RBSE Solutions Class 10 English Supplementary Reader Chapter 1 The Thiefs Story

Comprehension

A. Tick the correct alternative :

Question 1. What was Anil watching when Hari Singh met him
(a) cricket match
(b) wrestling match
(c) kabaddi match
(d) television
Answer: (b) wrestling match
In simple words: When Hari Singh first met Anil, Anil was busy watching a wrestling match.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the initial scene setting and character interactions as they often contain key details for multiple-choice questions.

Question 2. What did Hari Singh get from Anil in return for his work
(a) salary
(b) gold
(c) food and accommodation
(d) clothes
Answer: (c) food and accommodation
In simple words: Hari Singh did not get paid with money or gold. Instead, Anil gave him a place to live and food to eat for his work. This helped Hari Singh feel safe and fed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the unique nature of Anil and Hari Singh's agreement; it highlights Anil's trusting and generous character.

Question 3. Anil was a
(a) thief
(b) writer
(c) wrestler
(d) scientist
Answer: (b) writer
In simple words: Anil earned his living by writing. He was a kind person who taught Hari Singh many things.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding Anil's profession helps to understand his nature and financial habits, which are important for the story.

Question 1. Hari Singh took a new name every month.
Answer: True
In simple words: Hari Singh often changed his name to avoid getting caught by the police or his past employers. This trick helped him stay hidden.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that changing names is a common tactic for thieves to avoid identification and capture, showing Hari Singh's cunning nature.

Question 2. Hari Singh was twenty years old.
Answer: False
In simple words: Hari Singh was actually only fifteen years old when he met Anil. This shows he was quite young to be a thief.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to character ages as they can sometimes reveal important details about their motives and maturity.

Question 3. Hari Singh was fond of wrestling matches.
Answer: False
In simple words: Hari Singh was not interested in wrestling. He only went to the wrestling ground to find someone to steal from.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between a character's true interests and their actions, which might be driven by hidden motives, especially in a story about a thief.

Question 4. Anil made money by fits and starts.
Answer: True
In simple words: Anil's income was not steady; he made money in unpredictable ways, sometimes a lot, sometimes none. This made his financial situation uncertain.

🎯 Exam Tip: This detail about Anil's finances explains why he was sometimes broke and sometimes had money, which is important for understanding the theft.

Question 5. Hari Singh went by train after stealing money.
Answer: False
In simple words: After stealing the money, Hari Singh decided not to take the train. He chose to walk away instead. His conscience made him rethink his plan.

🎯 Exam Tip: The moment Hari Singh decides not to take the train is a turning point, showing his inner struggle and potential for change.

C. Answer the following questions in about 20-25 words each :

Question 1. Who was Hari Singh?
Answer: Hari Singh was a young thief, only fifteen years old. He had a history of stealing from previous employers. Because of his past actions, the police were looking for him. He was always on the run, changing his name to hide his identity. He had already robbed many people before meeting Anil.
In simple words: Hari Singh was a young thief, just fifteen years old. He had stolen from many people before and the police were searching for him.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a character, always mention their key traits, age, and any significant background details that are provided in the story.

Question 2. Why did Anil dislike the first meal Hari Singh cooked?
Answer: Hari Singh was a thief, not a cook, but he tried to make food for Anil. The first meal he prepared was very bad. Anil found it impossible to eat and ended up giving it to the stray dogs outside. This clearly showed Hari Singh's lack of cooking skills. The meal was so terrible that Anil could not even take a bite.
In simple words: Anil disliked the first meal because Hari Singh was not a good cook and the food tasted terrible. So, Anil gave the food to stray dogs.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining character reactions, focus on the immediate cause and the resulting action, as seen in Anil's response to the bad food.

Question 3. How did Hari Singh feel while working for Anil?
Answer: Hari Singh felt happy and pleased working for Anil. His daily tasks included making tea in the morning and buying daily supplies. Anil also gave him a great chance to learn. He started teaching Hari Singh how to write his name and full sentences. This made Hari Singh feel valued and hopeful about a better future.
In simple words: Hari Singh felt happy working for Anil. He made tea, bought supplies, and learned to read and write.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on both the emotional aspect and the practical benefits Hari Singh gained from working for Anil, showing the positive influence Anil had.

