A Step by Step Approach to 'The Thief's Story' written by Ruskin Bond.

1. The Thief’s Story
By RuskinBond
A Presentation by
Mrs. Mousmi Majumdar

2. About the Author
Ruskin Bond (born 19 May 1934) is an
Indian author of British descent. He lives
in Landour, Mussoorie, India. He was
awarded the Sahitya Academy
Award ,the Padma Shri the Padma
Bhushan. Most of his works are
influenced by life in the hill stations at
the foothills of the Himalayas, where he
spent his childhood. His first novel, The
Room On the Roof, was written when he
was 17 and published when he was 21.
Being a writer for over 50 years, Bond
experimented with different genres;
early works include fiction, short
stories, novella with some
being autobiographical. Later, he tried
out non-fiction, horror,
romance and books for children.

4. Introduction tothe Chapter
‘The Thief’s Story’ is about a 15-year-old thief who
changes his name every month to stay ahead of the police and
his old employers. This time he has kept his name Hari Singh.
He goes on to ask a 25 year old writer named Anil to allow
him to work for him.
Anil trusts him completely and employs him.
Does Hari Singh succeed in stealing from Anil?
Does the boy betray his trust?
What happens at the end?

5. Characters
•Hari Singh - a small time thief
•Anil - a struggling writer

6. Summary
The story begins with Hari Singh, a small time thief, approaching
Anil, a struggling writer, who is watching a wrestling match. Hari
Singh lets the readers know that this is not his real name since he
keeps changing his name to avoid getting caught by the police or
his previous employers. However, we don’t get to know his real
name in the story.
Hari Singh tries to flatter Anil in order to have his attention. Once
he has Anil’s attention, he asks Anil for a job. Anil flatly refuses
saying that he won’t be able to pay. But Hari Singh’s persistance
makes Anil think twice. Finally they reach an agreement. Hari
Singh would cook for Anil. In return, Anil would feed him and
give him a place to stay.
Contd…

7. Summary
Contd…
This goes on for a about a month. Since Anil doesn’t make much
money, Hari Singh doesn’t get a chance to steal anything. Hari
Singh cooks, buys grocery and sometimes makes a rupee or two
from the money Anil gives for the vegetables and grocery. Anil has
even taught Hari Singh to write his name and would soon teach
him to write full sentences about which Hari Singh seems excited.
He feels he would achieve greater things once he knows how to
write sentences.
One day Anil returns with a bundle of notes which he has earned
by selling his book to a publisher. Hari Singh plans to make his
move that night and steal the money.
Contd…

8. Summary
Contd…
At night, Hari Singh managed to steal the money and sneak out of
the house. He ran to the station where a train was just leaving the
platform. He could’ve boarded the train but suddenly something
told him not to and he didn’t board the train.
He was left alone on the deserted platform. He had nowhere to go.
He kept walking and reached the ‘maidan’. A sudden rain
drenched him and made him take shelter under a clock tower.
He now felt miserable about stealing from the very man who
trusted him. Suddenly he remembered about the full sentences and
how they would earn him respect in the society. He decided to
return to Anil, even if only to learn how to write full sentences.
Contd…

9. Summary
Contd…
Hari Singh returns to Anil’s house and quietly manages to keep the
damp notes at the same place from where he had stolen them.
The next morning, Anil gives Hari Singh a fifty rupee note and
tells him that now he would be paid regularly . Anil also says that
he would start teaching Hari Singh how to write full sentences
from that very day.
Hari Singh finds the fifty rupee note still damp from the last
night’s rain. He realizes that Anil knows everything but has chosen
not to bring things up.
The story ends with Hari Singh finally and genuinely feeling
happy to be in the company of Anil.

10. Vocabulary
1. Former - previous
2. Fits and starts – the repeated action of something
stopping suddenly and starting again
3. Drizzle – a light rain

11. Vocabulary
Clock towers are a specific type of
building which houses a turret clock
and has one or more clock faces on
the upper exterior walls.

12. Themeof the Story
The Story revolves around the theme of human relations, kindness, trust, betrayal,
aspirations and guilt.
There is an unspoken affection between Anil and Hari Singh which neither of them
express in words but through actions. Anil teaches Hari Singh to write and also
doesn’t mind his stealing a rupee or two from grocery bills.
Anil also trusts Hari Singh with his house. Hari Singh has an extra key of the house
and can come and go whenever he wants.
Hari Singh’s betrayal doesn’t come as a surprise as we are given to this notion from
the beginning that he’ll steal. It’s only a matter of time before Hari Singh gets a
chance to steal.
Guilt eats away at the heart and soul of Hari Singh after he has stolen from the man
who had trusted Hari Singh the most. It’s this guilt combined with an aspiration of a
better future that brings about a twist in the tale and compels Hari Singh to return
to Anil.