SUPPL.

READER L- 1 A TRIUMPH OF SURGERY

Short Answer Type Questions
1. How did the rich mistress try to help her ailing dog amid all the luxuries? What effect did
it have on her pet?
2. Herriot seems to be a duty-bound doctor who values others ’emotions’ than his personal
interests. Elucidate the above statement. Mention those values of Herriot which you
would like to emulate in yourself and give reasons for the same. Write your answer in
100-120 words.
3. Do you think it is possible to bring a change in Mrs Pumphrey’s habit of indulging her
dog Tricki, now that he is out of the hospital?
4. “He had never been known to refuse food; he would tackle a meal at any hour of the day
or night.” Herriot believed that Tricki’s problem was his greed. Was he right in believing
so? Elucidate.
5. Do you think Tricki was really suffering from any ailment?
6. Do you think it is possible to bring a change in Mrs Pumphrey’s habit of indulging her
dog Tricki, now that he is out of the hospital?
7. Describe Tricki’s gradual progress at the surgery.
8. Do you think Tricki was as happy to go home as he was at the surgery?
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9. Do you think that the narrator is as rich as Tricki’s mistress?
10. Indulgence of parents towards their children may be harmful. Justify on the basis of the
lesson A triumph of Surgery.
Answers
1. Mrs. Pumphrey was an overindulgent mistress and Tricki was a pampered dog .She
believed that the reason for Tricki’s illness was malnourishment. Since Tricki had
become listless lately and seemed to have no energy, she grew worried about him. She
started giving some little extras between meals to build him up, some malt and codliver
oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep. Rather than cutting down
on the sweet things, she continued giving him chocolates and cream cakes. Tricki was
not even getting proper exercise .
Very soon Tricki turned totally sick. He developed an aversion towards food and even
his favourite dishes were ignored. Moreover, he had bouts of vomiting. He spent all his
time lying on a rug and panting. He did not show any interest in going out for walks or
in any other activity. Tricki was very ill and if the situation persisted things could get
much worse.
2. Herriot was a duty-bound veterinary doctor. He was genuinely worried about Tricki’s
health. He knew that the dog was over-fed by his owner. He advised Mrs. Pumphrey to
keep him on a strict diet. But Mrs Pumphrey made matters worse by stuffing him with
rich food. She could not bring herself to say no to Tricki when he drooled for chocolates
and cakes. Hence, to improve Tricki’s health, Dr Herriot brought Tricki to the surgery
for a fortnight. He cut down his diet and engaged him in playing and running around
with other dogs. Although he knew Mrs. Pumphrey was very rich and much attached
to the dog, he did not take any advantage of it.When Mrs Pumphrey started sending
over food for Tricki, he was tempted to keep Tricki at the surgery for a longer period
of time. But he was very honest in informing Mrs Pumphrey that Tricki had recovered
and could be taken back home. He just performed his duties and never took any undue
advantage of the rich lady. His honesty, tactful nature, concern and credibility are some
of the qualities that can be imbibed and emulated.

3. Mrs Pumphrey is a rich lady , who leads an extravagant life and treats her pet with all
the luxuries of life. She loves pampering her dog and, in that spirit, always ended up
overfeeding him. She smothered him with love, never denying any of his apparent
needs. The advice of the veterinary surgeon, Dr James Herriot about keeping Tricki on
a strict diet and to give him proper exercise, seemed to have no influence on her attitude
towards her pet. This caused him serious health issues. People like Mrs Pumphrey do
not know when to put the foot down on the demands made by their loved ones. In the
long run, this behaviour does more harm than good.
In Mrs Pumphrey ‘s case, the fact that Tricki might get hospitalised again might have
put the lady on her guard. She might be a little more careful with Tricki’s diet and
exercise. She would have learnt a proper lesson after Tricki’s hospitalization, and
another separation from her pet would be quite difficult for her to cope with.
4. Based on the lesson ‘The Triumph of Surgery’ we may state that Dr. Herriot was not
entirely wrong in believing that Tricki’s problem was greed. Tricki was indeed greedy,
but Mrs. Pumphrey only made matters worse by stuffing him with rich food. Tricki’s
ill-health made him concerned, as a veterinary doctor. Tricki, on the other hand, needed
to exercise control on his eating habits. It would have been good if he did not greedily
gobble up everything that was placed in front of him. Mrs. Pumphrey herself reveals
that Tricki loved cream cakes and chocolates very much. Thus, Tricki ought to have
been less gluttonous (excessively greedy) and luxury-loving, and should have behaved
more like a dog rather than a spoilt child.
