Home / NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story

Read and Find Out
Page 8

Question 1.
Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Answer:
I refers to Hari Singh, the narrator of the story who is a 15 year old experienced thief.

Question 2.
What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?
Answer:
He is a fairly successful hand at stealing. He is an experienced thief. He is so clean and swift in his work that he robs people without being caught.

Question 3.
What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Answer:
In return of Hari Singh’s work, Anil gives him food and a place to live in.

Page 10
Question 4.
How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Answer:
According to Hari, Anil would be sad not because of the loss of money but because of the loss of trust he had in Hari.

Question 5.
What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Answer:
Hari’s experience at theft had made him aware of differences in reactions of peofJle when they’re robbed. According to him, a greedy man shows fear; the rich, anger and a poor man, acceptance.

Question 6.
Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Answer:
Yes, Anil realised that he had been robbed, as he gave a fifty rupee note to Hari which was still damp due to the night’s rain.

Think About It
(Page 13)

Question 1.
What are Hari Singh’s reactions at the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change overtime? {Hint: compare, for example, the thought: ‘I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve’ with these later thoughts:
‘Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees. It was a simple matter to steal and sometimes just as simple to be caught. But to be a really big man, a clever and respected man, was something else.’) What makes him return to Anil?
Answer:
Hari was very happy and grateful when he learned to write his name. He was very excited when Anil promised to teach him to write whole sentences as well. He knew that being an educated man will add to his abilities and he could achieve anything. But when he left Anil’s house, he realised that stealing was simply a crime to indulge himself but being educated was an entirely different thing. He knew the respect, reputation and possibilities that would come to him once he was educated. And so his urge to receive education compelled him to return to Anil.

Question 2.
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:
Unlike others, Anil does not handover Hari to the police on theft charges. He knew about the theft but he did not thrash him nor even mentioned it in front of Hari. He was glad that Hari had realised his mistake and the importance of education in life.
Anil wanted Hari to become a literate man and lead a respectful life.
He is different from other such employers because he is very understanding. Hari’s return gave him the hope of a change in him.

Talk About It
(Page 13)

Question 1.
Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Answer:
People like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction. Though exceptions might be there, these people are rarely found. Anil was a kind and considerate person who was concerned, about Hari’s education and future. And Hari was a thief whose heart changes after realising the importance of education for his future. People like these are imaginary in today’s world.

Question 2.
Do you think it is a significant detail i story that Anil is a struggling writer? this explain his behaviour in any way
Answer:
Yes, it is a significant detail that Anil is a struggling writer. His lifestyle was simple and used to spend according to his pocket at all time His struggle sometimes gave him a lot of income while at other times he used to worry about the next payment. Hari’s observation about the discontinuation in his work justifies his behave regarding money.

Question 3.
Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? Can you think and imagine the circumstances that can turn a fifteen year old boy into a thief?
Answer:
No, I haven’t met anyone like Hari Singh but the existence of such people is certain. A fifteen year old boy can be forced by circumstances to become a thief. It may be the need to feed the stomach, to satisfy illegal addiction, to maintain health, to fulfil luxurious demands etc

Question 4.
Where is the story set? (You can get clues from the names of the persons and places mentioned in it). Which language or languages are spoken in these places? Do you think the characters in the story spoke to each other in English?
Answer:
The story is set somewhere in Uttar Pradesh near Lucknow. We can say so because the story mentions that there is a railway station for Express train to Lucknow. The presence of sweet shops and bazaars also indicate it to be a decent-sized town. No, the characters in the story do not speak to each other in English but probably in Hindi.

The Thief’s Story Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet

Extract Based Questions [3 Marks each]

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
“You look a bit of a wrestler yourself”. I said A little flattery helps in making friends.
(a) Who was the speaker? Who was he trying to flatter?
(b) Why did the speaker want to be friends with the listener?
(c) Find the antonym of ‘criticism’ in the extract.
(d) What is the opposite of ‘friends’?
Answer:
(a) Hari Singh was the speaker and he was trying to flatter Anil.
(b) The speaker wanted to be friends with the listener because he wanted to rob him after gaining his trust.
(c) The antonym is ‘flattery’.
(d) ‘Enemies’ is its opposite.

Question 2.
Well, it’s time I did some real work, I told myself; I’m out of practice. [CBSE 2013]
(a) What ‘real work’ is the speaker talking about?
(b) Why does the speaker say ‘I’m out of practice’?
(c) Give a synonym of ‘practice’.
(d) What part of speech is the word ‘real’ in the extract?
Answer:
(a) The ‘real work’ in the extract refers to stealing.
(b) The speaker says so because he is a thief and he has not robbed anyone recently.
(c) Here, habit is a synonym of‘practice’.
(d) It is an adjective

Question 3.
When the train had gone, I found myself standing alone on the deserted platform. I had no idea where to spend the night. I had no friends. [CBSE 2014]
(a) Why was the speaker standing alone on the platform?
(b) Why did he not have any friends?
(c) Which word in the extract is an antonym of the word ‘crowded’?
(d) What does ‘deserted’ mean?
Answer:
(a) The speaker was standing alone on the platform because a train had just left.
(b) The speaker did not have any friends because he thought that friends were more trouble than help.
(c) The word is ‘deserted’.
(d) It means empty.

