Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes — The Bond of Love | CBSE 2025-26
Last Updated: May 2025 | Based on CBSE Syllabus 2025-26
Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes are here for you — 100% free!
This chapter is from your NCERT Beehive textbook. It is called The Bond of Love. The story is written by Kenneth Anderson.
It tells a beautiful story. A pet bear named Bruno lives with a family. His bond with the narrator’s wife is the heart of this chapter.
You will score more marks if you read these notes carefully. They are based on the latest CBSE syllabus 2025-26.
Table of Contents
- Chapter Overview
- Word Meanings
- Chapter Summary — The Bond of Love
- Title, Theme and Message
- Key Terms & Definitions
- Important Questions and Answers (2 Mark)
- Important Questions and Answers (5 Mark)
- 10 MCQs with Answers
- Quick Revision Points
- Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
- Featured Snippet Answer
- People Also Ask (PAA)
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Chapter Overview Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Chapter Name | The Bond of Love |
| Author | Kenneth Anderson |
| Textbook | NCERT Beehive (Class 9 English) |
| Chapter Number | Chapter 9 |
| Board | CBSE |
| Session | 2025-26 |
| Type | Prose (Story) |
| Main Character | Bruno / Baba (pet bear) |
| Key Theme | Love between human and animal |
Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes — Word Meanings
Here are the important word meanings. Learn these for your exam!
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Condiments | Spices used in food |
| Wantonly | For no good reason; carelessly |
| Prostrate | Lying flat on the ground, face down |
| Floundering | Struggling to move or act |
| Fretting | Feeling worried or upset |
Remember this! These word meanings often come in 1-mark questions in board exams.
Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes — Chapter Summary
The Bond of Love is a touching story. It shows the love between a pet bear and the narrator’s wife.
How did Bruno come?
The narrator and his friends were passing through sugarcane fields near Mysore. One of his friends killed a female sloth bear for no reason. The baby bear (cub) was found sitting on its dead mother. The narrator caught the cub and brought it home.
Bruno’s early life at home
The narrator’s wife loved the cub deeply. She named him Bruno. She fed him milk from a bottle. Later, Bruno started eating everything he could find. He ate porridge, vegetables, meat, eggs, chocolates, and even drank beer!
Bruno played with the family’s Alsatian dogs. He slept in their beds too. Everyone loved him.
The two dangerous accidents
Bruno had TWO scary incidents. Remember these for your exam!
Incident 1: Bruno ate Barium Carbonate poison kept in the library to kill rats. He fell down. He could not walk. He was vomiting. The narrator rushed him to a vet. Two injections saved his life. After 30 minutes, Bruno was back to normal!
Incident 2: Bruno drank a whole gallon of old engine oil. The oil was kept to kill termites. But it had NO effect on Bruno at all!
Bruno becomes Baba
As Bruno grew bigger, the narrator’s wife gave him a new name — Baba. In Hindustani, “Baba” means “a small boy.” Baba was sweet and loving. He also learned some fun tricks:
- When told “Baba, wrestle” — he would tackle anyone who came forward
- When told “Baba, box” — he would throw punches
- When told “Baba, hold gun” — he would point a stick at you
- When told “Baba, where’s baby?” — he would take out a piece of wood and cradle it like a baby!
Baba is sent to the zoo
Baba had grown very big. He was getting dangerous for the tenant’s children. So, Baba was chained. Everyone advised the narrator’s wife to send Baba to a zoo in Mysore. She agreed after much sadness.
Baba was put in a cage and sent to the Mysore zoo.
Baba at the zoo — both are sad
Both the narrator’s wife and Baba were very sad after separation. She cried and worried. She wrote letters to the zoo asking about Baba’s health. The zoo replied that Baba was also sad. He was not eating. He was getting thin.
She asked friends visiting Mysore to go and see Baba. Everyone said he looked sad and thin.
The emotional reunion
After three months, the narrator’s wife convinced her husband to take her to Mysore. Everyone predicted Baba would not recognise her after so long.
But something wonderful happened. Even before she reached the cage, Baba recognised her! He howled with joy. He stood on his two legs. He was delighted to see her. She petted him and fed him his favourite foods. She spent three full hours with him. She left with tears in her eyes.