5. No, Tricki was not suffering from any ailment. It was his greed for food and the love
of his mistress that spoilt his health to such an extent. He was being overfed every day
and that made him obese and lethargic. Mrs. Pumphrey was an overindulgent mistress
and Tricki was a pampered dog. She believed that the reason for Tricki’s illness was
malnourishment. Since Tricki had become listless lately and seemed to have no energy,
she grew worried about him. She started giving 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. Rather than cutting down on the sweet things, she continued giving him
chocolates and cream cakes. Tricki was not even getting proper exercise. That is why
his health showed rapid improvement when his diet was controlled at the surgery.

6. Mrs Pumphrey is a rich lady , who leads an extravagant life and treats her pet with all
the luxuries of life. She loves pampering her dog and, in that spirit, always ended up
overfeeding him. She smothered him with love, never denying any of his apparent
needs. The advice of the veterinary surgeon, Dr James Herriot about keeping Tricki on
a strict diet and to give him proper exercise, seemed to have no influence on her attitude
towards her pet. This caused him serious health issues. People like Mrs Pumphrey do
not know when to put the foot down on the demands made by their loved ones. In the
long run, this behaviour does more harm than good.
In Mrs Pumphrey ‘s case, the fact that Tricki might get hospitalised again might have
put the lady on her guard. She might be a little more careful with Tricki’s diet and
exercise. She would have learnt a proper lesson after Tricki’s hospitalization, and
another separation from her pet would be quite difficult for her to cope with.
7. At the surgery, Tricki was not given any specific treatment or medications. He was
rather put under a strict diet. For the first three days, Tricki was not given any food but
plenty of water. Even Tricki did not show any inclination towards food. Later when
Tricki showed a slight interest towards food, he was given food like the other dogs at
the surgery. Dr Herriot treated him like the others. He made up a bed for him in a warm
loose box next to where other dogs slept. Slowly Tricki started joining the other dogs
in their friendly scrimmages, playing and running around and enjoying himself
thoroughly. This gave him the much needed exercise.. In two weeks time, Tricki had
recovered completely and was transformed into a lithe, hard-muscled animal
8. Yes, Tricki was as happy to go home as much as he was while staying at the surgery.
He was happy staying at the surgery because he made many friends and he enjoyed the
company of the gang of dogs at the surgery. He discovered the joys of playing, fighting
for his share of food, and hunting rats in the old hen house at night. All this was a new
experience to Tricki.
On the other hand, Tricki was equally happy to go back home. He was pampered and
indulged by Mrs Pumphrey and going back would mean a return to the comforts and
luxuries of his old home. Mrs Pumphrey was the most loving mistress. His excitement
to go back home can be seen from the fact that as soon as he saw his mistress, he jumped
back into the car and started licking her face and roaming around her in excitement.
9. Though not clearly stated, there are instances in the story which suggest that the narrator
is not as rich as Tricki’s mistress, Mrs Pumphrey. Mr Herriot does not live in the midst
of luxuries as Mrs Pumphrey. At the same time he has people assisting him in the
surgery and he manages to feed many dogs.
When Tricki arrives at the surgery, Mr. Herriott provides him with a warm loose box
as bed which was a sensible thing to do, whereas in Mrs. Pumphrey’s house he had his
own bed, numerous cushions, different bowls to eat from, a whole wardrobe of tweed
coats and an entire staff at her disposal These are the examples of the luxurious life he
led with his mistress.Secondly, on hearing from the doctor about Tricki’s gradual
recovery, Mrs Pumphrey sends along two dozen eggs at a time, along with bottles of
wine and brandy—all in order to help in Tricki’s speedy recovery. Finally, when she
calls upon the narrator to take her recovered dog back home, she comes in a chauffeur driven
“thirty feet of gleaming black metal” (an obvious reference to a limousine). All
these instances point to the fact that Mrs Pumphrey lived a luxurious life.
10. The lesson ‘The Triumph of Surgery’ is an example of overindulgence and pampering.
There are parents who pamper their children by ensuring that all their demands are met.
