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UDAAN - 2024
The Triumph Surgery
ABOUT THE STORY
Introduction
The story "A Triumph of Surgery" is a humorous account
of an overfed dog who has become very fat and sick thanks
to the excessive concern of his owner. The narrator, a
veterinary surgeon, rescues the dog by taking him to his
hospital after convincing the owner that the animal could
not be cured at home. He treats the dog by putting him on
compulsive fasting for two days. However, the owner
mistakenly considers the pet's cure to be a triumph of
surgery, least realizing that controlled diet and exercise
were responsible for the pet's recovery.
Summary
The narrator of the story "A Triumph of Surgery" is Dr
Herriot, a veterinary surgeon who gets really worried about
Tricki, the pet dog of a rich woman Mrs Pumphrey. He is
shocked to see the excessively fat dog with red eyes and
lolling tongue walking with his owner in the street.
Mrs Pumphrey, who is foolishly indulgent, claims that
Tricki's listlessness is an outcome of malnutrition. So, she
overfeeds him with some 'extras' like malt and cod-liver oil.
She also gives him a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him
sleep well. In addition, she serves hin cream cakes and
chocolates in spite of the vet's advice to cut down o the dog's
sweet intake. Dr Herriot concludes that the real problem
with the dog is his greed for food along with excessive
pampering by his owner. To make things worse, Tricki is
not being given adequate physical exercise.
The vet warns Mrs Pumphrey that if Tricki's diet is not
modified and if he is not given exercise, he is bound to
become seriously unwell. This prediction comes true within
a few days. Tricki stops eating and lies panting all the time
on the rug with intermittent bouts of vomiting. The vet had
anticipated this situation and is ready with a plan. The
foremost thing he does is to get Tricki away from his owner.
So, he convinces her that the dog has to be hospitalized for
a fortnight in order to cure him. This makes Mrs Pumphrey
restless as she is certain that her dog would not be able to
bear such a long separation from her. But the vet is
determined to save the little dog and he takes him. away,
wrapped in a blanket, much against the wishes of his owner.
At the surgery, the other dogs get curious and gather round
the vet. They sniff the motionless Tricki and find him to be
an uninteresting object. They ignore him when he does not
respond.
The doctor makes a comfortable bed for Tricki and places
him in a loose box next to where other dogs used to sleep.
He observes him closely for two days and does not give him
any food except plenty of water. Towards the close of the
second day, Tricki starts taking some interest in his
surroundings and on the third day he starts making a feeble
sound in response to the dogs in the yard. When the doctor
opens the door, Tricki goes out slowly and is immediately
surrounded by Joe, the greyhound, and other dogs. They
inspect him, roll him over, and move off down the garden.
Tricki follows them despite his surplus fat.
Later, at the feeding time on that day, the dogs rush
headlong towards their bowls and start eating noisily and
greedily. After the dogs finish their food, Tricki walks up to
the shining bowls and casually licks into a couple of them.
The next day, an extra bowl is kept and the doctor feels
happy on seeing Tricki jostling towards the bowls. From
this point onwards, Tricki's recovery paces up. He starts
taking interest in playing with other dogs who accept him as
a member of their gang. Like them, he too starts fighting for
food at meal time, and at night hunts for rats. Dr Herriot is
pleased to see Tricki recover without any medication.
However, a worried Mrs Pumphrey keeps on ringing up the
surgery at least a dozen times a day to inquire whether her
pet dog's comfort is being taken care of. Dr Herriot smartly
evades her queries and assures her that Tricki is out of
danger and is improving gradually. This makes Mrs
Pumphrey anxious and she begins to send abundant supply
of eggs and wine to enrich her little dog's blood. This feast
is used by the vet and his attendants since such a rich diet
was not good for the dog.
After relishing these delicacies for a fortnight, the doctor
overcomes the temptation of extending Tricki's stay. He
informs Mrs Pumphrey that the dog has recovered fully and
can be taken back home.
Within minutes of this call, Mrs Pumphrey arrives in her
long gleaming car to collect Tricki. Dr Herriot fetches the
cured dog who is now an agile, muscular and smart animal.
Tricki surprises his owner by rushing through the
chauffeur's open door, licking her face and barking out of
sheer happiness. Mrs Pumphrey thanks the doctor and

drives away with tears of joy, thinking that surgery saved
her dog's life.
