The Thief's Story - Q&A
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?
Hari Singh's reactions to receiving an education change significantly over time. Initially, he views education as a tool to become a more skilled and successful thief. He thinks that if he could write like an educated man, there would be no limit to what he could achieve in his criminal career.
However, later in the story, his perspective shifts. After stealing the money and standing alone on the platform, he realizes that education means much more than just financial gain. He understands that writing whole sentences could bring him respect and a clever, honest livelihood, which is far more valuable than the few hundred rupees he stole. He realizes that stealing is easy, but becoming a respected man requires education.
He returns to Anil primarily because of this realization and his desire to learn to read and write. Additionally, his conscience pricks him because he values Anil's trust and companionship. He feels that to be a "really big man," he needs to go back to the one person who tried to teach him.
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?
Anil does not hand Hari Singh over to the police because he is a kind, compassionate, and understanding man. He realizes that Hari has returned the money and likely regrets his action. Anil wants to give Hari a chance to reform rather than punishing him, which might have turned him into a hardened criminal.
Yes, most people in Anil's situation would likely have handed the thief over to the police upon discovering the theft.
Anil is different from such employers because he is not materialistic and values human redemption over punishment. He is patient and trusting. Even though he knows about the theft (as the notes were wet), he chooses not to confront Hari or show any anger. Instead, he pays Hari regularly and continues teaching him, showing a rare capacity for forgiveness.
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?
While characters like Anil and Hari Singh may seem a bit idealized, people with their traits do exist in real life. There are individuals like Anil who are incredibly trusting, simple, and willing to give others a second chance despite the risks. Similarly, there are teenagers like Hari Singh who are forced into petty crimes due to poverty and lack of guidance but still possess a conscience and a desire to improve their lives if given the opportunity.
2. Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
Yes, it is a significant detail that Anil is a struggling writer. Writers often observe human nature deeply, which might explain Anil's patience and understanding of Hari's behavior. Furthermore, as a struggling writer who makes money "by fits and starts," Anil understands what it is like to be without money. This shared financial instability might make him more empathetic towards Hari's situation. His casual attitude towards money—spending it when he has it and worrying when he doesn't—also suggests he is not greedy, which explains why he didn't react aggressively to the theft.
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?
(Model Answer) While I may not have met someone exactly like Hari Singh, it is not hard to imagine such people exist. Circumstances such as extreme poverty, lack of parental care, illiteracy, and hunger can force a fifteen-year-old boy into theft. If a child has no way to earn a living honestly and sees no hope for the future, they might turn to stealing as a means of survival. Bad company or the pressure to support a family can also be contributing factors.
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?
The story is likely set in Uttar Pradesh, near Lucknow. The mention of the "Lucknow Express" suggests that the station was on the route to or in Lucknow. The "Jumna Sweet Shop" is another clue, as the Jamuna river flows through northern India.
The main language spoken in these places is Hindi. It is highly unlikely that the characters spoke to each other in English. Hari Singh is an uneducated thief and Anil is a struggling local writer; their natural medium of communication would be Hindi (or a local dialect). The story is written in English for the reader, but the dialogue represents a conversation happening in the local language.