Introduction: The Thief's Story - Class 10 PDF Download

About the Author- Ruskin Bond 
Ruskin Bond – A Short Biography

About the Author 

Ruskin Bond is a famous Indian writer in English. He was born on 19 May 1934. Ruskin’s father was with the Royal Air Force. At the age of ten, Ruskin started living with his grandmother in Dehradun after his father’s death in 1944. He spent four years in London where he started writing his first novel, The Room on the Roof. Ruskin Bond is now recognised as a leading writer in English, particularly known for his short stories. He currently lives in Landour, Mussoorie’s Ivy Cottage which has been his residence since 1964. 

INTRODUCTION 

Ruskin Bond is a famous Indian writer. ‘The Thief’s Story’ is one of his well-known stories. In this story, the writer shows how the reformation of a criminal is best achieved through love and understanding rather than punishment. Hari Singh is a thief and a cheat. He comes into contact with Anil. Anil gives him work in his house. One day Hari Singh steals Anil’s money and runs away. But the kindness and love of Anil make him come back and return the money. 

The theme of the Story 

Ruskin Bond’s ‘The Thief’s Story’ is more than a thief’s story. The story deals with basic human values and relationships. It is easier for a thief to rob a greedy man. It is difficult even for a thief to rob a careless and honest person. Hari Singh did steal Anil’s money but he couldn’t run away with it. He had no friends because he regarded them to be trouble than help. The only person he really knew was the man he had robbed. Moreover, Anil was ready to educate Hari Singh. The thief’s conscience pricked him. He came back to Anil and crept to his bed. He slipped the money under the mattress from where he had stolen it a few hours ago. 

WORD-MEANINGS 

Trusts = relies on(विश्सवास करना )   betray = deceive, dupe (धोखा देना )   fairly = enough (काफी )  lean = weak and thin (कमजोर )  purpose = objective (उद्देस्य ) of late = for some days  (कुछ दिनों से ) confidence = good books  (विषस्यास ) wrestler = to strive by grappling (कुश्ती लड़ना )  flattery = false praise (चापलूसी )  modestly = humbly (भद्रतापूर्वक )  lied = to tell a lie  (झूट बोलना )  ahead = forward  (आगे )  introduction = formal presentation (परिचय )  grunting = roaring (गुर्राना )  casually = purposelessly  (बिना किसी उद्देस्य के ) appealing = attractive  (आकर्षक )
Perhaps= probably (शायद ) meal= cooked food (पका हुआ भोजन ) strey= wandering(आवारा ) be off= run away (भाग जाना ) patted= stroked   (थपथपाया ) never mind = don’t worry (घबराओ मत )  grateful = obliged (आभारी )  achieve = obtain  ( प्राप्त करना )     pleasant = full of happiness (मधुर / सुखद )   profit = gain  (लाभ )
Fits and starts = seldom (कभी -कभी )  queer = strange (विचित्र ) publisher = one who gets books printed  (प्रकाशक )  tuck = to press in (छुपाकर रखना )  mattress = quilts (गद्दे )  opportunity = chance (अवसर )  trusting = reliable (विशव्यसनीये )   rob = to plunder (ठगना )  afford = to bear (सहन करना )  beam = ray (किरढ़ ) considering = thinking over  (विचार करना ) situation = condition (स्थिति )  crept up = to move slowly  (पेट के बल रेगना ) unlined = plain  (बिना झुर्रियों के )  marks = spots  (निशान )  scars = spots of wound  (घाव के निशान ) slid = glided   (सरक गया ) startled = surprised (हैरान ) crawled = moved slowly  (धीरे से सरकना ) aist = back side of stomach  (कमर )
Dashed = pushed (अंधाधुन्द दौड़ना  ) straight =direct (सीधे ) carriages = train compartments  (रेल के डिब्बे ) hesibited = held back  (हिचकिचाना )  deserted = lonely (सुनसान )  curious = anxious (उत्सुक )  career = profession  (व्यवसाय ) acceptance = approval  (स्यीकृति ) chilly = cold (ठंडी )  drizzle = mild rain  (बूंदा -बांदी) discomfort = uneasiness (बेचैनी )
Shelter = refuge (शरर /आश्रय )  damp = wet  (गीला )  probably = perhaps  (शायद )  excitement = stimulation (उत्तेजना ) matter = affair (मामला )  hurried = to hasten (जल्दी -से )  nervous = uneasy (घवराना )   undetected = undiscovered  (बिना पता चले )  quietly = calmly (शांति से )  remained = to continue  (रहना ) still = even now  (अभी -भी ) edge = outer limit   (सिरा या किनारा ) stretched = extended  (फैलाया ) sank = to decline (डूवा )  spirits = courage  (साहस ) effort = attempt  (प्रयास )