Question

write a character sketch of hari singh's english book of 10th standerd chp 2.The thief's story

Answer 1

The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond revolves around a fifteen-year-old boy, who was a seasoned small-time thief. He was homeless and did not have any family or friends. Although he was young, he was quite clever because when Anil, a man he met while watching a wrestling match, asked him his name, he did not reveal his true identity and went by the alias 'Hari Singh', so that he could not be easily apprehended by the police or his former employees. This boy knew the importance of education and greatly valued it, which is shown when Anil teaches him to write and he thinks, "I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve." 
      Even though he had initially seen Anil as his next target to steal from, the boy still appreciated how Anil completely trusted him and gradually started to see him as a friend. The night Anil brought six hundred rupees home which he received by selling his book to the publisher, the boy, 'Hari Singh' decided to steal the money from him while he was asleep. The plan was successful and he reached the train station to flee but his conscience stopped him from doing so. The boy realized how disappointed Anil would be when he found and thought about the importance of being an intelligent and a respected man instead of being a thief. This shows that in spite of him being a thief for all these years, his heart longed for a family and in his heart, he knew that what he did was wrong.
      Finally, he decided to return to Anil and discreetly tried to put the money back where it was. Anil eventually found out but decided not to say anything about it, and it was his compassion and trust that changed the boy.

Answer 2

Hari Singh is a fifteen year old boy. Hari is not his real name. In fact, he is a thief who changes his name each month to avoid being caught by the police. Though he is young, he has learnt enough about human nature to know who is a vulnerable victim. He is quick to identify Arun as his next victim. He also knows that he has a charming smile.

 

Hari is a liar by nature. First he lies about his name. Then he lies about knowing how to cook. Yet, Arun takes him in, teaches him how to cook and even teaches him to read and write. Hari likes it. In fact he is ‘grateful’ for it. He is aware of the importance of education in life.

 

He is quite observant and a good planner. He keeps a watchful eye on Arun and gets to know where Arun has placed the money. At night, Hari steals the money and makes his escape. He has everything planned and intends to board the Lucknow Express.

 

Hari tries to justify his intentions by concluding that if he doesn’t steal the money, Arun would only ‘waste it on his friends’.   He does not realize that Arun’s goodness is affecting him. It is only when he reaches the railway station with the stolen money that his conscience stops him from boarding the train. He roams around here and there before finally deciding to go back to Arun. He shows strength of character, because it is not easy for a thief to turn around and risk being caught.

 

Luckily for him, even though Arun knows about the episode, he does not say a word to Hari about it. Hari is silently rewarded for making the right decision. He is back on the right track in the hope of being a ‘big man, a clever and respected man’ someday. Arun’s compassion brings out the best in Hari and gently forces him to give up his bad ways.