Stories about crime often reveal powerful lessons about trust, kindness, and transformation.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2, The Thief’s Story, written by Ruskin Bond, narrates the journey of a young thief named Hari Singh whose life changes because of the unconditional trust and compassion shown by Anil.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2 The Thief Story
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Who was Anil? How did he transform Hari Singh’s character?
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Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
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What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?
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What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
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How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
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What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
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Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
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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?
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Why does not Anil 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?
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Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
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Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
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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?
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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?
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2 The Thief Story
The chapter highlights themes such as trust, honesty, education, compassion, and moral reform. It shows how kindness and faith in someone can transform even a hardened thief. This story is part of the Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet textbook.
The NCERT Solutions for Chapter 2 – The Thief’s Story given below are written in simple and exam-oriented language to help students understand the story clearly, analyse characters effectively, and prepare confidently for school exams and board examinations.
Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet
Chapter 2 Questions & Answers – The Thief’s Story
Q1. Who was Anil? How did he transform Hari Singh’s character?
Solution: Anil was a kind and trusting man who earned his living as a struggling writer. He transformed Hari Singh’s character by trusting him completely, giving him shelter and food, and offering him education. Anil’s faith and kindness made Hari Singh realise the value of honesty and education.
Q2. Who does ‘I’ refer to in the story?
Solution: ‘I’ refers to the narrator of the story, Hari Singh, who is a young thief.
Q3. What is Hari Singh “a fairly successful hand” at?
Solution: Hari Singh is “a fairly successful hand” at stealing.
Q4. What does Hari Singh get from Anil in return for his work?
Solution: Anil gives Hari Singh food and a place to stay. He also teaches him how to cook and promises to teach him how to read, write, and do basic arithmetic.
Q5. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Solution: Hari Singh believes that Anil will feel sad about losing his trust rather than angry about losing the money. He knows that Anil values trust more than wealth.
Q6. What does Hari Singh say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Solution: According to Hari Singh, a greedy man shows fear, a rich man shows anger, and a poor man shows acceptance when they are robbed.
Q7. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Solution: Yes, Anil realises that he has been robbed because the notes were still wet in the morning. However, he does not show anger and instead continues to trust Hari Singh.
Q8. What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? What makes him return to Anil?
Solution: Initially, Hari Singh sees education as a way to become a better thief. Later, he realises that education can help him become a respected and successful person. This realisation makes him return to Anil with the stolen money.
Q9. Why does Anil not hand Hari Singh over to the police? How is Anil different from other employers?
Solution: Anil understands that Hari Singh has reformed himself by returning the money. His kindness and compassion prevent him from handing Hari Singh over to the police. Unlike other employers, Anil believes in reform through trust rather than punishment.
Q10. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh exist in real life?
Solution: Yes, people like Anil and Hari Singh exist in real life. Compassionate individuals can reform those who have taken the wrong path, proving that kindness can change lives.
Q11. Is it significant that Anil is a struggling writer? How does this explain his behaviour?
Solution: Yes, Anil’s profession explains his behaviour. As a struggling writer, he earns irregularly and spends according to his income. His simple lifestyle and understanding nature are reflected in his actions.
Q12. Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? What circumstances can turn a child into a thief?
Solution: Yes, poverty, loss of family support, hunger, and lack of education can force children into theft. Compassion and guidance can help them reform.
Q13. Where is the story set? Which language do you think the characters spoke?
Solution: The story is set in a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. The characters most likely spoke Hindi, not English.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2 – FAQs
Q1. What is the central message of “The Thief’s Story”?
Answer: The story teaches that trust, kindness, and education have the power to reform individuals and change lives.
Q2. Why does Hari Singh return the stolen money?
Answer: Hari Singh realises that education and trust can give him a better future than theft, which motivates him to return the money.
Q3. How is this chapter important for board exams?
Answer: This chapter is important for questions on character sketch, theme-based answers, and moral values, which are commonly asked in board examinations.