They spoil their children in the name of love and care. They not only feed them junk
but also spoil their social habits. This kind of a behaviour is very harmful for children.
Such overprotective parental behaviour hinders their growth as adults. In fact, it sows
the seeds of greed and dependency in them. They become stubborn and do not learn to
value anything. For them, hard work is a myth as they get everything easily. Over
pampered children often fail to face the hardships of life later, as for them life has been
a cakewalk. Pampering children in moderation is healthy, but excess of it is harmful. It
is not just bad for humans but also for animals, as we see in the story ‘A triumph of
Surgery’.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. The foolish indulgence and pampering of the rich mistress, Mrs Pumphrey was the
real cause of Tricki’s miserable condition. Give a reasoned answer.
2. Describe Tricki’s stay at Dr. James Herriot’s surgery, highlighting his behaviour and
his rapid recovery.
3. Give a character sketch of Tricki.
Or
Tricki was more than a dog. He was more like a spoilt child of an overindulgent
mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey. Comment.
4. Mrs. Pumphrey, the overindulgent and caring mistress of Tricki, pampers her pet dog
like a spoilt child. Comment.
Or
Give a brief character-sketch of Mrs. Pumphrey
5. Dr James Herriot was a competent veterinary surgeon. His practical approach and
common sense helped in the rapid recovery of Tricki. Comment.
Or
Give a character sketch of Dr James Herriot.
6. Why did Mrs Pumphrey, the mistress of Tricki, make a frantic call to the noted
veterinary surgeon, Dr James Herriot? How did Dr James Herriot succeed in curing
Tricki?
Answers
1. Overindulgence and pampering beyond a limit become unproductive. Be it a pet or a
child, discipline is very necessary. The fabulously rich and resourceful mistress was
the main cause of Tricki’s miserable condition. The entire staff and maids were there
to look after the needs of Tricki. His day-bed, night-bed, cushions, toys, rubber rings,
breakfast bowl, lunch bowl and supper(dinner) bowl were always kept ready. Dr.
Herriot rightly found out that Tricki’s only fault was his greed for food. Overfeeding
of sweets, cakes and chocolates made Tricki hugely fat and listless. Had Mrs.
Pumphrey followed Dr. Herriot’s instructions sincerely, things would not have
worsened so far.
The doctor advised her to put Tricki on a strict diet and to give him plenty of exercises.
It was necessary to cut down his intake of sweets. But the foolish indulgence of the
mistress ignored his healthy advice. The result was disastrous. Tricki lost his appetite
and started vomiting. Only when Mrs. Pumphrey was ready to send Tricki to Surgery
to Dr. Herriot’s for a fortnight, things started improving. The doctor gave him no food
but plenty of water for a few days. It worked and Tricki’s recovery was rather fast.
2. Dr. Herriot found out quite early what was the real problem with Tricki. He knew
that Tricki’s only weakness was his greed for food. He, therefore, wanted Mrs.
Pumphrey to keep Tricki on a strict diet and give him plenty of exercises. Dr Herriot
instructed her that the dog be hospitalised under his observation for a fortnight. At the
surgery, Tricki looked down at the noisy dogs with dull eyes. He lay motionless on the
carpet. The other dogs ignored him as an uninteresting object. A bed was made in a
warm loose box next to the other dogs. For two days, Dr. Herriot kept an eye on him.
He gave him no food but plenty of water. He gave no medical treatment to Tricki.
Dr. Herriot’s practical treatment worked. First, Tricki started taking an interest in his
surroundings. His appetite returned. He started running along with the other dogs in the
garden joining in their friendly barkings. Then, Tricki’s stay at the surgery became quite
enjoyable. His indulgent mistress gave him fresh eggs, wine and brandy. Even Dr.
Herriot was tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest. However, Tricki’s recovery
was quite rapid and he was handed over to his mistress. The grateful Mrs. Pumphrey
thanked Dr. Herriot and called his feat “A Triumph of Surgery”.
3. Tricki was more than a dog. He was more like a pampered child of Mrs Pumphrey.
Tricki was a small dog. The only fault of Tricki was his greed for food. Overfeeding
and overdose of sweets, cakes and chocolates made Tricki hugely fat. He became
rheumy (watery) and listless (lacking energy). His tongue lolled from his jaws. The
doctor advised Mrs Pumphrey to keep Tricki on a very strict diet and give him plenty
of exercises.
