Literature Companion 10 31 Introduction "The Thief's Story" deals with the reformative power of trust. A young thief's conscience is awakened by his employer's complete trust on him. Itis the positive impact of the faith that Anil has in Hari Singh thatleadsto the victory of virtue over vice. Summary ‘The narrator, Hari Singh (not his real name), is a fifteen-year-old boy who earns his living by thieving. One day he spots Anil, a tall and lean twentyfive-years-old man, watching a wrestling match. Hari Singh has the ability to assess the character of others. He cleverly engages Anil in a conversation to judge whether he can be cheated. After a brief interaction, he concludes that Anil canbe hisnext target. Hari puts on his best smile and uses flattery to win over Anil. But he hides his actual name fromhim because he believes that by adopting a new name every month he can keep the police and his former employers atbay. Anil is ignorant about the intentions of Hari, so he moves on after a casual conversation. Hari Singh does not relent and follows Anil requesting him to employ him as his domestic help. On being asked if he can cook, Hari Singh again lies that he can. Still Anil employs him on the condition that he will not be paying him any wages as he could not afford it, Then he takes Hari to his room over the Jumna Sweet Shop. Hari's miserable cooking skills are revealed on the first night itself. Anil does not complain and feeds the terrible food cooked by Hari to32 Literature Companion 10 stray dogs. Later, he pats him on his head and tells him that he would teach him to cook, After sometime, he also teaches Hari to write his name and promises to teach him to write whole sentences and addition of numbers as well. Hari feels grateful to Anil for this and imagines a future when he would do wondersasa thief after becoming; éducated. A few days pass and Hari Singh works happily for ‘Anil. The work! he does is quite light as he makes tea in the morning and then goes ‘out for buying the daily essentials. In the process, he manages to pocketa rupee or so, Anil knows about this cheating but he simply ignores it. A trusting Anil gives Hari the key to his room which makes ad the thief to come and gofreely. ; After some days, Hari makes out that Anil is a freelance writer and does not have any regular source of income. At times he even needs to borrow. However, whenever he nidkes saben money, he squanders it. One evening Anil comes home with a small bundle. of notes. He tells Hari that a publisher has bought his book. At night, Hari sees him tuck the money under the mattress. The thief then starts thinking that he has been working for Anil for almost a month but has not yet stolen anything. He realises that Anil's trusting nature has stopped him from doing so. He feels thatitis easy to roba greedy man but difficult to rob a careless one because he would hot even notice that he has been robbed. This takes away the entire pleasure of robbing. Hari finally decides to steal the money and justifies his décision by telling himself that if he does not steal it, Anil would waste it. At night, while Anil enjoys his sound sleep, Hari Sinch, weighs the entire situation again and finally decides to take the money and leave the town by the 10.30 Lucknow Express. After carefully taking out the notes hidden under the mattress, Hari leaves the room. He tucks the notes in his pyjama-string and counts them later to find that they are Literature Companion 10 33 six hundred rupees in the denomination of fifty. He feels that with so much money he could live like a rich Arab for almosta week. When Hari Singh reaches the railway station, he dashes to the platform without bothering to buy any ticket, for he does not believe in buying tickets. He sees that the train for Lucknow has just started moving, but for some unexplainable reason,he hesitates and does not board it, After the train leaves, he whiles away some time on the deserted platform. He has no idea where to go. He thinks that prolonging his stay would raise suspicionand staying in a nearby hotel too would be risky. He has no friends because in his profession friends could be more of a trouble. Anil, the man he has just robbed, is the only person he knows in the town. So, he leaves the station and walks slowly through the bazaar. While walking, he contemplates that hecan study human faces and tell thata greedy man is full of fear on being robbed; arich man gets angry; and a poor man shows resignation. However, he realises that on finding the theft Anil would feel sad: Not because hehas suffered a loss, but because of the breach of trust. He reaches a muaidaan and sits down on a bench. In the meantime, a drizzle starts which shortly turns into a heavy rain. The early November night is quite chilly and Hari's face and clothes become wet. He goes back to the bazaar and sits down in the shelter of the clock tower. When the clock displays the midnight hour, he feels the damp notes hidden in his pyjama-string. Hari's conscience begins to prick him. He thinks that had he not stolen the money, Anil would have perhaps given him two or three rupees in the morning to go to the cinema. Although he now has all the money, he would no longer be able to learn to write. Education could have made him a.great, clever and respected man, whereas stealing would not ead him anywhere. He