CBSE Class 10 English The Thief's Story Important Questions Set 03

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Describe the internal conflict in Hari Singh’s mind before the theft.
Answer: Hari Singh’s mind before the theft was occupied with an internal conflict because he had never met a more trusting person than Anil. He felt that it was difficult to rob a careless man like Anil because a greedy man was easier to cheat without feeling sorry for such kind of man.

Question 2. Why did Anil overlook Hari’s breach of trust?
Answer: Anil chose to overlook breach of his trust by Hari Singh because he wanted to reform the young boy through education. He was an educated man and understood the compulsion of the young boy to cheat. Anil might have also found Hari’s character a potential subject for his writing.

Question 3. Why did Hari Singh give his most appealing smile to Anil?
Answer: Hari Singh’s experience had made shrewd, intelligent and worldly wise. He knew that appealing smiles can make others comfortable. He understood that whenever favour is sought one has to behave pleasantly. He gave his most appealing smile to Anil to please him and to win his confidence.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. “He was the most trusting person I had ever met,” remarked Hari Singh. Hari Singh took undue advantage of Anil’s trust. Do you think trusting a servant blindly, like Anil, is wise or do we need to be careful?
Answer: Hari Singh is justified in saying that Anil was the most trusting person he had ever met. But he took undue advantage of his trust. He was a thief and could not be expected to be honest with Anil. Anil had blind faith in human nature. He employed him just out of sympathy and compassion. He trusted him and ignored his misdeeds. He handed over all the financial transactions without verification. He was so sympathetic towards Hari Singh that he did not ask him to leave the job when he was unable to cook. He trusted a stranger and gave him every chance to improve. When Hari Singh stole money and came back, Anil knew of his act but said nothing. He knew Hari was guilty but rather gave him a fifty-rupee note. I think such blind faith in a stranger is not prudent; one should be kind but not careless.

Question 2. Love is the basic human attribute that can transform evil into goodness. How did this attribute of Anil change Hari Singh?
Answer: Love and sympathy are positive qualities. If we have love and sympathy for a person, that person will try to win our trust and confidence. He will curb his baser instincts and try to prove worthy of our confidence. It was the love of Anil that transformed Hari Singh. He treated him kindly, reposed his faith in him and Hari Singh became an honest man. Hari Singh was tempted once. He ran away with money. But when he recalled the faith, love, compassion and kindness of Anil, his heart changed. He decided to come back and return the stolen money. Anil knew that Hari Singh had stolen money. He could have handed him over to the police but he showed sympathy and kindness. This transformed Hari Singh. He gave up stealing and decided to become a good person.

Question 3. Give a brief character sketch of Hari Singh highlighting the positive aspects of his life.
Answer: Hari Singh, a boy of 15, was an experienced and successful thief. He was successful because of his cleverness and intelligence. He planned everything meticulously before choosing his victims. He went to places where he would meet an unsuspecting victim. He would then win his confidence to get a job. After some time he used to run away after stealing money from there. Then he used to change his name to befool the police and his former employers. He was a liar. He got a job as a cook, though he could not cook. He was a greedy boy. He was heartless enough to rob a simple and trusting man like Anil. He stole six hundred rupees from his house. But there is a transformation at the end of the story, when he decides to come back to Anil and keep his trust alive. His desire to get educated and his returning the money show that there is goodness concealed even in the worst of men.

Question 4. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life? Do you think the presence of such people can free society from day-to-day crime?
Answer: People like Anil and Hari Singh are real characters. There are many thieves like Hari Singh who master the art of stealing from a very young age and win the trust and confidence of their employers. Then they rob them of their wealth and leave cities one after the other. In the same way, people like Anil are also real, who are very generous and have faith even in strangers.
I agree that if there are people like Anil who have a positive approach to life, there will be less crime in our society. He transformed a thief by his love, sympathy and compassion. If he had handed him over to the police, Hari Singh might have become a hardcore criminal and a threat to society.