Tricki became a victim of overindulgence and overfeeding. Dr. Herriot’s instructions
were ignored. Tricki lost appetite and started vomiting. Dr. Herriot suggested to Mrs.
Pumphrey that Tricki be hospitalised under his observation for a fortnight. Tricki was
so much attached to her that she almost fainted merely (simply) at the thought of his
separation. Tricki was highly pampered. The entire staff and maids were ever ready to
pamper him with beds, cushions, toys, etc.
Tricki’s recovery was amazingly rapid. He was not given food but plenty of water. After
a few days, Tricki started taking an interest in his surroundings. He was transformed
into a flexible and hard-muscled dog. Tricki showed his love for his mistress by
jumping onto her lap when she came to collect him.
4. Mrs. Pumphrey was a fabulously rich and resourceful lady with many servants and
maids. She was passionately attached to her little pet dog, Tricki. She was very worried
about Tricki’s miserable condition. Tricki had become hugely fat and listless. She
thought he was suffering from malnutrition.So, she started giving Tricki malt, codliver
oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night.
Being overindulgent, Mrs Pumphrey even ignored Dr. Herriot’s advice. The doctor
knew that Tricki’s only fault was his greed for food. He had advised Mrs Pumphrey to
cut down food and sweets for Tricki. He also advised her to give him plenty of
exercises. The dog was to be kept on a very strict diet. For Mrs. Pumphrey, it was very
difficult for her because she pampered Tricki like a spoilt child. This only compounded
Tricki’s misery. His condition worsened. He lost appetite (hunger) and started
vomiting.
Mrs Pumphrey was impractical but very compassionate and caring. She and her staff
arranged all comforts, beds, cushions and toys for Tricki. She constantly enquired about
his health from Dr Herriot. She gratefully thanked Dr Herriot for saving Tricki’s life
and called it “A Triumph of Surgery”. Had she been a little more practical and
disciplined, things might have not gone that far.
5. Dr James Herriot, no doubt, was a competent veterinary surgeon. He was really
worried about Tricki. He understood that the real fault of the dog was his greed for
food. He never refused food. The dog had become hugely fat and listless. Dr Herriot
instructed Mrs Pumphrey to keep Tricki on a very strict diet. He also asked her to give
him a lot of exercises. Dr Herriot also suggested cutting down sweets to him. He
advised her that Tricki must be hospitalised for a fortnight under his observation.
Dr James Herriot was practical and pragmatic (sensible). He didn’t give any medical
treatment to the dog. The dog was not given any food but lots of water. His method
worked. Tricki’s recovery was surprisingly rapid. Tricki was transformed into a flexible
and hard-muscled dog. He was not only out of danger but was soon handed over to his
mistress. Dr. James Herriot was clever enough to enjoy the best of both worlds. He was tempted
to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest. It was a happy period for Dr. Herriot and his
friends. He enjoyed eggs for breakfast, and wine and brandy for lunch.
The grateful mistress thanked Dr. Herriot and called his feat (achievement)”A
Triumph of Surgery”.
6. Mrs Pumphrey, the mistress of Tricki was an overindulgent lady. She pampered and
even spoilt her pet dog. Dr Herriot instructed her to keep Tricki on a very strict diet
and give him a lot of exercises. She ignored him. It was very difficult for her to deny
Tricki sweets, cakes and chocolates. She gave a frantic call to Dr James Herriot only
when Tricki’s condition worsened. Tricki lost his appetite and started vomiting. Dr
Herriot advised that the dog be hospitalised under his observation for a fortnight. It
was difficult for Mrs Pumphrey to accept it but she accepted it only to save Tricki’s
life.
Dr James Herriot knew that Tricki’s only fault was his greed for food. He didn’t give
him medical treatment. He didn’t give Tricki food but a lot of water for a few days. His
method worked. Within a few days, Tricki was out of danger. His recovery was rather
rapid. He started taking interest in his surroundings. His appetite came back, and he ran
along with the other dogs in the garden. Dr Herriot informed Mrs Pumphrey that Tricki
was completely cured and she could collect him. The grateful mistress thanked the
doctor and called his feat (achievement)‘A Triumph of Surgery’.