Chapter 6
A Tiger in the House
Questions and Answers
1. Where and how did Grandfather find the tiger cub?
Answer: Grandfather found the tiger cub hiding among the intricate roots of a banyan tree in the Terai jungle near Dehra. The cub was tiny, helpless, and about eighteen inches long.
2. Who named the tiger cub Timothy, and how was he initially fed?
Answer: Grandmother named the tiger cub Timothy. He was initially fed milk from a feeding bottle by the cook, Mahmoud.
3. Why was Timothy’s diet changed from milk to raw mutton and cod-liver oil?
Answer: The milk proved too rich for Timothy, so he was switched to raw mutton and cod-liver oil for better nutrition, followed later by pigeons and rabbits.
4. Who were Timothy’s companions in the household?
Answer: Timothy’s companions included Toto, the monkey, a small mongrel puppy, and other members of the household.
5. How did Timothy react to the puppy at first, and how did their relationship develop?
Answer: Initially, Timothy was afraid of the puppy, darting away when it approached. Eventually, he allowed the puppy to climb on his back and rest, showing trust.
6. What games did Timothy play with the narrator?
Answer: Timothy stalked the narrator stealthily, crouched, suddenly dashed at the feet, rolled on his back, kicked with delight, and pretended to bite ankles.
7. How did Timothy behave during walks as he grew older?
Answer: By the time he was the size of a full-grown retriever, Timothy pulled hard on the chain, making walks difficult. People on the road kept a safe distance from him.
8. Where was Timothy most comfortable during the day, and where did he sleep at night?
Answer: During the day, Timothy liked to recline on the long sofa in the drawing-room. At night, he slept in the cook’s quarters.
9. How did Timothy demonstrate cleanliness?
Answer: Timothy scrubbed his face with his paws like a cat, showing grooming habits similar to domesticated animals.
10. What was Grandmother’s prophecy about Timothy and the cook Mahmoud?
Answer: Grandmother predicted humorously that Timothy would one day be found on Mahmoud’s bed while Mahmoud himself would disappear, though this never actually happened.
11. How did Timothy change when he was about six months old?
Answer: Timothy became less friendly, more mischievous, and potentially dangerous, stalking pets, raiding the poultry house, and sometimes frightening Mahmoud.
12. Give examples of Timothy’s mischievous behavior in the house.
Answer: He stalked cats and dogs, raided the poultry house leaving feathers on the verandah, and sometimes chased Mahmoud around the house.
13. Why did Grandfather decide to send Timothy to the zoo?
Answer: Because Timothy had grown stronger, mischievous, and potentially dangerous to both people and pets, prompting Grandfather to ensure safety.
14. How did Grandfather ensure Timothy’s comfort during the train journey to the zoo?
Answer: He reserved a first-class compartment exclusively for himself and Timothy, ensuring privacy and minimizing stress.
15. How did the zoo authorities react to receiving Timothy?
Answer: They were pleased to receive a well-fed and civilized tiger, making it easier to manage him in captivity.
16. How did Timothy behave when Grandfather visited him six months later at the zoo?
Answer: Timothy recognized Grandfather, crouched affectionately, allowed stroking of his head, tickled his ears, and growled playfully.
17. How did Timothy react to the leopard in the adjacent cage?
Answer: He was frightened whenever the leopard snarled or lunged, retreating to his corner for safety.
18. Why did Grandfather suggest moving Timothy away from the leopard?
Answer: To prevent Timothy from being frightened repeatedly and to ensure his comfort in the zoo.
19. How did the zoo keeper respond to Grandfather’s suggestion?
Answer: The keeper said Timothy was no longer Grandfather’s tiger and implied he could not make decisions regarding zoo animals.
20. What shocking news did Grandfather receive about Timothy?
Answer: He learned that Timothy had died of pneumonia two months earlier, and the tiger he had interacted with was a newly trapped wild tiger.
21. How did Grandfather react to the revelation about Timothy’s death?
Answer: He was shocked and speechless, quietly withdrew his hand, whispered “Goodnight, Timothy,” and left the zoo.
22. How did Timothy show affection toward Grandfather at the zoo?
Answer: Timothy licked Grandfather’s hands and allowed him to put both hands around his head, showing recognition and trust.
23. What does Timothy’s recognition of Grandfather suggest about animal memory?
Answer: It shows that animals, especially intelligent ones like tigers, can remember humans and bonds for months or years.
24. How did Timothy’s early interactions with the puppy reflect animal social behavior?
Answer: They show that animals can overcome fear, develop trust, and form bonds even with other species.
25. How did the public react when witnessing Timothy’s reunion with Grandfather at the zoo?
Answer: People gathered in amazement, fascinated by the unusual bond between the tiger and Grandfather.
26. Why was Timothy chained more often as he grew older?
Answer: Because he became stronger, mischievous, and potentially dangerous to other animals and humans.
27. How did Timothy’s stalking reflect his natural predatory instincts?
Answer: Despite being domesticated, he still stalked pets and poultry, showing that wild instincts remain even in captivity.
28. How did Grandfather balance affection and safety in his care for Timothy?
Answer: He allowed playful interaction but ultimately sent Timothy to the zoo for everyone’s safety, showing responsible care.
29. How did Timothy behave in the drawing-room?
Answer: He lounged on the sofa with dignity, snarled only when disturbed, and demonstrated comfort in human spaces.
30. How did Grandfather show patience in dealing with Timothy’s mischief?
Answer: He tolerated playful attacks, allowed stalking games, and interacted with Timothy safely and calmly.
31. How did Timothy react to stroking and play at the zoo?
Answer: He responded with trust, licking hands and allowing gentle handling despite being in captivity.
32. How did Timothy’s early diet help in his domestication?
Answer: The diet of milk, mutton, cod-liver oil, and later birds helped him grow strong, healthy, and accustomed to human care.
33. How did Timothy interact with Mahmoud, the cook?
Answer: He trusted Mahmoud completely, followed him, and enjoyed being fed and cared for by him.
34. How does the story highlight the dangers of keeping wild animals at home?
Answer: Timothy’s growing strength and mischievous instincts showed that even affectionate animals can become dangerous if unchecked.
35. How did Timothy’s playful stalking demonstrate both danger and affection?
Answer: While showing natural predatory instincts (danger), his playful and non-harmful intent also demonstrated affection and trust.
36. How does the twist ending affect the reader’s perception of the story?
Answer: The twist that Timothy had died months earlier adds suspense, irony, and emphasizes the unpredictability of wild animals.
37. How did Grandfather manage Timothy’s interactions with the public and other animals at the zoo?
Answer: He ensured Timothy’s comfort, minimized fear from the leopard, and only interacted safely through bars.
38. What did Timothy’s growth reveal about domesticating wild animals?
Answer: That while early care can make them manageable, instincts remain and caution is always necessary.
39. How did Timothy show intelligence throughout the story?
Answer: He recognized humans, formed bonds with multiple species, and demonstrated both playful and cautious behavior.
40. What moral lessons can be drawn from Timothy’s story?
Answer: Wild animals can bond with humans but require respect, understanding, and caution. Their natural instincts persist, and human responsibility is essential in caring for them.
Answer by Mrinmoee
