A Piece of String – Guy de Maupassant – Class 10 SCERT

In Guy de Maupassant’s story “A Piece of String,” an old peasant named Hauchecome picks up a bit of string from the road in Goderville, but is wrongly accused of stealing a lost pocketbook. Though the wallet is later found and returned by someone else, the villagers continue to suspect Hauchecome, believing he had it returned by an accomplice. Despite his repeated explanations and protests, no one believes him. The constant humiliation and injustice break his spirit, and he eventually dies, still insisting on his innocence with the words, “A piece of string, a piece of string.” Welcome to A Piece of String – Class 10 SCERT.

• SCERT Class 10 All Chapters

Summary

• It was market day in Goderville.
• Peasants and their wives came to town with animals.
• Hauchecome, an old peasant, arrived at the market.
• He saw a small piece of string on the road.
• He picked it up, thinking it might be useful.
• Malandain, his enemy, saw him pick it up.
• Hauchecome felt ashamed and hid the string.
• He pretended to look for something else.
• He joined the crowd in the market square.
• People gathered in the tavern to eat and talk.
• Suddenly, a drumbeat called everyone outside.
• The public crier announced a lost pocketbook.
• It contained 500 francs and important papers.
• A reward was offered for its return.
• People discussed the lost item.
• A policeman came looking for Hauchecome.
• Hauchecome was taken to the Mayor’s office.
• The Mayor accused him of stealing the pocketbook.
• Hauchecome denied it and showed the string.
• Malandain claimed he saw Hauchecome pick up the wallet.
• Hauchecome was searched, but nothing was found.
• The Mayor let him go, but people didn’t believe him.
• Hauchecome tried to explain, but was mocked.
• The next day, the pocketbook was found by someone else.
• Hauchecome felt relieved and told everyone his story.
• But people still didn’t believe him.
• They thought he had an accomplice return the wallet.
• Hauchecome kept repeating his story, trying to prove his innocence.
• People laughed and made fun of him.
• He became sick and died, still crying out: “A piece of string!”

Email Writing

Email 1: Hauchecome to the Mayor

Subject: I Am Innocent – Please Believe Me

Dear Mayor,

I am writing to explain what truly happened on market day. I picked up a small piece of string from the road, not the lost pocketbook. Mr Malandain saw me and wrongly accused me. I swear on my honour, I never touched the wallet. I showed you the string to prove my innocence, but no one believed me. Later, someone else returned the pocketbook, yet people still think I lied. I am an honest man and this false blame is hurting me deeply. I beg you to believe me and help clear my name. I only picked up something useful, not anything stolen. Please understand my pain and help me restore my reputation.

Sincerely, Hauchecome

Email 2: Hauchecome to a Friend

Subject: They Still Laugh at Me

Dear Friend,

I want to share something that’s troubling me. On market day, I picked up a piece of string. Malandain saw me and said I stole a wallet. I was searched, but they found nothing. Later, someone else returned the wallet. Still, people laugh and say I lied. I keep telling the truth, but no one listens. They think I had someone return it for me. It hurts me so much. I show my empty pockets, I explain again and again, but they mock me. Even now, they joke about the string. I feel ashamed and helpless. I just want people to believe me. I am honest, and I did nothing wrong.

Your friend, Hauchecome

News Reports

News Report 1: Peasant Wrongly Accused of Theft at Goderville Market

Goderville, Oct 18 — A dramatic incident unfolded at the bustling market in Goderville yesterday when local peasant Maitre Hauchecome was accused of stealing a lost pocketbook containing 500 francs. The accusation came from harness-maker Malandain, who claimed to have seen Hauchecome pick up the wallet.

According to witnesses, Hauchecome had only picked up a small piece of string from the road. Hauchecome was taken to the Mayor’s office, searched, and questioned. No wallet was found on him, and he was released. Despite his protests and proof of the string, villagers mocked him and refused to believe his story.

