Introduction
The Thief’s Story by Ruskin Bond is an important chapter from the CBSE Class 10 English textbook Footprints Without Feet. The story beautifully explores themes of trust, kindness, education, honesty, and transformation. Through the relationship between Anil and Hari Singh, the writer shows how love and education can change a person’s life.
About the Author
Ruskin Bond
Ruskin Bond is one of India’s most loved writers. He is famous for writing simple yet emotional stories about human relationships, honesty, kindness, and nature. His stories often focus on ordinary people and moral values. The Thief’s Story is a touching story that teaches the importance of trust and education.
The Thief’s Story Summary in English
The story begins with Hari Singh, a fifteen-year-old thief, meeting Anil at a wrestling match. Hari was an experienced thief who frequently changed his name to avoid the police. He noticed that Anil looked kind, simple, and easy-going, so he decided to gain his trust.
Hari introduced himself and offered to work for Anil. Although Anil could not pay him regularly, he agreed to keep Hari with him if he could cook meals. Hari lied that he knew cooking, but the food he prepared was terrible. Still, Anil laughed and allowed him to stay.
Anil lived a simple life as a struggling writer. He taught Hari how to cook, write his name, and promised to teach him complete sentences and mathematics. Hari slowly began to feel attached to Anil because nobody had trusted him before.
One day, Anil brought home six hundred rupees after selling a book. Hari saw him keeping the money under the mattress. That night, Hari decided to steal the money and run away to Lucknow. He quietly took the notes while Anil slept.
At the railway station, Hari was about to board the train, but suddenly he hesitated. He realised that stealing money was easy, but education and trust were far more valuable. He understood that learning to read and write could help him become a respectable person in life.
Feeling guilty, Hari returned to Anil’s room and secretly placed the money back under the mattress. The next morning, Anil handed Hari a fifty-rupee note and said that he would now pay him regularly. Hari noticed that the note was still wet from the rain, which meant Anil knew about the theft. However, Anil chose to forgive him silently.
The story ends on an emotional note, showing that kindness, trust, and education can transform even a thief into a better human being.
The Thief’s Story Summary in Hindi
चोर की कहानी (The Thief’s Story) हिंदी सारांश
यह कहानी एक पंद्रह वर्षीय चोर हरि सिंह और एक दयालु लेखक अनिल के बीच के संबंध पर आधारित है। हरि सिंह लोगों का भरोसा जीतकर चोरी करता था। एक दिन उसकी मुलाकात अनिल से हुई, जो सरल और दयालु स्वभाव का था।
हरि ने अनिल से काम माँगा। अनिल ने उसे अपने साथ रहने दिया और खाना बनाना तथा लिखना-पढ़ना सिखाने लगा। धीरे-धीरे हरि को महसूस हुआ कि अनिल उस पर भरोसा करता है।
एक दिन अनिल के पास छह सौ रुपये आए। रात को हरि ने पैसे चुरा लिए और स्टेशन पहुँच गया। लेकिन ट्रेन पकड़ने से पहले उसे एहसास हुआ कि शिक्षा और विश्वास पैसे से अधिक महत्वपूर्ण हैं। उसे लगा कि पढ़-लिखकर वह सम्मानजनक जीवन जी सकता है।
वह वापस लौटा और चुपचाप पैसे वापस रख दिए। अगली सुबह अनिल ने उसे कुछ नहीं कहा, बल्कि उसे पचास रुपये देकर पढ़ाई जारी रखने को कहा। इससे हरि को समझ आया कि विश्वास और दया इंसान को बदल सकते हैं।
The Thief’s Story Summary in Assamese
“The Thief’s Story” অসমীয়া সাৰাংশ
এই গল্পটো হৰি সিং নামৰ পনৰ বছৰীয়া এজন চোৰ আৰু অনিল নামৰ এজন দয়ালু লেখকৰ মাজৰ সম্পৰ্কৰ ওপৰত আধাৰিত। হৰি সিং মানুহৰ বিশ্বাস জয় কৰি চুৰি কৰিছিল। এদিন তেওঁ অনিলক লগ পায় আৰু তেওঁৰ লগত কাম কৰিবলৈ আৰম্ভ কৰে।
অনিল দৰিদ্ৰ লেখক আছিল, কিন্তু তেওঁ হৰিক ৰন্ধন, লিখা-পঢ়া আৰু গণিত শিকাবলৈ আৰম্ভ কৰে। ধীৰে ধীৰে হৰিয়ে অনুভৱ কৰে যে অনিল তেওঁৰ ওপৰত বিশ্বাস কৰে।
এদিন অনিলে ছয়শ টকা ঘৰত ৰাখে। ৰাতি হৰিয়ে টকাখিনি চুৰি কৰি ষ্টেচনত যায়। কিন্তু ট্ৰেইনত উঠাৰ আগতে তেওঁ অনুভৱ কৰে যে শিক্ষা আৰু বিশ্বাস টকাৰ পৰা অধিক মূল্যবান। তেওঁ বুজি পায় যে শিক্ষাই তেওঁক সন্মানীয় মানুহ বনাব পাৰে।
তেওঁ ঘূৰি আহি টকাখিনি উভতাই দিয়ে। পিছদিনা অনিলে তেওঁক কিছু নক’ই পঞ্চাশ টকাৰ নোট দিয়ে। ইয়াৰ জৰিয়তে হৰি সিংৰ জীৱনত পৰিবর্তন আহে।
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Appealing | Attractive or pleasing |
| Lean | Thin and tall |
| Grunting | Making low rough sounds |
| Confidence | Trust or belief |
| Hesitated | Stopped due to confusion or fear |
| Drizzle | Light rain |
| Deserted | Empty |
| Scar | Mark left after injury |
| Greedy | Wanting more and more |
| Trust | Belief in honesty |
| Creeped | Moved quietly |
| Affection | Love and care |
Character Sketches
Hari Singh – Character Sketch
Hari Singh is a clever, smart, and experienced young thief. Although he is only fifteen years old, he knows how to cheat people and avoid the police by changing his name frequently. In the beginning, he is dishonest and steals money for survival. However, after meeting Anil, his character slowly changes. Anil’s kindness, trust, and education deeply influence him. Hari realises that becoming educated and respectable is more important than stealing money. He finally returns the stolen notes, showing honesty, guilt, and emotional growth. Hari Singh represents transformation, self-realisation, and the power of trust.