decides to go back to Anil to learn reading and writing,4 Literature Companion 10 He hurries back nervously to the room and finds Anil still fast asleep. He cautiously slips the bundle of notes under his mattress and goes off to sleep. Next morning, he gets up late and finds that Anil-has already made tea. He comes to Hari Singh with a fifty rupees note in his outstretched hand. He gives it to him saying that he had made some money the previous day. He also assures to pay him his wages regularly, Hari feels happy and takes the note which he notices was still wet from the night's rain: ‘ Anil tells Hari that they would begin writing sentences. Hari understands that his master is aware about the theft of the Previous night but chooses to ignoreit. A reformed Hari smiles in his usual way but this time the smile i is effortless and spontaneous, There is no adeceitinit. TITLE The title "The Thief's Story" is a very apt one because the story isa first” person account of Hari Singh, a juvenile thief. It is told from his perspective, and details of his experiences thus become credible, otherwise who easily trusts a swindler? The story is acandid admission of a thief of how he tried to dupe his unsuspecting and, benevolent employer but could not, because his conscience prevailed upon him not to do so. We need to remember that this story by Ruskin Bond has another narrative, that of Hari, the protagonist, in the main narrative by the author. Moreover, since it is the thief that undergoes a change of heart and shuns his evil ways and becomes a good man, the title only accentuates this fact and makes the wholé narrative a very effective one. Using a title like 'A Thief's Reformation’, for example, would have made the story sound too didactic. I think the chief purpose of Ruskin Bond is to capture the psychological turmoil of a guilt-stricken conscience, which the current title helps achieve. Literature Companion 10 35 ares ‘FHEME "The Thief's Story" deals with the theme of juvenile delinquency that can mar a young person's character and career. It explores the effective role of benevolence, forgiveness, love and large-heartedness in dealing with young people who show tendencies to go astray. Another undercurrent of the theme is that education is a powerful tool for bringing about a positive change in society. Yet another streak of theme is temptation to do evil and the means of self-redemption. All these strains of theme are interwoven into the narrative of how a 15 year old boy Hari, who ought to be attending school, has a thriving career as a petty thief and how, in trying to swindle his unsuspecting, kind and generous employer, his conscience is hit by guilt and remorse and brings about his transformation. A sub-theme of the story can be how our attitude determines who we are and what kind of life we lead. Both Anil and Hari undergo struggle to make both ends meet, While Anil chooses creative writing to make money, which he puts to good use, Hari, on the other hand, takes to stealing to earn his livelihood. MESSAGE "The Thief's Story" delivers a very simple and straightforward message - "Do not take what belongs to someone else" and "Shun your evil ways and embrace the good." The story shows that even bad. people have some inherent good in them and that right circumstances, together with scruples of conscience and forgiveness can transform the evil into the good. Another message the story gives is "Do not shatter the trust people place in you, for if once snapped, the bond of trust can never be restored and that will have consequences ofits own on your relationships." Yet another message that the story so powerfully delivers is that people have it in themselves to be good or evil and that there is36 Literature Companion 10 something noble about being good, a realisation that dawns on Hari, the protagonist of the story. : "The Thief's Story" includes instances of subtle but grim humour that springs up from the statements and situations in the story and serves the purpose of comic relief in an otherwise serious narrative. Take for example, the instance in which Hari and Anil talk about wrestling. Although Anil is a lean fellow, Hari says "You look bit of a wrestler’ and Anil retorts, 'So do you' even though the narrator was rather thin. The situation becomes a bit more humorous when Hari modestly says, Ido wrestle a bit.’ : Then there is black humour in Hari's statement that robbing a careless man "takes all the pleasure out of the work." References to thievery in such expressions as "being out of practice", "doing some real work" and "...friends were more trouble than help..." generate grey humour. Then there are examples of humour borne out of foolishness. For example, although Hari was quite happy making some money by pilfering money from the daily expenses, but he decides to make it big, but fails and ends up giving up stealing once and for all. Equally foolish and laughable is Hari's idea that he could become a better thief. No less funny is Hari's justification for stealing - "If I don't take the money, he'll only waste it on his friends. After all, he doesn'teverr pay me.” We know that Hari has been keeping some money that Anil gives him for daily expenses to himself. But the darkest instance of humour is the beguiling but disarming smile that Hari uses as a weapon to strike down his