She then requested the zoo to let Baba come back home.
Baba comes back home
After getting permission from the Superintendent in Bangalore, Baba was put in a cage. The cage was placed on top of their car. They drove slowly and carefully.
At home, a special island was made for Baba. It was:
- 20 feet long
- 15 feet wide
- Surrounded by a dry pit (6 feet wide, 7 feet deep)
Baba got his own wooden box to sleep in. He had straw to keep him warm. He also got his favourite toys — a stick and a piece of wood.
The narrator’s wife would visit Baba by swinging on a rope tied to a mango tree. She would sit with Baba for hours. The big bear sat in her lap. She would pat him with love.
Title, Theme and Message
Title of the Lesson
The title The Bond of Love is very apt. A bond means a strong connection. Love connects the narrator’s wife and Bruno. When they are apart, both suffer. When they meet, both are joyful. Love is the same for animals and humans!
Theme
The theme of Class 9 English Chapter 9 is the mutual love between a human and an animal. The story shows that animals also feel love, joy and sadness.
Message
The message is that animals deserve kindness. Bruno’s mother was killed for no reason. That was cruel. But the narrator’s wife showed what love can do. Animals respond to love just like humans do.
Key Terms & Important Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sloth Bear | A wild bear found in India; small and furry |
| Barium Carbonate | A poison used to kill rats; Bruno ate it accidentally |
| Baba | Hindustani word for “small boy”; Bruno’s nickname |
| Veterinary Doctor | A doctor who treats animals (also called vet) |
| Antidote | A medicine that stops the effect of a poison |
| Moat | A deep ditch filled with water; here, a dry pit around Baba’s island |
Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes — Important Questions (2 Mark)
Q1. How did the author get the baby sloth bear?
The author was passing through sugarcane fields near Mysore. One of his friends killed a female sloth bear for no reason. The baby cub was found on its dead mother’s body. The narrator caught the cub and brought it home.
Q2. What was Bruno’s food habit?
Bruno ate almost everything. He ate porridge, vegetables, nuts, fruits, meat and eggs. He also drank milk, tea, coffee, lime juice, buttermilk and even beer!
Q3. Why was Bruno renamed Baba?
As Bruno grew older, the narrator’s wife gave him a new name — Baba. “Baba” is a Hindustani word meaning “a small boy.” The name showed her love for him.
Q4. What tricks did Baba learn?
Baba learned four tricks. He could wrestle, box, hold a stick like a gun, and cradle a piece of wood like a baby. He did these when commanded.
Q5. Why was Baba sent to the Mysore zoo?
Baba grew very big. He was becoming a danger to the tenant’s children. The family and friends advised sending him to the Mysore zoo. The narrator’s wife finally agreed.
Important Questions (5 Mark)
Q1. On two occasions Bruno ate/drank something harmful. What happened each time?
Bruno had two dangerous experiences.
First time: The narrator had kept Barium Carbonate poison in the library to kill rats. Bruno found it and ate the poison. Very soon, paralysis hit him. He could not stand. He vomited and breathed heavily. The narrator rushed him to a vet. The vet gave him two injections of the antidote. After 30 minutes, Bruno recovered fully and ate a good meal!
Second time: Bruno drank an entire gallon of old engine oil. The oil was meant to kill termites. Surprisingly, the engine oil had no ill effect on Bruno at all. He was perfectly fine!
These two incidents show how tough Bruno was. They also show how much everyone cared for him.
Q2. How was Bruno transported back home? What special arrangements were made?
After permission from the Bangalore Superintendent, Baba was put in a cage given by the Mysore zoo. The cage was placed on top of the car and tied securely. The car was driven slowly all the way back.
At home, a special island was made for Baba. The island was 20 feet long and 15 feet wide. A deep dry pit surrounded the island. It was 6 feet wide and 7 feet deep. This kept Baba safe and away from the tenant’s children.
Baba got a wooden box to sleep in and straw to keep him warm. His favourite toys — a gnarled stump (his “baby”) and a bamboo piece (his “gun”) — were also placed on the island.
Q3. The story ends with a question: “Who can say a sloth bear has no sense of affection?” Discuss.
