Chapter 9: The Bond of Love

Introduction: An Unconventional Pet

This heartwarming story, "The Bond of Love," by Kenneth Anderson, describes the unique relationship between a human family and a sloth bear. It highlights the deep affection and understanding that can develop between humans and animals, transcending species boundaries. The narrative centers on the narrator's wife and her beloved pet bear, Bruno, who later becomes 'Baba'. It explores themes of love, attachment, separation, and reunion, demonstrating that animals, like humans, are capable of profound emotional bonds.

Illustration of a woman affectionately interacting with a sloth bear.

Bruno, the Beloved Bear

The story begins with the narrator acquiring a baby sloth bear, captured by his companions in a sugarcane field. The bear, named Bruno, quickly becomes a cherished member of the family, especially loved by the narrator's wife. He is playful, mischievous, and develops a strong bond with everyone, including the household dogs and the children. Bruno learns a few tricks and eats almost anything, reflecting his playful and adaptable nature. He is given the name 'Baba' (meaning 'small boy' in Hindi) by the narrator's wife, a testament to her deep affection for him, treating him like her own child.

Separation and Reunion

As Bruno grows too large and powerful to be kept safely at home, the narrator and his friends decide, reluctantly, to send him to a zoo in Mysore. The narrator's wife is heartbroken but eventually agrees for Bruno's safety and well-being. However, the separation proves unbearable for her; she pines for Bruno and stops eating. After three months of profound sadness, she insists on visiting him at the zoo. The reunion is incredibly emotional, with Bruno recognizing her instantly and expressing his joy. She spends hours with him and even feeds him.

Realizing the depth of their bond and seeing Bruno's distress in the zoo, the narrator's wife persuades the zoo superintendent to allow them to take Bruno back. Despite initial resistance, a special island enclosure is built for Bruno at their home. Bruno is joyfully returned home, where he lives happily with his beloved human family once again, confirming the extraordinary and enduring bond they share.

Thinking About the Text (Questions & Answers)

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

  1. How did the narrator get the baby sloth bear?

    The narrator got the baby sloth bear when his companions shot a mother bear in a sugarcane field, and the baby bear was left behind.

  2. What name was given to the bear cub?

    The bear cub was initially named Bruno.

  3. What did the narrator’s wife rename Bruno?

    The narrator’s wife renamed Bruno as 'Baba'.

  4. Why was the bear cub named Baba?

    The bear cub was named Baba because it was an affectionate and small Hindi word for 'small boy', reflecting the narrator's wife's treatment of him like her child.

  5. What fatal incident happened with Bruno?

    Bruno accidentally ate barium carbonate (rat poison) and drank old engine oil, which made him seriously ill.

  6. Where was Bruno sent when he grew too big?

    Bruno was sent to a zoo in Mysore when he grew too big.

  7. How did the narrator’s wife react after Bruno was sent away?

    The narrator's wife was inconsolable, she wept and fretted, refused to eat, and felt a void in her life after Bruno was sent away.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

  1. Describe the relationship between the narrator’s wife and Bruno.

    The narrator's wife and Bruno shared an extraordinarily deep and loving bond. She treated him like her child, feeding him, playing with him, and mourning his absence greatly when he was sent away.

  2. How did Bruno recover from the poisoning?

    Bruno recovered from the poisoning after the narrator rushed him to the vet, who gave him two anti-dotes and sedatives, allowing him to gradually get better.

  3. Why did the narrator and his friends decide to send Bruno to the zoo?

    They decided to send Bruno to the zoo because he had grown too large for their small bungalow, making it difficult and potentially unsafe to keep him at home, especially with the tenants' children.

  4. What arrangements were made for Bruno’s return home?

    For Bruno’s return, a special island with a dry pit, a sleeping box, and his favourite things was built in the compound, surrounded by a dry moat, to keep him safe and contained.

III. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).

  1. Describe the qualities of Bruno that made him such a lovable pet.

    Bruno, the sloth bear, possessed several qualities that made him an exceptionally lovable pet. He was very affectionate and quickly developed a strong bond with the narrator's wife, treating her as his mother. He was playful and mischievous, enjoying various games and tricks. His intelligence was evident in his ability to learn commands and perform actions like wrestling. Bruno was also highly adaptable, consuming a wide range of food items from porridge to vegetables and even a mixture of poison and engine oil, though the latter was accidental.

    Moreover, Bruno displayed a gentle and tolerant nature, getting along well with the household dogs and even the children of the tenants. His personality was vibrant, filling the home with joy and laughter. The depth of his affection was particularly evident during the reunion with the narrator's wife at the zoo, where his excitement and recognition demonstrated the profound emotional connection he felt. These qualities collectively made Bruno not just a pet, but a beloved family member.

  2. Narrate the emotional reunion of the narrator’s wife and Bruno at the zoo.

    The reunion of the narrator’s wife and Bruno at the Mysore Zoo was profoundly emotional and highlights the extraordinary bond they shared. Three months after Bruno was sent away, the narrator's wife was deeply distressed, refusing food and visibly pining for him. Overcoming initial reluctance, she finally persuaded her husband to take her to the zoo.

    Upon reaching Bruno's enclosure, the wife called out to him, and Bruno, despite being a wild animal, recognized her instantly. He howled with happiness, standing on his head in excitement, a trick he used to perform. She rushed to his cage, embracing and petting him through the bars, while he affectionately put his paws on her. She spent three hours feeding him and showering him with affection, demonstrating that the bond of love remained unbroken. This poignant reunion convinced everyone, including the zoo superintendent, of the unique and deep connection between them, leading to Bruno's eventual return home.

(Uses browser's print-to-PDF. Appearance may vary.)