Later, the wallet was returned by a shop employee who had found it on the road. Hauchecome tried to clear his name, but the damage was done. Locals continued to laugh at him, believing he had arranged the wallet’s return through an accomplice.

The false accusation deeply affected Hauchecome. He became obsessed with proving his innocence, repeating his story to anyone who would listen. Sadly, the stress and shame took a toll on his health. Hauchecome passed away in early January, still insisting, “A piece of string, a piece of string.”

News Report 2: Tragic End for Honest Peasant in Goderville

Goderville, Jan 5 — Maitre Hauchecome, a respected peasant from the nearby countryside, died this week after months of emotional distress caused by a false accusation. The incident began on market day when Hauchecome picked up a piece of string from the road. Unfortunately, harness-maker Malandain saw him and wrongly claimed he had stolen a lost pocketbook containing 500 francs.

Hauchecome was taken to the Mayor’s office and searched, but nothing was found. Despite his explanation and the discovery of the wallet by another man later that day, villagers refused to believe Hauchecome’s innocence. Rumors spread that he had arranged for the wallet’s return to avoid punishment.

The old man was deeply hurt by the suspicion. He tried to explain the truth to everyone, showing the string and swearing his honesty. But the villagers mocked him, and the story became a joke. Hauchecome’s mental health declined as he repeated his story endlessly, desperate to be believed.

In December, he fell ill and died in early January. His final words were a plea for justice: “A piece of string, a piece of string.” The tragedy highlights how false accusations and public ridicule can destroy an innocent life.

Biographies

Biography 1: Maitre Hauchecome

Maitre Hauchecome was a poor, hardworking peasant from the countryside near Goderville. He was known for being careful and honest. One market day, he picked up a small piece of string from the road, thinking it might be useful. Sadly, he was wrongly accused of stealing a lost pocketbook. Even after the wallet was found and returned by someone else, people still believed Hauchecome was guilty. He tried again and again to prove his innocence, but no one listened. The shame and sadness affected his health. He became weak and sick, always repeating his story. Hauchecome died in early January, heartbroken and misunderstood. His last words were about the string, trying to prove he had done no wrong.

Biography 2: Malandain the Harness-Maker

Malandain was a harness-maker in the town of Goderville. He was once friends with Hauchecome, a local peasant, but they had grown apart and were no longer on good terms. On market day, Malandain saw Hauchecome pick something up from the road. He believed it was the lost pocketbook and told the Mayor. His accusation caused Hauchecome great trouble. Even after the wallet was returned by someone else, Malandain did not take back his claim. People continued to believe Hauchecome was guilty. Malandain’s actions led to Hauchecome being mocked and rejected by others. Though Malandain may not have meant harm, his words caused pain. His role in the story shows how a small misunderstanding can ruin someone’s life.

Biography 3: The Mayor of Goderville

The Mayor of Goderville was a serious and respected man. He was responsible for keeping order in the town and handling important matters. On market day, he was informed that a pocketbook had been lost. When Malandain accused Hauchecome of stealing it, the Mayor called Hauchecome to his office. He questioned him and ordered a search, but found nothing. Although Hauchecome showed a piece of string, the Mayor did not believe him. He trusted Malandain’s word more. Even after the wallet was returned by someone else, the Mayor never cleared Hauchecome’s name. His decision caused Hauchecome great pain. The Mayor’s role shows how quick judgment without proof can lead to unfair treatment and lasting harm.

Biography 4: The Public Crier

The Public Crier was a town official in Goderville. His job was to announce important news to the people. On market day, he beat his drum loudly in the courtyard outside the tavern. Then, in a strong voice, he announced that a black leather pocketbook had been lost. It contained 500 francs and business papers. He said the finder should return it to the Mayor’s office and would receive a reward. His message caused a stir among the villagers and led to Hauchecome being accused. Though he was not directly involved in the events that followed, his announcement played a key role in starting the misunderstanding. The Public Crier helped spread the news, but sadly, it led to unfair blame.