Title
"A Triumph of Surgery" is an apt title for the story. Tricki's
speedy recovery is actually the outcome of appropriate
diagnosis and accurate treatment. Such a recovery is usually
obtained only after surgical intervention. But Dr Herriot's
wisdom and initiative to keep Tricki away from his owner
and bringing him to the surgery to cure him by simply
cleansing his system becomes a 'triumph' over Tricki's
ailment in the real sense.
Theme
The story is based on the theme that over-indulgence can be
life threatening, especially when the caretaker is ignorant.
Tricki's life comes under threat because his owner, Mrs
Pumphrey expresses her love for him by overfeeding him.
Another theme of the story is the tactfulness of a young and
efficient veterinary surgeon. He cures Tricki without any
medication by simply controlling his diet and giving him
proper exercise.
Message
Through the story "A Triumph of Surgery", the author, who
is a veterinary surgeon, wants to convey the message that
our love for our pets should not be expressed by pampering
them too much. Such over-indulgence can be life
threatening for the poor animal who trusts his master
completely. In fact, pets need a balance between indulgence
and strictness. A restricted wholesome diet, supplemented
with plenty of exercise is all that is needed to keep one's pet
healthy.
Excess of everything is bad, even of love.
Humour
The story "A Triumph of Surgery" is full of situational
humour, coupled with humour resulting out of interesting
statements. Tricki's looking like a bloated sausage' or being
able to 'tackle a meal at any hour of the day or night' is very
amusing. Mrs Pumphrey's excessive concern for Tricki and
sending an abundant supply of eggs and wine for him also
makes things funny. The doctor and party having a feast at
the cost of the rich lady is certainly enjoyable. Thus, the
entire episode is replete with situations, incidents and
statements that compel the reader to laugh.
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Characters
Mrs Pumphrey
Mrs Pumphrey is a very rich lady who is over-concerned
about her pet dog Tricki. The excessive love of this over-
indulgent woman for her pet robs her of her power of
reasoning. She bows down to his demands and feeds him
with a highly unsuitable diet. She gives him sweet things
like creams and chocolates despite the doctor's orders to
stop overfeeding. Besides, she is very casual about the dog's
need for physical activity. However, she does get genuinely
worried when Tricki becomes listless and even agrees to
send him to the vet's surgery for the sake of his well-being.
But her anxiousness for his recovery compels her to call up
the surgery several times a day.
This woman is rather foolish in some ways since she sends
eggs and wine to the surgery to improve her dog's condition.
Earlier too, she used to give him things like horlicks to boost
his health. Little Joes she realize that her over-indulgence is
the precise cause of Tricki's ailment.
Mrs Pumphery is also a show-off and never skips an excuse
to flaunt her wealth. She reaches the surgery in a flashy car
to bring back a recovered Tricki. Earlier, when Tricki is
being taken away by Dr Herriot, she packs cushions, coats
and other stuff for his comfort.
In sum, Mrs Pumphrey is a typical representation of a idle
and rich woman who is so dumb that it nearly costs Tricki
his life.
Dr Herriot
Dr Herriot is an efficient veterinary surgeon devoted to his
profession.
His concern for Tricki's well-being is genuine; that is why
he does not mince his words while warning a rich woman
like Mrs Pumphrey. He is wise and a good judge of others'
character. He knows well that Mrs Pumphrey's indulgent
behaviour towards Tricki will further ruin the dog's health.
Out of her love for the pet, she would never be able to
restrict his diet. So, he plans in advance to move Tricki away
from his owner and bring him to his surgery. His skill as an
accomplished vet is reflected by the fact that he cures Tricki
without resorting to any complicated surgical interventions.
Dr Herriot is also an intelligent and a tactful man. He very
smartly evades answering Mrs Pumphrey's queries
regarding Tricki's ailment and treatment procedure. He
wisely side-tracks the issue by telling her that the dog is out
of danger and is gradually improving.

However, he is very considerate and does not take undue
advantage of anyone's trust. He does not prolong the dog's
stay simply to keep the supply of goodies sent by Mrs
Pumphery going. Earlier, instead of returning the delicacies
sent by Mrs Pumphrey for Tricki, he shares them with his
friends. In this tactful manner, he not only pleases Mrs
Pumphery but also keeps his friends happy.
On the whole, Dr Herriot is a capable veterinary surgeon,
full of tact, commonsense, intelligence and worldly
wisdom.