Question 5. Give a brief character sketch of Anil highlighting his qualities.
Answer: Anil was a young man of about 25 years. He was a tall, lean fellow. He was an easy-going, kind and simple man. He was a writer and wrote for magazines. His income was not regular. He did not give any importance to materialism. He was a carefree man who would spend money as soon as his cheque arrived. He was sympathetic towards Hari Singh and did not throw him out of his house when he could not cook. He trusted a stranger and gave him the keys. He finally became a saviour by giving Hari Singh a chance to improve. He did not say anything to Hari Singh on knowing about his guilt; rather, he gave him a fifty-rupee note with a promise to pay him regularly.

Question 6. Hari Singh realises that even after being aware about the theft, Anil is not ready to inform the police. Ashamed of his deed, Hari Singh confesses the crime and apologises for breaking Anil’s trust. Prepare a conversation between Hari Singh and Anil.
Answer: Hari: Anil, I need to talk to you. I have something important to confess.
Anil: What is it? You seem troubled. Is everything alright?
Hari: I betrayed your trust, Anil. I stole the money from under your mattress. I know you are aware of it, but you never said a word to the police. I am sorry for my actions.
Anil: Hari, I appreciate your honesty in admitting your mistake.
Hari: I am truly ashamed of what I did. I promise that I will make things right and earn back your trust.
Anil: We all make mistakes, but it's how we learn from them that defines our character. I believe in second chances, and I'm willing to give you one.
Hari: Thank you, Anil, for understanding me.

Question 7. 'The Thief's Story' is an in-depth study of the human mind. Discuss.
Answer: "The Thief's Story" can indeed be seen as an in-depth study of the human mind. The story explores the intricacies of human emotion and behaviour through the characters of Hari Singh and Anil. It explores the power of education, honesty, and trust. The internal conflict that Hari experiences as he transforms from being a thief to wanting to change is an example of human capacity for growth and redemption. Anil's trusting nature and willingness to help a stranger highlight compassion and kindness in individuals. The story ultimately showcases the complexity of human nature, showing that people can have both flaws and virtues.

Question 8. Examine how Anil's identity as a writer could have contributed to his understanding of Hari Singh. (CBSE Practice Set - 2, 2023)
Answer: Anil's identity as a writer plays a significant role in the narrative and contributes to his understanding of Hari Singh in several ways. Firstly, being a writer allows Anil to possess a heightened sense of observation and empathy.
Writers often possess a keen understanding of human behaviour, enabling them to read between the lines and determine shades in people's actions and expressions. This skill becomes crucial in Anil's interaction with Hari Singh, as he could perceive more than what meets the eye.
Additionally, Anil's profession as a writer might have made him more open-minded and receptive to diverse experiences and personalities. Writers often explore a wide range of characters in their work, fostering a broader understanding of human nature. This openness could have enabled Anil to approach Hari Singh with empathy and without immediate judgment.
Lastly, Anil's familiarity with constructing narratives may have enabled him to appreciate the complexity of Hari Singh's life story, recognising the underlying factors influencing his actions.

Question 9. A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experiences, challenges, and interactions with other characters. In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of the thief in Ruskin Bond’s ‘The Thief’s Story’, in about 120 words. (CBSE SQP 2023)
Answer: The thief's character arc in the story shows a transformation from a career criminal to a person who learns to trust and work hard for a living.
At the beginning of the story, Hari Singh is portrayed as an experienced criminal who is focused on staying ahead of the law. He is initially attracted to Anil because he believes he can exploit the young man's trusting nature. As the story progresses, he begins to develop a friendship with Anil, who teaches him how to cook, write, and read. This transformation of the thief's character reaches a climax when he is presented with an opportunity to steal money from Anil but instead chooses to resist the temptation and considers the consequences of his actions. This is a significant change from the beginning of the story, when the thief was only interested in self-gain.

