THE TRIUMPH OF SURGERY

THE TRIUMPH OF SURGERY

FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

CLASS - X (ENGLISH)

NCERT / CBSE / MBOSE)

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 1. Why is Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki?

Answer: Tricki became very fat, looking like a bloated sausage. He had no energy, so Mrs. Pumphrey thought he was weak from lack of nutrition and ended up overfeeding him. Tricki couldn’t resist food, which made him overweight. He spent most of his time resting in his fancy tweed coats without doing any exercise.

2. What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?

Answer: At first, Mrs. Pumphrey noticed that Tricki was unusually tired and lacked energy. Thinking he might be weak due to a lack of nutrition, she started giving him extra treats between meals, such as malt, cod-liver oil, and a bowl of Horlicks at night to help him sleep. She also spoiled him with cream cakes and chocolates but ignored the importance of exercise. As a result, Tricki became very overweight, looking like a stuffed sausage with legs. Overfeeding made his condition worse, leaving him even more sluggish and heavy. Worried about his health, Mrs. Pumphrey turned to Dr. Herriot, a veterinary surgeon, for help.

        Yes, she was wise in this.

3. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?

Answer: In the story, "I" refers to Mr. Herriot, a veterinary surgeon who treated Tricki and helped him recover his health.

4. Is the narrator as rich as Tricki’s mistress?

Answer: No, the narrator, Mr. Herriot is not as rich as Mrs. Pumphrey. He is a veterinary surgeon who has treated Tricki. Tricki’s owner, Mrs. Pumphrey, was very rich and well-to-do. She dressed Tricki in fancy tweed coats and gave him malt, cod-liver oil, and a bowl of Horlicks. She often treated him to ice creams and chocolates. He even had separate beds for day and night and a special bowl for supper. Although the exact difference in wealth is not mentioned, Mrs. Pumphrey appears to be quite wealthy throughout the story. At the hospital, Tricki was given a loose box as a bed. When Mrs. Pumphrey came to drop him off at the doctor’s, she had a large staff helping to load all his belongings into the car. While he was at the hospital, she continued to send his favorite food. When the doctor informed her that Tricki was recovering, she sent two dozen eggs, along with wine and brandy. These details clearly show that she was a wealthy lady.

5. How does he treat the dog?

Answer: Dr. Herriot adopted a disciplined approach to treat Tricki. Instead of giving him extra food, he realized that Tricki needed a controlled diet and regular exercise. At first, he reduced Tricki’s food and kept a close eye on his condition. Gradually, he gave him a balanced diet and let him play and exercise. This method improved Tricki’s health, and he got better without any medicine.

6. Why is he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?

Answer: Dr. Herriot feels tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest because of the amazing improvement he sees in the dog. When Tricki first comes to the clinic, he is overweight and lazy. However, with proper care, a healthy diet, and regular exercise, Tricki changes completely. He becomes energetic, playful, and much healthier.

Dr. Herriot feels happy to see Tricki so full of life. The dog's cheerful and lively behavior makes the clinic a happier place, and Dr. Herriot enjoys having him around. Tricki's recovery brings joy to everyone, making it hard for Dr. Herriot to let him go. The strong bond between them and the positive vibe Tricki adds to the clinic make the idea of keeping him permanently quite appealing.

7. Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?

Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey calls Tricki’s recovery “a triumph of surgery” because she is amazed by the drastic improvement in his health and energy. At first, Tricki was overweight and lazy, but after being treated by Dr. Herriot, he became active and healthy again. Mrs. Pumphrey believes this recovery shows how skilled and effective Dr. Herriot's treatment was. The phrase “a triumph of surgery” shows how much she admires the vet’s work and the successful way he brought Tricki back to his former healthy life.

8. What kind of a person do you think the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, is? Would you say he is tactful as well as full of common sense?

Answer: Dr. Herriot, the narrator, comes across as sensible and thoughtful. His professionalism and understanding are clear in the way he treats Tricki. He carefully handles the situation, realizing that Tricki’s weight problem is caused by overfeeding, not a serious illness needing extreme treatment. Dr. Herriot gently suggests that Mrs. Pumphrey hospitalize Tricki for a while, knowing how much she cares for the dog and addressing her worries with kindness.

His practical sense is shown through his simple approach to Tricki’s recovery. Instead of using unnecessary treatments, he focuses on a healthy diet and regular exercise, which work well. Dr. Herriot’s ability to mix medical knowledge with kindness toward both the pet and its owner shows his good sense and thoughtful nature.

9. Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen now?

Answer: Yes, Tricki was probably happy to go home. By the time he was ready to return, he had regained his health and energy, showing more liveliness and enthusiasm. These positive changes suggest he was in a much better condition both physically and emotionally.

As for what happens next, Mrs. Pumphrey will need to continue the new routine and diet that Dr. Herriot recommended to keep Tricki healthy. Although Tricki’s recovery is impressive, it’s important that Mrs. Pumphrey avoids going back to overfeeding and spoiling him. If she follows Dr. Herriot’s advice by giving him balanced meals and regular exercise, Tricki is likely to stay healthy and happy.

Dr. Herriot’s practical approach shows his good sense. Instead of using unnecessary treatments, he focuses on a simple yet effective plan with a balanced diet and regular exercise. His ability to combine medical knowledge with kindness towards both the pet and its owner reflects his tact and practical wisdom.

10. Do you think this is a real-life episode or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of both?

Answer: This story combines elements of real life and fiction. It is based on realistic situations, like dealing with a pet’s health problems and the skills of a veterinary surgeon. Tricki’s recovery through medical care and Dr. Herriot’s practical approach reflect real aspects of pet care.

However, some details and the way the story is told, with its dramatic and idealized ending, suggest that parts of it might be fictional. The story is made to be engaging and highlights Dr. Herriot’s successful efforts, which could be slightly exaggerated for effect.

In short, while the main events seem realistic, some parts are likely fictionalized to make the story more interesting and inspiring.