The-lost-child–Class-9–English–Summary–questions-and-answers–CBSE-NCERT
The Lost Child – Summary
“The Lost Child” by Mulk Raj Anand is a heart-touching story about a small boy who goes to a village fair with his parents. On the way, he is attracted by many beautiful things — toys, sweets, flowers, balloons, and a snake-charmer. His parents keep reminding him to stay close, but the child lags behind, lost in wonder.
At the fair, the boy gets separated from his parents in the crowd. Once he realizes he is lost, he becomes terrified and starts crying for his mother and father. A kind man finds him and tries to comfort him by offering sweets, balloons, and a ride on the roundabout. But the child refuses everything and only wants his parents. The story shows the innocence of childhood and the deep love children have for their parents.
Glossary
Gaudy – Bright and showy
Rejoicing – Feeling great joy
Tyrant – Strict or harsh ruler (used playfully for parents)
Convulsed – Shaken violently
Fascinated – Deeply attracted
Hefty – Large and strong
Fluttering – Moving quickly and lightly
Receding – Moving back or away
Wailing – Crying loudly
Commotion – Noisy disturbance
Sturdy – Strong and solid
Distraught – Very upset and worried
Intently – With close attention
Restrain – To hold back
Desirous – Wishing strongly
Trampled – Crushed or walked over
Gulmohur – Bright red flower
Lured – Attracted or tempted
Shrine – Holy place
Humorous – Full of fun
Short Questions and Answers
Q1. Who is the author of “The Lost Child”?
Mulk Raj Anand wrote “The Lost Child.” He is known for his realistic and emotional stories that depict human feelings and social situations.
Q2. Where were the child and his parents going?
They were going to a village fair during the spring festival. The path was filled with flowers and greenery, adding to the festive joy.
Q3. What attracted the child on the way to the fair?
The child was attracted by toys, dragonflies, butterflies, and flowers along the way. Everything looked beautiful and filled him with happiness.
Q4. Why did the child lag behind his parents?
He lagged behind because he was fascinated by the things around him and stopped again and again to watch them closely.
Q5. How did the parents react when he lagged behind?
The parents called out to him and asked him to walk beside them. They were both loving and a little strict to keep him safe.
Q6. What were the things the child wanted at the fair?
The child wanted toys, sweets, flowers, colorful balloons, to listen to the snake-charmer, and to ride on the roundabout.
Q7. Why did the child not ask for anything?
He did not ask because he knew his parents would refuse, calling him greedy or too old for certain things.
Q8. How did the child get lost?
The child got lost when he stopped to watch the roundabout and failed to notice that his parents had moved ahead.
Q9. What did the child do after realizing he was lost?
He panicked and cried loudly for his mother and father. He ran in different directions in the crowd, feeling helpless.
Q10. Who helped the lost child?
A kind man in the crowd noticed the crying boy, picked him up gently, and tried to comfort him.
Q11. How did the man try to comfort the lost child?
The man offered him sweets, flowers, and balloons, and even asked if he wanted to ride the roundabout, but the child refused everything.
Q12. What was special about the sweets shop?
The shop had delicious sweets like gulab jamun and rasgulla. The child’s mouth watered, but he did not ask his parents for any.
Q13. What attracted the child near the flower seller?
The bright red garlands of gulmohur flowers caught his attention. He wanted one, but he knew his parents would not allow it.
Q14. What did the child see at the balloon seller’s stall?
He saw colorful balloons floating in the air. They looked beautiful, but he did not ask for one because he thought his parents would say he was too old.
Q15. What was the snake-charmer doing?
The snake-charmer was playing a flute while a snake swayed to the tune. The child wanted to watch but knew his parents would disapprove.
Q16. What was the roundabout in the fair?
The roundabout was a merry-go-round where men, women, and children rode happily on wooden animals, spinning round and round.
Q17. Why did the child go near the roundabout?
He was drawn by the music and laughter coming from the ride. He wanted a turn, but when he looked around, his parents were gone.
Q18. What was the child’s reaction when he couldn’t find his parents?
He started crying loudly, calling for his mother and father. He ran around restlessly, scared and heartbroken.
Q19. What happened when the man offered him sweets?
The child refused the sweets and cried even more loudly. He wanted nothing but his parents.
Q20. What was the only thing the child wanted after getting lost?
The only thing he wanted was to find his mother and father. All his earlier desires for toys or sweets disappeared.
Q21. What does the story show about a child’s nature?
