The Thief's Story

Ruskin Bond

About the Author 19 May 1934.

writer in English.
He w a s born on
Indian Ruskin started
Ruskin Bond is
a famous the age of ten,
the Royal Air Force. At 1944. He spent
Ruskin's father
was with father's death in
Dehradun after his Room o n thee
with his grandmother in his first novel, The
living started writing
London where he writer in English,
particularly
four years in as a leading
Ruskin Bond is
now recognised Mussoorie's Ivy
Roof. lives in Landour,
stories. He currently
known for his short residence since
1964.
his
which has been
Cottage
Theme of the Story deals with basic human
than a thief's story. The story for a thief to
Ruskin Bond's "The
Thief's Story' is more
It is difficult e v e n
easier for a thief to
rob a greedy m a n .
values and relationships.
It is but he couldn't run away with
did steal Anil's money
honest person. Hari Singh help. The only person he really
rob a careless and them to be trouble than
because he regarded Hari Singh. The thief's
it. He had no friends Anil was ready to educate

knew was the man

he had robbed. Moreover, to his bed. He slipped
the money under
to Anil and crept
conscience pricked
him. He c a m e back
stolen it a few hours ago.
the mattress from where he had
SHORT SUMMARY
5T 54T5R
ATA fHTAT: The Thief's Story'
The narrator of "The
1. Meeting with Anil: 15 years
a thiet. He was just
Thief 's Story is a writer of
about 25
old when he met Anil,
was a tall, lean
and thin fellow. He
years. Anil
kind and Simple enough
looked easy going,
like the narrator. The
for the purpose of a thief
late. He wanted to
thief hadn't much luck of
narrator took a new
win Anil's confidence. The
name every month. He
did so to avoid arrest
from the police and his former employees.
Hari Singh.
Recently,he introduced himself as

Anil: The narrator

2. Wanted to Work for
wanted to work for Anil. But
Anil was not a
The narrator
rich man. He couldn't pay him.
thought for a moment that he hasthe misjudged
his target. Anil asked Hari Singh, thief, if
that he could.
he could cook. Hari Singh lied
The food he cooked on that day, was just
terrible. Anil had to give it to a stray dog.
Anil asked him to go away but the
narrator
Anil agreed
didn't budge from there. At last,
also taught Hari
to teach him cookng. Anil
 Singh, the thief, to write his name and to write
whole sentences and to add numbers.

Hari Singh Grateful for Getting Education: a fH fTAT Tfa f aATHTA: zft fa
Hari Singh wanted to be educated. He was
at Anil given him the
grateful that, least, had
basic education. He knew that once he could
write like an educated man, there would be
no limit to what he could achieve. Hari Singh
found it quite pleasant to work with Anil. He
made tea in the morning. He made a profit of
one rupee trom buying the day's supplies. Anil
knew everything about Hari Singh's stealings
but didn't seem to mind them.
4. No Regular Inconme of Anil: Anil had no uf4a
regular income. He made money by fits and
3f fufa aTa : 3afa