Question 10. Fiction writers prefer creating grey characters rather than black and white. Analyse this in detail, with reference to both the characters of The Thief’s Story. (CBSE SQP 2022)
Answer: Fiction writers often prefer creating grey characters rather than black and white ones to make their stories more interesting and realistic. In "The Thief's Story," both Anil and Hari Singh are examples of grey characters. Anil appears kind and trusting, but he is also careless with his money. Hari is shown as a thief in the beginning of the story, but he later displays regret and a desire to change things around. These complexities make the characters more relatable and human. Grey characters present a challenge to the readers, allow a sense of unpredictability and present a moral challenge. Hence, Hari Singh and Anil are created as grey characters.

Question 11. In the story, 'The Thief's Story' education played a transformative role in the life of Hari Singh. Prepare a speech draft in about 120 words to speak on ‘The Power of Education’. You are asked to address a student gathering from the neighbourhood schools.
Answer: Good morning, everyone.
Today, I wish to speak on ‘The Power of Education’. In Ruskin Bond’s ‘The Thief’s Story’, Hari Singh is a young thief who robs Anil. But Anil had been teaching him to read and write. At the railway station, Hari realises that learning could make him a ‘clever and respected man’, something no stolen money could do. He returns and puts the money back.
Education changes not just what we know but who we are. It gives us confidence, choices and a sense of right and wrong. It can turn a thief into an honest man.
Let us value our education and help others get it too.
Thank you.

Question 12. After the train had left, Hari was all alone at the train station. He was left with no place to sleep at night. Imagine that he came across Buddha, who was sitting on a bench. He went to him and confessed his crime. How would the words of Buddha impact Hari? Write a presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words. You may begin this way: Buddha's kind response creates a safe space for Hari ______
Answer: Buddha’s kind response creates a safe space for Hari to open up without fear of punishment. Listening calmly, the Buddha would tell him that greed and dishonesty lead only to suffering, while honesty brings peace of mind. He would remind Hari that Anil trusted him and offered him education, a far greater treasure than money.
Moved by these words, Hari would feel the weight of his guilt. He would understand that running away would leave him lonely and restless forever. The Buddha’s message would strengthen his decision to return to Anil, put the money back and begin a new, honest life.

Question 13. Who was Anil? How did he transform Hari Singh’s character? (Delhi 2013)
Answer: Anil was the young man who hired Hari Singh as a domestic help. Since Anil was a freelance writer, he did not earn enough money, and so he didn’t pay Hari anything. Anil was kind and noble-minded. He took Hari Singh under his wing. He taught Hari to cook and to write his name. He promised Hari that he would teach him to write full sentences and to add numbers. This filled Hari Singh with new hope of achieving great heights.
Anil was the most generous and trusting person. He gave Hari Singh a key to his room. Hari, who was really a thief, had the liberty to come and go as he pleased. Anil did not seem to mind that Hari made a little profit every day while buying daily supplies. Anil also didn’t seem to mind that Hari had absconded with his six hundred rupees, which Anil had kept under his mattress. He did not expose Hari or get him arrested for stealing his money. Instead, he gave Hari an opportunity to reform. Hari’s conscience pricked; he put the money back in its place thinking that he could not break Anil’s trust. Anil’s love and sympathy turned Hari Singh into a responsible and respectable person.

Question 14. Money can’t make a man as much as education can. Elucidate the statement.
Answer: The statement holds true in almost all aspects of life. Money can certainly buy us all the luxuries one can dream of and fulfil one’s needs, but it cannot buy us knowledge, a pragmatic approach, sensible thinking and the ability to achieve our goals. Education makes a person humane. Education lays the platform for us to act upon our goals according to our abilities. Education helps us to keep up with the fast-paced society and the world. Education leads us to opportunities we do not even know exist. Money can assist us to a certain level. It can help in creating ideas but education gives us the knowledge of their execution. Similarly, in ‘The Thief’s Story’, Hari Singh prioritised the chance of being literate over a few hundred rupees. It was the result of the little education that Hari received from Anil that he realised education could help him build a brighter future. So, we must understand that education can help us to achieve whatever we desire.

