Class 10 The Thief’s Story by Ruskin Bond
Short Questions
Q. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Ans. ‘I’ refers to Hari Singh, a 15-year-old thief who is also the narrator of the story.
Q. What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?
Ans. He is a fairly successful hand at stealing, as he has learned the art of theft carefully and has never been caught easily.
Q. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Ans. He gets food to eat and a place to live in Anil’s house. Later, Anil also promises to teach him how to read and write.
Q. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Ans. He thinks Anil will feel sad, not because of losing money, but because he has lost trust in someone he had trusted completely.
Q. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Ans. He says the rich show anger, the poor show fear, but Anil will show only sadness because he is a simple and kind man.
Q. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Ans. Yes, Anil realises it the next morning when he finds the notes wet and damp. However, he does not say anything or get angry; instead, he gives Hari Singh a smile and continues teaching him.
Long Questions
Q.1. What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time? What makes him return to Anil?
Ans. At first, Hari Singh is very excited about receiving education. He thinks, “Once I can write like an educated man, there will be no limit to what I can achieve.” Later, he realises that education can bring him more respect and a better future than stealing ever could. He returns to Anil because he values education, respect, and trust more than the money he had stolen.
Q.2. Why does not Anil 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 does not hand Hari Singh over to the police because he wants to give him a chance to change his life. Most people would have punished or abandoned the thief. But Anil is different—he is kind, forgiving, and believes in reform rather than punishment.
Value-based Questions
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. Such people are found in real life too. There are struggling writers like Anil who are simple and kind, and there are poor, misguided children like Hari Singh who turn to crime but can be reformed with love and trust.
Q.2. Do you think it is a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
Ans. Yes, it is significant. As a struggling writer, Anil knows the value of honesty and hard work. His simple lifestyle and kindness towards Hari Singh show that he is more interested in values than in money.
Q.3. 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. Yes, there are children like Hari Singh in society. Poverty, lack of family care, hunger, and bad company can force a young boy into stealing. Such children need love, education, and guidance to change.
Q.4. Where is the story set? 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 seems to be set in an Indian city, most likely in North India (because of names like Anil and the mention of the railway station). People there usually speak Hindi or Urdu in daily life. The characters probably spoke to each other in Hindi, though the story is written in English for readers.