Write Ups

Write-up 1: A Costly Mistake

On market day in Goderville, Hauchecome, a poor peasant, picked up a small piece of string from the road. Malandain, who disliked him, saw this and wrongly accused him of stealing a lost pocketbook. Hauchecome was taken to the Mayor and searched, but nothing was found. Even when the wallet was returned by someone else, people still believed Hauchecome was guilty. He tried to explain the truth, but no one listened. They laughed at him and mocked him. Hauchecome became sad and sick. He kept repeating his story, hoping someone would believe him. But the damage was done. He died in January, heartbroken and misunderstood. His last words were, “A piece of string, a piece of string.”

Write-up 2: A Lesson in Judgment

The story “A Piece of String” teaches an important lesson about judgment and truth. Hauchecome was an honest man who picked up a string from the road. But Malandain accused him of stealing a wallet. Even after the wallet was found by someone else, people still believed Hauchecome was guilty. They laughed at him and refused to listen. Hauchecome tried to prove his innocence, but no one cared. The false blame hurt him deeply. He became sick and died, still trying to explain the truth. This story shows how quick judgment and gossip can ruin someone’s life. It reminds us to be careful before accusing others and to always seek the truth with kindness and fairness.

Narrations

Narration 1: Hauchecome’s Misunderstood Act

It was market day in Goderville. Hauchecome, a poor peasant, walked to the town square. On the road, he saw a small piece of string. Thinking it might be useful, he picked it up and put it in his pocket. Malandain, a man who disliked him, saw this and later accused him of stealing a lost pocketbook. Hauchecome was shocked. He was taken to the Mayor and searched, but nothing was found. He showed the string and explained the truth, but no one believed him. Even when the wallet was returned by someone else, people still thought Hauchecome was guilty. They laughed at him and made jokes. Hauchecome tried to prove his innocence again and again. The shame and sadness made him sick. He died in January, still repeating his story. His last words were, “A piece of string, a piece of string.”

Narration 2: A Town’s Cruel Judgment

On a busy market day, Hauchecome picked up a piece of string from the road. He was careful and honest, but Malandain, who disliked him, accused him of stealing a lost wallet. Hauchecome was taken to the Mayor. He explained that he only picked up a string, but no one believed him. Even after the wallet was returned by someone else, the villagers still thought Hauchecome was guilty. They mocked him, laughed at him, and refused to listen. Hauchecome tried to explain the truth to everyone. He showed his empty pockets and swore he was innocent. But the people didn’t care. They enjoyed making fun of him. Hauchecome became sad and weak. He kept repeating his story, hoping someone would believe him. In the end, he died heartbroken. His final words were about the string, still trying to prove he had done nothing wrong.

Letters

Letter 1: Hauchecome to His Cousin

Dear Cousin,

I hope you and your family are doing well. I am writing to share something very upsetting that happened to me at the market in Goderville. On that day, I saw a small piece of string lying on the road. I picked it up, thinking it might be useful. Unfortunately, Malandain, who dislikes me, saw me and later told the Mayor that I had stolen a lost pocketbook.

I was shocked and taken to the Mayor’s office. They searched me, but found nothing. I showed them the string and explained everything, but no one believed me. Even after someone else returned the wallet, people still laughed at me and said I was guilty. I tried to explain again and again, but they mocked me.

Now, wherever I go, people whisper and joke behind my back. I feel ashamed and helpless. I am an honest man, and I did nothing wrong. It hurts me deeply that no one trusts me anymore. I just want people to believe the truth.

Please write back soon. Your kind words would mean a lot to me. I hope you understand my pain and believe me. I only picked up a piece of string, not a stolen wallet.

With love, Your cousin, Hauchecome

Letter 2: Concerned Villager to the Mayor

Dear Mayor,

I am writing to express my concern about the recent incident involving Maitre Hauchecome. On market day, he was accused of stealing a lost pocketbook. I was present when the public crier announced the missing wallet, and I saw Hauchecome pick something up from the road. It looked like a small piece of string, not a wallet.

