Chapter 2 – The Thief’s Story (Long Summary in English)
“The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond is a heart-warming and morally rich story about a young thief named Hari Singh and his life-changing experience with a simple, kind, and trusting man named Anil. The story explores themes of trust, compassion, human transformation, and the belief that kindness can reform even the worst habits in a person.
The story begins with the narrator, Hari Singh, introducing himself as a 15-year-old thief who keeps changing his name to avoid being caught. One day, he meets Anil, a 25-year-old, calm, and simple writer at a wrestling match. Hari approaches Anil with the intention of tricking him, praising his looks and intelligence to gain his trust. He hopes that living with Anil will give him opportunities to steal money.
Surprisingly, Anil allows Hari to stay with him, even though he knows nothing about him. However, Anil is not financially stable. He earns money irregularly by writing articles and stories. Sometimes he borrows money; sometimes he lends it. Still, Anil offers Hari food and shelter, without expecting anything in return. Hari is shocked by this level of generosity.
As they start living together, Hari cooks for Anil, although he initially knows nothing about cooking. His first meal is so bad that Anil gives the food to stray dogs. But instead of getting angry, Anil teaches Hari how to cook properly. He also teaches Hari to write his name and later promises to teach him full sentences. For the first time, Hari begins to dream of a better and honest future.
Despite this kindness, Hari’s old habits continue. He notices that Anil keeps his money under the mattress. One evening, Anil returns home with a bundle of cash after selling a book to a publisher. Seeing this money, Hari is tempted. He steals the notes—six hundred rupees—and runs away.
Once on the road, Hari plans to catch a train and disappear forever. But at the railway station, suddenly his conscience starts hurting him. He thinks about Anil’s trust, his teachings, and the opportunity to become a better person. He realizes that if he leaves now, he will lose the chance to change his life. Moreover, Anil might never trust anyone again.
Confused and guilty, Hari walks back in the rain to Anil’s room. He silently slips the money (now wet from the rain) back under the mattress. He goes to sleep, waiting nervously for the next morning, afraid of what Anil might say or do.
To his surprise, Anil does not show anger or mention the theft. But he leaves a note and gives Hari a fifty-rupee note, knowing very well that Hari had stolen the money and returned it. Anil simply smiles and says that they will now start learning complete sentences. His gesture conveys forgiveness and belief in Hari’s transformation.
The story ends on a hopeful note, showing that love, trust, and kindness can reform even a thief. Hari realizes that it was easier to steal money, but much harder—and more meaningful—to earn someone’s trust and live honestly.
Chapter 2 – The Thief’s Story (लंबा सारांश – हिंदी में)
“द थीफ़्स स्टोरी” रसकिन बॉन्ड द्वारा लिखी गई एक प्रेरणादायक और भावनात्मक कहानी है, जिसमें एक 15 वर्षीय चोर हारी सिंह और एक दयालु, सरल और विश्वास करने वाले युवक अनिल के बीच का संबंध दिखाया गया है। कहानी का मुख्य संदेश यह है कि विश्वास और प्यार किसी भी व्यक्ति को बदल सकते हैं, चाहे वह कितना भी गलत रास्ते पर क्यों न हो।
कहानी की शुरुआत हारी सिंह से होती है, जो बताता है कि वह एक छोटा-सा चोर है और पकड़े जाने से बचने के लिए हमेशा अपना नाम बदलता रहता है। एक दिन वह एक कुश्ती के अखाड़े में अनिल से मिलता है। अनिल लगभग 25 वर्ष का, शांत, सरल और दयालु व्यक्ति है। हारी उसकी प्रशंसा करके उसे प्रभावित करने की कोशिश करता है ताकि वह उसके साथ रहने का मौका पा सके और चोरी कर सके।
आश्चर्यजनक रूप से, अनिल बिना कोई सवाल किए हारी को अपने साथ रहने देता है। हालांकि अनिल खुद आर्थिक रूप से मजबूत नहीं है—कभी पैसे कमाता है, कभी उधार लेता है—फिर भी वह हारी को खाना और रहने की जगह देता है। यह दया देखकर हारी हैरान रह जाता है।
हारी अनिल के लिए खाना बनाना शुरू करता है, लेकिन उसे खाना बनाना नहीं आता। पहली बार में वह इतना खराब खाना बनाता है कि अनिल उसे कुत्तों को खिला देता है। लेकिन नाराज़ होने की बजाय अनिल हारी को खाना बनाना सिखाता है। वह उसे पढ़ना-लिखना भी सिखाने लगता है और वादा करता है कि जल्द ही उसे वाक्य लिखना भी सिखाएगा।
अनिल के इस व्यवहार से हारी के भीतर बदलाव आने लगता है। वह पहली बार सोचता है कि शायद वह एक अच्छा और ईमानदार जीवन जी सकता है।
लेकिन उसकी चोरी की पुरानी आदतें पूरी तरह खत्म नहीं होतीं। एक दिन अनिल को छह सौ रुपए मिलते हैं, जो वह गद्दे के नीचे रखते हैं। इस पैसे को देखकर हारी का लालच जाग जाता है। वह पैसे चुरा लेता है और भाग जाता है।
वह स्टेशन पहुँच जाता है और ट्रेन पकड़ने की सोचता है, लेकिन तभी उसके मन में अपराधबोध पैदा होता है। उसे अनिल का विश्वास और सिखाई हुई बातें याद आती हैं। उसे एहसास होता है कि अगर वह अभी चला गया, तो सचमुच अच्छे इंसान बनने का मौका खो देगा।
भीगे हुए मन और शरीर के साथ वह वापस लौट आता है। चुपके से पैसे वापस गद्दे के नीचे रख देता है और सो जाता है। अगले दिन सुबह वह डरता है कि अनिल क्या कहेगा।
लेकिन अनिल कुछ नहीं कहता। वह केवल मुस्कुराता है और हारी को एक पचास का नोट देता है—जिससे यह साबित होता है कि उसे सब पता है, लेकिन उसने हारी को माफ कर दिया है। वह कहता है कि आज से वे पूरे वाक्य लिखने का अभ्यास शुरू करेंगे।
कहानी इस सुंदर संदेश के साथ खत्म होती है कि सच्चा बदलाव डर से नहीं, विश्वास और प्रेम से आता है। हारी समझ जाता है कि ईमानदारी का रास्ता कठिन जरूर है, लेकिन वही जीवन को सही मायने में बेहतर बनाता है।
Character Sketch
Hari Singh: Hari Singh is a 15-year-old thief who is experienced, clever, and observant. Despite his criminal life, he possesses a conscience and a desire for a better life. His internal conflict between stealing Anil's money and his appreciation for Anil's trust shows his complexity. He represents the potential for change and redemption when shown kindness and trust.
