Mijbil the Otter

What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for? 

   Maxwell considered using Camusfearna for an experiment—keeping an otter as a pet instead of a dog. He was drawn to the idea due to the proximity of water, making it an ideal location for this endeavor.

What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that? 

   When Maxwell initially took Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter enthusiastically played in the water, exhibiting joyous behavior for the first thirty minutes. Two days later, Mijbil independently went to the bathroom, climbed onto the bathtub, and used its paws to turn the taps. The otter successfully manipulated the tap to produce a slow trickle of water, eventually achieving a full flow, much to the author's amazement.

How was Mij to be transported to England? 

   Maxwell planned to transport Mijbil to England by booking a flight to Paris and then flying to England. As British airlines didn't permit pets on board, authorities insisted that Mijbil be placed in an eighteen-inch square box near Maxwell's feet. An hour before departure, Maxwell placed Mijbil in the box to help him acclimate.

Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this? 

   Maxwell, recognizing no alternative for transportation, reluctantly placed Mijbil back into the box. He felt anxious and sorry for the otter, witnessing the injuries sustained in its attempt to escape.

What happened when the box was opened? 

   When the box was opened, Mijbil quickly jumped out, creating chaos on the airplane. He ran around, frightening passengers. Despite Maxwell's attempts to catch him, Mijbil eluded him, causing panic among the co-passengers. The air hostess assured Maxwell that she would help, and eventually, Mijbil returned to Maxwell, clinging to his knee and displaying affection.

What game had Mij invented? 

   Mij invented a game involving a ping-pong ball. Utilizing the sloping lid of one of the author's damaged suitcases, Mij would place the ball on the high end and then run to catch it as it slid down towards the lower end.

What group of animals do otters belong to? 

   Otters belong to the group of animals known as Mustellines. Other members of this group include badgers, mongooses, weasels, stoats, minks, and others.