The story of Bruno beautifully proves that animals have feelings too. Bruno was loved and raised like a child. He responded with equal love.
When sent to the zoo, Bruno was heartbroken. He refused food. He became thin and sad. He missed his mistress deeply.
Three months later, when the narrator’s wife came to visit, Bruno recognised her immediately. He howled with joy and stood on his hind legs. He was so happy! At closing time, he cried bitterly at being separated again.
This proves that sloth bears do feel affection. They have memories. They have personalities. Bruno is the perfect example of this truth.
10 MCQs — Class 9 English Chapter 9
Test yourself with these MCQs! These are based on the latest CBSE 2025-26 pattern.
1. Who wrote “The Bond of Love”? (a) Ruskin Bond (b) Kenneth Anderson
✅ (c) R.K. Narayan (d) Mulk Raj Anand
2. What was the name given to the bear by the narrator’s wife? (a) Tommy (b) Bruno and later Baba
✅ (c) Only Bruno (d) Only Baba
3. What poison did Bruno accidentally eat? (a) Potassium Cyanide (b) Rat poison (c) Barium Carbonate
✅ (d) Barium Chloride
4. What did Bruno drink in the second incident? (a) Kerosene oil (b) Petrol (c) Old engine oil
✅ (d) Coconut oil
5. What does “Baba” mean in Hindustani? (a) Big bear (b) Old man (c) Small boy
✅ (d) Tiny baby
6. Where was Bruno sent when he became too big? (a) Delhi Zoo (b) Bangalore Zoo (c) Mysore Zoo
✅ (d) Mumbai Zoo
7. How did Bruno react when the narrator’s wife visited the zoo? (a) He did not recognise her (b) He was angry (c) He recognised her and howled with joy
✅ (d) He ran away
8. What was the size of the island made for Baba? (a) 10 feet × 10 feet (b) 20 feet × 15 feet
✅ (c) 15 feet × 15 feet (d) 25 feet × 20 feet
9. How did the narrator’s wife visit Baba on his island? (a) By walking over a bridge (b) By swinging on a rope tied to a mango tree
✅ (c) By climbing a ladder (d) By crossing the moat in a boat
10. What is the central theme of “The Bond of Love”? (a) Wild animals are dangerous (b) Animals should live in zoos (c) Mutual love between a human and an animal
✅ (d) Importance of veterinary science
Quick Revision Points — Class 9 English Chapter 9
Read these before your exam. Easy and fast!
- The story is written by Kenneth Anderson
- The bear cub was found after its mother was wantonly killed near Mysore
- The narrator’s wife named the bear Bruno
- Bruno ate Barium Carbonate and survived with two injections
- Bruno also drank old engine oil — it had no effect
- Bruno was later renamed Baba (Hindustani for “small boy”)
- Baba learned 4 tricks — wrestle, box, hold gun, cradle baby
- Baba was sent to Mysore Zoo as he was too big for home
- Both the narrator’s wife and Baba refused food after separation
- After 3 months, Baba recognised his mistress immediately
- Baba was brought back in a cage placed on top of the car
- A special island was built for Baba — 20 ft × 15 ft, with a dry moat
- The narrator’s wife visited Baba by swinging on a rope
- The story proves that animals also feel love and affection
- The title is apt — the bond of love cannot be broken by time or distance
Previous Year Questions (PYQs) — The Bond of Love
These questions have appeared in CBSE board exams. Practice them well!
PYQ 1 (CBSE 2020): Why was the narrator’s wife so attached to Bruno? Answer: The narrator’s wife treated Bruno like her own child. She fed him, cared for him and taught him tricks. Bruno responded with equal love. This created a deep emotional bond between them.
PYQ 2 (CBSE 2019): How did the narrator get Bruno and how was it raised? Answer: The narrator got Bruno when his friend killed a sloth bear near Mysore. The cub was found on its dead mother. The narrator’s wife raised it with great love — feeding it milk, teaching it tricks, and treating it as a member of the family.
PYQ 3 (CBSE 2018): What arrangements were made for Baba when he returned home? Answer: A special island was made — 20 ft × 15 ft, surrounded by a 6-ft wide dry moat. Baba got a wooden box, straw, and his favourite toys. The narrator’s wife visited him by swinging on a rope tied to a mango tree.
