The Thief Story Extra Questions

The Thief Story Extra Questions edumantra.net

The Thief Story Extra Questions are written by experts. Go through and gain confidence. We at edumantra highly appreciate your feedback regarding extra questions of The Thief Story.

Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 10^th as Per Latest CBSE Syllabus

Chapter- 2 English Language and Literature- Footprints Without Feet

By– Ruskin Bond

About the Author- Ruskin Bond – The Thief’s story

Ruskin Bond is a famous Indian writer in English. He was born on 19 May 1934. Ruskin’s father was with the Royal Air Force. At the age of ten, Ruskin started living with his grandmother in Dehradun after his father’s death in 1944. He spent four years in London where he started writing his first novel, The Room on the Roof. Ruskin Bond is now recognised as a leading writer in English, particularly known for his short stories. He currently lives in Landour, Mussoorie’s Ivy Cottage which has been his residence since 1964.

Introduction of the lesson- The Thief’s story

Following is the introduction English text for Chapter ‘ The Thief Story Class 10,’ aimed to give you a clear grasp of its main ideas.”

Ruskin Bond is a famous Indian writer. ‘The Thief’s Story’ is one of his well-known stories. In this story, the writer shows how the reformation of a criminal is best achieved through love and understanding rather than punishment.

Hari Singh is a thief and a cheat. He comes into contact with Anil. Anil gives him work in his house. One day Hari Singh steals Anil’s money and runs away. But the kindness and love of Anil make him come back and return the money.

We hope you are enjoying the The Thief Story Extra Questions

Theme of the lesson- The Thief’s story

Ruskin Bond’s ‘The Thief’s Story’ is more than a thief’s story. The story deals with basic human values and relationships. It is easier for a thief to rob a greedy man. It is difficult even for a thief to rob a careless and honest person. Hari Singh did steal Anil’s money but he couldn’t run away with it. He had no friends because he regarded them to be trouble than help. The only person he really knew was the man he had robbed. Moreover, Anil was ready to educate Hari Singh. The thief’s conscience pricked him. He came back to Anil and crept to his bed. He slipped the money under the mattress from where he had stolen it a few hours ago.

Summary in English- The Thief’s story

Take a look at the following summary example to better understand the chapter ” The Thief Story,” crafted through careful summary writing.

Hari Singh was a young boy of fifteen. But he was a thief and a cheat. At a wrestling match, he came across Anil. He won Anil’s confidence and came to his house as a servant.

Anil was a writer and did not earn much. So, Hari Singh agreed to work for him only for food. Hari Singh did not know how to cook. The first meal which he cooked for Anil was so bad that Anil threw it to the dogs. But Hari’s appealing smile made Anil give up his decision to turn him out.

Hari Singh did odd jobs for Anil. In the morning he made tea and then brought the day’s supplies from the market. Often he made a profit of a rupee a day out of these purchases.

Anil had no regular income. He earned something by writing articles and stories for magazines. But one day Anil came home with a bundle of notes. He told Hari that he had earned six hundred rupees by selling one of his books. Hari’s mouth watered at the sight of money. He decided to steal that money. Anil kept the bundle under his mattress and went to sleep.

Now Hari Singh went into the room and silently took the money under the mattress. He went to the railway station to catch the train to Lucknow. But he missed the train and walked in the bazaars. Soon it started raining and Hari was drenched completely.

Then Hari Singh remembered Anil. He imagined how sad Anil would be on finding the money stolen. Hari remembered that Anil used to teach him. He thought that without the education he would remain a thief. But education might make him a big Mtn. So, he decided to return and replace the money. He reached home and silently put the money back under the mattress.

The next morning, Anil gave Hari a 50 rupee note. The note was still wet. Hari thought that his crime had been discovered. But Anil told him that he had earned something. Now he would pay Hari Singh regularly.

This content has been designed by the experts keeping in mind the exam score. Go through The Thief Story Extra Questions and add highest value to your studies.

Summary in English- The Thief’s story (2):

1. Meeting with Anil: The narrator of The Thief’s Story’ is a thief. He was just 15 years old when he met Anil, a writer of about 25 years. Anil was a tall, lean and thin fellow. He looked easy going, kind and simple enough for the purpose of a thief like a narrator. The thief hadn’t much luck of late. He wanted to win Anil’s confidence. The narrator took a new name every month. He did so to avoid arrest from the police and his former employees. Recently, he introduced himself as Hari Singh.

2. Wanted to Work for Anil: The narrator wanted to work for Anil. But Anil was not a rich man. He couldn’t pay him. The narrator thought for a moment that he has misjudged his target. Anil asked Hari Singh, the thief if he could cook. Hari Singh lied that he could. The food he cooked on that day, was just terrible. Anil had to give it to a stray dog. Anil asked him to go away but the narrator didn’t budge from there. At last, Anil agreed to teach him cooking. Anil also taught Hari sigh, the thief, to write his name and to write whole sentences and to add numbers.

3. Hari Singh Grateful for Getting Education: Hari Singh wanted to be educated. He was grateful that, at least, Anil had given him the basic education. He knew that once he could write like an educated man, there would be no limit to what he could achieve. Hari Singh found it quite pleasant to work with Anil? He made tea in the morning. He made a profit of one rupee from buying the day’s supplies. Anil knew everything about Hari Singh’s stealings but didn’t seem to mind them.

4. No Regular Income of Anil: Anil had no regular income. He made money by fits and starts. He seemed to write for magazines. The day he got the money he would go out and celebrate. Then, he would wait and worry about his next cheque.

5. Anil Robbed of his Money: One evening, Anil came home with a small bundle of notes. He had just sold a book to a publisher. At night, Hari Singh saw him tuck the money under the mattress. Anil had given him a key to the door and he could come and go as he pleased. Anil was the most trusting person he had ever met. It was very difficult to rob him. Sometimes, he didn’t notice that he had been robbed. It took all the pleasure out of Hari Singh’s work. Once, Anil was asleep. Hari Singh thought over the situation. If he stole the money, he could catch the 10:30 Express to Lucknow. He crept up to the bed and slid his hand under the mattress. He found the notes and drew them out. Anil sighed in his sleep. He turned his side towards Hari Singh. The thief (Hari Singh) was startled and quickly came out of the room. On the road, he counted them. They were 600 rupees in fifties. With that money, he could live like a rich Arab for a week or two.

6. Han Singh’s Dilemma: The narrator (the thief) reached the station and dashed straight to the platform. The Lucknow Express was Just moving. He could jump in but hesitate. When the train had gone, he had no idea where to spend the night. He had no friends and didn’t want to stay at one of the hotels. The only person he knew was Anil whom he had robbed. He came to the `maidan’ and sat on a bench. The night was chilly and it had a light drizzle. The notes were damp from the rain.

