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Q.Why does Mr. Lamb feel that Derry has not come to steal? (On the Face Of It)

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2024Subjective· 1mImportance★★★★★
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Mr. Lamb knows Derry has not come to steal because he leaves his gate open for everyone, and he immediately recognises that Derry’s real reason for entering is a desperate need for human connection — not theft. The answer lies in Mr. Lamb’s deep understanding of loneliness and his refusal to judge by appearances.

The key to this question is understanding Mr. Lamb’s character. He is not naive or careless. He is a man who has lived long with his own disability (a tin leg) and has chosen to see the world with open arms rather than suspicion. When Derry climbs over the wall into his garden, Mr. Lamb does not react with anger or accusation. Instead, he asks calmly, “Who’s there?” and then, “What’s your name?” This is not the behaviour of a man who thinks a thief has entered.

Mr. Lamb’s reasoning is simple and profound: a thief would not have come through the gate — he would have sneaked in. But Derry came through the open gate, and Mr. Lamb leaves his gate open precisely so that people can come in. He says, “I leave my gate open. I want people to come in. I don’t want to shut anyone out.” This is the first clue.

But the deeper reason is that Mr. Lamb sees something in Derry that a thief would never show: vulnerability. Derry’s face is half-burned from an acid accident, and he is deeply ashamed and angry. He has come into the garden not to take anything, but to hide from a world that stares at him. Mr. Lamb notices that Derry is not looking around for things to steal — he is looking at the flowers, at the apples, at the world. He is a boy who has been hurt, not a boy who wants to hurt others.

Tip

A classic exam pitfall is to answer only that “the gate was open.” That is true but shallow. The real answer is that Mr. Lamb understands human nature: a thief would be furtive and silent, but Derry is hesitant, curious, and full of pain. Mr. Lamb reads this instantly.

Let’s break down the evidence from the text step by step.

  1. Mr. Lamb’s philosophy of openness. He tells Derry, “I like people. I like them all. I don’t mind if they come and go. I leave my gate open.” This is not just a habit — it is a deliberate choice. He has chosen to trust the world despite his own suffering. So when Derry enters, Mr. Lamb’s first assumption is not “thief” but “visitor.”

  2. Derry’s behaviour gives him away. Derry does not act like a thief. He does not look around nervously or try to hide. Instead, he is drawn to the garden’s beauty — the flowers, the apples, the bees. Mr. Lamb notices this. He says, “You’re not here to steal my apples, are you?” but the tone is playful, not accusing. Derry’s reaction — “No, I’m not” — is immediate and honest. A thief would have lied or run. …

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