BOOK - 2

ENGLISH SUPPLEMENTARY READER

(FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET)
CLASS – 10
CHAPTER – 1
A TRIUMPH OF SURGERY
Write the meaning of the words given:-

1. Mistress- a woman in a position of authority or control.

2. Bloated- excessive in size or amount.
3. Sausage- an item of food in the form of a cylindrical length of minced pork or other meat encased in a
skin,
4. Typically sold raw to be grilled or fried before eating.
5. Bloodshot- (of the eyes) inflamed or tinged with blood, typically as a result of tiredness.
6. Rheumy- watery.
7. Lolled- sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way.
8. Hastened- be quick to do something.
9. Listless- lacking energy or enthusiasm.
10. Malnutrition- lack of proper nutrition
11. Cod liver oil- oil pressed from the liver of cod
12. Relent- become less severe or intense.
13. Lumbago- pain in the muscles and joints of the lower back

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What makes you know that Mrs Pumphrey was a rich lady?

Ans. Mrs Pumphrey was a wealthy lady as she had many servants and maids also had a pet. She used to feed
her pet with a lot of dishes, sweets and snacks. Moreover, she had a separate room and wardrobe for her pet.
All these things show that she was a rich lady.

2. Why did Mrs Pumphrey call the doctor?

Ans. Tricky was not eating anything for the past few days. He had refused even dishes and had bouts of
vomiting. Moreover, he was spending his time lying on a rug; panting-He was not going for walks. All these
symptoms forced Mrs Pumphrey to visit the doctor.

3. How does Dr Herriot treat Tricky?

Ans. Dr Herriot cut down Trick’s food and made him exercise. For the first three days jibs not give him food
but only water. He did not give any medicinal treatment but made him all day with the dogs. He discovered
the joys of being bowled over, tramped on and sq He enjoyed a lot along with his recovery.

4. Why were the household dogs not interested in Tricky initially?

Ans. Tricky was a newcomer in the house. Moreover, Tricky was very lethargic to play with them He was not
comfortable there. But after a few days, Tricky started enjoying with them. He discovered the joys of being
bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few minutes. He became an accepted member of the gang,
5. Why was Dr Herriot confident that Tricky will be in hospital soon?

Ans. Tricky was tottering slowly in the house. He was not eating anything, not even his favourite dishes and
besides, he had bouts of vomiting. Dr Herriot was sure that if his food was not cut down and more exercise
was not given to him, he would be really ill soon.

6. Why was the entire staff of Mrs Pumphrey at work while Tricky was going to the hospital?

Ans. Tricky was Mrs Pumphrey’s beloved dog, and when he was going to the hospital, the entire staff got to
work. His day and night beds, favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings, and food bowls were loaded into the
narrator’s car by them.

7. What was the main cause of `Trick’s ill-health’?

Ans. Tricky was overfed by Mrs Pumphrey. He became hugely fat and inactive. He was pampered with a lot of
cream cakes, chocolates and Hotlinks. This was the main cause of his illness.

8. Why did Mr Herriot ask Mrs Pumphrey to admit Tricky in a hospital?

Ans. Dr Herriot asked Mrs Pumphrey to admit Tricky in a hospital because instead of cutting down upon his
food and making him exercise, she was pampering him.

9. Why did Mrs Pumphrey treat Tricky in a special way?

Ans. Mrs Pumphrey was an extremely rich lady but was foolishly indulgent in pampering her dog, Tricky. She
served him with cream cakes, chocolates and cod-liver oil. She did so because she treated Tricky like her son.

10. Why was Dr Herriot worried about Tricky?

Ans. Dr Herriot was worried about Tricky because he had become hugely fat and inactive. He suggested to Mrs
Pumphrey to cut down his food and give him some exercise but she was reluctant to do so.

Long Answer Type Questions-

Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:

1. Herriot enjoyed the lavish meal during Trick’s stay but still, he felt compelled to inform Mrs Pumphrey
about the recovery of Tricky. Why did he not keep Tricky for a longer time? Did he feel concerned for Mrs
Pumphrey? Was it not in his attitude to break the trust others. Discuss the values he possessed in 100-120
words.

Ans. Tricky was a fat dog, pet of Mrs Pumphrey. He became listless and seemed to have no energy. It fell ill.
So, Mrs Pumphrey called the veterinary surgeon, Dr Herriot for the help. Dr Herriot took Tricky to his surgery.
He kept an eye on him for two days and gave him no food but plenty of water. At the end of the second day,
he started showing some interest in his surroundings and on the third day, began to whimper on the sound of
dogs. While his stay at the surgery, Mrs Pumphrey started to bring round fresh eggs to a dozen at a time. She
also sent bottles of wine and brandy for Trick’s health. But that was consumed by Mr Herriot and his eel
leagues. Hence, Herriot enjoyed the stay of Tricky. He did not want to keep Tricky for a longer time because he
felt concerned for Mrs Pumphrey. He did not want to separate the pet from his owner. He could understand
Mrs Pumphrey’s concern for the little dog. So he returned! him back.
2. The chapter shows the silly and negligent behaviour of rich people like Mrs Pumphrey who may harm
their near and dear ones by their extra caring nature. Trick’s declined health was the outcome of Mrs
Pumphrey’s over-caring nature. Do you think such people’s actions can prove to be fatal for the health of
their kinds? What values would you suggest to such people to emulate in themselves and why? Write your
answer in 100-120 words.

Ans. Mrs Pumphrey was a wealthy lady with a fat pet dog named Tricky. Tricky was too dear to Mrs
Pumphrey. Hence, she took extra care of him. She had pampered the dog with all kinds of comforts. The dog
had many coats worn according to the weather, had different cushions for his comfort and also had various
dishes to eat. Some extras between meals were given to him, some malt, cod- liver oil and a bowl of Horlicks
at night to make him sleep. He was also given cream cakes and chocolates. This made him fat and lethargic. He
became hugely fat like a bloated sausage. His eyes bloodshot and rheumy, stared straight ahead and his
tongue lolled from his jaws. I think Mrs Pumphrey’s extra-caring nature resulted in Trick’s declined health.
Such an attitude can result to be fatal for the health of their kins. One should not over care for them. Exercise
and proper meal are important for one’s health. The same was taken care by Dr Herriot, which resulted in the
speedy recovery of Tricky.

3.”He had never been known to refuse food; he would tackle a meal at any hour of the day or night.”
Herriot believed that Trick’s problem was his greed. Did he lack tolerance? What values would you like
Tricky to imbibe? Elucidate.

Ans. Dr Herriot was not entirely wrong in believing that Trick’s problem was greed. Tricki was indeed greedy,
but Mrs Pumphrey only made matters worse by stuffing him with rich food. Herriot did not lack intolerance;
he was just stating the obvious. Trick’s ill-health made him concerned, and he made the observation as a
veterinary doctor. Tricky, on the other hand, needed to exercise control on his eating habits. It would have
been good if he did not greedily gobble up everything that was placed in front of him. Mrs Pumphrey herself
reveals that Tricky loved cream cakes and chocolates very much. Thus, Tricky ought to have been less
gluttonous and luxury-loving, and behaved more like a dog!