7. Hari Singh back to Anil with his Money: Hari Singh remembered that he had forgotten about his education in the excitement of the theft. He knew that education could one day bring him more than a few hundred rupees. To be a really big man, a clever and respected man, he was to learn reading and writing. He was to be educated. He hurried back to Anil’s room very nervous. He crept to the head of the bed. He held the notes in one hand and slipped them quietly under the mattress. Next morning, Anil stretched out his hand towards the narrator. There was a fifty rupee note between his fingers. Hari Singh’s heart sank. He thought that he had been discovered. Anil made an announcement. He told Hari Singh that he made some money and Hari would be paid regularly. He also told that he would teach Hari Singh how to write sentences. Anil knew everything about the theft. But neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything.

Main Points of the Story – The Thief’s story

The narrator was a thief.
Although only 15, he was experienced and successful in his work.
Luck was against him and he thought of targeting Anil, a young man of 25 years.
The narrator introduced himself to Anil as Hari Singh.
He changed his name every month to escape arrest.
Hari Singh wanted to work for Anil but Anil had no money to pay him regularly.
Anil had no regular income and used to write for magazines.
Anil asked if he could cook, and Hari Singh lied that he knew how to cook.
Hari Singh cooked the food so terribly that it had to be thrown away to the stray dogs.
Anil asked him to go away but the narrator didn’t leave his company.
Later on, Anil softened and told him that he would teach Hari Singh how to cook.
He also taught Hari Singh to write his name and promised to teach him to write whole sentences and to add numbers.
It was quite pleasant for Hari Singh to work for Anil, and he made a rupee a day from buying the day’s supplies.
One evening, Anil came home with a small bundle of notes as he had just sold a book to a publisher.
Hari Singh saw Anil tuck the money under the mattress.
Hari crept up to the bed, slid his hand under the mattress and took the money out.
Anil sighed in sleep and Hari Singh startled and quickly left the room.
When the narrator (the thief) was on the road, he counted the notes: 600 rupees in fifties.
With that money, he could live like a rich Arab for a week or two.
He could easily jump into the Lucknow Express but hesitated and remained standing at the platform.
He had no friends to go and the only person he knew was Anil whom he had robbed a few hours ago.
It was a chilly night and a light drizzle added to his problem.
Hari Singh had forgotten about his education in the excitement of theft and realised that education could bring him Character Sketch more money than a few hundred rupees.
Hari Singh went back to the room and put the wet notes under the mattress from where he had stolen it.
Next morning, Anil stretched out his hand towards the narrator (Hari Singh) holding a fifty-rupee note.
Anil told that he had made some money and he would pay Hari Singh regularly.
Actually, Anil knew everything about the theft but neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything.

Detailed Summary in Hindi – The Thief’s story

Here is the Hindi story summary of the chapter ” The Thief Story Class 10,” designed to give you a clear understanding of its essential ideas in Hindi.

हरि सिंह पंद्रह साल का एक नौजवान लड़का था मगर बह चोर और धोखेवाज था एक कुश्ती के मैच में उसकी मुलाकात अनिल से हुई उसने अनिल का विश्यास जीत लिया और उसके घर में नौकर के तौर पर आ गया

अनिल एक लेखक था और अधिक पैसा नहीं कमाता था इसलिए हरि सिंह ने केवल भोजन के बदले में बहां काम करना स्यीकार कर लिया हरि सिंह को भोजन बनाना आता था अनिल के लिए जो पहला भोजन उसने बनाया बह इतना बुरा था कि अनिल ने उसे कुत्तो के सामने डाल दिया मगर हरि सिंह की आग्रह भरी मुस्कराहटों ने अनिल को मजबूर कर दिया कि बह हरि को निकालने का निर्हररए त्याग दे

हरि सिंह अनिल के छोटे – मोटे काम करने लगा सुबह बह चाय बनाता था और तब बाजार से दिनभर के लिए सामान लाता था कई बार इन सामान की खरीददारी में से बह एक रूपया रोज कमा लेता था

अनिल की कोई नियमित आय नहीं थी यह पत्रिकाओं के लिए लेख और कहानियाँ लिखकर कुछ कमा लेता था मगर एक दिन अनिल नोटों का बंडल लेकर घर आया उसने हरि सिंह को बताया कि उसने अपनी एक पुस्तक बेचकर ६०० रुपए कमाए है पैसा देखकर हरि सिंह के मुहं में पानी आ गया उसने बह पैसा चुराने का फैसला किया अनिल ने पैसे गद्दे के नीचे रखे और सो गया

अब हरि सिंह कमरे में गया और चुपके से गद्दे के नीचे से पैसे निकाल लिए बह लखनऊ की गाढ़ी पकढ़ने के लिए स्टेशन पर गया मगर उसकी गाढ़ी छूट गयी और बह बाजारों में घूमता रहा शीघ्र ही बरसात आरम्भ हो गयी और हरि सिंह पूरी तरह भीग गया

तब हरि सिंह को अनिल की याद आयी उसने कल्पना की कि पैसे को चोरी हुआ पाकर अनिल कितना उदास होगा हरि सिंह को याद आया कि अनिल उसे पढ़ाया करता था उसने सोचा कि बिना शिछा के बह केवल चोर रहेगा मगर शिछा उसे इंसान बना सकती है इसलिए उसने बापस लौटने तथा पैसा बापस रखने का फैसला किया बह घर पंहुचा और उसने चुपके से पैसे गद्दे के नीचे रख दिए

अगली सुबह अनिल ने हरि सिंह को ५० रूपए का नोट दिया नोट अभी भी गीला था हरि सिंह ने सोचा कि उसका अपराध हो गया मगर अनिल ने उससे कहा कि उसने कुछ पैसा कमाया है अब बह उसे नियमित रूप से वेतन दिया करेगा

Main Characters of the Story- The Thief’s story

1.Hari Singh: Hari Singh is a small-time thief. His real name is not Hari Singh, he keeps on changing names to escape from police. His Modus operandi is that he earns the trust of people and then robs them and flees. When he sees Anil, he thinks of robbing him and hence approaches him and asks for work. Anil, being a simple person lets his work and even starts teaching him how to cook. Hari Singh is delighted when Anil starts teaching him to write as he plans to rob on a larger scale. Hari steals a little money daily when he goes to buy the daily groceries, and one day when he gets a chance he steals money from Anil and runs away. But at the station, he has a change of heart and comes back. He is now happy and contented to live with Anil.

2. Anil: Anil is a kind, simple and easy-going young man. He is tall and lean stature and has interest in sports like wrestling. He is not very rich and cannot offer to employ Hari as a cook. He has the patience and goodness to not only teach Had to cook but also to read, write and add numbers. Though he knows about Hari’s stealing of little bits of money from the groceries, he ignores this fact.

Anil is a writer who writes for magazines and makes money in fits and starts. He is a very trusting person. Even when he earns a large amount of money, he keeps the money under his mattress and not in a safe box.

Anil is generous enough to pay Hari a certain portion of the money which Hari tried to steal from him earlier. He has a forgiving nature and forgives Hari of his theft without letting him know of his discovery. He continues to be a good man to Hari.

