Prepare your Class 10 CBSE exams with our complete The Thief’s Story Class 10 guide featuring chapter summary, NCERT solutions, and detailed question answers. This page covers everything from Hari Singh and Anil’s story to the theme and moral, including extra questions and grammar exercises with solutions. Whether you need exam-ready notes, character analysis, or practice problems, find all resources in one place to master Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2.

summary of the thief’s story

English summary

This chapter follows a 15-year-old thief who calls himself “Hari Singh” as he befriends Anil, a tall, kind, easy-going writer watching a wrestling match, and slips into his life with lies, charm, and a plan to survive.

You meet Hari as he flatters Anil—“You look a bit of a wrestler yourself”—and lies about his name and cooking, just to get a place to stay over the Jumna Sweet Shop balcony, food, and maybe a chance to steal later, yes, but Anil says he’ll teach him to cook and even how to write sentences and add numbers, and that promise opens a quiet hope Hari hides inside. Days go by; Hari makes tea, buys supplies, and pockets about a rupee a day, and Anil doesn’t mind, because he’s trusting, and his own money comes “by fits and starts,” as he writes for magazines and waits for cheques. One evening, Anil sells a book and slips a bundle of notes under the mattress, and a loop opens in Hari’s mind—this is “real work,” he tells himself, no, and if he doesn’t take it, Anil will only waste it on friends, and besides, he never pays him. In moonlight, Hari slides his hand under the mattress, steals ₹600 in fifties, runs to catch the 10.30 Lucknow Express, yes, but he hesitates for no clear reason and misses the train, and now he is alone on a deserted platform with rain, cold wind, and damp notes tied at his waist. He studies faces he has robbed before—greedy show fear, rich show anger, poor accept—but imagines Anil’s face will show only sadness, not for money, but for lost trust, and that hurts more than getting caught. He sits by the clock tower at midnight, shivers in a November drizzle, and remembers “whole sentences” could one day bring him more than a few hundred rupees—“to be a really big man, a clever and respected man, was something else”—so he makes the hardest move: he returns. Back in clouded moonlight, he slips the wet notes under the mattress again, and in the morning Anil quietly hands him a fifty-rupee note, now damp, and says, “Now you’ll be paid regularly,” and “Today we’ll start writing sentences,” and Hari’s smile comes by itself, because Anil knows, but says nothing, and gives him back not just money, but a chance to become more.

• Characters:

Hari Singh: 15-year-old thief; clever, quick, and conflicted; wants respect and a better life.

Anil: Kind, trusting writer; easy-going yet wise; teaches, forgives, and reforms through trust.

• Theme / Moral:

Trust and kindness can change a person more deeply than fear or punishment.

Education and honesty offer a path to a bigger, respected life, beyond quick, risky gains.

the thief’s story Hindi Summary

यह अध्याय एक 15 साल के चोर की कहानी है, जो खुद को “हरी सिंह” कहता है। वह एक लंबे, दयालु और सरल स्वभाव के लेखक अनिल से दोस्ती करता है—पहले झूठ, मिठास, और योजना से, लेकिन बाद में वह विश्वास, पछतावा, और बदलाव सीखता है।

कहानी दिखाती है कि कैसे विश्वास और दया एक इंसान को बदल सकती है, और कैसे शिक्षा और ईमानदारी एक बड़ी और सम्मानित ज़िंदगी की राह खोलती है।

