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Summary:
In the story, a young narrator admits to being a thief when he meets Anil, a kind and simple man about 25 years old. Despite the narrator’s experience in theft, he tries to gain Anil’s trust by engaging him in a conversation about wrestling. Anil, seeming friendly and easy to manipulate, offers the narrator food and shelter. The narrator, using the false name “Hari Singh” and claiming cooking skills he doesn’t possess, manages to secure a place to stay above the Jumna Sweet Shop.
Anil, unaware of the narrator’s true intentions, begins to teach him basic skills like cooking and writing, showing patience and kindness. Despite opportunities to steal from Anil, the narrator hesitates until one night when he succumbs to temptation. He steals money from Anil while he sleeps, planning to flee to Lucknow with it. However, at the train station, he hesitates and misses his chance to escape. Feeling remorseful, he returns to Anil, realizing he values the trust and kindness Anil has shown him more than the stolen money.
Upon his return, the narrator finds Anil already awake and aware of the theft. Instead of anger or punishment, Anil calmly gives him a wet note, indicating he knows what happened but forgives him. Anil then suggests they start learning to write sentences together, showing a willingness to help the narrator improve his life honestly. The narrator, touched by Anil’s forgiveness and understanding, decides to stay and learn from him, recognizing the importance of trust and integrity over deceit and theft.
Throughout the story, themes of trust, kindness, and moral growth are explored as the narrator reflects on his actions and the impact they have on his relationship with Anil. The story highlights the narrator’s internal struggle between his criminal instincts and the desire to change for the better, ultimately choosing to learn and grow under Anil’s guidance.
THE THIEF’S STORY
| Word/expression | Meaning |
| I was an experienced and fairly successful hand | I was skilled and had success as a thief. |
| get into the young man’s confidence | to be trusted with the young man’s secrets అతని నమ్మకాన్ని పొందడం |
| put me off | made me lose interest |
| of late | recently |
| told me to be off | told me to go |
| I just hung around | I just waited/stayed |
| I was grateful. | I was thankful. |
| Anil made money by fits and starts. | Anil earned money inconsistently. |
| A queer way to make a living | A strange way to make money |
| I saw him tuck the money under the mattress. | I saw him push the money under the mattress. |
| I had not done anything in my line of work. | I had not done my usual job (as a thief). |
| I’m out of practice. | I have not practised for some time. |
| His face was clear and unlined. | His face was clear and without any marks/lines. |
| scar | a mark that is left on the skin after a wound has got better |
| pyjamas | A loose jacket and trousers worn in bed |
| But dashed straight to the platform | But went (quickly) straight to the platform |
| I lost the chance to get away. | I lost the chance to escape. |
| maidan /maɪˈdɑːn/ | an open space in or near a town in South Asia, usually covered with grass |
| for it is much easier | because it is much easier |
| I crept to the head of the bed. | I moved to the head of the bed. |
| My hands came up with the notes. | My hands found the notes. |
| My heart sank. | I felt a strong sense of fear. |