Summary
Chapter 1 of NCERT Class 10 English (Footprints Without Feet), "A Triumph of Surgery" by James Herriot, is a humorous story about a veterinary surgeon who cures an overfed dog, Tricki, not through surgical intervention but through diet, exercise, and disciplined care.
This chapter follows a veterinary surgeon (the narrator, Mr. Herriot) treating Tricki, a small dog pampered and overfed by his wealthy owner, Mrs. Pumphrey. Despite the vet's advice to cut Tricki's food and increase exercise, Mrs. Pumphrey gives him cream cakes, chocolates, malt, and cod-liver oil, making him dangerously ill. The vet hospitalizes Tricki for two weeks, where strict diet and companionship with other dogs at the surgery restore his health. When the transformed, fit dog returns to Mrs. Pumphrey, she calls the recovery "a triumph of surgery"—not realizing the cure was simple discipline, not medicine.
Key points & formulas
- 01Tricki: a small, overfed dog who becomes 'like a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner'
- 02Mrs. Pumphrey: a wealthy, indulgent owner who cannot refuse Tricki food despite advice
- 03Mr. Herriot: a practical veterinary surgeon who uses common sense, not surgery
- 04The real cure: strict diet, exercise, and social interaction with other dogs
- 05Irony of the title: 'triumph of surgery' when no actual surgery occurred
- 06Theme: the harmful effects of overindulgence and parental over-protection
- 07Quote: 'He had become hugely fat, like a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner'
Frequently asked questions
01What is 'A Triumph of Surgery' about?
The story is about a veterinary surgeon who treats an overfed dog named Tricki. Instead of performing surgery, he cures the dog through strict diet, exercise, and discipline during a two-week stay at the surgery with other dogs.
02Who are the main characters in the chapter?
The main characters are Mr. Herriot (a veterinary surgeon and the narrator), Mrs. Pumphrey (Tricki's wealthy and indulgent owner), and Tricki (a small, overfed dog). Other dogs at the surgery also play an important role in Tricki's recovery.
03Why is Tricki in bad health at the beginning?
Tricki is overfed and lacks proper exercise. Mrs. Pumphrey gives him cream cakes, chocolates, malt, and cod-liver oil instead of following the vet's advice to reduce food and increase activity. His only fault is greed.
04What does Mr. Herriot do to cure Tricki?
He hospitalize Tricki at the surgery for two weeks, keeping him on a strict diet with no food for the first two days, only water. He allows Tricki to interact and play with other dogs, which gives him exercise and companionship. There is no medicinal treatment.
05What is the irony of the chapter title 'A Triumph of Surgery'?
The title is ironic because Mrs. Pumphrey believes the recovery is a triumph of surgical skill, but no surgery was actually performed. The cure came from simple diet, exercise, and natural recovery with other dogs.
06How does Tricki change during his two weeks at the surgery?
Tricki transforms from a bloated, lethargic dog into 'a lithe, hard-muscled animal' with ears flapping and tail waving, keeping up well with the pack and stretching out in great bounds.
07What is the main theme of this chapter?
The chapter explores the harmful effects of overindulgence and excessive indulgence by parents or guardians. It shows how Mrs. Pumphrey's inability to refuse Tricki food and comfort harms rather than helps him.
08Who is the narrator, and whose perspective do we see?
The narrator is Mr. Herriot, a veterinary surgeon. We see the story from his perspective as he observes Mrs. Pumphrey's foolish indulgence and treats Tricki with practical common sense.
09Why is Mrs. Pumphrey reluctant to let Tricki stay at the surgery?
She is convinced that Tricki will 'pine and die' without seeing her every day. She is emotionally dependent on the dog and struggles to be firm about discipline, even when the vet insists it is necessary for the dog's survival.
10What happens when Tricki is returned to Mrs. Pumphrey?
Tricki leaps from the vet's arms into Mrs. Pumphrey's lap with joy, licking her face and barking. Mrs. Pumphrey, with tears in her eyes, exclaims, 'This is a triumph of surgery!'—unaware that the cure was diet and exercise, not surgery.
11Is the NCERT Class 10 English PDF free to download?
Yes, NCERT textbooks are free to download from the NCERT official website. CBSE PrepMaster also provides free access to NCERT chapters with study aids—no sign-up or payment required.
More chapters in Footprints without Feet
This is the complete Footprints without Feet Chapter 1 as published by NCERT — every diagram, solved example, and exercise included, free. Browse all CBSE Class 10 textbooks.
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