class 10 English - Very Important & Question Anwers

Short Answer Type Questions (2-3 Marks)

Word limit: 30-40 words

Q1. Who is the narrator of the story? Why did he change his name every month?

Ans: The narrator is a 15-year-old boy who calls himself Hari Singh. He is a seasoned thief. He changes his name every month to stay ahead of the police and his former employers, making it difficult for them to track him down.

Q2. What kind of a person was Anil?

Ans: Anil was a 25-year-old tall, lean man. He was a struggling writer who made money “by fits and starts.” He was kind, simple, easy-going, and trusting—qualities that made him an easy target for Hari Singh.

Q3. Why did Hari Singh want to work for Anil?

Ans: Hari Singh’s primary motive was to rob Anil. He saw Anil at a wrestling match and thought he looked easy to cheat. He used his “appealing smile” to gain Anil’s confidence so he could get into his house.

Q4. Why was it difficult for Hari Singh to rob Anil?

Ans: Hari Singh felt it was easy to rob a greedy man because he could afford to be robbed. However, robbing a careless and trusting man like Anil was difficult because Anil wouldn’t even notice he had been robbed, which took all the “pleasure out of the work.”

Q5. What did Anil teach Hari Singh?

Ans: Anil taught Hari how to cook (even though the first meal was terrible). More importantly, he taught Hari how to write his name and promised to teach him how to write whole sentences and add numbers.

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Long Answer Type Questions (5 Marks)

Word limit: 100-120 words

Q1. Describe the internal conflict Hari Singh faced at the railway station.

Ans: After stealing Anil’s 600 rupees, Hari reached the station just as the Lucknow Express was moving. He could have easily jumped into a carriage, but he hesitated. His conscience began to prick him. He thought of Anil’s face—not showing anger, but a “touch of sadness” for the loss of trust. He realized that Anil was teaching him to read and write, which could give him a much better life than stealing ever could. The conflict was between his criminal instinct (money) and his desire for an education (dignity). Ultimately, his desire for a respectable life won, and he returned to Anil.

Q2. Give a character sketch of Anil. How did he influence Hari Singh?

Ans: Anil is the moral anchor of the story. He is a trusting and compassionate individual who earns money irregularly but has a heart of gold. Even though he knew Hari was stealing small change from the daily groceries, he never said anything. He represents the power of unconditional trust. By treating Hari as a human being and promising to educate him, he gave Hari a vision of a future beyond crime. Anil’s greatest strength was his silence; even at the end, when he knew Hari had tried to steal the money (as the notes were still damp), he didn’t hand him over to the police but gave him fifty rupees and a fresh start.

Q3. “Education is a better tool for success than stealing.” Discuss with reference to the story.

Ans: Hari Singh realized that as a thief, he could only earn a few hundred rupees at a time and would always live in fear of the law. However, he knew that “to be a really big man, a clever and respected man,” he needed to be literate. He understood that education would bring him status, respect, and a steady income that stealing never could. This realization is the turning point of the story. It shows that while crime might provide temporary gain, education provides long-term empowerment and the opportunity to live with dignity in society.

Q4. How does the story “The Thief’s Story” show that trust can change a person?

Ans: The story proves that “love and kindness can win over even the most hardened criminal.” Hari Singh was an expert thief at 15, but Anil’s absolute trust disarmed him. Anil gave Hari the key to the door and never doubted him. When Hari finally did steal the money, it was this trust that brought him back. He couldn’t bear the thought of hurting a man who was so good to him. The damp notes at the end of the story symbolize Hari’s “cleansed” soul. Anil’s decision not to expose Hari further solidified this change, proving that a second chance is more powerful than punishment.

Q5. Why did Hari Singh go back to Anil? Was it just for the money or something more?

Ans: Hari Singh did not go back for the money; he already had the money in his pocket. He went back for the opportunity to be educated. He realized that he had “forgotten about the sentences” in the excitement of the theft. He knew that without Anil, his path to literacy would end. He craved the respect that comes with being an educated man. His return was an act of courage—he risked being caught to preserve his chance at a better life. It was a victory of his soul over his greed.