आप हरी से मिलते हैं, जब वह अनिल की तारीफ करता है—“आप भी पहलवान जैसे लगते हो”—और अपने नाम और खाना बनाने की क्षमता के बारे में झूठ बोलता है, सिर्फ रहने की जगह पाने के लिए—जुमना स्वीट शॉप की बालकनी में छत, खाना, और शायद मौका जब वह चोरी कर सके।
लेकिन अनिल मुस्कुराते हुए कहता है कि वह उसे खाना बनाना सिखाएगा, और यहां तक कि वाक्य लिखना और गिनती जोड़ना भी। यह वादा हरी के अंदर एक शांत उम्मीद जगा देता है, जिसे वह छुपा लेता है।
दिन गुजरते हैं; हरी चाय बनाता, सामान लाता, और रोज़ एक रुपया जेब में रख लेता है। अनिल को इससे फर्क नहीं पड़ता, क्योंकि वह भरोसा करने वाला इंसान है, और उसका पैसा भी कभी आता है, कभी नहीं, क्योंकि वह पत्रिकाओं के लिए लिखता है और चैकों का इंतज़ार करता है।
एक शाम, अनिल एक किताब बेचकर कुछ नोट लाता है और उन्हें गद्दे के नीचे रखता है। हरी के मन में एक लालच का दरवाज़ा खुलता है—यह “सच में काम” है, वह खुद से कहता है। और अगर वह इसे नहीं लेगा, तो अनिल इसे दोस्तों पर खर्च कर देगा, और वैसे भी, वह उसे कोई पैसा नहीं देता।
चांदनी रात में, हरी चुपके से अपना हाथ गद्दे के नीचे डालता है, ₹600 चुरा लेता है, और 10:30 की लखनऊ एक्सप्रेस पकड़ने के लिए भागता है—हाँ, लेकिन बिना किसी कारण, वह रुक जाता है और ट्रेन छूट जाती है।
अब वह बारिश, ठंडी हवा, और कमर पर बंधे गीले नोटों के साथ एक सुने प्लेटफॉर्म पर अकेला है। उसे याद आते हैं उन लोगों के चेहरे जिनको वह पहले लूट चुका है—लोभी डर दिखाते हैं, अमीर गुस्सा, गरीब चुपचाप सह लेते हैं—लेकिन वह सोचता है कि अनिल के चेहरे पर दुख होगा, पैसे के लिए नहीं, बल्कि खोए हुए भरोसे के लिए, और यह दर्द किसी जेल से ज्यादा बड़ा है।
वह घड़ी टावर के पास बैठता है, ठिठुरता है, और याद करता है कि “पूरे वाक्य” लिखना एक दिन उसे कुछ सौ रुपये से कहीं ज्यादा दे सकता है—एक बड़ा आदमी बनने का सपना, चालाक नहीं, सम्मानित—कुछ अलग।
और फिर वह सबसे कठिन फैसला लेता है—वापस लौटने का।
धुंधली चांदनी में, वह गीले नोट फिर से गद्दे के नीचे रख देता है, और सुबह अनिल चुपचाप उसे एक पचास रुपये का नोट देता है, अब भीगा हुआ, और कहता है, “अब तुम्हें नियमित पैसे मिलेंगे,”
और “आज से हम वाक्य लिखना शुरू करेंगे,”
और हरी मुस्कुराए बिना नहीं रह पाता, क्योंकि अनिल सब जान चुका है, फिर भी कुछ नहीं कहता, और उसे सिर्फ पैसा नहीं देता—बल्कि फिर से एक मौका देता है, एक नई जिंदगी शुरू करने का मौका।
Characters (पात्र)
हरी सिंह: 15 साल का चोर, चतुर, तेज़, लेकिन उलझा हुआ; सम्मान और बेहतर जीवन चाहता है।
अनिल: दयालु, विश्वास करने वाला लेखक, सरल लेकिन बुद्धिमान; सिखाता, माफ़ करता, और भरोसे से बदलता है।
Theme / Moral (थीम / नैतिक शिक्षा)
भरोसा और दया किसी इंसान को डर या सज़ा से कहीं ज्यादा बदल सकते हैं।
शिक्षा और ईमानदारी बड़ी, सम्मानित ज़िंदगी की राह हैं, तेज़ और झूठे फायदे नहीं।

