A Triumph of Surgery Extra Questions and Answers

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What makes you know that Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady?
Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey was a wealthy lady as she had many servants and maids also had a pet. She used to
feed her pet with a lot of dishes, sweets and snacks. Moreover, she had a separate room and wardrobe for her
pet. All these things show that she was a rich lady.

2. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey calls the doctor?

Or
Why did Mrs. Pumphrey takes Tricki to the doctor?
Answer: Tricki was not eating anything for the past few days. He had refused even dishes and had bouts of
vomiting. Moreover, he was spending his time lying on a rug; panting-He was not going for walks. All these
symptoms forced Mrs. Pumphrey to visit the doctor.

3. How does Dr. Herriot treats Tricki?

Answer: Dr. Herriot cut down Tricki food and made him exercise. For the first three days jobs didn’t give him
food but only water. He did not give any medicinal treatment but made him all day with the dogs. He
discovered the joys of being bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few minutes. He enjoyed a lot along
with his recovery.

4. Why were the household dogs not interested in Tricki initially?

Answer: Tricki was a newcomer in the house. Moreover, Tricki was very lethargic to play with them He was
not comfortable there. But after a few days, Tricki started enjoying them. He discovered the joys of being
bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few minutes. He became an accepted member of the gang.

5. Why was Dr. Herriot confident that Tricki will be in hospital soon?
Answer: Tricki was tottering (move in an unsteady way) slowly in the house. He was not eating anything, not
even his favourite dishes and besides, he had bouts of vomiting. Dr. Herriot was sure that if his food was not cut
down and more exercise was not given to him, he would be really ill soon.

6. Why was the entire staff of Mrs. Pumphrey at work while Tricki was going to the hospital?
Answer: Tricki was Mrs. Pumphrey beloved dog, and when he was going to the hospital, the entire staff got to
work. His day and night beds, favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings, and food bowls were loaded into the
narrator’s car by them.

7. What was the cause of Tricki’s ailment?

Or
What was the main cause of `Tricki’s ill-health’?
Answer: Tricki was overfed by Mrs. Pumphrey. He became hugely fat and inactive. He was pampered with a
lot of cream cakes, chocolates and Hot links. This was the main cause of his illness.

8. Why did Mr. Herriot ask Mrs. Pumphrey to admit Tricki in a hospital?
Answer: Dr. Herriot asked Mrs. Pumphrey to admit Tricki in a hospital because instead of cutting down upon
his food and making him exercise, she was pampering him.

9. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey treats Tricki in a special way?

Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey was an extremely rich lady but was foolishly indulgent in pampering her dog, Tricki.
She served him with cream cakes, chocolates and cod-liver oil. She did so because she treated Tricki like her
son.

10. Why was Dr. Herriot worried about Tricki?

Answer: Dr. Herriot was worried about Tricki because he had become hugely fat and inactive. He suggested to
Mrs. Pumphrey to cut down his food and give him some exercise but she was reluctant to do so.
11. Why was Tricki sent to the hospital?
Answer: Tricki had become sluggish as he had grown so fast that it became difficult for him to walk. He
started panting all the time, kept on vomiting and stopped eating. He seemed very ill so he was hospitalized.

12. What was Mrs. Pumphrey’s reaction when Tricki showed little enthusiasm for exertion?
Answer: She was shocked and worried. She thought that Tricki was seriously ill. She thought that he had been
suffering from malnutrition.

13. What did she do to bring him back to normal health? Was she successful?
Answer: To bring Tricki to normal health she started giving him a beer and cod-liver oil. She also gave him a
bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep. But she was not successful because all these things put an adverse
effect on the little dog.

14. What was Mr. Herriot’s strict advice? Did Mrs. Pumphrey heed his advice? What excuses did she
make?
Answer: Mr. Herriot’s strict advice was to cut down on sweet things and to give him plenty of exercises. But
Mrs. Pumphrey did not heed (pay attention) to this advice. She thought Tricki was weak. So she was giving him
cream cakes and chocolates. Tricki had very little exercise because the gardener was unwell.

15. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey make a frantic (anxiety with fear) call to Mr. Herriot?
Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey made a frantic call to Mr. Herriot because Tricki was seriously ill. He ate no food. He
refused even his favorite dishes. He had bouts of vomiting. He liked to do nothing.

16. Describe the `parting scene’ between Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey’s household.
Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey was wailing. The entire staff was roused (awakened). The maids rushed in and out
bringing his beds and bowls to the doctor’s car. When the doctor drove the car away everybody in the house
was in tears.

