The narrator of the story, a fifteen-year-old boy who goes by the name Hari Singh, is quite successful at stealing. He describes himself as an "experienced and fairly successful hand" in his career as a thief.

‘I’ refers to the narrator, a fifteen-year-old experienced thief who introduces himself as Hari Singh.

He changed his name every month to stay ahead of the police and his former employers.

Anil gave the narrator a place to live and fed him. He also taught him how to cook, how to write his name, and promised to teach him how to write whole sentences and add numbers.

The narrator lied about his name and his ability to cook. Additionally, while doing the daily shopping, he would routinely cheat Anil out of about a rupee a day.

Hari was a thief. He probably had. Got into fights while robbing people. He could also have been in bad company and got into fights with his companions, and someone might have injured him with a knife or any other sharp object. This could have led to scars on his face.

Hari could not explain the exact reason at the time, but he hesitated and lost the chance to get away on the Lucknow Express. This hesitation was rooted in his growing conscience and the loss of trust he felt toward Anil.

The narrator preferred to be alone because he believed that having friends would be more trouble than help to someone in his profession.

• Face-reading is observing the expressions and emotions on the faces of people and interpreting them correctly.
• In the story, face reading is the narrator's study of men's expressions after they have lost their goods; he observed that the greedy show fear, the rich show anger, and the poor show acceptance.

He regretted that he would no longer be able to cook Anil’s meals, go to the bazaar, or learn to write whole sentences, which he believed could eventually bring him more status and wealth than a few hundred rupees.

Hari felt nervous because he realized it is much easier to steal something than to return it undetected.

Yes, Anil realizes it. This is evident because the fifty-rupee note he gave Hari the following morning was still damp from the night's rain.

Hari’s smile came naturally and without effort because he felt a genuine sense of relief and gratitude that Anil had forgiven him and was still willing to teach him, despite knowing about the theft.

Question 2. Insert the appropriate word/phrase given below, in the sentences that follow. (flattery, appealing, by fits and starts, dashed to, undetected, spirits rose )

(a) I _________ the school gate when I heard the school-bell ring.

(b) After the death of my pet dog, my _________ when dad got me a new pup.

(c) Do not stoop to _________ just to gain something from someone.

(d) The artist completes his paintings _________ .

(e) The crime went _________ for 11 years.

(f) When the baby saw its mother it gave an _________ smile.

(a) I dashed to the school gate when I heard the school-bell ring.

(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.

Collocations are words that naturally and frequently go together.

(i) dog: stray dog

(ii) man: greedy man (or careless/poor/rich/educated man)

(iii) ticket: ticket office

(iv) slowly: walked slowly

(v) drizzle: light drizzle

(vi) sentences: whole sentences

(vii) spirits: spirits rose

Compound words are formed by joining two or more words together.

(i) oil: oil-rich

(ii) fifty: fifty-rupee

(iii) easy: easy-going

(iv) tower: clock tower

(v) moon: moonlight

In the story, Code-mixing refers to the use of Indian words within the English narrative to provide local context.

• Bazaar: Mentioned when the narrator walks through the town after the train departs.

• Maidan: The open field where the narrator sits on a bench in the rain.
• Jumna: Used in the name of the "Jumna Sweet Shop," where Anil lived.
• Pyjamas: Referenced when the narrator describes holding the stolen notes at his waist.

Anil kept Hari as a cook because Hari gave him a "most appealing smile" and pleaded for work, and although Anil couldn't pay him, he agreed to feed him if Hari could cook.

Hari was grateful because Anil was teaching him how to write his name and had promised to teach him how to write whole sentences and add numbers, which Hari believed would eventually allow him to achieve unlimited success,.

Hari continued making money by cheating Anil out of about a rupee a day when he went to the bazaar to buy the daily supplies.

Anil didn’t hand Hari over to the police because he was a kind and forgiving person who chose to give Hari a second chance at a better life through education rather than punishing him for his mistake.

The moral of the story is that love, trust, and the opportunity for education can transform even a seasoned criminal and bring out their latent goodness.

