At some point we all have wanted pets. Pets can be great companions. However, with keeping pets comes a great responsibility. Let’s read this story of Tippitty and see what happened when the narrator got distracted for a few seconds.
किसी न किसी समय हम सभी ने पालतू जानवर पालने की इच्छा की है। पालतू जानवर अच्छे साथी हो सकते हैं। हालांकि, पालतू जानवरों की देखभाल के साथ बड़ी जिम्मेदारी भी आती है। आइए इस कहानी में टिपिटी के बारे में पढ़ें और देखें कि जब लेखक कुछ पल के लिए ध्यान हटाता है तो क्या होता है।
To know Tippitty was to love her, and I had known her for very long. Tippitty, I must tell you, was not a naughty little girl with a penchant for climbing up curtain poles, but a little rodent, commonly called a flying squirrel-the large red flying squirrel-and must on no account be mistaken for the flying fox which has nothing to do with Tippitty’s family.
टिपिटी को जानना, उससे प्रेम करना था, और मैं उसे बहुत समय से जानता था। मैं आपको बताना चाहता हूँ कि टिपिटी कोई शरारती बच्ची नहीं थी जो परदों पर चढ़ने की शौकीन हो, बल्कि वह एक छोटा सा कृंतक (चूहा जाति का प्राणी) थी, जिसे आमतौर पर उड़ने वाली गिलहरी कहा जाता है—विशेषकर लाल रंग की बड़ी उड़न गिलहरी। उसे उड़ने वाले चमगादड़ (flying fox) से बिल्कुल न मिलाएँ, क्योंकि उनका कोई संबंध नहीं है।
She was brought to me when only a few days old and grew into a splendid specimen in all the glory of her wonderful chestnut red coat and two feet of bushy tail. She knew she was fascinating even at a very early age, and nothing delighted her more than to show off her lovely tail. Her one drawback as a pet was that she was nocturnal and so was most lively when it was time for ordinary people to be in bed.
उसे मेरे पास केवल कुछ दिनों की उम्र में लाया गया था, और वह अपनी सुंदर लाल-भूरी त्वचा और दो फीट लंबी झबरीली पूँछ के साथ एक शानदार जीव बन गई। वह बहुत कम उम्र से ही जानती थी कि वह आकर्षक है, और उसे अपनी सुंदर पूँछ दिखाना बहुत पसंद था। एक पालतू जानवर के रूप में उसकी एक कमी थी—वह निशाचर (रात में सक्रिय) थी, इसलिए जब आम लोग सोने जाते थे, तब वह सबसे अधिक सक्रिय होती थी।
She lived in a little box with two partitions, the inner one-her bedroom-was fitted with a little nest of feathers and cotton wool, and a tiny door led from it into the bigger sitting room, where she also dined. The door of her sitting room being usually open, Tippitty would announce the fact that she was awake by giving a low growl and issuing from there in a succession of long, and not very graceful, jumps. She would make her way to the nearest table and there indulge in a tremendous stretch, extending her forelegs to the full in front of her and her hind legs as far as they could go behind her Her head would first rest on the right forefoot and then on the left, her tail making circles in the air in the meantime. After her stretch would come her toilet, about which she was most particular. Tippitty would sit erect and carefully get to work with both her little hands.
वह एक छोटे से डिब्बे में रहती थी, जिसमें दो हिस्से थे—भीतरी हिस्सा उसका शयनकक्ष था, जिसमें रुई और पंखों का एक छोटा घोंसला बना हुआ था, और वहाँ से एक छोटी सी दरवाजा बड़े कमरे की ओर खुलता था, जहाँ वह खाना भी खाती थी। उसका बैठक कक्ष सामान्यतः खुला रहता था, और टिपिटी के जागने की सूचना उसके हल्के गुर्राने की आवाज़ और लंबे, लेकिन कम आकर्षक, कूदों के साथ मिलती थी। वह नज़दीकी मेज़ पर पहुँचती और पूरी ताकत से शरीर को तानती—सामने के दोनों पैरों को आगे और पिछले पैरों को जितना पीछे तक संभव हो उतना फैलाती। उसका सिर पहले दाएँ आगे वाले पंजे पर और फिर बाएँ पर टिकता, और इस बीच उसकी पूँछ हवा में गोल गोल घूमती। तानने के बाद वह अपनी ‘टॉयलेट’ यानी स्नान-सज्जा शुरू करती, जिसे लेकर वह बहुत सजग थी। टिपिटी सीधी बैठती और अपने दोनों नन्हें हाथों से सफाई में जुट जाती।
| In what sense is the word ‘toilet’ used here? |
Beginning with the tip of her nose, she would gradually work over the whole of her face and head. The tail would be her last, but by no means her least, care Her toilet finished, Tippitty would have a look around, take one jump off the table, and race up the nearest curtains to the pole above. There she would sit. her tail coiled round her neck and those great big black eyes of hers looking solemnly down, and sooner or later, she would leap right across the room on to my shoulder.
