NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet
Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story
Updated For 2024-2025
Exams
READ AND FIND OUT
Q1. Who does ‘I’
refer to in this story?
Answer:
‘I’ in the story refers to the narrator, Hari Singh, a young 15-year-old thief
who narrates his experience after meeting Anil.
Q2. What is he
“a fairly successful hand” at?
Answer:
Hari Singh is a “fairly successful hand” at stealing. Despite his young age, he
is experienced and skilled in the art of theft.
Q3. What does
he get from Anil in return for his work?
Answer:
In return for his work, Hari Singh gets food and shelter from Anil. Over time,
Anil also teaches him how to cook, write, and add numbers, providing him with
an education that Hari values deeply.
READ AND FIND OUT
Q4. How does
the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Answer:
The thief, Hari Singh, thinks that Anil will be sad, not because of the loss of
money, but because of the loss of trust. He believes Anil values their
relationship and trust more than the stolen money.
Q5. What does
he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Answer:
Hari Singh says that when people are robbed, greedy people show fear, rich
people show anger, and poor people show acceptance. He expects Anil, however,
to show only sadness because he values trust over money.
Q6. Does Anil
realise that he has been robbed?
Answer:
Yes, Anil realizes that he has been robbed when he finds that the money is damp
from the rain. However, he chooses not to confront Hari Singh, instead
forgiving him silently by giving him money the next morning and encouraging him
to continue learning.
THINK ABOUT IT
Q1. What are
Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they
change over time?
Answer:
Initially, Hari Singh is excited by the idea of education because he sees it as
a way to achieve more in life, as he thinks it would help him become a better
thief. However, over time, his perspective shifts, and he begins to realize
that education could offer him a path to becoming a “big man”—a
respected and clever person, rather than a mere thief. This change in mindset
plays a crucial role in his decision to return the stolen money to Anil.
Q2. 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:
Anil does not hand the thief over to the police because he values the trust and
the potential in Hari Singh. Unlike most people, who may have reacted with
anger or punishment, Anil chooses to forgive Hari Singh, giving him a second
chance to reform himself. This shows Anil’s kindness, understanding, and belief
in rehabilitation over punishment.
THINK ABOUT IT
Q1. 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 certainly be found in real life. Anil represents
individuals who believe in second chances and in the potential for change in
others, while Hari Singh represents those who may have strayed due to
circumstances but are capable of redemption. The story highlights the complex
nature of trust and redemption, which is a real-life phenomenon. Many people,
like Anil, may choose to offer opportunities for reform rather than punishment.
Q2. Do you
think it is a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer?
Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
Answer:
Yes, Anil being a struggling writer is significant. His profession as a writer
suggests that he leads a simple life and is not driven by material wealth. This
could explain why he is not overly concerned with the theft of money and why he
values trust and relationships more than possessions. His experience as a
writer may have also made him more empathetic and understanding, which is
reflected in the way he treats Hari Singh.
Q3. 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:
While I may not have met someone exactly like Hari Singh, there are many young
people who, due to poverty, lack of guidance, or unfortunate circumstances, may
turn to dishonest means to survive. A lack of family support, education, and
opportunities can easily push a young person like Hari Singh into a life of
crime. His character is a reminder of the importance of compassion and second
chances for those who have faced difficult circumstances early in life.
Q4. 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 likely set in a small town or city in India, as suggested by the
names of the characters (Hari Singh and Anil) and references to places like the
Jumna Sweet Shop. The characters likely spoke Hindi or another regional
language to each other, as it would be common in such a setting. The story is
written in English for a broader audience, but the actual dialogues between
Anil and Hari Singh would probably have been in their native language.