The Lost Child
About the Writer: Mulk Raj Anand
Mulk Raj Anand (1905–2004) was one of the most prominent Indian English writers of the 20th century. He is best known for his realistic and humanistic writing style. His works highlight social injustice, poverty, caste discrimination, and emotional struggles of ordinary people. Some of his famous works include Untouchable, Coolie, and The Big Heart. His writing deeply reflects compassion and empathy for the common man.
Chapter Summary: The Lost Child
The story takes place during a spring festival where a young boy visits a fair with his parents. The child becomes distracted by different things on the way—first toys, then mustard fields, dragonflies, flowers, balloons, sweets, and more.
He repeatedly requests his parents to buy him things, but each time he moves on, knowing they would refuse. At the fair, the child asks for a ride on a roundabout, but suddenly realizes that his parents are missing. Afraid and heartbroken, he cries loudly for them while searching everywhere.
A kind stranger finds the crying child and tries to comfort him by offering sweets, balloons, a snake-charmer show, and rides, but the child refuses everything. The only thing he wants now is his parents.
The story beautifully shows how children value love and safety more than material things.
Character Sketch
The Child
Curious, innocent, and playful, he represents every child's natural attraction to colorful things, sweets, and toys.
The Parents
They are caring but strict. They guide the child and ensure his safety.
The Stranger
A kind-hearted man who helps the lost child and tries to comfort him.
Theme of the Story
- Parental love and bond
- Childhood innocence
- Fear of separation
- Material desire vs emotional need
Word Meanings
- Gaudy: Bright and colourful
- Jostled: Pushed roughly
- Convulsed: Shaken strongly
- Disconsolate: Unhappy or hopeless
NCERT Questions and Answers
Q1. What attractions did the child see on his way to the fair?
He saw toys in the shops, a mustard field, dragonflies, worms, and flowers.
Q2. Why did the child keep moving without waiting for his parents’ response?
He knew his parents would refuse to buy anything, so he moved on.
Q3. What happened when the child asked for a ride on the roundabout?
He discovered his parents had disappeared. He panicked and cried loudly.
Q4. Why did the child refuse everything offered by the stranger?
Because at that moment nothing mattered to him except finding his parents.
Extra Exam Questions
Q1. What message does the story convey?
It teaches that emotional security, love, and family are more valuable than material things.
Q2. Describe the child’s change in behaviour during the story.
At first, he was excited and attracted to things, but after losing his parents, fear and sadness took over.
Q3. Why is the title The Lost Child appropriate?
The title highlights the turning point of the story—the moment the child realizes he is lost.
Short Summary in 50 Words
A boy visits a spring fair with his parents and gets lost while watching the attractions. A stranger tries to help him, but the child refuses everything and only cries for his parents because love matters more to him than toys or sweets.
Moral of the Story
Family and emotional attachment are more important than material pleasures.
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