Question 15. Hari Singh didn’t board the Express and returned to Anil. Why did he return? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Hari Singh was a thief who had stolen Anil’s money. Initially, he believed that the stolen money could let him live like a rich Arab for a few days. But soon after the theft, he realised that he had not only robbed Anil but also himself of the chance of being literate and having a bright future. His conscience compelled him to think of all that he could have got had he not stolen the money. It was difficult for him to rob Anil. Also, Anil was a simple, kind-hearted man who completely trusted Hari. Hari realised that he would no longer make tea, buy daily supplies and learn how to read and write. There was nobody who could give shelter to Hari as he knew nobody. His inner self ultimately forced him to return.
Hari’s return to Anil shows that despite indulging in criminal acts, he still had a practical and positive attitude towards life. It is the awakening of Hari’s conscience and Anil’s love and care that reformed Hari’s character. It teaches us that love alone can change a person. Anil’s understanding nature and care changed Hari’s thinking and made him mend his ways for good.

Question 16. Why did the thief make friends with Anil? Why did he steal Anil’s money? Why did he come back and put Anil’s money back?
Answer: The thief was a young lad of fifteen. He made friends with Anil because he wanted a place to live. And his ulterior motive was to rob a simple man like Anil. Ultimately Anil decided to keep Hari with him on certain conditions. But a thief will always remain a thief. One day Anil brought a small bundle of notes. It was for the book he had sold to a publisher. Anil put the money under the mattress and slept. The thief stole the money to go to Lucknow. But he did not go there. There came a change in his heart. He wanted to be an educated man. He returned to Anil’s room. He placed the money back under the mattress. Anil knew what had happened. But he did not show it.

Question 17. Write a character sketch of the thief.
Answer: The narrator of the story is a thief, a young boy of fifteen. He passes his time in stealing or working at different places. He needs a place to live in. So he makes friends with Anil. He works for Anil. He buys things for Anil from the market. He makes about a rupee a day from this. But the company of Anil brings a change in his mind. Anil teaches him to read, write and add numbers also. The thief steals Anil’s money. The narrator wants to go to Lucknow. But he does not go. He finds his heart completely changed. He wants to be an educated person. He comes back to Anil’s room. He puts the money back and decides to be a better human being.

Question 18. Education, love and sympathy can transform even a thief. How is it true in the case of Hari Singh?
Answer: Man is a product of circumstances and environment. Hari Singh was just a boy of fifteen but was an experienced and fairly successful hand. Circumstances made him a thief. In spite of being of 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 about the theft. But he was kind, large-hearted and full of human sympathy. He taught the unfortunate boy to write his name. He also promised him to write sentences and add numbers. This left a deep impression on Hari Singh. He 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.

Question 19. Love and trust can change people. How is it true for Hari Singh from the ‘The Thief’s Story’?
Answer: Hari Singh was a thief who robbed people by changing his identity frequently and gaining people’s trust. Such people take love, trust and other value very lightly because they have never experienced them. They haven’t been treated with love and nobody trusts them, as a result of which they too don’t trust anyone. He does the same with Anil. However, Anil turns out to be different. He takes Hari Singh into his life, gives him a place to stay, teaches him to cook, write and add. He also overlooks the little money Hari steals every day. He trusts Hari with his house keys. This love and trust makes Hari rethink his actions and causes him to return the stolen money and want to become a respected man. Thus love and trust change him.

Question 20. What impression do you form of Hari Singh after reading ‘The Thief’s Story’?
Answer: Hari Singh is a small boy who has had a rough life. The experience of life that he had from close quarters had made him rigid about survival. He had no one to guide or correct him and hence, he chose whichever path he felt was appropriate. He has had to resort to robbing to make ends meet. Despite this, when he gets an opportunity to change his ways, he does so. He realises that being educated and earning money will bring him respect which robbing and stealing will not. He is a boy of strong character and is one who knows right and wrong. He is ready to learn from his mistakes and take the right path to success.