A Triumph of Surgery is a heartwarming story from the CBSE Class 10 Supplementary Reader, “Footprints without Feet. The following questions at page no. 7 are designed to help readers explore and analyze the themes and characters presented in the story. Answering these questions requires not only a thorough understanding of the text but also critical thinking and analytical skills.”
A Triumph of Surgery author – James Herriot

A Triumph of Surgery NCERT Solutions Competency-Based Questions
Q 1. This episode describes the silly behaviour of a rich woman who is foolishly indulgent, perhaps because she is lonely. Do you think such people are merely silly, or can their actions cause harm to others?
ANS: The episode of “The Triumph of Surgery” highlights the foolish behaviour of a rich woman, Mrs Pumphrey, who indulges her dog, Tricki, to the point of endangering its health. While Mrs Pumphrey’s behaviour may seem silly or trivial, it can cause harm to others, in this case, her pet dog. Her excessive pampering and overfeeding have led to Tricki’s obesity, which can result in various health problems. Furthermore, Mrs Pumphrey’s behaviour also causes harm to the staff who work in her household as they are tasked with looking after her dog’s needs. Therefore, it is important to recognize that such behaviour, although seemingly harmless, can cause harm to others and needs to be addressed.
Q 2. Do you think there are also parents like Mrs Pumphrey?
ANS: Yes, there are many parents like Mrs Pumphrey who overindulge their children, often out of a misguided sense of love or affection. Such parents may not realize the negative impact of their actions and may unintentionally harm their children by spoiling them. Like Tricki, the children of such parents may become lazy, and irritated, and may develop unhealthy habits, which can lead to various physical and emotional health problems. Therefore, it is important for parents to strike a balance between love and discipline, to ensure the overall well-being of their children.
Q 3. What would you have done if you were:
(i) a member of the staff in Mrs Pumphrey’s household,
(ii) a neighbour?
What would your life have been like, in general?
ANS: (i) If I were a staff member in Mrs Pumphrey’s household, I would try to educate her about the negative impact of overindulging Tricki. I would also suggest ways to help the dog lose weight, such as reducing its food intake and increasing exercise.
(ii) If I were a neighbour, I would try to befriend Mrs Pumphrey and offer her company so that she does not feel lonely. I would also suggest alternative ways to keep Tricki occupied, such as taking the dog for walks or engaging it in playtime. In general, my life would revolve around caring for others and ensuring their well-being.
Q 4. What would you have done if you were in the narrator’s place?
ANS: If I were in the narrator’s place, I would continue to provide medical assistance to Tricki and educate Mrs Pumphrey about responsible pet ownership. I would also advise her on ways to help Tricki maintain a healthy weight and ensure the dog receives the care it needs. Additionally, I would try to offer Mrs Pumphrey some companionship so that she does not feel lonely and isolated. Ultimately, my goal would be to help both Tricki and Mrs Pumphrey live happy and healthy lives.
These are primarily competency and perception-based questions. These types of questions assess the reader’s understanding and interpretation of the text, as well as their ability to analyze and evaluate the themes, characters, and literary devices used by the author. Answering these types of questions requires not only knowledge of the text but also critical thinking skills, inference-making abilities, and a capacity to draw connections and insights from the reading.