17. “I think I know a cure for you.” What was the `cure’?
Answer: It was the cure to control Tricki’s diet. He did not give any food to Tricki for two days. He gave him a
lot of water to drink. He gave him no medicine. He gave him a lot of exercises and this all made Tricki very
active.

18. The household dogs at the surgery rejected Tricki as “uninteresting objects.” Why?
Answer: At the surgery the household dogs surrounded Tricki. He looked at them with dull eyes. The other
dogs sniffed him but he did not give any response. So they found him as an uninteresting object and rejected
him.

19. How did he become an accepted member of the gang and start enjoying the company of other dogs?
Answer: After two or three days Tricki’s health began to improve rapidly. He started mixing-up with other
dogs. He enjoyed playing different games with the other dogs. In this way, he became an accepted member of
the gang. He enjoyed their company.

20. Describe the small dog Tricki.

Answer: Tricki was a small dog of a rich lady Mrs. Pumphrey. She loved him too much. Because of
overfeeding, he looked like a bloated sausage. He had become hugely fat. He had bloodshot and rheumy eyes.

21. What did Mrs. Pumphrey thinks her dog suffered from? How did she try to help him?
Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey’s dog Tricki was dull and listless. She thought that he suffered from malnutrition. So
she gave him malt and cod-liver oil between meals. She gave him a bowl of Horlicks at night.

22. What was the real disease that Tricki was suffering from?
Answer: Actually, Tricki didn’t have physical disease. He had a vomiting problem because of overfeeding. He
was lazy because he did not have any physical exercise.
23. What was Mrs. Pumphrey’s reaction when the doctor said that Tricki must be taken to the hospital
for a fortnight?
Answer: Hearing this from the doctor’s mouth she almost swooned. She was sure that Tricki would pine and
die if he did not see her every day.

24. How did the gang of the household dogs accept Tricki as their member?
Answer: After two or three days Tricki mixed-up with the household dogs. He had a lot of fun and exercise
there. He ran about with the dogs. He enjoyed being bowled over, tramped on and squashed. Thus they
accepted him as their member.

25. How did Tricky treat his mistress when she went to collect him?
Answer: When Tricki saw his mistress, he took off from Mr. Herriot’s arms. He took a tremendous leap. He
sailed into Mrs. Pumphrey’s lap. He swarmed over her. He licked her face and barked.

26. Why was Mr. Herriot shocked at Tricki’s appearance?

Answer: Tricki had become hugely fat. He looked like a bloated sausage. His eyes were bloodshot and rheumy.
His tongue lolled from his jaws. So Mr. Herriot was shocked at Tricki’s appearance.

27. Why was Dr. Herriot really worried about Tricki?

Answer: When Dr. Herriot saw Tricki with his mistress, he was really worried. He was shocked at his
appearance. The dog had become hugely fat. His eyes were bloodshot and rheumy. His tongue lolled from his
jaws. Naturally, the miserable condition of the dog made him really worried.

28. What special diet did Mrs. Pumphrey give to build Tricki up?
Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey found that Tricki had become listless. He seemed to have no energy. She thought he
must be suffering from malnutrition. She decided to give some little special diet between meals to build him up.
She gave him some malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night. She couldn’t refuse cakes and chocolates
to Tricki even after being advised to cut down on the sweet things.

29. What was the only fault of Tricki as diagnosed by Dr. Herriot?
Answer: Dr. Herriot knew that overindulgence and pampering of Tricki’s mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey created
problems for him. The only fault of Tricki was his greed for food. He had never known to refuse food.
Overfeeding and not giving him proper exercise made him hugely fat and dull.

30. Why did Dr. Herriot try to sound severe when he gave strict instructions to Mrs. Pumphrey about
Tricki?
Answer: Dr. Herriot knew the real cause of Tricki’s problems. He found that the only fault of Tricki was his
greed for food. So, he gave strict instructions to Tricki’s mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey. He asked her to cut his food
right down. He also recommended giving him more exercise and keeping him on a very strict diet.

31. What plans did Dr. Herriot make to get Tricki out of the house?
Answer: Dr. James Herriot realised that as long as Tricki was with Mrs. Pumphrey, he would be miserable. He
suggested to her that Tricki must be hospitalised for a fortnight. He would be under his observation. The lady
almost fainted on hearing this, but Dr. Herriot took a firm line. He insisted that the dog was ill and it was the
only way of saving him.

32. How did Mrs. Pumphrey react when she heard from the doctor that Tricki needed to be hospitalised
for a fortnight?
Answer: When Dr. Herriot informed Mrs. Pumphrey that Tricki was to be kept under his Supervision, Mrs.
Pumphrey almost fainted on hearing this. It was extremely difficult for her to be away from her pampered pet
for a fortnight. She agreed only after Dr. Herriot told her that that was the only way of saving Tricki.

