NCERT Class 10 English – Footprints Without Feet – Chapter 2: The Thief’s Story
Exercise Questions: Short Answers & Simple Explanations
Q1. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Answer: It refers to Hari Singh, the narrator and a thief.
Explanation: The story is told in first person by Hari Singh about his own life.
Q2. What is he “a fairly successful hand” at?
Answer: He is fairly successful at stealing.
Explanation: Hari Singh has learnt how to steal without getting caught.
Q3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Answer: He gets food and shelter.
Explanation: Anil does not pay him money but takes care of his basic needs.
Q4. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Answer: He thinks Anil will be sad, not because of the money, but because he lost trust.
Explanation: The thief knows Anil values relationships more than money.
Q5. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Answer: He says the greedy show anger, the rich show fear, and the poor accept it.
Explanation: He has observed different reactions based on people’s nature and status.
Q6. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Answer: Yes, he realises it.
Explanation: Anil notices the wet notes and understands what happened but says nothing.
Q7. What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time? What makes him return to Anil?
Answer: At first, he thinks education will help him in theft, but later he realises it can make him a respected man. He returns to Anil because of guilt and hope for a better life.
Explanation: His thinking changes from using education for crime to using it for honest living.
Q8. 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?
Answer: He doesn’t hand him over because he wants to give him another chance. Most people would have gone to the police. Anil is forgiving and believes in reform.
Explanation: Anil’s kindness and trust show he values change over punishment.
Q9. Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Answer: Such people exist in real life too.
Explanation: There are kind-hearted people like Anil and misguided youth like Hari Singh in reality.
Q10. Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
Answer: Yes, it is significant because it shows he values learning over money.
Explanation: Being a writer, Anil understands the importance of knowledge and patience.
Q11. 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?
Answer: Yes, poverty and lack of guidance can turn a boy into a thief.
Explanation: Difficult circumstances and bad company can push children into crime.
Q12. Where is the story set? Which language or languages are spoken in these places? Do you think the characters in the story spoke to each other in English?
Answer: The story is set in India. Hindi and other local languages are spoken there. The characters probably spoke in Hindi.
Explanation: The setting and names show it is an Indian context, where English might not be the common spoken language.