PYQ 4 (CBSE 2017): What two near-fatal accidents did Bruno have? Answer: Bruno ate Barium Carbonate poison (recovered with two vet injections) and drank a gallon of old engine oil (no effect at all).
Featured Snippet Answer Block
What is “The Bond of Love” Class 9 about?
The Bond of Love is Chapter 9 of CBSE Class 9 NCERT Beehive textbook. Written by Kenneth Anderson, it is the story of a pet sloth bear named Bruno (later Baba) and the strong emotional bond he shares with the narrator’s wife. The story shows that animals, like humans, understand and reciprocate love.
People Also Ask — Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes
Q: What is the summary of The Bond of Love Class 9?
The Bond of Love is about a bear cub named Bruno, raised by the narrator’s wife like her own child. Bruno had two dangerous accidents but survived. When sent to Mysore Zoo, both he and the narrator’s wife were heartbroken. After three months, they reunited emotionally. Baba was brought home to a special island built just for him.
Q: Who wrote The Bond of Love in Class 9 English Beehive?
The Bond of Love is written by Kenneth Anderson, a famous wildlife writer. It is Chapter 9 of the NCERT Beehive textbook for Class 9, prescribed under the CBSE syllabus 2025-26.
Q: What is the theme of The Bond of Love?
The theme of The Bond of Love is the mutual love between a human being and an animal. The story proves that animals feel love, pain, and separation just like humans. The deep bond between the narrator’s wife and Bruno is unaffected by time or distance.
Q: Why was Bruno sent to the zoo?
Bruno was sent to the Mysore Zoo because he had grown too big to live safely at home. He posed a risk to the tenant’s children. Though the narrator’s wife was heartbroken, she agreed after much persuasion from family and friends.
Q: What tricks did Bruno (Baba) learn?
Baba learned four impressive tricks. He would wrestle or box on command. He would point a stick like a gun when told “hold gun.” Most sweetly, when asked “where’s baby?” he would cradle a piece of wood like a real baby. These tricks showed his intelligence and affection.
FAQs — Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes
Q1: Is The Bond of Love in CBSE Class 9 syllabus 2025-26?
Yes! The Bond of Love is Chapter 9 of the NCERT Beehive textbook. It is fully included in the latest CBSE syllabus 2025-26. All notes here are based on the official NCERT source.
Q2: What is the meaning of the name “Baba” in this story?
In the story, the narrator’s wife renamed Bruno as “Baba.” Baba is a Hindustani word that means “a small boy.” She gave him this name because she treated him like her own little child.
Q3: How did Bruno survive after eating Barium Carbonate?
After eating Barium Carbonate, Bruno collapsed with paralysis. He was vomiting and breathing heavily. The narrator rushed him to a vet. The vet injected 10 cc of antidote twice. After 30 minutes, Bruno fully recovered and even ate a good meal.
Q4: Did Baba recognise the narrator’s wife after 3 months?
Yes! Even before she reached the cage, Baba recognised her voice and smell. He stood on his hind legs, howled with joy, and was clearly overjoyed. This proved the power of their bond.
Q5: Where can I get free Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes PDF?
You can get 100% free Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes on Nextoper.in. No signup is needed. All notes are based on the official NCERT textbook and the CBSE syllabus 2025-26.
Conclusion
In these Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes, you covered everything you need. You learned the full summary of The Bond of Love. You read about Bruno’s adventures. You practised MCQs, important questions and PYQs.
The story by Kenneth Anderson is beautiful. It shows that love between humans and animals is real and deep. Animals like Bruno feel joy, sadness and love — just like us.
Use these Class 9 English Chapter 9 Notes to revise quickly before your exam. All content is based on the official NCERT Beehive textbook and the latest CBSE syllabus 2025-26.
You got this!
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Author Bio
This article is written by the Nextoper Editorial Team. We provide free CBSE study notes for Class 9 to 12 students. All our notes are based on the latest NCERT syllabus 2025-26. Visit ncert.nic.in for the official textbook.
This blog was last reviewed and updated in May 2025 to match the latest NCERT and CBSE guidelines.
Note: This chapter has been covered as per the new CBSE syllabus 2025-26.