What good and bad things did Durrell find in N'pongo's behaviour when compared to chimpanzees? What did Durrell realise when N'pongo entered into adulthood in gorilla in the guest house
answer would be long and relevant ✔✔
Answers
Explanation:
Indian students should read Durrell’s stories with keener interest, because this highly acclaimed British naturalist was born in Jamshedpur. John Durrell (1925 -1995) was a multi-faceted personality. He was both an avid watcher of the natural world, as he was an articulate communicator on animal matters. As a TV presenter, he made a name for himself, but like Salim Ali, he loved to wander in the world of flora and fauna. He observed the animals, their habits and habitats, and from this hobby, he derived all his creative energy. Right from his childhood, he took to collecting and rearing myriad species of animals from different parts of the world. He was passionate about the conservation of the animal world, and wrote many stories, travelogues and first-hand accounts of his expeditions to see the animals in the wild. ‘A Gorilla in the Guest Room’ is one such story that centers around the establishment of a zoo.
His childhood stay in Corfu proved to trigger and shape his lifelong pursuit of pleasure in watching, and learning the intriguing lives of animals. The book ‘My Family and Other Animals’ written by him bristles with humour and is lovingly read by young and old alike. As a TV anchor, he produced many shows that were vibrant, entertaining with great educational value.
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The story ..
Durrell is a zoo-keeper. Although, he is just a salaried man, his interests in the world of animals and plants go far beyound that. He connects with the animals with great warmth and passion. So, he enjoys his job. He lives with his mother, and wife, Jacquie.
The story starts with the letter of a writer pleading with Durrell to take possession of the Rhesus monkey that had caused considerable inconvenience to their family by its playful antics. The mother had been taken ill by the vigorous jumping around of the growing monkey.
After reading the letter, Durrell concluded that the decrepit zoo needed some good deal of renovation, and a facelift. After all, a zoo has to function as a model sanctuary of animals for the benefit of people. Durrell pondered over the idea of getting rid of the common species occupying the facility with some exotic ones. However, when he sat down to list the possible newcomers, he found that the list ran to three volumes, even excluding the reptiles. Durrell found it difficult to short-list the ones that could be brought in. Around this time, an animal dealer called him to ask if he would be interested to buy a baby gorilla from him.
Looking for the ‘elusive’ gorilla ….
Gorillas don’t proliferate as much as other species do, so they are in rarity. African jungles are their natural habitats, but the continent had been caught in internecine conflicts, illegal trading in animals, and similar other causes that had pushed the gorillas to the edge of extinction. Animal conservation was seldom in the governments’ agenda. No wonder, with fast dwindling numbers, gorillas became too elusive for animal collectors. Durrell was not quite convinced that the dealer was serious about his offer of a baby gorilla. Animal dealers, generally, had pathetic awareness about the species they trade in. So, Durrell assumed that the dealer possibly had a chimpanzee to offer. Nevertheless, he couldn’t dismiss the offer out of hand.
A gorilla is spotted ...
The dealer quoted twelve hundred pounds for the animal. Durell thought for a oment, and conveyed his readiness to cut a deal. He decides that he will inspect the animal at the London airport, and would take it if it was in relatively good shape. Durrell’s mother was excited about the prospect of having a baby gorilla around. Durrell’s wife, Jacquie, scanned the landscape both sides. He saw the cattle speed past their car. He was seated comfortably in Durrell’s lap. On arriving at home, Durrel decided to keep N’Pongo in the guest room as his cage was not sill ready. In very short time, N’Pongo endeered himself to Durrell’s mother and wife. They virtually fawned over him. He got some delicacies as welcome snack.
Durrell had an unpleasant experience with a chimpanzee guest earlier. The primate literally destroyed the room’s decor. This time, Durrell kept an eye on N’Pongo, so that he could not mess around the furniture. But, the guest wanted to know his room first. He walked around the place watching everything with keen interest. Happily for Durrell, his guest was well-behaved and didn’t fiddle with anything. Durrell was immensely impressed with his guest’s restraint and demeanour. In due course N’Pongo retired to sleep. By then, he had won the heart of Durrell’s mother’s heart. So impressed was she that she suggested that N’Pongo remain in the house permanently. Chumley, the chimpanzee, had left so much horror behind that Durrell had to turn down his mother’s plea outright.
N’Pongo had the airs of a ‘gentleman’….