starts. He seemed to write for magazines. The

day he got the money he would go out and
celebrate. Then, he would wait and worry
about his next cheque.
5. Anil Robbed of his Money: One evening,
Anil came home with a small bundle of
notes. He had just solda book to a publisher.
At night, Hari Singh saw him tuck the money
under the mattress. Anil had given him a key
to the door and he could come and go as he
pleased. Anil was the most trusting person he
had ever met. It was very difficult to rob him.
Sometimes, he didn't notice that he had been H GE frA TAT TI HN EN THE T4 H HRT
robbed. It took all the pleasure out of Hari
Singh's work. Once, Anil was asleep. Har
Singh thought over the situation. If he stole T fY 10:30 aH`H FAI
the money, he could catch the 10:30 Express
to Lucknow. He crept up to the bed and slid
his hand under the mattress. He found the
notes and drew them out. Anil sighed in his
Sleep. He turned his side towards Hari Singh.
The thief (Hari Singh) was startled and
quickly came out of the room. On the road,
he counted them. They were 600 rupees in
nfties.With that money, he could live like a
6,
rich Arab for a week or two.
Hari Singh's Dilemma: The narrator (the
niet) reached the station and dashed straight
to the platform. The Lucknow Express was
Ust moving. He could jump in but hesitated.
When the train had gone, he had no idea
Where to spend the night. He had no friends
D 521
 and didn't want to stay at one of the hotels.
The only person he knew was Anil whom he
had robbed. He came to the 'maidan' and sat
on a bench. The night was chilly and it
had
a lightdrizzle. The notes were damp from
the rain.
7. Hari Singh back to Anil with his Money:
Hari Singh remembered that he had forgotten
about his education in the excitement of the
theft. He knew that education could one
day bring him more than a few hundred
clever and
rupees. To be a really big man, a
respected man, he was to leam reading and
writing. He was to be educated. He hurried
back to Anil's room very nervous. He crept
to the head of the bed. He held the notes in
one hand and slipped them quietly under
the mattress. Next morning, Anil stretched
out his hand towards the narrator. There
was a fifty rupee note between his fingers.
Hari Singh's heart sank. He thought that
he had been discovered. Anil made an
announcement. He told Hari Singh that he
made some money and Hari would be paid
regularly. He also told that he would teach
Hari Singh how to write sentences. Anil
knew everything about the theft. But neither
his lips nor his eyes showed anything.

