CBSE Class 10 English The Thief's Story Important Questions Set 02

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time?
Answer: Hari Singh is very intelligent. He knows that his ability to read and write would give him an extra edge and that he could become a respected person. At first he values it as a means to achieve more; even when he runs away with the money, he realises the importance of education. This love for education brings him back to Anil’s house.

Question 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?
Answer: Anil does not hand over the thief to the police. Most people would have handed the thief to the police so as to get rid of him and safeguard their household goods. Anil is different from such employers. He knows about the theft, yet he does not say anything about it to Hari Singh. He realises his own mistake of not paying a regular salary to Hari Singh. He gives him the fifty-rupee note and promises regular pay. Thus, he gives him a chance to improve his ways of living.

Question 3. How did the thief (Hari Singh) realise that Anil knew that his money had been stolen?
Answer: The thief realised that Anil knew he had stolen his money because he found that the fifty-rupee note Anil gave him the next morning was still wet, as if it had been taken out in the rain. Anil also promised to pay him regularly from then on, though he had never paid him before.

Question 4. How did Hari Singh know that Anil had forgiven him?
Answer: Hari Singh realised that Anil knew about the theft because he found the note still wet. Anil gave him a fifty-rupee note and did not mention anything about the theft. This made him feel that Anil had forgiven him.

Question 5. Who is ‘I’ in this story? Why did he change his name every month?
Answer: ‘I’ in this story is a 15-year-old boy who is an experienced and successful thief. He changes his name every month to hide his real identity from the police and his former employers.

Question 6. What was the thief’s immediate reaction when he stole Anil’s money?
Answer: Hari Singh stole six hundred rupees and crawled out of the room. When he was on the road, he started running. He kept the notes at his waist, held there by the string of his pyjamas. He felt that he could live like an oil-rich Arab for a week or two.

Question 7. What made Hari Singh come back to Anil? (Delhi 2020)
Answer: Hari Singh came back to Anil because Anil trusted him. He did not want to miss the chance of being educated. Education could certainly make him a better man. He was fed up with the life of a thief, i.e. stealing and being caught and beaten.

Question 8. What made him a successful thief?
Answer: He always changed his name after stealing. He even managed to change the place. He tried his best to appear pleasing and innocent so that his employers never suspected him to be a thief.

Question 9. What made Hari Singh follow Anil after watching the wrestling match?
Answer: Hari Singh knew by experience that Anil was an easy-going and simple man who could trust even a stranger. He decided to rob him as it would be quite easy. Therefore, he followed Anil to win his confidence and get a job there.

Question 10. Hari had a capacity for quick thinking and adaptability. Elaborate, in about 40 words.
Answer: Hari's ability to swiftly fabricate new identities demonstrates his resourcefulness and adaptability, essential traits for survival in his line of work. For example - he takes a new name every month. That kept him ahead of the police and my former employers.

Question 11. Briefly state how Hari Singh knew that Anil had forgiven him for the theft.
Answer: Hari Singh knew that Anil was aware of the robbery but chose to ignore it and forgave Hari for it, as Anil was a kind and forgiving person. He neither mentioned the incident to Hari Singh nor scolded him for it.

Question 12. "And the smile came by itself, without any effort." Why did Hari Singh smile in the end of the story?
Answer: The thief was under tension that his master would be angry with him for stealing the money. However, Anil showed no signs of rage. He promised to keep teaching him and to pay him on a regular basis. This made him tension free and he smiled without any effort.

Question 13. "Trust is the glue of life. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships." -Stephen R. Covey Comment on the given quote with reference to the story.
Answer: In the story, trust plays a crucial role in shaping the relationship between Anil and Hari. Anil's trust in Hari allows them to develop a bond, leading to positive changes in Hari’s life. This can be seen when he goes back to Anil's house and keeps the money back. This reflects how trust is like glue that holds their relationship together, leading to transformation and growth.

Question 14. 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?
Answer: Anil was teaching Hari Singh to write sentences. Hari Singh's reactions changed from time to time. First, he thought if he learned to write like an educated man, he could steal more cleverly. But later, he thought that stealing was simple. But to be a really good man is something different. Hence, he decided to return to Anil. His conscience did not allow him to betray Anil's trust.

Question 15. 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?
Answer: Yes, it is a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer. It explains his behavior because writers often have an understanding of human emotions. He might have felt a connection with Hari's difficult circumstances, which allowed him to be more compassionate.

Question 16. Where is the story set? (You can get clues from the names of the people 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?
Answer: The story is set in North India. We found mention of the Lucknow Express. The names, Hari Singh and Anil indicate that the story is set in Hindi speaking areas of North India. The wrestling match is another indication of this possibility. Usually, Hindi is spoken in these places. I think the characters in the story did not speak to each other in English.

