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I. Chapter Summary

“The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond is a touching tale of transformation and human kindness. The narrator, a 15-year-old thief who frequently changes names and identities, meets Anil, a kind and trusting man. The thief pretends to be interested in learning and is taken in by Anil, who offers him food, shelter, and teaches him how to read and write. Despite the temptation to steal Anil’s money, the narrator ultimately decides against it. His choice to return the stolen money and embrace an honest life marks his inner transformation.
Themes: Redemption, kindness, trust, the power of education, and moral transformation.

II. Key Concepts Covered

Concept	Explanation
Transformation through Trust	The story highlights how trust and kindness can change even a criminal’s heart.
Moral Redemption	The narrator experiences guilt and chooses the honest path.
Power of Education	Learning to write and count becomes symbolic of starting a new life.
Conflict between Good and Evil	Internal battle of choosing between theft and honesty.
Narrative Perspective	First-person narration gives insight into the thief’s inner world.

III. Important Questions

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

1. Why did the thief choose Anil as his target?
   • a) Anil was rich and alert
   • b) Anil seemed careless and simple
   • c) Anil had a car
   • d) Anil lived in a mansion
   • Answer: b) Anil seemed careless and simple
     (PYQ – 2019)
2. What job did Anil offer the thief at first?
   • a) Teaching tuition
   • b) Cooking and buying groceries
   • c) Writing articles
   • d) Managing accounts
   • Answer: b) Cooking and buying groceries
3. How much money did the thief steal from Anil?
   • a) 500 rupees
   • b) 600 rupees
   • c) 700 rupees
   • d) 800 rupees
   • Answer: c) 600 rupees
     (PYQ – 2020)
4. What did the thief do with the money after stealing it?
   • a) Spent it on sweets
   • b) Threw it in the river
   • c) Ran away with it forever
   • d) Returned it secretly
   • Answer: d) Returned it secretly

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks)

1. Why did the narrator decide to return to Anil after stealing the money? (PYQ – 2020)
2. What qualities of Anil attracted the narrator to him?
3. What internal conflict does the narrator go through after stealing the money?
4. How did the thief change by the end of the story?

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

1. What does the story teach about the power of trust and kindness? (PYQ – 2019)
2. “Education can change a person’s life.” How is this idea reflected in The Thief’s Story?
3. Describe the narrator’s transformation. What factors influenced his decision to change?
4. Justify the title The Thief’s Story with reference to the plot and character development.

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

1. If Anil had confronted the narrator about the theft, do you think the narrator would still have changed? Justify.
2. How does the story reflect that every person has the potential for change, no matter their past?

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts

This is a literature-based chapter; no numerical formulas are applicable. However, key definitions include:

• Redemption – The act of being saved from sin or wrongdoing.
• Narrative voice – First-person point of view offers personal insight into the narrator’s conflict.
• Theme of Duality – Internal conflict between good (conscience) and bad (temptation).

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026)

No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks (2025–26).

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026)

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
The Thief’s Story	6–8 marks	1 MCQ, 1 Short Answer, 1 Long Answer, 1 HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Year	Marks	Question
2019	5	What lesson does The Thief’s Story teach us about honesty and human nature?
2020	3	Why did the narrator return the money to Anil?
2021	1	How much money did the thief steal from Anil?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples

• Juvenile Reform: Shows how empathy and mentorship can help rehabilitate young offenders.
• Education as Empowerment: Even the underprivileged can change their lives through literacy.
• Moral Dilemma Handling: Helps students understand real-life ethical decisions.
• Emotional Intelligence: Understanding guilt, gratitude, and growth in relationships.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success

Time Management

• Assign 15–20 mins daily for reading and value-based story review.
• Read stories aloud to improve pronunciation and memory.

Exam Preparation

• Prepare character sketches of the narrator and Anil.
• Focus on moral values and messages from the story.
• Practice questions from CBSE sample papers.

Stress Management

• Relate characters to real-life role models for deeper retention.
• Discuss moral dilemmas from the story with friends/teachers.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration

For Classes 9–10

• Stream Overview:
  • Science: Problem-solving, logical thinking (useful in ethical sciences).
  • Commerce: Requires honesty and trust, as reflected in the story.
  • Arts: Literature, psychology, journalism — storytelling & empathy are key.

Skill Building Through Literature:

• Creative Writing
• Ethics in Professions
• Understanding Psychology (for fields like law, counseling, teaching)

Relevant Exams:

• NTSE
• SOF English Olympiad
• CBSE Reading Challenge

XI. Important Notes

• Always cross-check content with ncert.nic.in and cbseacademic.nic.in.
• Revise character-based and theme-based questions regularly.
• Focus on message, character traits, and transformation rather than memorization.