What did Hari learn from Anil in the beginning?

At the beginning of the story, Hari Singh first learned to cook from Anil. More importantly, Anil began teaching Hari to read and write starting with writing his own name.

• This education slowly transforms Hari's worldview.
• He realises literacy would allow him to earn far more than petty theft.
• The story is really about how education and trust can transform a person. Anil's kindness becomes the turning point in Hari's character.

Hari first learned to cook from Anil, and more meaningfully, began to read and write a gift that seeds his moral transformation throughout the story.