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Book Review: The Adventures of Toto by Ruskin Bond

Toto is a name of monkey. Grandfather finds it a pretty monkey which was getting bored in the custody of a tonga-driver. Toto was tied to a feeding-trough and there was something extra about it that it looked out of place to grandpa. He buys it from that tonga-driver at the price of five. Since we all know that grandma doesn’t like animals brought home by grandfather, thus this time he keeps the monkey in a closet attached to young Ruskin’s bedroom till grandma comes in a state of good mood. They tie Toto with a peg rigged in the wall.  After some hours when they return, they find the closest in mess, Toto has peeled off all the wallpapers and turned Ruskin’s blazer into shreds. Upon seeing this grandfather says that Toto is clever. Well, he is way clever beyond their anticipation.


Next, Toto is transferred to servants’ quarters in a big cage. There he screamed and made noise all night. As a result none of the other animals, which were living amiably till now, could sleep peacefully.

Grandfather has to go to Saharanpur immediately to collect his pension. He cannot think of leaving Toto behind because of grandma’s terror. She has yet to accept Toto. So, he carries it along with him in a canvas bag. Well, at the ticket counter Toto pops out of the bag and grandpa has to buy a ticket for him as well. That time it was mandatory to buy ticket for dog if found travelling with its owner. Though Toto is a monkey but is never a size less than a dog.

When grandmother accepts Toto, he is given a proper room in the stable, and there he is sharing space with Nana, the donkey. Since the very first day they behaved like strangers. They aren’t friends at all. In winter Toto is given a big bowl of hot water for bath. Before getting into it, he will check the temperature with a finger. After bath he will go straight to the kitchen fire place.

One day Toto jumps into the tea kettle placed over fire – when the temperature rises, he feels the heat, well on time grandmother pulls him out. Toto is good at breaking dishes, plates, and other costly items of house. And to guests, he is like a monster. He makes faces to guests.

One day family people find him eating pulao on the dining table. When grandma shouts at him, he throws plates at her. And then one of the Aunts rushes towards Toto, he throws water in her face. Soon, with the dish, he goes out through the window and sits on the tree in the garden. After having eaten the pulao, he throws the dish down to the verandah to tease grandma. Toto takes great pleasure in troubling and teasing humans, especially ladies. For trouble-making he has child-like affinity. He is way indecent to be kept as a pet, thus one day grandpa sells him back to the tonga-driver at a loss of two rupees.

Also read about the character sketch of Grandfather 

For CBSE class 9 syllabus, read all stories summary from your Moments textbook.
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