वह अपनी नाक की नोक से शुरू करती और धीरे-धीरे पूरे चेहरे और सिर की सफाई करती। उसकी पूँछ अंत में आती थी, लेकिन यह उसकी कम महत्वपूर्ण चिंता नहीं थी। स्नान-सज्जा पूरी होने के बाद, टिपिटी चारों ओर नजर घुमाती, मेज़ से एक छलांग लगाती और सबसे नज़दीकी परदे पर चढ़कर ऊपर की छड़ तक पहुँच जाती। वहाँ वह बैठ जाती, अपनी पूँछ को गर्दन के चारों ओर लपेटे हुए और अपनी बड़ी-बड़ी काली आँखों से गंभीरता से नीचे झाँकती। फिर किसी समय वह पूरे कमरे में छलांग लगाकर सीधे मेरी कंधे पर आ गिरती।
Don, a field spaniel, and Brock, a large shaggy Tibetan sheep dog, were Tippitty’s best friends. Brock’s great bushy tail afforded Tippitty much amusement as well as shelter in time of danger, for Tippitty knew friend from foe, and the approach of a stranger was the signal for her to make use of Brock’s tail as a hiding place.
डॉन, एक फील्ड स्पैनियल, और ब्रॉक, एक बड़ा और झबरीला तिब्बती भेड़पालक कुत्ता, टिपिटी के सबसे अच्छे दोस्त थे। ब्रॉक की बड़ी झबरीली पूँछ टिपिटी के लिए मनोरंजन का साधन भी थी और खतरे के समय सुरक्षा का स्थान भी, क्योंकि टिपिटी दोस्त और दुश्मन में फर्क जानती थी। किसी अजनबी के आने की आहट मिलते ही वह ब्रॉक की पूँछ में छिप जाती थी।
Her behaviour was not always that of a well brought up young lady: and truth obliges me to admit that during meals, it was advisable to keep her tied at one end of the table. I have already said that she had a lovely tail, but its beauty was sometimes marred after passing through the soup-and so was the taste of the soup! Her own dinner consisted of milk and, occasionally, custard. Puddings she loved as much as any schoolboy, and stewed fruit kept her happy all evening. The hardest hill walnut was child’s play to her sharp teeth.
उसका व्यवहार हमेशा किसी शालीन कन्या जैसा नहीं होता था। सच यह है कि खाने के समय उसे मेज़ के एक किनारे पर बाँधना ही पड़ता था। मैंने पहले ही कहा है कि उसकी पूँछ बहुत सुंदर थी, लेकिन कभी-कभी वह सूप में डुबकी लगाने के बाद उतनी सुंदर नहीं रह जाती थी—और सूप का स्वाद भी बिगड़ जाता था! उसका भोजन दूध होता था और कभी-कभी कस्टर्ड। उसे पुडिंग उतना ही पसंद था जितना किसी स्कूल के लड़के को। उबला हुआ फल उसे पूरी शाम खुश रखता था। सबसे कठोर पहाड़ी अखरोट भी उसकी तेज़ दाँतों के लिए आसान था।
It took her about ten minutes to make a hole in the nut, and then her long teeth and tongue would soon fetch out most of the kernel.
उसे अखरोट में छेद करने में लगभग दस मिनट लगते थे, और फिर उसकी लंबी जीभ और दाँत गिरी का अधिकांश हिस्सा बाहर निकाल लेते थे।
| What kind of danger do you think Tippitty could have possibly come across? |
Tippitty was the means of my solving a problem in natural history regarding which controversy raged for many months. The Himalayan nutcracker (Nucifraga hemispila) had been credited with the holes one frequently found in walnuts in the Himalayas. I tested the truth of the assertion by placing walnuts under a tree where a pair of nutcrackers used to come. The birds turned over the nuts but did not attempt to break them. After this, a few nuts were collected in which Topitty had already made holes and placed under the same tree and carefully watched. In due counsel, the birds came along and at once selected the bored walnuts and began pecking at them and working their beaks inside the holes.
