‘The thief’s Story’ extra questions will help in understanding the lesson. Extra questions help in revising the chapter and develop capability in designing answers to any question asked from the chapters. here are given Short as well as Long answer type questions and their answers. Go through them properly.

Extra Questions: The Thief’s Story Class 10 English Book ‘Footprints without Feet’

Short Questions and Answers

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 easy-going 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 to look for an opportunity that may help him give shape to his plans. Though he was a thief so he wanted to be educated like him.

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?

Answer: When Anil started 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 had at that time. This made him go back to Anil.

Question 6:  Did Hari like working for Anil? Give reasons in support of your answers.

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?

Answer: 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 not 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.

Question 9:  How was the morning after 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 you do 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 have 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

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 Hari had robbed the money at first but his subsequent action gave him hope of change in Hari’s character.

Question 12:  In which queer way did Anil make a living?

Answer: Anil made a living by writing for magazines which seemed queer for Hari, because the money was earned by fits and starts and not on a regular basis.

Long Questions and Answers

Question 1:  Money can’t make a man as much as education can. Elucidate the statement.

Answer: The statement stands true in almost all the aspects of life. Money may but us all the luxuries and fulfil our needs but it cannot buy us knowledge, civilised thinking, skill 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 befriends the struggling author ‘Anil’, in the plans of making a steal. Anil, the author is a good fellow and wants to teach Hari Singh how to read and write. Gradually, he develops trust in Hari Singh. But Hari Singh has been waiting for the right moment to steal the valuables of Anil. After stealing money from Anil, Hari Singh tries to go away forever. But some inner voice stops him from doing so. He returned to Anil because he wants to live a life of respect. This shows that 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 Anil.  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 (changed) 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.

The whole incident clearly shows that it might be difficult to choose a path of honour and respect but the inner satisfaction and peace are the most valuable assets, we need in our life. When we realise the value of love, care and affection than the easy way of stealing money, we would prefer to choose the path of hard  work and dedication. Here, in the story, we see that Hari Singh preferred the love and affection of Anil to the money he stole from him. As he realised that trust and care are more powerful than any other thing in life.