Class 9 English Notes Chapter 9 (The Bond of Love) – Beehive English Text Book Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 9, 'The Bond of Love' by Kenneth Anderson. This chapter is a touching account of the relationship between humans and a wild animal, specifically a sloth bear. For your exam preparation, pay close attention to the characters, the sequence of events, and the underlying themes.

About the Author: Kenneth Anderson was an Indian-born British writer and hunter, known for his adventures in the jungles of South India. While known for hunting man-eaters, this story showcases his softer side and understanding of animal behaviour and emotions.

Chapter Summary: 'The Bond of Love'

1. Finding Bruno:

   • The narrator and his companions were passing through sugarcane fields near Mysore.
   • They encountered a sloth bear. One companion shot the bear dead, unnecessarily.
   • They discovered a baby bear (cub) riding on its dead mother's back.
   • The narrator rescued the cub, put it in a gunny bag, and took it home to Bangalore, presenting it to his wife.

2. Bruno's Upbringing:

   • The narrator's wife was delighted and immediately christened the cub 'Bruno'.
   • She nurtured him like a human child, initially feeding him milk from a bottle.
   • As Bruno grew, his diet expanded to include porridge, vegetables, fruits, nuts, meat (especially pork), curry and rice, regardless of condiments and chillies, bread, eggs, chocolates, sweets, pudding, ice-cream, etc. He essentially ate everything. He particularly enjoyed beverages like milk, tea, coffee, lime-juice, aerated water, buttermilk, beer, and alcoholic liquor.
   • Bruno became very attached to the narrator's wife and the family's two Alsatian dogs, and even the tenants' children. He was playful, spent time running around, playing, and even sleeping in their beds.

3. Mischievous Bruno & Accidents:

   • The Poison Incident: Bruno accidentally consumed Barium Carbonate, a poison kept to kill rats. He suffered paralysis and couldn't stand. The narrator rushed him to a veterinary doctor. An antidote (10 c.c. of the antidote, repeated) was administered, and after about 30 minutes, Bruno recovered, though weakened. He eventually ate normally again.
   • The Engine Oil Incident: Bruno later drank nearly a gallon of old engine oil meant to deter termites. Fortunately, it had no ill effects on him.

4. Growing Up & The Zoo Decision:

   • Bruno grew considerably in size (many times the size of the Alsatians) but remained sweet, mischievous, and playful.
   • His name was changed to 'Baba' (a Hindustani word signifying a small boy). He learned tricks like holding a stick like a 'gun' and cradling a stump of wood like a 'baby'.
   • Due to his large size, keeping him at home became difficult and potentially unsafe for the tenants' children.
   • The narrator, his son, and friends advised sending Baba to the zoo. After weeks of deliberation, the narrator's wife reluctantly agreed.
   • A letter was sent to the curator of the Mysore Zoo, who agreed to accept the bear. Baba was crated and transported to the Mysore Zoo.

5. Separation and Grief:

   • Everyone missed Baba, but the narrator's wife was inconsolable. She wept, fretted, and refused to eat for days.
   • She wrote letters to the curator about Baba's well-being. Reports indicated Baba was well but fretting (refusing food too).

6. Reunion at the Zoo:

   • Friends visiting Mysore reported that Baba looked thin and sad.
   • The narrator's wife insisted on visiting him. The narrator took her to the Mysore Zoo.
   • Friends had predicted Baba wouldn't recognize her, but he did, howling with happiness. She ran up to the cage, petted him, and fed him his favourite treats.
   • She spent three hours by the cage, refusing to leave. She pleaded with the zoo superintendent to let her have Baba back.

7. Bringing Baba Home:

   • The superintendent, a kind man, was moved by their bond. He acknowledged Baba was fretting and agreed it was best for the bear to return home.
   • He wrote to the curator, who agreed. The narrator arranged for a cage and transport back to Bangalore.

8. A Special Home for Baba:

   • Back home, a special 'island' was created for Baba in the compound. It was a 20 feet long, 15 feet wide area surrounded by a dry moat (or pit) 6 feet wide and 7 feet deep.
   • A wooden box, previously used for fowls, was placed on the island for Baba to sleep in, filled with straw. His 'baby' (gnarled stump) and 'gun' (piece of bamboo) were placed there too.
   • Baba was happy in his new enclosure. The narrator's wife would spend hours sitting on a chair by the moat, talking to him, while he sat on his haunches, happy to be near her.

