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NCERT Solution for Class 10 English Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story – 2025-26

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The Thief’s Story Class 10 – All Questions and Answers Explained

Vedantu offers comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2, The Thief Story Question Answers. These solutions are created by top professionals and experts in the field with years of experience in dealing with NCERT textbooks, and they refer to the latest Class 10 CBSE English Syllabus. These solutions cover only the relevant content and rid students of reading and studying extra and unnecessary questions and answers. The Class 10 English Supplementary Chapter 2 PDF Solutions are offered to the students for absolutely FREE, enabling them to download and access the solutions anywhere, anytime on the go.  Vedantu also offers a comprehensive NCERT Solutions Class 10 English Footprints without Feet coursebook.

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Glance on Class 10 English Chapter 2, The Thief Story

  • The story revolves around the tale of a 15-year-old boy, Hari, who befriends people just to rob them. One day, he meets Anil, a struggling writer in a wrestling match.

  • Anil asks Hari if he can cook, to which he responds positively. Anil takes Hari under his wing and teaches him how to read, write, and do math. He would also often tip him one rupee as a reward for his efforts.

  • One day, Anil received a large sum of cash for his writing. He takes this cash and keeps it under the mattress. Hari notices this and steals the money at night when Anil is asleep. He leaves and tries to catch a train to Lucknow.

  • To his dismay, he finds out that he missed the train and is left simply wandering the streets. It starts raining, and he suddenly finds himself in despair. He feels a sense of regret and guilt for stealing money from a man who was very nice to him and even taught him important skills.

  • He returns the money back to where he took it from. The next morning, Anil seems normal. He rewards Hari with 50 rupees and even promises to start paying him. When Hari touches the note, he finds the money to be damp and still almost wet.

  • He realises that Anil understood Hari’s misdeed the previous night but took the high road and did not inform the authorities or confront him. This changes the outlook and perception of Hari on life and improves for the better.

Access NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter -2 The Thief’s Story

Read And Find Out

1. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?

Ans: In the story ‘I’ refers to Hari Singh, the thief.


2. What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?

Ans: He was skilled at robbing people.


3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?

Ans: Hari set Anil as his next target since he looked calm and innocent enough to be fooled. He offered to work for him, but Anil told him that he did not have enough to pay him, instead he would feed him and take care of him. While living with him he also taught him how to cook, write his name, basic mathematics etc. Since Anil did not pay him, he made a profit of a rupee when he went out to buy supplies for Anil.


4. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?

Ans: The thief over the period of stay with Anil grew closer. He knew that Anil trusted him and when he would discover that he was robbed he would be sad, not because he lost money but because he got betrayed by someone he trusted.


5. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?

Ans: The speaker was only fifteen when he met Anil, but he had done a fair share of robberies by then. He observed everyone’s reaction after they were robbed. The rich were angry, greedy showed fear while the poor accepted the loss as fate.


6. Does Anil realize that he has been robbed?

Ans: Yes, Anil did realize that he was robbed by Hari. Since it was a rainy day, the money he kept under was wet. He felt that Hari would have probably run away with the money but out of guilt kept it back. He was happy that he realized his mistake and did not say anything to him.


Think About It

1. What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time? (Hint: compare, for example, the thought: “I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve” with these later thoughts: ‘Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees. It was a simple matter to steal − and sometimes just as simple to be caught. But to be a really big man, a clever and respected man, was something else.”) What makes him return to Anil?

Ans: Hari’s view on education and the proposal to receive one did change over time. Initially, he wanted to learn because he felt that being educated would make him more cunning and it would be easier to rob and cheat. But over time his views did change. He was keener to learn so that he could earn better, in a legal way. He will not have to run repeatedly just to protect himself. It was Anil’s calm and considerate nature that influenced him and made him change for good. Hari returned to Anil because he was struck by guilt that he cheated the person who trusted him genuinely. He could steal from anyone without feeling guilty but cheating him struck his conscience.


2. Why does not Anil hand the thief over to the police? Do you think most people would have done so? In what ways is Anil different from such employers?

Ans: Anil realized that it was Hari who stole money from him. But he did not hand him over to the police because he trusted and genuinely cared for him. He kept the money back at the place he kept out of sheer guilt and Anil appreciated that fact about him. I do not think in today’s world anyone would have done that. People would have handed him over to the police since he was a thief and trusting him would be useless and he could possibly steal from the home again.


