CBSE Class 10 English (Footprints) Chapter 1: A Triumph of Surgery NCERT Solutions

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This chapter, 'A Triumph of Surgery,' from CBSE Class 10 English (Footprints) delves into the story of Tricki, a pampered dog, and his owner, Mrs. Pumphrey. The solutions cover key questions about Tricki's unhealthy condition due to overfeeding, Mrs. Pumphrey's concern, and the veterinary surgeon's approach. It explains the narrator's strategy of hospitalization and dietary control, highlighting how Tricki's health improves without medical intervention. The solutions also explore the narrator's character, his temptation to keep Tricki longer due to the gifts received, and Mrs. Pumphrey's perception of the outcome as a 'triumph of surgery.' These detailed explanations are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story and prepare effectively for their exams.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectFootprints
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter1. A Triumph of Surgery

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'A Triumph of Surgery' (Class 10 English, Footprints) focuses on understanding the narrative of Tricki, an overfed dog, and his owner's excessive pampering. The solutions address questions related to Tricki's illness, Mrs. Pumphrey's anxiety, the vet's treatment plan, and the eventual recovery. Key themes explored include the consequences of overfeeding, the vet's practical approach, and the owner's gratitude. These solutions provide clear answers to comprehension questions, aiding students in analyzing the story's characters and plot.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the reasons behind Tricki's illness.
  • Analyze Mrs. Pumphrey's character and her pampering of Tricki.
  • Explain the veterinary surgeon's treatment strategy.
  • Evaluate the narrator's tact and common sense.
  • Identify the theme of overfeeding and its consequences.
  • Interpret the meaning of 'a triumph of surgery'.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Tricki's pampered lifestyle
  • Symptoms of overfeeding in pets
  • Mrs. Pumphrey's concern and actions
  • The role of the veterinary surgeon
  • Hospitalization of a pet
  • Dietary control and exercise
  • Pet recovery and owner's gratitude
  • Consequences of excessive pampering
  • Character analysis of the narrator
  • Interpretation of the story's title

Important topics

  • Understanding Tricki's illness due to overfeeding
  • The veterinary surgeon's practical approach to treatment
  • Analyzing the characters of Mrs. Pumphrey and the narrator
  • The significance of the title 'A Triumph of Surgery'
  • Consequences of excessive pampering of pets

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out - Question 1

Why is Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
Solution: Mrs. Pumphrey is deeply worried and distressed about Tricki because he has completely lost his appetite. He refuses to eat even his favorite dishes and has been experiencing bouts of vomiting. Tricki spends most of his time lying listlessly on the rug, panting heavily, and shows no interest in going for walks or engaging in any activity. This drastic change in his behavior causes her significant anxiety.

Read and Find Out - Question 2

What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
Solution: To help Tricki, Mrs. Pumphrey calls the veterinary surgeon, Mr. Herriot. Her decision to seek professional help is indeed wise, as Tricki's condition requires expert attention. Following the doctor's advice, she agrees to hospitalize Tricki, despite her emotional distress and tears, demonstrating her willingness to prioritize his health over her own feelings.

Read and Find Out - Question 3

Who does 'I' refer to in this story?
Solution: In this story, the pronoun 'I' refers to the narrator, who is Mr. Herriot, the veterinary surgeon.

Read and Find Out - Question 1

Is the narrator as rich as Tricki's mistress?
Solution: While the narrator, Mr. Herriot, does not explicitly state his wealth, several details in the story suggest he is not as affluent as Tricki's mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey. Tricki's home boasts multiple beds, numerous toys, a vast wardrobe, and various bowls for different meals, indicating extreme luxury. In contrast, Mr. Herriot provides a simple, warm 'loose box' for Tricki. Furthermore, Mrs. Pumphrey's extravagant gifts of two dozen eggs, bottles of wine, and brandy, along with her arrival in a chauffeur-driven limousine, clearly highlight her opulent lifestyle compared to the narrator's more modest circumstances.

