In the story “The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond, he is Hari Singh, and in return for his work he mainly gets:

  • Food and a place to live with Anil
  • Teaching and education (how to cook properly, how to write his name, then full sentences, and how to add numbers)
  • Occasional small profits of about one rupee a day that he quietly makes when buying the day’s supplies

So, Anil does not pay him a regular salary; instead, Hari gets meals, shelter, and the chance to learn and improve himself, plus that tiny daily profit he makes on the side.