English Class 10 - Class X CBSE SR Chapter 1 - A Triumph of Surgery Material

 INTRODUCTION

The Story “A Triumph of Surgery” is written by James Herriot. It is about a small dog Tricki who is pampered a lot by his rich mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey. He (Tricki) falls sick as a result of being overfed and is cured by Mr. Herriot, a veterinarian, at his surgery.

WORD MEANINGS

1. Bloated - swollen; excessive.

2. Bloodshot - inflamed or tinged with blood.

3. Tottering - moving in a feeble or unsteady way.

4. Tweed - a rough-surfaced woollen cloth.

5. Harness - a set of straps and fittings.

6. Bouts - a short period of intense activity of a specified type.

7. Roused - made active or excited.

8. Gasping - catching one’s breath with an open mouth.

9. Surged - moved suddenly and powerfully forward or upward.

10. Whimper - make a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or unhappiness.

11. Trotted - ran at a moderate pace with short steps.

12. Slopped - spilt over the edge of a container, typically as a result of careless handling.

13. Jostling - pushing or bumping against someone roughly, typically in a crowd.

14. Rapid - happening in a short time or at a great rate.

15. Scrimmages - confused struggle or fights.

16. Bowled over - pushed and made to fall on the ground.

17. Dodged - avoided

18. Reverently - with deep and solemn respect.

19. Chauffeur - a person employed to drive a private or hired car.

20. Hurtling - moving or causing to move at a high speed, typically in an uncontrolled manner.

21. Leap - jump to a great height.

22. Startled - felt sudden shock or alarm.

CHARACTERS

1. Mrs. Pumphrey - Mrs. Pumphrey is a wealthy single woman. She is very much attached to her dog, Tricki. She is very loving but weak at heart.

2. James Herriot - James is a veterinary surgeon who proves to be a capable doctor and a wise individual. He is an animal lover and a caring guardian.

3. Tricki - Tricki is a lazy and fat dog who loves food. He is very fond of his owner. He turns out to be energetic and lively after recovering from his illness.

SUMMARY

Tricki’s illness

The narrator of the story is Mr. Herriot. He is a veterinary surgeon. He was really worried about the dog. Its name was Tricki. He was shocked to see it with its mistress. It had become hugely fat. Its eyes had become red. Its tongue came out from its jaws. It was in a state of disease.

Tricki’s mistress made Tricki ill

The mistress of the dog was Mrs. Pumphrey. She told Mr. Herriot that the dog seemed to have no energy. So she gave it more malt and cod liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks. She also gave it some cream cakes and chocolates, despite Herriot’s refusal. It was a rich diet.

Herriot’s warning to Mrs. Pumphrey

Herriot looked at the dog again. Its big trouble was that it had become greedy. It did not refuse food. Herriot asked Mrs. Pumphrey if she had been giving the dog plenty of exercise. She said she had not. Herriot warned her. If she didn’t cut its food and gave it more physical exercise, it would be really ill. She said that he was right. But it was difficult for her.

Tricki to be in hospital

Within the next few days, Mrs. Pumphrey told Herriot that Tricki didn’t eat anything. It refused to eat even its favourite dishes. It spent all its time lying, panting. The narrator had made his plans in advance. He suggested that Tricki should be hospitalised for about a fortnight. The lady almost became unconscious. She was sure that it would die if he did not see her.

Tricki in hospital

The narrator took the dog in his car. Mrs. Pumphrey gave Tricki’s belongings like bed, cushions, toys, various bowls, coats etc. At the hospital, Tricki looked down at other dogs. They sniffed round it and ignored it.

Tricki’s Treatment

The narrator kept an eye on Tricki for two days. He gave it plenty of water but no food. On the third day, it started whimpering on seeing other dogs. It followed them down the garden. Later that day, other dogs had their food. When they had finished, Tricki walked round the bowls. He also licked them. It meant he was hungry. It was given some food.

Tricki shows improvement

Tricki started to show progress. It was given no medicinal treatment. It ran about with the dogs all day. Furthermore, it discovered the joy of being with other dogs. Meanwhile, Mrs. Pumphrey continued ringing regularly. She asked various questions about Tricki. But the narrator told her that the dog was out of danger.

When Tricki becomes all right

Mrs. Pumphrey started to bring round fresh eggs to build up Tricki’s strength. The narrator began enjoying wine before and during the meal. The narrator got the chance to drink brandy also. The narrator now had one extra egg in the morning. He had wine at noon and brandy in the evening. After a fortnight, the narrator rang her up saying the dog was all right.

Mrs. Pumphrey comes to take Tricki home

Mrs. Pumphrey arrived at the narrator’s Surgery in a big car. She asked him if the dog was better. The narrator told her that the dog was fine. He would bring it to her. When Tricki saw its mistress, it ran into Mrs. Pumphrey’s lap. It began licking her face and barking.

Tricki’s cure - a triumph of Surgery

The narrator helped the driver to bring out Tricki’s various things. These were Tricki’s beds, toys, cushions, coats, and bowls. They had not been used. As the car moved away, Mrs. Pumphrey leaned out of the window. Tears shone in her eyes. Her lips trembled. She told the narrator that it was a triumph of surgery.

MESSAGE

This story conveys the message that excess of anything is not good. Exercise is equally important for the well-being along with nutritious food. Pampering spoils physical as well as mental health. Many kids get spoilt because they are unreasonably pampered by their parents. Mrs. Pumphrey can be related to an overindulgent mother who pampers Tricki like her own child, spoils him without thinking about the consequences and becomes the cause of his misery, unintentionally.