प्राकृतिक इतिहास के एक विवाद को सुलझाने में टिपिटी मेरे लिए सहायक सिद्ध हुई, जिस पर कई महीनों तक विवाद चलता रहा। हिमालयी नटक्रैकर (Nucifraga hemispila) को हिमालय क्षेत्र में अखरोट में पाए जाने वाले छेदों का श्रेय दिया जाता था। मैंने इस कथन की सच्चाई की जाँच एक पेड़ के नीचे अखरोट रखकर की, जहाँ एक जोड़ी नटक्रैकर पक्षी आया करती थी। पक्षियों ने अखरोटों को उलट-पलट कर देखा लेकिन तोड़ने की कोशिश नहीं की। इसके बाद, मैंने कुछ ऐसे अखरोट एकत्र किए जिनमें टिपिटी पहले ही छेद कर चुकी थी और उन्हें उसी पेड़ के नीचे रख दिया और सावधानीपूर्वक देखा। थोड़ी ही देर में पक्षी वहाँ आए और सीधे उन अखरोटों को चुना जिनमें छेद पहले से थे और वे उन छेदों में अपनी चोंच डालकर खाने लगे।
Flying squirrels are said to lop their drink, but Tippitty was much too ladylike to make any such fuss over her milk She was usually in rather a hurry for it, and consequently more of her face went into the saucer than was intended by nature, with the result that a certain amount of liquid went up her nose and made Tippitty sneeze and splutter. Sometimes several attempts were made before she really settled down to have a good drinks but when she did she got her lips well into the milk and no attempt was made to lap.
कहा जाता है कि उड़ने वाली गिलहरियाँ अपनी पीने की चीजों को चाटती हैं, लेकिन टिपिटी बहुत सभ्य थी और दूध पीते समय कोई हंगामा नहीं करती थी। वह आमतौर पर दूध के लिए काफी अधीर होती थी, और इसलिए उसका चेहरा कटोरी में जितना जाना चाहिए उससे ज्यादा चला जाता था, जिससे कुछ दूध उसकी नाक में चला जाता और उसे छींक और खाँसी आ जाती। कभी-कभी उसे दूध पीने के लिए शांत होने से पहले कई प्रयास करने पड़ते थे, लेकिन जब वह शांत होती थी तो अपने होंठ दूध में अच्छी तरह डुबो लेती थी और उसे चाटने का कोई प्रयास नहीं करती थी।
| Fact file |
| Did you know that squirrels, like many other mammals, are bom blind? They take around three weeks to open their eyes. They are completely dependent on their mothers for survival for twelve weeks. |
She frequently accompanied me and the dogs for the afternoon stroll, after being ruthlessly pulled out of her box. For the first hundred yards or so she was perfectly happy, jumping along behind A flying squirrel’s natural mode of progression when on the ground is a succession of jumps, not the graceful little hop of the striped squirrel, but rather a lumbering gallop with all four feet in the air at the same time and the tail held straight up in the air, the last four inches or so curling over.
उसे अक्सर दोपहर की सैर के लिए मुझे और कुत्तों के साथ ले जाया जाता था, जब उसे उसकी डिब्बी से बेरहमी से बाहर निकाला जाता। पहले सौ गज तक वह खुशी-खुशी हमारे पीछे-पीछे उछलती-कूदती चलती। ज़मीन पर चलते समय उड़ने वाली गिलहरी की चाल कूदों की एक श्रृंखला होती है, जो धारीदार गिलहरी की सुंदर छलांगों जैसी नहीं होती, बल्कि चारों पैर एक साथ हवा में होते हैं और पूँछ सीधी ऊपर उठी होती है, जिसकी अंतिम चार इंच मुड़ी हुई होती है।
This not being adapted for long distances, Tippitty would soon overshoot her endurance and come to a halt. If I were near, she would make for my leg and be up on my shoulder in the twinkling of an eye, or if Brock or Don happened to be at hand, she should spring on to one of their backs and get a free ride.