The Thief’s Story Important Keywords

• Hari Singh – teenage thief who narrates the story
• Anil – kind, trusting writer who employs Hari
• Wrestlers – setting where they first meet; wrestling match scene
• Jumna Sweet Shop – building below Anil’s room
• Balcony – place where Hari sleeps
• Cooking – Hari lies about this skill; later learns it
• Education – learning to write name, sentences, add numbers
• Trust – belief that someone will act honestly
• Theft – stealing money from under the mattress
• Mattress – hiding place for the notes
• Bundle – small pack of currency notes
• Cheque – payment Anil waits for as a writer
• Bazaar – market area Hari walks through at night
• Maidan – open ground where Hari sits on a bench
• Clock tower – shelter where Hari checks the time at midnight
• Lucknow Express – train Hari plans to catch at 10.30
• Drizzle – light rain that soaks the notes
• Rupees – money stolen: six hundred in fifties
• Scars – marks on Hari’s face; image of hard life
• Forgiveness – Anil’s quiet response instead of anger

The Thief’s Story Important Phrases

• “I was still a thief when I met Anil.”
• “You look a bit of a wrestler yourself,”
• “Hari Singh,” I lied.
• “He also taught me to write my name”
• “whole sentences and to add numbers.”
• “I made a profit of about a rupee a day.”
• “made money by fits and starts.”
• “a small bundle of notes”
• “tuck the money under the mattress.”
• “the most trusting person I had ever met.”
• “It’s easy to rob a greedy man”
• “Well, it’s time I did some real work”
• “A beam of moonlight stepped over the balcony”
• “My hand slid under the mattress”
• “600 rupees in fifties!”
• “standing alone on the deserted platform.”
• “The greedy man showed fear; the rich man showed anger; the poor man showed acceptance.”
• “only a touch of sadness. Not for the loss of money, but for the loss of trust.”
• “The night was chilly…it was early November and a light drizzle”
• “The clock showed midnight.”
• “Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees.”
• “to be a really big man, a clever and respected man, was something else.”
• “it is much easier to steal something than to return it undetected.”
• “Now you’ll be paid regularly.”
• “Today we’ll start writing sentences,” he said.

the thief’s story class 10 questions and answers

• Text based questions and answers

Q1. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?

Answer: ‘I’ refers to the narrator of the story, a young thief who has been stealing since childhood. He tells his experiences in the first person, sharing his thoughts and actions. This perspective helps us understand the thief’s mind and emotions deeply. The personal view makes the story more real and relatable for readers.

Q2. What is he ‘a fairly successful hand’ at?

Answer: He is ‘a fairly successful hand’ at thieving, meaning he is good at stealing and has been doing it for some time. Despite being only 15 years old, he considers himself skilled and experienced in this illegal activity. This shows his past life struggles and survival skills as a thief.

Q3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?

Answer:In return for his work, he receives trust, shelter, and a chance to change his life. Anil gives him a job and treats him kindly, showing faith in him instead of punishing him. This support gives the thief hope for a better future and the courage to leave his old life behin

Q4. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?

Answer:The thief believes Anil will be patient and forgiving, unlike others who become angry or seek revenge. He thinks Anil might even understand the thief’s situation and give him a second chance. This shows the thief’s hope for kindness and trust from Anil. Such faith in Anil helps the thief feel safe and valued.

Q5. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?

Answer: The thief explains that people react differently to being robbed—some get angry, some become suspicious, and others simply feel sad or helpless. He notes that most victims want justice or revenge, but a few are understanding and forgiving. This shows how human nature varies in difficult situations and highlights why Anil’s reaction is special.

Q6. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?

Answer: Anil does realise he has been robbed but chooses not to behave angrily or accuse the thief. Instead, he remains calm and continues to trust the thief, showing his forgiving nature. This reaction surprises the thief and makes him think deeply about his own actions and Anil’s kindness.

•      Text based questions and answers

Q1. What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time?

Answer: At first, Hari Singh feels excited and hopeful about education, believing it will open unlimited opportunities for him. He thinks, “I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve.” Later, he realizes education can help him earn a stable income, as shown by his thought, “Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees.” His reactions show growth from dreaming big to understanding practical benefits, which motivates him to return to Anil for learning.

Q2. 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?

