TEACHGYAN • CLASS 10 ENGLISH • FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET
Chapter 2 – The Thief’s Story
Complete NCERT guide • Ruskin Bond • Hari Singh • Anil • trust • reform • competency and board practice
📖 Chapter Overview
“The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond is narrated by Hari Singh, a fifteen-year-old experienced thief who meets Anil, a simple and trusting young writer. Hari plans to rob Anil, but living with him gradually changes his thinking. The story explores trust, education, kindness and the possibility of reform.
👦 Hari Singh Meets Anil
Hari Singh approaches Anil at a wrestling match and offers to work for him. Anil agrees to employ him despite knowing that Hari cannot cook properly. Hari begins preparing meals and doing household work while also hoping to find an opportunity to steal.
📚 Learning to Read and Write
Anil promises to teach Hari to read and write. For Hari, literacy represents a path towards a better future. Although he initially thinks mainly about stealing, education begins to influence his choices.
💰 The Theft
When Anil receives money, Hari steals the notes and leaves. He reaches the railway station but hesitates. He realises that leaving would mean losing Anil’s trust and the opportunity to become educated.
🌧️ Hari Returns
Hari returns to Anil’s room and replaces the money. The rain has made the notes damp. The next morning Anil behaves as though he knows what happened but does not openly accuse Hari. Instead, he gives Hari a fifty-rupee note and says he will pay him regularly while continuing his lessons.
👤 Character Study: Hari Singh
- Experienced thief: he has already developed dishonest habits.
- Observant: he carefully studies Anil and his circumstances.
- Ambitious: he understands that education can improve his future.
- Conflicted: he struggles between immediate money and long-term change.
- Capable of reform: he finally chooses trust and education over theft.
👨 Character Study: Anil
- Trusting: he gives Hari an opportunity despite his weaknesses.
- Kind: he teaches and supports Hari.
- Educated: he understands the value of learning.
- Forgiving: he responds to Hari’s mistake without humiliation or punishment.
🎯 Major Themes
Trust and Forgiveness
Anil’s trust becomes a powerful influence on Hari.
Education as Transformation
Learning gives Hari a reason to choose a different future.
Choice and Reform
The story shows that a person can reconsider harmful choices.
Kindness
Anil’s quiet kindness affects Hari more deeply than punishment might have.
📚 Important Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Flattery | Praise used to please or influence someone |
| Appealing | Attractive or interesting |
| Casually | In a relaxed or unconcerned manner |
| Damp | Slightly wet |
| Greedy | Wanting more than is needed |
✍️ Literary Features
- First-person narration: Hari tells the story from his own perspective.
- Character development: Hari’s changing attitude drives the story.
- Irony: the thief is ultimately changed by the person he intends to rob.
- Open interpretation: Anil’s final behaviour suggests that he understands more than he says.
🧠 Competency-Based Questions
- Why is education more valuable to Hari than the stolen money in the long run?
- How does Anil’s trust influence Hari’s decision?
- Why might forgiveness be more effective than punishment in this situation?
- How does the story show that people can change when given an opportunity?
📊 Case-Based Question
A student makes a serious mistake but is given an opportunity to correct it. A teacher chooses guidance instead of public humiliation, and the student begins making better choices.
- Which theme from “The Thief’s Story” does this reflect?
- Why can trust encourage responsible behaviour?
- What role does education play in the story?
🔥 HOTS
- Why does Hari return even though he has already escaped with the money?
- Was Anil’s response to Hari’s theft deliberate? Support your answer with evidence from the story.
- How does the story distinguish punishment from meaningful reform?
✍️ Board-Style Questions
Short Answer
- Why did Hari Singh approach Anil?
- Why did Anil agree to employ Hari?
- What did Anil promise to teach Hari?
- Why did Hari return the stolen money?
Long Answer
- Describe the transformation in Hari Singh.
- How does Anil influence Hari’s life?
- Explain the role of education and trust in the story.
📝 Practice Worksheet
- Create a before-and-after character chart for Hari.
- Make a cause-and-effect chain of the theft and return.
- Write meanings for five vocabulary words.
- Write a 60-word summary.
- Write 100 words on Anil’s influence.
- Write a 150-word analytical answer on trust and reform.
🎯 One-Minute Revision
Hari meets Anil → plans theft → gets work and education → steals money → reaches station → regrets leaving → returns → money replaced → Anil continues teaching him.
🏆 Mastery Checklist
- ☐ I can narrate the story in sequence.
- ☐ I can explain Hari’s transformation.
- ☐ I can analyse Anil’s character.
- ☐ I can explain the role of education and trust.
- ☐ I can answer competency and HOTS questions.