NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 1 - A Triumph of Surgery

Read and Find Out - Page 1

Q1: Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was very concerned and unhappy about Tricki's health because he wasn't eating. He wouldn't eat his favorite foods and kept vomiting. He spent all his time lying on a rug, breathing heavily, and wasn't interested in going for his usual walks either.

Q2: What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
Ans: Initially, Mrs Pumphrey thought that Tricki had become listless, as he seemed to have no energy. She assumed that he must be suffering from malnutrition, so she started giving him some little extras between meals to build him up, some malt and cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep. She would also indulge him in cream cakes and chocolates unnecessarily and did not give him enough exercise. With all this pampering and indulgence, Tricki became hugely fat, like a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner. It was absolutely not a wise decision on the part of his mistress to overfeed him. Hence, her actions were not wise, as they worsened his condition. Eventually, she seeks help from Dr. Herriot.

Q3: Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Ans: In this story, ‘I’ refers to the veterinary surgeon, Mr Herriot.

Read and Find Out - Page 3

Q1: Is the narrator as rich as Tricki’s mistress?
Ans: There are some instances in the story that suggest Dr Herriot was not as rich as Tricki’s mistress, Mrs Pumphrey. This is evident from the fact that the narrator could not provide a luxurious life such as a cosy bed stuffed with favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings along with bowls for different meals of the day, rather he made up a bed for Tricki in a warm loose box next to the one where the other dogs slept. The doctor also could not afford an entire staff of maids and caretakers just like Mrs Pumphrey to take care of the sole well-being and maintenance of her pet, Tricki.

Q2: How does he treat the dog?
Ans: Dr. Herriot didn't spoil Tricki with unnecessary treats. Instead, he treated him like an overweight and lazy dog who needed more exercise and a controlled diet. He reduced Tricki's food intake and kept a close watch on him for the first few days. Over time, he gradually increased Tricki's food with a balanced diet, which allowed him to engage in physical activities to boost his health. Slowly, Tricki's health began to improve, and he didn't need any medicine to recover from his illness.

Q3: Why is he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?
Ans: Mrs Pumphrey started to bring round fresh eggs, two dozen at a time, to build up Tricki’s strength. Later even bottles of wine and brandy began to arrive. The narrator, along with his partners, enjoyed having two eggs each for breakfast, wine and brandy that was meant for Tricki. They were days of deep content, starting well with the extra egg in the morning, improved and sustained by the midday wine and finishing luxuriously around the fire with the brandy. It was indeed a strong temptation for Herriot to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest to enjoy the luxurious inflow of all these food items.

Q4: Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “A Triumph of Surgery”?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey believed Tricki was seriously ill when she consulted Dr. Herriot, but within two weeks, her pet had fully recovered. She was thrilled to see that he had transformed into a fit and strong dog. When Dr. Herriot returned Tricki to her, the dog made a huge leap and landed in her lap. His recovery without any medicine was remarkable, and Mrs. Pumphrey, grateful and happy, called it "a triumph of surgery" to show her appreciation to the doctor.

Think About it - Page 6

Q1: 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?
Ans: The narrator, Dr. Herriot, is a wise and tactful person. He skillfully diagnoses Tricki's condition, recognizing that it was caused by overfeeding rather than illness. Instead of opting for surgery, he adjusts Tricki's diet and encourages exercise, leading to a full recovery within two weeks. Dr. Herriot's tact is evident in how he convinces Mrs. Pumphrey to hospitalize Tricki, while his common sense ensures he treats the dog effectively. Though tempted by the luxurious food sent by Mrs. Pumphrey, he chooses to return Tricki, demonstrating his professionalism and ethical approach.

Q2: Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen now?
Ans: Tricki was happy to go back home as he really loved his mistress and the comfort of his lavish life. He didn’t have any friends at home like in the hospital, but he seemed equally excited at the sight of Mrs Pumphrey. I think that Mrs Pumphrey will now be careful about Tricki’s diet and health. She may also give him exercise daily as prescribed by the vet earlier.

Q3: Do you think this is a real-life episode or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of both?
Ans: ​The story seems to be a blend of fiction and a real-life incident. It is quite natural for rich people to overfeed their pets due to love and affection, just like Mrs Pumphrey did. We have observed how due to her pampering, the dog was overeating and became lazy and bulky. Similarly, it isn’t unusual for rich people who try to provide a luxurious life for their pets and indulge them often. However, it might be unlikely for a veterinary doctor like Dr Herriot who went out of his way and lied about surgery to the owner in order to save her pet from unnecessary indulgences.

Talk About it - Page 7

Q1: This episode describes the silly behavior of a rich woman who is foolishly indulgent, perhaps because she is lonely. Do you think such people are merely silly, or can their actions cause harm to others?

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey's misguided actions of overfeeding Tricki had a negative impact on her pet's health. She made Tricki eat too much and gave him fatty foods, thinking it was an expression of love and care. This led to his condition worsening, making him so lazy and overweight that he couldn't even go for short walks. Wealthy people like Mrs. Pumphrey often spoil their pets with excessive food, believing it will improve their health, but this can actually have harmful effects.

Q2: Do you think there are also parents like Mrs. Pumphrey?

Ans: Yes, some parents, like Mrs. Pumphrey, spoil their children by over-indulging and pampering them. They may overfeed their children or pets, even though they know the negative effects of overeating on their health. It is important for parents like Mrs. Pumphrey to monitor and maintain a healthy lifestyle for their family members and pets to avoid such issues.

Q3: What would you have done if you were:
(i) a member of the staff in Mrs Pumphrey’s household,
(ii) a neighbour? 
What would your life have been like, in general?
Ans:

(i) If I were a member of the staff in Mrs. Pumphrey's household, I would have followed the vet's advice, ensuring Tricki received the proper diet and regular exercise to maintain his health. I would not have blindly followed Mrs. Pumphrey's indulgent habits, such as sending unnecessary luxuries to the hospital. My life would have been busy, balancing household duties while taking care of Tricki’s needs.

(ii) If I were Mrs. Pumphrey’s neighbor, I would have advised her to keep Tricki on a strict, healthy diet and engage him in physical activities like playing or walking. If his health worsened, I would have encouraged her to consult a vet and strictly follow the advice. I would have offered support and kindness, especially when Tricki needed hospitalization. Living next to Mrs. Pumphrey would have been filled with surprises, as she was generous and loving, often sharing gifts and treats.

Q4: What would you have done if you were in the narrator’s place?
Ans: If I were in the narrator’s place, I would have treated Tricki in a similar fashion with love and compassion. I would have been vigilant and caring, just like Mr James Herriot was towards Tricki. However, I would have been a little strict while advising Mrs Pumphrey to put Tricki on a balanced diet knowing her love for her dear pet. Besides, I would have also not consumed Tricki’s share of eggs, wine and brandy sent by Mrs Pumphrey and resisted my temptation to keep Tricki as my permanent guest in my hospital.