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.
Table of Contents
summary of the thief’s story
English summary
Have you ever trusted someone so completely that they held your future in their hands? What if that person was a thief—and only fifteen years old? This story pulls you into a quiet moment where one choice can change a life forever.
The chapter tells the story of a young thief who meets a kind, trusting man named Anil. Given food, shelter, and a chance to learn, the boy faces a hard choice when temptation comes. In the end, honesty and trust bring a change that stealing never could.
The story begins with Hari Singh, a fifteen-year-old boy who openly admits that he is still a thief. He is clever, experienced, and used to changing his name every month to stay ahead of the police. One day, he meets Anil, a young man of about twenty-five, at a wrestling match. Anil looks kind, simple, and easy-going—perfect for Hari’s plans. Using a little flattery, Hari starts a conversation and soon asks for work. When Anil says he cannot pay him, Hari quickly asks for food instead. This small request opens the door to something bigger. Anil takes Hari to his room above the Jumna Sweet Shop and lets him stay on the balcony.
Hari’s first attempt at cooking is a disaster. The food is so bad that Anil gives it to a stray dog and asks Hari to leave. But Hari does not go. He keeps smiling in his most “appealing” way, and Anil laughs instead of getting angry. Anil decides to keep him and promises to teach him how to cook. More importantly, he begins to teach Hari how to write his name, make sentences, and add numbers. Hari feels grateful. He thinks, “once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve.” Life becomes comfortable. Hari makes tea, buys supplies, and secretly makes about a rupee a day by cheating a little. Anil seems to know, but he does not mind.
Anil earns money in an uneven way. He borrows one week and lends the next. He writes for magazines and celebrates whenever a cheque arrives. One evening, he comes home with a bundle of notes—six hundred rupees—and puts them under his mattress. Hari notices this. He knows Anil trusts him completely and has even given him the key to the room. That trust makes stealing difficult, yet tempting. Hari tells himself that Anil will only waste the money and that he deserves it. Late at night, in the moonlight, Hari quietly slips his hand under the mattress and takes the notes. He plans to catch the 10.30 Express to Lucknow.
At the station, Hari hesitates. The train starts moving, and he misses it. Left alone on the platform, he feels empty. He walks through the bazaar, thinking about how people react when robbed. He knows Anil will feel sad—not because of the money, but because of broken trust. Sitting in the maidan on a rainy, cold night, Hari feels the damp notes in his pocket. He realizes what he has lost: food, shelter, kindness, and the chance to learn. He understands that “whole sentences” could bring him more than stolen money. Finally, he decides to return.
Hari goes back quietly and slips the money under the mattress while Anil sleeps. The next morning, Anil gives him a fifty-rupee note and says he will now be paid regularly. The note is still wet from the rain. Anil then says calmly, “Today we’ll start writing sentences.” Hari understands that Anil knows everything—but chooses trust over punishment. Hari smiles, not to trick anyone this time, but because the smile comes naturally.
Hari Singh – clever, young – a thief who learns the value of trust
Anil – kind, trusting – a writer who changes Hari’s life
This story teaches you that trust and kindness can change a person more deeply than fear or punishment ever can. It reminds you that education and honesty open doors that stealing always closes.
the thief’s story Hindi Summary
क्या तुमने कभी किसी पर इतना भरोसा किया है कि तुम्हारा पूरा भविष्य उसके हाथों में हो? और अगर वह व्यक्ति एक चोर निकले—वह भी सिर्फ पंद्रह साल का—तो क्या होगा? यह कहानी तुम्हें उसी शांत पल में ले जाती है, जहाँ एक छोटा-सा फैसला पूरी ज़िंदगी बदल सकता है।
यह अध्याय एक ऐसे कम उम्र के चोर की कहानी है जो एक दयालु और भरोसा करने वाले व्यक्ति अनिल से मिलता है। खाने, रहने और सीखने का मौका मिलने के बाद, जब लालच सामने आता है, तो लड़के के सामने एक कठिन चुनाव खड़ा हो जाता है। अंत में, चोरी नहीं बल्कि ईमानदारी और भरोसा उसकी ज़िंदगी की दिशा बदल देते हैं।
