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A Triumph of Surgery NCERT Questions Answers

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A Triumph of Surgery NCERT Questions Answers – Welcome to EnglishTak.com, your one-stop destination for reliable and student-friendly NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English. In this post, we’re covering Chapter 1: A Triumph of Surgery, written by James Herriot. You’ll find summary, word meanings, and NCERT questions with answers, all explained in simple English and Hindi for better understanding.

A Triumph of Surgery NCERT Questions Answers

Read and Find Out ( Page 1)

1. Why is Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki?

Mrs. Pumphrey is deeply concerned because Tricki, her beloved dog, has become listless and lacks energy. He refuses food, including his favourite dishes, and experiences bouts of vomiting. She mistakenly believes he’s suffering from malnutrition, not realizing that her overindulgence has led to his condition.

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

In an attempt to boost Tricki’s energy, Mrs. Pumphrey feeds him rich foods like malt, cod-liver oil, and Horlicks, along with cream cakes and chocolates. She also avoids making him exercise, fearing it might strain him. These actions are unwise, as they exacerbate Tricki’s health issues rather than alleviate them.

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

The pronoun ‘I’ refers to the narrator, Dr. James Herriot, the veterinary surgeon who treats Tricki.

Read and Find Out ( Page 3)

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

There are several indications in the story that suggest the narrator is not as wealthy as Tricki’s mistress. The following examples support this observation:

1. When Mr. Herriot arrives at Mrs. Pumphrey’s house to collect the dog, she assigns numerous staff members to transfer all of Tricki’s belongings into the doctor’s car.

2. Upon hearing about Tricki’s gradual recovery, Mrs. Pumphrey sends two dozen eggs at a time along with bottles of wine and brandy, apparently with the hope of aiding Tricki’s speedy recuperation.

3. When Mrs. Pumphrey goes to Mr. Herriot’s hospital to pick up Tricki after his recovery, she arrives in a chauffeur-driven “thirty feet of gleaming black metal”—a clear reference to a limousine.

5. How does he treat the dog?

For the first two days, Mr. Herriot kept a close watch over Tricki, providing him with no food except ample water. By the end of the second day, Tricki began to show interest in his surroundings and whimper when he heard the dogs in the yard. Remarkably, he received no medicinal treatment whatsoever. Instead, Dr. Herriot ensured that Tricki engaged in playful scrimmages with other dogs. A separate bowl was set aside for him, and the doctor was pleased to note that Tricki would eagerly run to his food. From that day forward, his progress was rapid.

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

On hearing that Tricki was recovering, Mrs. Pumphrey sent two dozen fresh eggs to help build his strength, along with bottles of wine and brandy as additional supplements for his health. However, the narrator and his colleagues ended up consuming the eggs, wine, and brandy that had been meant for Tricki. In fact, there were days when their routine was set by having eggs for breakfast, wine at midday, and brandy by the fire in the evening. This unexpected benefit tempted the narrator to consider keeping Tricki on as a permanent guest.

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

In just two weeks under Mr. Herriot’s pastoral care, Tricki had made a complete recovery and transformed into a flexible, hard-muscled animal. Upon seeing her beloved pet, Mrs. Pumphrey was overwhelmed with emotion—Tricki leaped into her lap and licked her face, and tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. In her excitement, she described Tricki’s recovery as “a triumph of surgery” to express both her immense gratitude and delight in the results achieved by the doctor.

8. What kind of a person is the narrator? Is he tactful and full of common sense?

Dr. Herriot is compassionate, observant, and pragmatic. He understands both animal behaviour and human psychology. His tactfulness is evident when he doesn’t correct Mrs. Pumphrey’s misconception about the surgery, sparing her feelings. His common sense shines through his effective, non-invasive treatment of Tricki.

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

Tricki had adapted well to the active lifestyle at Dr. Herriot’s clinic, enjoying the company of other dogs and the freedom to play. While he might have been happy to reunite with Mrs. Pumphrey, there’s a risk he could revert to his previous pampered lifestyle, potentially leading to similar health issues if not monitored.

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

James Herriot’s stories are based on his real-life experiences as a veterinarian, though they often include fictionalized elements for narrative effect. This story likely draws from actual events, embellished with humour and dramatization.

11. 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?

While such behaviour might seem merely silly, it can inadvertently cause harm. Mrs. Pumphrey’s overindulgence leads to Tricki’s health deterioration. Excessive pampering, even if well-intentioned, can have negative consequences.

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

Yes, some parents, out of love, may overindulge their children, shielding them from challenges and discomforts. This can hinder the child’s development of resilience and independence.

13. 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?

(i) As a staff member, I would have gently advised Mrs. Pumphrey on the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise for Tricki, emphasizing the dog’s well-being.
(ii) As a neighbour, observing the excessive pampering, I might have shared my concerns or suggested consulting a vet, aiming to ensure Tricki’s health without offending Mrs. Pumphrey.

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

If I were in the narrator’s place, I would have shown the same love and care to Tricki. Like Mr James Herriot, I would have looked after him well. But I would have been a bit stricter while telling Mrs Pumphrey to give Tricki a proper diet, as I know how she shows her love. Also, I would not have eaten the eggs, wine, and brandy that she sent for Tricki.