Class 10 : English – Lesson 20 A Triumph of Surgery

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY

A Triumph of Surgery is a delightful and insightful short story written by James Herriot, a British veterinary surgeon and author. The story highlights themes such as overindulgence, responsible pet ownership, professional wisdom, and the importance of discipline in love and care. Narrated in the first person, the story revolves around a pampered dog named Tricki, his doting owner Mrs. Pumphrey, and the clever yet compassionate vet, Dr. Herriot.

The story opens with Dr. Herriot’s concern over the health of Tricki, a small dog who appears listless, overweight, and extremely unwell. He notices the dog’s bloated body, lack of energy, and difficulty in movement. The root cause is soon revealed — Mrs. Pumphrey’s excessive pampering. Out of affection, she feeds Tricki rich food like cakes, chocolates, and cream, far beyond what is healthy for a dog. Despite the vet’s repeated advice to cut back on his diet and exercise him more, Mrs. Pumphrey is too soft-hearted to refuse Tricki anything.

As Tricki’s condition worsens, Dr. Herriot decides that the only way to save the dog is to remove him from Mrs. Pumphrey’s care. He tells her that Tricki needs immediate hospital treatment. A tearful Mrs. Pumphrey agrees, and Tricki is taken to the veterinary clinic. But to everyone’s surprise, Dr. Herriot performs no surgery at all. Instead, he simply puts Tricki on a strict diet and lets him interact with other dogs. Tricki, though initially weak, soon starts showing signs of improvement. He begins to eat properly, run around, and behave like a normal, healthy dog.

Dr. Herriot and his team treat Tricki with care, but without any of the luxuries he was used to at home. As days pass, Tricki recovers fully — all thanks to fresh air, regular food, and exercise, not any medication or surgery. The real “triumph of surgery” is metaphorical — it refers not to a physical operation, but to the success of Herriot’s common-sense treatment and the dog’s transformation through proper care.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Pumphrey remains unaware of the simplicity of the treatment. She believes her pet is undergoing complex procedures and sends gifts and hampers for the vet staff. When she finally sees Tricki healthy and active, she is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. She calls it “a triumph of surgery,” not knowing that it was actually the absence of surgery and the enforcement of discipline that cured Tricki.

The story concludes with humor and irony, as Dr. Herriot reflects on how easily people misunderstand the nature of love and care. It emphasizes that excessive affection can be harmful, and that discipline and restraint are often the best forms of care, whether for animals or humans.
In short, A Triumph of Surgery is a heartwarming, humorous tale that teaches a serious lesson — true care involves knowing when to say “no,” and love must be balanced with responsibility.
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PASSAGE

I looked down again at the little dog. It was the same old Tricki; his eyes had become dull, and he lay motionless on the carpet. He was panting, his tongue lolling from his jaws. A cabinet was lying open with rows of glossy bottles and sweet-smelling dishes. “He refused to eat,” Mrs. Pumphrey said sadly. “I had to give him little extras—some malt and cod-liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks at night to make him sleep—nothing much, really.”

Questions and Answers

✅ Q1. Fill in the blank (1 mark)
The phrase “tongue lolling from his jaws” suggests Tricki’s condition was __. (Choose one word substitution)
Answer: exhausted

✅ Q2. Multiple Choice Question (1 mark)
Choose the correct phrasal verb for “refused to eat”:
A) gave up
B) turned in
C) passed out
D) turned down
Answer: turned down

✅ Q3. Answer in 15 words (1 mark)
Why did Mrs. Pumphrey give Tricki extra food and supplements?
Answer:
She thought he was weak and sleepless, so she gave extra food to comfort him.

✅ Q4. Answer in 40 words (2 marks)
What does the passage suggest about Mrs. Pumphrey’s understanding of Tricki’s condition?
Answer:
Mrs. Pumphrey misunderstood Tricki’s real needs. Thinking he was weak, she overfed him with rich food and supplements. Her intentions were loving, but she worsened his health by ignoring the need for proper diet and physical exercise.

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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

✅ Q1. What symptoms in Tricki made Dr. Herriot concerned about his health? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Dr. Herriot noticed that Tricki had become bloated, dull-eyed, and listless. He was panting heavily, with his tongue hanging out and showing no interest in food or activity. Tricki’s sluggish behavior and physical condition made Dr. Herriot realize that the dog’s life was in danger due to overfeeding and lack of exercise.

✅ Q2. How did Mrs. Pumphrey contribute to Tricki’s poor health despite her good intentions? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Mrs. Pumphrey loved Tricki deeply, but her love led to harmful overindulgence. She constantly fed him rich food like cakes, cream, and Horlicks. She believed these would strengthen him, but instead, they made him obese and lethargic. Her inability to say no caused Tricki’s health to deteriorate rapidly, despite her caring intentions.

✅ Q3. Describe how Tricki responded to the new environment at the surgery. (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Initially, Tricki was weak and uninterested. However, once placed on a strict diet without indulgent food, and given time to mix with other dogs, he began to regain his health. Within days, Tricki became energetic, playful, and active. The care, exercise, and simplicity of the surgery environment helped him recover quickly.

✅ Q4. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey call Tricki’s recovery “a triumph of surgery”? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Mrs. Pumphrey believed Tricki had undergone a complex medical procedure due to his dramatic recovery. She was unaware that no surgery was done. Dr. Herriot’s method of treating him with diet, exercise, and interaction with other dogs seemed miraculous to her. Her words reflect both her relief and her misunderstanding of real healing.

✅ Q5. What does the story reveal about the fine line between love and overindulgence? (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
The story shows that love, when unbalanced, can become harmful. Mrs. Pumphrey’s affection for Tricki blinded her to his real needs. She equated love with giving — more food, more treats, more comfort — without realizing she was endangering his health. Her pampering replaced discipline, which resulted in Tricki’s obesity and illness. On the other hand, Dr. Herriot expressed love through care, restraint, and knowledge. He knew that recovery meant fewer luxuries and more discipline. His approach, though strict, saved Tricki. The story teaches that true love often means doing what is necessary, not what is pleasant. Caring for someone means understanding what truly benefits them, even if it requires withholding comfort or saying “no.”

✅ Q6. Imagine you are Dr. Herriot. Write a diary entry on the day Tricki was taken back by Mrs. Pumphrey. (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
Diary Entry –
Today, Mrs. Pumphrey came to collect Tricki. The joy on her face was unforgettable. She wept with happiness, believing her pet had been cured through some extraordinary surgery. I smiled politely, though no actual surgery was performed. All it took was a change in routine — proper diet, exercise, and social interaction. Tricki, once lifeless, now ran about like a normal dog. It made me reflect on how misunderstood love can be. Mrs. Pumphrey smothered Tricki with care but nearly killed him. I did what was needed — not pampering, but practical care. Watching Tricki leap into her arms reminded me that healing isn’t always heroic; sometimes, it’s just common sense and a bit of discipline.

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