कहानी की शुरुआत हरि सिंह से होती है, जो पंद्रह साल का है और साफ़-साफ़ मानता है कि वह अभी भी एक चोर है। वह चालाक है, अनुभवी है और हर महीने अपना नाम बदलता रहता है ताकि पुलिस से बचा रहे। एक दिन वह कुश्ती का मैच देखते हुए अनिल से मिलता है। अनिल लगभग पच्चीस साल का, लंबा-पतला, शांत स्वभाव का और दयालु दिखता है—हरि की नज़र में चोरी के लिए एक आसान निशाना। थोड़ी-सी चापलूसी से हरि बातचीत शुरू करता है और फिर काम माँगता है। जब अनिल कहता है कि वह पैसे नहीं दे सकता, तो हरि तुरंत खाने की माँग करता है। यही छोटी-सी बात उसके लिए एक नए रास्ते का दरवाज़ा खोल देती है। अनिल उसे जमुना स्वीट शॉप के ऊपर अपने कमरे में ले जाता है और बालकनी में सोने की जगह देता है।
हरि का पहला खाना बहुत खराब बनता है। इतना खराब कि अनिल वह खाना एक आवारा कुत्ते को दे देता है और हरि से चला जाने को कहता है। लेकिन हरि जाता नहीं। वह अपनी सबसे “आकर्षक” मुस्कान के साथ वहीं खड़ा रहता है, और अनिल हँस पड़ता है। अनिल उसे रख लेता है और कहता है कि वह उसे खाना बनाना सिखाएगा। इससे भी ज़्यादा ज़रूरी बात यह है कि वह हरि को अपना नाम लिखना, पूरे वाक्य बनाना और जोड़-घटाना सिखाने लगता है। हरि मन ही मन खुश और आभारी होता है। वह सोचता है, “जब मैं एक पढ़े-लिखे आदमी की तरह लिख सकूँगा, तो मैं कुछ भी कर सकता हूँ।” उसकी ज़िंदगी आसान हो जाती है। वह सुबह चाय बनाता है, बाज़ार से सामान लाता है और चुपचाप रोज़ लगभग एक रुपया बचा लेता है। अनिल शायद यह जानता है, लेकिन उसे बुरा नहीं लगता।
अनिल की कमाई भी अजीब तरह से होती है। कभी उधार लेता है, कभी उधार देता है। वह पत्रिकाओं के लिए लिखता है और जैसे ही चेक मिलता है, दोस्तों के साथ जश्न मनाता है। एक शाम वह घर आता है और बताता है कि उसने एक किताब बेची है। उसके पास छह सौ रुपये होते हैं, जिन्हें वह गद्दे के नीचे रख देता है। हरि यह सब देख लेता है। अनिल उस पर पूरा भरोसा करता है और उसे कमरे की चाबी भी दे रखी है। यही भरोसा चोरी को मुश्किल बना देता है, लेकिन लालच बढ़ता चला जाता है। हरि खुद को समझाता है कि अनिल पैसे यूँ ही उड़ा देगा और उसे यह पैसा लेना चाहिए। रात को चाँदनी में, वह चुपके से हाथ बढ़ाकर गद्दे के नीचे से नोट निकाल लेता है। उसका इरादा लखनऊ जाने वाली 10.30 एक्सप्रेस पकड़ने का होता है।
स्टेशन पर हरि एक पल के लिए रुक जाता है। ट्रेन चल पड़ती है और वह चूक जाता है। प्लेटफॉर्म पर अकेला खड़ा वह खाली-सा महसूस करता है। वह बाज़ार से होता हुआ चलता है और सोचता है कि चोरी होने पर लोग कैसे प्रतिक्रिया देते हैं। उसे पता है कि अनिल दुखी होगा—पैसे के लिए नहीं, बल्कि टूटे हुए भरोसे के लिए। ठंडी और बरसाती रात में वह मैदान में बैठता है। जेब में रखे नोट भीग चुके होते हैं। तब उसे एहसास होता है कि उसने क्या खो दिया है—खाना, छत, अपनापन और सीखने का मौका। उसे याद आता है कि “पूरे वाक्य” उसे चोरी से कहीं ज़्यादा दे सकते हैं। आखिरकार वह वापस जाने का फैसला करता है।
हरि चुपचाप लौटता है और सोते हुए अनिल के गद्दे के नीचे पैसे वापस रख देता है। अगली सुबह अनिल उसे पचास रुपये का नोट देता है और कहता है कि अब उसे नियमित तनख्वाह मिलेगी। नोट अभी भी बारिश से गीला होता है। फिर अनिल शांति से कहता है, “आज हम पूरे वाक्य लिखना शुरू करेंगे।” हरि समझ जाता है कि अनिल सब जानता है, लेकिन उसने सज़ा नहीं दी। हरि मुस्कुराता है—इस बार किसी को धोखा देने के लिए नहीं, बल्कि इसलिए कि मुस्कान अपने-आप आ जाती है।
हरि सिंह – चालाक, कम उम्र का – एक चोर जो भरोसे की कीमत सीखता है
अनिल – दयालु, भरोसा करने वाला – एक लेखक जो हरि की ज़िंदगी बदल देता है
यह कहानी तुम्हें सिखाती है कि भरोसा और दया किसी इंसान को डर या सज़ा से कहीं ज़्यादा बदल सकते हैं। यह याद दिलाती है कि शिक्षा और ईमानदारी ऐसे दरवाज़े खोलती हैं, जिन्हें चोरी हमेशा के लिए बंद कर देती है।
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
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
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.
- 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)
Q1. Give a character sketch of Hari Singh.
- Hari Singh is a fifteen-year-old thief, clever and experienced.
- He changes his name often to escape the police.
- He is dishonest but intelligent and observant.
- Under Anil’s care, he learns cooking and basic education.
- Trust and kindness slowly affect his thinking.
- Though tempted by money, he feels guilt after stealing.
- He realizes that education offers a better future than theft.
- His return of the money shows inner change and growth.
Q2. Describe Anil’s role in changing Hari Singh’s life.
- Anil is kind, patient, and trusting.
- He gives Hari food, shelter, and work without suspicion.
- He teaches Hari to read, write, and count.
- He never scolds or punishes him, even after the theft.
- His silent understanding and forgiveness touch Hari deeply.
- Anil believes in reform, not punishment.
- His trust helps Hari choose honesty over crime.
Q3. Explain the theme of the story “The Thief’s Story.”
- The story highlights the power of trust and kindness.
- It shows that education can change a person’s life.
- Greed brings only fear, but honesty brings peace.
- Forgiveness can reform even a criminal mind.
- True wealth lies in learning and self-respect, not stolen money.
- 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.