Tricki
In the beginning of the story, the roly-poly Tricki looks very
cornical owing to his obesity. His greed for food is
insatiable and any time is meal-time for him. He is an
overfed and pampered pet who falls ill due to excessive
eating and lack of exercise.
Tricki is very adaptable and adjusts easily to new situations.
Although he is pampered by his owner with luxuries and
good food, he is very happy at the surgery where he has to
make effort to eat his share of food. His golden body is
adorned with flapping ears and he stands out as a well
groomed dog amid the other dogs at the surgery, who are all
shaggy.
Tricki is sociable, so the moment he gets well, he makes
friends with other dogs. He is also a loving pet and showers
love and affection upon his owner when he meets her after
a fortnight's separation. In the end, a two week's stay at the
surgery transforms him into a lithe, hard-muscled animal.
NCERT SOLVED QUESTIONS
Read and Find out
1. Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
Ans. Mrs Pumphrey was worried and distraught because
Tricki would not eat anything. It even refused its
favourite dishes. It had bouts of vomiting. It spent all
its time lying on the rug and panting. It did not want
to go for walks or do anything.
2. What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
Ans. She called the doctor to help Tricki. Yes, her decision
was wise. The doctor suggested that Tricki should be
hospitalised. She swooned and wailed, but let the dog
go with the doctor. Ultimately, the doctor was
successful in curing Tricki.
3. Who does 'I' refer to in this story?
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Ans. In this story, 'I' refers to the veterinary surgeon, Mr
Herriot.
4. Is the narrator as rich as Tricki's mistress?
Ans. 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.
While the narrator is able to provide Tricki with a
warm loose box as a bed, at Mrs Pumphrey's house,
Tricki has a day bed, a night bed, cushions, toys,
rubber rings, a breakfast bowl, a lunch bowl, a supper
bowl, a whole wardrobe of tweed coats and perhaps
many more things.
When he arrives to take the dog with him, Mrs
Pumphrey has her entire staff at her disposal to
transfer all of Tricki's belongings to the doctor's car.
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 chauffer-
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.
5. How does he treat the dog?
Ans. The doctor gave Tricki no food, but plenty of water
for two days. Slowly, the dog started showing interest
in his surrounding and began mixing with the other
dogs at the surgery. On the third day, the doctor saw
Tricki licking that empty supper bowls of the other
dogs. Next day, a separate bowl was kept for it and
the doctor was pleased to note that Tricki had run to
eat its food with enthusiasm. From that day onwards,
its progress was rapid. It did not require medicinal
treatment of any kind and recovered quite well at the
end.
6. Why is he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent
guest?
Ans. Mrs Pumphrey had started bringing around eggs to
build Tricki's strength. Later, even bottles of wine
and brandy began to arrive. The narrator and his
partners started enjoying the eggs, wine and brandy
meant for Tricki. According to the narrator, they were

days of deep content for them — starting with the
extra egg in the morning, then the midday wine, and
finally finishing the day with brandy. This was the
reason why the narrator was tempted to keep Tricki
on as a permanent guest.
7. Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog's recovery is
"a triumph of surgery"?
Ans. Mrs. Pumphrey thought that the dog's recovery was
"a triumph of surgery" because in two weeks, Tricki
had recovered completely and had been transformed
into a hard-muscled animal. When Tricki saw her, it
leaped into her lap and licked her face. She was so
excited that tears started rolling out of her eyes. She
declared Tricki's recovery as a triumph of surgery to
express her happiness and gratitude towards the
doctor.
Think about It
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?
Ans. I think the narrator; a veterinary surgeon is a very
tactful person. He knows how to deal with people. He
adjusts himself well to the circumstances. He
immediately understand tricki's problem. Tricki
doesn't suffer from any sort of illness. The main cause
of its illness is overfeeding. He takes the dog to his
surgery. There he keeps it in natural environment.
The dog gets well under his supervision and natural
environment of surgery.
2. Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do
you think will happen now?
Ans. Yes, Tricki was very happy to go home. Tricki was
also happy at the surgery. When the dog was brought
into the surgery, it was ill. But in spite of it dog got
cured in two days without any medication. The
proper diet and regular exercise helped a lot in its
speedy recovery. The dog regained its best health and
was no longer listless. Now, I think same pampering
will start again. Mrs. Pumphrey will take excessive
care of the dog. There is no doubt it was her love, but
excess of anything is harmful.
