The Thief’s Story – Warming Up, Workshop & Margin Questions Answers | Class 10 Maharashtra Board
1.2 The Thief's Story
Warming Up! – Questions and Answers
1. Read the following incident.
Lokesh was a class-topper, but he regularly used unfair means during examinations to get high marks. One day, during a History examination, his friend Farhan had prepared for Maths instead. Lokesh offered to let Farhan copy from his answer-sheet.
Farhan refused and said that he would rather get zero marks than score even one unearned mark. He believed that cheating was for cowards.
Farhan's words became a turning point in Lokesh's life. Lokesh gave up cheating forever and decided to work hard and achieve his goals honestly.
(a) Find words/phrases from the incident
-
Q. Which word means “became aware”?
Ans. Realized -
Q. Which word means “always”?
Ans. Invariably -
Q. Which word means “very upset and helpless”?
Ans. Desperate -
Q. Which phrase means “cheating”?
Ans. Foul means -
Q. Which word means “without working for it”?
Ans. Unearned -
Q. Which phrase means “a sudden change”?
Ans. Turning point -
Q. Which word means “gain/achieve”?
Ans. Acquire
(b) Summarize the incident in 6 to 8 lines
I was always a class topper.
However, I used foul means during examinations to get high marks.
One day, my friend Farhan came prepared for Maths instead of History.
He became desperate, so I offered to let him copy from my answer-sheet.
Farhan refused to cheat and did not want to score even a single unearned mark.
His words made me realise my mistake.
It was a turning point in my life, and I gave up cheating forever.
I decided to work hard and never use false means to achieve anything.
📖 The Thief's Story
🌟 Margin Questions and Answers
1. What is the narrator quite successful at?
Answer: The narrator is quite successful at stealing and deceiving people.
2. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Answer: ‘I’ refers to Hari Singh, the narrator of the story.
3. What favours did Anil do for the narrator?
Answer: Anil gave Hari food and shelter, taught him cooking, reading, writing and arithmetic, and trusted him with the key to the room.
4. What proves that Hari still practised deceit?
Answer: Hari still practised deceit because he cheated while buying the day's supplies and kept about a rupee as his profit.
5. What could have caused the scars on Hari’s face?
Answer: The scars on Hari’s face could have been caused by the rough and difficult life he had lived as a thief, including fights and hardships.
6. Why did Hari hesitate to board the train?
Answer: Hari hesitated to board the train because he could not explain the reason for his hesitation and finally lost the chance to get away.
7. Why does Hari believe that friends were more trouble than help?
Answer: Hari believed that friends were more trouble than help because friends could interfere, ask questions and create difficulties, whereas he preferred to live without being noticed.
8. What is face reading?
Answer: Face reading means studying a person's facial expressions to understand their feelings and reactions.
9. What were Hari’s regrets as he pondered over the theft?
Answer: Hari regretted stealing Anil’s money because he realised that he would lose Anil’s trust and the opportunity to learn reading and writing. He understood that education could help him achieve much more than the stolen money.
10. Why did Hari feel nervous?
Answer: Hari felt nervous because he had decided to return the stolen money and was afraid that Anil might discover his theft.
11. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Answer: No, Anil does not realise that he has been robbed. He only notices that the fifty-rupee note is wet and understands that Hari has returned it.
12. Why did Hari give a genuine appealing smile?
Answer: Hari gave a genuine appealing smile because he was happy and relieved after returning the stolen money. He had decided to change his ways and learn to read and write.
📖 The Thief's Story
📚 Lesson Words and Meanings
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| descent | family background or origin |
| experienced | having knowledge or skill gained through experience |
| flattery | insincere praise |
| modestly | without boasting; in a humble way |
| grunting | making low guttural sounds |
| appealing | attracting attention; attractive |
| stray | an animal without an owner |
| pleasant | enjoyable; agreeable |
| supplies | things needed for a particular purpose |
| by fits and starts | in short, irregular intervals |
| publisher | a person or company that publishes books or magazines |
| trusting | ready to believe that others are honest |
| rob | to steal money or property from someone |
| careless | not giving enough attention or care |
| unlined | showing no sign of worry or anxiety |
| deserted | empty; without people |
| acceptance | the act of accepting something |
| regret | a feeling of sadness about something done or not done |
| drizzle | light rain |
| discomfort | a feeling of uneasiness or lack of comfort |
| hurry | to move or act quickly |
| nervous | worried or anxious |
| heart sank | felt depressed or suddenly worried |
| spirits rose | became very hopeful or cheerful |
📖 The Thief's Story
🌟 English Workshop – Questions and Answers
1. Complete the web diagram.
Anil's Virtues
- Trusting
- Kind-hearted
- Generous
- Helpful
Hari's Vices
- Dishonest
- Thieving
- Deceitful
- Greedy
2. Insert the appropriate word/phrase.
(a) I appealing the school gate when I heard the school-bell ringing.
(b) After the death of my pet dog, my spirits rose when dad got me a new pup.
(c) Do not stoop to flattery just to gain something from someone.
