"The Lost Child" is a story written by Mulk Raj Anand, which revolves around a small child who gets lost in a fair. Here are some important points that you should keep in mind while reading the story:
Theme: The story highlights the theme of innocence and the importance of parental love. It also portrays the child's yearning for the things that he desires and the beauty of nature.
Setting: The story is set in a village fair, which is bustling with people and different kinds of activities.
Characters: The protagonist is a small child who is fascinated by the sights and sounds of the fair. His parents are also present, but they are preoccupied with their own activities and do not pay much attention to the child.
Plot: The story follows the child's journey as he gets lost in the fair while chasing after a group of balloons. He feels lost and scared as he wanders through the fair, but eventually, he is reunited with his parents.
Symbolism: The balloons in the story are symbolic of the child's desires and dreams. They represent the child's innocence and his yearning for something he cannot have.
Narrative technique: The story is told from the perspective of an omniscient narrator who describes the child's thoughts and emotions.
Moral lesson: The story teaches us the importance of paying attention to our children and providing them with the love and support they need. It also highlights the beauty of nature and the importance of enjoying simple pleasures in life.
During the springtime, the child goes to the fair with his parents and other people walked, some rode on horses and some came in bullock carts.
The child was with his parents and was overjoyed and asking for different things like sweets, balloons, toys, etc. his father was scolding him and the mother became the mediator. The boy continuously asked for things and he was being scolded by his parents.
He has then attracted to mustard fields and dragonflies over them. The child tries to reach them but he is again called by his mother. He ran towards her call and then got stuck to see the dove and banyan tree. His parents again called him and distracted his imagination.
Soon the child reached the fair and heard the voice of a sweetmeat seller called Gulab Jamun and other sweets. The child was looking at those sweets with his mouth-watering. He asked for his favorite sweet barfi. The parents again scolded him and took him forward.
Then the child was fascinated by a flower seller selling garlands of Gulmohar. He wanted to buy one but again his parents took him away from the shop. So, he moved on and saw one balloon seller who had various balloons on his pole.
The child knew that he would again be reprimanded by his father. So he moved on.
The child then saw a snake charmer who was playing the flute (been) to the snake and it was dancing to his tunes. But he knew his parents would refuse him to go further so he went ahead.
He then saw a merry-go-round and wanted to enjoy it, so once again he asked his parents if he wanted a ride and to his surprise, he didn’t get any reply.
The child was lost and he was crying bitterly and running here and there. A man heard his cry and lifted him up in his arms and tried to locate his parents.
He asked the names of his parents but he only replied he wants his mom and dad.
The man offered him sweets, balloons, horse rides, etc but he refused all and wanted union with his parents only.
He refused everything and wanted his parents there.
Now he was no more fascinated by sweetmeat sellers balloons snake charmers etc but he wanted his parents and all things had lost their charm for the boy.
"The Lost Child" is a story that teaches some important life lessons. Here are the main points of the lesson:
The importance of parental love and attention: The story emphasizes the need for parents to pay attention to their children and fulfill their emotional needs. The child in the story gets lost because his parents are preoccupied with their own activities, and he feels scared and alone until he is reunited with them.
The beauty of nature: The child in the story is fascinated by the natural world, such as the birds and the flowers. The story teaches us to appreciate and enjoy the simple pleasures that nature provides.
The dangers of getting lost: The story shows us the dangers that children can face when they get lost in a crowded place. It reminds us of the importance of keeping a close eye on our children and ensuring their safety.
The value of innocence: The child's innocence and pure-heartedness are highlighted in the story, and it reminds us of the importance of preserving our own innocence and the innocence of children.
The symbolism of the balloons: The balloons in the story represent the child's desires and dreams. The story teaches us that while it's important to have dreams and aspirations, we should also learn to accept and appreciate what we have in the present moment.
Overall, the story teaches us important lessons about the value of love and attention, the beauty of nature, the dangers of getting lost, the value of innocence, and the symbolism of desires and dreams.
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