victims. CHARACTERS Anil Anil is a tall and lean young man of twenty five. He is ‘easy-going’, simple and kind-hearted and can be won over very easily. Hari Literatsire Companion 10 9 Singh's ‘appealing smile’ softens him and he agrees to keep him as his domestic servant. He's helpful by nature and he teaches Hari Singh to cookand to write his name. Anil isa freelance writer and earns money by ‘fits and starts.' However, he-is not very possessive about his earnings. Whenever he gets a cheque, he celebrates with his friends and spends away everything. He is very credulous and trusting and gives the key to his room to Hari Singh, a boy he knows only casually. He is forgiving too and that is why he does not express his knowledge about the theft. In short, Anil is honest, large-hearted, affectionate and helpful by nature. Hari Singh Hari Singh, a lad of fifteen, is an experienced and successful thief. He has acquired a lot of knowledge about human behaviour through his sharp observation. He knows how to impress people and rightly says “alittle flattery helps." His assessment of Anil being ‘easy-going, kind and simple ...' is also correct. He knows when to smile appealingly to winover people like Anil. Heis good at face-reading and his analysis about the greedy, the poor and the rich man's reaction on being robbed is astonishingly accurate. However, his habit of deliberation leads to his transformation. In the end, after he robs his benefactor Anil, he feels guilty and puts back the stolen money. He pledges to learn reading and writing in order to lead an honourable life.a‘ “~~, 38 Literature Companion 10 EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow in one or two lines. ” a ‘ "You look a bit of a wrestler yourself,” | said, A little flattery helps in making friends. (a) Who speaks these words and to whom? Hari Singh, the thief, speaks these words to Anil, a writer whom he intended tocheat because he appeared to be a soft-target. Why does the speaker tell the listener that he looks like a wrestler? Hari tells Anil that he looks like a wrestler because he wants to win his confidence by making sweet talk. (o) Why was the speaker trying to make friends with the listener? Hari was trying to make friends with Anil because he intended to cheat him, - Why did the speaker use flattery? Hari used flattery to win the confidence of his victims and steal once they were off-guard. (b (d) (a) Later, he patted me on the head and said never mind, he'd teach me to cook. (a) Whois the narrator and who patted his head? Hari Singh, the thief, is thenarrator and his employer Anil patted his head. (b) When did 'he' pat the head of the narrator? Anil patted the head of Hari when the latter -aoked a miserable meal. (c) Why did ‘he' say 'never mind'? Anil was a kind hearted man and said 'never mind' to make the young Hari feel comfortable. Literature Companion 10 39 (d) Whatelse did ‘he' teach the narrator besides cooking? Anil taught Hari reading and writing in addition tocooking. any = Oneevening hecamehomewith a small bundle of notes,sayinghe had just sold a booktoa publisher. (a) Whois'he' in these lines? In these lines ‘he' is Anil, Hari Singh's employer. (b) How did he get the money? Anil got the money by selling one of his books toa publisher. (c). Where did he put the money? Why? Anil tucked the money under the mattress to keep it safe. (d) Why did ‘he' tell the narrator that he had got money? Anil told Hari that hehad got the money because he wasa simple and trusting fellow. (rv) Anil was asleep. A beam of moonlight stepped over the balcony and fell on the bed,|satup on the floor, considering the situation. (a) Whowas Anil? Anil was Hari Singh's kind-hearted and trusting employer. (b) Why did the narrator sit up on the floor when Anil was asleep? The narrator, Hari Singh, sat up on the floor when Anil was asleep because he was waiting for an opportune time to steal the money keptsafely under the mattress by Anil. (c) What was the situation being considered by the narrator? The situation being considered by Hari Singh was the right moment when he could steal the money without getting caught. (d) What was the narrator's plan? Hari Singh's plan was to run away with the stolen money by * catching the 10:30 express to Lucknow.40 Literature Companion 10 v) When the train had gone,| found myself standing alone on the.deserted platform.| had noidea where to spend the night.| had no friends... (a) Which train had gone? : The 10:30 Express train to Lucknow had gone. (b) Whostood atthe deserted platform? Hari Singh, the fifteen year old thief, stood at the deserted platform. (c) Why did the narrator stand atthe platform? Hari Singh stood at the platform because his dilemma had prevented him from running away after having stolen Anil's money. (d) Why didn't the narrator have any friends? . Hari did not have any friends because he believed that for a thief, friends caused more trouble than give help. (vi) | found myself in the maidaan and sat down on a bench. The night was chilly —it was earlyNovember-—anda lightdrizzle added to my discomfort. (a) Whoisthe narrator here? Why did he find himself ina maidaan? Hari Singh, the thief, is the narrator here. He was in the maidaan because he did not have any place to go after having stolen Anil's money. (b) Why did the narrator sit down ona bench? Hari sat down on