Question 2.
Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen
now?
Answer:
Tricki was happy to go back home as he really loved his mistress and the
comfort of his lavish life. He didn’t have any friends at home like in the
hospital, but he seemed equally excited at the sight of Mrs Pumphrey. I think
that Mrs Pumphrey will now be careful about Tricki’s diet and health. She
may also give him exercise daily as prescribed by the vet earlier.
Question 3.
Do you think it is a real-life episode or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of
both?
Answer:
The story seems to be a mixture of both. It may be possible for rich persons
to overfeed their pets due to love. It is not unusual for them to maintain a
vast wardrobe for them either. But it is unlikely for a veterinary doctor to go
out of the way and lie in order to save an animal. It is also unusual for
anyone to consume food which is given in the name of a pet’s health.
Talk About It
(Page 7)
Question 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?
Answer:
Mrs Pumphrey’s actions had a harmful reaction on Tricki’s health. She was
overparenting’ and overfeeding Tricki in the name of love. This worsened his
condition to an extent that he had to be hospitalised. People like Mrs
Pumphrey are not just merely silly but their actions can definitely have
dangerous consequences for others.
Question 2.
Do you think there are also parents like Mrs Pumphrey?
Answer:
Yes, there are some parents like Mrs Pumphrey who spoil their children by
pampering them. They overfeed their children/pets despite being aware of
the harmful effects on their health. Parents like Mrs Pumphrey should
maintain a healthy lifestyle of their family and pets.
Question 3.
What would you have done if you were :
1. a member of the staff in Mrs Pumphrey’s household,
2. a neighbour? What would your life have been like, in general?
Answer:
1. If I were a member of the staff in her household I would have not
followed Mrs Pumphrey’s command to feed Tricki blindly. In fact, I
would have fed him according to the vet’s advice. I would have also
skipped sending the unnecessary stuff like toys, cushions etc to the
hospital. My life would have been a very busy one, as I would have had
to take care of the household chores and meet Tricki’s demands on
time.
2. If I were Mrs Pumphrey’s neighbour, I would have advised her to
consult a vet and follow his advice strictly keeping in mind Tricki’s
deteriorating health. I would have also been supportive in their hard
time when Tricki was hospitalised. My life as Mrs Pumphrey’s neighbour
would have been full of surprises and gifts as Mrs Pumphrey was a
loving lady.
Question 4.
What would you have done if you were in the narrator’s place?
Answer:
If I were in the narrator’s place, I would have treated Tricki with a similar
amount of compassion and love. I would have been equally caring as Mr
James Herriot towards Tricki. I would have just been a little more stern while
advising Mrs Pumphrey to put Tricki on a strict diet knowing her way of
showing love. I would have also not consumed Tricki’s share of eggs, wine
and brandy sent by Mrs Pumphrey.
