The thief's story class 10 English footprints without questions
Q 1. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Ans. I refers to Hari Singh, the narrator of the story, who is a 15-year-old
experienced thief.
Q 2. What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?
Ans. He is a fairly successful hand at stealing. He is an experienced thief. He
is so clean and swift in his work that he robs people without being caught.
The Thief's Story Class 10 English Summary, Notes, Questions & Answers | Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2
Table of Contents
1. Detailed Story Summary – The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond
Author: Ruskin Bond (famous Indian author known for his simple, heartfelt stories about everyday life in India).
Chapter Number: 2 in Footprints Without Feet (CBSE Class 10 Supplementary Reader).
Word Count in Original: ~800 words (perfect for quick revision).
The story is narrated in the first person by Hari Singh, a 15-year-old experienced thief who prides himself on his skills. Hari has robbed people from all walks of life—rich businessmen, careless servants, and even temple visitors—but he's never been caught. One day, near the Lucknow railway station, he spots Anil, a struggling young writer in his early twenties. Anil lives a simple life, earning just enough from his freelance writing to get by, but he's kind-hearted and trusting.
Hari approaches Anil pretending to be a new boy looking for work. Despite his initial suspicion, Anil hires Hari as a cook and servant, offering him food, a place to sleep on the balcony, and a small wage of 8 rupees a month (which he often forgets to pay). Hari, in turn, does his chores half-heartedly but starts to admire Anil's carefree lifestyle. Anil teaches Hari to cook simple meals and, more importantly, begins educating him. He teaches Hari to read and write his name, and soon Hari is forming whole sentences. For the first time, Hari feels a spark of ambition: "I knew that once I could write like an educated man, there would be no limit to what I could achieve."
However, Hari's thieving instincts prevail. One evening, after Anil cashes in a check for 600 rupees (of which he gives Hari a damp 50-rupee note as "wages"), Hari decides to steal the rest. He waits until Anil is asleep, takes the money from under the mattress, and slips out into the rainy night. But as he counts the wet notes under a bridge, guilt creeps in. He realizes the money represents Anil's hard work—his stories that "brought him more than a few hundred rupees." Stealing is easy, but getting caught is a risk, and Hari dreams of becoming a "really big man, a clever and respected man" through education, not crime.
Tormented by remorse, Hari returns to Anil's room before dawn, replaces the money under the mattress, and pretends to sleep. The next morning, Anil notices the missing cash but says nothing. Instead, he gives Hari a 50-rupee note (the stolen one, still damp) as if nothing happened. This silent forgiveness touches Hari deeply, reinforcing his resolve to change. The story ends on a hopeful note, with Hari continuing his education under Anil's guidance, symbolizing redemption through compassion.
Moral: Education and trust can transform even the most wayward soul, turning a thief into a dreamer.
2. Main Characters Analysis
- Hari Singh (Narrator & Protagonist): A clever 15-year-old thief who's "a fairly successful hand" at his craft. He's street-smart but illiterate, robbing without remorse until Anil's kindness awakens his conscience. His internal conflict drives the story—greed vs. growth.
- Anil (The Writer): A young, struggling author living in poverty but with a generous heart. He represents empathy and second chances, choosing education over punishment. Unlike typical employers, Anil sees potential in Hari and invests in his future.
Minor Elements: The story mentions passersby like railwaymen and sweet-shop owners, highlighting Hari's observational skills and the setting's everyday chaos.
3. Key Themes in The Thief's Story
- Redemption & Personal Growth: Hari's journey from thief to student shows how a single act of kindness can spark change. His return of the money is a pivotal moment of self-realization.
- Power of Education: Bond emphasizes literacy as a gateway to respect and opportunity. Hari's excitement about writing sentences contrasts with the fleeting gains of theft.
- Human Compassion vs. Society's Norms: Anil's forgiveness challenges typical reactions to crime—fear from the greedy, anger from the rich, acceptance from the poor. It highlights trust as a force for good.
- Social Commentary on Theft: Hari observes how robbery exposes human flaws: greed, entitlement, and resignation based on class.
Why It Matters for Class 10: This chapter teaches empathy, aligning with CBSE's focus on value-based learning.
4. Important Quotes & Lines (Memorize for Extracts)
"I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve." – Hari's initial thrill about learning. "Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees. It was a simple matter to steal—and sometimes just as simple to be caught. But to be a really big man, a clever and respected man, was something else." – Hari's deeper realization under the bridge. "A greedy man shows fear; the rich, anger; and a poor man, acceptance." – Hari's witty observation on victims' reactions.
Tip: These lines often appear in 2-mark extract questions. Practice explaining their context.
5. Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks Each) – CBSE Pattern
- Q: Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Ans: ‘I’Q 3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Ans. In return of Hari Singh’s work, Anil gives him food and a place to live in.
Q 4. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Ans. According to Hari, Anil would be sad not because of the loss of money but because of the loss of trust he had in Hari.
Q 5. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Ans. Hari’s experience at theft had made him aware of differences in reactions of people when they’re robbed. According to him, a greedy man shows fear; the rich, anger and a poor man, acceptance.
Q 6. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Ans. Yes, Anil realised that he had been robbed, as he gave a fifty rupee note to Hari which was still damp due to the night’s rain.Think About It
Q1 . What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time? (Hint: Compare, for example, the thought: “I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve” with these later thoughts: “Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees. It was a simple matter to steal — and sometimes just as simple to be caught. But to be a really big man, a clever and respected man, was something else.”) What makes him return to Anil?
Ans. Hari felt very happy and thankful when he learned to write his name. He became even more excited when Anil said he would teach him to write full sentences too. Hari understood that being educated would make him stronger and help him do great things in life.
But when he left Anil’s house, he realised something important. Stealing was just a bad habit that brought trouble, but learning and being educated was something much better. He knew that education would bring him respect, a good name, and many opportunities in life. This thought made Hari want to study more, and so he decided to go back to Anil.
Q 2. Why does Anil not hand the thief over to the police? Do you think most people would have done so? In what ways is Anil different from such employers?Ans. Anil did not call the police or scold Hari for stealing. He knew Hari felt sorry and wanted to learn. Anil wanted Hari to get educated and live a good life. He believed Hari could change for the better.
Talk About It
Q 1. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Ans. People like Anil and Hari Singh are mostly seen in stories. Anil was kind and cared about Hari’s future and education. Hari was a thief, but he changed after understanding how important education is. Such people are rare in real life.Q 2. Why does Anil not hand the thief over to the police? Do you think most people would have done so? In what ways is Anil different from such employers?
Ans. People like Anil and Hari Singh are mostly found in stories. Anil was kind and cared about Hari’s education and future. Hari was a thief, but he changed after understanding the value of learning. Such people are rare today.
Q 4. Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? Can you think and imagine the circumstances that can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief?
Ans. No, I haven’t met anyone like Hari Singh, but people like him surely exist. A 15-year-old boy may become a thief because of life’s problems—like needing food, money for bad habits, staying healthy, or wanting fancy things.
Q 4. Where is the story set? (You can get clues from the names of the persons and places mentioned in it). Which language or languages are spoken in these places? Do you think the characters in the story spoke to each other in English?
Ans. The story happens in Uttar Pradesh, near Lucknow. We know this because there is a railway station for trains going to Lucknow. The sweet shops and markets show it is a good-sized town. The characters likely talk in Hindi, not English.
1. A Triumph of Surgery – Summary, Questions & Answers for Class 10 Footprint English
.png)
.png)
0 Comments
Draft