Question 4. How did Hari Singh make a profit for himself?
Answer: Hari Singh was responsible for buying Anil's daily supplies from the market. During these purchases, he secretly kept one rupee for himself every day. This small daily profit allowed him to slowly gather a little money for his own use. This was his clever way of saving money from Anil without Anil knowing at first.
In simple words: Hari Singh saved one rupee every day when buying Anil's daily supplies. This way, he made a small profit for himself.

🎯 Exam Tip: Details about how Hari Singh made his small profits highlight his thieving nature even while pretending to be honest.

Question 5. How did Hari Singh steal money?
Answer: Hari Singh had watched Anil put the money notes under his mattress. On a moonlit night, he quietly crept to the head of Anil's bed. He carefully slid his hand under the mattress and found the notes. Once he had the money, he quickly crawled out of the room. He used the chance while Anil was sleeping peacefully to take the money without being noticed.
In simple words: Hari Singh saw Anil hide money under the mattress. At night, he quietly slid his hand under the mattress, took the notes, and left the room.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the process of the theft clearly, including how the thief observed, planned, and executed the act, to show their skill and stealth.

Question 6. Why did Hari Singh not stop at the ticket office?
Answer: Hari Singh had never bought a train ticket in his entire life. After stealing the money, he planned to catch the Lucknow Express immediately. When he reached the train station, the train was already moving. So, he quickly ran straight to the platform to jump onto it. His past experience as a thief meant he never needed a ticket. He just wanted to get away quickly.
In simple words: Hari Singh never bought tickets. He ran straight to the platform to catch the moving Lucknow Express, as he had stolen money and wanted to escape fast.

🎯 Exam Tip: This detail reveals Hari Singh's identity as a habitual thief who is used to operating outside the law and avoiding normal procedures.

D. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words each :

Question 1. Why was it difficult to rob Anil?
Answer: Robbing Anil was tough because he was different from greedy, rich, or poor people. If he found out about the theft, he wouldn't show anger or fear, but only a hint of sadness. This sadness wouldn't be for losing money, but for the broken trust. Anil valued trust more than money, which made stealing from him emotionally complex. He was too trusting, making it hard to feel good about robbing him.
In simple words: It was hard to rob Anil because he would be sad about losing trust, not just the money. He cared more about trust than wealth.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize Anil's unique character trait of valuing trust over material possessions, as this is central to Hari Singh's inner conflict.

Question 2. What study of men's faces had been made by Hari Singh?
Answer: In his short time as a thief, Hari Singh had carefully studied how men reacted when robbed. He noticed that greedy people showed fear, rich people showed anger, and poor people simply accepted it. His observations helped him understand people's feelings by looking at their faces. This skill made him a better thief, as he could judge potential victims. He learned to read faces to predict reactions.
In simple words: Hari Singh studied how people reacted when robbed: greedy people showed fear, rich people showed anger, and poor people showed acceptance. He used this to judge people.

🎯 Exam Tip: This 'study' highlights Hari Singh's street smarts and observation skills, which are crucial for his survival as a thief.

Question 4. Why did Hari Singh think that he should go back to Anil?
Answer: Hari Singh decided to go back to Anil because he had no place to stay after missing the train. Anil was the only person he knew well in the city, even though he had just robbed him. Hari Singh knew that if Anil discovered the theft, he would only feel sad about the broken trust, not anger. More importantly, Anil was teaching him how to write, which could help him lead a respectful life. This realization made him want to return. He saw a future with Anil that was better than a life of crime.
In simple words: Hari Singh wanted to go back because he had nowhere else to go and Anil was teaching him to read and write. He knew Anil would be sad about trust, not just the money.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the dual reasons for his return: practical (nowhere to go) and emotional/transformative (Anil's trust and education offer a better future).