Question 17. Analyse the dilemma faced by Hari Singh at the station.
Answer: Hari Singh's dilemma is that he wants to escape, but he also wants to make things right with Anil. He knows that Anil will be hurt when he discovers the theft, and he doesn't want to lose the only man who has ever been kind to him. In the end, Hari Singh decides to return to Anil and face the consequences of his actions.

Question 18. 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?
Answer: Anil had come to know that Hari Singh had stolen his money. He knew that Hari Singh was a thief. But Anil did not hand him over to the police because Hari Singh had been reformed, and he kept the money back from where he had taken it. If there had been some other employer in place of Anil, he would have handed over Hari Singh to the police. Anil was different from other employers as he understood that a social evil like theft could not be eradicated by the police. Anil's way of treating him was the only way to reform him.

Question 19. How did Hari Singh win the trust of Anil? (Delhi Gov. 2021)
Answer: Hari Singh approached Anil with flattery, seemed to be interested in wrestling, and offered to work for him for free in order to gain his trust. He also made up details about his name and his ability to cook, but his charming smile and persistence eventually got Anil to laugh and trust him.

Question 20. What does Hari Singh get in return from Anil for his work? (Delhi Gov. QB 2022)
Answer: Hari Singh tries to win Anil's confidence by befriending him. He asks Anil if he could work for him. Anil tells him that if he can cook, he can probably feed him. However, Anil soon finds out that Hari Singh has told a lie. Still, he decides to keep him in his house. He teaches him to write his name. He promises Hari Singh that he will also teach him how to read, write and add numbers. In this way, Hari Singh continues to work for Anil.

Question 21. Did Hari like working for Anil? Give reasons in support of your answer. (CBSE 2016)
Answer: Yes, Hari Singh liked working for Anil as he did not have to do a lot of work. He used to make tea in the morning and go out to the local market to buy the daily essentials. In the process of buying daily essentials, Hari would also steal about a rupee for himself.

Question 22. What made Hari Singh come back to Anil? (CBSE 2020)
Answer: Hari Singh returned to Anil because he realised that he had robbed the most trustworthy person that he had ever met. Anil’s kindness, love, and help that he provided him made him repent of his mistake and brought him back to him.

Question 23. In what queer way did Anil make a living? (CBSE 2018)
Answer: Anil made money through ‘fits and starts’. He would borrow it one week and lend it the next. As soon as his cheque arrived, he would go out and celebrate. He also made a living by writing for magazines.

Question 24. How did Hari Singh succeed in his profession? (Delhi Gov. QB 2022)
Answer: Hari Singh succeeded as a thief because of his experience, cleverness, and ability to charm people. He used different names and observed people's reactions to avoid getting caught. However, meeting Anil and the opportunity to gain education changed his course of action.

Question 25. Why does Anil not hand over Hari Singh to the police? (CBSE 2023)
Answer: Anil didn’t hand over Hari to the police because if Anil had done it, Hari would have never reformed. He would have gone back to his old ways of cheating and stealing from people, which Anil didn’t want. Thus, by doing so, he gave Hari another chance to reform.

Question 26. How does the story challenge the notion of inherent criminality and fixed characteristic traits?
Answer: The story shows that people are not born criminals. Hari Singh, a thief, is changed by Anil’s trust and the chance to learn to read and write. His conscience awakens, and he returns the stolen money. The story suggests that kindness and education can transform a person’s character.

Question 27. Explain how the description of Anil’s reaction to Hari Singh’s theft reflects his calm demeanour in ‘The Thief’s Story’. Refer to the given line from the text: “Anil knew it but neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything”.
Answer: Although Anil knew that Hari Singh had stolen his money, he did not show any anger or suspicion. He behaved normally and even gave Hari a fifty-rupee note, saying that he would pay him regularly. This shows his calm, mature and forgiving nature and his faith that Hari would reform.

Question 28. The various elements of the author's writing style work together to create a sense of suspense in the story. Comment.
Answer: The story is narrated by the thief himself, so we learn his thoughts as he plans and carries out the theft. The night robbery, the escape to the railway station, his dilemma about boarding the train and his return in the rain keep readers in suspense. Anil’s silent knowledge of the theft adds a final twist.

Question 29. Why does Anil not hand Hari Singh over to the police? (CBSE 2020)
Answer: Anil does not hand Hari Singh over to the police because he saw a change in him. He understood that Hari had realised his mistake and wanted to mend his ways, otherwise he wouldn’t have put the stolen money back in its place. Anil has a humble nature so he wants to give him a chance. Hence, he forgives him for stealing the money and decides to encourage the spirit of goodness in him.

