The thief's story class 10 English footprints without questions

Q 1. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Ans. I refers to Hari Singh, the narrator of the story, who is a 15-year-old experienced thief.
Q 2. What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?
Ans. 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.

Q 3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?

Ans. In return of Hari Singh’s work, Anil gives him food and a place to live in.

Q 4. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Ans. 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.
Q 5. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Ans. 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.
Q 6. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Ans. Yes, Anil 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.

Think About It

Q1 . What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time? (Hint: Compare, for 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?

Ans. Hari felt very happy and thankful when he learned to write his name. He became even more excited when Anil said he would teach him to write full sentences too. Hari understood that being educated would make him stronger and help him do great things in life.

But when he left Anil’s house, he realised something important. Stealing was just a bad habit that brought trouble, but learning and being educated was something much better. He knew that education would bring him respect, a good name, and many opportunities in life. This thought made Hari want to study more, and so he decided to go back to Anil.

Q 2. 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?

Ans. Anil did not call the police or scold Hari for stealing. He knew Hari felt sorry and wanted to learn. Anil wanted Hari to get educated and live a good life. He believed Hari could change for the better.

Talk About It

Q 1. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Ans. People like Anil and Hari Singh are mostly seen in stories. Anil was kind and cared about Hari’s future and education. Hari was a thief, but he changed after understanding how important education is. Such people are rare in real life.

Q 2. 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?

Ans. People like Anil and Hari Singh are mostly found in stories. Anil was kind and cared about Hari’s education and future. Hari was a thief, but he changed after understanding the value of learning. Such people are rare today.

Q 4. 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?

Ans. No, I haven’t met anyone like Hari Singh, but people like him surely exist. A 15-year-old boy may become a thief because of life’s problems—like needing food, money for bad habits, staying healthy, or wanting fancy things.

Q 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?

Ans. The story happens in Uttar Pradesh, near Lucknow. We know this because there is a railway station for trains going to Lucknow. The sweet shops and markets show it is a good-sized town. The characters likely talk in Hindi, not English.