Important Word from the lesson- The Thief’s story

Here we give the word meaning with Hindi page wise for difficult words in the chapter ” The Thief Story Class 10,” to help you understand it better.

[PAGE 8] Trusts = relies on(विश्सवास करना ) betray = deceive, dupe (धोखा देना ) fairly = enough (काफी ) lean = weak and thin (कमजोर ) purpose = objective (उद्देस्य ) of late = for some days (कुछ दिनों से ) confidence = good books (विषस्यास ) wrestler = to strive by grappling (कुश्ती लड़ना ) flattery = false praise (चापलूसी ) modestly = humbly (भद्रतापूर्वक ) lied = to tell a lie (झूट बोलना ) ahead = forward (आगे ) introduction = formal presentation (परिचय ) grunting = roaring (गुर्राना ) casually = purposelessly (बिना किसी उद्देस्य के ) appealing = attractive (आकर्षक )

[PAGE 9] Perheps= probably (शायद ) meal= cooked food (पका हुआ भोजन ) strey= wandering(आवारा ) be off= run away (भाग जाना ) patted= stroked (थपथपाया ) never mind = don’t worry (घबराओ मत ) grateful = obliged (आभारी ) achieve = obtain ( प्राप्त करना ) pleasant = full of happiness (मधुर / सुखद ) profit = gain (लाभ )

[PAGE 10] Fits and starts = seldom (कभी -कभी ) queer = strange (विचित्र ) publisher = one who gets books printed (प्रकाशक ) tuck = to press in (छुपाकर रखना ) mattress = quilts (गद्दे ) opportunity = chance (अवसर ) trusting = reliable (विशव्यसनीये ) rob = to plunder (ठगना ) afford = to bear (सहन करना ) beam = ray (किरढ़ ) considering = thinking over (विचार करना ) situation = condition (स्थिति ) crept up = to move slowly (पेट के बल रेगना ) unlined = plain (बिना झुर्रियों के ) marks = spots (निशान ) scars = spots of wound (घाव के निशान ) slid = glided (सरक गया ) startled = surprised (हैरान ) crawled = moved slowly (धीरे से सरकना ) aist = back side of stomach (कमर )

[PAGE 11] Dashed = pushed (अंधाधुन्द दौड़ना ) straight =direct (सीधे ) carriages = train compartments (रेल के डिब्बे ) hesibited = held back (हिचकिचाना ) deserted = lonely (सुनसान ) curious = anxious (उत्सुक ) career = profession (व्यवसाय ) acceptance = approval (स्यीकृति ) chilly = cold (ठंडी ) drizzle = mild rain (बूंदा -बांदी) discomfort = uneasiness (बेचैनी )

[PAGE 12] Shelter = refuge (शरर /आश्रय ) damp = wet (गीला ) probably = perhaps (शायद ) excitement = stimulation (उत्तेजना ) matter = affair (मामला ) hurried = to hasten (जल्दी -से ) nervous = uneasy (घवराना ) undetected = undiscovered (बिना पता चले ) quietly = calmly (शांति से ) remained = to continue (रहना ) still = even now (अभी -भी ) edge = outer limit (सिरा या किनारा ) stretched = extended (फैलाया ) sank = to decline (डूवा ) spirits = courage (साहस ) effort = attempt (प्रयास )

Vocabulary of the Lesson – The Thief’s story

PAGE 8

Still— yet, Experienced —having the knowledge or skill, Fairly—enough Successful—having achieved what you wanted, Hand— (here) person, Wrestling— the act of combating, Approached— went near, Lean— weak and thin, Enough— sufficient, Purpose— objective, Able— worthy, Anti Confidence— trust, Bit— a little, small, Wrestler—skilled in wrestling, nattery— false praise, Modestly— humbly, Ahead— forward, Former— earlier, Employer— a person or firm that employs workers, Grunting— roaring, Throwing— tossing, Casually— purposelessly, Appealing— attractive, Perhaps— probably, Misjudged— guessed wrongly, Feed— give food,

PAGE 9

Terrible— (here) very bad, fearful, Stray— wandering, Be off— to run away Wing wound— remained there, Couldn’t help- couldn’t, Patted- affectionate Never mind— don’t care, Grateful— thankful, Supplies- providing what is required, Usually— normally, Mind— care,

PAGE 10

By fits and starts— not regularly, casually, Borrow— lend, Celebrate— to enjoy, Queer— strange, Living—livelihood, Bundle— bunch, Publisher— a person or company that publishes books, Tuck— (here) fold, Mattress—a quilted bed, Apart—besides, Opportunity—chance, Trusting—reliable, Rob—to take forcibly, Greedy—wanting more than you really need, Afford—to be able to do something, Careless—thoughtless, Notice—give attention, Out of practice—not in practice, Beam—ray of light, Stepped over—crossed, Situation—the things that are happening in a particular time, Crept up—crawled, moved quietly and carefully, Peacefully—calmly and quietly, Scars—spots, Slid—slipped, Searching—investigating, Sighed—heaved a sigh, Startled—bewildered, Crawled—moved slowly, String—(here) material made of several threads twisted together, Slowed down—walked slowly,

PAGE 11

Dashed— ran fast, Pick up speed— increased speed, Carriages—compartments, Hesitated—faltered Get away—run away, Deserted—barren, Trouble—worried, Curious—eager, Robbed—looted, Through—from one end to other, Career—profession Acceptance—(here) agreeing with the fate, Discovered—found out, Trust—faith, Chilly—very cold, Drizzle—light rain, Added—increased, Discomfort—uneasiness, Quite—completely Heavily—too much, Across—opposite,

PAGE 12

Shelter— refuge, Damp— wet, Forgotten— not able to remember, Excitement— the state of being excited, Whole— entire, Respected— honourable, Hurried back— went back in a hurry, Nervous— upset, Undetected— without being noticed, Quietly— silently, Crept— moved quietly and carefully, Still—unmoved, Edge— corner, Slipped—slided accidentally, Awoke— got up, Already— in advance, Stretched— spread out, Heart sank— felt Explained—said, Regularly— continuously, Spirits— (here) courage, Wet— drenched, Appealing— attracting Effort—attempt,

Following is the complete question bank for The Thief’s story-

Multiple Choice Questions – The Thief’s story

1.What was the name of the thief boy?

(A) Anil (B) Ajit Singh

Ans. (C) Hari Singh

2. How old was the thief boy?

(A) 10 years (B) 15 years

Ans. (B) 15 years

3. How old was Anil?

(A) 20 years (B) 21 years

Ans. (D) 25 years

4. Who is the narrator of the story ‘The Thiers Story’?

(A) Hari Singh (B) Anil

Ans. (A) Hall Singh.

