Maharashtra Board Class 10 English Kumarbharti Unit One Chapter 1.2 The Thiefs Story PDF Download

1.2 The Thief's Story

Warming Up!

1. Read the following incident.

Lokesh had always been a class-topper in tests and examinations. However, invariably, he used foul means during exams to gain those high marks.

Once, on the day of History examination, Lokesh realized, that his classmate and friend Farhan came all prepared for Maths instead of History. Farhan had become desperate. So Lokesh offered to let him copy from his answer-sheet, since Farhan sat just behind him.

Farhan refused. He said, "It's all right even if I get a zero, but I can call it my own zero. I do not want to score a single mark, unearned. Cheating in exams is for cowards. Not me!"

These words were a turning point in Lokesh's life. He gave up cheating for ever. He worked hard for what he desired and never, ever used false measures to acquire anything.

(a) In the given story, which words/phrases can be replaced by the following ones?

(i) became aware

(ii) always

(iii) very upset and helpless

(iv) cheating

(v) without working for it

(vi) a sudden change

(vii) gain/achieve

(b) Summarize the incident in 6 to 8 lines making Lokesh, the narrator:

Begin with: 'I was always a class topper.'

Teacher's Note

Cheating is very bad. It is like when a student copies homework from a friend in your school instead of doing it himself.

Exam Trick

Remember: Unfair means = cheating. Just like you cannot copy in your Maths exam, Lokesh could not copy marks in his life too.

Points to Remember

Lokesh was always a class topper but used unfair ways to get marks.
Farhan refused to copy and said cheating is for cowards.
These words changed Lokesh's life completely.
Lokesh gave up cheating and worked hard instead.
Hard work is always better than unfair shortcuts.

The Thief's Story

I was still a thief when I met Anil. And though only 15, I was an experienced and fairly successful hand.

Anil was watching a wrestling match when I approached him. He was about 25 — a tall, lean fellow — and he looked easy-going, kind and simple enough for my purpose. I hadn't had much luck of late and thought I might be able to get into the young man's confidence.

"You look a bit of a wrestler yourself," I said. A little flattery helps in making friends.

"So do you," he replied, which put me off for a moment because at that time I was rather thin.

"Well," I said modestly, "I do wrestle a bit."

"What's your name?"

"Hari Singh," I lied. I took a new name every month. That kept me ahead of the police and my former employers.

After this introduction, Anil talked about the well-oiled wrestlers who were grunting, lifting and throwing each other about. I didn't have much to say. Anil walked away. I followed casually.

"Hello again," he said.

I gave him my most appealing smile. "I want to work for you," I said.

"But I can't pay you."

I thought that over for a minute. Perhaps I had misjudged my man.

Teacher's Note

Hari Singh is a young thief who meets Anil. He is only 15 but has stolen many things. It is like a bad boy in your school who always tells lies.

Exam Trick

Remember: Hari Singh = Fake name. This is not his real name. He changes his name every month to run away from police. Just remember he is a dishonest person.

Points to Remember

Hari Singh was a thief when he was only 15 years old.
He was experienced at stealing and was fairly successful.
He met Anil at a wrestling match.
He used flattery and fake names to trick people.
He changed his name every month to stay ahead of police.

I asked, "Can you feed me?"

"Can you cook?"

"I can cook," I lied again.

"If you can cook, then may be I can feed you."

He took me to his room over the Jumna Sweet Shop and told me I could sleep on the balcony. But the meal I cooked that night must have been terrible because Anil gave it to a stray dog and told me to be off. But I just hung around, smiling in my most appealing way, and he couldn't help laughing.

Later, he patted me on the head and said never mind, he'd teach me to cook. He also taught me to write my name and said he would soon teach me to write whole sentences and to add numbers. I was grateful. I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve.

It was quite pleasant working for Anil. I made the tea in the morning and then would take my time buying the day's supplies, usually making a profit of about a rupee a day. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind.

Anil made money by fits and starts. He would borrow one week, lend the next. He kept worrying about his next cheque, but as soon as it arrived he would go out and celebrate. It seems he wrote for magazines — a queer way to make a living!

One evening he came home with a small bundle of notes, saying he had just sold a book to a publisher. At night, I saw him tuck the money under the mattress.

I had been working for Anil for almost a month and, apart from cheating on the shopping, had not done anything in my line of work. I had every opportunity for doing so. Anil had given me a key to the door, and I could come and go as I pleased. He was the most trusting person I had ever met.

And that is why it was so difficult to rob him. It's easy to rob a greedy man, because he can afford to be robbed; but it's difficult to rob a careless man — sometimes he doesn't even notice he's been robbed and that takes all the pleasure out of the work.

Well, it's time I did some real work, I told myself; I'm out of practice. And if I don't take the money, he'll only waste it on his friends. After all, he doesn't even pay me.

Teacher's Note

Anil is a kind man who helps Hari learn to read and write. He is like a good teacher in your school who cares for all students and wants them to be successful.

Exam Trick

Remember: Anil = Good and trusting. He teaches Hari to write and count. He even gives Hari a key to his room. This shows Anil is very kind and trusts Hari fully.

Points to Remember

Anil taught Hari to cook and write his name.
Anil wanted to teach Hari whole sentences and how to add numbers.
Hari was grateful to Anil for helping him.
Anil was an easy-going and trusting person.
Hari still cheated on shopping money even while working for Anil.

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