Question 4.
He knew. But neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything.
(a) Who is ‘he’ in the extract? What did he know?
(b) Why did he not show anything?
(c) Which word in the extract means the same as ‘reveal’.
(d) What is the antonym of ‘showed’?
Answer:
(a) ‘He’ refers to Anil in the extract. He knew about the theft of his money.
(b) Anil did not show anything because he was understanding and Hari’s return gave him the hope of a change in him.
(c) ‘Showed’ means the same as ‘reveal’.
(d) ‘Hide’ is its antonym.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks each]

Question 1.
Why did Hari Singh approach Anil?
Answer:
Hari Singh was a thief who had not much luck in his work recently. So he approached Anil with the intention of robbing him, as he seemed to be an easygoing and simple man. According to Hari, winning Anil’s confidence was an easy task.

Question 2.
Anil walked away. I followed casually’. Why do you think the narrator followed Anil?
Answer:
The narrator’s purpose of robbing Anil had not yet been served. He followed Anil to gain his trust and look for an opportunity that may help him give shape to his plans.

Question 3.
Was Hari Singh successful in robbing Anil? Was Anil the only one who was robbed or did Hari also rob himself of something?
Answer:
Yes, Hari Singh was successful in robbing Anil. But Anil was not the only one who was robbed at that time. Hari had robbed himself as well. He had lost the chance of receiving education and being literate. He had robbed Anil monetarily but he had robbed himself of the chance for a better and brighter future, which was much more valuable.

Question 4.
What did Anil and Hari agree upon to be the mode of payment? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
When Anil stated his inability to pay Hari, Anil questioned Hari if he could feed Hari. Hari realised that he had misjudged his target and moulded the situation for his benefit. Anil then agreed to feed him if he knew how to cook.

Question 5.
What made Hari Singh go back to Anil’s house?
Answer:
Hari Singh realised the importance of education he was receiving from Anil. He knew that learning how to read and write and being a literate person would open doors to many opportunities. He was sure that he would then be able to earn more than a few hundred rupees he had in hand at that time. This made him go back to Anil.

Question 6.
Did Hari like working for Anil? Give reasons in support of your answer. [CBSE 2014]
Answer:
Yes, Hari liked working for Anil. He was happy to carry on the chores for him and was grateful for the education he was receiving. He used to make profit of about a rupee a day as well, which was a decent amount besides being fed.

Question 7.
Why was it difficult for Hari to rob Anil?
Answer:
It was difficult for Hari to rob Anil because Anil was the most trusting person Hari had ever met. He was really simple and kind. Hari knew that loss of money will not affect Anil but the loss of trust will make him sad.

Question 8.
State the events that took place on the night of the theft. [CBSE 2016]
Answer:
The night of robbery vitas quite eventful for Hari Singh. After stealing Anil’s money and leaving Anil’s house, Hari went to the railway station but didn’t board the train to Lucknow. He walked slowly through the bazaar as he did i ot know anyone who would provide him shelter except Anil, for he didn’t have any friends. He was forced to take shelter under the clock tower later when it started raining heavily. That is where he realised the importance of education and decided to go back to Anil.

Question 9.
How was the morning after the night of the theft?
Answer:
The morning after the night of the theft was just like a normal one. Hari woke up late and Anil had made tea by then. Anil gave a fifty rupee note to Hari and told him that he will now be paid regularly. Hari was aware that Anil knew about the theft but he didn’t show anything.

Question 10.
How do you think Anil may have come to know about the theft?
Answer:
Anil may have come to know about the theft because of the dampness of the notes because of rain. He was a kind but wise .man. It wouldn’t haye been difficult for Anil to make out the series of events that would have taken place in the night.

Question 11.
Had Anil really forgiven Hari Singh? Support your answer with evidence. [CBSE 2012]
Answer:
Yes, Anil had forgiven Hari Singh. It is evident because Anil handed over to Hari a fifty rupee note as soon as Hari woke up. Though he knew that Hari had robbed the money at first but his subsequent actions gave him hope of change in Hari’s character.

Long Answer (Value Based) Type Questions [8 Marks each]

Question 1.
Money can’t make a man as much as education can. Elucidate the statement. [CBSE 2013]
Answer:
The statement stands true in almost all the aspects of life. Money may buy us all the luxuries and fulfil our needs but it cannot buy us knowledge, civilised thinking, skills and abilities to achieve our dreams. Education lays the platform for all to act upon our goals according to our abilities. Education enables us to keep up with the fast moving world. It opens the door to opportunities we do not know even exist. Money, on the other hand, can assist us to a certain level. It can buy us a plan but education gives us the knowledge of its execution. Just as in the story ‘A Thief s Story’, Hari Singh prioritised the chance of being literate over a few hundred rupees, we must understand that education can help us to achieve whatever we desire.