5. What did Anil do for a living?

(A) wrote articles for magazines (B) wrestling

Ans. (A) wrote articles for magazines

6. What was Anil doing when the thief boy met him?

(A) writing an article (B) watching a match

Ans. (B) watching a match

7. Anil lived in a room in a shop named :

(A) Jumna Sweet Shop (B) Ganesh Sweet Shop

Ans. (A) Jumna Sweet Shop

8. What did the boy ask Anil?

(A) to give him some money (B) to employ him

Ans. (B) to employ him

9. What did Anil do to the food cooked by the boy the first day?

(A) ate it with enjoy (B) put it in the cupboard

Ans. (C) threw it to a stray dog

10. What did Hari Singh want from Anil?

(A) help (B) shelter

Ans. (D) work

11. What was the boy’s real profession?

(A) a household servant (B) theft

Ans. (B) theft

12. What did Anil do with the money when he received a cheque?

(A) deposited it in his account (B) bought household things

Ans. (C) went out to celebrate

13. Which of the following traits describes Anil?

(A) easy-going (B) careful

Ans. (A) easy-going

14. The thief boy was grateful to Anil for :

(A) giving him a job (B) giving him money

Ans. (A) giving him a job

15. What promise did Anil make to the thief boy?

(A) giving him a good job (B) giving him good clothes

Ans. (C) teaching him reading and writing

Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Here are comprehension passage question and answer sets from the chapter ” The Thief Story Class 10,” provided to deepen your understanding and help you prepare for exams.

1.”I hurried back to the room feeling very nervous, for it is much easier to steal something than to return undetected”.

(a) Who is the speaker of this line?

(b) Why was the speaker feeling nervous?

(d) What is the view of Hari regarding theft?

Ans. (a) Han, a young boy is the speaker of this line who is a thief

(b) Because he was keeping back the stolen money and feared to get caught.

(d) It is much easier to steal something than to return undetected.

2.”I could come and go as I pleased. He was the most trusting person I had ever met”.

(a) Other than the freedom of moment what else does the speaker feel happy about?

(b) What does the speaker mean by ‘most trusting person’?

(d) What character traits of the master does this line reveal?

Ans. (a) He was free to come and go when he pleased. Moreover, he was trusted by Anil.

(b) Anil trusted him completely.

(d) Anil is a caring, kind-hearted, compassionate, understanding and trusting person.

3. He took me to his room over the Jumna Sweet Shop and told me I could sleep on the balcony. But the meal I cooked that night must have been terrible because Anil gave it to a stray dog and told me to be oft but I just hung around, smiling in my most appealing way, and he couldn’t help laughing.

(a) What does ‘I’ refer to?

(b) Where did Mil take him?

(d) How did Hari respond to his reaction?

Ans. (a) ‘I’ refers to Hari Singh.

(b) Anil took him to the room where he stayed, over Jumna sweet shop.

(d) Han kept on smiling appealingly.

4. Well, it’s time I did some real work, I told myself, and I’m out of practice. And if I don’t take the money, he’ll only waste it on his friends. After all, he doesn’t even pay me.

(a) What did he tell himself?

(b) Why did Hari decide to steal?

(d) What justification does Hari Singh give for stealing Anil’s money?

Ans. (a) He told himself that whatever he did was correct.

(b) He thought his owner would waste the money M y on his friends and was not paying him his salary. He could use the money for his own use.

(d) If he did not steal, Anil would waste the money on his friends. Moreover, he did not pay him any salary so far.

Short Answer Type Important Questions – The Thief’s story

1. Why did Hari Singh not make many friends?

Ans. Hari Singh did not have friends as he believed that friends were more trouble than help. Moreover, he did not want to make anyone curious.

2. Why did Hari Singh decide to come back to Anil?

Ans. Hari Singh decided to come back to Anil because he felt that when Anil would come to know about the theft, he would feel sad, not for the loss of money but for the loss of trust. He did not want to lose his trust.

3. Why did Hari Singh choose Anil to be his next victim?

Ans. Hari Singh was an experienced thief. He found Anil, a wrestler an easy-going, kind and simple man, the correct person for his purpose. He found him an easy target to win confidence.

4. Why did Hari Singh not go to his friend’s house or a hotel just after he missed the train?

Ans. Hari Singh did not have any friend and he did not want to make anyone curious about staying at one of the small hotels near the station.

5. Why was it difficult for Han Singh to rob Anil?

Ans. It was difficult to rob Anil because he was the most trusting person Hari Singh ha ever met. According to Hari Singh, it’s easy to rob a greedy man because he can afford to be robbed but it’s difficult to rob a careless man because he doesn’t even notice that he’s been robbed and that takes all the pleasure out of the work.

6. Why did Hari Singh tell a lie about cooking?

Ans. Hari Singh said that he could cook but when he cooked the meal at night, it was so terrible that Anil gave it to a stray dog and told him to be off. But then Anil patted him and said that he would teach him to cook.

7. Why was the thief able to steal from Anil easily?

Ans. Anil was a person who trusted Hari Singh easily. Also, he seemed to be a slightly careless person. Thus, his gullibility and trusting nature made it easy for Hari to rob him.

8. Why did Hari Singh tell a lie about cooking?

Ans. Hari Singh knew that Anil would hire him only if he could cook. However, Hari did not know how to cook. Still, as he wanted to somehow rob Anil, he told the lie to gain entry into Anil’s house.

9. Why did Hari Singh feel bad after stealing the money?

Ans. Anil had trusted Hari Singh completely and also taught him how to cook. Anil also) started teaching him how to read and write. Thus, when Hari stole money from Anil, conscience pricked him as he had broken Anil’s trust.

10. What are the different reactions of the people when they are robbed? (A Thee, Story)

Ans. According to Hari Singh, different people react differently upon being robbed. The greedy man displays fear, the rich man shows anger, and the poor man shows acceptance. However, a trusting man like Anil would be sad due to the loss of trust.

11. Why did Anil decide to pay Hari Singh regularly?

Ans. Anil handed Hari Si h fifty-rupee note as payment for his services. He went on to that since he had started making money, he would pay Hari regularly. However, I knew about Hari and did not want him to be tempted again for want of money.

12. Describe Hari Singh, the young and successful thief.

Ans. Hari Singh was a fifteen-year-old boy who had already gained much expertise in the field of thievery. He knew how to find prospective victims, and used his intelligence to get close to them. Even when he was being taught how to read and write, his first thought was how he could use it to his benefit while thieving.

13. Why did Anil hire Hari Singh?

Ans. Anil hired Hari Singh because Hari Singh himself expressed his desire to work for him. When Anil told him that he could not pay him, Hari Singh asked him if he could feed him. Anil replied that if he knew how to cook, then he may work for him.

14. How did Hari Singh realise that Anil knew about his theft?

Ans. Anil gave him a fifty rupees note in the morning, which was still damp from the night’s rain. Anil told him that he would start teaching him, how to write full sentences and smiled at him. This made Hari Singh realize that Anil knew everything.

15. What was-Anit’s job? What did he usually do with the money he earned?

Ans. Anil was a writer. He wrote articles for magazines. He had no regular source of income. He earned by fits and starts. When he earned some money, he would go out to celebrate.

