Prose - 2
THE THIEF'S STORY
-By RUSKIN BOND
*Name of the Characters:-
Hari Singh ( A small time thief)
Anil ( A kind, simple and easy - going young man)
SUMMARY:-
The chapter, "The Thief story" by Ruskin Bond is all about a young boy of 15 years old whose profession was to make friends, win their trust and then rob them. This time he made his target to another young boy of 25 years old. His name was Anil and he was a very simple kind of boy. One day, while watching the wrestling, the boy who told his temporary name Hari Singh went to Anil and began to praise him unnecessarily to start a conversation with him. Hari requested Anil to allow him to work as his servant. Anil accepted his request but with one condition that he will have to cook for him but without any salary. First night, When Hari cooked, Anil didn't like the food and threw it outside. After that he ordered him to leave but noticing his simple and innocent smile, accepted and also ensured him that he would teach him cooking as well as reading and writing. Now, Hari Singh became an acceptable member of Anil's life. Anil began to teach him everything and Hari, everyday, made tea for him. He also used to go to the market to buy ingredients and saved 1 rupee everyday. One day, Hari Singh noticed that Anil had brought lots of money with him. Hari Singh thought that Anil would definitely waste that amount on his friends. So he decided that the same night he would steal the amount and would catch the train of 10:30 p.m. for Lucknow. When at night, Anil was sleeping deeply, Hari came to the bed of Anil and silently stole the amount. Getting out of the house, Hari began to run continuously and after reaching a distance counted the amount. He found that it was 600 rupees and thought that by using that amount he could lead a life of an oil rich Arabian for a week or two. After reaching the station he found that the train was leaving. He tried to jump but suddenly stopped and began to think something. There was a confusion in his mind whether to leave that place or not. But now after missing the train, there was another thought in his mind where to spend the night. He went to the market where it started raining and he got wet and began to shiver. On the way, he thought that if Anil would know about the truth he would get hurt. He stopped and decided to return back home. After returning home, he put the amount back inside the bed. The next morning, Anil woke up early, made the tea and gave rupees 50 to Hari. After noticing that the note was still wet, Hari understood that Anil knew about the incident of last night. They both didn't talk about the incident but laughed watching each other and continued their daily routine.
SUMMARY OF ENGLISH BOOK CLASS 10 : CLICK HERE
NCERT SOLUTION OF THE THIEF'S STORY CLASS 10 ENGLISH BOOK FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET
Read and find out
Q.1.Who does the ‘I’ in this story?
Answer:
I refer to Hari Singh, a 15 year old thief and the narrator of this story.
Q.2.What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?
Answer:
He is a successful and expert thief. He is so clean and quick in his work that he robs people without being caught.
Q. 3.What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Answer:
In return for Hari Singh's work, Anil provides him with food and shelter.
Q.4.How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Answer:
According to Hari (the thief), Anil will grieve, not because of the financial loss but because of the despair he had in Hari.
Q.5.What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Answer:
Hari's experience with theft had made him see the difference in people's response to theft. According to him, a greedy person shows fear; rich - angry and poor man shows acceptance.
Q.6.Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Answer:
Yes, Anil realises that he has been robbed, as he gave Hari a fifty-fold note that was in the rain because of the night rain.
NCERT SOLUTION OF ENGLISH BOOK BEEHIVE : CLICK HERE
Think About It
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?
Answer:
Hari was very happy and grateful when he learned to write his name. He was thrilled when Anil promised to teach him how to write and complete sentences. He knew that being educated would add to his abilities and could accomplish anything. But when he walked out of Anil's house, he realized that stealing was just a form of involvement but that education was a completely different thing. He knew the respect, reputation and opportunities that would come to him once he was educated. And then his desire for education compelled him to return to Anil.
Q. 2.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?
Answer:
Unlike others, Anil does not report Hari to police on theft charges. He knew about that theft but he did not mention it or talk about Hari. He was glad that Hari had realized his mistake and the importance of education in life. Anil wanted Hari to become a literate person and to lead a dignified life.
Anil is different from other employers like this because he is very understanding. Hari’s return gave him a hope of change in Hari.
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?
Answer:
People like Anil and Hari Singh can be found in fiction only. Though anything is possible in this world, so it might be but these people are not very accessible. Anil was a kind and considerate man who was concerned about Hari's education and future. And Hari was a thief whose heart was changing after realizing the importance of education for his future.
( Note : This answer is completely suggestive. Use it as guidance and write your own thoughts and experience about this. )
Q.2.Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way ?
Answer:
Yes, it is an important detail that Anil is a struggling writer. His way of life was simple and practical to spend money according to his present conditions. His struggle sometimes gave him a lot of money while at other times he was embarrassed for earnings. Hari's recognition of the termination of his employment explains his behaviour related to money.
( Note : This answer is completely suggestive. Use it as guidance and write your own thoughts and experience about this. )
Q.3.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?
Answer:
No, I have never met anyone like Hari Singh but the existence of these people is uncertain. A 15-year-old boy could be forced by circumstances to become a thief. It can be the need to feed the abdomen, satisfy the illicit addiction, preserve life, meet luxurious needs etc.
( Note : This answer is completely suggestive. Use it as guidance and write your own thoughts and experience about this. )
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?
Answer:
The story is set somewhere in Uttar Pradesh near Lucknow. We can say that because the story goes that there is an Express to Lucknow train station. The presence of great shops and taverns also indicates that it is a city of great size.
No, the characters in the story do not speak English but probably Hindi.
NCERT SOLUTION OF ENGLISH BOOK : CLICK HERE
0 Comments
If you have any doubt, please let me know. Leave a comment here...