33. How was Tricki treated at the surgery?

Answer: Dr. Herriot gave no medical treatment to Tricki. He realised that the only problem of Tricki was his
greed for food. For two days, he kept an eye on him. He gave him no food but plenty of water. He made up a
bed for him in a warm loose box next to where other dogs slept.
34. Describe the gradual progress of Tricki at the surgery.
Answer: Tricki’s main problem was his greed for food. For two days, Dr. Herriot gave no food but plenty of
water to the dog. On the first day, Tricki lay motionless on the carpet. On the second day, he started showing
some interest in his surroundings. On the third day, he began to whimper when he heard the dogs in the yard.
From then on, his progress was rapid. He started for his share of food and hunting rats at night.

35. How did the word ‘convalescing’ (recovering) affect Tricki’s mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey?
Answer: The moment Mrs. Pumphrey heard that Tricki was out of danger and convalescing, she was excited.
She started bringing fresh eggs, two dozen at a time, to build up his strength. Wine and brandy were given to
enrich Tricki’s blood. For a few nights, brandy was rolled around, inhaled and reverently drunk.

36. Why was Dr. Herriot tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?
Answer: Tricki was a pampered dog and his mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey was an overindulgent lady. For a happy
period, Dr. Herriot and his partner had two eggs each for breakfast. Then there was a liberal inflow of wine and
brandy. They were the days of deep content for him. He was naturally tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent
guest.

37. What excuses did Mrs. Pumphrey give for not following Dr. Herriot’s advice? What was the effect of
ignorance?
Answer: Dr. Herriot knew that the only fault of Tricki was his greed for food. Mrs. Pumphrey was an indulgent
mistress and pampered Tricki with malt, cod-liver oil and bowls of Horlicks. Dr. Herriot had advised her to cut
down on sweets and give him some exercise. Tricki was to be kept on a very strict diet. Mrs. Pumphrey told the
doctor that it was very difficult. The result of ignoring the doctor’s advice was disastrous. Tricki lost his
appetite and lay motionless on the carpet. He vomited again and again.

38. Why did Tricki become an uninteresting object for other dogs at the surgery?
Answer: Tricki was to be hospitalised for a fortnight. The pathetic little dog was gasping for breath. At the
surgery, the household dogs surged around Dr. Herriot. Tricki looked down at the noisy dogs with dull eyes
helplessly. He lay motionless on the carpet. The other dogs circled around him sniffing for a few seconds. They
decided that Tricki was an uninteresting object for them. Therefore, they ignored him.

39. How did Mrs. Pumphrey and her servants behave when Tricki was being taken away to surgery?
Answer: Dr. Herriot had advised that Tricki must be hospitalised under his observation for a fortnight. When
the dog was being sent away to the surgery, the whole staff was roused. The maids rushed in and out. They
were busy bringing Tricki’s day-bed, night-bed, cushions, toys, breakfast bowl, lunch bowl, etc. When he was
departing, everybody was in tears. The overindulgent mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey gave a cry in desperation.

40. How was Tricki accepted as a member of the gang and the other dogs started enjoying his company?
Answer: Tricki was out of danger. He started taking interest in his surroundings. On the third day, Joe, the
greyhound and other dogs surrounded him. They rolled him over and inspected him. Tricki followed them to
the garden. He was running and rolling down in their company. Now he was accepted as a member of the gang.

41. Do you think that Dr. Herriot was a sensible, practical and clever person? How?
Answer: Yes, Dr. Herriot was a pragmatic (practical) person. He was sensible enough to recognise Tricki’s
greed for food. He was highly practical. He knew that it was difficult for Mrs. Pumphrey to part with the dog.
So, he advised her that Tricki must be hospitalised under his supervision for a fortnight. It was necessary to
save him. He was a clever person and was tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest. Actually, he was
enjoying the best of both worlds.

