“The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond: Short Answer

answers
  1. Who is Arun and what is his role in the story?
    • Arun is a young man, about twenty years old, whom the narrator, a thief named Deepak, meets while Arun is watching a wrestling match. Arun becomes Deepak’s mentor and friend.
  2. Describe the narrator’s initial impression of Arun.
    • The narrator thought Arun looked kind and simple, making him a suitable target for gaining trust and potentially stealing from.
  3. What does Deepak lie about when he first meets Arun?
    • Deepak lies about his name, calling himself Deepak, though it was not his real name.
  4. How does Arun react to Deepak’s cooking?
    • Arun reacts negatively to Deepak’s cooking, finding it awful enough to give it to the neighbor’s cat, yet he decides to teach Deepak how to cook properly.
  5. What does Deepak learn from Arun apart from cooking?
    • Apart from cooking, Arun teaches Deepak to write his name and other basic literacy skills like writing complete sentences and managing money on paper.
  6. How does Deepak make a small profit daily?
    • Deepak makes a small profit by telling Arun that rice costs fifty-six paise per pound while buying it for fifty paise and keeping the difference.
  7. What moral conflict does Deepak face regarding Arun?
    • Deepak struggles with the decision to rob Arun because Arun is poor and trusting, which makes Deepak reconsider his actions out of a growing sense of guilt and fondness.
  8. Why does Deepak ultimately decide not to rob Arun?
    • Deepak decides against robbing Arun because of his affection for Arun and his desire to learn more from him, particularly how to write complete sentences, which he sees as more valuable in the long run.
  9. What is the turning point in Deepak’s life according to the story?
    • The turning point is when Deepak decides not to rob Arun, showing a change in his moral compass and personal values.
  10. Discuss the significance of Arun’s reaction when he discovers the theft.
    • Arun’s calm and forgiving reaction to the theft signifies his deep understanding and disappointment in Deepak’s actions, yet he chooses to teach Deepak a greater lesson about honesty and trust.

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