(d) The artist completes his paintings by fits and starts.
(e) The crime went undetected for 11 years.
(f) When the baby saw its mother it gave an appealing smile.
3. (a) Find from the text the collocations.
| No. | Given Word | Collocation |
|---|---|---|
| (i) | _____ dog | stray dog |
| (ii) | _____ man | greedy man |
| (iii) | ticket _____ | ticket office |
| (iv) | _____ slowly | walked slowly |
| (v) | _____ drizzle | light drizzle |
| (vi) | _____ sentences | write sentences |
| (vii) | _____ spirits | spirits rose |
3. (b) Complete the compound words from the story.
| Given | Answer |
|---|---|
| (i) oil ______ | oiled |
| (ii) fifty ______ | rupee |
| (iii) easy ______ | going |
| (iv) ______ tower | clock |
| (v) moon ______ | light |
3. (c) Code-mixing
Answer:
The Indian words used in English in the story are: bazaar, maidan, pyjamas, rupees.
4. Read the story carefully and complete the table.
| Total No. of Characters | Names | Age | Physical Appearance | Earned Money by | Qualities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Hari Singh | 15 years | Thin face, scars on face | By stealing and cheating | Dishonest, clever, ambitious, willing to change |
| Anil | About 25 years | Tall, lean | Writing for magazines | Trusting, kind, generous, careless |
5. Complete the given sentences.
(a) Anil kept Hari as a cook because he could not afford to pay him and wanted to help him.
(b) Hari was grateful to Anil because Anil gave him food and shelter and taught him to read, write and do arithmetic.
(c) Hari continued making money by cheating while buying the day's supplies.
(d) Anil didn’t hand Hari over to the police because he understood that Hari was changing and wanted to give him a chance to become a better person.
(e) The moral of the story is that trust, kindness and education can reform a dishonest person and change his life.
6. Think and write in your own words.
(a) Why did Anil employ Hari as a cook, although he could not afford to pay him?
Answer: Anil employed Hari as a cook because he was a kind and trusting person. He could not afford to pay Hari regularly, but he gave him food and shelter. He also wanted to help Hari learn useful things.
(b) What did Hari learn from Anil in the beginning?
Answer: In the beginning, Hari learnt how to cook. Later, Anil taught him to write his name, write complete sentences and do arithmetic.
(c) Why didn’t Anil hand over Hari to the police? What effect would it have had on Hari?
Answer: Anil did not hand Hari over to the police because he understood that Hari had realised his mistake and wanted to change. If Anil had handed him over to the police, Hari might have become more hardened and continued his dishonest ways.
(d) Do you feel Anil’s way of handling a thief like Hari was effective? Justify your answer.
Answer: Yes, Anil’s way of handling Hari was effective. Instead of punishing him, Anil showed him trust, kindness and patience. He also gave him the opportunity to learn. This made Hari realise the value of education and trust and encouraged him to change his dishonest ways.
(e) What tact had Anil used to change Hari’s dishonest ways?
Answer: Anil used the tact of trust, kindness, patience and education. He did not accuse Hari directly after discovering the returned money. Instead, he behaved normally and promised to pay him regularly. His gentle behaviour encouraged Hari to become honest.
(f) “And the smile came by itself without any effort.” Say why. When do people give fake smiles?
Answer: Hari’s smile came naturally because he felt genuinely happy and relieved after returning the stolen money. He had decided to change himself and learn to read and write. People give fake smiles when they want to hide their true feelings, please someone or pretend to be happy.
7. Character Sketch of ‘Hari Singh’
Answer: Hari Singh was a fifteen-year-old boy who had become a thief at a young age. He was clever, experienced and dishonest. He used different names and cheated people to earn money. However, he was also ambitious and wanted to learn how to read and write because he understood that education could help him achieve more in life. Anil’s kindness and trust gradually changed Hari. After stealing the money, Hari realised that losing Anil’s trust and education was more valuable than the stolen money. He finally returned the money and decided to change his dishonest ways. Thus, Hari was a clever and dishonest boy who had the courage to reform himself.
8. Frame ‘Why’ questions.
(a) Answer: Why did I hurry back to the room?
(b) Answer: Why had I made a study of men’s faces?
(c) Answer: Why did I draw them out without a sound?
(d) Answer: Why did the poor man show acceptance?
(e) Answer: Why did I make tea in the morning?
9. Short Dialogue between Anil and Hari
Anil: Hari! What are you doing with the money under the mattress?
Hari: I am sorry, Anil. Please forgive me. I made a terrible mistake.
Anil: You were stealing my money? I trusted you, Hari.
Hari: I know, Anil. I am really sorry. Please don't hand me over to the police.
Anil: Why did you do this?
Hari: I wanted money, but I now understand that your trust and the education you are giving me are more valuable.
Anil: I am disappointed, but I will give you another chance. Promise me that you will not steal again.
Hari: I promise, Anil. I will work honestly and learn to read and write.
Anil: Good. Now put the money back where you found it and come for breakfast.
Hari: Thank you, Anil. I will never betray your trust again.
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