NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader NCERT solutions for class 9 English literature reader can be a great guide for students to master and learn the language. Students need to perform well in the english language as it is one of the core subjects in class 9. The solutions provided here can be very useful for students as it answers many difficult questions and also provides a concise and clear way to write in the exams. There are some changes being made in the NCERT class 9 English textbook as compared to previous years. We have incorporated all these changes in class 9 English literature reader solutions. A Dog Named Duke Summary In English Hooper used to be a highly motivated and result-oriented ‘hard-charging’ zone sales manager for a chemical company. An accident reduced him to a paralysed cripple. Despair had led him on to helplessness. But his dog Duke s re-entry into his life lifted his numb spirits. Duke taught and helped him to cope with the challenge and led him to accept the changed mode of life. Hooper could walk down on foot to his office. He was promoted to the Assistant National Sales Manager. But Duke, his beloved dog, who helped him to achieve his objectives step by step died in an accident. A Favoured Young Man In 1953, Hooper seemed to be a favoured and successful youngman. He was six-foot-one inch and always wore a broad smile over his face. He was of highly competitive nature. He had played on the university football team. He was a hard-charging zone sales manager for a chemical company. Everything was going fine for him. A Car Accident When he was driving home one autumn twilight, Hooper met with a terrible car accident. He was taken to the hospital with a subdural haemorrhage in the brain and his left side was completely paralysed. He couldn’t talk but only breathe and see. His vision was double. He remained on the critical list for a month. After the fifth week, some men from his company came to the hospital and told Hooper to take a year off. They promised to create a desk job for him at headquarters. Reduced to a Paralysed Cripple About six weeks after the accident, the hospital put him in a wheelchair. Everyday someone was working on his paralysed arm and leg. It was followed by baths, exercise and a wheeled walker. But Chuck Hooper didn’t make much improvement. In March, he was brought home. But here, Hooper hit a new low. His wife Marcy went to work. He was lonely and lost in his thoughts. Re-entry of Duke Finally, Duke was brought home from the kennel. As soon as he saw Hooper, he jumped and hit him above the belt. Chuck Hooper fought to keep his balance. The dog knew instantly that he had done a wrong thing and never jumped on Hooper again. He took up a post beside his master’s bed around the clock. The two stared at each other day in, day out. One couldn’t move and the other couldn’t talk. Duke finally couldn’t take this boredom. One evening Chuck’s good hand idly hooked the leash onto Duke’s collar. It was like lighting a fuse. He asked Marcy to help him to his feet. With Marcy supporting him by the elbow, he moved his right leg forward. Straightening his right leg caused the left foot to drag forward, alongside the right. It could be called a ‘step’. Duke and Chuck Hooper Take Short Steps and Walk With Hooper’s standing, the dog walked to the end of the leash and tugged steadily. Four so called ‘steps’ they took that day. Leaning back against the pull, Hooper learned to keep his balance without Marcy. Within two weeks, they reached the front porch. By mid-April the neighbours saw the dog pull his leash taut then stand and wait. The man would drag himself abreast of the dog. Then the dog would go to the end of the leash and wait again. The pair set daily goals; Monday, the sixth fence post, Tuesday, the seventh fence post, Wednesday… Then a course of physio-therapy started. On June 1, Hooper and Duke made it to an intersection quite far away. Soon Duke began campaigning for two trips a day. On January 4, Hooper walked 200 metres from the clinic to the local branch office of his company. Hooper Sets His Objective No one believed that a man who couldn’t walk properly and working only an hour a day would set his objective as soon. Hooper declared that from March 1, he would do a full day’s work. Chuck Hooper hit the target. He had no time after March 1 for the physiotherapy programme. He turned completely to Duke. Duke pulled him along the street faster and faster, increasing his stability and endurance. After 13 months, Chuck Hooper was promoted to Assistant National Sales Manager. Death of Duke On the evening of October 12,1957, the Hoopers had guests. Suddenly Chuck heard the screech of brakes outside. Instinctively, he looked for Duke. He had been run over. He was taken to the animal hospital. Duke was drugged but he couldn’t survive. A few weeks ago, Hooper was promoted to Assistant National Sales Manager. An order came from the chemical company’s headquarters which was worded as if it was a special tribute to Duke. “ therefore, to advance our objectives step by step, Charles Hooper is appointed Assistant National Sales Manager.”