यह तरीका लंबे समय तक चलने के लिए उपयुक्त नहीं था, इसलिए टिपिटी जल्दी ही थक जाती और रुक जाती। अगर मैं पास होता, तो वह मेरी टांग पर चढ़कर एक झटके में मेरे कंधे तक पहुँच जाती, और अगर ब्रॉक या डॉन पास होते, तो वह उनमें से किसी की पीठ पर कूदकर मुफ्त की सवारी कर लेती।
An oak or a deodar tree invariably attracted her attention and she would make her way to the extreme end of a branch and nibble off the young leaves. The point of the stem which grew out of the branch appealed to her most, and she would pick off leaf after leaf, just nibbling the juicy end of it and throw the rest away. However, she was quite happy on any tree or shrub and found something to eat on all.
एक देवदार का पेड़ उसकी ध्यानाकर्षण का केंद्र बनता था, और वह शाखा के अंतिम सिरे तक पहुँच जाती और वहाँ के कोमल पत्तों को कुतरने लगती। वह विशेष रूप से उस डंडी को पसंद करती थी जो शाखा से निकलती थी, और वह एक-एक करके पत्तियाँ तोड़ती, उनके रसीले सिरे को कुतरती और बाकी हिस्सा फेंक देती। हालाँकि, वह किसी भी पेड़ या झाड़ी पर काफी खुश थी और सभी पर कुछ न कुछ खाने को ढूंढ लेती थी।
As I have already said, Tippitty was nocturnal and woke up a little after sunset if left to herself. Provided she did not get a good dinner, she would be prepared to play and look about for odds and ends to nibble on all night through. I very soon discovered that a good feed just before I went to bed had the effect of making her sleepy too. On custard nights, Tippitty would invariably overeat and that meant sleeping solidly till the early hours of the morning. She very seldom woke me during the night. As a rule, I would wake up to find a warm, soft, furry, ball curled up against my neck but occasionally, the awakening would be much ruder and I would find Tippitty having a lovely game with my toes, my ears, or my hair.
जैसा कि मैंने पहले ही कहा है, टिप्पी रात में जागती थी और अगर उसे अकेला छोड़ दिया जाए तो वह सूर्यास्त के कुछ समय बाद जाग जाती थी। अगर उसे अच्छा खाना न मिले, तो वह खेलने के लिए तैयार रहती और रात भर खाने के लिए इधर-उधर देखती रहती। मुझे बहुत जल्द ही पता चल गया कि सोने से ठीक पहले उसे अच्छा खाना खिलाने से भी उसे नींद आ जाती थी। कस्टर्ड वाली रातों में, टिप्पी हमेशा ज़्यादा खा लेती थी और इसका मतलब था कि सुबह के शुरुआती घंटों तक उसे गहरी नींद आती थी। वह बहुत कम ही मुझे रात में जगाती थी। एक नियम के रूप में, मैं जागता और पाता कि एक गर्म, मुलायम, रोएँदार, गेंद मेरी गर्दन से लिपटी हुई है, लेकिन कभी-कभी, मैं बहुत ज़्यादा जागता और मैं पाता कि टिप्पी मेरे पैरों, मेरे कानों या मेरे बालों के साथ प्यारा खेल खेल रही है।
There was something extraordinarily fascinating about her every movement, and her little chirrup pleasure was very sweet to hear Tippitty had an assortment of calls, her growl was most alarming and would have done credit to an animal ten times her size.
उसकी हर हरकत में कुछ असाधारण आकर्षण था, और उसका प्रसन्नता भरा चहचहाना सुनने में बहुत प्यारा लगता था। टिपिटी के पास तरह-तरह की आवाजें थीं। उसका गुर्राना तो बहुत डरावना होता और किसी उससे दस गुना बड़े जानवर के लिए भी गर्व की बात होता।
She had a temper of her own, I am sorry to say, which every member of the household, master and dogs included, had occasion to remember. It showed for a second and was gone again as suddenly as it had been roused, but in that instant, her sharp claws had torn some offending hand, or her terrible teeth had sent a dog howling out of the room.