Main Points of the Story

1. The narrator was a thief. 11. Later on Anil softened and told him that
2. Although only 15, he was experienced he would teach Hari Singh how to cook.
and successful in his work. 12. He also taught Hari Singh to write
3. Luck was against him and he thought of name and promised to teach him to write
his
targeting Anil, a young man of 25 years. whole sentences and to add numbers.
4. The narrator introduced himself to Anil as 13. It was quite pleasant for Hari Singh to
Hari Singh.
5. He changed his name every month to
Work for Anil, and he made a rupee a day
from buying the day's supplies.
escape arrest. 14. One evening, Anil came home with 3
6. Hari Singh wanted to work for Anil but small bundle of notes as he had just sold a
Anil had no0 money to pay him regularly. book to a publisher.
7. Anil had no regular income and used to 15. Hari Singh saw Anil tuck the money under
write for magazines. the mattress.
8. Anil asked if he could cook, and Hari 16. Hari crept up to bed, slid his hand under
Singh lied that he knew how to cook. the mattress and took the money out.
9. Hari Singh cooked the food so terribly 17. Anil sighed in sleep and Hari Singh
that it had to be thrown away to the stray artled and quickly left the room.
dogs. 18. When the narrator (the thief) was on tne
10. Anil asked him to go away but the narrator road, he counted the notes: 600 rupees
didn't leave his company. fifties.
 NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED
Read and Find out (Page 8) Ans. The thief thinks that Anil will not be sad
Q1. Who does I ' refer to in this story? for his loss, but he will be unhappy at the
Ans. T refers to Hari Singh, a thief. He loss of faith he had in Hari Singh.
always robbed his employers. Q2. What does he say about the different
Q2. What is he 'a fairly successful hand reactions of people when they are
at? robbed?
Ans. He is 'a fairly successful hand' at robbing Ans. He says that different people have
the people, especially his employers. different reactions on their losses-as
Q3. What does he get from Anil in return the greedy man shows fear; the rich show
for his work? anger and the poor show acceptance.
Ans. He gets meal from Anil in return for his Q3. Does Anil realise that he has been
work. robbed2
Ans. Yes, Anil realises that he has been robbed
Read and Find out (Page 10) because he finds that the bundle of the
Q1. How does the thief think Anil will notes are wet. But he does not express it
react to the theft? to Hari Singh.
 About It (Page 13)
Think hand the thief over to the police either.
O1. What
are
Hari Singh's reactions to the Anil was a thorough gentleman. He had
prospect of receiving an education?
Do they change over time? (Hint: human sympathy and compassion. He
wanted to teach him writing complete
Compare, for example, the thought:
Sentences and give him education. He
knew that once I could write like an
wanted to reform him without showing
educated man there would be no limit to it. Instead of handing him over to the
what I could achieve." with these later police, he gave him a fifty-ruppee-note
thoughts: "Whole sentences, I knew,
andpromised to pay him regularly.
could one day bring me more than a few| Talk About it (Page 13)
hundred rupees. It was a simple matter
tosteal-and sometimes just as simple Q1. Do you think people like Anil and Hari
Singh are found only in fiction, or are
matter to be caught. But to be a really
clever and
there such people in real life?
big man, a
respected man, Ans. It takes all sorts of people to make this
was something else.") What makes him
return to Anil? orld. Yes, there are people like Hari
Ans. Hari Singh 1s a thief but his reaction to
Singh and Anil in this world. You may
find a thief like Hari Singh who realises
the prospect of receiving an education
the value of education. He forgets about
is quite positive. He seems to know the
value of education. His ideas doesn't education during the heat and excitement
of the theft. Later on realising the value
change rather they are strengthened
with the passage of time. He thinks if ofeducation, he comes back to Anil. Anil
is a large-hearted and compassionate
he could write like an educated man, erson. He wanted to educate Hari Singh
there would be no limit to achievement. and pay him regularly.
No doubt, in the excitement and heat Q2. Do you think it a significant detail
of the theft, Hari Singh forgets about in the story that Anil is a struggling
his education. But later on, he realises writer? Does this explain his behaviour
that education could bring him more in any way?
money than the amount he had stolen. Ans. Anil doesn't have a regular income. He
He doesn't want to be caught by the is a struggling writer who writes for
police but wants to be really a big man, magazines. Anil can't afford to pay Hari
a clever and respected man. His deep Singh regularly. But he allowed Hari
urge to learn to read and write brings Singh to stay with him and promised to
him back to Anil. teach him to write complete sentences.
2. Why does Anil not hand the thief over When he received a substantial amount
to the police? Do you think most people of money, he gave him a fifty-rupee-note
would have done so? In what ways is and promised to pay him regularly.
Anil different from such employers? Q3. Have you met anyone like Hari
Ans. Anil knew everything about the theft. Singh? Can you think and imagine the
He knew how Hari Singh breached his circumstances that can turn a fifteen-
trust and stole the money that was lying year-old boy into a thief?
under the mattress. He only sighed in Ans. No, I have not met anyone like Hari
his sleep and turned his side towards Singh in life so far. Yes, I can imagine
the thief. Even when Hari Singh put the and think about the circumstances that
notes at the same place from where they can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a
thief. Circumstances can shape a man
had been stolen, Anil didn't show that
he knew about it. Neither his lips nor accordingly.
nis eyes showed anything that he knew Q4. Where is the story set? (You can get
clues from the names of the persons
everything about the theft. He didn't
 and places mentioned in it.) Which No, the characters in the story don't speak

language or languages are spoken to each other in English. Hari Singh is

in these places? Do you think the uneducated and doesn t knOw how to
characters in the story spoke to each write complete sentences. Hari Singh
other in English? hesitates to jump into a compartment
Ans. The story seems to be set somewhere in of the Lucknow Express. This clearly
U.P. The cultural background and the shows that the people of this region
speak in Hindi.
language of the characters reveal this
fact.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS SOLVED
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS Ans. The fifteen-year-old thief, Hari Singh was
Q1. Who was the narrator or the boy thief, an experienced and a fairly successful
Hari Singh? hand. It was easy to rob a greedy man
Ans. Hari Singh was a thief. Even at the age of because he could afford to be robbed.