Answer: Anil trusts the thief and believes in giving him a second chance instead of punishing him. Unlike others who might report the thief, Anil shows kindness and understanding, seeing beyond the crime to the person’s potential. This is different from most employers who may focus only on rules and fear. Anil’s compassion helps the thief believe in change and forgiveness. Most people might react with anger or fear, but Anil chooses hope and trust.

•      Text based questions and answers

Talk about it

1.People like Anil and Hari Singh exist in real life; they show that kindness and change are possible anywhere, not just in stories.

2.Anil being a struggling writer explains his empathy—he understands hard times and dreams of better days, which shapes his gentle behavior towards the thief.

3.A fifteen-year-old may turn to theft due to poverty, lack of guidance, or tough circumstances, showing how environment influences choices.

4.The story is set in India, evident from names like Hari Singh and Anil. Languages spoken could include Hindi and English, and the characters likely spoke English in the story’s setting because the text is in English.

The Thief’s Story Grammar based on the lesson

• Do as directed.

1. Tenses (Fill in the blanks). Do as directed:

a) Anil usually ______ (make) money by fits and starts, but yesterday he ______ (sell) a book.

b) Hari ______ (sleep) on the balcony when the moonlight ______ (fall) on the bed.

c) By the time Hari reached the station, the Lucknow Express ______ (just/leave).

d) Hari often ______ (make) a profit of about a rupee a day while buying supplies.

e) If Hari ______ (catch) the 10.30 Express, he would have gone to Lucknow.

       Q2. Correct the verb form. Do as directed:

a) Anil write for magazines and wait for his next cheque.

b) The notes was damp from the rain.

c) Hari decide that he return the money before morning.

d) Anil give him a key so he can come and go as he please.

        Q3.Voice Change (Active ↔ Passive). Do as directed:

a) Active to Passive: “Anil tucked the money under the mattress.”

b) Active to Passive: “Hari counted the notes at his waist.”

c) Passive to Active: “A beam of moonlight was seen on the bed.”

d) Passive to Active: “The meal was given to a stray dog.”

       Q4. Reported Speech / Narration. Do as directed:

a) Change to Indirect: Anil said, “What’s your name?”

b) Change to Indirect: Hari said modestly, “I do wrestle a bit.”

c) Change to Indirect: Anil said, “If you can cook, then maybe I can feed you.”

d) Change to Direct: Hari told himself that it was time he did some real work.

        Q5 Articles & Prepositions (fill in the blanks). Do as directed:

a) He took me to his room over ______ Jumna Sweet Shop.

b) Hari sat ______ a bench in ______ maidan in ______ early November.

c) The notes were kept ______ the mattress and tied ______ the string of his pyjamas.

d) He walked slowly ______ the bazaar and stopped ______ the clock tower at midnight.

Q6.Modals. Do as directed:

a) Use a suitable modal: Hari thought he ______ catch the 10.30 Express to Lucknow.

b) Use a suitable modal: Anil said they ______ start writing sentences today.

c) Use a suitable modal (obligation): A thief ______ not betray someone’s trust.

d) Use a suitable modal (permission): “______ I work for you?” asked Hari.

        Q7.Sentence Transformation. Do as directed:

a) Combine using “though/although”: Anil was the most trusting person; it was difficult to rob him.

b) Comparative to Superlative: Anil was more trusting than any person Hari had ever met.

c) Question formation: He missed the Lucknow Express at 10.30. (Form a Wh-question to ask about the time.)

d) Negative ↔ Affirmative: He had no idea where to spend the night. (Change to affirmative without changing meaning.)

Q8.Editing (Error spotting). Do as directed:

The night was chill and a light drizzle add to his discomfort. The notes was damp, and Hari don’t had any friends.

a) Identify and correct four errors.

        Q9. Omission (Missing words). Do as directed:

Read the passage and insert one suitable word in each blank:

Hari had been working Anil for almost a month and, apart cheating on the shopping, had not done anything in his line work. Anil had given him a key the door, and he could come and go as he pleased.

