Class 9 English - GUJARAT
Supplementary: The Lost Child
Supplementary: The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand is a poignant tale included in the Class 9 Gujarat (GSEB) English curriculum. It tells the story of a small boy who visits a spring fair with his parents. Fascinated by the toys, balloons, sweets, and snake charmer, he gets distracted and ultimately gets lost in the bustling crowd. Panic sets in, and material objects lose their charm as he desperately cries for his mother and father. This chapter matters for board exams because it teaches students about the deep bond between children and parents, the fleeting nature of material desires, and how to write emotional character sketches and paragraph answers.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Innocence of Childhood
The child represents the pure, innocent nature of kids who are easily mesmerized by simple things like toys, flowers, and balloons at a fair.
The Shift in Priorities
Before getting lost, the child wanted everything at the fair, but once he lost his parents, material wealth meant nothing compared to their safety and love.
Parental Love and Care
Though the parents sometimes appeared stern or denied his requests to keep him disciplined, their ultimate love for the child is unmatched and deeply missed when separated.
Theme of Alienation
The sudden transition from a joyous, crowded fair to a terrifying state of being lost highlights the vulnerability of children in large gatherings.
Sensory Imagery
Mulk Raj Anand uses vivid descriptions of sights, sounds, and smells of the spring festival to make the setting come alive for Class 9 readers.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Gujarat (GSEB) Class 9 English examinations, this supplementary chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Questions commonly include short answer questions (SAQs) testing comprehension, character sketches of the child or the kind man who tries to comfort him, and value-based long questions about material possessions versus parental affection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the child lose interest in the things he wanted earlier?
Once he was lost and separated from his parents, fear and panic took over, making all toys, sweets, and balloons meaningless compared to his desire to find his mother and father.
Who tries to help the lost child at the end of the story?
A kind-hearted man rescues the crying child from the stampede and tries to soothe him by offering him balloons, sweets, and a ride on the roundabout, but the child refuses everything.
What is the main moral of The Lost Child?
The story teaches us that parental love, security, and presence are far more valuable than any toys, wealth, or material pleasures in the world.
Learn Supplementary: The Lost Child with Your AI Tutor
10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.
Lecture
Key Points
Interactive
Quiz
Flashcards