CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet: The Thief's Story NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'The Thief's Story', delves into the life of a young thief named Hari Singh and his interaction with a writer, Anil. The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Footprints Without Feet, Chapter 2, provide detailed answers to the questions based on the text. Students will explore Hari Singh's motivations, his initial thoughts on theft and trust, and the transformative impact of education and kindness. The solutions explain Hari's internal conflict, his decision to return to Anil, and the deeper meaning of trust and reform. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, analyze character development, and prepare effectively for their exams by offering clear explanations and insights into the narrative's themes.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Footprints Without Feet
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 2

Chapter summary

Chapter 2, 'The Thief's Story', focuses on the narrative of a young thief and his encounter with Anil. The NCERT Solutions cover questions related to the thief's identity, his skills, his relationship with Anil, and his internal struggle with the prospect of education versus his life of crime. The solutions analyze the thief's changing perspective and his eventual return to Anil, highlighting themes of trust, reform, and the power of human connection.

Learning outcomes

Identify the main characters and their roles in 'The Thief's Story'.
Analyze the motivations and internal conflicts of the protagonist, Hari Singh.
Understand the theme of trust and its impact on personal transformation.
Explain the significance of education as depicted in the story.
Interpret the author's use of language to portray character and plot.
Summarize the key events and the resolution of the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character analysis of Hari Singh
Character analysis of Anil
Themes of theft and crime
The concept of trust
The importance of education
Personal transformation and reform
Narrative perspective
Hari Singh's internal conflict
Anil's kindness and forgiveness
The impact of human relationships

Important topics

Hari Singh's character and motivations
The theme of trust and betrayal
The transformative power of education
Anil's role in Hari Singh's reform
Hari Singh's decision to return

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out Pg-8, Question 1

Who does 'I' refer to in this story?

Solution: The first-person narrator, referred to as 'I' in this story, is Hari Singh. He is a young boy who works as a thief, specifically targeting his employers for theft.

Read and Find Out Pg-8, Question 2

What is he 'a fairy successful hand' at?

Solution: The phrase 'a fairly successful hand' is used to describe Hari Singh's expertise and proficiency in the art of theft, particularly in robbing the people he works for. It highlights his skill and experience in carrying out his illicit activities.

Read and Find Out Pg-8, Question 3

What does he get from Anil in return for his work?

Solution: In exchange for his services, which primarily involved cooking, Hari Singh receives meals from Anil. As their relationship develops, Anil also begins to teach Hari Singh how to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic.

Read and Find Out Pg-10, Question 1

How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?

Solution: The thief, Hari Singh, anticipates that Anil would react with sadness or upset upon discovering the theft. However, he believes this reaction would stem not from the financial loss itself, but from the betrayal of trust that Hari Singh's actions represent.

Read and Find Out Pg-10, Question 2

What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?

Solution: Hari Singh shares his observations from his brief career as a thief. He notes that people react differently when robbed: a greedy person shows fear, a rich man becomes angry, and a poor man typically displays mere acceptance of the loss.

Read and Find Out Pg-10, Question 3

Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?

Solution: It is highly probable that Anil realized he had been robbed. The morning after the theft, the currency notes were still damp, indicating they had been exposed to the rain. Despite this realization, Anil chose not to confront Hari Singh about the incident, demonstrating his trust and perhaps a desire to encourage reform.

Think About it, Question 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?

Solution: Initially, Hari Singh, despite being a fifteen-year-old boy with a history of theft and using different names monthly to evade capture, is quite enthusiastic about the prospect of learning. He believes that acquiring literacy—being able to read, write his name, form sentences, and add numbers—will significantly enhance his future prospects and enable him to achieve great success. He thinks that writing like an educated man would open up limitless possibilities and lead to a life beyond his wildest dreams.

However, when Anil returns with a large sum of money, Hari's ingrained thieving instincts resurface, momentarily overshadowing the positive influence Anil has had. He steals the money, driven by greed and habit.

What makes him return to Anil is a complex mix of emotions and realizations. As he sits alone with the stolen money, he reflects on Anil's kindness and the potential that education holds. He understands that while stealing is easy, becoming a 'really big man, a clever and respected man' requires more than just illicit gains; it requires self-improvement and respectability, which education can provide. The thought of losing Anil's trust and the opportunity for a better life prompts him to return the money and resume his work, signifying a turning point in his character.

Common mistakes

Confusing the thief's name and identity.
Underestimating the impact of trust and kindness on a person's behavior.
Focusing solely on the monetary loss rather than the broken trust.
Misinterpreting the thief's initial reactions to education.

Revision tips

Reread the story carefully to understand Hari Singh's changing mindset.
Focus on the interactions between Hari Singh and Anil to grasp the theme of trust.
Analyze the significance of education for Hari Singh's future.
Pay attention to the descriptive language used by the author.
Practice answering the 'Read and Find Out' and 'Think About It' questions to ensure comprehension.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who is the narrator and protagonist of 'The Thief's Story'?

Q2. What was Hari Singh's primary occupation?

Q3. What did Anil provide Hari Singh in return for his work?

Q4. How did Hari Singh think a greedy man would react to being robbed?

Q5. What did Hari Singh realize could bring him more than a few hundred rupees in the future?

Frequently asked questions

Who is 'I' in 'The Thief's Story'?

'I' in the story refers to Hari Singh, the young thief who narrates his experiences.

What does Hari Singh get from Anil in return for his work?

Hari Singh receives meals from Anil in exchange for his work. Anil also begins to teach him how to read, write, and add numbers.

How does Hari Singh feel about Anil's reaction to the theft?

Hari Singh believes Anil would be upset not just by the loss of money, but more importantly, by the broken trust.

What makes Hari Singh return to Anil?

Hari Singh returns to Anil because he is touched by Anil's kindness and the prospect of receiving an education, which he realizes can lead to a better future.

What is the main theme of 'The Thief's Story'?

The main themes include the possibility of reform, the impact of trust and kindness, and the transformative power of education.

Does Anil know that Hari Singh stole the money?

It is implied that Anil likely knows, as the notes were still wet from the rain, but he chooses not to confront Hari Singh, showing his understanding and trust.

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