Footprints Without Feet Index: Class 10 English Notes and Solution

Ch. 01 A triumph of Surgery

Author: James Alfred Wight, known as James Herriot

Theme: The theme revolves around the consequences of indulgence and the importance of responsible pet ownership.

Character Introduction:

• Mrs. Pumphrey – A wealthy and emotional woman who dotes on her dog,
• Tricki. Tricki – Mrs. Pumphrey’s overweight and lethargic dog, a result of overfeeding and indulgence.
• Doctor Herriot – The veterinary surgeon who takes on Tricki’s case.

Plot:

• Mrs. Pumphrey, a wealthy lady, overfeeds her beloved dog, Tricki, leading to obesity and lethargy.
• Doctor Herriot is shocked by Tricki’s condition and recommends dietary changes, but Mrs. Pumphrey struggles to adhere to them.
• Tricki falls ill, prompting Doctor Herriot to intervene and take Tricki to his hospital for treatment.
• In the hospital, Tricki undergoes a transformation, losing weight and becoming more active due to a natural lifestyle and competition for food with other dogs.
• Mrs. Pumphrey, grateful for Tricki’s recovery, showers Doctor Herriot with thanks and believes it to be a triumph of surgery.
• The story highlights the importance of not indulging pets excessively and the necessity of responsible pet ownership.

Ch. 02 The Thief’s Story

Author: Ruskin Bond

Theme: Friendship, trust, redemption, honesty

Character Introduction:

• Anil – Trusting, kind-hearted;
• Hari Singh – Young thief, cunning, initially dishonest

Plot:

• Anil, a man in his mid-twenties, encounters Hari Singh, a 15-year-old thief, at a wrestling match.
• Hari approaches Anil, intending to rob him, but they strike up a conversation.
• Anil offers Hari a job as a cook and tutor, despite Hari’s lack of skills and dishonesty about cooking.
• Over time, Anil shows kindness and trust towards Hari, who starts to feel conflicted about robbing him.
• Despite having opportunities to steal, Hari hesitates due to Anil’s trust in him and his realization of the emptiness of theft.
• Eventually, Hari succumbs to temptation and steals a large sum of money from Anil.
• As he prepares to flee, Hari hesitates at the train station, realizing the weight of his actions and the potential for a better life.
• Hari returns the stolen money and decides to pursue a more respectable path with Anil’s help.
• Anil forgives Hari, showing genuine happiness at his change of heart, and offers him a regular job.

Ch. 03 The Midnight Visitor

Author: Roald Dahl

Theme: Espionage, deception, wit

Character Introduction:

• Anil – Trusting, kind-hearted;
• Hari Singh – Young thief, cunning, initially dishonest

Plot:

• Fowler spends an evening with Ausable, expecting thrilling adventures typical of a secret agent.
• However, Fowler finds Ausable dull and unlike the glamorous image of secret agents.
• Ausable hints at a significant report that could change the country’s future, piquing Fowler’s interest.
• Ausable takes Fowler to his room where they encounter Max, an armed intruder intending to steal missile reports.
• Ausable calmly engages Max in conversation, subtly hinting at his cleverness.
• When a knock is heard at the door, Ausable cleverly creates a ruse involving the police to unsettle Max.
• Max, fearing capture, jumps out of the window upon hearing the supposed police arrival.
• It is revealed that there were no police, and Ausable had fabricated the entire scenario to outsmart Max.
• Ausable’s quick thinking and deception save them from a dangerous situation, showcasing his wit and resourcefulness.

The story demonstrates how wit and cunning can triumph over danger and deception. It highlights the unexpected nature of espionage and the importance of quick thinking in precarious situations.

Ch. 04 A Question of Trust

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Theme: Deception, betrayal, irony

Character Introduction:

• The 50-year-old locksmith – Skilled robber, collector of rare books;
• The woman posing as the owner’s wife – Deceptive thief

Plot:

• The 50-year-old locksmith, despite being a good citizen, annually commits a robbery to sustain his lifestyle and feed his passion for rare books.
• He meticulously plans a robbery at Shotover Grange, gathering detailed information about the house and its security measures.
• Upon entering the grange, he encounters a woman claiming to be the owner’s wife who requests his help in opening the safe, pretending to have forgotten the combination.
• Unaware that the woman is also a thief, he agrees to help her, believing she is the legitimate owner.
• After successfully opening the safe, he leaves, oblivious to the fact that he has assisted another thief and left his fingerprints behind.
• Days later, he is arrested by the police, who found his fingerprints at the crime scene.
• He realizes he has been deceived by a fellow thief from his own community, leading to his arrest and imprisonment.
• 8Despite his previous involvement in crime, he now works as an assistant librarian, feeling bitter and betrayed by the idea of “honor among thieves.”

