The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand
This story follows a young boy who visits a fair with his parents. Initially, he is fascinated by toys, sweets, balloons, and rides, but his parents refuse his demands. He becomes mesmerized by a roundabout and, upon turning to ask for permission, realizes he is lost. A kind stranger offers him everything he previously wanted, but now the boy desires nothing except to reunite with his parents. The story emphasizes the deep bond between parents and children, illustrating how we often take loved ones for granted until they are lost.
Long Summary of The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand
The story The Lost Child is set in an Indian village during the spring festival. The entire village is excited as people, dressed in colorful clothes, head towards the fair. A little boy, the protagonist, is also accompanying his parents. He is thrilled to see the festive atmosphere filled with vibrant stalls, delicious sweets, and exciting rides.
As they walk through the fair, the child gets distracted by various attractions. First, he is drawn to a toy shop and eagerly asks his parents for a toy, but his father sternly refuses, and his mother diverts his attention. Moving ahead, he is tempted by the sight of sweets, especially burfi, which is his favorite. However, he does not insist when his parents ignore his request. Similarly, he longs for a beautiful garland of gulmohar flowers and some colorful balloons, but he does not ask because he knows his parents won’t approve.
The boy is then captivated by a roundabout swing, watching the children joyfully riding it. Just as he turns to ask his parents for permission to ride, he realizes that they are nowhere to be seen. Panic grips him as he frantically searches for his mother and father, calling out to them in despair. He rushes through the fair, looking in all directions, but they are gone.
Overcome with fear, the lost child starts crying uncontrollably. Seeing his distress, a kind stranger notices him and tries to comfort him. The man offers to buy him sweets, balloons, and toys, but the child refuses everything. The things that once fascinated him now hold no value—his only wish is to reunite with his parents. He keeps crying, repeatedly saying that he wants his father and mother.
Themes and Moral of the Story
The story highlights the unconditional love between a child and his parents. Initially, the boy is absorbed in material desires, but when he gets lost, he realizes that his parents are his true source of happiness and security. The story teaches an important lesson: we often take our loved ones for granted and only realize their importance when they are no longer with us.
Important Questions from The Lost Child
- Describe the child’s experience at the fair before and after getting lost.
Answer:
At the beginning of the story, the child is filled with excitement as he visits the fair with his parents. He is mesmerized by the colorful sights, delicious sweets, beautiful toys, and exciting rides. As they walk through the fair, he continuously expresses his desire for various things like toys, sweets, balloons, and a garland. However, his parents either refuse or distract him.
Everything changes when he gets lost. The joy and curiosity that filled his heart turn into fear and anxiety. Instead of craving material things, he desperately searches for his parents, crying in despair. Even when a kind stranger offers him all the things he had wanted earlier, he refuses them. His only wish is to reunite with his parents. This shift in emotions highlights the theme of the story—how a child values love and security over material desires when faced with loss.
- How does The Lost Child portray the deep bond between parents and children?
Answer:
The story beautifully captures the loving relationship between a child and his parents. At the start, the child is absorbed in his own desires, asking for toys, sweets, and other things, unaware of the importance of his parents’ presence. His parents, though strict, ensure his safety and guide him through the fair.
However, when the child gets lost, he experiences deep fear and sorrow. The things that once fascinated him become meaningless. His only concern is to find his mother and father. Even when a kind stranger offers him sweets and toys, he refuses, showing that material pleasures cannot replace the love and security of parents. The story highlights that children often take their parents for granted but realize their true importance when separated from them.
- What is the significance of the fair in the story? How does it symbolize a child’s desires and innocence?
Answer:
The fair in The Lost Child represents the world of childhood innocence, filled with excitement, curiosity, and material desires. It is a place full of colors, sweets, toys, and amusements, symbolizing a child’s happiness and enthusiasm. As the child walks through the fair, he gets attracted to various things, showing how children are easily fascinated by the world around them.
However, when he gets lost, his entire perspective changes. The fair, which once seemed joyful, now becomes a frightening and lonely place. This transition signifies how a child’s sense of security is deeply connected to the presence of their parents. The fair, therefore, serves as a metaphor for life’s distractions, while the child’s journey reflects the realization that love and family are more important than materialistic pleasures.
- Explain the role of the stranger in the story. What does his kindness reveal about human nature?
Answer:
The stranger in The Lost Child plays a crucial role as a symbol of kindness and humanity. When he sees the lost child crying helplessly, he immediately steps in to comfort him. He tries to distract the boy by offering him sweets, balloons, and toys—things the child had earlier desired.
However, the child refuses all these offerings, as he only wants to be reunited with his parents. The stranger’s kindness highlights the theme of human compassion. Even though he is a complete stranger, he does his best to console the child, showing that there are good people in the world who selflessly help others in need. The story reminds us of the importance of kindness and empathy, especially towards children and those in distress.
- What moral lesson does The Lost Child teach us? How does it emphasize the importance of family over materialistic desires?
Answer:
The story conveys a strong moral lesson about valuing our loved ones before it is too late. In the beginning, the child is fascinated by material things like toys, sweets, and balloons. However, when he gets separated from his parents, he realizes that these objects hold no real value compared to the love and security of his family.
This teaches us that while material desires may seem important, they can never replace the warmth and care of our loved ones. Many people, like the child in the story, take their families for granted, only realizing their true worth when they are lost. The story encourages readers to cherish their relationships and prioritize love and family over material pleasures.