Later, Malandain claimed Hauchecome had stolen the wallet. Hauchecome was taken to your office and searched, but nothing was found. He showed the string and explained what happened. Even when the wallet was returned by someone else, people still believed Hauchecome was guilty. They laugh at him and treat him badly.

I believe Hauchecome is innocent. He is a simple, honest man. It is unfair that he continues to suffer because of a misunderstanding. I kindly request you to speak to the villagers and help clear his name. He deserves justice and peace.

False accusations can destroy a person’s life. Hauchecome is deeply hurt and ashamed. He keeps repeating his story, hoping someone will believe him. I hope you will take action to stop this cruelty and restore his dignity.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely, A Concerned Villager.

Character Sketches

Character Sketch 1: Maitre Hauchecome

Maitre Hauchecome was a poor, hardworking peasant from the countryside near Goderville. He was careful with money and believed in picking up anything useful, even a small piece of string. On market day, he picked up a string from the road, but was seen by Malandain, who disliked him. Malandain accused him of stealing a lost wallet. Hauchecome was honest and tried to explain the truth, but no one believed him. Even after the wallet was returned by someone else, people still mocked him. Hauchecome was deeply hurt by the false blame. He kept repeating his story, hoping someone would believe him. The shame and sadness affected his health. He became weak and died, still trying to prove his innocence. Hauchecome’s character shows how a simple man can suffer greatly when others refuse to listen or understand the truth.

Character Sketch 2: Malandain

Malandain was a harness-maker in the town of Goderville. He was once friends with Hauchecome, but they had a falling out and became enemies. On market day, Malandain saw Hauchecome pick something up from the road. He believed it was the lost wallet and told the Mayor. His accusation caused Hauchecome great trouble. Even when the wallet was returned by someone else, Malandain did not take back his claim. He continued to say Hauchecome was guilty. Malandain’s actions led to Hauchecome being mocked and rejected by the villagers. Though he may have truly believed what he saw, his dislike for Hauchecome made him quick to judge. Malandain’s character shows how personal grudges and false assumptions can hurt innocent people. His role in the story reminds us to be careful before accusing others and to think about the harm our words can cause.

Questions & Answers

Along all the roads around Goderville, the peasants and their wives were coming to the town because it was market day. Some led a cow or a calf by a cord, and their wives, walking behind the animal, whipped it with a leafy branch to hasten its progress. In the public square of Goderville, there was a crowd, a throng of human beings and animals.

Hauchecome had just arrived at Goderville, and he was walking towards the public square. Then he saw a little piece of string on the ground. He thought that everything useful ought to be picked up. He took the bit of thin cord from the ground and began to roll it carefully. Then he noticed Malandain, on the threshold of his door, looking at him. They were on bad terms with each other. Hauchecome was seized with shame to be seen thus by his enemy. He concealed his find quickly in his trousers pocket. He pretended to be looking on the ground for something else. Then, he went towards the market.

He was soon lost in the noisy crowd. Soon, the square was deserted. At the tavern, the great hall was full of people eating. An appetising odour of roast meat rose from the hearth which made everybody’s mouth water. The dishes were passed and emptied, as were the jugs of cider. The peasants discussed the crops, and their purchases and sales. The weather was favourable for the green things but not for the wheat.

Suddenly the drum beat in the courtyard outside the tavern. Everybody rose, except a few, and ran to the door or to the windows, their mouths still full. After the public crier had ceased his drumbeating, he called out in a jerky voice:

“This is hereby made known to the inhabitants of Goderville, and to all persons present at the market: There was lost this morning on the road, between nine and ten o’clock, a black leather pocketbook containing five hundred francs and some business papers. The finder is requested to return the same with all haste to the Mayor’s office. There will be twenty francs reward.”