42. Wasn’t Mrs. Pumphrey an overindulgent but silly and impractical mistress?
Answer: Yes, Mrs. Pumphrey was fabulously rich. She could afford to be overindulgent towards her favorite
pet dog, Tricki. The dog was pampered like a spoilt child. She was silly enough to provide cushions, toys, day-
bed, night-bed, unnecessary items like malt, cod-liver oil, Horlicks, wine and brandy which are not available
even to human beings. Her impractical nature led to overfeeding of Tricki. He grew hugely fat, listless and dull.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. Herriot enjoyed the lavish (costly) meal during Tricki’s stay but still, he felt compelled (forced to do
something) to inform Mrs. Pumphrey about the recovery of Tricki. Why did he not keep Tricki for a
longer time? Did he feel concerned for Mrs. Pumphrey? Was it not in his attitude to break the trust of
others? Discuss the values he possessed in 100-120 words.
Answer: Tricki was a fat dog, the pet of Mrs. Pumphrey. He became listless and seemed to have no energy and
fell ill. So, Mrs. Pumphrey called the veterinary surgeon, Dr. Herriot for help. Dr. Herriot took Tricki to his
surgery. He kept an eye on him for two days and gave him no food but plenty of water. At the end of the second
day, he started showing some interest in his surroundings and on the third day, began to whimper (cry) on the
sound of dogs.
During his stay at the surgery, Mrs. Pumphrey started to bring round fresh eggs to a dozen at a time. She also
sent bottles of wine and brandy for Tricki’s health. But that was consumed by Mr. Herriot and his partners.
Hence, Herriot enjoyed the stay of Tricki. He did not want to keep Tricki for a longer time because he felt
concerned for Mrs. Pumphrey. He did not want to separate the pet from his owner. He could understand Mrs.
Pumphrey’s concern for the little dog. So he returned him back.

2. The chapter shows the silly (lack of commonsense) and negligent (careless) behaviour of rich people
like Mrs. Pumphrey who may harm their near and dear ones by their extra caring nature. Tricki
declined health was the outcome of Mrs. Pumphrey’s over-caring nature. Do you think such people’s
actions can prove to be fatal (harmful) for the health of their kinds? What values would you suggest to
such people to emulate in themselves and why? Write your answer in 100-120 words.
Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey was a wealthy lady with a fat pet dog named Tricki. Tricki was too dear to Mrs.
Pumphrey. Hence, she took extra care of him. She had pampered the dog with all kinds of comforts. The dog
had many coats worn according to the weather, had different cushions for his comfort and also had various
dishes to eat. Some extras between meals were given to him, some malt, cod- liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at
night to make him sleep.
He was also given cream cakes and chocolates. This made him fat and lethargic. He became hugely fat like a
bloated sausage. His eyes bloodshot and rheumy, stared straight ahead and his tongue lolled from his jaws. I
think Mrs Pumphrey’s extra-caring nature resulted in Tricki’s declined health. Such an attitude can result in
fatal health of their kind. One should not over care for them. Exercise and proper meal are important for one’s
health. The same was taken care by Dr. Herriot, which resulted in the speedy recovery of Tricki.

3. “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. Did he lack tolerance? What values would you like
Tricky to imbibe? Elucidate.
Answer: 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. Herriot did not lack
intolerance; he was just stating the obvious. Tricki’s ill-health made him concerned, and he made the
observation 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 behaved more like a dog!

4. 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 also and give reasons for the same. Write your answer in 100-120 words.
Answer: Herriot was a duty-bound veterinary doctor. He used to visit Mrs. Pumphrey’s house regularly for the
regular check-up of her dog Tricki. Mrs. Pumphrey was a very rich lady who had pampered her dog. Dr Herriot
was quite worried about Tricki health. He knew that the dog was over-fed by his owner. He advised Mrs.
Pumphrey to keep him on a rich diet and give him a lot of exercises. But she didn’t bother. Hence, in order to
improve Tricki health, he decided to take him away from Mrs. Pumphrey. He told her that ‘Tricki needed
surgery. He made a Tricki cut down his diet and made him do certain exercises which improve his health.
Although he knew Mrs. Pumphrey was very rich and much attached to the dog, he did not take any advantage
of it. He just performed his duties and should also learn the same values in our life.
5. How did Mrs. Pumphrey keep her dog? How did she add to his problems?
Or
Tricki was more a member of Mrs. Pumphrey’s family than a mere dog. Explain, giving an example
from the text.
Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady. She pampered her dog Tricki. She overfed him. She gave him a
nutritious diet. This made him hugely fat. He looked like a bloated sausage. He became dull, flabby. lazy and
listless. She thought that he had been suffering from malnutrition. So she gave him malt and cod-liver oil
between meals. She gave him Horlicks at night. In spite of the doctor’s advice, she gave him cream cakes and
chocolate. All these things made his condition worse. He had bouts of vomiting. He kept lying all the time on
the carpet. He did not want to go out of the house even for a little time.

