CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet Chapter 1: A Triumph of Surgery NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'A Triumph of Surgery,' from CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet, delves into the story of Tricki, a pampered dog, and his owner Mrs. Pumphrey. The solutions cover the narrative's key events, focusing on Tricki's unhealthy lifestyle due to overfeeding and lack of exercise, his subsequent illness, and his remarkable recovery under the care of a veterinary surgeon. The questions explore Mrs. Pumphrey's excessive affection, the narrator's role as a veterinarian, and the lessons learned about responsible pet care. These NCERT solutions provide clear explanations and step-by-step answers, aiding students in understanding the plot, character motivations, and underlying themes, making them an excellent resource for exam revision and comprehension.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Footprints Without Feet
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 1

Chapter summary

Chapter 1, 'A Triumph of Surgery,' presents a narrative about a dog named Tricki and his owner, Mrs. Pumphrey. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter focus on understanding Tricki's health issues arising from overfeeding and lack of activity, the veterinarian's approach to treatment, and the eventual recovery of the dog. The solutions clarify the characters' actions and motivations, offering insights into responsible pet ownership and the consequences of excessive pampering.

Learning outcomes

Understand the reasons behind Tricki's illness.
Analyze Mrs. Pumphrey's role and her approach to Tricki's health.
Explain the methods used by the narrator (veterinarian) to treat Tricki.
Identify the themes of love, pampering, and responsible pet care.
Evaluate the narrator's temptation to keep Tricki.
Summarize the plot of 'A Triumph of Surgery'.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Tricki's illness due to overfeeding
Mrs. Pumphrey's excessive pampering
Veterinary treatment methods
The role of diet and exercise in pet health
Character analysis: Mrs. Pumphrey and Mr. Herriot
Themes of love, care, and responsibility
Narrative structure and plot development
Consequences of unhealthy lifestyle for pets

Important topics

Understanding Tricki's health crisis
The veterinarian's strategy for recovery
Mrs. Pumphrey's misguided affection
The importance of balanced diet and exercise for pets
The narrator's ethical dilemma and temptation

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out Pg-1, Q.1

Why is Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki?

Solution: Mrs. Pumphrey is deeply concerned about Tricki because he has become excessively fat. Her description highlights that Tricki's body resembles a 'bloated sausage,' his eyes are red and watery, and his tongue hangs out. He also appears listless and lacks energy, showing signs of being unwell, which causes her significant worry.

Read and Find Out Pg-1, Q.2

What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?

Solution: Believing Tricki's condition is due to malnutrition, Mrs. Pumphrey attempts to help by feeding him rich foods like malt, cod liver oil, and a bowl of Horlicks. However, her approach is not wise. Overfeeding, even with nutritious items, can be detrimental, and her inability to recognize the actual problem (overfeeding and lack of exercise) and her immediate resort to excessive feeding instead of consulting a vet promptly shows poor judgment. It is always best to consult a veterinary professional for any health concerns rather than self-medicating or overfeeding.

Read and Find Out Pg-1, Q.3

Who does "I" refer to in this story?

Solution: The pronoun "I" in this story refers to James Herriot, who is the narrator. He is a veterinary surgeon recounting his experience with Tricki, a pet dog belonging to a wealthy woman. The story is told from his perspective, detailing how he treated Tricki and observed the effects of his owner's pampering.

Read and Find Out Pg-3, Q.1

Is the narrator as rich as Tricki's mistress?

Solution: No, the narrator is clearly not as rich as Tricki's mistress. This is evident from the luxurious lifestyle described for Tricki, including multiple meals, special treats like eggs, wine, and brandy, and numerous accessories. The narrator's slight hesitation to let Tricki go, hinting at his enjoyment of the extra food sent by Mrs. Pumphrey, further underscores the financial disparity between them.

Read and Find Out Pg-3, Q.2

How does he treat the dog?

Solution: The narrator, Mr. Herriot, treats Tricki with a firm but caring approach. He initially puts Tricki on a strict regimen for two days, giving him no food but plenty of water, to help him detoxify. He then gradually introduces him to healthier food and encourages him to engage in physical activity by keeping him with other dogs. This method helps Tricki overcome his lethargy and boredom, leading to his recovery.

Read and Find Out Pg-3, Q.3

Why is he tempted to keep on as a permanent guest?

Solution: The narrator is tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest because Mrs. Pumphrey, Tricki's owner, sends a constant supply of high-quality food items for him. These include delicious treats like eggs, wine, and brandy, which the narrator and his staff thoroughly enjoy. Letting Tricki go would mean an end to these culinary delights, making the prospect of his permanent stay appealing.

Common mistakes

Confusing the narrator's wealth with Mrs. Pumphrey's.
Underestimating the impact of overfeeding and lack of exercise on pets.
Misinterpreting the veterinarian's actions as harsh rather than necessary.
Focusing solely on the dog's recovery without understanding the underlying causes.

Revision tips

Read the story carefully to grasp the sequence of events.
Pay attention to the descriptions of Tricki's condition and his recovery.
Analyze the characters of Mrs. Pumphrey and the narrator.
Discuss the moral of the story regarding pet care.
Use these solutions to clarify any doubts about the plot or characters.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was Mrs. Pumphrey extremely worried about Tricki at the beginning of the story?

Q2. What did Mrs. Pumphrey add to Tricki's diet to improve his health?

Q3. Who is the narrator in the story 'A Triumph of Surgery'?

Q4. How did the narrator initially treat Tricki when he was brought to his clinic?

Q5. What temptation did the narrator face regarding Tricki?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main problem Tricki faces in Chapter 1?

Tricki faces a health problem due to being severely overfed and lacking exercise by his doting owner, Mrs. Pumphrey, which makes him extremely fat and lethargic.

Who is the narrator of 'A Triumph of Surgery'?

The narrator is James Herriot, a veterinary surgeon who takes Tricki into his care for treatment.

Why does Mrs. Pumphrey call the veterinarian?

Mrs. Pumphrey calls the veterinarian because Tricki has become very ill, refusing to eat, and appears listless, which she attributes to a serious ailment.

What treatment does Tricki receive at the veterinarian's clinic?

Tricki is put on a strict diet of only water for two days and then gradually introduced to light food, along with being encouraged to play with other dogs, which helps him regain energy and health.

What lesson does the story teach about pet ownership?

The story teaches a valuable lesson about responsible pet ownership, highlighting that excessive pampering and overfeeding can be harmful, and proper diet, exercise, and veterinary care are crucial for a pet's well-being.

Why was the narrator tempted to keep Tricki?

The narrator was tempted to keep Tricki because Mrs. Pumphrey sent luxurious food items like eggs, wine, and brandy for Tricki, which the narrator and his staff enjoyed immensely.

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