16. What does the thief say about the reactions of different types of people when they were robbed?

Ans. Hari Singh had found that a greedy man’s face showed panic. The rich man showed anger and the poor man showed a sense of resignation.

Q.17. How did he think Anil would react when he discovered the theft? Why did he think so?

Ans. Hari Singh thought that when Anil would come to know of the theft, his face would show a touch of sadness. It would not be for the loss of money but for the loss of trust.

18. What made him come back to Anil?

Ans. Anil had been teaching Hari Singh to read and write. He thought that without education, he would remain only a thief. But with education, he would become a big, clever and respected man. This made him come back to Anil.

19. What did Anil give him in the morning? In what condition was it?

Ans. Anil gave him a fifty-rupee note in the morning. It was still wet from the night’s rain.

20. How did the thief realise that Anil knew that it had been stolen?

Ans. Anil gave a fifty rupee note to the thief. It was still wet from the night’s rain. So, the thief realised that And knew that it had been stolen.

21. How did the thief know that Anil had forgiven him?

Ans. And did not express in any way that he knew about the stealing. Moreover, he promised to pay him regularly. He also promised to continue with his leaching hint full sentences.

22. Why did the thief smile without any effort towards the end of the story?

Ans. The thief was under tension that his master would be angry with him for stealing the money. But Anil did not express any anger. He said that he would pay him regularly and would remain to continue teaching him full sentences. This made him tension free and he smiled without any effort.

23. Why. according to Hari, is it difficult to rob a careless man?

Ans. Hari thinks that it is difficult to rob a careless man. Sometimes he does not even notice that he has been robbed. This takes out the joy of robbing him.

24. Why did Hari Singh think of doing some real work?

Ans. By ‘real work’ Hari Singh means stealing. He wants to steal Anil’s money because he has not stolen anything for a long time. Secondly, Anil is a careless mail. If Han Singh did not steal his money, he would waste it on useless things.

25 What made him think that he could live like an oil-rich Arab for some time?

Ans. Hari Singh was a poor boy. He stole Anil’s bundle of notes. It was a sum of 600 rupees. Hari Singh thought that he could live in luxury like an oil-rich Arab for some time on this stolen money.

26. Why should he find friends to be more trouble than help?

Ans. Hari Singh was a very poor boy. Those whom he knew were also poor like him. So. he thought that friends would be troublesome.

27. Why did he feet’ nervous about going back to Anil’s room?

Ans. Hari Singh decided to go back to Anil and replace the stolen money under the mattress. But he felt nervous about going there. He thought that it was much easier to steal something than to return it undetected.

28. How was Hari Singh’s ‘appealing smile’ at the end different from similar smiles of his on earlier occasions?

Ans. On earlier occasions, Hari Singh’s ‘appealing smile’ had been artificial. It was full of flattery. But in the end, his smile was real. It was natural and appealing.

29. Who is ‘I’ in this story? Why did he change his name every month?

Ans. In this story ‘I’ is a boy thief of 15 years. He often changed his name every month to avoid being caught by the police and his former employers. This time he tells that his name is Han Singh.

30. Why did Hari Singh smile in his most appealing way?

Ans. Hari Singh cooked food for Anil. He did not know anything about cooking. Anil could not eat it. He threw it to a stray dog. He asked the boy to go away from his house. But the boy did not want to leave him. So, he smiled in his most appealing way.

32. Why was the thief grateful to Anil?

Ans. The thief was grateful to Anil because he gave him a job. Secondly, he promised to teach him to read and write.

33. Why did he want to become an educated man?

Ans. He was an uneducated person. He made his living by stealing and cheating others. He thought if he were educated there would be no limit to what he would achieve.

Q34. Who was the narrator or the boy thief, Hari Singh?

Ans. Hari Singh was a thief. Even at the age of fifteen, he was a seasoned, experienced and a successful thief. He used to change his name every month to avoid the police and his former employers. He knew all the tricks of his trade. He knew how to steal money even when the money was tucked under the victim’s bed.

Q35. How and when did Hari Singh meet Anil?

Ans. Hari Singh met Anil during a wrestling match. He found Anil easy going, kind and simple enough to suit his purpose. Anil’s trusting nature could help him with stealing. Therefore, he offered himself to work for Anil. Anil had no regular income and couldn’t afford to pay him. But still Hari Singh exploited Anil’s generosity and he forced Anil to keep him in his house.

Q36. Anil couldn’t afford to pay Hari Singh. Why did then, he allow Hari Singh to stay with him?

Ans. Hari Singh offered himself to work for Anil. Anil didn’t have a regular income and couldn’t afford to pay him regularly. Hari Singh wanted to exploit such a kind-hearted and simple man like Anil. He lied that he knew how to cook. Anil was forced to allow Hari Singh to stay with him in his house.

Q37. Why was it so difficult for Hari Singh to rob a trusting and unsuspecting person like Anil?

Ans. The fifteen-year-old thief, Han Singh was an experienced and a fairly successful hand. It was easy to rob a greedy man because he could afford to be robbed. But it was very difficult to rob a careless and unsuspecting man like Anil. The unsuspecting Anil didn’t even notice that he had been robbed. That could take all the pleasure out of the work of theft.

Q38. Why did Hari Singh justify himself to rob Anil?

Ans. No doubt, Han Singh was experienced and clever enough to justify his actions. He justified the robbing of a careless and unsuspecting man like Anil. Hari Singh told himself that he was out of practice. He must rob. If he didn’t take the money, Anil would waste it on his friends. Moreover, Anil didn’t pay him.

Q39. Why did Hari Singh lie that he knew how to cook? Why did Anil have to throw the food cooked by Hari to the stray dogs?

Ans. Hari Singh had carefully chosen a kind, careless and unsuspecting target in Anil. When Anil asked if he knew how to cook, Hari Singh replied that he did. He deliberately told a lie. The food he prepared was really terrible. Anil had to throw it away to the stray dogs.

Q40. How did Hari Singh feel working for Anil? Did Anil know that Hari Singh was making a little money from purchases?

Ans. Hari Singh felt quite pleasant working for Anil. He would make tea for him in the morning. He would take his time for the day’s supplies. Usually, Hari would make a profit of about a rupee a day. Anil; mew about the stealing. But he allowed Hari to do so because he couldn’t afford to pay him regularly. He didn’t mind it.

Q41. How did Anil get that substantial money that he brought home in a bundle? How did it tempt Hari Singh?

Ans. Anil had no regular income. He wrote for magazines. One day he came home with a small bundle of notes. He had just sold a book to a publisher. Hari saw Anil tuck the money under the mattress of his bed. Such a large amount of money and his unsuspecting master made Hari Singh decide to steal it.

Q42. How did Hari Singh steal the money that Anil got from selling his book to a publisher?

Ans. Hari Singh saw with his own eyes how Anil tucked the bundle of money under the mattress of his bed. When Anil was asleep, Hari Singh crept up to the bed. He slid his hand under the mattress and drew the money out of the bundle without making a sound. Anil sighed in his sleep and turned on his side, towards him. Han Singh got startled and quickly came out of the room.