Talk About It

1. 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 do not think such characters are only a part of fiction. There are young children who resort to theft for their survival since they are supported by none. People struggle with money and not having a regular source of income for emerging writers is a common scene. Though it is not a frequent chance that one might encounter someone as kind as Anil who will not hand over the child he recently met and tried to steal the only amount he had for his survival. He was a caring and considerate person and acted maturely. His kind nature changed Hari for good.


2. Do you think it is a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?

Ans: Anil was about 25 when the speaker approached him. He looked kind, simple and an easy-going individual. During the speaker's friendship with him, he got to know that he was a struggling writer and had an irregular income. He was a man who went with the flow and enjoyed life. He ate out with friends and was an honest individual too. When the speaker offered to work, he told him beforehand that he would not be able to pay him. He sometimes received enough to survive while the rest of the time he stayed concerned about the next payment.


3. Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? Can you think and imagine the circumstances that can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief?

Ans: No, I have not come across someone like Hari Singh. With the increase in capitalism and the poor not being able to survive by just daily wages people resort to theft for their survival. Though it is illegal to rob someone, poor kids like Hari, who do not have anyone to depend upon for survival, find stealing the easiest way to live and fill their stomachs. They do not do it out of sheer desire or interest but as a compulsion of the conditions, they are in. They should not be encouraged to resort to this for their entire life and provided work so that they could feed themselves.


4. Where is the story set? (You can get clues from the names of the persons and places mentioned in it.) Which language or languages are spoken in these places? Do you think the characters in the story spoke to each other in English?

Ans: It appears that the story is set in Uttar Pradesh since there is mention of stalls and sweet shop bazaars. Hari also mentions boarding a train from the nearby railway station and then getting down at Lucknow station. These all things indicate that it might be a small town in Uttar Pradesh. No, I do not think the characters spoke in English. Hindi is the language spoken by masses in Uttar Pradesh and hence I think they would have conversed in Hindi rather than English.


Benefits of NCERT Solutions Class 10 Chapter 2 Question Answer PDF

  • Vedantu offers comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2, the Thief Story Question Answers. 

  • Top professionals and subject matter experts with years of experience in NCERT and CBSE Syllabus create these solutions.

  • The NCERT Solutions for The Thief Story Question Answer PDF is absolutely FREE to download. This means students can access them anywhere, anytime on the go.

  • The NCERT Solutions for English Class 10 English Supplementary Chapter 2 PDF, The Thief Story, is written in simple and easy-to-understand language. This helps make sure that the students easily grasp and retain the answers to the solutions provided.

  • The Class 10 English Chapter 2, The Thief Story Question Answers are updated for the 2024-25 CBSE latest syllabus. This ensures the accuracy and relevancy of the solutions provided and ensures that they comply with the NCERT and CBSE guidelines.


Conclusion

The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2, "The Thief's Story" from "Footprints without Feet," provide detailed explanations to help students understand the narrative. This chapter by Ruskin Bond focuses on Hari Singh, a young thief, and his transformative encounter with Anil, who teaches him the value of trust and honesty.


Vedantu’s solutions thoroughly cover character development and key themes, aiding students in grasping the moral lessons of the story. These solutions enhance comprehension, analytical skills, and exam preparation, making them an invaluable resource for mastering the chapter.


Related Study Materials for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2

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Study Material Links for Class 10 English Chapter 2

1

The Thiefs Story Notes

2

The Thiefs Story Important Questions


Chapter-wise Links for NCERT Solutions Class 10 English (Footprints without Feet)


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FAQs on NCERT Solution for Class 10 English Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story – 2025-26

1. What are the key NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2 "The Thief's Story" as per CBSE 2025–26 guidelines?

The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2 focus on stepwise answers aligned with the latest CBSE 2025–26 marking scheme. These include:

  • Precise responses to textual questions with point-wise explanations
  • Model answers showing the logical structure CBSE expects
  • Coverage of character analysis, plot events, and theme application
  • Clarification of common exam misconceptions and answer frameworks

2. How should a student approach NCERT Solutions for "The Thief's Story" to improve CBSE exam performance?

To use NCERT Solutions effectively:

  • First, carefully read the story, noting key events and characters
  • Study each solution’s stepwise logic and answer format
  • Practice writing answers in your own words, following solution patterns
  • Review answer structures to understand how marks are awarded by CBSE

3. In the context of NCERT Solutions, what is the significance of the rain in "The Thief's Story"?

The rain in "The Thief’s Story" symbolises internal cleansing and a fresh start for Hari Singh. NCERT Solutions highlight that the rain acts as a turning point, prompting self-reflection, which underpins CBSE’s focus on interpretation and theme-based questions for higher-order marks.

