Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions: The Lost Child - NCERT Class 9, Chapter 1

Summary of The Lost Child

The story, written by Mulk Raj Anand, follows a child who goes to a fair with his parents. He is fascinated by the toys and sweets displayed at the fair but is constantly told by his parents to move on. At one point, he realizes that he has lost his parents in the crowd, and even though others offer him sweets and toys, all he wants is to find his parents again.

The Lost Child in Hindi

यह कहानी मुल्क राज आनंद द्वारा लिखी गई है और एक बच्चे के इर्द-गिर्द घूमती है जो अपने माता-पिता के साथ मेले में जाता है। वह मेले में खिलौनों और मिठाइयों से आकर्षित होता है, लेकिन उसके माता-पिता उसे आगे बढ़ने को कहते हैं। एक बिंदु पर, उसे एहसास होता है कि वह अपने माता-पिता से बिछड़ गया है, और भले ही अन्य लोग उसे मिठाइयाँ और खिलौने देते हैं, वह केवल अपने माता-पिता को फिर से पाना चाहता है।

THINK ABOUT IT

1. What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?

The child sees a variety of things on his way to the fair: toys in the shops, a flowering mustard field, dragonflies, insects, and worms, a group of doves, a sweetmeat seller, and a garland of flowers. He lags behind because he is fascinated by all these things, and his attention is constantly diverted.

2. In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on without waiting for an answer?

In the fair, the child wants a toy, a garland of flowers, balloons, sweets like burfi, and a ride on the roundabout. He moves on without waiting for an answer because he knows his parents would refuse each request, as they would consider him either too greedy, too old for the toys, or too frivolous for the flowers and sweets.

3. When does he realise that he has lost his way? How have his anxiety and insecurity been described?

He realises he has lost his way when, after requesting a ride on the roundabout, he turns around and finds that his parents are not there. His anxiety and insecurity are described through his frantic running in all directions, calling out for his parents in fear. He is overwhelmed by panic, and his cries become more desperate as he realises that he is alone.

4. Why does the lost child lose interest in the things that he had wanted earlier?

The lost child loses interest in the toys, sweets, and other attractions of the fair because his primary concern becomes finding his parents. His emotional need for the security and comfort of his parents outweighs all other desires.

5. What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents?

The story ends on a note of uncertainty. The man who picks up the child tries to comfort him by offering him the things he had wanted earlier, but the child only cries for his parents. Whether he finds them or not is left to the reader's imagination, but the emotional depth of the story emphasizes the child's longing for his parents over material possessions.

TALK ABOUT IT

How to ensure not to get lost.

To ensure not getting lost, it is important for children to stay close to their parents in crowded places. Parents should also ensure that their child knows what to do in case they get separated, such as staying in one place, asking for help from a trusted authority figure, or knowing how to contact them.

About the Author

Mulk Raj Anand was an Indian writer in English, notable for his depiction of the lives of the poorer castes in traditional Indian society. His work is a commentary on the social and political conditions of India, and 'The Lost Child' is a story that reflects the innocence of childhood and the deeper emotional connection between children and their parents.