मुझे यह कहते हुए खेद है कि उसमें गुस्सा भी था, जिसे घर का हर सदस्य—मालिक और कुत्ते भी—कभी न कभी झेल चुका था। उसका गुस्सा एक क्षण में आता और चला भी जाता, लेकिन उस एक पल में उसके तेज़ पंजे किसी हाथ को घायल कर देते या उसके डरावने दाँत किसी कुत्ते को चिल्लाते हुए कमरे से बाहर निकाल देते।
Poor Tippitty! Her end was tragic in the extreme. We hope it was also painless. She had been tied up just before dinner, but somehow the end of the chain had got unfastened from the leg of the chair I heard her hopping about on the boards of the verandah and dragging her chain behind her. I went out to bring her back, but in that instant something flashed past me. There was a tiny squeal, and a fox had poor Tippitty in its relentless jaws. Her death was avenged, but that is another story.
बेचारी टिप्पीटी! उसका अंत अत्यंत दुखद था। हमें उम्मीद है कि यह दर्द रहित भी रहा होगा। उसे खाने से ठीक पहले बांधा गया था, लेकिन किसी तरह से चेन का सिरा कुर्सी के पैर से खुल गया था। मैंने उसे बरामदे के तख्तों पर उछलते हुए और अपनी चेन को अपने पीछे घसीटते हुए सुना। मैं उसे वापस लाने के लिए बाहर गया, लेकिन उसी क्षण मेरे सामने से कुछ गुज़रा। एक हल्की चीख़ निकली, और एक लोमड़ी ने बेचारी टिप्पीटी को अपने निर्दयी जबड़े में जकड़ लिया। उसकी मौत का बदला लिया गया, लेकिन यह एक और कहानी है।
Adapted from Companions Feathered, Furred, and Scaled by Charles H. Donald
चार्ल्स एच. डोनाल्ड द्वारा लिखित कम्पेनियन्स फेदरेड, फरर्ड, एंड स्केल्ड से रूपांतरित
Know the author
लेखक को जानें
Charles H. Donald was a well-known naturalist. In Companions Feathered, Furred, and Scaled published in 1920, he describes the various wild pets acquired by him and his wife during their Jungle-camping trips.
चार्ल्स एच. डोनाल्ड एक प्रसिद्ध प्रकृतिवादी थे। 1920 में प्रकाशित कम्पैनियन्स फेदरेड, फरर्ड, एंड स्केल्ड में, उन्होंने जंगल-कैंपिंग यात्राओं के दौरान उनके और उनकी पत्नी द्वारा प्राप्त विभिन्न जंगली पालतू जानवरों का वर्णन किया है।
Summary:
“Tippitty, the Flying Squirrel” is a heart-warming and engaging story written by Charles H. Donald, a naturalist, about his beloved pet, Tippitty—a red flying squirrel. The story describes Tippitty’s charming personality, unique habits, and playful nature. Being nocturnal, she was most active at night and was fond of custard, puddings, and walnuts. She lived in a cosy little box and shared a strong bond with the narrator and his dogs, Don and Brock. Tippitty’s antics, grooming habits, and tree-climbing adventures are vividly portrayed, offering readers insight into the life of this delightful creature. Sadly, her life ends tragically when a fox snatches her away in a swift moment of distraction. The story reflects the joys and responsibilities of having a pet.
सारांश:
“टिप्पीटी, द फ्लाइंग स्क्विरल” चार्ल्स एच. डोनाल्ड, एक प्रकृतिवादी द्वारा लिखी गई एक दिल को छू लेने वाली और आकर्षक कहानी है, जो अपने प्यारे पालतू जानवर, टिप्पीटी-एक लाल उड़ने वाली गिलहरी के बारे में है। कहानी में टिप्पीटी के आकर्षक व्यक्तित्व, अनोखी आदतों और चंचल स्वभाव का वर्णन किया गया है। निशाचर होने के कारण, वह रात में सबसे अधिक सक्रिय रहती थी और कस्टर्ड, पुडिंग और अखरोट की शौकीन थी। वह एक आरामदायक छोटे से बॉक्स में रहती थी और कथावाचक और उसके कुत्तों, डॉन और ब्रॉक के साथ एक मजबूत बंधन साझा करती थी। टिप्पीटी की हरकतों, संवारने की आदतों और पेड़ों पर चढ़ने के रोमांच को विशद रूप से चित्रित किया गया है, जो पाठकों को इस रमणीय प्राणी के जीवन के बारे में जानकारी प्रदान करता है। दुख की बात है कि उसका जीवन दुखद रूप से समाप्त हो जाता है जब एक लोमड़ी उसे ध्यान भटकाने के एक पल में छीन लेती है। कहानी एक पालतू जानवर रखने की खुशियों और जिम्मेदारियों को दर्शाती है।