Then the man went away and the peasants began to talk of this event. They discussed the chances of finding or not finding the pocketbook. They were finishing their coffee when a chief of the gendarmes appeared.

He enquired, “Is Mr Hauchecome here?” Hauchecome, seated at the other end of the table, replied, “Here I am.”

And the officer resumed: “Mr Hauchecome, will you please accompany me to the Mayor’s office? The Mayor would like to talk to you.”

The peasant, surprised and disturbed, set out, repeating, “Here I am, here I am.”

The Mayor was awaiting him, seated on an armchair. He was, a stout, serious man who spoke in pompous phrases. “Mr Hauchecome,” said he, “you were seen this morning to pick up, on the road, the lost pocketbook.”

The countryman was astounded. He looked at the Mayor. He was terrified by this suspicion resting on him.

“Me? Me? Me pick up the pocketbook?”

“Yes, you, yourself.”

“Word of honour, I never heard of it.”

“But you were seen.”

“I was seen, me? Who says he saw me?”

“Mr Malandain, the harness-maker.”

The old man remembered, understood and flushed with anger.

“Ah, he saw me, he saw me pick up this string here, Your Honour.” And rummaging in his pocket, he drew out the little piece of string.

But the Mayor, incredulous, shook his head.

“You will not make me believe, Mr Hauchecome, that Mr Malandain, who is a man worthy of credence, mistook this cord for a pocketbook. After picking up the object, you stood there, looking a long while in the mud to see if any piece of money had fallen out.”

The good old man choked with indignation and fear. “How can anyone tell such lies to take away an honest man’s reputation!”

There was no use in his protesting; nobody believed him. He was confronted with Malandain, who repeated and maintained his affirmation. At his own request Hauchecome was searched; nothing was found on him.

Finally, the Mayor, very much perplexed, discharged him.

As he left the Mayor’s office, the old man was surrounded and questioned by the villagers. He began to tell the story of the string. No one believed him. They laughed at him. He went along, stopping his friends, showing his pockets turned inside out to prove that he had nothing. They said: “Old rascal, get out!”

The next day about one o’clock in the afternoon, an employee in a shop returned the pocketbook. The man claimed to have found the object in the road. Not knowing how to read, he had given it to his employer. The news spread through the neighbourhood.

Hauchecome was informed of it. He immediately began to recount his story with its happy climax. He was in triumph. He talked of his adventure all day long. He told it on the highway to people who were passing by, in the wine shop to people who were drinking there and to persons coming out of church the following Sunday. He stopped strangers to tell them about it.

He was calm now, and yet something disturbed him. People had the air of joking while they listened. They did not seem convinced. He seemed to feel that remarks were being made behind his back.

The next Tuesday, he went to the market at Goderville, just to discuss the case. Malandain, standing at his door, began to laugh on seeing him pass. When he was seated at the table in the tavern, he began to explain the affair.

A horse dealer called out to him, “Come, come, old fellow, that’s an old trick; I know all about your piece of string!” Hauchecome stammered: “But since the pocketbook was found….”

The other man replied: “Shut up, there is one that finds and there is one that reports. At any rate you are mixed up with it.”

The peasant stood choking. He understood. They accused him of having the pocketbook returned by an accomplice. He tried to protest. All the table began to laugh. He could not finish his dinner and went away in the midst of jeers.

He went home ashamed and indignant, choking with anger and confusion. His innocence was impossible to prove. And he was stricken to the heart by the injustice of the suspicion.

Then he began to recount the adventure again, prolonging his history every day. Each time he added new reasons, more energetic protestations, more solemn oaths.

“Those are lying excuses,” they said behind his back. The people now made him talk about the string to amuse them. His mind, touched to the depth, began to weaken.

Towards the end of December, he took to his bed. He died in the first days of January, and in the delirium of his death struggles he kept claiming his innocence, reiterating: “A piece of string, a piece of string, look– here it is, Your Honour, the Mayor.”