fifteen, he was a seasoned, experienced But it was very difficult to roba careless
and a successful thief. He used to change and unsuspecting man like Anil. The
his name every month to avoid the police unsuspecting Anil didn't even notice that
and his former employers. He knew all he had been robbed. That could take all
the tricks of his trade. He knew how to the pleasure out of the work of theft.
steal money even when the money was Q5. Why did Hari Singh justify himself to
rob Anil?
tucked under the victim's bed.
Ans. No doubt, Hari Singh was experienced
Q2. How and when did Hari Singh meet
Anil?
and clever enough to justify his act. He
justified the robbing of a careless and
Ans. Hari Singh met Anil during a wrestling
match. He found Anil easy going, kind unsuspecting man like Anil. Hari Singh
and simple enough to suit his purpose.
told himself that he was out of practice.
He must rob. If he didn't take the money,
Anil's trusting nature could help him in
stealing. Therefore, he offered himself Anil would waste it on his, friends
to work for Anil. Anil had no regular Moreover, Anil didn't pay him.
income and couldn't afford to pay him. Q6. Why did Hari Singh lie that he knew
But still Hari Singh exploited Anil's how to cook? Why did Anil have to
generosity and he forced Anil to keep throw the food cooked by Hari to the
him in his house. stray dogs?
Q3. Anil couldn't afford to pay Hari Singh. Ans. Hari Singh had carefully chosen a kind,
Why did then, he allow Hari Singh to careless and unsuspecting target in
stay with him? Anil. When Anil asked if he knew how
Ans. Hari Singh offered himself to work for to cook, Hari Singh replied that he did.
Anil. Anil didn't have a regular income He deliberately told a lie. The food he
and couldn't afford to pay him regularly. was really terrible. Anil had to
prepared
Hari Singh wanted to exploit such a throw it away to the stray dogs.
kind-hearted and simple man like Anil. Q7. How did Hari Singh feel working
He lied that he knew how to cook. Anil for Anil? Did Anil know that Hart
forced to allow Hari Singh to stay a little money from
was
with him in his house.
Singh was
making
purchases?
Q4. Why was it so difficult for Hari Singh Ans. Hari Singh felt quite
pleasant working
for Anil. He would make tea for him
to rob a trusting and unsuspecting in
person like Anil'? the morning. He would take his time for
the day's supplies. Usually, Hari would
 make profit of about a
rupee a day. Anil
knew about the could perhaps helped
stealing. But he allowed
Hari to do so because he
him was the man
couldn't afford whom he had robbed a few hours
to pay him ago.
Q8.
regularly. didn't mind it.
How did Anil
He Q12. What did Hari Singh do in the 'maidan'
get that and how did the notes become
money that he brought substantial damp?
home in a Ans. From the
station, Hari Singh found
bundle? How did it
Ans. Anil had no regular tempt Hari Singh? himself in the 'maidan'. He sat down on
income. He wrote for a bench. The November night was
magazines. One day he came home with The chilly.
a small bundle
of notes. He had heavy rain added to Hari
Singh's
a book to a just sold discomfort. His shirt and pyjamas stuck
publisher. Hari saw Anil tuck
the money under to his skin. He sat
the down in the shelter
Such a large amount mattress of his bed. of the clock tower. He felt for
the notes.
of money and his
unsuspecting master made Hari They were damp from the rain.
decide to steal it. Singh Q13. How did Hari Singh
09. How did Hari forget about his
Singh steal the money education in the excitement of his
that Anil got from theft? What did he think about it
publisher?
selling his book to a the end?
in
Ans. Hari Singh with his own
saw Ans. Anil
Anil tucked the bundle of eyes how taught Hari Singh to write his name.
money under He also promised to teach him
the mattress of his
bed. When Anil was making
