Class 10 – Chapter 09 : A Piece of String

Let’s Rewind –

1. Hauchecome picks up a piece of string, but his innocent action is misunderstood. Have you had a similar experience of being misunderstood by others? Describe your personal experience or that of someone you know.

Yes, I have had a similar experience. Once, in school, I found a pencil case on the floor and picked it up to return it to the lost-and-found box. But just then, a classmate saw me holding it and assumed I had stolen it. The rumour quickly spread, and everyone looked at me suspiciously. I felt hurt and embarrassed. Even after the rightful owner got it back, some people still doubted me. That experience taught me how painful it is to be falsely judged, and I understood what Hauchecome must have felt.

2. Does Malandain actually believe that Hauchecome took the pocketbook? Give reasons.

Yes, Malandain likely believes that Hauchecome took the pocketbook. His accusation is not made casually—he firmly claims that he saw Hauchecome pick something up. Malandain and Hauchecome were on bad terms, which might have made him more suspicious and quick to judge. Instead of clarifying what he saw, he jumped to conclusions. His prejudice and enmity likely clouded his judgment, making him assume the worst without verifying facts.

3. Hauchecome keeps on claiming his innocence until his death. Write a short paragraph on his sense of honour and dignity.

Hauchecome is a man with great self-respect and honour. He values his reputation above everything else. Even though he is poor, he cannot tolerate being called a thief. After being falsely accused of stealing the pocketbook, he becomes obsessed with clearing his name. He tells his story repeatedly, hoping someone will believe him. This constant need to prove his innocence shows his deep pain and frustration. His dignity was destroyed by the doubt of others, and that emotional burden becomes so heavy that it finally leads to his death. His honour mattered more to him than his life itself.

Let’s Recall and Recreate

1. Character Sketch of Hauchecome

Hauchecome is a simple, honest, and poor peasant from Goderville. He is thrifty by nature and believes in the value of even small things. That’s why he bends down to pick up a mere piece of string. But this simple act leads to a major misunderstanding that ruins his life.

He is a man with great self-respect and integrity. When falsely accused of stealing a lost pocketbook, he becomes obsessed with proving his innocence. Despite the actual pocketbook being found, no one believes him. This rejection by society deeply hurts him. His constant effort to explain the truth shows how important his reputation is to him. Hauchecome dies a broken man, still trying to prove his honesty. His character reveals how society’s mistrust can destroy a person’s mental peace and even their life.

2. Write-up: Society Can Make or Break an Individual

Society plays a crucial role in shaping a person’s life. In the story “A Piece of String”, Hauchecome is wrongly accused of theft. Even after the pocketbook is returned, the people of the village continue to suspect him. They laugh at him, mock him, and refuse to accept his truth. Their cruel treatment affects Hauchecome so much that he loses his peace of mind and eventually dies of mental anguish.

This shows how powerful public opinion is. If society supports a person, even the most difficult situations can be faced. But if society judges someone unfairly, it can destroy their confidence, reputation, and happiness. We must remember to be kind and not form opinions without knowing the full truth. A compassionate society uplifts people; a judgmental one destroys them.

3. Diary Entry of Hauchecome

8 December, Night

Today has been one of the most painful days of my life. I am still in shock. How could anyone think that I would steal something? All I picked up was a piece of string—just a string! But Malandain saw me and reported that I had taken the pocketbook.

The Mayor questioned me. I told him the truth. I showed him the string. But still, nobody believes me. They think I returned the pocketbook through someone else to avoid punishment. It’s so unfair. My heart is heavy with pain. I am an old man. I have always lived with dignity. Why won’t they believe me?

I don’t know how I will live with this shame. I only want my truth to be heard.