Characters:

• The Narrator: An observer and participant in the story. He rescues Bruno but is also practical about the difficulties of keeping a large bear.
• The Narrator's Wife: The central human character. Deeply affectionate, emotional, and forms an incredibly strong, motherly bond with Bruno/Baba. Her determination drives the bear's return.
• Bruno / Baba: The sloth bear cub. Playful, intelligent, affectionate, and possesses distinct emotions and memory. Forms a deep bond with the narrator's wife.

Themes:

• The Bond of Love: The primary theme, highlighting that love and affection can exist between humans and wild animals, transcending species barriers.
• Companionship: The story shows how animals can provide deep companionship.
• Animal Emotions and Intelligence: Bruno displays clear signs of happiness, sadness, recognition, memory, and playfulness, challenging the notion of animals as unfeeling creatures.
• Separation and Reunion: The pain of separation and the joy of reunion are central emotional arcs in the story.
• Responsibility of Pet Ownership: The story implicitly touches upon the challenges and responsibilities involved in keeping a wild animal as a pet.

Key Points for Exams:

• Remember how Bruno was acquired (mother shot, cub rescued).
• Know Bruno's varied diet and favourite items.
• Recall the two specific accidents (Barium Carbonate poisoning, Engine Oil incident) and their outcomes.
• Understand why Bruno was sent to the zoo (size, safety concerns).
• Know the location of the zoo (Mysore).
• Remember the details of the reunion at the zoo and the wife's interaction with Baba.
• Recall the role of the zoo superintendent in facilitating Baba's return.
• Know the details of the special enclosure (island, moat, sleeping box) built for Baba upon his return.
• The name change from Bruno to Baba signifies his integration into the family.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. How did the narrator acquire the baby sloth bear?
   a) He bought it from a hunter.
   b) He found it abandoned in the forest.
   c) He rescued it after its mother was shot.
   d) It wandered into his garden.

2. What name did the narrator's wife give the bear cub initially?
   a) Baba
   b) Teddy
   c) Bruno
   d) Sheru

3. Which substance did Bruno accidentally consume that caused paralysis?
   a) Rat poison (Barium Carbonate)
   b) Old engine oil
   c) Insecticide spray
   d) Spoiled meat

4. What was Bruno's diet like in the narrator's home?
   a) Strictly fruits and honey.
   b) Only milk and porridge.
   c) Vegetarian food only.
   d) Omnivorous, including meat, vegetables, sweets, and beverages.

5. Why was Bruno eventually sent away to the zoo?
   a) He became too aggressive.
   b) He was too big to be kept at home safely.
   c) The narrator's wife lost interest in him.
   d) The zoo offered a large sum of money for him.

6. To which city's zoo was Baba sent?
   a) Bangalore
   b) Chennai
   c) Mysore
   d) Delhi

7. How did Baba react upon seeing the narrator's wife at the zoo after months of separation?
   a) He ignored her completely.
   b) He growled aggressively.
   c) He howled with happiness and recognized her instantly.
   d) He hid in his enclosure.

8. Who gave the permission for Baba to return home from the zoo?
   a) The narrator's friends
   b) The zoo curator, upon the superintendent's request
   c) The local government official
   d) The veterinary doctor

9. What special arrangement was made for Baba at the narrator's home upon his return?
   a) A large steel cage in the house.
   b) A reinforced room in the basement.
   c) An 'island' surrounded by a dry moat in the compound.
   d) A chain attached to a strong tree.

10. What does the story 'The Bond of Love' primarily emphasize?
    a) The dangers of keeping wild animals.
    b) The intelligence of sloth bears.
    c) The strong emotional connection possible between humans and animals.
    d) The inefficiency of zoos.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) He rescued it after its mother was shot.
2. c) Bruno
3. a) Rat poison (Barium Carbonate)
4. d) Omnivorous, including meat, vegetables, sweets, and beverages.
5. b) He was too big to be kept at home safely.
6. c) Mysore
7. c) He howled with happiness and recognized her instantly.
8. b) The zoo curator, upon the superintendent's request
9. c) An 'island' surrounded by a dry moat in the compound.
10. c) The strong emotional connection possible between humans and animals.

Study these notes carefully, focusing on the details and the emotional journey of the characters. Understanding the sequence of events and the motivations behind actions is crucial. Good luck with your preparation!