The story underscores the irony of deceit and betrayal within the criminal world, revealing that even those who engage in dishonest practices can fall victim to deception. It challenges the notion of trust and loyalty among criminals, illustrating how personal gain often overrides any sense of camaraderie or shared identity.

Ch. 05 Footprints without Feet

Author: H.G. Wells

Theme: Misuse of science, danger of unchecked power

Character Introduction:

• Griffin – Scientist turned outlaw, becomes invisible using drugs

Plot:

• Griffin, a scientist, discovers a method to make himself invisible through rare drugs.
• Becoming transparent, Griffin roams London, leaving muddy footprints and causing intrigue.
• Seeking warmth and sustenance, he enters a store after hours, indulging in clothing and food.
• Despite momentarily becoming visible, Griffin soon finds himself invisible again, navigating London’s winter challenges.
• To conceal his invisibility, Griffin steals clothes and disguises himself, resorting to violence and robbery.
• Seeking solitude, Griffin retreats to the village of Iping, where his eccentric behavior arouses suspicion.
• Griffin’s criminal activities escalate, leading to encounters with villagers and bizarre occurrences.
• Confronted by Mrs. Hall about his behavior, Griffin reveals his invisibility in a fit of rage.
• The village constable is summoned to arrest Griffin, leading to a chaotic struggle as Griffin evades capture using his invisibility.
• Despite efforts to apprehend him, Griffin escapes, leaving behind confusion and fear.

Ch. 06 The Making of a Scientist

Author: Richard H. Ebright’s Early Achievements

Theme: Early scientific pursuits and achievements, dedication to scientific inquiry

Character Introduction:

• Richard H. Ebright – A young scientist with a keen interest in biology, notable for his groundbreaking research at a young age, particularly in the field of entomology.
• Dr. Frederick A. Urquhart – A researcher from Toronto University, Canada, who conducts studies on butterfly migrations and inspires Ebright’s early scientific endeavors.
• Richard A. Weiherer – Ebright’s social studies teacher, who provides mentorship and encouragement, fostering Ebright’s intellectual curiosity and pursuit of excellence.

Plot:

• Ebright, at 22, gains scientific acclaim with a groundbreaking theory on cell function published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.”
• Ebright’s scientific curiosity begins early, supported by his mother’s encouragement for collecting various objects and his love for astronomy.
• Demonstrating a hunger for knowledge from a young age, Ebright excels in school and conducts experiments, including tagging monarch butterflies under Dr. Urquhart’s guidance.
• Despite initial setbacks, Ebright’s scientific pursuits escalate in high school, leading to participation in science fairs and experiments on monarch butterfly pupae.
• Ebright’s experiments unveil significant discoveries, such as identifying a hormone from monarch pupae gold spots crucial for development.
• Graduating with top honors from Harvard, Ebright continues research at Harvard Medical School, developing a new theory on cell life inspired by DNA structure.
• Collaborating with roommate James R. Wong, Ebright publishes a paper outlining their theory and initiates experimental validation.
• Ebright’s achievements showcase his diverse talents beyond science, including debating, public speaking, and photography.
• Throughout his journey, Ebright acknowledges mentors like Richard A. Weiherer for nurturing his intellectual curiosity and pursuit of excellence.

Ch. 06 The Making of a Scientist

Author: Richard H. Ebright’s Early Achievements

Theme: Early scientific pursuits and achievements, dedication to scientific inquiry

Character Introduction:

• Richard H. Ebright – A young scientist with a keen interest in biology, notable for his groundbreaking research at a young age, particularly in the field of entomology.
• Dr. Frederick A. Urquhart – A researcher from Toronto University, Canada, who conducts studies on butterfly migrations and inspires Ebright’s early scientific endeavors.
• Richard A. Weiherer – Ebright’s social studies teacher, who provides mentorship and encouragement, fostering Ebright’s intellectual curiosity and pursuit of excellence.

Plot:

• Ebright, at 22, gains scientific acclaim with a groundbreaking theory on cell function published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.”
• Ebright’s scientific curiosity begins early, supported by his mother’s encouragement for collecting various objects and his love for astronomy.
• Demonstrating a hunger for knowledge from a young age, Ebright excels in school and conducts experiments, including tagging monarch butterflies under Dr. Urquhart’s guidance.
• Despite initial setbacks, Ebright’s scientific pursuits escalate in high school, leading to participation in science fairs and experiments on monarch butterfly pupae.
• Ebright’s experiments unveil significant discoveries, such as identifying a hormone from monarch pupae gold spots crucial for development.
• Graduating with top honors from Harvard, Ebright continues research at Harvard Medical School, developing a new theory on cell life inspired by DNA structure.
• Collaborating with roommate James R. Wong, Ebright publishes a paper outlining their theory and initiates experimental validation.
• Ebright’s achievements showcase his diverse talents beyond science, including debating, public speaking, and photography.
• Throughout his journey, Ebright acknowledges mentors like Richard A. Weiherer for nurturing his intellectual curiosity and pursuit of excellence.

