English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Anil's treatment of Hari Singh clearly reflects his empathetic and generous nature throughout the story.

From the very beginning, Anil shows generosity by taking in a stranger with no verifiable background, offering him food, shelter, and even education — teaching him to cook, write his name, and form whole sentences — without any salary.

When Hari Singh steals ₹600 and returns the money by slipping it back under the mattress, Anil quietly demonstrates that he knows. The next morning, he hands Hari a fifty-rupee note — still wet from the rain — saying he will now pay him regularly. He says nothing about the theft. His lips and eyes show nothing.

This silent forgiveness is the most powerful expression of empathy. He understands that punishing or exposing Hari would destroy the boy's chance of reform. Instead, he chooses to continue teaching him — "Today we'll start writing sentences" — showing that he values Hari's future over his own loss.

Anil's forgiveness is not weakness; it is a conscious, compassionate choice that ultimately transforms a thief.

Source: The Thief's Story, Ruskin Bond — Chapter 2

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• Examiners look for: a clear argument + specific textual evidence + a brief conclusion showing insight.
• Key evidence to cite: teaching without pay, the wet fifty-rupee note, the silence about theft, the sentence about writing sentences the next morning.
• Don't just retell the plot — show how each action proves empathy/generosity.
• The wet note is the clincher: it proves Anil knew, yet chose forgiveness. Always mention it.
• Word count here is ~150 words — acceptable for a 6-mark answer that asks you to "elaborate."