Q43. Describe Hari Singh’s dilemma at the station. Why didn’t he jump into a compartment of the Lucknow Express when he could?

Ans. When he reached the station, Hari Singh did not stop at the ticket office because he never bought a ticket earlier. The Lucknow Express was just moving out. He could have jumped into one of the carriages. But he hesitated. Perhaps, he had not made a final decision in this regard.

Q44. What did Hari Singh think when he was standing alone on the deserted platform?

Ans. The train had gone. Hari Singh was in a dilemma. He was standing alone on the deserted platform. He had no idea where to spend the night. He had no friends. Nor did he want to go to a hotel. The only person whom he knew and who could perhaps help him was the man whom he had robbed a few hours ago.

Q45. What did Hari Singh do in the ‘maidan’ and how did the notes become damp?

Ans. From the station, Hari Singh found himself in the ‘maidan’. He sat down on a bench. The November night was chilly. The heavy rain added to Han Singh’s discomfort. His shirt and pyjamas stuck to his skin. He sat down in the shelter of the clock tower. He felt for the notes. They were damp from the rain.

Q46. How did Hari Singh forget about his education in the excitement of his theft? What did he think about it in the end?

Ans. Anil taught Hari Singh to write his name. He also promised to teach him making complete sentences and adding numbers. In his excitement of the theft, he forgot all about his education. But good sense prevailed and in the end, he realised that education could give him respect and much more money.

Q47. Did Hari Singh understand the value of education? How can you prove it?

Ans. Hari Singh clearly understood the value of education. Education could bring him respect, status and money. If he learnt how to write like an educated person, the sky would be the limit for him. In the heat and excitement of the theft, he forgot all about it. He decided to have an education at any cost and went back to Anil.

Q48. How and when did Hari Singh put the stolen money back at the same place from where he had stolen? Did Anil know it?

Ans. Hari Singh came back to Anil’s room. He was feeling quite nervous. He crept to the head of the bed. His hand found the edge of the mattress. He slipped the notes under the mattress. Yes, Anil was aware of everything that was taking place in the room.

Q49. Why didn’t Anil hand Hari Singh over to the police even when he knew all about the theft?

Ans. Anil was careless and unsuspecting but not a fool. He knew how the boy stole money out of daily shopping. He also knew all about the theft of his 600 rupees. He could have easily handed him over to the police. However, he didn’t want to ruin Hari Singh’s life. He wanted to give an education to the unfortunate boy. So, he gave a fifty rupee note and promised to pay him regularly. Neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything about the theft.

Long Answer Type Questions- The Thief’s story

1. Anil plays a major role in the transformation of Hari Singh. Comment on the statement by highlighting the values possessed by Anil which touched Hari’s heart and made him return to his honest ways of earning his livelihood. Write in about 100-120 words.

Ans. Anil was a struggling writer who befriended Hari Singh. Hari Singh was an experienced, 15-year-old thief. He found Anil an easy target to steal. Anil offered him to stay with him and to teach how to read and write. Gradually, Anil develops trust in Hari Singh. But Hari Singh was waiting for the right opportunity to do what he was best at. After stealing money, he tried to go away forever but some inner voice stopped him from doing so. He returned to Anil because he wanted to live a life of respect. Anil did not show that he knew the incident and accepted Hari with open hands. Thus, a well-intentioned person, Anil changed Hari Singh and brought him on the right path. The story shows that trust and spirit to forgive someone can bring big changes in someone’s life.

2. Hari Singh didn’t confess that he robbed Anil. Did he lack the courage to do so or he really wanted to maintain his relationship with Anil at any cost? Explain the values Hari needed to imbibe in about 100-120 words.

Ans. Hari Singh was a teenager, of 15. He was good at stealing. He chose Anil to be his next target as he was a struggling author and a simple person. Hari Singh started living with Anil who in turn, started teaching him how to read and write? Hari Singh, one day got the opportunity to steal Anil’s money. He left out with the money to go away forever but his inner “ice stopped him. He returned back and kept the money in place. Next morning he started with his routine work and didn’t tell anything about the incident to Anil. He was a teenager and lacked the courage to face Anil with his truth. He did not want to lose Anil’s trust. He wanted to maintain the relationship with Anil, wanted to get an education and become a respected man. So, he hid the incident from Anil.

3.”But to be a really big man, a clever and respected man was something else.” Hari 11311 finally accepted the importance of education and honest living. What do you think about the role of education in changing peeps I like Hari / Comment on it by highlighting the values one imbibes through education.

Ans. Hari Singh finally realized the significance of education in life. He understood that g would only provide him money temporarily. Also, there was the risk of being caught. Education provides one with respectability and Hari finally seen that. Educating people, rather heels like the wrongly talented rant on sin tea Elion north duet open the speed rerate mine. They fail Hari, can help them immensely. Childrendsthematic dittoed see the difference between right and enables them to see this difference. It leads them on the path of truth and rational thinking. Thus, education is an essential aspect of any child’s life and can help culminate an honourable way of living.

4. Hari Singh believed that it was difficult to rob a man like Anil. Do you think that he really appreciated kind people? Why do you think he found it difficult to cheat a man like Anil? Discuss the values that stop a person from doing something wrong.

Ans. Hari did appreciate kind people as is evident from the story. In the descriptions that he gives about various people, Anil stands apart. Perhaps it was the first time that anyone had done so much for Hari. Later, as he was running away after robbing Anil, his conscience kept pricking him. He was unable to betray the trust of the kind Anil. It was perhaps also because Hari was not a hardened criminal. He had probably become a thief due to circumstance, not by choice. His innate goodness and natural capacity to distinguish right from wrong stopped him from doing further wrong. These values help others too.

5.”I couldn’t cook his meals, run to the bazaar or learn to write whole sentences anymore.” Hari Singh could not at once come out of the idea of working for Anil. Do you think he accepted the joy of earning money by following the path of honesty? Explain the values highlighted through Hares character in 100-120 word.

Ans. When Hari Singh saw Anil for the first time, he found him to be simple, easy-going, kind and easy to fool around. He thought he would be the right person to rob. He offered himself to work for him. When Anil said that he could not pay him, he said if he could feed him. Anil replied that if he knew how to cook, then he would let him work in his house. When he stayed there for a month, he realized Anil was the most difficult person to rob as he was the most trusting person. Although, one night he stole six hundred rupees but returned back to Anil as he realized that getting education would be far more important in life than money. Hence, he accepted the joy of earning money by following the path of honesty.

6.”You look a bit of a wrestler yourself.” I said. A little flattery helps in making friends. Hari Singh believed that a little flattery can help in making friends. Did he lack love and empathy? Was his attitude towards friendship acceptable or not? Explain the values one must have to win over true friends in 100-120 words.