3. Do you think this is a real-life episode, or mere
fiction? Or is it a mixture of both?
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Ans. This story could be a mixture of both: real life episode
and a mere fiction. Mrs. Pumphrey is a rich lady and
has a pet dog. It is because of her pampering that she
overfeeds her dog which results in its illness.
Although she has good intention in her mind but
excess of everything is bad. This episode can be
treated as a fiction by those who do not take it
seriously. It can be called real life for those parents
who take excessive care of their child.
4. 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 action cause harm to others?
Ans. This episode describes the silly behaviour of a rich
woman who is foolish. This may be because of her
loneliness. They are ignorant about results of their
actions. They show their excessive love and affection
for someone without knowing the consequences.
There is no doubt that their intentions are good, and
don't have any sort of but they are not aware their
action can cause harm to others.
5. Do you think there are also parents like Mrs.
Pumphrey?
Ans. Yes there are parents who are too much possessive
about their kids. The sense of overindulgence can go
in either way. There are examples of parents spoiling
their child by meeting each and every demand of the
child. There are also examples of strict parents who
put unnecessary pressure on their child for study and
particular behaviour pattern.
6. 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. As a staff I would have no other way than to follow
Mrs. Pumphrey's orders. Otherwise she would have
sacked me on my job.
As a neighbour I would have given her the proper
suggestion. But the choice of following or refusing
my suggestions is upto her. She is a rich lady who
loves to splurge her money. So there is least chance
that anybody can forcefully change her opinion about
a subject.
7. What would you have done if you were in the
narrator's place?
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Ans. I would have done the same things which the narrator 3. As I moved off, Mrs. Pumphrey, with a despairing
did. May be I would not have allowed Tricki back to cry, threw an armful of the little coats through the
Mrs. Pumphrey's house. window. I looked in the mirror before I turned the
corner of the drive; everybody was in tears.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS (a) Where was the speaker going and with whom?
EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS (b) Why was everybody in tears?
Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the (c) Find the word in the extract which is an
questions that follow. antonym of the word 'cheerful'.
1. 'And did you cut down on the sweet things as I told (d) What is the opposite of 'before'?
you?' Ans. (a) The speaker was going to the hospital with
(a) What sweet things are being referred to in the Tricki.
extract? (b) Everybody was in tears because Tricki was
(b) Why does the speaker enquire if the sweet being hospitalized as he was ill. Everyone was
things have been cut down? worried about his health.
(c) What is the meaning of the phrase 'cut down'? (c) The word is 'despairing'.
(d) What is the opposite of 'sweet'? (d) 'After' is its opposite.
Ans. (a) The sweet things mentioned in the extract are 4. "Poor old lad", I said. You haven't a kick in you but I
cream cakes and chocolates. think I know a cure for you."
(b) The speaker enquires if the sweet things have (a) Why does the speaker say "poor old lad"?
been cut down because these were spoiling (b) What cure did the speaker know?
Tricki's health and he needed to be put on a (c) What is the meaning of 'a kick' in the extract?
strict diet. (d) Write a synonym of 'cure'.
(c) The phrase 'cut down' means 'to reduce the Ans. (a) The speaker addresses Tricki as a poor old lad
quantity of something'. because he is unwell and listless.
(d) Bitter. (b) The speaker knew that the cure for Tricki's
2. I tried to sound severe: "Now I really mean this. If illness is to put him on a strict diet.
you don't cut his food right down and give him more (c) The phrase means 'any alertness'.
exercise he is going to be really ill. You must harden
(d) 'Heal' is a synonym of 'cure'.
your heart and keep him on a very strict diet."
5. I was really worried about Tricki this time I had
(a) Why did the speaker try to sound severe?
pulled up my car when I saw him in the street with
(b) For whom was the advice given and why? his mistress and I was shocked at his appearance He
(c) Find the word in the extract which is a had become hugely fat, like a heated sausage with a
synonym of the word 'serious'. leg at each corner. His eyes, bloodshot and rheumy,
(d) What is the antonym of 'hardened'? stared straight ahead and his tongue lolled from his
Ans. (a) The speaker tried to sound severe to make Mrs. jaws.
Pumphrey take his advice seriously and act on (a) Who is 'I' referred in the above extract?
it. (b) Why was he worried?
(b) The advice was given for Tricki because he (c) Which word in the above extract means the
had become obese and listless. He was unwell same as 'excessively'?
and the speaker wanted him to be on a strict (d) Why was the author shocked?
diet.