Read and Find Out - Question 2

How does he treat the dog?
Solution: The narrator, Mr. Herriot, correctly diagnoses that Tricki is not genuinely ill but is suffering from the consequences of overfeeding and lack of exercise. He implements a strict treatment plan: Tricki is given no food for two days, only plenty of water. This dietary restriction helps him recover from his vomiting and lethargic state. Gradually, Tricki begins to show interest in his surroundings and starts interacting with the other dogs at the surgery. By the third day, he eagerly eats his food. His recovery is rapid thereafter, and he regains his health and energy without any specific medical treatment.

Read and Find Out - Question 3

Why is he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?
Solution: The narrator is tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest primarily because of the luxurious provisions sent by Mrs. Pumphrey. Initially, she sends eggs to build Tricki's strength. Later, she sends bottles of wine and brandy. The narrator and his veterinary partners thoroughly enjoy these delicacies, consuming the eggs for breakfast, the wine during lunch, and the brandy in the evenings. These enjoyable perks make the prospect of Tricki staying longer seem very appealing to the narrator and his staff.

Read and Find Out - Question 4

Why does Mrs. Pumphrey think the dog's recovery is "a triumph of surgery"?
Solution: Mrs. Pumphrey considers Tricki's recovery a "triumph of surgery" because she is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude upon seeing him completely transformed. In just two weeks, Tricki has gone from being sluggish and unwell to a healthy, hard-muscled animal. When he joyfully leaps into her lap and licks her face, she is so emotional that tears stream down her face. She attributes this remarkable and rapid recovery to the veterinary surgeon's skill and intervention, expressing her immense happiness and belief in his surgical prowess, even though no actual surgery was performed.

Think about It - Question 1

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?
Solution: The narrator, Mr. Herriot, appears to be a highly practical, sensible, and tactful veterinary surgeon. He demonstrates common sense by quickly diagnosing Tricki's condition as a result of overfeeding rather than a serious illness. His tact is evident in how he handles Mrs. Pumphrey's excessive pampering; instead of directly criticizing her, he proposes a course of action (hospitalization) that he knows will lead to Tricki's recovery. He also shows professionalism by accepting the gifts from Mrs. Pumphrey, understanding their importance to her gratitude, while ensuring they benefit his staff and himself, thus managing the situation effectively without causing offense.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Tricki's illness with a serious medical condition rather than overfeeding.
  • Underestimating the narrator's practical approach and focusing only on the 'surgery' aspect.
  • Misinterpreting the narrator's temptation to keep Tricki as purely selfish rather than a result of enjoyed perks.

Revision tips

  • Focus on the cause-and-effect relationship between Mrs. Pumphrey's pampering and Tricki's health.
  • Analyze the narrator's actions and motivations throughout the story.
  • Pay attention to the details that highlight the contrast between Tricki's life at home and at the surgery.
  • Understand why Mrs. Pumphrey considers the outcome a 'triumph of surgery'.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was Mrs. Pumphrey extremely worried about Tricki at the beginning of the story?

Q2. What was the narrator's initial diagnosis of Tricki's condition?

Q3. How did the narrator treat Tricki during his stay at the surgery?

Q4. What gifts did Mrs. Pumphrey send for Tricki while he was at the surgery?

Q5. Why did the narrator feel tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest?

Q6. What does Mrs. Pumphrey mean by 'a triumph of surgery'?

Frequently asked questions

Who is the narrator in 'A Triumph of Surgery'?

The narrator is Mr. Herriot, a veterinary surgeon who treats Tricki.

What was the main problem with Tricki?

Tricki's main problem was that he was overfed by his owner, Mrs. Pumphrey, leading to obesity and related health issues like vomiting and lethargy.

Did Tricki actually undergo surgery?

No, Tricki did not undergo any surgery. His recovery was due to a change in diet and increased activity, which Mrs. Pumphrey mistakenly attributed to surgery.

How did the narrator treat Tricki?

The narrator treated Tricki by hospitalizing him, giving him plenty of water, and strictly controlling his diet while encouraging him to exercise and interact with other dogs.

Why did Mrs. Pumphrey send eggs, wine, and brandy?

She sent these items believing they would help Tricki regain his strength and recover faster, showing her deep affection and concern.

What does the story teach us about pet care?

The story teaches the importance of balanced feeding, regular exercise, and avoiding overpampering pets to ensure their health and well-being.

Important links

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