Ans. Hari Singh was an experienced thief. He knew how to win others’ trust. He saw Anil who was watching a wrestling match, he was a slim, lean man of 25. He found him an easy target to rob. He started talking to him by saying that he looked like a wrestler. Then he told Anil that he wanted to work for him. When Anil told him that he could not pay him-he, in order to win his confidence asked Anil if he could feed him. This kind of attitude is not acceptable to win over true friends. True friends show love, empathy and true care for theirs. friends.

7. The chapter shows Hari Singh’s journey from a thief to an honest man who value friendship and other human values. Do you think it was Anil’s selfless friendship that he Hari to redeem himself? Give reasons in support of your answer in 100-120 words.

Ans. The chapter reveals Hari Singh’s transformation from a thief into an honest It was Anil’s selfless friendship that helped Hari to redeem himself. Gradually the Hari Singh began to understand human values such as friendship and trust. When robbed Anil, he felt guilty of having violated the trust that Anil had reposed in him. He could not board the train and missed his chance to get away. Moreover, he and kand even valued Anil’s friendship feelings toward him as he knew that after discovering the theft, Anil would not be sad for the loss of money, but for loss of trust.

8. Write a character sketch of the thief boy.

Ans. The thief was a fifteen years old boy. But in this story, he has been presented as a well experienced and skilful thief. He had a great knowledge of human behaviour. He knew that simple looking persons could be robbed easily. He had an understanding that a little flattery could help in making friends. He was clever enough to change his name to keep himself away from the police and his former employers. He was perfect in telling lies. He had a desire to become a big man in life. He robbed Anil of his six hundred rupees. But in one corner of his heart, there was a sense of trust and goodness. He thought that he should not betray Anil. He had the ambition of becoming a big man and he knew that he could realise his ambition only when he is educated. Thus, he was an interesting character.

9. Draw a character-sketch of Anil.

Who was Anil? How did he treat Hari Singh and how did it influence Hari’s life?

Ans. Anil was a young man of 25 years. He was a tall and lean fellow. He looked easygoing and kind. A small boy met him. The boy wanted to rob him. He found him fit for his purpose. The boy told him that he wanted to do a job for him. He said that he could cook the food. Anil gave him a job. The food cooked by the boy was very terrible. He told the boy to run away but later he taught him to cook the food and to learn reading and writing. Anil earned money by fits and starts. He wrote articles for magazines. One day he earned 600 rupees. In the night the thief boy stole the money and ran out in the rain. Later his heart changed and he decided to put the money back under the mattress. Anil discovered all this. But he was so large-hearted that he said nothing to the boy. Instead, he promised to pay him regularly.

10. How did Hari Singh rob Anil of his six-hundred rupees? What stopped him to rush away?

What made the narrator steal Anil’s six hundred rupees? What did he do after that? Why did he put the money back under the mattress?

Ans. The thief boy met Anil. He found him an easygoing person. In his mind, he decided to rob him. He said that he would cook food for him. He told Anil that his name was Hari Singh. Anil engaged him on work. He taught him to cook the food and to read and write. Anil had no regular income. One day he brought a small bundle of 600 rupees. He put the bundle under his mattress, When he was fast asleep, the boy drew out the bundle under the mattress and ran to the station to catch the Lucknow Mail at 10:30 p.m. The train had just steamed off. But something stopped his feet to jump into the train compartment. It was Anil’s goodness and carelessness. He realised his folly and decided to go back to Anil. So he went back and placed the money under the mattress.

11. Why did Hari Singh decide to return the stolen money? What light does it throw on his character?

Ans. After stealing the money when Hari Singh reached the station, he could not board the Lucknow Express though he could easily get on it. He stood alone on the deserted platform and thought about Anil who he knew would feel only sadness for the loss of trust when he discovered the theft. He felt that he should go back to Anil if only to read and write. So he decided to return to Anil feeling very nervous. The thief was very grateful to Anil and quite liked working for him. Since Anil was the most trusting man he had met. Anil’s confidence had awakened his conscience. He wanted to become a good man. Anil could only make him a good man. So he decided to come back to Anil and return the money that he had stolen.

12. What kind of a life was Hari Singh leading with Anil?

Ans. Anil engaged Hari Singh as a house-servant. His duty was to cook food and prepare tea for Anil. He was not an expert in cooking. But Anil taught him how to cook food. He went to the market to buy vegetables and other things of daily necessity. For the thief, it was quite pleasant working for Anil. Anil had told him that he would teach him reading and writing. The thief was grateful to Anil for giving him a job and for his promise to make him an educated man. He knew that once he could write like an educated man then there would be no limit to what he could achieve.

13. ‘The Thief’s Story’ is an in-depth study of the human mind. Discuss.

Ans. The human mind is a very complex thing. It is a mixture of opposite opinions. Sometimes a man fails to understand his own mind. In this story, the same thing has been presented by Ruskin Bond through the character of a thief boy Hari Singh. The boy starts working for Anil. His primary aim was to rob him. Anil’s carelessness wins his heart. But the boy’s bad mind provokes him to rob Anil of his money. One day he robs his six hundred rupees and runs away to the station. But his good mind stops him boarding the train. He decides to come back to Anil and return his money. So this story is an in-depth study of the human mind.

Q14. Give a character-sketch of the thief, Hari Singh. Highlight the gradual changes that come in him.

Ans. The narrator of ‘The Thief’s Story’ is a thief. He is just fifteen but an experienced and fairly successful hand. He used to change his name every month. This he did to avoid being arrested by the police. He worked for many employers. He used to run away after cheating them. This time he introduced himself as Hari Singh. Hari Singh was a clever thief He knew how to humour a person like Anil. He called Anil a bit of a wrestler. He was an expert in telling lies. He lied that he knew how to cook. He was a good judge of men and the situation. He exploited Anil’s generosity and made money by keeping aside a rupee for him from buying the day’s supplies.

In the heat and excitement, Hari Singh forgot his love for education. He knew that if he were educated, he could earn respect, name and money. No doubt, he breached Anil’s trust by stealing his money. Soon, he realised that he had no friends and well-wishers. The only person who knew and could help him was Anil whom he had robbed a few hours ago. Anil’s large-heartedness and his love for education transformed him in the end. He came back to Anil and put the stolen money back to the place from where it was stolen. Anil knew everything but he rewarded Hari Singh. He gave him a fifty-rupee note and promised to pay him regularly.

Q15. Give a character-sketch of Anil. Did he know all about the theft? If so, why did he keep Hari Singh again to work for him?

Ans. Anil is a thorough gentleman. He is generous, large-hearted and understanding. He is twenty-five years old and unmarried. He doesn’t have a regular income. He writes for magazines. When he receives a cheque, he goes out and celebrates. Anil is a simple man who is ever-ready to help even a worthless boy like Hari Singh. He knows that Hari Singh lied that he knew how to cook. Still, he allows him to work for him. Anil is a progressive young man. Being a writer himself, he knows the value of education. He teaches Hari Singh to write his name. He promises to teach him to write whole sentences and to add numbers.