4. Why does Anil choose not to hand Hari over to the police in "The Thief's Story" as per NCERT Solutions for Class 10?

NCERT Solutions explain Anil’s decision as a reflection of empathy and belief in second chances. Instead of punishing Hari Singh, Anil silently acknowledges the returned money, allowing Hari to choose honesty. This approach highlights critical values expected in CBSE long-answer responses.

5. How do the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 2 address Hari Singh’s changing attitude towards education?

NCERT Solutions reveal that Hari Singh at first values education for selfish gain but gradually realises its role in honest self-improvement. Exam-oriented responses should compare his initial and final attitudes, a common CBSE question theme.

6. What is a model stepwise answer to the question: "Discuss the character traits of Anil from Class 10 English Chapter 2 as per NCERT Solutions"?

A model NCERT Solution would:

  • Begin with a direct trait (e.g., kind, trusting, simple)
  • Support with textual evidence (how he hires and teaches Hari)
  • Explain the significance (impacts Hari’s transformation)
  • Conclude with Anil’s effect on the story’s moral outcome

7. What higher-order value-based question might be included in CBSE exams for "The Thief's Story" and how should solutions be presented?

A value-based CBSE question could be: ‘Discuss how trust and forgiveness shape the outcome of "The Thief’s Story".’ NCERT Solutions should analyse how Anil’s trust and Hari’s guilt lead to transformation, using clear, evidence-based arguments in organized paragraphs.

8. According to NCERT Solutions, how does the author use language to develop Hari Singh's character in Chapter 2?

NCERT Solutions note Ruskin Bond’s use of first-person narration and introspective dialogue. This allows readers to track Hari’s moral conflict and journey, which should be referenced in thematic or analytical exam answers for top CBSE marks.

9. What are some examples of common errors students should avoid, according to NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2?

Common errors include:

  • Retelling the story instead of answering the specific question
  • Missing evidence from the text to support answers
  • Overlooking the lesson’s moral themes in interpretation questions
  • Forgetting to organize answers stepwise according to mark weightage

10. What is the thematic importance of trust in "The Thief's Story" as explained in NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English?

Trust is central to "The Thief’s Story." Anil’s trusting nature changes Hari Singh’s outlook on life, reinforcing that trust can motivate reform. NCERT Solutions emphasize using specific instances from the story in such theme-based CBSE answers.

11. What does the NCERT Solution suggest about the real-life relevance of "The Thief's Story"?

NCERT Solutions indicate that the narrative, while fictional, reflects real situations of trust, redemption, and second chances—topics which are often part of CBSE’s applied value-based questions.

12. How do NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 2 help clarify the difference between sympathy and empathy with reference to the story?

NCERT Solutions clarify that sympathy is feeling pity, while empathy is feeling with someone. Anil shows empathy towards Hari Singh, fostering real change, a distinction often explored in CBSE explanatory questions.

13. According to the latest CBSE exam trends, what skill does answering NCERT Solutions for Chapter 2 build in students?

Practicing NCERT Solutions builds the ability to:

  • Write precise, evidence-backed answers
  • Interpret character motivation and plot development
  • Organize responses logically as per CBSE answer sheets
  • Apply lessons from the story to real-life scenarios, a focus for 2025–26 CBSE trends

14. How are skipped logic and ‘what-if’ cases addressed in NCERT Solutions for this chapter?

NCERT Solutions often explore possible alternate outcomes, such as what would have transpired if Hari had not returned the money. Such analysis adds depth, as required by CBSE for full marks in longer responses.

15. Who is the author of "The Thief's Story" and why is this relevant when solving NCERT Solutions?

The author of "The Thief's Story" is Ruskin Bond. Knowing the author is important as CBSE sometimes asks about literary style, and knowledge of Ruskin Bond’s themes helps ensure complete NCERT Solution responses.