NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet

Chapter 1 A Triumph of Surgery

Updated For 2024-2025
Exams

READ AND FIND OUT

Q1. Why is Mrs.
Pumphrey worried about Tricki?

Answer:
Mrs. Pumphrey is worried about Tricki because he has become lethargic and
listless. He has no energy and seems to be suffering from malnutrition, despite
her efforts to feed him extra food and treats. His condition worsens, making
her concerned about his health.

Q2. What does
she do to help him? Is she wise in this?

Answer:
To help Tricki, Mrs. Pumphrey gives him extra food such as malt, cod-liver oil,
and Horlicks. However, this overfeeding worsens Tricki’s condition, showing
that her actions were not wise. Instead of improving Tricki’s health, her
indulgence contributes to his sickness.

Q3. Who does
‘I’ refer to in this story?

Answer:
The ‘I’ in the story refers to the narrator, Mr. Herriot, who is a veterinary
surgeon. He is the one who observes Tricki’s condition and eventually takes him
into his care.

READ AND FIND OUT

Q4. Is the
narrator as rich as Tricki’s mistress?

Answer:
No, the narrator is not as rich as Tricki’s mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey. He lives a
simpler life compared to Mrs. Pumphrey, who is wealthy and overly indulgent
with her dog.

Q5. How does he
treat the dog?

Answer:
The narrator treats Tricki by putting him on a strict diet and giving him
plenty of exercise. He avoids giving him any special treatment or food and
allows him to interact with other dogs, which eventually leads to Tricki’s
recovery.

Q6. Why is he
tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?

Answer:
The narrator is tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest because Mrs.
Pumphrey sends luxurious food items, such as eggs, wine, and brandy, to help
Tricki “recover.” These treats provide the narrator and his staff
with a lavish lifestyle while Tricki is under their care.

Q7. Why does Mrs.
Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?

Answer:
Mrs. Pumphrey believes the dog’s recovery is a “triumph of surgery”
because Tricki recovers completely after his stay at the surgery, although no
actual surgery was performed. She attributes his recovery to the care he
received, not realizing that the simple regimen of diet and exercise was the
real cure.

THINK ABOUT IT

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?

Answer:
The narrator is a practical and sensible person. He is tactful in dealing with
Mrs. Pumphrey’s overly indulgent behavior and uses his common sense to cure
Tricki by giving him a balanced regimen of exercise and proper diet. He knows
how to manage both the dog’s health and the owner’s emotions effectively.

Q2. Do you
think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen now?

Answer:
Tricki seems happy to go home, as he eagerly leaps into Mrs. Pumphrey’s lap.
However, there is a possibility that Mrs. Pumphrey may revert to her old habits
of overfeeding him, which could lead to Tricki becoming unhealthy again unless
she follows the veterinarian’s advice.

Q3. Do you
think this is a real-life episode, or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of both?

Answer:
This story seems to be a mixture of both real-life experiences and fiction.
While the portrayal of a dog’s health issues due to overfeeding is realistic,
some aspects, like the extravagant way Mrs. Pumphrey cares for Tricki, may be
exaggerated for humorous effect.

THINK ABOUT IT

Q1. This
episode describes the silly behaviour 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?

Answer:
While Mrs. Pumphrey’s actions may seem silly on the surface, her overindulgence
in pampering Tricki caused him harm. Her inability to control his diet and
constant feeding of rich foods led to his illness. Such actions, though done
out of affection, can have serious consequences for the health and well-being
of pets, and even people. It shows that good intentions without proper
understanding can often lead to negative outcomes.

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

Answer:
Yes, there are parents who, like Mrs. Pumphrey, overindulge their children out
of love or guilt. They might spoil their children with too many treats,
luxuries, or lenient behavior, thinking they are doing something good. However,
this can result in health issues, lack of discipline, and dependency, much like
what happened with Tricki.

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?

Answer:
(i) If I were a member of the staff in Mrs. Pumphrey’s household, I would have
tried to subtly suggest healthier choices for Tricki. However, being in her
employ, it might have been difficult to contradict her directly.
(ii) As a neighbour, I might have gently advised Mrs. Pumphrey about proper pet
care, but again, her wealth and social status could make such advice hard to
offer. Overall, life around her would likely involve dealing with her excessive
indulgences and maintaining a certain distance due to her eccentricities.

Q4. What would
you have done if you were in the narrator’s place?

Answer:
If I were in the narrator’s place, I would have done the same as Mr. Herriot.
He handled the situation with care and professionalism by removing Tricki from
the harmful environment and giving him proper care. He addressed the root cause
of Tricki’s illness with a simple diet and exercise, instead of complicating
the matter with unnecessary treatments.