Anil – Character Sketch
Anil is a kind, generous, and understanding young writer. He lives a simple life and trusts people easily. Although he knows Hari sometimes cheats while buying groceries, he ignores it because he wants to help the boy improve. Anil teaches Hari cooking, writing, and mathematics patiently. Even after understanding that Hari stole his money, he silently forgives him instead of punishing him. His behaviour shows maturity, wisdom, and compassion. Anil believes that education and kindness can change a person’s life. He symbolizes humanity, trust, forgiveness, and positive guidance.
Textual Questions and Answers
1. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Yes, such people exist in real life too. Many poor children become thieves because of difficult circumstances and lack of education. Similarly, kind-hearted people like Anil also exist who help others selflessly. The story reflects real human emotions, trust, kindness, and transformation found in society.
2. Do you think it is significant that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour?
Yes, it is significant because Anil understands hardship and struggle. Being a writer, he is sensitive, intelligent, and compassionate. His simple lifestyle and broad thinking explain why he forgives Hari and believes in improving him through education instead of punishment.
3. Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? Can you imagine circumstances that can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief?
Poverty, lack of education, loneliness, and bad company can force young children towards crime. Many children steal for survival. Hari Singh’s life shows how difficult situations and lack of guidance can negatively influence young minds.
4. Where is the story set? Which language or languages are spoken there?
The story is set in North India, probably around Delhi or Lucknow. Clues such as the Jumna Sweet Shop and Lucknow Express suggest this setting. Languages like Hindi, Urdu, and local dialects are commonly spoken there. The characters most likely spoke Hindi.
Extra Important Questions and Answers
Why did Hari Singh return the stolen money?
Hari Singh returned the money because he realised that Anil’s trust and education were more valuable than stolen money. He wanted to become educated and respected instead of remaining a thief forever.
Why did Anil forgive Hari Singh?
Anil understood that Hari was changing and feeling guilty. Instead of punishing him, he silently forgave him because he believed kindness and education could reform the boy permanently.
What lesson do we learn from The Thief’s Story?
The story teaches that trust, kindness, and education can transform a person completely. It also shows that honesty and self-realisation are more important than money.
Competency-Based Questions and Answers
1. How does education change Hari Singh’s thinking?
Education changes Hari Singh’s life completely. Earlier, he believed stealing was the easiest way to survive. However, after meeting Anil, he understands that education can give him respect, confidence, and a better future. He realises that learning is more valuable than stolen money.
2. Why is trust an important theme in the story?
Trust is the foundation of the story. Anil trusts Hari despite knowing his dishonest habits. This trust creates guilt and emotional conflict within Hari. Finally, it transforms him into a better person and encourages him to return the stolen money.
3. How does Ruskin Bond present human values in the story?
Ruskin Bond highlights values like kindness, forgiveness, honesty, and compassion through Anil’s character. The story shows that positive behaviour and understanding can reform people more effectively than punishment.
Important Themes
Trust and Forgiveness
The story shows that trust and forgiveness have the power to change human behaviour positively.
Importance of Education
Education gives Hari hope for a better future and helps him choose honesty over crime.
Transformation
Hari changes from a selfish thief into a responsible and emotional human being.
Human Kindness
Anil’s kindness proves that compassion can reform people more effectively than strict punishment.
Conclusion
The Thief’s Story Summary beautifully teaches students the importance of trust, education, kindness, and honesty. Through simple language and emotional storytelling, Ruskin Bond presents a powerful message that every person deserves a second chance in life.
For CBSE Class 10 students, this chapter is extremely important for board examinations because it contains valuable moral lessons, character analysis, and competency-based learning.
Founder of Englishfry.com, a captivating and knowledge-driven blog & Founder of Android app/website Studyfunnel.com, an online Mock Test Series Portal. With a wealth of experience spanning over 20+ years, he has excelled as an Ex-Asst.Professor, Teacher, Amazon published author, Website Developer, Graphic Designer,Blogger,Poet, and Creative academic content writer publisher of 4 academic books available Online on Amazon & Flipkart.Internationally Certified as the World’s Top 100 admired Educator 2021 by theexcelligent.com,National Award recipient-Golden Quill award for Best English educator 2024,Receipent of Indian Literature Award 2026.His tryst in Literature helped him realize his love for writing and telling stories. A tech-savvy language nerd by day and, a passionate writer by night, he now translates his experiences into tales of wisdom served with a side of humor.His widely recognized profound insights ,captivating writing style of weaving words make him contribute to prestigious publications and a sought-after authority in the field that transport readers to extraordinary worlds.
