The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand: Summary, Themes, Questions & Answers | Class 12 English Notes
📌 Introduction
The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand is a touching short story that highlights the deep bond between parents and children. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant village fair during spring, it follows a young boy who becomes separated from his parents. Through his emotional journey, the story beautifully conveys how love and family are far more valuable than material desires.
📝 Short Summary of The Lost Child
The story follows a young boy visiting a village fair with his parents. As they walk through the fair, he is fascinated by toys, sweets, balloons, garlands, and rides. Each time he expresses his desires, his parents either refuse or distract him.
The turning point comes when the boy becomes captivated by a roundabout swing. As he turns to ask for permission to ride, he suddenly realizes his parents are gone. Panic takes over as he searches for them frantically, calling out “Mother! Father!”
A kind stranger finds the boy crying and tries to comfort him by offering all the things he wanted earlier — sweets, balloons, and toys. But the boy refuses everything. His only wish now is to be reunited with his parents.
👉 The story emphasizes that the love and security of parents are irreplaceable, and material pleasures lose their meaning in their absence.
📝 Long Summary of The Lost Child
Set in an Indian village during a spring festival, the story begins with villagers dressed in colorful clothes, heading excitedly toward the fair. A little boy accompanies his parents, full of wonder as he sees the festive decorations, sweet stalls, toy shops, and vibrant balloons.
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At the toy shop, he eagerly asks for a toy, but his father refuses. His mother distracts him to avoid a tantrum.
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At the sweet shop, he is tempted by burfi (his favorite sweet), but when his parents ignore his request, he does not insist.
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He admires gulmohar flower garlands and colorful balloons, but he doesn’t ask for them, knowing his parents would say no.
As they move ahead, the boy sees a roundabout swing and watches other children ride with joy. He turns to ask his parents for permission but realizes they are nowhere in sight.
Fear and panic overwhelm him. He cries out desperately, runs around the fair searching for them, and his happiness turns into terror. A stranger notices him, picks him up, and tries to console him by offering sweets, balloons, and toys. However, the child refuses everything, repeating that he only wants his “mother” and “father.”
👉 Through this emotional transformation, the story highlights the child’s realization of his parents’ importance over material attractions.
🌿 Themes and Moral of the Story
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Parental Love and Security:
The story emphasizes the strong emotional bond between parents and children. The child’s joy depends on their presence. -
Material Desires vs. Emotional Values:
At first, the child is absorbed in material attractions. But once lost, he realizes that these pleasures mean nothing without his parents. -
Childhood Innocence:
The boy’s behavior reflects a child’s natural curiosity and innocence. His quick shift from excitement to panic portrays genuine childlike emotions. -
Importance of Family:
The story teaches that love, care, and security provided by family are irreplaceable and should never be taken for granted.
📚 Important Questions and Answers
1. Describe the child’s experience at the fair before and after getting lost.
Answer:
Before getting lost, the child is filled with joy and excitement, fascinated by the toys, sweets, balloons, and rides. He expresses his desires openly, but his parents either refuse or distract him. After he gets lost, his happiness turns into fear and sorrow. He frantically searches for his parents and cries for them, ignoring the things that had earlier fascinated him. This contrast shows his emotional dependence on his parents.
2. How does The Lost Child portray the deep bond between parents and children?
Answer:
The story highlights that the love between a child and parents is irreplaceable. Initially, the boy seems focused on his desires, but when separated, he realizes that his parents are his true source of happiness and security. Even when offered sweets and toys by a stranger, he refuses them, crying only for his parents. This reflects the depth of the parent–child bond.
3. What is the significance of the fair in the story? How does it symbolize a child’s desires and innocence?
Answer:
The fair represents the world of childhood filled with curiosity, innocence, and temptations. It is colorful, joyful, and full of attractions like sweets, toys, and rides. Initially, it symbolizes the boy’s material desires. But when he gets lost, the same fair turns into a frightening place, symbolizing how a child’s sense of security is tied to their parents. The fair acts as a metaphor for worldly distractions.
4. Explain the role of the stranger in the story. What does his kindness reveal about human nature?
Answer:
The stranger plays the role of a protector and comforter. He notices the boy crying, picks him up, and offers him everything he desires. Though the boy refuses, the stranger’s actions highlight the goodness and compassion that exist in people. His kindness reveals that even strangers can show empathy and help those in distress.
5. What moral lesson does The Lost Child teach us?
Answer:
The story teaches that we often take our loved ones for granted until they are lost. Material attractions may seem important, but they cannot replace the love and care of family. It encourages us to value and cherish our relationships, especially the bond between parents and children, over material pleasures.
✍️ Conclusion
The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand is a touching reminder of the unconditional love between parents and children. Through the boy’s emotional journey at the fair, the story shows how quickly material desires fade in the face of emotional loss. It carries a timeless message about valuing our loved ones and the security they bring.