Class 9 English - KARNATAKA
Supplementary: The Lost Child
Supplementary: The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand tells the touching story of a small boy who visits a spring fair with his parents. Mesmerized by the sights, sounds, and toys at the fair, he gets separated from his parents. Panicked and crying, he refuses all the things he wanted earlier when a kind stranger tries to comfort him. For Karnataka (KSEEB) Class 9 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, empathy, and character analysis. Questions often focus on the boy's psychological shift from material desires to the sheer need for his parents' security.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Innocence and Wonder
The child is fascinated by everything he sees at the spring fair, representing the pure, uncorrupted curiosity of childhood.
Material Desires vs. Emotional Security
Initially, the child wants toys, balloons, sweets, and a garland. Once lost, these material objects lose all value, and only his parents matter to him.
The Psychology of Panic
The sudden realization of being lost plunges the child into intense fear and helplessness, vividly described through his physical and emotional reactions.
Compassion in Humanity
The kind-hearted stranger who rescues the crying boy highlights the inherent goodness in people, trying every possible way to soothe the child.
The Universal Bond
The story emphasizes that parental love and security are irreplaceable and far more valuable than any worldly possessions or treats.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In Karnataka (KSEEB) Class 9 English exams, this supplementary chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Common question types include 1-mark objective questions, 2-mark short answer questions about why the child lost interest in the fair, and 3-mark paragraph questions on the central theme or character sketch of the child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the child lose interest in the things he wanted earlier?
Once he got lost and separated from his parents, fear and panic took over, making all toys, sweets, and balloons meaningless compared to his need for his parents.
What did the kind man do to console the lost child?
The kind man lifted him up, tried to calm him by talking to him, and offered him a horse ride, balloons, flowers, and sweets, but the child refused everything.
What is the main moral of the story 'The Lost Child'?
The story teaches that parents' love, care, and security are the most precious things in a child's life, far surpassing any material toys or pleasures.
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