Anil knew all about the theft. He knew how and when Hari Singh stole the money and put it back under the mattress. Neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything about it. He didn’t want to hand Hari Singh over to the police. It would have mined him. The thief had no option but to return to such a generous and large-hearted person. The reformer, Anil rewarded the boy-thief by giving him a fifty-rupee note. He also promised to pay him regularly.

Q16. How did Hari Singh come into contact with Anil? He breached Anil’s trust in him but why did Anil not only forgive him but also promised to pay him regularly?

Ans. Hari Singh was still a thief when he met Anil. He was just fifteen but was an experienced and fairly successful hand. Hari humoured Anil and wished to work for him. Anil had no regular income and couldn’t afford to pay him. He asked Hari Singh if he knew how to cook. Hari Singh lied that he knew it. The boy was totally worthless and Anil asked him to go away. But the boy didn’t budge and Anil retained him and also promised to teach him writing sentences and adding numbers.

They say old habits die hard. After all, Han was a thief. He made a rupee every day from buying the day’s supplies. Trusting Anil gave him a key to the door. The boy-thief saw him tuck the money under the mattress. Hari Singh stole the money and went away. He counted them and found that they were 600 in the fifties. Anil knew everything about the theft. He even knew how the money was placed back under the mattress by Hari Singh. But the reformer, Anil prevailed over him. He didn’t hand the boy-thief over to the police. Nor did he punish him by throwing him out of the job. Love for education transformed Hari Singh from a thief to a reformed young man. Anil rewarded him by giving a fifty-rupee-note and promising to pay him regularly.

Q17. Love, human sympathy and education can transform even a thief. How could Anil bring such a change in Hari Singh?

Ans. Man is a product of circumstances and environment. Hari Singh was just a boy of fifteen but was an experienced and fairly a successful hand. Circumstances made him a thief. In spite of being no use to Anil, he was retained to work for him. They say old habits die hard. After all, a thief couldn’t leave stealing and cheating. He made a rupee every day from the buying of the day’s supplies. However, Anil was not a fool. He knew everything and also all about the theft. But he was kind, large-hearted and full of human sympathy. He taught the unfortunate boy to write his name. Ile also promised him to write sentences and add numbers. This left a deep impression on the boy-thief. lie started realising that education could bring him respect and money.

Hari Singh breached Anil’s trust but Anil was all forgiving and compassionate. In the heat and excitement of theft, Hari Singh forgot about education. Then came the true realisation and transformation. The boy-thief realised that the only man who could help him was the man he had robbed a few hours ago. Then he realised the value of education that could give him respect and more money than he could get by stealing. He realised where he should go. Large-hearted Anil not only forgave him but also gave him a fifty-rupee note, and promised to pay him regularly.

Q18. ‘He was the most trusting person I had ever met.’ Justify this statement of Hari Singh about his benefactor, Anil. Did he breach Anil’s trust?

Ans. After his first introduction, Hari Singh understood Anil’s nature and his character rather well? He lied that he knew how to cook. Still, Anil allowed Hari to work for him. Even at the age of 15, Hari Singh was an experienced and successful hand. He knew all the tricks of his trade. He made one rupee every day from buying the day’s supplies. Anil knew it but didn’t mind. Anil was really a trusting person. He had given Hari a key to the door and he could come and go as he pleased. But it was `so difficult to rob him’. It is easy to rob a greedy man. It was difficult to rob a careless and trusting man like Anil. Sometimes, he didn’t even notice that he had been robbed. That took all the pleasure out of Hari Singh’s work.

Anil was no fool. He knew all about the theft, when and how it was committed. Neither his lips nor eyes showed that he saw Hari placing the money back under the mattress.

Trust begets trust. Ultimately, the boy-thief realised that the only person who could help him was the man whom he had robbed a few hours ago. Naturally, Anil was the most trusting man Hari Singh had ever met in his life. And forgot the Tut Chase’s grow breach of his trust but rewarded Hari by giving a fifty-rupee-note and promising to pay him regularly.

Q19. How did Hari Singh steal the money? Describe the circumstances that brought him back to work for Hari Singh. What was the main motivating factor that forced him to take that decision?

Ans. Anil had sold a book to a publisher. He got a good sum of money in return. Hari Singh saw him tuck the money under the mattress of his bed. The boy-thief was an experienced hand. He breached Anil’s trust and stole the money. He counted and found a sum of 600 in the fifties. He realised that with that money he could live like a rich Arab at least for a week or two.

Hari Singh tried to run away with the money but failed. He was actually struggling with himself. He deliberately missed the Lucknow Express. He sat thinking about himself on a bench on a chilly night. He came to a conclusion. He had no friend. The only person who could help him was Anil and he had robbed him a few hours earlier. Then came the realisation what Anil was doing for him. He promised to give him an education. Hari Singh realised that education could bring respect and money to him? In the heat and excitement of the theft, he had forgotten about the education. Getting an education was the main motivating force that brought the boy-thief Hari Singh back to Anil.

Q20. Describe the sequence of events that took place after Hari Singh stole the money. Evaluate Hari Singh as a thief and as a human being.

Ans. Hari Singh was a seasoned thief even at the age of fifteen. He knew all the tricks of his trade. As a thief, he knew how to hoodwink his master and make one rupee every day out of buying of the day’s supplies. And he, a seasoned thief, stole 600 rupees from under the mattress. With that money, he could live like a rich Arab for a week or two. He came to the station but deliberately missed the Lucknow Express. He was struggling with himself. He came to the ‘maiden’ and was drenched in the rain on a chilly November night. He had no friends and did not like to go to a hotel either. He was in a dilemma. Then good sense prevailed and he decided to go back to the man whom he had robbed a few hours earlier. His love for education was the motivating force that led him to this decision.

So, as a thief, he was quite an experienced and fairly a successful hand. But love, generosity and human compassion of Anil helped in transforming him into a better human being. He realised the value of education. Only education could give him respect, status and money.

Q21. Hari Singh could have lived like a rich Arab for a week or two. Why did he choose to go back to Anil in the end?

Ans. Hari Singh definitely had a bumper catch. The money he stole from under Anil’s bedroom’s mattress was perhaps the largest amount he had ever stolen in life. When he was on the road, he counted the money. It was a sum of rupees six hundred, in the fifties. With that money, Hari Singh could live in luxury like a rich Arab, at least for a week or two. He decided to run away with the money and came to the station. He found that the Lucknow Express had just moved. He could have jumped into one of the compartments but couldn’t do so. Perhaps something troubled him. He hesitated and remained standing alone on a deserted platform. He had no friends. The only man he knew was Anil whom he had robbed only a few hours ago.

The thing that motivated Hari Singh to go back to Anil was his love for getting an education. He realised that education could give him respect, status and much more money than he could get from stealing. Anil had promised him to teach writing and adding numbers. Han Singh’s urge to get an education brought him back to Anil.

[pt_view id=”6697fa5up0″]

Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 10th as Per Latest CBSE Syllabus

Chapter- 2 English Language and Literature- Footprints Without Feet