a bench to do some self-introspection and. resolve his dilemma after having robbed a kind employer who trusted him, (c). What was the discomfort to which the light drizzle added? The discomfort was the pricking-conscience of Hari Singh that stopped him from running away with Anil's money. Literature Companion 10 a (d) How else did the rain affect the nartator? The rain drenched Hari's‘clothes, and even the bundle of notes hiddenin his pyjama-string became wet. wn) Inthe morning he would probably have given me two or three rupees to goto the cinema, but now! haditall. : (a). Whois'T inthese lines? In these lines, 'T' is Hari Singh, the narrator of "The Thief's Story". (b) From whom did 'T' expect to get money in the morning? Hari Singh expected to get the money from Anil, his kind employer. (c) Where had the moneycome from? The money had come asa payment from a publisher who had bought Anil's book. (d) ‘...butnow J hadit all." How much was'all' that 'T' had now? Itwas six hundred rupees inall that Hari Singh had. (ec) Was'T' happy tohaveit all? No, Hari Singh was not happy to have it all because he was feeling guilty after having breached Anil's trust. (vin) | crept to the head of the bed, and my hand came up with the notes. | felt his breath on my hand. remained still fora minute, (a) Whois narrating this incident? When? Hari Singh, the thief, is narrating this incident when he was trying to put back the stolen money. (b) Fromwhere did the narrator's hands come up with thenotes? Hari Singh's hands took out the notes from his own pyjama- strings where he had hidden them.Literature Companion 10 (c) Whose breath did the narrator feel on his hand? Hari Singh felt Anil's breath, who wassleeping peacefully. (a) Why did the narrator remain still for a minute after feeling the breath? : Hari remained still for a minute because he wanted to ensure that Anil was still asleep. ~ He knew. But neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything. | smiled at Anil in my mostappealing way. (a) Whois ‘he'? What did he know? 'He' is Anil, Hari Singh's employer. He knew that Hari Singh had attempted to run away with his money. {b) Why didn't‘he'show anything? - ‘ Anil did not show anything because he was a kind-hearted man who was trying to reform a young boy through forgiveness and. (©) Whois'I'? Why did he/she smile at Anil? 'T is Hari Singh. He smiled at Anil to express his gratitude for having ignored his follies. (d) Whatwas unique about the smile? The smile was unique because it was not used asa tool of flattery. It was sincere, genuine and straight from the heart. Literature Companion-10 8 SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (to be answered in about 30 - 40 words each) Ql. Who was Hari Singh? Why did he approach Anil at the wrestling match? Hari Singh was a young boy of fifteen, who made his living by stealing and cheating people. He approached Anil at the wrestling match because he seemed to be easy-going, kind and simple enough to be targeted as hisnext victim. Q2. "Iwas anexperienced and fairly successful hand." Why does Hari Singh say so? Hari Singh admired himself for his talent as a thief. He did not consider that his profession was bad in any way. Rather he felt that his ability tocheatand steal was perfect. Q3. What was Anil doing when Hari Singh spotted him? What were Hari Singh's impressions about him? . Or What did Harithink about Anil when he first saw him? Or Why did Hari Singh fee] that Anil was aman ‘simple enough for his purpose’? Hari Singh spotted Anil when the latter was watching a wrestling match, Anil was about twenty-five years of age, tall, and lean. Hari thought that he was easy-going, kind and simple enough to be cheated and befooled withoutany difficulty. Q4. Why does Hari Singh flatter Anil? Or How does Hari Singh try to flatter Anil? Why does he do so? Or : How does Hari Singh try to win over Anil's confidence? Why? Hari Singh tries to flatter Anil by telling him that he is quiteQ5. Q6. Q7. Literature Companion 10 strong and looks like a wrestler. Hari Singh does so, because he knows that, flattery is a very powerful weapon and helps to win confidence and build friendships. : Why did Hari Singh assume anew nameevery month? * Hari Singh would steal in order to make his living. This exposed him to the danger of getting caught by the police. So he would assume a new name every month to escape the vigilant eyes of the police and also to befool his former employers. Why did Hari Singh give his 'most appealing smile’ to Anil? Hari Singh's experience had made him shrewd, intelligent and worldly wise. He knew that whenever a favour is sought one has fo behave pleasingly. He gave his most appealing smile to Anil in order to win his confidence: Onwhat conditions did Anil agree toemploy Hari Singh? Cn What did Hari Singh get from Anil inreturn for work? Anil was a poor writer and could not afford to give any wages to Hari Singh. So, he agreed to employ Hari on the condition that he would give him food and a place to stay in return for his services, Which two lies did Hari Singh tell Anil? Why? Or Why did Hari Singh lie to Anil? Or Hari Singh wasa habitual liar. Give two instances fromthestory. Hari Singh lied to Anil about his name. He also ied thathe could cook. Ifhe had given his real name, the police would have traced him and if he had told the truth