CBSE Tuts

CBSE Maths notes, CBSE physics notes, CBSE chemistry notes

CBSE Revision Notes for class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 2 The Thief’s Story

Chapter Sketch
The Thief’s Story is about a 15 year old boy, Hari Singh, whose life changes when he meets Anil, a 25 year old writer, Anil’s unspoken words and kind gestures leaves a very positive impact on Hari Singh’s life.

About the Characters
Hari Singh He is a 15 year old, fair handed thief. He is keen on learning how to read and write. He is so experienced robber that he knows how different people will react when they are robbed. Anil He is a 25 years old, tall and lean man. He earns his living by writing. He is a kind, simple and an easy-going person.

OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER
Hari Singh Approaches Anil :
Hari Singh approached Anil while he was watching a wrestling match, as he seemed to be an easy target to him. Hari used some flattering words to gain Anil’s confidence and soon they started conversing. After a while, when Anil started to walk off, Hari followed him with his most appealing smile.
He expressed his wish to work for Anil. But Anil bluntly expressed his inability to pay Hari. Hari questioned Anil if he could feed him. Anil agreed to feed Hari only if he knew how to cook. Hari said that he knew how to cook but this was a lie.

Anil Brings Hari to his Room :
Anil took Hari to his room over Jumna Sweet Shop and let him occupy the balcony to sleep. Anil gave that night’s meal to a stray dog because the meal cooked by Hari was terrible. Anil had realised that Hari didn’t know how to cook. He asked Hari to go off to sleep, but Hari hung around, giving his most appealing smile. Anil patted Hari’s head and told him that he would teach him how to cook.

Anil Teaches Hari to Read and Write :
Anil taught Hari to write his name and promised to teach him how to write whole sentences and to add numbers eventually. Hari was happy and grateful for this as he knew that he could achieve anything he wanted once he knew how to read and write like an educated man. He liked working for Anil. He started making tea in the morning and buying the day’s supplies later. He used to make a profit of about a rupee on buying the day’s supplies but knew that Anil didn’t mind.

Hari had Gained Anil’s Trust :
One evening Anil came back with a bundle of currency notes he had got from selling a book he had written to a publisher. He kept the money under the mattress and slept peacefully. Hari had been working for Anil for almost a month and he had gained Anil’s trust. Hari saw the opportunity to rob Anil. It was not an easy task as he knew that Anil will be sad about the loss of money. He brushed away his thoughts and decided to execute the robbery the same night, as Anil would’ve otherwise wasted the money on his friends.

Hari Robbed Anil :
Hari considered the situation and crawled up to the bed when Anil was asleep. He slid his hand under the mattress and drew the money out quietly. He rushed out of the room and began to run on the road. He had secured the money with the string of his pyjama He was heading towards the railway station to catch 10.30 express to Lucknow as planned. He was elated when he counted the money on his way.

Hari didn’t Board the Train :
Hari reached the station just when the train was about to pick up speed. He could have managed to get into one of the carriages but something unexplainable stopped him. He was left behind on the station. He decided to leave the station and thought while walking through the bazaar about how would Anil feel when he would come to know about the theft. Hari had realised by then that he could not only cook the meals or go to the market to buy daily supplies, but he had also lost the chance to learn how to read and write. Due to these thoughts and his feeling of guilt, he decided to go back to Anil, if only for the sake of learning how to read and write.

Hari Kept the Money Back :
Hari hurried towards the room. He opened the door cautiously so as not to wake Anil up. He quickly took out the currency notes which were damp because of the rain. He crept up to the bed and placed the notes under the mattress. After that, he went off to sleep in the balcony.

Anil Reacted Normally in the Morning :
Hari woke up late in the morning. He found that Anil had already prepared tea. Anil gave a fifty rupee note to Hari, telling him that he had earned some money by selling a book to a publisher and now he would pay him regularly. Hari was motivated but he could make out that Anil knew everything though he didn’t say anything to him about it.

Chapter Highlights

  1.  A small-time 15 year old thief, who calls himself Hari Singh, befriends a struggling writer. Anil. Hari’s purpose is to steal Anil’s money.
  2.  Anil is a good fellow who wants to teach Hari Singh how to read and write.
  3.  Gradually, Anil develops trust in Hari Singh. But Hari Singh has been waiting for the right moment to make a killing by doing what he is best at, i.e. stealing.
  4.  After stealing the money which Anil had earned by selling a book to a publisher, Hari Singh tries to run away forever.
  5. But some inner voice stops him from doing so. He returns to Anil because he realises that he wants to live a life of respect.
  6. Anil does not show that he knows about the theft and accepts Hari Singh with open arms.
  7.  Thus, a well intentioned person tries to reform a teenager who has strayed from the correct path.

WORD MEANINGS
The given page nos. correspond to the pages in the prescribed textbook.

Word Meaning
PAGE 8
fairly successful hand reasonably successful in my work
easy-going relaxed and open-minded
of late recently
get into  confidence will trust
flattery insincere praise
put me off distracted me
modestly without boasting; humbly
ahead of undetected by
grunting making a low guttural sound
appealing attractive
PAGE 9
be off go away
hung around did not leave
supplies rations/food items
PAGE 10
by fits and starts irregularly
cheque payment for work done
uniined showing no sign of worry or anxiety
fifties 50 rupee notes
PAGE 11
deserted empty of people
PAGE 12
clouded moonlight light from the moon partly covered by clouds
spirits rose mood became happy

 

For More Resources