Vocabulary:
approach [verb] come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time.
Usage: The train approached Palakollu railway station with a thundering noise.
flattery [noun] excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one's own interests
Usage: Some people use flattery to get things done.
modestly [adverb] n an unassuming manner; without vanity or arrogance;.in a humble way:
appealing [adjective] attractive or interesting.
Usage: His appealing manners impressed the principal.
cheating [gerund or present participle] [verb – to cheat] act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage. -taking away dishonestly,
Usage: I don’t like cheating anyone for my gains.
opportunity [noun] a time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something; chance
Usage: The government’s new policy has increased opportunities for export.
crawled [verb] [past tense of crawl] move forward on the hands and knees or by dragging the body close to the ground
Usage: The thief crawled towards the iron safe like a cat.
hesitated [verb] [past tense of hesitate] pause in indecision before saying or doing something
Usage: Once you have made a decision you should not hesitate.
deserted [adjective] (of a place) empty of people
Usage: All the streets were deserted during the Covid – 19 pandemic.
Summary:
The story emphasizes basic human values and relationships. It is easier for a thief to burgle a greedy man. It is difficult even for a thief to burgle a careless and honest person.
A young boy, a fifteen year old thief, becomes friends with Anil. He finds Anil gullible. He wants to steal from him. Anil is a freelance writer, who earns off and on. Anil trusts him totally and employs him as a cook though he doesn’t know how to cook.
The young thief calls himself Hari. He changes his name frequently to stay ahead of the police and old employers.Anil trusts Hari completely and wants to teach him how to read and write. Anil never minds Hari pocketing some money given to buy groceries and vegetables.
One day, Anil gets a lump sum amount of Rs.600. Hari steals the money and tries to go away on a train. Before hopping into the moving train, he hesitates and changes his mind. He goes back to Anil’s room and keeps the money under the pillow from where he has taken it. He wants to learn how to read and write. He wants to become a respectable person.
Character Sketch:
Hari Singh Or The Thief
Hari Singh was a fifteen-year-old boy, who is an experienced and successful thief. He was clever and intelligent. So he was never caught. He used to change his name as and when he committed a theft. He was a careful planner. He trapped his victims with his appealing manners. He would then ask for some work. Once employed, he used to run away after stealing money or valuables. He got a job as a cook though he could not cook well. He was a greedy boy. He was prepared to rob a simple and trusting man like Anil. He was able to steal six hundred rupees from his house. However, he decided to return to Anil to have a dignified life and receive an education from Anil.
Anil
Anil was an epitome of goodness in a human being. He was generous and friendly. He could not afford a servant, but he employed Hari Singh as a cook out of compassion. Hari did not know how to cook but Anil did not let him feel dejected. He also taught Hari how to read and write. He never minded Hari’s pocketing a rupee or two when he went out to buy supplies. He trusted Hari and did not hide the money. He evolved goodness in Hari. Hari stole the money but felt guilty. He could have boarded a train but did not. He decided to be with Anil and become an educated and respected man.