About the passage
Read to understand
A. Fill in the blanks with the words from the story.
1. Tippitty was a nocturnal animal which means she was active at night.
2. She would use Brog’s tail as a hiding place from strangers.
3. Squirrels are said to lap their drink.
4. On custard nights, Tippitty would invariably overeat and sleep solidly.
5. Tippitty’s terrible teeth had sent a dog howling out of the room.
B. Read these sentences and answer the questions with reference to the context.
1. Tippitty was the means of my solving a problem in natural history regarding which a controversy raged for many months.
a) What was the mystery?
Answer: The mystery was about who made the holes in walnuts found in the Himalayas—whether it was the Himalayan nutcracker bird or some other animal.
b) How did the narrator solve the mystery?
Answer: The narrator placed unbroken walnuts and walnuts with holes made by Tippitty under a tree where nutcracker birds came. The birds ignored the unbroken nuts but eagerly pecked at the ones with holes, proving that the birds didn’t make the holes but only fed from those already opened—like the ones Tippitty had nibbled.
c) Why did the narrator want to solve the mystery?
Answer: Being a naturalist, the narrator was interested in uncovering the truth behind the common belief that nutcrackers made holes in walnuts. His curiosity and scientific spirit led him to test and resolve the controversy.
2. She frequently accompanied me and the dogs for the afternoon stroll, after being ruthlessly pulled out of her box.
a) Who is ‘she’ and ‘me’ in the above sentence? Where are ‘she’ and ‘me’ going?
Answer: ‘She’ refers to Tippitty, the flying squirrel, and ‘me’ refers to the narrator. They are going for an afternoon stroll along with the dogs.
b) Why do you think ‘she’ was pulled out of her box ruthlessly?
Answer: Tippitty was nocturnal and liked to stay in her box during the day. She had to be pulled out forcefully because she was reluctant to leave her cosy resting place in the daytime.
c) What would happen after this?
Answer: After being pulled out, Tippitty would jump along behind the narrator and dogs for a short distance. Then, tired, she would climb onto someone’s shoulder or the dogs’ backs and later explore and nibble leaves on nearby trees.
3. Tippitty had an assortment of calls, her growl was most alarming and would have done credit to an animal ten times her size
a) Who is the speaker of this sentence?
Answer: The narrator, who owned Tippitty, is the speaker of this sentence.
b) What is ‘assortment of colls?
Answer: It means Tippitty had a variety of sounds she used to express herself—such as chirrups, growls, and other vocalisations.
c) What does the phrase “credit to an animal ten times her size’ mean?
Answer: It means Tippitty had a variety of sounds she used to express herself—such as chirrups, growls, and other vocalisations.
C. Answer these questions briefly.
1. Describe Tippitty in your own words.
Answer: Tippitty was a charming and lively flying squirrel with a beautiful chestnut-red coat and a bushy tail. She was playful, intelligent, and full of personality, but also had a mischievous side and a strong temper.
2. Why did the narrator find Tippitty’s nocturnal nature to be a drawback?
Answer: Because Tippitty was most active at night, when people usually slept, the narrator found it inconvenient as her playfulness and activities disturbed normal bedtime routines.
3. Why would Tippitty get tied up before meals?
Answer: She had a habit of jumping onto the dining table during meals, often dipping her tail into food like soup, which spoiled both her tail and the food. So, she was tied up to avoid such messes.
4. Why would Tippitty sometimes ‘sneeze and splutter’ while drinking milk?
Answer: Tippitty would hurry while drinking and often put her whole face into the saucer. This caused milk to go up her nose, making her sneeze and splutter.
5. Why was it in the narrator’s interest to provide Tippitty with a good dinner?
Answer: A good dinner, especially custard, made Tippitty sleepy, which meant she wouldn’t stay up all night causing noise or mischief. This allowed the narrator to sleep peacefully.