6. How did Herriot save Tricki’s life?

Answer: Tricki was seriously ill. He refused food. He had bouts of vomiting. Mrs. Pumphrey was very much
worried about him. She called Mr. Herriot who was a vet. Herriot and knew Tricki’s disease well. He told Mrs.
Pumphrey that the dog must be hospitalized for a fortnight immediately. He carried the dog in his car to his
surgery. There he put him in a separate room. He was given no food for two days but plenty of water. After two
days the dog felt better. He started enjoying games with other dogs. In this way, Herriot cured Tricki of his
illness without any medicine or surgery.

7. Write a character-sketch of Mrs. Pumphrey.

Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey was a very wealthy lady. She was very loving to her dog Tricki. She pampered
overfed him. She gave him much nutritious food. Tricki was very greedy. He never refuses food. This made
him hugely fat and lazy. Mrs. Pumphrey was much worried about him. She thought that he was suffering from
malnutrition and she gave him more food for energy. She almost swooned Herriot told her that Tricki must be
hospitalized for a fortnight. She thought that Tricki would pine and die if he did not see his mistress even for a
single balance and was very grateful to Herriot for his services to Tricki.

8. Write a character-sketch of Tricki.

Answer: Tricki was a small dog. He was pampered and overfed by his mistress. He was given much nutritious
food. He was greedy enough to refuse food at any time. He liked eating cream cakes and chocolates. This made
him hugely fat. He looked like a bloated (swollen) sausage. He had bloodshot and rheumy eyes. He became
dull, flabby, lazy and listless. He was seriously sick. He had bouts of vomiting. He was taken to Herriot’s
surgery. There he was given no food for two days. He had a lot of exercises to do. This made him quite fit. He
loved his mistress very much. His mistress said about him that he would pine and die if he did not see her even
for a single day.

9. Mrs. Pumphrey says, “This is ‘A Triumph of Surgery’. Why did she say so? Did she know what ‘,
Ticki’s ailment was?
Answer: Tricki was seriously ill. He refused food. He had bouts of vomiting. Mrs. Pumphrey was very much
worried about him. She called Dr. Herriot who was a vet surgeon. Dr. Herriot knew about Tricki’s disease. He
took the dog to his surgery. He gave Tricki no food for two days. He gave him a lot of exercises. When Mrs.
Pumphrey went to Dr. Herriot’s surgery to take Tricki back she found him totally transformed. He had been
very lazy and flabby. But now he had been transformed into a lithe and hard-muscled animal. All this made him
say, “This is ‘A Triumph of Surgery’. No, Mrs. Pumphrey did not know about Tricki’s ailment. She also did not
know how he was cured.

10. 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.
Answer: Mrs. Pumphrey was a fabulously rich and resourceful lady with a large number of 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, cod-liver 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 (softhearted) 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.

11. 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.
Answer: Tricki was definitely more than a dog. Actually, he was 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
time 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.

12. 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.
Answer: 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 cuttting 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. The grateful mistress thanked Dr. Herriot and called his feat (achievement)”A
Triumph of Surgery”.
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.

13. 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?
Answer: 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’.

14. Why did Dr James Herriot say that he was tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest? Give a
reasoned answer.
Answer: Dr. James Herriot was not only a competent veterinary surgeon but also a clever man of the world. No
doubt, Tricki was in a highly miserable state when he was brought to Dr. Herriot’s surgery. The doctor gave no
medical treatment to the dog. He didn’t give food but plenty of water for a few days. Tricki’s recovery was
rather rapid. Soon, he was transformed into a flexible and hard-muscled dog. The grateful mistress obliged Dr.
Herriot and his friends. His partners and he himself had two eggs each for breakfast. Lunch became a
ceremonial occasion. The grateful and fabulously rich mistress of Tricki treated him warmly with liberal (wide-
ranging) servings of wine and brandy.
Dr. James Herriot was enjoying the best of both the worlds. He had no hesitation in accepting Mrs. Pumphrey’s
tempting services. Naturally, it was a temptation for him to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest. Those were
days of deep content. Fresh eggs in the morning, wine at noon and finishing luxuriously around the fire with
brandy. Who wouldn’t like such a pleasant situation? After all, Dr. Herriot was a clever and worldly-wise man.

15. Describe Tricki’s stay at Dr. James Herriot’s surgery, highlighting his behaviour and his rapid
recovery.
Answer: 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”.

16.The foolish indulgence and pampering of the rich mistress, Mrs Pumphrey was the real cause of
Tricki’s miserable condition. Give a reasoned answer.
Answer: Overindulgence and pampering beyond a limit becomes 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 give him plenty of exercises. It was necessary to cut
down his intake of sweets. But foolish indulgence of the mistress ignored his healthy advice. The result was
disastrous(harmful). 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.