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    1. A Triumph of Surgery - Class 10 - Footprints

    A warm, semi-realistic illustration of a middle-aged male veterinarian in a white coat gently placing his hand on a sleepy, overweight Cavalier King Charles Spaniel lying on a green examination table. The scene is set in a softly sunlit golden-yellow room with a window showing a green tree outside, conveying care, calm, and recovery — representing a moment from the story “A Triumph of Surgery.”

    Author: James Herriot Genre: Autobiographical narrative / Humorous fiction Source: First Flight, CBSE Class 10

    Summary

    This story revolves around Tricki, a pampered pet dog belonging to Mrs. Pumphrey, a wealthy and overindulgent woman. Tricki is overfed and given rich, fatty foods like cream cakes and chocolates, which lead to his deteriorating health. He becomes lazy, listless, and overweight.

    Worried, Mrs. Pumphrey contacts Dr. Herriot, a kind-hearted veterinary surgeon. He immediately understands that Tricki’s illness is due to his luxurious lifestyle and lack of exercise, not a medical condition. To save the dog and give him proper care, Dr. Herriot convinces Mrs. Pumphrey to admit Tricki into his clinic, pretending it’s a necessary treatment.

    At the clinic, Tricki is given no food for two days—just water. Slowly, he begins to show interest in his surroundings. He starts mingling with other dogs, plays, and eats normally. Within a few days, Tricki regains his health and becomes an active, cheerful dog again.

    Mrs. Pumphrey, unaware of the real treatment, believes that her dog’s recovery is due to some miraculous medical procedure. She expresses her gratitude emotionally and calls it “a triumph of surgery.”

    👤 Character Sketches

    1. Dr. Herriot

    • A compassionate, wise, and humorous vet

    • Understands animals well

    • Uses intelligence and kindness instead of medicines

    • Values practicality over unnecessary emotion

    • Handles Mrs. Pumphrey’s drama calmly

    2. Mrs. Pumphrey

    • A rich and overly loving dog owner

    • Very emotional and dramatic

    • Believes pampering is love

    • Sends Tricki luxurious food even during treatment

    • Genuinely loves her dog but lacks understanding of real care

    3. Tricki

    • A small, pampered pet dog

    • Suffers from obesity due to overfeeding

    • Lacks energy and interest in life initially

    • Becomes active and healthy with simple care and exercise

    • Symbol of innocence and victim of misplaced love

    📚 Themes

    Theme

    Explanation

    Overindulgence

    Mrs. Pumphrey's excessive pampering harms Tricki.

    Practical Care

    True care often involves discipline, not indulgence.

    Irony

    The ‘surgery’ is just proper diet and exercise, yet Mrs. Pumphrey believes it was a medical miracle.

    Human-Animal Bond

    The emotional attachment between Mrs. Pumphrey and Tricki is intense, though misdirected.

    Compassion

    Dr. Herriot shows true compassion—not through medicines but through understanding and wise actions.

    ✨ Literary Devices / Figures of Speech

    • Irony: No surgery is actually performed, yet the title is “A Triumph of Surgery.”

    • Hyperbole: Mrs. Pumphrey’s dramatic emotional outbursts and excessive worry.

    • Humour: The vet and his team enjoy the rich food sent by Mrs. Pumphrey, pretending it’s all for Tricki.

    • Symbolism:

      • Tricki = innocent victim of blind love

      • Surgery = common sense, disguised as professional treatment

    • Imagery: Descriptions of Tricki's appearance ("bloated sausage") and recovery create vivid pictures.

    • Dialogue: Used effectively to portray characters' personalities.

    📖 Title Justification

    "A Triumph of Surgery" is a satirical and ironic title. No real surgery takes place, but the successful recovery of Tricki through proper care, diet, and exercise is mistaken as a surgical miracle by Mrs. Pumphrey. The title mocks the idea of expensive medical procedures by highlighting the value of simple, logical care.

    🔍 Important Questions & Answers

    Q1. What was the real cause of Tricki's illness? Tricki was overfed by his mistress and led a sedentary lifestyle. He became obese and unhealthy due to excessive pampering.

    Q2. How did Dr. Herriot treat Tricki? He didn’t give any medicine. Instead, he isolated Tricki from luxury, provided a simple diet and allowed him to interact with other dogs and exercise.

    Q3. How did Mrs. Pumphrey react to Tricki’s recovery? She was overjoyed and emotional. She believed a complex surgery had saved Tricki’s life and called it a “triumph of surgery.”

    Q4. What kind of a person was Mrs. Pumphrey? She was loving but ignorant about her pet’s real needs. Her excessive affection and dramatic nature made her an unwise caretaker.

    Q5. How does the story reflect humour and irony? Humour is seen in the way Dr. Herriot narrates the situation and enjoys the food sent for Tricki. Irony lies in the mistaken belief that a medical miracle cured Tricki.

    🧠 Value-Based Question

    Q. What lesson does the story “A Triumph of Surgery” teach us about caring for others? The story teaches that real care is not always about giving more—it’s about giving what is truly needed. Love should be balanced with wisdom and responsibility. Overindulgence, even with good intentions, can do harm.



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