– Hauchecome

4. Conversation Between You and Hauchecome

Me: Good morning, M. Hauchecome. You look troubled. Is something wrong?
Hauchecome: Yes, everything is wrong. They say I stole the pocketbook. But I didn’t!
Me: I heard you picked something from the ground.
Hauchecome: Yes, I picked up a piece of string. That’s all! Malandain saw me and assumed it was the pocketbook.
Me: Did you tell the Mayor?
Hauchecome: I told him everything. I even showed him the string. But he didn’t believe me. No one does.
Me: I believe you, sir. It’s so cruel how people are quick to judge.
Hauchecome: Thank you, young man. Your belief gives me a little peace. But the damage is already done.

5. Letter of Condolence by the Mayor to Hauchecome’s Wife

To
Mrs. Hauchecome,
Goderville

Respected Madam,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter. Please accept my deepest condolences on the untimely passing of your husband, Monsieur Hauchecome.

I now realise how much pain and humiliation he suffered because of a false accusation. Though the pocketbook was found, the villagers continued to mistrust him. I feel responsible for not standing by him with greater conviction. Society failed your husband, and I deeply regret my part in it.

He was a man of great honesty and pride. His efforts to prove his innocence touched me deeply. I hope his soul finds peace.

Please let me know if the Mayor’s office can be of any help to you or your family.

With heartfelt sympathy,
Mayor of Goderville

Let’s Play with Words – Complete Answers

Activity 1

A. Identify the Phrasal Verbs and Their Meanings

From the speech about war, here are the phrasal verbs used and their meanings:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
put across	to communicate clearly
put up with	to tolerate
put aside	to ignore or forget something briefly
put forward	to suggest or propose
put off	to postpone or cancel something
put in	to make an effort

B. Complete the Passage with Appropriate Phrases

(Phrases to use: put forward, put across, put up with, put aside, put out, put down)

For children who have put up with violence, exploitation, or abuse, the trauma may not subside even after years. Child victims have limited knowledge of their rights, and at times, they find it difficult to put across their inner trauma to others. They may also struggle to put aside their fear of judgment and isolation. Without proper guidance, they might not know how to put out their need for help and support. It is important not to put down the concerns of child victims, as acknowledging their trauma is the first step to healing. Healthcare professionals should put forward clear guidelines on how to support children who have experienced violence, ensuring that they know help is available.

Activity 2

A. Complete the Passage with the Given Words

(Words to use: address, right, kind/kinds)

The Sahayata Foundation is a prominent organisation dedicated to promoting social justice through education. It works to provide quality schooling for children from underprivileged backgrounds, ensuring every child’s right to good education. Providing such children with education is the kind way to protect them from exploitation. By fostering an inclusive environment, the Foundation aims to address the issues which hinder the development of the children. Exploitation of all kinds has to be prevented. The foundation organises campaigns in which professionals address the people. This should make society more kind and considerate to the marginalised.

Explanation:
The words have not been used in the same sense in both places.

“right” as in legal/moral entitlement vs. correct
“kind” as in type vs. compassionate
“address” as in deal with a problem vs. speak to an audience

These are homonyms – words with the same spelling and pronunciation but different meanings.

B. Match the Columns (Homonym Exercise)

Column A	Column B	Column C
a group of things with similar characteristics	kind	true or correct as a fact
a formal speech delivered to an audience	address	showing generosity and consideration to others
a legal or moral entitlement	right	throw light on / begin to deal with

C. Fill in the Blanks Using Homonyms (Jumbled Letters Provided)

The fair was a lot of fun, and the weather was also fair outside.
The security personnel will soon close the door which is close to the reception.
The secretary took thirty minutes to prepare the minutes of the meeting.
The current information about the missing person is that he was swept away by the strong current of water.
It was a small well, but it had always been well maintained by the people of the locality.

Activity 3 – Crossword Puzzle (Key Words)

Below are the solutions to the crossword clues based on the story:

Across:

Accomplice – one who helps another in a crime
Incredible – unable to believe
Embarrassed – ashamed or shy
Indignation – anger
Mysterious – strange
Pompous – too solemn or grand
Hearth – fireplace

Down:

Disturbing – causing distress
Blister – a bubble on the skin
Distorted – twisted out of shape
Mourning – black dress worn for a funeral
Delirium – disturbed state of mind
Vigour – strength
Gendarmerie – French police
Threshold – entrance to a room or building

Let’s Analyse

Activity 1 – Tense Forms

Sentence:

“The woman, bundled in a corner, had been listening till he finished speaking.”

