English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Hari Singh's decision to return the stolen money marks a clear moral turning point in The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond.

Initially, Hari is a 15-year-old experienced thief who befriends Anil with deliberate deceit, using flattery to gain his trust. He steals ₹600 from under Anil's mattress and plans to board the Lucknow Express. Yet he hesitates and misses the train — a hesitation he himself cannot explain, hinting at a conscience beginning to stir.

Sitting alone in the cold, rainy night, Hari realises what he truly stands to lose: "Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees." Education and respect — gifts only Anil offered — outweigh the stolen money.

When he quietly slips the notes back under the mattress, it is not fear of the police but genuine remorse that guides him. Anil's silent acknowledgement — handing Hari a damp fifty-rupee note with the promise "Today we'll start writing sentences" — shows his forgiving nature. The smile that comes to Hari "without any effort" reflects authentic gratitude, signalling that his moral awakening is real and his bond with Anil is now built on trust, not deception.

Source: The Thief's Story, Ruskin Bond — Moments (NCERT Class 10)

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What examiners look for in a 6-mark character-analysis answer:

• A clear thesis in the opening line (moral evolution).
• Textual evidence — quote or closely paraphrase the story (the missed train, the rain scene, the "whole sentences" thought, the damp note). Examiners reward direct references.
• Cover both sides: Hari's past deceit AND his change — don't write only about the theft or only about the return.
• End with Anil's role as mentor/catalyst; the question specifically asks about "Anil's kindness and mentorship."
• Keep paragraphs tight; ~130 words is the sweet spot for 6 marks. Avoid listing bullet points for a "describe/discuss" question — flowing paragraphs score better.