Footprints ch01 A Triumph of Surgery - CBSE Test Papers

CBSE Test Paper 01
A Triumph of Surgery
  1. Write a brief character sketch of Mr. Herriot, the veterinary surgeon. What value in his character impresses you the most?
  2. Do you agree that Tricki was in better hands of the surgeon who offered him no food but plenty of water, than with rich mistress?
  3. What kind of a person do you think the narrator of 'A Triumph of Surgery', a veterinary surgeon, is? Would you say he is tactful as well as full of common sense?
  4. How did Mrs. Pumphrey and her servants behave when Tricki was about to be hospitalised?
  5. What was Mrs. Pumphrey’s reaction after hearing Tricki’s good health?
  6. 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?
  7. Was Tricki also to be blamed in more ways than one? How?
  8. Mrs.Pumphrey has a deep love and care for Tricki. Explain.
CBSE Test Paper 01
A Triumph of Surgery
Solution
  1. Mr. Herriot was a genius veterinary surgeon and above that, he was a good human being and a very tactful person. He knows how to deal with people. He adjusts himself well to the circumstances.
    He had a deep understanding of veterinary medical science and psychology. He was quick to analyze the factors responsible for lack of fitness and ill health of Pumphrey's dog (Tricki). These qualities of him allure me a lot.
  2. Yes, Tricki was in better hands of the surgeon who offered him no food but plenty of water, than with rich mistress. The surgeon treated him well and gave him the diet as per his need. He avoided over-feeding, unlike his affectionate and emotional rich mistress.
  3. Mr. Herriot, the narrator is a veterinary surgeon. As a person, he is tactful, full of common sense and humanity. He initially advises Mrs. Pumphrey to cut down on Tricki's diet. But when she doesn't do so, it is his tact to admit Tricki in the hospital and it is his common sense that he understands that Tricki is sick only because of overfeeding.
  4. When Tricki was going to be hospitalised, the staff was anxious. Maids rushed in to bring his bed, cushions, coats, bowls, etc.  All were in a panic and they all were sad. Mrs Pumphrey had tears in her eyes and she cried a lot when Tricki was made to sit in the car.
  5. When Mrs. Pumphrey got a call from Mr. Herriot about Tricki's good health. She was very happy. Mrs. Pumphrey reached there within a very short period of time. She wanted to see Tricki immediately.
  6. Mrs. Pumphrey loved her pet dog Tricki very much. When she found that Tricki was no more active and energetic, she tried to give more nutrients in his food through malt, cod-liver oil, a bowl of Horlicks and an extra diet of cream cakes and chocolates to make him more energetic. But she did not give him exercises. In fact, Tricki was not suffering from any disease. Mr. Harriot found out the main cause of his ailment, which was his greed for over-eating. Mr. Harriot recovered him from lethargy caused by overeating and excessive fat by giving him a controlled diet. He was able to treat the dog by being strict with him regarding diet and physical activities. So, Mr. Harriot's method could be regarded as better of two as Mr. Harriot understood the cause and remedy of the disease.
  7. Tricki was Mrs. Pumphrey's favourite dog and she pampered him because she loved him very much. She believed that he had become lazy because he suffered from malnutrition. So she gave him some little extras between meals to build him up, like malt, cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night. She did it out of love and concern. She continued to convey Tricki her love even in the hospital through eggs, wine and brandy. But Tricki was also at fault for his present condition. He was a greedy dog who wanted to eat anything and everything which was served to him. He used to have a meal at any hour of the day or night. He changed his system very easily according to the luxuries he got. He had become a glutton as he never refused to eat food. Apart from all that, he never believed in going for exercises or walk. He rather tried to please his mistress by eating all the time, be it sweets or eggs. This made the dog lazy, inactive and obese. He used to lie on his rug and pant all day long. So, he was also to be blamed for his present condition.
  8. Mrs. Pumphrey is a very rich woman. Her dog’s name is Tricki. She has a deep love and cares for her pet dog. She does not treat it like a dog, but she treats it like her own child. This can be seen throughout the story. She provides it with a luxurious life. Tricki has cushions, bed, bowls and different types of clothes. Apart from this, she overfeeds Tricki out of her love and concern. She serves him cod-liver oil and malt between the main meals and Horlicks after dinner to give him strength. She never realizes that Tricki is a greedy dog and this will spoil his health. She does not even refuse to answer Tricki's drooling for cream cakes and chocolates. She gives it a very nutritious diet and no exercise at all. As a result, Tricki becomes too fat. It falls ill. Mrs. Pumphrey immediately calls Mr.Herriot, who is a veterinary surgeon. Mr. Herriot advises her to cut its diet and give it some exercise, but she does not follow his advice and Tricki's condition worsens. Even in the hospital, she continues to convey Tricki her love through eggs, wine and brandy. After the treatment, Tricki gets well. Thus, Mrs. Pumphrey has too much love for her dog.