       Q10. Gap Filling / Cloze Test. Do as directed:

Fill in the blanks with suitable words from context (one word each):

Hari stood on the ______ platform in the rain, the notes tied at his ______ by a string. He thought of Anil’s face, not angry but full of ______ at the loss of ______. He knew “whole ______” could bring him more than a few hundred ______, so he turned back through the ______ to return the money.

Q11. Tense Transformation. Do as directed:

a) Change to Past Perfect: “He counts the notes.”

b) Change to Future Indefinite: “Anil pays him regularly.”

c) Change to Present Continuous: “The rain soaked the notes.”

        Q12. Voice and Modals (combined). Do as directed:

a) Change voice and use a modal: “Hari should return the money.”

b) Change voice: “They will celebrate when the cheque arrives.”

        Q13. Reported Questions (Wh/Yes-No). Do as directed:

a) Change to Indirect: “Can you cook?” Anil asked.

b) Change to Indirect: “Where are you going?” Anil asked Hari.

c) Change to Indirect (Yes/No): “Did you make this tea?” Anil said.

        Q14. Prepositions and Determiners. Do as directed:

a) Fill in: He waited ______ his next cheque and then went out to celebrate ______ his friends.

b) Fill in with determiners: ______ small bundle of notes lay under ______ mattress all night.

       Q15. Sentence Rewriting (meaning unchanged). Do as directed:

a) Begin with “It was…”: “Returning the money undetected was more difficult.”

b) Use “so…that”: The drizzle made him cold; he could not sleep on the bench.

c) Use “neither…nor”: He did not stay at small hotels. He did not meet any friends.

• Here are the answers to the grammar questions  

      Q1 Ans.

    a) makes, sold

    b) was sleeping, fell

   c) had just left 

   d) made  

   e) had caught

Q2 Ans.

a) writes; waits

 b) were

c) decided; would return 

d) gave; pleased

Q3  Ans.

a) The money was tucked under the mattress by Anil. 

b) The notes were counted by Hari. 

c) A beam of moonlight shone on the bed. 

d) Anil gave the meal to a stray dog.

Q 4 Ans.

a) Anil asked what his name was. 

b) Hari said modestly that he did wrestle a bit. 

c) Anil said that if he could cook, then maybe he could feed him. 

d) “It is time I did some real work,” said Hari.

Q5  Ans.

a) the 

b) on; the; early 

c) under; by 

d) through; at

Q 6 Ans.

a) could 

b) would 

c) must 

d) May

Q7  Ans.

a) Although Anil was the most trusting person, it was difficult to rob him. 

b) Anil was the most trusting person Hari had ever met. c) What time did he miss the Lucknow Express?

 d) He had no idea about any place to spend the night.

Q8  Ans.

chill → chilly; 

add → added; 

was → were; 

don’t had → didn’t have

Q9  Ans.

working for Anil; 

apart from;

 line of work;

 key to the door

Q10  Ans.

deserted; 

waist; 

sadness; 

trust; 

sentences;

 rupees;

 bazaar

Q11  Ans.

a) He had counted the notes. 

b) Anil will pay him regularly. 

c) The rain is soaking the notes.

Q12  Ans.

a) The money should be returned by Hari. 

b) They will celebrate when the cheque is received.

Q13  Ans.

a) Anil asked if he could cook.

 b) Anil asked Hari where he was going.

 c) Anil asked whether he had made that tea.

Q14  Ans.

a) for; with 

b) A; the

Q15  Ans.

1. It was more difficult to return the money undetected. b) The drizzle was so strong that he could not sleep on 

the bench. 

c) He stayed at neither small hotels nor met any friends.

The Thief’s Story Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)

Q1.Why did Hari approach Anil at the wrestling match?

 Ans.Hari saw Anil as easy-going, kind, and simple, so he tried flattery to gain his trust and a place to stay and work, even though he lied about his name and cooking.

Q2.How did Hari manage his daily expenses while working for Anil?

Ans.Hari made tea, bought supplies slowly, and usually made a profit of about a rupee a day from the shopping, which Anil likely knew but did not mind.

Q3. Why was it difficult for Hari to rob Anil?