Anil: Anil is a 25-year-old struggling writer who is kind, trusting, and simple. He is not wealthy but is generous with knowledge and opportunity. He teaches Hari to read and write, treating him more like a friend than a servant. His unconditional trust becomes the catalyst for Hari's transformation, representing the power of goodness and faith in human nature.
10 Previous Year Questions & Solutions
1. Why did Hari Singh choose to rob Anil, despite liking him? (2019)
Answer: Hari Singh chose to rob Anil because stealing was his profession and a habit he found hard to break. He reasoned that Anil's trust made him an easy target. Also, he thought that if he didn't steal the money, Anil would only waste it on his irregular income and friends. This was his thief's logic to justify his actions to himself.
2. How did Anil come to trust Hari Singh? (2020)
Answer: Anil trusted Hari Singh almost instinctively. He didn't probe too much into Hari's background. He gave him a job, shared his food, and taught him to read and write. Anil's simple, generous nature and his belief in people led him to trust Hari without suspicion, treating him with kindness and respect from the beginning.
3. Describe Hari Singh's internal conflict after stealing the money. (2022)
Answer: After stealing the money, Hari felt restless and uneasy. He was excited about the theft initially, but soon felt alone and insecure. He realized that learning to read and write and earning an honest living with Anil was more valuable than the stolen money. The thought of losing Anil's trust and the chance for a better life filled him with regret and fear.
4. Why did Hari Singh return to Anil? (2023)
Answer: Hari Singh returned to Anil because he realized that Anil's trust and the education he was providing were more valuable than the stolen money. He wanted a chance to live a respectable life, learn to read and write properly, and be a part of a honest world. He didn't want to remain a thief forever, and Anil represented that path to change.
5. What was the significance of the damp note under the mattress the next morning? (2018)
Answer: The damp note under the mattress signified that Hari Singh had returned the stolen money. It showed that Anil knew about the theft but had chosen not to confront Hari. Anil's silent acceptance and his promise to pay Hari indicated that he forgave him and was giving him another chance, reinforcing his trust and kindness.
6. "He knew. But neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything." What does this tell us about Anil? (2021)
Answer: This tells us that Anil was aware of Hari's theft but chose to handle it with wisdom and compassion. He didn't react with anger or betrayal. His calm demeanor shows his understanding nature and his belief in giving people a second chance. It highlights his exceptional kindness and his desire to reform Hari through silent forgiveness.
7. How did the episode of stealing money change Hari Singh? (2019)
Answer: The episode was a turning point for Hari. It made him confront the emptiness of a thief's life and recognize the value of trust, education, and honest living. His decision to return marked the beginning of his transformation from a thief to someone who wanted to learn and earn respect. It awakened his conscience and desire for a better life.
8. What role does education play in the story? (2020)
Answer: Education is the central force of change in the story. Anil's promise to teach Hari to read and write gives Hari a sense of hope and a future beyond theft. The stolen money becomes less important to Hari than the prospect of becoming literate. Education symbolizes dignity, self-respect, and the key to breaking free from a life of crime.
9. What is the theme of 'The Thief's Story'? (2022)
Answer: The theme is the power of trust, kindness, and education to reform a person. It shows that even a hardened criminal has a conscience that can be awakened by genuine human compassion. The story emphasizes that change is possible when someone is given respect, trust, and an opportunity to improve themselves.
10. Do you think Hari Singh will become a successful, honest man? Give reasons. (2023)
Answer: Yes, it is likely Hari Singh will become honest. His return shows a strong inner desire to change. Anil's continued trust and the promise of education provide the right environment. Hari's intelligence and the value he now places on learning over quick money are positive signs. However, it will require sustained effort and Anil's guidance to break old habits completely.
