A Triumph of Surgery Extra Questions will help in comprehending the lesson and some important questions that can be framed from the lesson. Go through the extra questions and try to frame new questions also. You can share your questions in the comment section.

Extra Questions – A Triumph of Surgery Class 10 Foot Prints without Feet

Short Questions and Answers

1: What made James Herriot expect a call from Mrs Pumphrey?

Ans: James Herriot’s encounter with Mrs. Pumphrey and Tricki made his expect a call for help. He was sure that the extra diet and no physical activity would soon put Tricki’s health in danger. And just as anticipated, Mrs. Pumphrey called the vet a few days afterwards.

2: What ‘extra’ did Mrs. Pumphrey start to give Tricki and why?

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey thought that Tricki was suffering from malnutrition, as he was weak and listless. So, she started to give him extra snacks like cod-liver oil and malt between the main meals and Horlicks after dinner to make his stronger. She also continued his cream cakes and chocolates.

3: What made Mrs. Pumphrey call the vet?

Answer: Tricki’s condition made Mrs. Pumphrey call the vet for help. Tricki had become fat and lazy. He just used to lie on his rug and pant. He also refused to eat food, even his favourite dishes. His bouts of vomiting added to Mrs. Pumphrey’s worry. That is why, she called James Herriot.

4: How can you say that it was hard for Mrs. Pumphrey to part with her doting pet?

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey treated Tricki as her own child. She loved him very much. It was very difficult for her to see Tricki in such a situation. She was distraught when she had to make the decision to hospitalise Tricki, for her love for him knew no bounds. It was a terrible and tearful moment for her but she agreed to Herriot’s suggestion for the betterment of her pet.

5: 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 (a prescribed course of medical treatment, diet) 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.

6: 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 every day and that made him obese and lethargic. That is why his health showed rapid improvement when his diet was controlled.

7: 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.

8: 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 Questions and Answers

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 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 Tricks 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: Pen down incidences in support of values one should inculcate from Mr. James Herriot.

Ans: Mr. Herriot was a capable veterinary surgeon who treated Tricki. He was very compassionate doctor and a wise and sympathetic human being. He showed his capabilities almost immediately when he advised Mrs. Pumphrey to put Tricki on a strict diet after understanding his symptoms. He can also be said to be an understanding and tactful person, as he knew exactly how to free Tricki from the spoiling love of Mrs. Pumphrey for his betterment. He does not operate upon the poor dog unnecessarily and adopts a practical approach to treat him. Mr. James Herriot allays Mrs. Pumphrey’s anxiety about Tricki’s recovery patiently. He was in all a good human being and a successful professional.

So, one can inculcate the habits and characteristics of Mr. James Herriot, as he was an animal lover and knew that over-pampering could make someone idle and dull. He loved his profession and he treated his patients with full of care.

3: Do you think parents like Mrs. Pumphrey exist?  If yes, is it a good thing to pamper children? Why or why not?

Ans: Yes, parents like Mrs. Pumphrey definitely exist. These people spoil their children by making sure 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 sown 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 hardship 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 of ‘A Triumph of Surgery.’