Ans.Anil was the most trusting and careless person Hari had met, and robbing a careless man gives no “pleasure” because he may not even notice the theft.

Q4.What made Hari miss the Lucknow Express?

Ans.Although the train was just moving and he could have jumped in, he hesitated “for some reason” and lost the chance, ending up alone on a deserted platform.

Q5. What reactions to theft had Hari observed in different people?

Ans.The greedy man showed fear, the rich man showed anger, and the poor man showed acceptance, but Anil would show sadness for the loss of trust.

Q6. Which details show the night was harsh for Hari?

Ans.It was early November, a light drizzle turned to heavy rain, his shirt and pyjamas stuck to his skin, and a cold wind blew across his face.

Q7.Why did Hari decide to return the money?

Ans.He felt Anil’s sadness would be for the loss of trust, remembered that “whole sentences” could bring more than a few hundred rupees, and chose education over quick gain.

Q8. How did Anil respond the next morning, and what does it show?

Ans.He gave Hari a fifty-rupee note, said “Now you’ll be paid regularly,” and planned to start writing sentences; the damp note showed he knew but chose kindness and trust.

The Thief’s Story Long Answer Questions (100–120 words)

• Character sketch of Hari Singh.

Hari Singh is a fifteen-year-old thief who is clever, observant, and used to lying for survival, taking a new name every month to stay ahead of the police and past employers. He uses flattery to befriend Anil and makes small profits while shopping, showing street-smart habits. Yet he is deeply affected by trust; robbing a careless, trusting man like Anil gives him no pleasure. On the deserted, rainy night, he imagines Anil’s sadness for the loss of trust, not money, and recalls that learning “whole sentences” could bring him respect. He returns the damp notes, proving an inner change towards honesty and a desire for education and a bigger life.

Theme: Trust, education, and transformation.

The story shows how trust and gentle guidance can reform a young thief. Anil gives Hari shelter, teaches him to cook, write his name, and aims for “whole sentences” and numbers. When Hari steals ₹600 in fifties and flees, the cold November drizzle and a lonely platform mirror his moral confusion. He knows people show fear, anger, or acceptance, but Anil would show sadness for the loss of trust. Remembering that education could bring more than a few hundred rupees, he returns the money. Anil’s quiet act—paying him regularly and starting lessons—confirms that kindness and learning can change a life.

• Extract Based Questions

Extract 1: “I was still a thief when I met Anil.”

Q1.Who is “I” here?

Ans.A fifteen-year-old thief who later calls himself Hari Singh.

Q2.Where did he meet Anil?

Ans.At a wrestling match, where Anil was watching well-oiled wrestlers.

Q3. What tactic did he use to befriend Anil?

Ans.Flattery: “You look a bit of a wrestler yourself.”

Extract 2: “One evening he came home with a small bundle of notes… tuck the money under the mattress.”

Q1.How did Anil earn this money?

Ans.He had just sold a book to a publisher.

Q2.Why does this moment tempt Hari?

Ans.It offers “real work” in his line, a quick chance to steal a large sum at once.

Q3.What amount did Hari later count?

Ans.600 rupees in fifties.

Extract 3: “The greedy man showed fear; the rich man showed anger; the poor man showed acceptance.”

Q1. What reaction did Hari expect from Anil?

Ans.Only a touch of sadness for the loss of trust, not the loss of money.

Q2.How does the weather reflect Hari’s state?

Ans.Early November drizzle turns heavy rain; cold wind and wet clothes mirror his inner turmoil.

Q3. What decision does Hari make after this reflection?

Ans.He returns to Anil’s room and puts the damp notes back under the mattress.

Extract 4: “Today we’ll start writing sentences,” he said.

Q1. What does the damp fifty-rupee note reveal?

Ans.Anil knew about the theft because the note was wet from the night’s rain.

Q2. Why does Anil choose not to confront or punish Hari?

Ans.He values reform through trust and education, paying him regularly and continuing lessons.

Q3.What change does this spark in Hari?

Ans.He smiles naturally, choosing learning and honesty over theft.