The story shows that children may get easily attracted to things, but their greatest comfort and happiness come from being with their parents.
Q22. What is the central theme of the story?
The story’s main theme is the innocence of childhood and the importance of parental love and protection.
Q23. What message does “The Lost Child” give us?
It teaches us that love and care from parents are far more valuable to a child than material pleasures.
Q24. How does the story create emotion?
The story moves the reader from joy to sadness — from a child’s excitement at the fair to his fear and longing when lost.
Q25. Why did the child lose interest in everything?
After losing his parents, the child lost all interest in toys, sweets, and fun. Fear and sadness took over his heart.
Q26. What do the parents symbolize in the story?
The parents symbolize love, care, safety, and protection — the emotional foundation of a child’s life.
Q27. What does the fair symbolize?
The fair symbolizes life’s attractions and distractions, while the lost child represents innocence and emotional need.
Q28. How does Mulk Raj Anand make the story realistic?
He uses simple language, natural scenes, and real human emotions that every reader can easily relate to.
Q29. What emotions does the story evoke in readers?
The story evokes love, sympathy, and sadness as the reader feels deeply for the frightened, innocent child.
Q30. Why is the title “The Lost Child” appropriate?
The title is perfect because the story revolves around a child who is lost both physically in the crowd and emotionally without his parents.
Long Question And Answer
Q1. Describe the main theme of the story “The Lost Child.”
The main theme of “The Lost Child” is the innocence and deep emotional attachment of a child towards his parents. The story shows how easily a child gets attracted to small, colorful things like toys, sweets, and balloons, but all those desires vanish the moment he loses his parents. His fear and helplessness reveal that love and security are more valuable than material pleasures. Through this simple story, Mulk Raj Anand reminds readers of the unconditional love between parents and children and how important it is for every child to feel safe and cared for.
Q2. What was the child’s experience at the fair before he got lost?
Before getting lost, the child was full of excitement and wonder. On his way to the fair, he was fascinated by toys, flowers, balloons, and sweets. His heart was filled with joy as he watched the colorful stalls and the cheerful crowd. At every step, something new caught his attention — a toy seller, a flower vendor, or a snake-charmer. Although his parents refused to buy him things, he remained happy just watching them. The fair was a magical world for him until he lost sight of his parents. After that, his excitement turned into fear and sadness.
Q3. How did the child react after realizing he was separated from his parents?
When the child realized he had lost his parents, he was filled with fear and panic. His cheerful face turned pale, and he started crying loudly, calling out for his mother and father. He ran around the fair in all directions, hoping to find them. His heart was overwhelmed with sorrow, and tears rolled down his cheeks. All the attractions of the fair lost meaning for him. He didn’t care about sweets, toys, or the roundabout anymore. The only thing he wanted was his parents’ presence and comfort. His reaction shows the depth of a child’s love and dependency.
Q4. What does the story “The Lost Child” teach us about parental love?
The story teaches that the love and care of parents are irreplaceable in a child’s life. The child in the story was tempted by many things — toys, sweets, and colorful balloons — but when he lost his parents, all those attractions disappeared. He realized that nothing in the world could bring him happiness except the comfort and protection of his parents. Mulk Raj Anand beautifully portrays how children depend emotionally on their parents and how parental love forms the foundation of their happiness and security. The story teaches us that material things can never replace human affection.
Q5. What attracted the child on the way to the fair?
As the family walked to the fair, the child was full of excitement. The sight of toys, flowering mustard fields, dragonflies, and butterflies filled him with delight. He wanted to stop and admire everything he saw. He also heard doves cooing and watched people passing by happily. The world seemed colorful and full of wonders to his innocent eyes. However, his parents kept calling him to stay close and not fall behind. The journey to the fair shows how curious and observant children are, always eager to explore the world around them.
Q6. How does the author depict the innocence of the child?
Mulk Raj Anand shows the child’s innocence through his curiosity, excitement, and pure emotions. The child gets fascinated by every small thing — toys, flowers, sweets, and balloons — without realizing their value. He does not demand much and feels content just watching them. His world is full of simple joys. However, when he loses his parents, he becomes helpless and scared. His tears and cries for his parents show his dependence and purity of love. The child’s emotions are genuine and unspoiled, reflecting the true innocence of childhood that adults often forget.
Q7. How did the man try to comfort the lost child?