• Anil was a kind, simple, and easy-going man. When Hari approached him and asked for work, Anil initially stated he couldn't pay him. However, when Hari asked if Anil could feed him, Anil agreed on the condition that Hari knew how to cook.
• Anil likely saw a young boy in need and, despite his own irregular income, wanted to provide him with an opportunity.

• In the beginning, Hari learned how to cook, although his first attempt was so terrible that Anil gave the food to a stray dog.
• More significantly, Anil began teaching him how to write his name and promised to teach him how to write whole sentences and add numbers.

• Anil didn't hand Hari over because he chose forgiveness over punishment.
• He realized that Hari had returned the money, indicating a change of heart, and Anil wanted to encourage this transformation through education.
• If Anil had handed him over, Hari would likely have become a hardened criminal, losing his nascent desire to become a "clever and respected man".

Yes, Anil’s way was highly effective.

• By treating Hari with trust and kindness rather than suspicion, he reached Hari’s conscience.
• Instead of punishing the theft, Anil offered a path to a better future through education, which motivated Hari to return the money and stay to learn.
• This transformed a professional thief into someone eager for a legitimate and respected life.

• Anil used the tact of extreme trust and patience.
• He gave Hari a key to the door, allowing him complete freedom.
• He ignored Hari’s small daily thefts from the grocery money and, even when he discovered the major theft (as evidenced by the wet notes), he chose not to mention it. Instead, he showed Hari that he was valued by paying him regularly and continuing his education.

• The smile was genuine because Hari felt a deep sense of relief and gratitude that he was forgiven and given a second chance. It was no longer a tool for deceit but a reflection of his true feelings.
• In contrast, people give fake smiles when they are using flattery to get something they want, trying to hide their true intentions, or attempting to please someone they do not actually like or respect.

Hari Singh is a fifteen-year-old boy who is an experienced thief. He lives alone and keeps changing his name to avoid the police and people he has worked for before. Because of his difficult life, he is thin and has many scars on his face. Hari is dishonest and often uses sweet words and a charming smile to win people's trust. Even after Anil kindly gives him shelter, Hari continues to lie. He falsely claims that he can cook and also cheats Anil by keeping a rupee from the money given for daily shopping.

However, Hari is not completely bad. Deep inside, he dreams of having a better life. When Anil offers to teach him how to read, write, and do mathematics, Hari realizes that education can help him become successful and respected. He wants to become a clever and important person instead of remaining a thief. His biggest change comes when he steals Anil's money and tries to run away. Feeling guilty and realizing that Anil is the only person who truly cares for him, he decides not to leave. He returns the money and chooses honesty over crime. This decision marks the beginning of his transformation into a better and more responsible person.

(a) I hurried back to the room. Question: Where did you hurry back?

(b) I had made a study of men’s faces. Question: What had you made?

(c) I drew them out, without a sound. Question: How did you draw them out?

(d) The poor man showed acceptance. Question: Who showed acceptance?

(e) I made tea in the morning. Question: What did you make in the morning?

Anil: (Waking up suddenly and catching Hari's hand under the mattress) Hari? What are you doing? Is that... is that the money I sold my book for?

Hari: (Frozen in shock, his heart sinking as he drops the bundle of notes) I... Anil, I...

Anil: (Voice trembling with disbelief) I can’t believe this. I gave you a key to my home. I was teaching you to cook and write your own name! You were actually going to rob me?

Hari: (Dropping to his knees, head bowed in shame) I am so sorry, Anil. Please, please forgive me. I didn't think... I don't know why I did it.

Anil: I thought you were different, Hari. I trusted you more than anyone I’ve ever met. This is how you repay that trust?

Hari: I am a thief, Anil. It’s a terrible habit I can’t seem to break. But I am truly, deeply sorry. I am a coward and a cheat. Please, don't call the police.

Anil: (Staring at the notes on the floor) To think I was going to teach you whole sentences tomorrow. This is a shock I didn't expect.

Hari: I know I don't deserve it, but please forgive me. I’ll never do it again. I’ll work harder, I’ll be honest—I promise! I am so, so sorry, Anil. Just please give me one more chance.