A Thief's Story

 

THE THIEF’S STORY

Question 1. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Answer: I refers to Hari Singh, the narrator of the story who is a 15 year old experienced thief.

 

Question 2. What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?
Answer: He is a fairly successful hand at stealing. He is an experienced thief. He is so clean and swift in his work that he robs people without being caught

 

Question 3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Answer: In return of Hari Singh’s work, Anil gives him food and a place to live in.

 

Question 4.How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Answer:According to Hari, Anil would be sad not because of the loss of money but because of the loss of trust he had in Hari.

 

Question 5. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Answer: Hari’s experience at theft had made him aware of differences in reactions of people when they’re robbed. According to him, a greedy man shows fear; the rich, anger and a poor man, acceptance.

 

Question 6. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Answer: Yes, Anil must have realised that he had been robbed, as he gave a fifty rupee note to Hari which was still damp due to the night’s rain.

 

Question 7. What are Hari Singh’s reactions at the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change overtime? What makes him return to Anil?
Answer: Hari was very happy and grateful when he learned to write his name. He was very excited when Anil promised to teach him to write whole sentences as well. He knew that being an educated man will add to his abilities and he could achieve anything. But when he left Anil’s house, he realised that stealing was simply a crime to indulge himself but being educated was an entirely different thing. He knew the respect, reputation and possibilities that would come to him once he was educated. And so his urge to receive education compelled him to return to Anil.

 

Question 8.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: Unlike others, Anil does not handover Hari to the police on theft charges. He knew about the theft but he did not thrash him nor even mentioned it in front of Hari. He was glad that Hari had realised his mistake and the importance of education in life. Anil wanted Hari to become a literate man and lead a respectful life.
He is different from other such employers because he is very understanding. Hari’s return gave him the hope of a change in him.

 

Question 9. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Answer: Though exceptions might be there, such people are rarely found. Anil was a kind and considerate person who was concerned, about Hari’s education and future. And Hari was a thief whose heart changes after realising the importance of education for his future.

 

Question 10. Do you think it is a significant detail in story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does  this explain his behaviour in any  way?
Answer: Yes, it is a significant detail that Anil is a struggling writer. He was in a better position to understand the hard life Hari had. He could empathise with Hari and realise why he was tempted to steal. He could also appreciate the fact that even when he had the chance to escape, Hari came back to Anil because he had turned a new leaf and wanted to become a good person.

 

Question 11. Can you think and imagine the circumstances that can turn a fifteen year old boy into a thief?
Answer:  A fifteen year old boy can be forced by circumstances to become a thief. It may be the need to feed the stomach, to satisfy illegal addiction, to maintain health, to fulfil luxurious demands etc

 

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Why did Hari Singh approach Anil?
Answer: Hari Singh was a thief who had not much luck in his work recently. So he approached Anil with the intention of robbing him, as he seemed to be an easygoing and simple man. According to Hari, winning Anil’s confidence was an easy task.

 

Question 2. Anil walked away. I followed casually’. Why do you think the narrator followed Anil?
Answer: The narrator’s purpose of robbing Anil had not yet been served. He followed Anil to gain his trust and look for an opportunity that may help him give shape to his plans.

 

Question 3. Was Hari Singh successful in robbing Anil? Was Anil the only one who was robbed or did Hari also rob himself of something?
Answer: Yes, Hari Singh was successful in robbing Anil. But Anil was not the only one who was robbed at that time. Hari had robbed himself as well. He had lost the chance of receiving education and being literate. He had robbed Anil monetarily but he had robbed himself of the chance for a better and brighter future, which was much more valuable.

 

Question 4.Did Hari like working for Anil? Give reasons in support of your answer. [CBSE 2014]
Answer: Yes, Hari liked working for Anil. He was happy to carry on the chores for him and was grateful for the education he was receiving. He used to make profit of about a rupee a day as well, which was a decent amount besides being fed.

 

Question 5. Why was it difficult for Hari to rob Anil?
Answer: It was difficult for Hari to rob Anil because Anil was the most trusting person Hari had ever met. He was really simple and kind. Hari knew that loss of money will not affect Anil but the loss of trust will make him sad.

 

Question 6. How was the morning after the night of the theft?
Answer: The morning after the night of the theft was just like a normal one. Hari woke up late and Anil had made tea by then. Anil gave a fifty rupee note to Hari and told him that he will now be paid regularly. Hari was aware that Anil knew about the theft but he didn’t show anything.

 

Question 7.Had Anil really forgiven Hari Singh? Support your answer with evidence. [CBSE 2012]
Answer: Yes, Anil had forgiven Hari Singh. It is evident because Anil handed over to Hari a fifty rupee note as soon as Hari woke up. The dampness of the notes told Anil that Hari Singh had stolen the money. Despite this, he chose to remain silent about the matter. He pretended that all was normal because he realized that Hari Singh’s honesty had prevailed over his temptation. He wanted to reward him and encourage him to mend his ways.Though he knew that Hari had robbed the money at first but his subsequent actions gave him hope of change in Hari’s character.

 

Q8 Why did Hari Singh think that Anil’s job was strange?

Ans      Anil did not have a regular income. He used to write for Magazines. He would get money in fits and bits. So, Hari Singh did not understand his profession.

 

Long Answer

Question 1.Hari Singh didn’t board the express and returned to Anil. Why did he return? On what values does this incidence put light on?
Answer: Hari Singh was a thief and he had stolen Anil’s money. After the theft, he realised that he had robbed not only Anil but also himself of the chance of being literate and having a bright future. His conscience pricked him to think what all he could have got had he not done this. It was difficult for him to rob Anil but it was tougher for him not to back.
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 to mend his ways for good.