Question 30. In which queer way did Anil make a living? (CBSE 2020)
Answer: Anil made money in fits and starts. He would borrow one week, lend the next. He would worry about his next cheque, but spend it all as soon as it arrived. It seemed a little strange that Anil made his living by writing for magazines.

Question 31. What conditions did Anil put to employ Hari as his servant?
Answer: When Hari Singh met Anil, he needed a place to live in and a source of food. Hari told Anil that he would like to work for him, to which Anil said that he could not pay him. However, Anil told Hari that if he could cook, he could feed him and give him a place to stay.

Question 32. How did the thief befriend Anil?
Answer: When the thief met Anil, he was watching a wrestling match. Anil seemed to be an easy-going, simple and kind man to the thief. He instantly came across as an easy target, so the thief thought of robbing Anil. He even tried to flatter Anil by telling him that he looked like a wrestler. The thief lied to Anil that his name was Hari Singh. In order to avoid the police, he used to change his name every month.

Question 33. Did Hari like working for Anil?
Answer: Hari liked his time there and working for Anil. He happily carried out all the daily chores for Anil, out of which he used to make a profit of one rupee a day. Hari considered it a decent amount apart from being fed. He was also very happy to receive education and was hopeful of a brighter future after learning to read and write.

Question 34. Describe briefly the events of the night of the theft.
Answer: Hari left Anil’s house after stealing all his money. He left for the railway station to go to Lucknow but he didn’t board the train. Then he started walking slowly towards the bazaar. He didn’t know anybody who would give him shelter. Suddenly, it started drizzling and then raining heavily, which forced him to take shelter under the clock tower. After much contemplation, Hari decided to go back to Anil.

Question 35. What happened in the morning after the theft?
Answer: The morning after the theft was normal like other mornings. Hari woke up late. Anil had made tea by then. When Hari woke up, Anil gave a fifty-rupee note to him and also told him that from now onwards he would pay him regularly. Anil further told Hari that now they would start learning to write sentences. Even though Anil was aware of the theft, he behaved normally and didn’t mention anything or call the police.

Question 36. Had Anil really forgiven Hari Singh? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Anil did forgive Hari for stealing from him. Anil knew about the theft because of the dampness of the notes. He knew Hari had robbed him but he had returned with the money, which showed that Hari was willing to change and become a better person. This gave Anil hope and he didn’t mention anything to him. He did not admonish Hari or hand him over to the police. Instead, he decided to pay him a regular salary and teach him to read and write.

Question 37. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Answer: I think that people like Hari and Anil are there in our society.

Question 38. Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
Answer: The fact that Anil is a struggling writer is significant in the story because he can understand Hari’s attitude towards life. Hari too is struggling to make ends meet in his own way and Anil knows that one who is struggling is in need of faith and trust. This is why he wants and manages to make Hari change his ways. Anil’s behaviour towards Hari is that of tolerance which could be because of his own state being similar at some level.

Question 39. 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?
Answer: No, I have not met anyone like Hari but I can imagine what can turn a 15-year old into a thief. Having no one to look after you and living on the streets can make one turn to stealing to make ends meet.

Question 40. 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?
Answer: The story seems to be set in a small town in the state of Uttar Pradesh. We get this from the fact that Hari was planning to catch a train to Lucknow. The names of the characters are also common ones from UP. Hindi is the main language spoken in the state and the characters must have spoken in Hindi with each other.

Question 41. In which queer way did Anil make a living?
Answer: Anil made money by fits and starts. He would borrow one week, lend it the next. As soon as his cheque arrived, he would go out and celebrate. He also made a living by writing for magazines.

Question 42. “He was the most trusting person I had ever met.” Why does Hari Singh say so?
Answer: Anil overlooked the little money Hari stole every day. He had also given him the key to his house to come and go as he pleased. This made Hari realise that Anil was the most trusting person he had ever met.

Question 43. What was the thief’s immediate reaction on stealing the money?
Answer: On stealing the money from under the mattress, Hari Singh ran through the streets to the railway station hoping to board the 10:30 express to Lucknow. He tucked all the money into the string of his pyjamas and ran towards the train without buying a ticket.

Question 44. Why did Hari Singh decide to return the stolen money?
Answer: Hari Singh decided to return the stolen money because he did not want to break Anil’s trust. Also, he realised that by learning to write he would have a brighter future than in continuing to rob people.

Question 45. What made Hari Singh come back to Anil?
Answer: Hari Singh returned to Anil because he realised his mistake that he had robbed his most trustful person. Anil’s kindness, love and help provided to Hari Singh, made him repent his mistake and brought him back to Anil.