NCERT Class 10 English Foot Prints Without feet Supp. Reader: Chapter 2 — The Thief's Story
This chapter, "The Thief's Story," introduces a young, experienced thief who targets Anil, a seemingly easy-going and kind man. The narrator, who lies about his name and skills, attempts to gain Anil's trust to steal from him. Anil, despite being aware of the narrator's potential for theft, offers him food and shelter, even teaching him to cook, write his name, and eventually, whole sentences and numbers. The narrator enjoys working for Anil, making a small profit from daily supplies, and feels grateful for the opportunity to become educated, believing it will open up limitless possibilities. The story sets the stage for a potential betrayal of Anil's trust.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Foot Prints Without feet Supp. Reader |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — The Thief's Story |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 253 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the narrator's initial character as a thief.
- Analyze Anil's trusting nature and its impact.
- Identify the narrator's motivations and aspirations.
- Recognize the importance of education and its transformative power.
- Discuss the themes of trust and betrayal in relationships.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| experienced | having gained knowledge or skill through practice and exposure. |
| fairly successful | reasonably good at achieving what one intends. |
| approached | came near to someone or something. |
| lean | thin, especially in a way that shows strength and health. |
| easy-going | relaxed and not easily upset or worried. |
| purpose | the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. |
| confidence | a feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust. |
| flattery | excessive or insincere praise. |
| modestly | in a way that shows a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits. |
| casually | in a relaxed and unconcerned manner. |
| appealing | attractive or interesting. |
| misjudged | formed an incorrect opinion of someone or something. |
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Practice questions
- Who is the narrator of the story, and what is his profession? Answer: The narrator is a young thief, about 15 years old, who is experienced and fairly successful at his profession.
- What was Anil's age and appearance? Answer: Anil was about 25 years old, tall, lean, and looked easy-going, kind, and simple.
- Why did the narrator lie about his name? Answer: He lied about his name to keep ahead of the police and his former employers.
- What was the narrator's initial attempt at cooking like? Answer: His first attempt at cooking was terrible, so bad that Anil gave it to a stray dog.
- What did Anil teach the narrator besides cooking? Answer: Anil taught him to write his name and promised to teach him to write whole sentences and add numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of 'The Thief's Story'?
The main themes are trust, deception, and the transformative power of education and kindness.
Who is the narrator in 'The Thief's Story'?
The narrator is a young, 15-year-old thief who is experienced in his trade.
What does Anil do for a living?
The text doesn't explicitly state Anil's profession, but he seems to be a writer or someone who works with words, as he teaches the narrator to write.
Why does the narrator want to work for Anil?
The narrator wants to work for Anil because he sees him as an easy target, someone he can gain the confidence of to steal from.
What does Anil teach the narrator?
Anil teaches the narrator to cook, to write his name, and promises to teach him to write whole sentences and add numbers.
How does the narrator make money while working for Anil?
He makes a small profit of about a rupee a day by overcharging on the daily supplies he buys.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 10 English — Foot Prints Without feet Supp. Reader — Chapter 2 — The Thief's Story. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.