Ch. 07 The Necklace

Author: Guy de Maupassant

Theme: Desire, Greed, Irony, Realism

Character Introduction:

• Mathilde Loisel – Dissatisfied, yearning, materialistic
• Mathilde’s husband (unnamed)
• Jeanne Forestier (Mathilde’s friend)

Plot:

• Mathilde Loisel, a clerk’s wife, dreams of a luxurious life despite their modest means.
• She longs for expensive belongings and feels discontented with her situation.
• Her husband secures an invitation to a fancy ball, but Mathilde is despondent due to her lack of suitable attire.
• Her husband sacrifices his savings meant for a rifle to buy her a dress.
• Mathilde borrows a necklace from her friend, Jeanne Forestier, for the occasion.
• At the ball, Mathilde dazzles but loses the borrowed necklace on her return home.
• They spend a decade working to repay the debt incurred to replace the lost necklace.
• Eventually, Mathilde encounters Jeanne and reveals the truth about the necklace, only to discover it was a fake, rendering their sacrifice pointless.

The story illustrates the perils of unchecked desire and the consequences of dishonesty. It underscores the importance of being content with one’s lot in life and the futility of pursuing materialistic aspirations.

Ch. 08 The Hack Driver

Author: Roald Dahl

Theme: Deception, Appearance vs. Reality

Characters:

• Narrator (assistant clerk at a law firm)
• Oliver Lutkins (crafty manipulator and crucial witness)
• Bill (hack driver, revealed to be Oliver Lutkins)
• Fritz (individual mentioned in the search for Lutkins)
• Gustaf (individual mentioned in the search for Lutkins)
• Bill’s mother (mentioned, threatens the characters)
• Chief (of the narrator’s law firm)
• Companion (sent with the narrator to New Mullion)

Plot:

• The narrator, an assistant clerk, is tasked with serving a summons to Oliver Lutkins in the small town of New Mullion.
• He meets Bill, a cheerful hack driver, at the train station, who offers to help find Lutkins.
• Bill persuades the narrator to hire him, and they embark on a search for Lutkins, visiting various places.
• Despite their efforts, they fail to locate Lutkins, even encountering threats from Bill’s mother.
• The narrator returns empty-handed and is reprimanded by his chief for his failure.
• The next day, the narrator learns that Bill was actually Oliver Lutkins himself, causing him humiliation and regret.

Ch. 09 Bholi

Author: K.A. Abbas

Theme: Rise against social injustice, Importance of education and confidence-building in overcoming adversity

Character Introduction:

• Bholi (Sulekha): Initially: unassuming, unattractive Later: confident, educated
• Ramlal: Bholi’s father, a Numberdar, initially worried
• Bishamber Nath: The prospective groom for Bholi, demands dowry despite
• Bholi’s Teacher: Encourages and supports Bholi in her education, instilling confidence in her.

Plot:

• Bholi, a girl with physical and mental challenges, faces ridicule and discrimination from society due to her appearance and speech impediment.
• Her father, Ramlal, worries about her future and considers marrying her off to a wealthy but physically disabled man without a dowry.
• Bholi’s journey begins when she attends school, where her teacher treats her kindly and encourages her to study and gain confidence.
• Over time, Bholi blossoms into a confident and educated young woman, thanks to her teacher’s support.
• When the time comes for her marriage, the groom demands dowry, causing Bholi to refuse the unequal match and stand against the injustice.
• Despite facing criticism and accusations of shamelessness, Bholi remains steadfast in her decision, expressing her determination to care for her parents and continue teaching.
• Her teacher feels proud of Bholi’s courage and resilience, recognizing the impact of education and self-confidence in overcoming social obstacles.

Ch. 10 The Book that Saved the Earth

Author: Ray Bradbury

Theme: Miscommunication and the Power of Knowledge

Character Introduction:

• Historian: Knowledgeable, insightful
• Think Tank: Arrogant, authoritative
• Noodle: Loyal, insightful assistant

Plot:

• The story is set in the year 2550, with a historian explaining a past event to the audience through a historiscope.
• Think Tank and Noodle, Martians, plan to invade Earth but are unsure about its culture.
• They land in a library and mistake books for sandwiches, showcasing their ignorance.
• Think Tank assumes books are to be eaten but is corrected by Noodle who realizes they’re communication devices.
• Despite attempts to listen to the books, they realize books are meant to be read, not heard.
• The crew uses vitamins to decipher the books and discovers they are nursery rhymes, particularly one about Humpty Dumpty.
• Recognizing a resemblance between Humpty Dumpty and Think Tank, the Martians fear losing control over Mars if humans gain knowledge from Earth’s books.
• Consequently, they abandon their invasion plans, saving Earth from attack.