Ans. (a) 'I' refers to the veterinary doctor who is the
(c) The word is 'severe'. narrator of the story.
(d) Its antonym is 'softened'.
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(b) He was worried to see the appearance of Mrs (b) She was giving Tricki malt, cod-liver oil and a
Pumphrey's dog. bowl of Horlicks to make him energetic.
(c) The word is 'hugely'. (c) Listless.
(d) The author was shocked to see Tricki in the (d) Mrs. Pumphrey thought that Tricki was
street. suffering from malnutrition.
6. It was a temptation to keep Tricki on as a permanent
guest but I knew Mrs Pumphrey was suffering and SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
after a fortnight, felt compelled to phone and tell her Answer the following questions in 30-40 words.
that the little dog had recovered and was awaiting
1. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey make a frantic call to Mr.
collection.
Harriot?
(a) Why was it a temptation to keep Tricki on as a
Ans. Mrs. Pumphrey had a dog named Tricki. Indirectly,
permanent guest?
she was responsible for the dog's illness. She gave
(b) What was informed to Mrs. Pumphrey on him little extra between meals i.e. malt, cod-liver oil,
phone? etc. He was not given any physical exercise. So the
(c) Which word in the above extract mean's a dog fell ill and started vomiting also. It made Mrs.
period of fifteen days'? Pumphrey so much worried that she had to call the
(d) Was Dr. Harriot a greedy Doctor? veterinary surgeon, Dr. Harriot for his treatment.
Ans. (a) It was a temptation to keep Tricki on as a 2. How would you describe the behaviour of the rich
permanent guest in the hospital because Dr. woman Mrs. Pumphrey's pampering and overfeeding
Harriot and his partners didn't want to lose the Tricki?
treat, i.e., two dozen fresh eggs and bottles of Ans. Mrs. Pumphrey behaved in a very silly and
wine sent by Mrs. Pumphrey. thoughtless manner by over pampering Tricki.
(b) Mrs. Pumphrey was informed that the doctor Indirectly, she was responsible for his ill health. It
saved the life of her dog. was totally a waste of money. But this behaviour is
(c) 'Fortnight' is the word. very common among rich people. It is a general
(d) Yes, as he kept Tricki in temptation. problem of those who live alone.
7. Mrs. Pumphry hastened to explain, "He was so 3. In the end of the lesson Mrs. Pumphery says, "This is
listless. Mr. Herriot. He seemed to have no energy. I a triumph of surgery." Why?
thought he must be suffering from malnutrition so I Ans. Mrs. Pumphrey's dog, Tricki had fallen ill and had to
have been giving him some little extras between be admitted for treatment to Dr. Herriot's hospital. Dr.
meals to build him up, some malt and cod-liver oil Harriot gave him a lot of water and exercise which
and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep- helped Tricki to recover. When Mrs. Pumphrey went
nothing much really." to collect him, Tricki jumped into her lap and started
(a) What did Mrs. Pumphrey want to explain and licking her face. Seeing him fully recovered, Mrs.
to whom? Pumphrey called it a triumph of surgery.
(b) Why was she giving little extra between meals 4. Why was Mr. Harriot tempted to keep Tricki as a
to him? permanent guest?
(c) Which word in the above extract means the Ans. Mrs. Pumphrey used to send lots of things like eggs,
same as 'lacking energy and enthusiasm'? wine, brandy etc., for Tricki. But nothing was given
to Tricki. All the things were consumed by the doctor
(d) What did Mrs Pumphrey think?
and the other members of the hospital. Hence, Mr.
Ans. (a) Mrs. Pumphrey wanted to explain the critical
Harriot was tempted to keep Tricky as his permanent
condition of her pet dog, Tricki to Dr. Harriot.
guest.
5. Why was the narrator shocked at Tricki's appearance?

Ans. The narrator was shocked at Tricki's appearance
because he had become very fat. His blood red and
rheumy eyes gazed straight. His tongue lolled from
his jaws.
6. What kind of treatment was given to Tricki? Did it
help in his recovery?
Ans. Tricki was given a non-medicinal treatment. His diet
regimen was altered depending upon his body's
response to it. He was kept on liquid diet for the first
two days and then his diet was gradually increased.
Yes, this treatment did help Tricki as it built up
energy in him. He had transformed to an energetic,
hard-muscled dog in just a fortnight.