E. Answer the following questions in about 60-80 words each :

Question 1. How did Anil make a living?
Answer: Anil was a twenty-five-year-old writer who made his living by writing for magazines. His income was not steady, often coming in "fits and starts," meaning he earned money unpredictably. Sometimes he would borrow money for a week and then lend it the next. He frequently worried about his next payment. However, whenever a cheque arrived, he would go out and celebrate joyfully. Despite his inconsistent income, Anil was kind-hearted. He had a generous spirit and always tried to help others, even providing food and shelter to Hari Singh. He valued giving and celebrating good fortune.
In simple words: Anil was a twenty-five-year-old writer for a magazine. His income was not regular, so he often borrowed and lent money, worrying about his next payment. When he got paid, he would celebrate.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe Anil's profession, financial habits, and his general nature to give a complete picture of how he supported himself.

Question 2. How can you say that Hari Singh was a successful thief?
Answer: Hari Singh was a very effective thief, even at just fifteen years old. He always used a fake name and changed his location often to avoid being caught by the police or his previous victims. He was excellent at reading people's faces, which helped him choose easy targets. For example, he approached Anil at a wrestling match and used his charm to get a place to live and food, even though he couldn't cook. He cleverly stole Anil's money and successfully escaped initially. The fact that the police had failed to catch him before also proves his skill. His acts clearly show he was good at his work, successfully tricking people and getting away.
In simple words: Hari Singh was a successful thief because he changed names often, expertly read people's faces to pick targets, and managed to trick Anil for food and shelter. He even stole money and escaped from the police many times.

🎯 Exam Tip: To show Hari Singh's success, mention his clever strategies, ability to adapt, and his track record of avoiding capture.

Question 3. Describe Hari Singh's reactions after the departure of the train?
Answer: After the Lucknow Express left, Hari Singh was left alone on the quiet platform. He felt that he had missed his chance to escape completely. He realized he had nowhere to spend the night and had no friends who could help him. He didn't want to stay in a small hotel nearby because that would make people curious about him. He thought about Anil, who had given him food and shelter, and whom he had betrayed. The only person he truly knew was the one he had just robbed. With nowhere to go and a heavy conscience, he eventually left the station and walked through the busy market. He felt a mix of regret and uncertainty.
In simple words: After the train left, Hari Singh felt alone and missed his chance to escape. He realized he had no friends or a place to stay and didn't want to draw attention to himself. He thought about Anil, whom he had robbed, and eventually left the station feeling regretful.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Hari Singh's feelings of isolation, missed opportunity, and his growing conscience as key reactions after the train's departure.

Question 1. Choose extracts from the story that illustrate the character of Anil and Hari Singh and write down brief character sketches of both.
Answer:
**Anil's Character Sketch:**
Anil is an easy-going, honest, and humble man. He is a writer by trade, creating content for magazines to earn a living. A significant part of his character is his generosity and trusting nature. He offers Hari Singh, a complete stranger with no background information, a place to live and food. He even patiently teaches Hari Singh to read and write, hoping he can lead a respectable life. Anil's lack of greed is shown when he spends money on friends instead of saving it. He is forgiving, never getting angry, only sad when his trust is broken. Anil represents goodness and a desire to uplift others. His actions consistently show him to be a kind-hearted and trusting individual, an example of pure human kindness.

**Hari Singh's Character Sketch:**
Hari Singh is a fifteen-year-old thief, skilled in deception and cunning. He frequently changes his name to avoid the police and past employers. His profession has taught him to observe human reactions carefully, allowing him to pick his targets effectively. Despite his thieving ways, he shows a capacity for change. Anil's kindness and willingness to teach him eventually touch his conscience. After stealing Anil's money, he struggles with his decision, ultimately choosing to return the money and seek a respectable life. This internal conflict and his final choice reveal a desire for redemption and a better future, moving beyond his past as a thief. He ultimately seeks a new path in life due to Anil's influence.
In simple words: Anil is kind, trusting, and a writer who helps Hari Singh learn. Hari Singh is a young, clever thief who learns from Anil and eventually changes his ways, choosing an honest life.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing character sketches, identify 3-4 key traits for each character and support them with specific examples or events from the story. Highlight how they interact and influence each other.