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THE LOST CHILD

THE LOST CHILD 
- MULK RAJ ANAND 

SUMMARY :

The story is about a child and his parents who are going to a fair. On their way to the fair, the child sees a toy shop and asks his parents to buy him a toy. His father stares at him and the poor child understands his father's silent "No."

In order to divert his mind, his mother calls him up to the mustard field. The child saw various things on his way to the fair such as insects, butterflies etc.

In the fair also, the child comes across various things such as delicious sweets, balloons but he didn't ask for anything to his parents because he already knew what will be their response.

On reaching the roundabout that he couldn't resist himself and made a bold request saying that he wants to go on the roundabout and when he turned back for the reply, his mother and father were not there.

The child ran to the shrine and fell down. Then one kind man came to help him. He offered him everything that he wanted earlier but the child refused and cried for his parents.

This shows that the child's parents meant everything to him and besides his parents all the  luxuries and materialistic things were worthless and meaningless.

In the end, the writer has kept the story ending open so we may assume that the child met his parents later because it was not only the child who was finding his parents but, his parents were also trying to find him.

 NCERT Textbook Questions

Think about it
(Page 6)

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

Answer - On his way to the fair the child sees toys, balloons of different colours, garland of gulmohur, a swing and a snake-charmer playing a flute. He gets attracted towards all these things and lags behind.

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

Answer - The child wants many things in the fair. He wants to have toys, different sweets, garland, balloons of different colours and has a keen desire to enjoy the roundabout.

He moves on without waiting for an answer because whenever he stops to see things, his parents gave him a cautionary call, “come, child, come!"

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

Answer- The child sees a roundabout in the fair and gets attracted to it. He wants to have a ride on it. He asks his parents for permission to enjoy it.

After having no response on the part of his parents he realises that he has lost his way. He starts crying bitterly  and runs here and there searching for them.

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

Answer- The lost child loses interest in the things he had wanted earlier because he got lost in the fair.  Now all he wants is his parents. He is afraid and feels unsafe.

5.What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents?
Answer- Yes I feel that the child finds his parents at last. The kind-hearted person must have tried his best to find his parents. On the other hand the parents of the child must have done everything to find their child. 

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