Important Questions for Class 10 English The Thiefs Story Chapter 2 (Footprints Without Feet)
Table of Contents
Passage
Question 1:
Read the given extracts and answer the quesions:
He took me to his room over the Jumna Sweet Shop and told me I could sleep on the balcony. But the meal I cooked that night must have been terrible because Anil gave it to a stray dog and told me to be off. But I just hung around, smiling in my most appealing way, and he couldn’t help laughing.
Later, he patted me on the head and said never mind, he’d teach me to cook. He also taught me to write my name and said he would soon teach me to write whole sentences and to add numbers. I was grateful. I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve.
(i) State any one inference that can be drawn about Anil from the given context:
“But the meal I cooked that night must have been terrible because Anil gave it to a stray dog and told me to be off”.
(ii) State TRUE or FALSE.
Hari Singh was eager to learn how to cook from Anil.
(iii) “I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve.”
What does Hari mean by this statement? Elaborate in about 40 words.
(iv) Which of the following words mean the same as ‘appealing’ in the line below?
“But I just hung around, smiling in my most appealing way, and he couldn’t help laughing”.
(a) irritated
(b) furious
(c) attractive
(d) happy
Answer
(i) Anil is kind-hearted and tolerant. Although the meal was terrible and he initially asked Hari to leave, he did not treat him harshly and soon forgave him.
(ii) FALSE
Hari Singh was not eager to learn cooking; he was more interested in staying with Anil for his own benefit.
(iii) Hari means that education would give him power, confidence, and new opportunities in life. Being able to read, write, and calculate would help him earn honestly and escape a life of crime, enabling him to achieve success and independence.
(iv) (c) attractive
Important Questions for Class 10 English The Thief’s Story Chapter 2 (Footprints Without Feet)
40-50 words
Question 1:
While asking for the job, Hari Singh displays his ‘most appealing smile’. This smile is crucial to the story and makes a few more appearances. Explain why and how this ‘smile’ is a calculated one.
Answer
Hari Singh’s “most appealing smile” is calculated because he uses it deliberately to gain sympathy and trust. Being a thief, he knows that a harmless smile helps him hide his real intentions. He uses it repeatedly to stay with Anil and achieve his selfish goal of stealing money.
Question 2:
Discuss the narrator’s internal struggle between his criminal tendencies and his growing attachment to Anil. How does this conflict drive the plot?
Answer
The narrator struggles between his habit of stealing and the trust and kindness shown by Anil. While his criminal instincts push him to rob Anil, his emotional attachment and guilt restrain him. This inner conflict leads to his decision to return the money, driving the story’s resolution.
Question 3:
How do Anil’s initial reaction to Hari Singh’s cooking and his subsequent actions reflect Anil’s evolving relationship with Hari Singh ?
Answer
Anil’s initial reaction to Hari’s terrible cooking shows mild annoyance, but not cruelty. Instead of driving him away permanently, Anil forgives him and offers to teach him cooking and writing. This reflects Anil’s growing trust, patience, and compassionate acceptance of Hari.
Question 4:
How was the Hari Singh’s appealing ‘appealing smile’ at the end different from similar smiles of his on earlier occasions?
Answer
At the end of the story, Hari Singh’s “appealing smile” is no longer a calculated trick to gain sympathy or trust. Unlike earlier smiles used to deceive Anil for selfish gain, this smile reflects genuine gratitude, relief, and his honest desire to reform and live a truthful life.
Important Questions for Class 10 English The Thief’s Story Chapter 2 (Footprints Without Feet)
Long-Questions (100-120 words)
Question 1:
Anil’s acceptance and forgiveness of the thief demonstrates empathy and generosity. Elaborate.
Answer
Anil’s acceptance and forgiveness of Hari Singh highlight his deep empathy and generosity. When Anil discovers that Hari has stolen his money, he neither scolds nor exposes him. Instead, he silently returns the trust by placing a damp fifty-rupee note under Hari’s pillow, showing that he understands Hari’s inner conflict. Anil believes in reform rather than punishment and gives Hari another chance to live honestly. By continuing to teach him reading, writing, and arithmetic, Anil offers him a path to a better future. His compassion transforms Hari more effectively than fear or anger, proving that kindness can inspire moral change.
Question 2:
Hari’s character evolves from being deceitful and opportunistic to remorseful and seeking redemption.
In the light of the above information, describe how his decision to return the money signifies a moral awakening in him and a newfound appreciation for Anil’s kindness and mentorship.
Answer
Hari Singh’s decision to return the stolen money marks a significant moral awakening in his character. Initially, he is deceitful and opportunistic, staying with Anil only to exploit his trust. However, Anil’s kindness, patience, and willingness to educate him gradually create a sense of attachment and guilt in Hari. While running away, Hari realises that stealing would cost him more than money—it would rob him of the chance to learn, grow, and live honestly. His return shows remorse and a desire for redemption. By choosing trust over theft, Hari acknowledges the value of Anil’s mentorship and embraces the possibility of a better future.
Important Questions for Class 10 English The Thief’s Story Chapter 2 (Footprints Without Feet)
