9 Questions
What does the thief find challenging about robbing Anil compared to robbing a greedy man?
Anil is careless and might not even notice being robbed.
Why does the thief believe Anil's money would be wasted on his friends?
Anil is overly generous with his friends.
What motivates the thief to consider doing 'real work' instead of continuing to steal from Anil?
Guilt over betraying Anil's trust.
Why does the thief think it is easier to rob a greedy man than a careless one?
Greedy men often do not notice being robbed.
How does the thief view Anil's trust towards him?
As an opportunity to take advantage of him.
What does the thief find displeasing about robbing a careless man?
The careless man might not even notice he has been robbed.
Why does the thief believe that by robbing Anil, he is actually preventing wastage of money?
Anil's money would be spent on his friends instead of useful purposes.
'Slipping out of the blanket, I crept up to the bed.' What does this action reveal about the thief's character?
'Slipping out of the blanket' shows his stealthy nature.
'Anil sighed in his sleep and turned on his side, towards me.' What effect does this action have on the thief?
'Anil sighed' reassures the thief that Anil won't wake up.
Study Notes
Hari Singh's Story
- Hari Singh is given a fifty-rupee note by Anil, which is still wet from the night's rain
- Hari Singh's initial reaction to receiving an education is excitement, but this changes over time as he becomes more ambitious
- He wants to learn to write whole sentences because he believes it will bring him more than a few hundred rupees and help him become a respected man
The Thief's Story
- It's early November, and Hari Singh is sitting in the shelter of the clock tower, feeling cold and uncomfortable
- He has stolen money from Anil, but later regrets it and decides to return it
- Hari Singh feels nervous about returning the stolen money, but manages to do so undetected
- Anil shows no signs of anger or suspicion when Hari Singh returns the money
Anil's Character
- Anil is different from other employers because he doesn't hand Hari Singh over to the police despite being a thief
- Anil shows kindness and understanding towards Hari Singh, even after being stolen from
- He is willing to teach Hari Singh to write whole sentences and shows no signs of worry or anxiety despite being a victim of theft
Test your knowledge of vocabulary from the short story by Ruskin Bond. From 'flattery' to 'discovered', see how well you remember the meanings of these words used in the story.
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