complete sentences and adding numbers.
asleep, Hari Singh
He slid his hand crept up to the bed. In his excitement of the
under the mattress all about his education.
theft, he forgot
and drew the But good sense
money out of the bundle prevailed and in the end, he realised that
without making sound. Anil sighed in
a
his sleep and turned on his education could give him
side, towards much more money. respect and
him. Hari Singh startled
got and quickly Q14. Did Hari Singh understand the value
came out of the room.
of education? How can
Q10. Describe Hari Singh's dilemma at the you prove it?
station. Why didn't he Ans. Hari Singh
jump into a clearly understood the value
of education. Education
compartment of the Lucknow Express could bring him
when he could? respect, status and money. If he learnt
Ans. When he reached the station, Hari how to write like an educated person,
did not stop at the ticket office Singh then sky would be the limit for him. In
because the heat and excitement of
he never bought a ticket earlier. The the theft, he
Lucknow Express was just moving out.
forgot all about it. He decided to have an
He could have education at any cost and went back to
jumped into one of the Anil.
carriages. But he hesitated. Perhaps, he Q15. How and when did Hari Singh put the
had not made a final decision in this
stolen money back at the same
regard. from where he had stolen? Did place
Q11. What did Hari Singh think when he Anil
know it?
Was standing alone on the deserted
Ans. Hari Singh came back to Anil's room.
platform? He was feeling quite nervous. He
Ans. The train had
gone. Hari Singh was in a
to the head of the bed. His hand crept
dilemma. He was standing alone found
on the the edge of the mattress. He
slipped the
deserted platform. He had no idea where
notes under the mattress.
to spend the night. He had no friends. Yes, Anil was aware of everything that
Nor did he want to go to a hotel. The was taking place in the room.
only person whom he knew and who
Q16. Why didn't Anil hand Hari Singh over money back to the
place from where
ere :it
to the police even when he knew all was stolen. Anil knew
everything bu
about the theft? he rewarded Hari Singh. He gave him
a
Ans. Anil was careless and unsuspecting but fifty-rupee note and promised to
pay him
not a fool. He knew how the boy stole regularly.
02. Give a character-sketch of Anil, Dia
money out of the daily shopping. He
also knew all about the theft ofhis 600 he know all about the theft? If so, whw
did he keep Hari Singh again to work
rupees. He could have easily handed him
Over to the police. However, he didn't for him?
want to ruin Hari Singh's life. He wanted Ans. Anil is a thorough gentleman. He
to give an education to the unfortunate is generous, large-hearted and
he gave a f+fty rupee note and
understanding. He is twenty-five years
boy. So, old and unmarried. He doesn't have a
promised to pay him regularly. Neither
his lips nor his eyes showed anything regular income. He writes for magazines
about the theft. When he receives a cheque, he goes out
and celebrates. Anil is a simple man who
LONG ANsWER TYPE QUESTIONS
is ever-ready to help even a worthless
Q1. Give a character-sketch of the thief, boy like Hari Singh. He knows that Har
Hari Singh. Highlight the gradual
Singh lied that he knew how to cook
changes that come in him. Still he allows him to work for him.
Ans. The narrator of "The Thief's Story' is a
Anil is a progressive young man. Being
thief. He is just fifteen but an experienced a writer himself, he knows the value
and fairly successful hand. He used to
of education. He teaches Hari Singh to
change his name every month. This he write his name. He promises to teach
did to avoid being arrested by the police.
him to write whole sentences and to add
He worked for many employers. He used
to run away after cheating them. This numbers.

