Class 10 English Chapter 2 Question Answers - The Thief`s Story

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Q1. Why did Hari Singh not make many friends?

Ans: Hari Singh did not make many friends because he believed that the problems they could bring were greater than any benefits. He preferred to avoid drawing curiosity from others, which led him to keep his distance.

Q2. Why did Hari Singh decide to come back to Anil?

Ans: Hari Singh decided to return to Anil because he believed Anil would be upset, not primarily due to the lost money, but because their trust had been broken. Hari Singh was genuinely committed to restoring Anil's trust and did not want to lose it.

Q3. Why did Hari Singh choose Anil to be his next victim?

Ans: Hari Singh, a skilled thief, chose Anil as his next target because he perceived him as easy-going and kind. Anil's simple nature made him seem like an uncomplicated victim, and Hari believed he could quickly gain his trust to carry out his plan.

Q4. Why did Hari Singh not go to his friend’s house or a hotel just after he missed the train?

Ans: Hari Singh did not visit his friend's house or a hotel after missing the train because he had no friends and wanted to avoid drawing attention to himself. He believed that staying at one of the small hotels near the station would make him curious to others. Additionally, the only person he truly knew was the man he had robbed, which added to his reluctance to seek help.

Q5. Why was it difficult for Hari Singh to rob Anil?

Ans: The task of robbing Anil was difficult for Hari Singh because of Anil's trusting nature. Hari Singh believed that stealing from a greedy person was easier, as they could afford the loss. However, robbing a careless person was also unappealing, as they might not even realise they had been robbed, which diminished the thrill of the act. Anil's trust made the robbery less rewarding.

Q6. Why did Hari Singh tell lies about cooking?

Ans: Hari Singh claimed he could cook, but the meal he prepared that night was so awful that Anil gave it to a stray dog and told him to leave. Despite this, Anil found it amusing and later patted Hari on the head, assuring him he would teach him to cook.

Q7. Why was the thief able to steal from Anil easily?

Ans: Anil's trusting nature made him an easy target for Hari Singh. He was somewhat careless and gullible, which allowed Hari to rob him without much effort. Anil's lack of suspicion and his belief in others contributed to the ease of the theft.

Q8. Why did Had Singh tell lies about cooking?

Ans: Hari Singh lied about his cooking skills because he knew that Anil would only hire him if he could cook. Despite not knowing how to cook, Hari wanted to gain access to Anil's home for the purpose of stealing from him. This deception was a means to an end, allowing him to enter Anil's life.

Q9. Why did Hari Singh feel bad after stealing the money?

Ans: Hari Singh felt guilty after stealing the money because he had betrayed Anil's trust. Anil had shown him kindness by teaching him how to cook and helping him learn to read and write. When Hari stole the money, his conscience troubled him, as he realised he had broken the bond of trust that Anil had placed in him.

Q10. What are the different reactions of the people when they are robbed?

Ans: According to Hari Singh, people react differently when they are robbed. A greedy man often feels fear, while a rich man may express anger. In contrast, a poor man tends to accept the situation. However, a trusting person like Anil would feel sadness, not for the loss of money, but for the loss of trust.

Q11. Why did Anil decide to pay Hari Singh regularly?

Ans: Anil decided to pay Hari Singh regularly because he wanted to support him after making some money. He handed Hari a fifty-rupee note as payment for his services and expressed his intention to pay him consistently from then on. Anil was aware of Hari's past and aimed to prevent him from being tempted to steal again due to financial need.

Q12. Describe Hari Singh, the young and successful thief.

Ans: Hari Singh was a fifteen-year-old boy who had already become quite skilled in the art of thievery. He was adept at identifying potential victims and used his intelligence to get close to them. Even while learning to read and write, his primary thought was how to use this knowledge to enhance his thieving abilities.

Q13. Why did Anil hire Hari Singh?

Ans: Anil hired Hari Singh because Hari expressed a desire to work for him. When Anil mentioned he could not pay, Hari asked if he could be fed. Anil then inquired if Hari could cook, to which Hari falsely claimed he could. Anil agreed to take him on, suggesting that if Hari could cook, he might be able to feed him.

Q14. How did Had Singh realize that Anil knew about his theft?

Ans: Anil handed Hari Singh a fifty-rupee note in the morning, which was still damp from the rain. He mentioned that they would start learning to write full sentences together, accompanied by a smile. This interaction made Hari Singh realise that Anil was aware of his theft.

Q15. What was Anil’s job? What did he usually do with the money he earned?

Ans: Anil was a writer who contributed articles to magazines. He did not have a steady income; instead, he earned money irregularly. Whenever he received some money, he would often go out to celebrate.

Q16. What does the thief say about the reactions of different types of people when they were robbed?

Ans: Hari Singh observed that different types of people react distinctively when they are robbed. A greedy man often displays panic on his face, while a rich man tends to show anger. In contrast, a poor man usually exhibits a sense of resignation, accepting his loss without much fuss.

Q17. How did he think Anil would react when he discovered the theft? Why did he think so?

Ans: Hari Singh believed that when Anil discovered the theft, his face would reveal a hint of sadness. This reaction would not stem from the loss of money, but rather from the loss of trust in Hari Singh.

Q18. What made him come back to Anil?

Ans: Anil had been teaching Hari Singh to read and write. He realised that without education, he would remain a thief. However, with education, he could become a clever and respected man. This understanding motivated him to return to Anil.

Q19. What did Anil give him in the morning? In what condition was it?

Ans: Anil gave him a fifty-rupee note in the morning. It was still wet from the night’s rain.

Q20. How did the thief realize that Anil knew that it had been stolen?

Ans: Anil handed the thief a fifty rupee note that was still wet from the previous night's rain. This detail made the thief realise that the money had been stolen.