Long Questions and Answers
Question 1: Money can’t make a man as much as education can. Elucidate the statement.
Answer: The statement stands true in almost all the aspects of life. Money may but us all the luxuries and fulfil our needs but it cannot buy us knowledge, civilised thinking, skill and abilities to achieve our dreams. Education lays the platform for all to act upon our goals according to our abilities. Education enables us to keep up with the fast moving world. It opens the door to opportunities we do not know even exist. Money, on the other hand, can assist us to a certain level. It can buy us a plan but education gives us the knowledge of its execution. Just as in the story ‘A Thief’s Story’.
Hari Singh befriends the struggling author ‘Anil’, in the plans of making a steal. Anil, the author is a good fellow and wants to teach Hari Singh how to read and write. Gradually, he develops trust in Hari Singh. But Hari Singh has been waiting for the right moment to steal the valuables of Anil. After stealing money from Anil, Hari Singh tries to go away forever. But some inner voice stops him from doing so. He returned to Anil because he wants to live a life of respect. This shows that Hari Singh prioritised the chance of being literate over a few hundred rupees; we must understand that education can help us to achieve whatever we desire.
Question 2: Hari Singh didn’t board the express and returned to Anil. Why did he return? On what values does this incidence put light on?
Answer: Hari Singh was a thief and he had stolen Anil’s money. After the theft, he realised that he had robbed not only Anil but also himself of the chance of being literate and having a bright future. His conscience pricked him to think what all he could have got had he not done this. It was difficult for him to rob Anil but it was tougher for him not to back. He realised that he could not make tea, buy daily supplies and learn how to read and write then. His inner self did not agree to bypass this and forced him to return.
Hari’s return to Anil shows that despite indulging in criminal acts, he still had a practical and positive attitude towards life. It is the awakening of Hari’s conscience and Anil’s love and care that reformed (changed) Hari’s character. It teaches us that love alone can change a person. Anil’s understanding nature and care changed Hari’s thinking to mend his ways for good.
The whole incident clearly shows that it might be difficult to choose a path of honour and respect but the inner satisfaction and peace are the most valuable assets, we need in our life. When we realise the value of love, care and affection than the easy way of stealing money, we would prefer to choose the path of hard work and dedication. Here, in the story, we see that Hari Singh preferred the love and affection of Anil to the money he stole from him. As he realised that trust and care are more powerful than any other thing in life.