about his cooking ability, Anil would not have employed him. Hari told these two lies because his real intention was to rob Anil. Literature Companion 10 Q9.. Where did Anil live? Why? Where didhe put up Hari Singh? Anil lived in a small room over the Jumna Sweet Shop. He lived here because he was a struggling writer and could not afford a big place. He put up Hari Singh inthe balcony ofthisroom. Q10. Why did Anil feed the food cooked by Hari Singh to stray dogs? Or ‘What made Hari Singh realise that he had cooked horrible food? Anil fed the food cooked by Hari Singh to stray dogs because he was a compassionate person and did not want to hurt Hari for cooking terribly. However, this made Hari realize that the food cooked by him was horrible. QU1. Why do you think Anil patted Hari Singh even after the latter had cooked really bad food? Anil was a kind-hearted man who was coimipaaartaks towards the thin, fifteen year old Hari, so desperate to work for him. He encouraged Hari by the gesture of patting and promised that he would teach himhow tocook. Q12. Why was Hari Singh grateful to Anil for teaching him to write? Hari Singh was grateful to Anil for teaching him to write because he knew that with the help of education he would be able to make alotof money inhisline of workasathief. Q13. Hari states 'I was grateful’, Still, he decides to rob Anil. Why does hedoso? Hari was an experienced thief; so the temptation to steal Anil's money was too strong to-be overcome. Hari hadn't robbed for a month and he thought he would be outof practice ifhe lets goan easy targetlike Anil. Q14. How did Hari Singh make ‘profit’ of a rupee a day? What was Anil's reaction to this? OrLiterature Companion 10. Do you think Anil knew that Hari Singh was cheating him while buying daily necessities? fa; Hari Singh made a profit of arupee a day when he bought daily necessities for Anil since Anil trusted him completely. Anil certainly knew that Hari Singh was cheating, him but being-a kind-hearted man, hechoseto ignore. QI5. Did Hari Singh enjoy working for Anil? Why/: Whynot? Or What kind of work did Hari do for Anil? Hari Singh certainly enjoyed working for Anil because there was hardly any work to do. After preparing the morning tea, he would go out shopping for the day's needs where he made a profit of arupee or soevery day. Q16. What was Anil's occupation? Or What was Anil's profession? Did he make much money? How do youknow? Anil was a freelance writer who wrote for magazines. He did not earn regularly and made money by ‘fits and starts’, Very often he had to borrow money and was also unable to pay any wages to Hari Singh. Besides, he was always worried about his. nextcheque. QU, Why did Hari Singh find Anil's occupation a 'queer' one? Hari Singh found Anil's occupation a queer one because the latter's earnings were irregular. In addition, Hari himself was illiterate and failed to understand how one could earn by writing for magazines. Q18. How did Anil get the money that he showed to Hari Singh one evening? Anil had been able to sell his book to a publisher. In this way he had managed to get a bundle of six hundred rupees notes in fifties which he showed to Hari Singh one evening: 1 tieruture Companion 10 a7 QU. Why did Hari Singh conclude that Anil was a trusting person? Hari Singh concluded this because Anil gave him a key to his door.which facilitated his coming and going. This was done in spite of Anil's knowledge about Hari Singh's habit of stealing money while buying daily necessities for him. (00, Why did Hari Singh find it difficult to rob Anil? Hari Singh believed that the thrill of robbing a person lay in the victim's feeling the pinch of it. Since, a careless person like Anil didnot even notice that he had been robbed, Hari Singh found it difficult to rob him. (021, How did Hari Singh justify to himself the act of stealing Anil's money? Or What prompts Hari Singh tosteal Anil's money? Hari Singh justified to himself the act of stealing Anil's money on three counts. Firstly, he was gradually losing his skill of stealing. Secondly, had henot stolen it, Anil would have wasted the money on his friends. Lastly, Anil did not pay him any wages. (022. Whenand how did Hari Singh steal Anil's money? Hari Singh stole Anil's money at night when Anil was fast asleep. He stole it by slipping his hand stealthily under the mattress where the money was hidden. He carried out this theft likea thorough professional. (23, What did Hari Singh planto do afterstealing Anil's money? After stealing Anil's money, Hari Singh planned to go to the railway station and board the 10.30 p.m. express to Lucknow. He intended to go out of the reach of police and Anil as fast as possible before the discovery of theft. Q24. Why did Hari Singh begin running on the road after stealing the money?e ‘[ileratuire Companion 10 Literature Companion 1 Hari Singh believed that when Anil would learn about the theft, he would feel sad. He would react so not because of having Jost his money but because of breach of trust. (930, Describe the weather at night after Hari left the station. The night when Hari left the station was an early November chilly night. There was first a light drizzle which was followed by quite aheavy rain. This was accompanied by acold wind that blew the rain across Haris face. Hari Singh was overpowered by both fear and