6. Give two examples from the passage to show that Tippitty was not very choosy when it came to eating.
Answer:
7. What happened to Tippitty at the end of the story?
Answer: Tragically, Tippitty was caught and killed by a fox when her chain accidentally got unfastened and she wandered outside. The narrator was too late to save her.
Think and write
D. Think and write the answers to these questions.
1. At several places in the story, while describing Tippitty, the narrator reveals his affection for her. Discuss in groups and find examples of the narrator’s love for Tippitty.
Answer: The narrator’s love for Tippitty is evident throughout the story. Here are some examples:
2. Do you know of a real-life story, similar to the one presented in this passage where a favourite pet animal or bird dies? Write about it briefly.
Answer: Yes, I once heard about a boy who had a pet parrot named Mithu. Mithu was very intelligent and could mimic human speech. The boy and the parrot shared a close bond—Mithu would greet him every morning and even eat from his hand. One day, while Mithu was flying freely around the garden, a cat leapt from a nearby wall and attacked him. The boy ran to save him, but it was too late. Mithu’s sudden death left the boy heartbroken. For days, he couldn’t eat or sleep properly. Eventually, he kept Mithu’s empty cage in his room as a memory of his beloved pet.
PTP 40 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What kind of animal was Tippitty?
a) A flying fox
b) A flying squirrel ✔
c) A field mouse
d) A bat
2. What was Tippitty’s favourite food?
a) Walnuts
b) Milk and custard ✔
c) Fruits
d) Fish
3. Why was Tippitty tied up before meals?
a) To stop her from climbing walls
b) To stop her from running away
c) To prevent her from dipping her tail into the soup ✔
d) To make her sleep
4. What was Tippitty’s main behaviour drawback as a pet?
a) She was lazy
b) She was nocturnal ✔
c) She didn’t like playing
d) She always made noise
5. What did Tippitty do after waking up?
a) Made a loud noise
b) Jumped onto the table and stretched ✔
c) Ate food immediately
d) Went back to sleep
6. Why was Tippitty’s tail so important to her?
a) She used it for balance
b) It was her favourite toy
c) She loved to show it off ✔
d) She used it to hide food
7. How did Tippitty contribute to solving a mystery in natural history?
a) By finding missing walnuts
b) By making holes in the walnuts that nutcrackers then fed from ✔
c) By revealing the origin of a nutcracker’s call
d) By hiding nuts under trees
8. What did Tippitty do to drink her milk?
a) Licked it with her tongue
b) Drank it quickly
c) Dipped her face into the saucer and sometimes sneezed and spluttered ✔
d) Sipped it like a cat
9. How did Tippitty typically move on the ground?
a) Hopped gracefully like a rabbit
b) Ran fast
c) Galloped with all four feet in the air ✔
d) Crawled on her belly
10. Why did Tippitty prefer to climb on the dogs’ backs during walks?
a) To catch more food
b) To rest after tiring jumps ✔
c) To scare away other animals
d) To play with the dogs
11. What happened to Tippitty in the end?
a) She moved to a different house
b) She was caught by a fox and killed ✔
c) She ran away
d) She became a mother
12. Why did Tippitty like stewed fruit?
a) Because it was sweet
b) Because it was juicy and easy to eat ✔
c) Because it was served with milk
d) Because she had a sweet tooth
13. What was Brock’s role in Tippitty’s life?
a) He played with her all day
b) He was her protector from strangers ✔
c) He taught her to climb trees
d) He fetched her food
14. What is the meaning of the word “nocturnal”?
a) Active during the day
b) Active during the night ✔
c) Sleeps through the day
d) Only active in the morning
15. What did Tippitty do when a stranger approached?
a) Ran away immediately
b) Jumped on the narrator
c) Hid in Brock’s tail ✔
d) Barked loudly
16. How long did Tippitty sleep after overeating on custard nights?
a) All day
b) A few hours
c) Solidly till early morning ✔
d) Just a few minutes
17. What did Tippitty use her sharp teeth for?
a) To break bones
b) To crack open hard walnuts ✔
c) To chew on tree bark
d) To climb walls
18. What did the narrator mean when he said Tippitty’s growl would have “done credit to an animal ten times her size”?
a) Her growl was as loud as a lion’s
b) Her growl was surprisingly powerful for her small size ✔
c) She could scare any animal
d) She growled more than she barked