Question 2.
Hari Singh didn’t board the express and returned to Amil. Why did he return? On what values does this incidence put light on?
Answer:
Hari Singh was a thief and he had stolen Anil’s money. After the theft, he realised that he had robbed not only Anil but also himself of the chance of being literate and having a bright future. His conscience pricked him to think what all he could have got had he not done this. It was difficult for him to rob Anil but it was tougher for him not to back. He realised that he could not make tea, buy daily supplies and learn how to read and write then. His inner self did not agree to bypass this and forced him to return.
Hari’s return to Anil shows that despite indulging in criminal acts, he still had a practical and positive attitude towards life. It is the awakening of Hari’s conscience and Anil’s love and care that reformed Hari’s character. It teaches us that love alone can change a person. Anil’s understanding nature and care changed Hari’s thinking to mend his ways for good.

MCQ Questions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story with Answers

Question 1.
What was the name of the shop above which Anil lived?
(a) Laddu Sweet Shop
(b) Rasgulla Sweet Shop
(c) Jamun Sweet Shop
(d) Jumna Sweet Shop

Answer

Answer: (d) Jumna Sweet Shop


Question 2.
What do you mean by the word “unlined”?
(a) in a line
(b) showing no sign of worry or anxiety
(c) none of the above

Answer

Answer: (b) showing no sign of worry or anxiety


Question 3.
Did Anil say anything about the robbery?
(a) yes
(b) no
(c) maybe
(d) none of the above

Answer

Answer: (b) no


Question 4.
How, according to the narrator, would Anil feel upon finding out?
(a) angry
(b) fear
(c) acceptance
(d) sad

Answer

Answer: (d) sad


Question 5.
How much money did he steal?
(a) 500
(b) 600
(c) 700
(d) 800

Answer

Answer: (b) 600


Question 6.
Who is easier to rob?
(a) a careless man
(b) a greedy man
(c) a trusting man
(d) Anil

Answer

Answer: (b) a greedy man


Question 7.
“a queer way to earn money”..What is the meaning of the word “queer”?
(a) strange
(b) famous
(c) rare
(d) illegal

Answer

Answer: (a) strange


Question 8.
What did Anil promise him to teach?
(a) write his name
(b) cook
(c) write full sentences
(d) all of the above

Answer

Answer: (d) all of the above


Question 9.
How was the meal he cooked first night?
(a) delicious
(b) mouth-watering
(c) finger-licking good
(d) terrible

Answer

Answer: (d) terrible


Question 10.
What name did he tell Anil?
(a) Anil Singh
(b) Hari Lal
(c) Hari Singh
(d) Anil Lal

Answer

Answer: (c) Hari Singh


Question 11.
How often did he change his name?
(a) every day
(b) every week
(c) every month
(d) every year

Answer

Answer: (c) every month


Question 12.
How did the narrator attempt at being friends with Anil?
(a) flattering him
(b) teasing him
(c) introducing himself
(d) none of the above

Answer

Answer: (a) flattering him


Question 13.
How has the narrator described Anil?
(a) simple
(b) kind
(c) easy-going
(d) all of the above

Answer

Answer: (d) all of the above


Question 14.
What was the boy’s age?
(a) 15
(b) 25
(c) 20
(d) none of the above

Answer

Answer: (a) 15


Question 15.
What is he a “fairly successful hand” at?
(a) wrestling
(b) stealing
(c) deceiving
(d) working hard

Answer

Answer: (b) stealing


Question 16.
What promise did Anil make to the thief boy?
(a) giving him a good job
(b) giving him good clothes
(c) teaching him reading and writing
(d) playing with him

Answer

Answer: (c) teaching him reading and writing


Question 17.
Which of the following traits describes Anil?
(a) easy-going
(b) careful
(c) greedy
(d) extravagant

Answer

Answer: (a) easy-going


Question 18.
What was the boy’s real profession?
(a) a household servant
(b) theft
(c) cheating
(d) working honestly

Answer

Answer: (b) theft


Question 19.
What did Anil do to the food cooked by the boy the first day?
(a) ate it with enjoy
(b) put it in the cupboard
(c) threw it to a stray dog
(d) asked the boy to eat it all

Answer

Answer: (c) threw it to a stray dog


Question 20.
Anil lived in a room in a shop named :
(a) Jumna Sweet Shop
(b) Ganesh Sweet Shop
(c) Ganga Sweet Shop
(d) Shah Sweet Shop

Answer

Answer: (a) Jumna Sweet Shop


Question 21.
What did Anil do for a living?
(a) wrote articles for magazines
(b) wrestling
(c) acting
(d) business

Answer

Answer: (a) wrote articles for magazines


Question 22.
How old was Anil?
(a) 20 years
(b) 21 years
(c) 22 years
(d) 25 years

Answer

Answer: (d) 25 years


Question 23.
What was the name of the thief boy?
(a) Anil
(b) Ajit Singh
(c) Hari Singh
(d) Chander

Answer

Answer: (c) Hari Singh


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