When the kind man found the crying child, he picked him up gently and tried to comfort him. He spoke to him softly and offered to buy him sweets from the nearby shop. When the child refused, he showed him balloons, garlands, and toys, hoping to cheer him up. But the child was too frightened and kept crying for his parents. Finally, the man offered him a ride on the merry-go-round, but nothing could make the boy happy. His only wish was to find his mother and father. The man’s compassion highlights human kindness and sympathy for others.
Q8. Describe the relationship between the child and his parents.
The relationship between the child and his parents is shown as loving, caring, and protective. Although the parents sometimes scold him or call him to stay close, their actions show concern, not anger. The child, on his part, respects their words and hesitates to demand anything. He feels safe and happy around them. However, when he loses them, he becomes terrified and helpless, proving how emotionally dependent he is on them. Their relationship represents the natural bond of affection, protection, and security that every child shares with their parents.
Q9. What does the fair symbolize in the story?
The fair in “The Lost Child” symbolizes the world of temptations, desires, and material attractions that often distract us from what truly matters. For the child, the fair is full of excitement — toys, sweets, and colorful things — but once he loses his parents, all these pleasures seem meaningless. The fair also represents the journey of life where people often chase temporary happiness. Through the child’s experience, Mulk Raj Anand reminds readers that love and relationships are far more valuable than material possessions or worldly delights.
Q10. How does the story show the shift from happiness to fear?
At the beginning of the story, the child is joyful and full of excitement as he enjoys the colorful sights and sounds of the fair. Every small thing fills him with delight. But the moment he realizes that he has lost his parents, his mood changes completely. His happiness turns into fear, confusion, and sadness. He starts crying and shouting for his parents. The bright fair now appears frightening and noisy. This sudden emotional shift from joy to terror captures the vulnerability of a child’s mind and how dependent children are on their parents for comfort and safety.
Q11. Why did the child not ask for toys and sweets openly?
The child wanted many things — toys, sweets, and flowers — but he did not express his wishes openly because he knew his parents would refuse. They would call him greedy or say that he was too old for certain things. He feared being scolded, so he quietly admired everything without asking. This behavior reflects the respect and obedience that children usually have for their parents, even when they desire something deeply. It also shows how children understand their parents’ limits and control their wishes to avoid upsetting them.
Q12. How does Mulk Raj Anand create realism in the story?
Mulk Raj Anand creates realism by using simple language, natural descriptions, and true human emotions. The child’s reactions — curiosity, excitement, fear, and sadness — are very realistic and relatable. The details of the fair, the colorful stalls, the sounds, and the crowd all make the scene vivid and believable. The emotional transformation of the child after losing his parents is portrayed so genuinely that readers can feel his pain. Anand’s ability to capture small, everyday experiences of life makes “The Lost Child” both touching and realistic.
Q13. What message does the story “The Lost Child” give?
The story gives a powerful message that parental love and care are more important than material pleasures. The child initially desires sweets, toys, and balloons, but after losing his parents, all those attractions become meaningless. This shows that emotional security and love matter most in life. The story also teaches that parents should always keep an eye on their children, especially in crowded places. Above all, it reminds readers of the innocence of childhood and the purity of emotions that value relationships over material things.
Q14. How does the story highlight the innocence of childhood?
The story beautifully captures the innocence of childhood through the little boy’s actions and feelings. He is fascinated by simple things like toys, sweets, and flowers. His heart is pure and unselfish. When he loses his parents, he doesn’t think of anything else — not even his favorite things — and only wants his mother and father back. This pure, unconditional love shows the child’s innocence. Mulk Raj Anand uses simple language and vivid descriptions to highlight how a child’s world revolves entirely around love and security.
Q15. What role do the parents play in the story?
The parents play a crucial role in guiding, protecting, and shaping the child’s experiences. They keep reminding him to stay close and warn him when he lags behind. Their care reflects the love and responsibility that parents naturally feel. Although the child sometimes feels restricted, he feels safe in their presence. When he loses them, his world collapses. The parents represent safety and comfort in his life. Their role reminds readers how important parental guidance is in a child’s emotional and physical well-being.
Q16. How does the story appeal to the reader’s emotions?
“The Lost Child” appeals deeply to the reader’s emotions through its simple yet powerful portrayal of a child’s love and fear. Readers feel happy as the child enjoys the fair but later sympathize with him when he loses his parents. The author describes his tears, panic, and helplessness so realistically that the reader feels his pain. The kind man’s attempt to comfort him adds another emotional layer of compassion. The story makes readers realize the emotional importance of family and love in one’s life.
Q17. What does the title “The Lost Child” signify?
