This The Thief Story summary for Class 10 English gives you the full story, themes, characters, and word meanings in one place. The Thief's Story is a tale by Ruskin Bond about a young thief and a kind writer, covered in line with the 2026-27 NCERT for quick board revision.
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=1&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=2&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=3&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=4&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=5&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=6&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=7&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=8&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=9&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=10&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=11&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=12&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=13&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=14&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=15&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=16&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=17&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=18&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=19&dpi=150)
Chapter2TheThief'sStoryNotes.pdf?page=20&dpi=150)
- Board Weightage: This story feeds the Literature section, worth roughly 10 marks across extract, short-answer, and long-answer questions.
- Most Tested Ideas: Hari Singh's theft and return, Anil's trust, and the power of learning.
- 2026-27 NCERT: The chapter is unchanged in the current Footprints Without Feet textbook.
These notes are prepared by Collegedunia's English subject experts, matched to the 2026-27 NCERT Footprints Without Feet textbook, and framed around the last five years of CBSE Board questions.
Also Check:
- The Thief's Story Class 10 English NCERT Solutions
- The Thief's Story Class 10 English NCERT Book PDF
The Thief's Story Topic-wise Importance for CBSE Boards
Some parts of the story are asked more than others. This table shows where to spend your revision time.
| Topic | Board Importance |
|---|---|
| How Hari befriends Anil | High |
| The theft and Hari's return | High |
| Anil's trust and forgiveness | High |
| The value of education | Medium |
The Thief's Story Summary in Simple Words
This The Thief Story summary covers the tale in three clear parts.
Hari Singh Meets Anil
Hari Singh is a clever fifteen-year-old thief. At a wrestling match he meets Anil, a kind but poor young writer. Hari offers to work for him, and Anil agrees to give him food and a place to stay if Hari will let him teach him to cook and to read and write. Hari slowly becomes part of Anil's simple life.
The Theft
One day Anil brings home a bundle of notes from selling his writing. That night Hari quietly takes the money and slips out to catch the night train. But at the station he cannot bring himself to board it. He stands alone in the cold rain, thinking hard about what he is doing.
The Return
Hari realises that money will soon be gone, but the ability to read and write can change his life and earn him respect. He values Anil's trust more than the cash. So he returns and puts the money back before Anil wakes. The next morning Anil, who seems to know, says nothing and simply gives Hari money for food and offers to teach him to write whole sentences.
Themes and Message of The Thief's Story
The story carries two ideas that boards test.
- The power of trust: Anil's faith in Hari slowly changes the young thief.
- Education transforms lives: The wish to learn pulls Hari away from crime.
The Thief's Story Word Meanings
These tough words from the chapter often appear in extract-based questions.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Grateful | Thankful |
| Convenient | Easy and suitable |
| Prospered | Did well, grew richer |
| Delightful | Very pleasant |
| Hesitated | Paused before acting |
| Ashamed | Feeling guilt or embarrassment |
Most Repeated Board Questions on The Thief's Story
This The Thief Story summary ends with the questions you must practise. Each has appeared in CBSE-style papers.
- How did Hari Singh meet Anil?
- Why did Hari steal the money?
- Why did he return it?
- What kind of person was Anil?
Full question answers: The Thief's Story Class 10 English NCERT Solutions
Revised well, this The Thief Story summary from Collegedunia should let you attempt any board question on the chapter with confidence.
More The Thief's Story English Class 10 Resources
Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Notes: All Chapters
Open the notes for any other Footprints Without Feet chapter from this table.
| Chapter | Resource |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1 | A Triumph of Surgery Notes |
| Chapter 2 | The Thief's Story Notes |
| Chapter 3 | The Midnight Visitor Notes |
| Chapter 4 | A Question of Trust Notes |
| Chapter 5 | Footprints without Feet Notes |
| Chapter 6 | The Making of a Scientist Notes |
| Chapter 7 | The Necklace Notes |
| Chapter 8 | Bholi Notes |
| Chapter 9 | The Book That Saved the Earth Notes |
The Thief's Story Class 10 English Notes FAQs
Ques. Where can I download The Thief's Story Class 10 English Notes PDF?
Ans. You can download the The Thief's Story Class 10 English Notes PDF directly from this page. Both the Normal and HD versions are free.
Ques. What is the theme of The Thief's Story?
Ans. The story shows how trust and the chance to learn can change a person. Anil's kindness turns the young thief Hari towards an honest life.
Ques. Who is the narrator of the story?
Ans. The story is told by Hari Singh himself, a fifteen-year-old thief who befriends the writer Anil.
Ques. Are these notes aligned with the 2026-27 syllabus?
Ans. Yes. This chapter remains Chapter 2 of Footprints Without Feet in the current 2026-27 syllabus, so these notes are fully valid for the board exam.
Ques. How does Anil react to the theft for a 12th std style answer?
Ans. Anil seems to know that Hari took and returned the money, yet he says nothing. He forgives Hari and offers to keep teaching him to write.
Comments