Mijbil the Otter” is a heartwarming prose piece by Gavin Maxwell that recounts his experiences with a pet otter named Mijbil, highlighting the unique and endearing bond they shared. The story takes place in Iraq, where Maxwell first encounters Mijbil and brings him back as a pet.
Summary of “Mijbil the Otter”
The story “Mijbil the Otter” by Gavin Maxwell is about the unique and heartwarming bond between the author and his pet otter, Mijbil. The story begins with Maxwell traveling to Basra with a friend to collect their mail. During the journey, Maxwell expresses his desire to keep an otter as a pet after losing his dog. His friend suggests he get an otter from the Tigris marshes in Iraq. When Maxwell reaches Basra, his friend quickly receives his mail, but Maxwell has to wait a bit longer. Upon receiving his mail, Maxwell discovers a sack brought by two Arabs carrying a message from his friend and finds an otter inside. He names it Mijbil, or Mij for short.
Mij initially takes some time to adjust to his new surroundings. Maxwell soon observes Mij’s love for water and his ability to open the bathroom faucet on his own, which fascinates him. Mij becomes increasingly playful, engaging in creative games, showing a clever and curious nature.
When Maxwell is about to return to England, he faces difficulties with British Airlines, which prohibits animals from traveling with passengers. He arranges for Mij to travel in a box, as required by the airline. However, when Maxwell returns to check on Mij, he finds that the otter has injured himself in the box, leaving bloodstains. He cleans the box and arrives at the airport just before the flight departs. Upon boarding, Maxwell explains the situation to an air hostess, who kindly advises him to keep Mij on his lap instead of locking him in the box. Grateful, Maxwell opens the box, but Mij escapes and creates chaos aboard the flight, moving freely around the cabin. However, the air hostess quickly captures the otter and returns him to Maxwell.
After arriving in London, Mij gradually adjusts to his new home. He enjoys playing with marbles and ping-pong balls and invents a new game using Maxwell’s broken suitcase. When Maxwell takes Mij for walks in London, people are curious and make wild guesses about his pet. Some believe it’s a baby seal, beaver, or even a hippo, showing the unusual nature of Maxwell’s pet.
Conclusion of “Mijbil the Otter”
“Mijbil the Otter” captures the affectionate bond between Maxwell and his pet otter, showcasing the delightful and humorous experiences of having an otter as a companion. Through their journey, Maxwell shares the joy, curiosity, and challenges that come with living with such a unique and playful animal, ultimately depicting the strong connection between humans and animals.
Summary
The poem “Fog” is a short and vivid description of how fog settles over a place, particularly during the winter season. The poet uses a metaphor to compare the fog to a cat, emphasizing the fog’s quiet and unassuming nature. Just like a cat, the fog “comes on little cat feet,” entering the scene silently and without notice. The comparison highlights the subtle, almost imperceptible arrival of fog as it quietly envelops the environment.
The poet captures the fog’s temporary and peaceful presence, suggesting that, like a cat, the fog is calm, graceful, and brief. This metaphor helps us understand how the fog moves through the city and the harbor, covering everything gently, before disappearing just as quietly. The simplicity and elegance of the cat metaphor effectively convey the tranquil yet transient nature of fog.
The poet uses a simile to describe the arrival and movement of the fog, comparing it to a cat. In the poem, the fog “comes on little cat feet,” which means it arrives quietly, gently, and without drawing attention, much like a cat walking silently on its small feet. This comparison emphasizes the subtlety and quietness of the fog’s arrival.
As the fog settles in, the poet describes how it “sits” over the city and harbor, like a cat resting, with its legs folded behind it. This reinforces the idea that the fog envelops its surroundings in a calm and undisturbed manner, spreading slowly across the landscape without disturbing anything. Just as a cat looks around, the fog seems to “look” over the city, observing everything quietly.
Finally, the poet notes that the fog “moves on” and leaves the city just as quietly as it arrived. This suggests that, like a cat that comes and goes without anyone noticing its movements, the fog is transient and fleeting, never staying in one place for long.
Through this metaphor, the poet conveys the impermanence and quiet nature of fog, highlighting how it appears and disappears almost unnoticed, much like the graceful, unnoticed movements of a cat.