Answers:

Main action: The woman had been listening.
When did it begin: In the past, before he finished speaking.
In progress till: He finished speaking.

This is past perfect continuous tense.

Hauchecome’s Statement:

“I have been trying to prove my innocence for over a week now.”

Answers:

Main action: Trying to prove his innocence
When did he begin: Over a week ago
How long has it been going on: For a week
Is he still trying: Yes

This is present perfect continuous tense.

Activity 1 (a): Identify Tense in Dialogue

Conversation Between Arjun and Parents

Present Perfect Continuous	Past Perfect Continuous
have been avoiding	had been living
have been trying	had been trying
have been hiding	had been working
has been tightening	had been using

Activity 1 (b): Fill in the Tense

My mother had been teaching in a college for 20 years before her retirement.
I have been reading this book for almost two hours now.
He has been working in this company since 2010.
It has been raining since morning and so the cricket match is cancelled.

Activity 2 – Correlative Conjunctions

a. Splitting and Analysing Sentences

Original: The finder is requested to return the pocketbook either to the Mayor’s office or to the police.
- a. The finder is requested to return the pocketbook to the Mayor’s office.
- b. The finder is requested to return the pocketbook to the police.
- Connecting Words: either…or
Original: Neither the Mayor nor the villagers believed Hauchecome.
- a. The Mayor did not believe Hauchecome.
- b. The villagers did not believe Hauchecome.
- Connecting Words: neither…nor

These are called correlative conjunctions.

b. Subject-Verb Agreement

Sentence: Neither the woman’s husband nor her friends understand the depth of her sorrow.
- Subject closer to verb: her friends (plural) → verb = understand
Sentence: Neither the villagers nor the Mayor trusts Hauchecome.
- Subject closer to verb: the Mayor (singular) → verb = trusts

c. Fill in the Blanks with Correlatives

The woman was either twisting and wriggling or growling like a wild animal.
His innocence was neither easy to prove nor recognised by others.
The pocketbook was either taken by Hauchecome or seen by Malandain.
You may either win or lose the game. Participation is the spirit of the game.
Neither New York nor London is a city in India.
Neither the teacher nor the children were in the school bus.

Activity 3 – Special Verb Structures

a. Sentence from the Story

Sentence: The one who had had his son at the front since the first day of the war sighed.

Expression in bold: had had

It is the past perfect form of the verb “have”.

b. Identify Meaning in Expressions

Rani has had a headache all day.
- Indicates something that started earlier and continues up to now.
Shanu and Rahul have had a discussion.
- Indicates an event just completed.

In these examples, the first “have/has” is auxiliary and the second “had” is the main verb.

c. Analyse Past Perfect Structures

Last weekend Prabith just wanted to relax because he had had a busy week.
The director told me that he had had a meeting with the producer.

These show that one past action (had had) happened before another past action (wanted, told).

Let’s Analyse

Activity 1 – Tense Forms

Sentence:

“The woman, bundled in a corner, had been listening till he finished speaking.”

Answers:

Main action: The woman had been listening.
When did it begin: In the past, before he finished speaking.
In progress till: He finished speaking.

This is past perfect continuous tense.

Hauchecome’s Statement:

“I have been trying to prove my innocence for over a week now.”

Answers:

Main action: Trying to prove his innocence
When did he begin: Over a week ago
How long has it been going on: For a week
Is he still trying: Yes

This is present perfect continuous tense.

Activity 1 (a): Identify Tense in Dialogue

Conversation Between Arjun and Parents

Present Perfect Continuous	Past Perfect Continuous
have been avoiding	had been living
have been trying	had been trying
have been hiding	had been working
has been tightening	had been using

Activity 1 (b): Fill in the Tense

My mother had been teaching in a college for 20 years before her retirement.
I have been reading this book for almost two hours now.
He has been working in this company since 2010.
It has been raining since morning and so the cricket match is cancelled.

