandfather kept Toto secretly in a little closet attached to his room. Toto was tied to a peg with a string.
But Toto was very clever. He tore the wallpaper from the walls, pulled out the peg, and destroyed everything in the closet. When Grandfather and the narrator came back, they found the room in complete disorder.
Toto in the Stable
After this destruction, Toto was shifted to the stable where the family donkey, Nana, lived. At first, Nana did not like Toto because the monkey teased and troubled him. Slowly, Nana became used to Toto’s presence.
Toto had a habit of creating trouble wherever he went. He would bite things, tear clothes, and spoil objects. Everyone realized that he was too naughty to handle easily.
Journey to Saharanpur
One day, Grandfather had to travel to Saharanpur to collect his pension. Since Toto was too mischievous to leave at home, Grandfather decided to take him along secretly.
He carried Toto in a big black canvas bag. Toto kept jumping and moving inside the bag, making it look strange. People at the railway station became curious.
When the ticket collector saw Toto’s face peeping out of the bag, he said that Toto was a dog and charged Grandfather the fare for a dog. Grandfather argued that Toto was a monkey, not a dog, but the ticket collector did not listen.
To prove his point, Grandfather even showed his pet tortoise from his pocket and asked whether that also should be charged. The ticket collector replied that the tortoise was not a dog and therefore there was no fare for it.
Toto’s Love for Bathing
Toto loved warm baths during winter. He would test the temperature of the water carefully with his hand before entering the tub. If the water felt comfortable, he stepped in slowly and enjoyed bathing like a human being.
One day, the kettle was left on the fire for tea. Toto climbed into the kettle because the water inside was warm. As the water became hotter, Toto kept jumping in and out to cool himself but did not want to leave the kettle. Finally, Grandmother rescued him before he got seriously hurt.
This incident showed both Toto’s intelligence and foolishness.
Toto’s Mischief During Lunch
Toto was always restless and destructive. Once, during lunch, he ate rice from a large dish. When Grandmother screamed, Toto threw a plate at her. Then he climbed onto a tree with a pulao dish in his hands.
When the family chased him, he threw the dish away after eating the rice. The dish broke into pieces.
Grandfather Sells Toto
Toto’s mischief increased day by day. He tore clothes, broke dishes, damaged furniture, and troubled other animals. The family spent more money repairing the damage caused by Toto than caring for him.
At last, Grandfather realized that Toto could not be trained properly and was too troublesome to keep as a pet. Therefore, he sold Toto back to the tonga-driver for only three rupees.
Themes of the Story
1. Love for Animals
Grandfather’s affection for animals is clearly shown throughout the story.
2. Mischievous Nature of Monkeys
The story highlights how intelligent yet destructive monkeys can be.
3. Humor
The funny incidents involving Toto create humor and entertain readers.
4. Human-Animal Relationship
The chapter shows both the joy and difficulties of keeping wild animals as pets.
Character Sketch of Toto
Naughty and mischievous
Intelligent and clever
Active and energetic
Curious by nature
Difficult to control
Moral of the Story
Wild animals may look cute and entertaining, but they are difficult to tame and cannot easily adjust to domestic life.
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