guilt stealing Anil's money. Hence, he began running on the road t escape being caught either by Anil or by the Police. Q25. Why didn't Hari Singh stop atthe ticket office atthe station? Hari Singh did not stop at the ticket office at the station becaus: he had never boughta ticketin his life, Besides, he was ina hur: to catch the 10:30 Lucknow Express and run away from ¢ police as wellas Anil. Q26. How and why did Hari Singh lose the chanceto getaway? Q31, Did Hari Singh regret having stolen Anil's money? How do you Or know? Or Why did Hari Singh not board the train, although he could easily ‘Sitting drenched under the clock tower, stark reality stared Hari doso? Or in the face.' What was this realisation? Hari Singh regretted having stolen Anil's money because his conscience pricked him for betraying the trust of a kind-hearted employer. The realization dawned upon him that he had sacrificed the opportunity to become educated merely for six hundred rupees. (32. Why did Hari Singh decide to go back to Anil? Or Why did Hari Singh finally return to the man he had just robbed? Did Hari catch the Lucknow Express? Why/Why not? Rush of blood and force of habit made Hari Singh steal the money. But by the time he reached the station, a sense of guilt overpowered him. His conscience pricked him for having robbed his benefactor. In this dilemma, he missed the train. Q27. 'Thad no idea where to spend the night.' Why did Harisay so? Hari Singh was a lonely creature, without a guide ora guardian. Perhaps he was an orphan. So, he did not know where to spend i a ight. Moreover, he did not have faith in the idea of keeping Trends. Hari Singh decided to return to the man he had just robbed because his conscience pricked him for betraying a simple and kind hearted man like Anil, who had given him food, shelter and education. He realized that by returning to Anil, he would get the opportunity to lead a decent life. This was a more profitable proposition than stealing sixhundred rupees. Q33. Why was Hari Singh nervous when he returned to Anil's room after attempting to run away with the latter's money? - Hari Singh was nervous when he returned to Anil's room after attempting to run away with the latter's money because he Q28. What are Hari Singh's views about the reaction of different people on being robbed? Hari Singh tells us that people have a variety of reactions on being robbed. A rich man shows anger and annoyance when robbed. A greedy man looks fearful, while a poor man resigns himself to his fate. Q29, What are Hari Singh's views about Anil's reaction regarding the theft?Qu. Q36. Q37. Literature Companion 1 knew that it was easier to steal something than to return ii undetected. Why did Hari Singh get up late on the morning that followed the night when he had attempted tosteal Anil'smoney? = 6 4 Hari Singh got up late because he wanted to sleep over the unpleasant happenings of the previous night. In addition, he did not want to face Anil in.case he had found out that Hari had attempted to rob him. 4 % . Why does Hari Singh say, "My heart sank," when he saw a fifty- rupee notein Anil's outstretched hands? Hari Singh's heart sank because he thought his theft had been. discovered. In this case, he did not know how to face his: employer who had trusted him completely. In addition, he feared that he could be handed over to the police, too, Does Anil realise that he has beenrobbed? Or "He knew." What does Hari Singh imply by this observation? Yes, Anil does realise that he has been robbed. Hari's observation — ‘He knew’ implies that the theft had been discovered since the” notes were still wet from the last night's rain. However, Anil's pretended ignorance about the matter was perhaps a chance he | had given to Hari Singh toreform himself. (Textual) Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction? Are there such people inreal life also? (Textual) People like Anil and Hari Singh are found in fiction as well as in real life. However, one has to concede that 1m this self-centred world there are very few people who have the sensitivity of — Anil's heart and it is equally true that not many thieves reform themselves. Aiterature Companion 10 51 LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (to be answered in about 100 - 150 words each) Ql. Hari Singh talks about his special 'appealing smile' thrice in the story. How would you differentiate between the first two smiles inthe beginning and the last smile towards the close of the story? Hari Singh gives his special appealing smile for the first time when Anil, after having a talk about wrestling and wrestlers, quietly walks away. Hari Singh follows him and requests him _ With an'appealing smile’ to keep him asa domestic help. Again, when Anil curtly tells Hari Singh to leave, he hangs around and smiles in his most appealing way. On both occasions his special smile bears fruit and melts Anil's tender heart, However, there is an element of dishonesty and selfishness in these smiles. Hari Singh's real intention on both these occasions is to win Anil's confidence and then robhim. However, the last ‘appealing smile’, towards the close of thestory, is full of gratitude and there isno guile, dishonesty and selfishness in it. It is an effortless smile full of sincerity. It is Hari Singh's way of expressing thankfulness towards Anil's magnanimity for