The NCERT Solutions for this prose chapter, prepared as per the latest NCERT syllabus and CBSE guidelines, provide students with practical study tools to excel in their examinations. Each question in the textbook is answered clearly and precisely, helping students grasp the story’s plot, characters, and underlying themes confidently.
Chapter 2 of the Class 10 English textbook Footprints without Feet is titled “The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond. This captivating chapter narrates the encounter between a young thief and a kind-hearted man named Hari Singh. The story explores themes of trust, kindness, honesty, and personal transformation as the thief experiences a change of heart through Hari Singh’s generosity.
Get the Class 10 English Chapter 2 NCERT Solutions in PDF format for free. Here is how the story of trust, kindness, and change unfolds in The Thief’s Story:
The Thief’s Story is a touching narrative about a young thief who plans to rob Hari Singh but is moved by his kindness and trust. The Thief’s story highlights how compassion and understanding can lead to self-realization and change.
This chapter covers essential ideas such as:
Ans. In this story, 'I' refers to the thief. 2. What is he "a fairly successful hand" at?
Ans. He was "a fairly successful hand" at stealing and robbing people. 3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Ans. When Hari asked Anil if he could work for him, Anil said that he could not pay him. Finally, the agreement was that if he cooked, then Anil would feed him. However, Anil soon found out that he did not know how to cook. Therefore, he taught him how to cook and later, how to write his name. He promised he would teach him how to write whole sentences and how to add numbers. Apart from this, when Hari went out to buy the day's supplies, he would make a profit of a rupee a day. 4. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Ans. The thief thought that on discovering the theft, Anil's face would show a touch of sadness. The sadness would not be for the loss of money, but for the loss of trust. 5. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Ans. In his short career as a thief, he had made a study of men's faces when they lost their goods. He said that the greedy men showed fear; the rich men showed anger and the poor men showed acceptance. 6. Does Anil realize that he has been robbed?
Ans. Yes, Anil had realized that he had been robbed. He knew this probably because all the notes were wet and damp from the rain. However, he did not say anything to the thief and behaved normally.
Ans. Anil does not hand the thief over to the police because he has put the money back at its place. It shows that he realized his fault. He wants to make amends for his ways. He must have felt guilty with himself. Anil wants to give him one more chance and therefore forgives him.
No, in today's world most people would not have done so. Although it must be done but such sort of patience and compassion are rarely found now a days in this human world. 3. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Ans. No, I don't think that people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction. There are such people in real life also. Although such people are rare in today's society. If one is caught stealing, people will first beat him severely. Then he will be handed over to the police. It should be realized that a human being is bound to commit errors. One chance for reforming oneself must be given. This is the only way to bring anyone to right path. Punishing severely is not the only solution. Strictness can make them an absolute criminal. 4. Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
Ans. Hari Singh's observation about Anil getting irregular income and Anil's statement about his sale of a book to a publisher indicates that he is a struggling writer. He lives life according to the flow of money he gets at a given time. When he gets the money he enjoys eating out with his friends. When he is having less money then he even doesn't accept paying salary to Hari Singh.
(Session 2025 - 26)