time he introduced himselfas Hari Singh. Anil knew all about the theft. He knew
Hari Singh was a clever thief. He knew how and when Hari Singh stole the
how to humour a person like Anil. He money and put it back under the matress.
called Anil a bit of a wrestler. He was Neither his lips nor his eyes showed
an expert in telling lies. He lied that he anything about it. He didn't want to hand
knew how to cook. He was a good judge Hari Singh over to the police. It would
of men and situation. He exploited Anil's have ruined him. The thief had no option
generosity and made money by keeping but to return to such a generous and
aside a rupee for him from buying the large-heartedperson. The reformer, Anil
day's supplies. rewarded the boy-thief by giving him a
In the heat and excitement, Hari Singh fifty-rupee note. He also promised to pay
forgot his love for education. He knew him regularly.
that if he were educated, he could earn Q3. How did Hari Singh come into contact
n
respect, name and money. No doubt, with Anil? He breached Anil's trust
he breached Anil's trust by stealing his him but why did Anil not only forge
money. Soon, he realised that he had no him but also promised to pay
him

friends and well wishers. The only person regularly?

who knew and could help him was Anil Ans. Hari still a thief when
E
Singh was
an
whom he had robbed a few hours ago. met Anil. He was just fifteen but was
Anil's large-heartedness and his love for experienced and fairly successful hand
education transformed him in the end. Hari humoured Anil and wished to wo
He came back to Anil and put the stolen for him. Anil had no regular income.
 couldn't afford to pay him. He
asked | Hari Singh breached Anil's trust but Anil
Hari Singh it he knew how to cook. Hari
Singh lied that he knew it. The boy was was all forgiving and compassionate.In
the heat and
totally worthless and Anil asked him to excitement of theft Har1
go away. But the boy didn't budge and Singh forgot about education. Then came
the true realisation and
Anil retained him and also promised to transformation.
The boy-thief realised that the only
teach him writing sentences and adding
numbers.
man who could help him was the man
They say old habits die hard. After he had robbed a few hours
ago. Then
he realised the value of
all, Hari was a thief. He made a rupee education that
could give him respect and more
everyday from buying the day's supplies. than he could get by
money
Trusting Anil gave him a key to the door. stealing. He realised
The boy-thief saw him tuck the money where he should go. Large-hearted Anil
not only
under the mattress. Hari Singh stole the forgave him but also gave himn
money and went away. He counted them
a
fifty-rupee note, and promised to pay
and found that they were 600 in fifties. him regularly.
Anil knew everything about the theft. He Q5. He was the most trusting person T
had ever met.' Justify this statement of
even knew how the money was placed
back under the mattress by Hari Hari Singh about his benefactor, Anil.
Singh.
But the reformer, Anil prevailed over
Did he breach Anil's trust?
Ans. After his first introduction, Hari
him. He didn't hand the boy-thief over Singh
to the police. Nor did he understood Anil's nature and his
punish him by character rather well. He lied that he
throwing him out of the job. Love for
knew how to cook. Still, Anil allowed
education transformed Hari Singh from
Hari to work for him. Even at the
a thief to a reformed
young man. Anil age of
rewarded him by giving a fifty-rupee- 15, Hari Singh was an experienced and
note and promising to pay him successful hand. He knew all the tricks
regularly. of his trade. He made one
. Love, human sympathy and education rupee every
can transform even a thief. How could
day from buying the day's supplies. Anil
Anil
knew it but didn't mind. Anil was really
bring such a change in Hari
Singh?
a trusting person.
He had given Hari a
Ans. Man is key to the door and he could come and
product of circumstances and
a
go as he pleased. But it was 'so difficult
environment. Hari Singh was just a boy
to rob him'. It easy to rob a greedy
is
of fifteen but was an experienced and
man. It difficult to rob a careless
was
fairly a successful hand. Circumstances
and trusting man like Anil. Sometimes,
made hima thief. In spite of being no use
he didn't even notice that he had been
toAnil, he was retained to work for him. robbed. That took all the pleasure out
hey say old habits die hard. After all a
thief couldn't leave stealing and cheating.
of Hari Singh's work.
He made a rupee every day from the
Anil was no fool. He knew all about the
theft, when and how it was committed.
buying of the day's supplies. However,
Anil was not
Neither his lips nor eyes showed that he
fool. He knew everything
a
saw Hari placing the money back under
and also all about the theft. But he was
the mattress.
Kind, large-hearted and full of human
Trust begets trust. Ultimately, the boy-
sympathy. He taught the unfortunate thief realised that the only person who
boy to write his name. He also promised
him to write sentences and add numbers. could help him was the man whom he had
robbed a few hours ago. Naturally, Anil