retaining him as his domestic help even after knowing that he had made anattempt torob him. Though Hari Singh is a young boy of fifteen, he has a deep understanding of human psychology. Discuss, Hari Singh's experiences as a thief has made him wiser for his age. He understands human psychology fully well. He correctly assesses Anil as an ‘easy-going’ person who can be won over. He is very right when he says that, ‘a little flattery helps in making friends'. He makes use of his ‘appealing smile' toan advantageous effect and succeeds in his mission of impressing Anil twice. He also knows well when and how te use his smile as a weapon.52 Q3. Q4. Literature Companion 10 Again, his analysis regarding varying effects of robbery on different types of people, speaks volumes about his knowledge of human nature. His observation that in his profession friends can be more of a trouble than help is also quite practical! In short, Hari Singh deserves to be commended for his deep understanding of human psychology ata youngage of fifteen. Love is a powerful force that can transform a criminal into a responsible citizen, Justify the statement from your study of "The Thief's Story". Love is a potent force that can transform even a habitual criminal into a responsible and law-abiding citizen. The balm of love can make ineffective, even the most venomous elements. "The Thief's Story" is a salient example of an experienced and ‘fairly successful’ thief turned into a sensible person driven to lead life as an educated man. Hari Singh knows only the unethical and antisocial ways of surviving. He very successfully and efficiently robs Anil. Although he could conveniently board the train to Lucknow and decamp with the loot, he cannot. The love, kindness and sympathy that Anil had earlier shown to Hari Singh chains him and forces him to return to his compassionate employer. Thus, love comes out to bea winner in the long run and Hari Singh turns to the path of honesty, sincerity and loyalty. 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 other employers? (Textual) Anil isa learned, observant and kind hearted young writer who knows well that if Hari Singh is handed over to the police, he will be doomed for life. Heis aware that, when such adolescents come out of jail, they turn out to be hardened criminals who are Literature Companion 10 53 hard to reform. He does not want Hari Singh to undergo this trauma. So, he does not hand him over to the police. If Hari Singh had become a confirmed criminal on his release, Anil would have considered himself responsible for it and would have felt guilty throughout his life. However, most people do not think along these lines. They focus on their personal well-being and panic at every little episode that threatens their security. Any common person would have certainly handed over Hari Singh to the police under such circumstances. Anil, in this respect, is different from most employers ashe treats his employee Hari in aselfless, kind, forgiving, large-hearted and caring manner. Describe the events that took place on the night of the theft, Or . How did Hari Singhcommit the theft? Why did hereturn to Anil? On the night of the theft, Hari Singh carefully took out the notes hidden under the mattress on which Anil was sleeping and left for the station to depart by the 10.30 Lucknow Express. He tucked the notes in his pyjama-string and counted them later to find the six hundred rupees in the denomination of fifty. On reaching the railway station, Hari dashed to the platform without buying any ticket. He saw that the train for Lucknow wasjust leaving, buthis dilemma stopped him from boarding it. After the train had left, he spent some time on the deserted platform as he did not have any place to go to. He did not have any friends either and the only person he knew was Anil whom hehadjustrobbed. So, he left the station and walked slowly through the bazaar to reach a maidaan and sat down on a bench. In the meantime, a drizzle started which shortly turned into a heavy rain. Hari'sQ7, Literature Companion 10 face and clothes were drenched, so he went back to the bazaar and sat down in the shelter of the clock tower. There he felt the damp notes hidden in his pyjama-string. Hari's conscience began to prick him. He thought that although he now had all the money, he was deprived of the opportunity to get education and become great, clever and respectable. So he decided to return themoney and nervously hurried back to Anil. What are Hari Singh's reactions to the prospect of receiving education? Do they change over time? What makes him return to Anil? (Textual) Hari Singh has a positive attitude to the prospect of receiving education. However, his reaction undergoes a change over time. In the beginning, when he starts his education, he believes that once he is able to write like an educated man, he can work wonders asa thief and achieve a great deal of success in life. His attitude towards life at this stageis still materialistic and he thinks only about earning a lotofmoney with the help of education. However, later on, his attitude matures. He does not attach much importance to money. Now, he thinks in terms of becoming a great, clever and respectable man in society. He believes that Anil is a right guide for hirh and thus chooses to return to him and grow under his tutelage as an