Activity 2 – Correlative Conjunctions

a. Splitting and Analysing Sentences

Original: The finder is requested to return the pocketbook either to the Mayor’s office or to the police.
- a. The finder is requested to return the pocketbook to the Mayor’s office.
- b. The finder is requested to return the pocketbook to the police.
- Connecting Words: either…or
Original: Neither the Mayor nor the villagers believed Hauchecome.
- a. The Mayor did not believe Hauchecome.
- b. The villagers did not believe Hauchecome.
- Connecting Words: neither…nor

These are called correlative conjunctions.

b. Subject-Verb Agreement

Sentence: Neither the woman’s husband nor her friends understand the depth of her sorrow.
- Subject closer to verb: her friends (plural) → verb = understand
Sentence: Neither the villagers nor the Mayor trusts Hauchecome.
- Subject closer to verb: the Mayor (singular) → verb = trusts

c. Fill in the Blanks with Correlatives

The woman was either twisting and wriggling or growling like a wild animal.
His innocence was neither easy to prove nor recognised by others.
The pocketbook was either taken by Hauchecome or seen by Malandain.
You may either win or lose the game. Participation is the spirit of the game.
Neither New York nor London is a city in India.
Neither the teacher nor the children were in the school bus.

Activity 3 – Special Verb Structures

a. Sentence from the Story

Sentence: The one who had had his son at the front since the first day of the war sighed.

Expression in bold: had had

It is the past perfect form of the verb “have”.

b. Identify Meaning in Expressions

Rani has had a headache all day.
- Indicates something that started earlier and continues up to now.
Shanu and Rahul have had a discussion.
- Indicates an event just completed.

In these examples, the first “have/has” is auxiliary and the second “had” is the main verb.

c. Analyse Past Perfect Structures

Last weekend Prabith just wanted to relax because he had had a busy week.
The director told me that he had had a meeting with the producer.

These show that one past action (had had) happened before another past action (wanted, told).

Let’s Converse

Activity 1 – Argument between Hauchecome and a Villager

a. Expressions used in the argument:

From Hauchecome:

“Why should I take someone’s pocketbook?”
“Do you have any evidence to support your accusation?”
“You’re too quick to judge!”
“Could he see what I picked up from where he stood?”

From the Villager:

“That we don’t know, but it’s clear as day that you took it.”
“Of course we do. Malandain saw you with his own eyes.”

Other Useful Argumentative Expressions:

I’d beg to differ…
It’s not necessarily that way…
My point of view is diametrically opposite…
That’s not a valid argument…
Clearly, we have different perspectives on this…
I’m not yet convinced…
I completely disagree…
Please don’t jump to conclusions…

b. Draft of the Argument using Suggested Expressions

Villager: It’s obvious that you stole the pocketbook, Hauchecome. Everyone knows it.

Hauchecome: I’d beg to differ. I just picked up a piece of string.

Villager: Malandain saw you bend down and pick it up. Why are you lying?

Hauchecome: That’s not a valid argument. Did he see exactly what I picked up?

Villager: I’m not yet convinced. It looked suspicious.

Hauchecome: Please don’t jump to conclusions. I swear it was just a string! I even showed it to the Mayor!

Villager: Clearly, we have different perspectives on this, but I’m telling you, people are talking.

Hauchecome: I’m deeply hurt by these accusations. I have my honour, and I’m innocent!

Activity 2 – Extending and Accepting an Apology

Drafted Conversation Between the Woman and the Stout Man

Woman: I am so sorry for asking about your son. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.

Stout Man: It’s okay. You didn’t mean any harm.

Woman: I deeply regret bringing up such a painful topic. Please accept my apologies.

Stout Man: That’s all right. It doesn’t matter. I quite understand… It’s just that the pain is too deep.

Woman: I can imagine. I should have been more sensitive. I owe you an apology.

Stout Man: Never mind. Talking about it sometimes helps… Thank you for your concern.