The title “The Lost Child” is simple but very meaningful. It refers not only to the boy who gets physically lost in the crowd but also to his emotional loss — the loss of comfort, security, and happiness after being separated from his parents. The title captures the essence of the story’s emotional journey, from joy to sorrow. It also symbolizes how, without love and care, a person feels lost even among thousands. Thus, the title perfectly suits the story’s theme of innocence, love, and emotional attachment.
Q18. How did the child’s desires change throughout the story?
At the beginning, the child is full of desires — he wants toys, sweets, flowers, and balloons. Each new thing attracts him more than the last. But after losing his parents, his desires change completely. All those colorful things lose their meaning. He refuses sweets, toys, and even the merry-go-round because nothing matters without his parents. This change shows the depth of his emotional attachment to them. The story teaches that love and care are more important than material possessions or temporary pleasures.
Q19. Describe the fair as seen through the child’s eyes.
Through the child’s eyes, the fair appears as a world full of wonder and joy. He sees bright colors, tasty sweets, shiny balloons, and exciting rides. He is fascinated by everything — from the toy shops to the snake-charmer’s flute. His innocent curiosity makes every little thing magical. However, when he loses his parents, the fair suddenly becomes frightening and confusing. The same sights and sounds that earlier made him happy now make him cry. The fair thus reflects his changing emotions — from joy to fear and loneliness.
Q20. What does the story reveal about human emotions?
“The Lost Child” reveals the universality of human emotions like love, fear, and compassion. It shows how a child’s joy turns into grief when he loses his parents, proving that love is the deepest human need. It also shows compassion through the kind man who helps the crying boy. The story makes readers realize that happiness depends not on wealth or pleasure but on emotional bonds. Mulk Raj Anand successfully touches the reader’s heart by portraying pure, natural emotions that everyone can relate to.
Q21. How does the story show the contrast between desire and need?
In the story, the child’s early journey is full of desires—he wants toys, sweets, balloons, and rides. These represent material attractions and curiosity. However, when he loses his parents, all these desires disappear instantly. He realizes that his real need is love, safety, and his parents’ presence. Mulk Raj Anand beautifully contrasts these emotions to show that desires are temporary but emotional needs are permanent. The story teaches that true happiness does not come from possessions but from meaningful relationships. The child’s transformation from wanting toys to seeking his parents expresses a universal truth about human love and priorities.
Q22. How does the writer bring out the feelings of fear and helplessness of the lost child?
The author uses emotional language and realistic scenes to show the child’s fear and helplessness. When he realizes he is lost, the boy’s world turns upside down. His eyes fill with tears, his heart beats fast, and he shouts for his parents. The cheerful fair now feels noisy and frightening. He runs everywhere, bumping into people, unable to find a familiar face. His cries become desperate as no one listens. The author’s description of his trembling lips and sobbing voice makes readers feel his pain. Mulk Raj Anand successfully makes us experience the same fear and helplessness that the lost child feels.
Q23. Why is the title “The Lost Child” suitable for the story?
The title “The Lost Child” is very appropriate because it captures both the main incident and the deeper meaning of the story. Literally, it refers to the child who loses his parents in the fair. Emotionally, it represents the loss of security, happiness, and innocence that happens when love is missing. The entire story revolves around the child’s journey—from joy to fear, from attraction to realization. The title creates curiosity and perfectly reflects the emotional transformation of the protagonist. It reminds readers that being “lost” can mean more than physical separation—it can also mean emotional emptiness without love.
Q24. What makes “The Lost Child” a realistic and touching story?
“The Lost Child” feels realistic because it portrays a common situation that every parent and child can relate to. The descriptions of the fair, the parents’ concern, and the child’s excitement are drawn from real life. Mulk Raj Anand uses simple, natural language and genuine emotions to make readers feel close to the characters. The child’s innocence and his fear after getting lost touch the reader’s heart deeply. The story is not about fantasy but about real human experiences—love, fear, and security. Its emotional depth and simplicity make it timeless and relatable to people of all ages.
Q25. What does the story teach us about the importance of family?
“The Lost Child” teaches that family is the true source of happiness and security in life. The story shows how the child enjoys the fair only when his parents are around. Once he loses them, even the most beautiful things lose their meaning. This demonstrates that love, care, and togetherness are far more precious than material pleasures. Mulk Raj Anand reminds us that parents are a child’s emotional world. Without family, a person feels incomplete and lost. The story beautifully conveys that family bonds give us strength, comfort, and true joy—things no amount of wealth or entertainment can replace.
