EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY

“The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond is a sensitive and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of trust, kindness, transformation, and human values. The story is written in the first person by a young thief, providing readers with insight into his inner thoughts, moral conflict, and eventual change of heart.
The protagonist is a 15-year-old boy who changes his name frequently to avoid getting caught by the police. At the start of the story, he introduces himself as Hari Singh, a name he had recently adopted. He is clever, observant, and experienced in the art of stealing. One day, he meets a simple, kind-hearted man named Anil, a 25-year-old writer, and cleverly strikes up a conversation with him at a wrestling match.

Anil is trusting by nature and agrees to let Hari stay with him in exchange for helping with household chores. He doesn’t even ask Hari about his background. The two begin to live together in a modest way. Anil teaches Hari how to cook (though poorly at first), how to read and write, and even gives him small amounts of money when he earns something. Hari, though dishonest at heart, is struck by Anil’s genuine care and trust.

Despite his growing fondness for Anil, the thief’s instinct takes over when he notices a bundle of currency notes under Anil’s mattress. One night, he gives in to temptation, steals the money, and runs away. But as he walks through the dark streets of the city, a conflict rages within him. He imagines Anil’s reaction — not of anger, but of sadness and betrayal. He also realizes that with Anil, he had a chance to learn, to grow, and to lead a respectable life. The ability to read and write, something Anil was teaching him, could give him real independence and a better future — something no amount of stolen money could.

Haunted by guilt and a sense of loss, he returns to Anil’s room, quietly places the money back under the mattress, and goes to sleep. The next morning, Anil hands him a fifty-rupee note, saying nothing about the theft, though Hari senses he might have known. More importantly, Anil tells him that he will now teach him how to write whole sentences — a gesture that confirms both forgiveness and faith in his potential.

The story ends on a note of hope and transformation. Hari Singh decides to give up his dishonest life, realizing that trust and education are more powerful than theft and deception. Anil’s quiet understanding and belief in Hari’s goodness change the boy’s life forever.

In essence, “The Thief’s Story” is not about crime or punishment but about redemption. It shows that even those who stray from the right path can be brought back with kindness and trust. The story delivers a powerful message: a little compassion and faith can awaken the conscience of even the most misguided soul.

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Passage

I had made up my mind at that moment. I would go back to Anil and return the money. I crept back to the room and slipped the notes under the mattress. My heart was beating fast. I lay down quietly. The next morning, Anil gave me a fifty-rupee note. His face was calm. I knew he knew.



✅ Q1. Fill in the blank (1 mark)
I __ back to the room and slipped the notes under the mattress. (phrasal verb for “moved quietly”)
Answer: crept

✅ Q2. Multiple Choice Question (1 mark)
Which of the following is the one-word substitution for “a person who feels remorse after doing wrong”?
A) Criminal
B) Repentant
C) Thief
D) Miser
Answer: Repentant

✅ Q3. Answer in 15 words (1 mark)
Why did the narrator decide to return the stolen money?
Answer:
He felt guilty and realized Anil’s trust and education offered him a better future.

✅ Q4. Answer in 40 words (2 marks)
How did Anil respond the next morning, and what does it reveal about his character?
Answer:
Anil gave the narrator money without mentioning the theft. His calmness revealed wisdom, silent forgiveness, and faith. He believed in reform through trust rather than punishment. His response reflected deep emotional intelligence and a desire to uplift rather than condemn.

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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

✅ Q1. Why did Hari Singh choose Anil as his next target? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Hari Singh chose Anil because he appeared simple, kind, and easy to fool. Anil was a 25-year-old writer with a trusting nature and a careless attitude toward money. Hari believed he could easily gain Anil’s confidence, stay with him, and eventually steal from him without much risk or resistance due to his soft nature.

✅ Q2. What qualities of Anil made him different from other people Hari had robbed? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Anil was genuinely kind, trusting, and generous. He welcomed Hari without asking questions, taught him how to cook, read, and write, and never doubted his intentions. Unlike others, he didn’t treat Hari with suspicion or superiority. His affection was quiet but sincere, making Hari feel respected and emotionally connected for the first time in his life.

✅ Q3. What internal conflict did Hari Singh experience after stealing the money? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
After stealing the money, Hari Singh felt guilt and fear. Though he had successfully escaped, he couldn’t enjoy the theft. He realized he had betrayed a man who trusted him and offered him a better future. The emotional conflict between dishonesty and the possibility of becoming educated and respected deeply troubled him.

✅ Q4. How does the story show that trust and love can reform a person? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Anil’s unconditional trust and quiet care gave Hari Singh something he had never experienced before — dignity. This bond awakened his conscience. When he realized that stealing would destroy the trust and the chance of a better life, he chose honesty. The story shows that emotional connections can change people more than punishment ever could.

✅ Q5. Do you think education was more valuable to Hari Singh than the stolen money? Justify your answer. (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
Yes, education was more valuable to Hari Singh than the stolen money. Although he had fifty rupees in hand — a significant amount for a young thief — he could not find peace. He realized that with Anil’s help, he could learn to read and write, which would offer long-term respectability and independence. Money could be stolen, spent, or lost quickly, but education was something he could earn and build a future on. Anil’s willingness to teach him reflected belief in his potential, which moved Hari. For the first time, he saw the possibility of becoming an honest man. In choosing to return the money, he chose education, self-respect, and transformation — things far more valuable than temporary wealth.

✅ Q6. If you were in Hari Singh’s place, would you have returned the money? Explain your thoughts. (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
If I were in Hari Singh’s place, I would have returned the money. Like him, I would feel torn between my old habits and the opportunity to live an honest life. Anil’s kindness, his decision to trust without judgment, and his effort to educate me would stir my conscience. Knowing someone believes in me, even when I have nothing to offer, would make me want to be better. The feeling of betrayal would be too heavy to carry. I’d realize that keeping the money would give short-term gain, but earning respect and dignity through honesty would lead to long-term peace. Returning the money would be difficult, but I would do it — as a first step toward change.

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