Class 9 English - WEST-BENGAL
Supplementary: The Lost Child
Supplementary: The Lost Child by Mulk Raj Anand, prescribed by WBBSE for Class 9, tells the poignant story of a small boy who visits a village spring fair with his parents. Initially enchanted by the toys, sweets, balloons, and snake-charmer's music, the child is distracted by the vibrant sights. However, when he gets separated from his parents in the crowd, all material attractions lose their value. The chapter highlights the deep emotional bond between a child and his parents, teaching students that parental love is far more precious than worldly possessions. This is a high-scoring story frequently tested in board exams.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Innocence of Childhood
The child is easily fascinated by simple things at the fair like toys, balloons, and sweets, reflecting the pure and simple nature of a child's mind.
Material Attraction vs. Parental Love
Before losing his parents, the child desperately asks for various items; after losing them, he refuses everything offered by a kind stranger because he only wants his mother and father.
The Motif of the Crowd
The dense crowd at the fair represents the chaotic and overwhelming nature of the outside world where a child can easily feel helpless and vulnerable without guidance.
Unconditional Affection
The story emphasizes that worldly pleasures hold no meaning for a child when they are separated from the security and warmth of their parents.
Role of the Stranger
The kind man who tries to console the crying child represents human empathy and compassion, contrasting sharply with the indifference of the massive crowd.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the West Bengal Board (WBBSE) