GSEB Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 2 The Thiefs Story

Read And Find Out (Text Book Page No. 8)

Question 1. Who does 'I' refer to in this story?
Answer: In this tale, 'I' means the thief.
In simple words: The word 'I' in the story is used by the thief when he tells his own part of the story.

Exam Tip: For character identification questions, always state the character clearly and briefly explain their role in the story.

Question 2. What is the "a fairly successful hand" at?
Answer: He was quite skilled at taking things and robbing individuals.
In simple words: He was very good at stealing and robbing people, it was his special skill.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to descriptive phrases or idioms used in the text and clarify their meaning in context.

Question 3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Answer: When Hari inquired if he might work for Anil, Anil mentioned he could not give him money. Eventually, they settled that if Hari cooked, Anil would provide him food. Yet, Anil soon learned Hari didn't know how to cook. So, Anil showed him how to cook and, later, how to write his name. He assured him he would help him write complete sentences and calculate numbers. Furthermore, when Hari bought daily items, he would secretly gain one rupee each day.
In simple words: Hari didn't get a fixed salary; instead, Anil provided him with food and taught him to cook, write, and add numbers. Hari also made a small profit from daily purchases.

Exam Tip: List all the benefits Hari received, both tangible (food, profit) and intangible (education), to show a complete understanding of their arrangement.

Read And Find Out (Text Book Page No. 10)

Question 1. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Answer: The thief believed that upon finding the theft, Anil's expression would show a bit of sorrow. This sadness would not be due to the missing cash, but rather from the broken trust.
In simple words: The thief thought Anil would feel sad, not because his money was gone, but because Hari Singh had broken his trust.

Exam Tip: Highlight the distinction between financial loss and emotional betrayal, as it reveals the thief's insights into Anil's character.

Question 2. What does the thief say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Answer: During his brief time as a thief, he had observed people's expressions when their belongings were taken. He noted that greedy people displayed fear; wealthy individuals reacted with anger, and less fortunate men showed acceptance.
In simple words: The thief observed that greedy people would feel scared, rich people would get angry, and poor people would simply accept their loss.

Exam Tip: Classify the reactions by different social groups and explain the underlying emotions they represent, showing the thief's keen observational skills.

Question 3. Does Anil realize that he has been robbed?
Answer: Indeed, Anil understood he had been stolen from. He likely knew this because the money was wet and damp from the precipitation. Nevertheless, he kept quiet and acted as usual towards the thief.
In simple words: Yes, Anil knew he had been robbed because the money was wet, but he didn't say anything and acted normal.

Exam Tip: Focus on the evidence Anil had (wet notes) and his deliberate choice to not confront Hari Singh, indicating his unique nature.

Think About It

Question 1. What are Hari Singh's reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time? (Hint: Compare, f8r 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: At first, when Anil proposed to teach him, Hari viewed it as a promising opportunity for his future. He understood that once he could write like a learned person, there would be endless possibilities in his line of work. His main reason for wanting education was to improve his ability to rob others. However, later, after he had taken Anil's funds and then missed his getaway train, he understood he had entirely forgotten the complete sentences Anil had pledged to instruct him. He began to consider education in a new perspective. He considered that stealing and being apprehended was easy, but becoming a truly important, smart, and respected person was a different matter. Anil's trusting and straightforward character influenced him. This desire to gain someone's trust and become honorable prompted his return to Anil.
In simple words: Initially, Hari wanted education to become a better thief. Later, after stealing Anil's money and missing his train, he realized that gaining trust and becoming respected was more important. Anil's simple, trusting nature made him want to return and earn that trust.

Exam Tip: Describe the initial motivation, the turning point (missing the train, self-reflection), and the final, matured motivation for his return, emphasizing the change in his values.

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 give the thief to the authorities because he understood that Hari had learned his error and had improved himself. Otherwise, Hari would never have returned and replaced the money where he had taken it from. Anil also knew how Hari stole one rupee daily while purchasing provisions. Yet, he never mentioned anything to him. This is an example where most people would have given him to the police. Anil differed from other bosses because he was a humble and trusting person. He had volunteered to instruct Hari in cooking and also to educate him. When he discovered Hari had taken the cash but then returned it, he realized Hari's inner sense of right and wrong had prompted this. Hari could have simply escaped with the funds, but he chose not to. This caused Anil to offer him another opportunity and help him grow into the improved person he saw him becoming.
In simple words: Anil didn't hand Hari over to the police because he saw that Hari had learned his lesson and changed. Most people would have called the police, but Anil was different because he was trusting and kind. He believed in giving Hari a second chance and helping him become a better person, even knowing Hari had taken advantage of him before.

Exam Tip: Focus on Anil's compassion and belief in reform, contrasting his actions with what society usually expects. Highlight his unique qualities as an employer and mentor.

Question 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?
Answer: No, I haven't encountered anyone quite like Hari Singh, but such individuals definitely exist. A fifteen-year-old boy might be compelled by his situation to become a thief. This could be due to needing to eat, wanting to support a bad habit, trying to stay healthy, or wishing to meet expensive desires, among other reasons.
In simple words: While I haven't met anyone exactly like Hari Singh, it's possible for a fifteen-year-old boy to become a thief due to tough situations. Reasons might include not having enough food, having an addiction, needing money for health, or wanting expensive things.

Exam Tip: Provide a personal reflection if applicable, and then list a range of socio-economic and personal circumstances that could lead a young person to theft, showing an understanding of societal issues.

Question 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?
Answer: The story takes place somewhere in Uttar Pradesh close to Lucknow. We can infer this because the narrative mentions a railway station for an express train going to Lucknow. The presence of sweet shops and markets also suggests it's a reasonably large town. No, the characters in the story likely did not speak to each other in English, but rather in Hindi.
In simple words: The story happens in Uttar Pradesh, near Lucknow, because a train to Lucknow is mentioned, and there are sweet shops and markets. The characters probably spoke Hindi to each other, not English.

Exam Tip: Use specific textual references (place names, cultural elements) to support your conclusions about the setting and the likely language spoken by the characters.

The Thief's Story Summary In English

The Thief's Story Summary:

Anil was a youthful author. He lived his life quite carelessly. He wrote for publications and gained funds to manage his expenses. One day, Anil observed a wrestling match. Hari excelled at befriending strangers. He applied a familiar method to praise individuals.

Hari resided with Anil. Anil pledged he would instruct him how to write and perform calculations. He also showed him how to prepare delicious meals. Hari Singh would purchase daily necessities and gained one rupee each day. Anil was aware of this but didn't object. Both lived together contentedly.

A month went by, and Hari Singh did not carry out his usual work. One day, he observed Anil had acquired a stack of currency notes. He saw the notes being placed under the mattress. When Hari noticed the bundle of cash, his bad intentions stirred within him, and he chose to steal from Anil that evening. After eating, Anil slept soundly. Hari couldn't sleep; he got up. He carefully moved towards the bed and slid his hand beneath the mattress.

He grabbed the notes and fled onto the street. Hari Singh resolved to head straight to the railway station and board the Lucknow Express. He believed Anil would not find him if he left the city. Hari Singh arrived at the station just as the Lucknow Express was preparing to depart. Suddenly, his good conscience spoke to him. An inner voice advised him not to break Anil's trust.

The train was in motion, but Hari didn't dare to board it. He recalled Anil's trusting expression. Anil wouldn't care about the funds, but he might feel hurt that Hari had betrayed his confidence. A struggle occurred within Hari Singh's thoughts.

He didn't wish to lose Anil's confidence. He understood that Anil was a straightforward individual. Furthermore, Anil was instructing him on writing and arithmetic, skills that could transform his future. He could become an honored member of society.

He departed from the railway station. He arrived at the open field and sat on a seat. Just then, a heavy downpour began. It was November. A cold breeze started to blow. He felt increasingly uneasy because he had tricked an honest individual. His shirt and pajamas clung to his body, soaked by the precipitation.

After that, he sought shelter from the rain at the Clock Tower. He sat beneath the structure. Suddenly, he recalled his stolen cash. He checked for it and discovered all the currency was soaked. He quietly returned and secretly placed the money back beneath the mattress.

The next morning, Anil awoke, made tea for Hari and for himself. He gave Hari a fifty-rupee note and informed him he would now receive regular payments. Hari accepted the note and noticed it was still damp. He realized Anil was aware of what had happened the previous night.

10th Std English Questions And Answers