19. How did Tippitty’s death happen?
a) She got lost while climbing trees
b) She was attacked by a fox after her chain became loose ✔
c) She fell from a great height
d) She was poisoned by food
20. What did Tippitty enjoy doing in the trees?
a) Running up the branches
b) Nibbling on young leaves ✔
c) Hiding from the dogs
d) Collecting nuts
21. How did Tippitty’s behaviour change after a good feed?
a) She became more active
b) She became sleepy and rested ✔
c) She started playing more
d) She ran around looking for food
22. What did Tippitty do when the narrator woke up in the morning?
a) Ran outside
b) Played with the dogs
c) Curled up against the narrator’s neck ✔
d) Jumped on the table
23. Why did Tippitty make a loud growling sound?
a) To communicate with the dogs
b) To announce she was awake
c) As a sign of irritation or anger ✔
d) To get the narrator’s attention
24. What did Tippitty do after jumping onto the narrator’s shoulder?
a) Started grooming the narrator
b) Played with the dogs
c) Sat on the shoulder and looked around ✔
d) Ate food from the narrator’s plate
25. How did Tippitty’s tail contribute to her actions?
a) It helped her climb faster
b) It was used as a balance while jumping
c) It was a source of amusement and protection from strangers ✔
d) It helped her swim
26. What does the phrase “a splendid specimen” mean in reference to Tippitty?
a) She was very small and weak
b) She was a remarkable and beautiful example of her species ✅
c) She was a very playful animal
d) She was a rare and dangerous animal
27. What did Tippitty do after stretching on the table?
a) Ate food
b) Played with her tail
c) Began her grooming routine ✅
d) Jumped off the table
28. What did the narrator say about Tippitty’s affection for her tail?
a) She didn’t care for it much
b) She used it for hiding food
c) She was proud of it and showed it off often ✅
d) She used it to help her climb
29. Why was Tippitty’s “toilet” important?
a) It helped her to stay clean and healthy ✅
b) It was part of her daily ritual
c) It was the only way she communicated
d) It was something she did for fun
30. What happened when Tippitty went for the afternoon stroll with the narrator and the dogs?
a) She stayed on the ground the whole time
b) She played with the dogs
c) She got tired and climbed onto the narrator or the dogs for a ride ✅
d) She got lost
31. What was Tippitty’s favourite activity while sitting on the top of the curtain pole?
a) She would nap
b) She would watch the surroundings and observe quietly ✔
c) She would sing
d) She would play with the dogs
32. How did the narrator feel when Tippitty died?
a) Indifferent
b) Relieved
c) Deeply saddened and upset ✔
d) Happy that she had avenged her death
33. What did the narrator use to test the truth about the Himalayan nutcracker?
a) Walnuts that Tippitty had bored holes into ✔
b) Specially designed traps
c) Special birdwatching equipment
d) Recorded bird calls
34. What did Tippitty do when she could not keep up during the walk?
a) She stopped and refused to move
b) She climbed onto the narrator’s shoulder
c) She returned to the starting point
d) She followed the dogs for a ride ✔
35. What is meant by the phrase “her tail making circles in the air”?
a) Tippitty was playing with her tail
b) Tippitty was stretching and moving her tail in a circular motion as part of her grooming ritual ✔
c) Her tail was being used for balance
d) Her tail was waving to communicate
36. What did Tippitty enjoy most about the young leaves on the oak or deodar tree?
a) The bitter taste
b) The juicy end of the stem ✔
c) The height of the tree
d) The smell of the leaves
37. What was the result of Tippitty’s attempt to drink milk quickly?
a) She drank without any problem
b) She sneezed and spluttered from the milk going up her nose ✔
c) She refused to drink
d) She drank slowly and carefully
38. Why did Tippitty’s growl sound so alarming?
a) She was scared
b) She was angry
c) It was surprisingly loud and fierce for such a small animal ✔
d) She was hungry and demanding attention
39. What did the narrator do after hearing Tippitty hopping around on the verandah?
a) He ignored her and went back to sleep
b) He rushed to check on her ✔
c) He scolded her
d) He let her run freely
40. What did Tippitty do when she finished her grooming?
a) She took a nap
b) She jumped off the table and played with the dogs
c) She jumped onto the curtain pole ✔
d) She went to sleep
*****