Ihis left a deep impression on the
boy-
thief. He started realising that education was the most trusting man Hari
Singh
Could bring him had ever met in his life. Anil forgot the
respect and money.
 breach of his trust but rewarded Hari by to the station but deliberately missed the
Lucknow Express. He was struggling
giving a fity-rupee-note and promising with himself. He came to the 'maidan
to pay him regularly. and was drenched in the rain on a chilly
the money?
Q6. How did Hari Singh steal November night. He had no friends and
Describe the circumstances that
didnot like to go to a hotel either. He was
brought him back to work for Hari
in a dilemma. Then good sense prevailed
Singh. What was the main motivating to the
man
and he decided to go back
factor that forced him to take that
whom he had robbed a few hours earlier.
decision? His love for education was the motivating
Ans. Anil had sold a book to a publisher. He force that led him to this decision.
of money in retun. Hari
got a good sum So, as a thief, he was quite an experienced
under the
Singh saw him tuck the money and fairly a successful hand.
But love,
mattress of his bed. The boy-thief was
an
generosity and human compassion of
Anil's
experienced hand. He breached Anil in transforming him into a
helped
trust and stole the money. He
counted and
better human being. He realised the value
found a sum of 600 in fifties. He realised of education. Only education could give
that with that money he could live like
a
him respect, status and money.
rich Arab at least for a week or two like a rich
Q8. Hari Singh could have lived
Hari Singh tried to run away with money Arab for a week or two. Why did he
but failed. He was actually struggling choose to go back to Anil in the
end?
the
with himself. He deliberately missed Ans. Hari Singh definitely had a bumper catch.
about The money he stole from under Anil's
Lucknow Express. He sat thinking
himself on a bench on a chilly night. He bedroom's mattress was perhaps the
came toconclusion. He had no friend.
a largest amount he had ever stolen in life.
The only person who could help him was When he was on the road, he counted
Anil and he had robbed him a few hours the money. It was a sum of rupees six
earlier. Then came the realisation what hundred, in fifties. With that money, Hari
Anil was doing for him. He promised to Singh could live in luxury like a rich Arab,
give him education. Hari Singh realised at least for a week or two. He decided to
that education could bring respect and run away with the money and came to
excitement the station. He found that the Lucknow
money to him. In the heat and
of the theft, he had forgotten about the Express had just moved. He could have
education. Getting an education was the jumped into one of the compartments
main motivating force that brought the but couldn't do so. Perhaps something
boy-thief Hari Singh back to Anil. troubled him. He hesitated and remained
Q7. Describe the sequence of events that standing alone on a deserted platform.
took place after Hari Singh stole the He had no friends. The only man he knew
was Anil whom he had robbed only a few
money. Evaluate Hari Singh as a thief
and as a human being. hours ago.
Ans. Hari Singh was a seasoned thief even The thing that motivated Hari Singh to
of He knew all the go back to Anil was his love for getting
at the age fifteen. an education. He realised that education
tricks of his trade. As a thief, he knew
how to hoodwink his master and make could give him respect, status and much
one rupee everyday out of buying of the more money than he could get from
day's supplies. And he, a seasoned thief, stealing. Anil had promised him to
stole 600 rupees from under the mattress. teach writing and adding numbers. Harn
With that money he could live like a Singh's urge to get an education brought
rich Arab for a week or two. He came him back to Anil.
 (SELF-ASSESSMENT
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
TYPE

1. Who was Hari Singh?

2. How and why did Hari Singh meet Anil?
3. Why did the boy-thief lie and how did Anil
react to it?
4, How did Anil make his living? Did he have a
. Why did Hari Singh
regular income?
change his name every month?
6. Why did Hari Singh feel that it was
difficult to rob someone like Anil?
7. How did Anil get a good amount of money and how did it
8. What did Hari Singh think about
tempt Hari Singh?
9. How did the boy-thief steal the
getting an education?
money Anil got after selling a book to a
publisher?
10. Why did Hari Singh hesitate to board the train? What made him so?
11. Why did Hari Singh decide to come back to Anil?
12. How did the boy-thief put the money back at the same place? Did Anil know about it?
13. Why did Anil promise to pay Hari Singh regularly even after
knowing all about the theft?
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Give acharacter-sketch of Hari Singh highlighting his love for
2.Give a character-sketch ofAnil getting an education.
highlighting his
3. What made Hari Singh come back to Anil? Was large-heartedness
and
generosity.
he a transformed person now?
4. Compare and contrast Hari
Singh
as a thief and a man.