7. Was Tricki suffering from any ailment in reality? If
not, then what made him inactive and lethargic?
Ans. 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 everyday and that made him obese and
lethargic. That is why his health showed rapid
improvement when his diet was controlled.
8. Briefly describe Herriot's days of content.
Ans. The time of Tricki's stay at the hospital was a period
of content for Herriot. He used to enjoy the treat that
arrived in the name of Tricki as he could not afford
all this for himself. Herriot used to relish the fresh
eggs in breakfast, wine before and during lunch and
brandy in the night.
9. Do you think Tricki was enjoying his stay at the
hospital?
Ans. Yes, Tricki was definitely enjoying his stay at the
hospital. He had befriended the gang of shabby
household dogs. He had found a new joy in being
bowled over, trampled on and squashed. He had also
become very energetic. He used to play and run all
day long with the dogs. He was having a great time.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions in 100-120 words.
1. Excess of everything is bad. Comment in the wake of
Mrs. Pumphrey's love for Tricki.
Ans. Mrs Pumphrey was a rich woman who loved her dog
very much. She loved to live a comfortable and lavish
life and also wanted her dog to spend a similar one.
She had maintained a wardrobe full of fancy fur
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coats, dresses, beds etc for Tricki. Apart from this,
she used to overfeed Tricki out of her love and
concern. She used to serve him cod-liver oil and malt
between the main meals and Horlicks after dinner to
give him strength. She never realised that Tricki was
a greedy dog and this would spoil his health. She
could not even refuse to answer Tricki drooling for
cream cakes and chocolates. Her overfeeding
worsened Tricki's condition. This made the dog lazy,
inactive and obese. He used to lie on his rug and pant
all day long. Mrs. Pumphrey fed him excessively,
spoiling Tricki's health to such an extent that he had
to be hospitalised. Even in the hospital she continued
to convey Tricki her love through eggs, wine and
brandy. Her fondness and care for Tricki proved that
excess of everything made him fall sick.
2. How can you say that Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich
lady?
Ans. Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady who had a small dog,
named Tricki. She had pampered the dog by
providing him things like a raincoat for wet days, a
whole wardrobe, full of tweed coats. There were
separate bowls like breakfast bowl, lunch bowl,
supper bowl etc. or his different meals. She had a lot
of servants and maids to take care of him and to serve
Tricki s favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings.
Besides, she owned a chauffer driven long, black car.
All these things suggest that she was a rich lady.
3. Distinguish between Mrs. Pumphrey's method and
Mr. Herriot's method in looking after the dog. Whose
method could be regarded the better of the two and
why?
Ans. Mrs. Pumphrey loved Tricki, her pet dog very much.
When she found that Tricki was no more active and
energetic, she tried to give more nutrients in his food
to make him more energetic like malt, cod-liver oil
and a bowl of Horlicks, an extra diet of cream cakes
& chocolates. But she was not giving him exercises.
Infact, Tricki was not suffering from any disease. Mr.
Harriot found out the main cause of his ailment, i.e.,
his greed for over-eating. Mr. Harriot gave him a
controlled diet, recovered him from lethargy caused
by overeating and excessive fat So, Mr. Harriot's
method could be regarded better of two as he
understood the cause and remedy of the disease. He
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was able to treat the dog by being strict with him
regarding diet and physical activities.
4. Why was Tricki happy in the doctor's house?
Ans. In the doctor's house, Tricki was placed in a warm
box next to the other dogs. He was given only water
and no food. On the second day, he met the other dogs
but showed no interest. By the fourth day, he ran
towards his food and joined the other dogs in their
friendly, energetic struggles. He discovered the joys
of being squashed and being an accepted member of
the gang. He fought for his share at meals and hunted
rats at night.
5. What treatment was given to Tricky by Dr. Harriot?
Ans. Tricki fell ill. Dr. Harriot was called upon. When he
looked at the dog, he immediately made out that
Tricki did not need any medicine. He was sick
because he had taken excess food. So, he gave little
food and stressed on lots of water and exercise which
Tricki was not used to. He was served food with other
dogs and was made to run and play also with them.
He joined them in their friendly scrimmages.
Gradually, he learnt the art of hunting rats in the old
hen. horse, fighting like a tiger for his share at
mealtimes. In other words, he was leading a normal
life which he never had done with Mrs. Pumphrey.
Soon, Tricki became normal without taking any
medicine.

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