Class 9 English - CBSE
Supplementary: The Lost Child
Supplementary: The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand tells the emotional tale of a small boy who visits a spring fair with his parents. Mesmerized by the sights, sounds, and toys, the child gets separated from his parents in the crowd. Panic-stricken, he rejects all the things he previously desired, wanting only his mother and father. For CBSE Class 9 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, empathy, and character analysis. It teaches students about the unconditional love children have for their parents and how material wealth cannot replace emotional security and familial bonds.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Innocence and Childhood Desires
The child represents youthful curiosity, easily attracted to colorful toys, balloons, sweets, and nature like dragonflies and flower petals.
The Appeal of the Fair
The bustling village fair symbolizes the temptations and distractions of the material world that often lure people away from what truly matters.
Parental Love and Protection
Though the parents appear stern and cautious, they represent ultimate safety, security, and unconditional love for the child.
The Shift in Priorities
Once lost, the child's worldly desires vanish completely, highlighting that emotional security with parents is far more valuable than toys and sweets.
Human Empathy in Society
The stranger who tries to comfort the crying child demonstrates kindness and compassion, contrasting with the indifferent crowd.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In CBSE Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include short answer questions testing the plot and character feelings, or long-form value-based questions comparing the child's desires before and after getting lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the child lose interest in the things he wanted earlier?
Once he lost his parents, fear and panic gripped him, making him realize that his parents' safety was more important than toys or sweets.
What message does Mulk Raj Anand convey through this story?
The story conveys that emotional bonds and parental love are far more precious than material possessions and worldly pleasures.
Who helped the lost child at the end?
A kind-hearted man in the crowd rescued the crying child and tried to calm him down by offering him balloons, sweets, and a ride on the roundabout.
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