educated person in the real sense. He now perceives education.as.a means to gaining recognition and respect in society. What are Hari Singh's views about Anil as a man and as an employer? . Hari Singh finds Anil to be a simple, ‘easy-going’, kind-hearted, forgiving do-gooder. He also finds him to be a just man, for he gives fifty rupees to Hari Singh as wages the moment he comes by six hundred rupees through the sale of his book. He also Literature Companion 10 55 promises to pay regular wages to Hari after that. In addition, Hari Singh thinks that Anil can be won over with a bit of tact, flattery and a pleasant ‘appealing smile’. He also observes that Anil is an indulgent, kind and forgiving man who believes in over-looking minor flaws in others. Hari Singh finds Anil to be a trusting employer as he gives him the key to his room after a very brief acquaintance itself. Hari Singh also finds Anil to be a helpful and encouraging employer. He teaches Hari Singh how to cook and also how to write his name. On the whole, Hari Singh finds Anil to be a very sympathetic and kind employer who rightly deserves respect. . How far do you think Anil himself is responsible for tempting Hari Singh to commit the crime? Or How does Anil treat Hari Singh? How does it influence Hari Singh's life? Anil is very kind, considerate and sympathetic towards Hari Singh. He trusts him fully and gives him a key to his door. He ignores minor follies of Hari Singh and keeps quiet even though he knows that the lad pinches some money during routine shopping. Actually, Anil isa writer and doesnothave conventional views. He believes in reforming rather than punishing. To some extent, this makes Anil responsible for tempting Hari Singh to commit the theft. As an educated man, he should have known that keeping exposed a large sum of six hundred rupees is sure to tempta young boy to steal. However, Anil does not hand over Hari to the police even when he knows that he has tried to rob him. This act of kindness and forgiveness brings about a change of heart in the lad. He feels guilty for his misdeed and decides to study to become aQo. Literature Campanion 10 respectable man. Thus Anil's large-heartedness transforms Hari Singh completely. Do you find some significant detailsin the story that tell that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way? Textual) The text includes certain details that prove that Anil is a struggling writer. Anil has a meagre, irregular and uncertain income. He is always worried about his next cheque and does not have any definite work-profile. He plainly tells Hari Singh that he wouldn't be able to pay him any wages in return for the services rendered by the young boy. Hari Singh too finds Anil's work to be a queer one. This position of Anil as a struggling writer explains his behaviour in some ways. He pardons Hari Singh for having cooked a terrible meal because he could relate to the boy's desperation to find work. On getting a bulk payment of six hundred rupees, he atonce shares the news with Hari Singh..Hari Singh makes an observation that Anil would spend money on his friends whenever he had some. This large heartedness comes usually to those people who donot have any means to accumulate wealth. |. Where do you think the story is set? Which language / languages are spoken in these places? Do you think the characters in the story spoke to each other in English? (Textnal) The story appears to have been set in some town in Northern India, most probably Delhi. The name 'Jumna Sweet Shop’, where Anil's room is situated, suggests th~+ the city is on the banks of the river Yamuna and Delhi is one such city. Names like Anil and Hari Singh too are commonily found in Northern India. Besides, nights in Delhi are quite chilly in the month of November as described in the story. Reference to Lucknow Literature Companion 10 37 Ql. Express leaving the statiommat 10.30 p.m. also has a bearing with the town being mentioned and even today there is a mail train that leaves Delhi for Lucknow around that time. Delhi has always been a favourite haunt for upcoming and struggling writers like Anil. In this part of the country, primarily Hindi is spoken and the characters, Anil and Hari Singh, too spoke to each other in Hindi and not in English. Mentioning a word like maidaan suggests that the two characters speak to each other in. Hindi. Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? Can you think and imagine the circumstances thatcan turn a fifteen-year-old boy into athief? (Textual) Although I haven't met anyone like Hari Singh, yet from the information gathered via newspapers I can imagine the circumstances that can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief. Adolescent boys like Hari Singh have no means of sustenance or family support. Driven by poverty, they are compelled to turnto crime for survival, Crime is the easiest way to earn their livelihood since education is elusive to them. Another reason for their taking to crime is the absence of proper guidance and counselling with protection, Such young children are soft targets of anti-social elements. They are exploited and pushed on the road to crime at a tender age. Once into this mire, these young boys do not know the way out and eventually get trapped. Even the social welfare organisations find it difficult to rescue such boys. Qo00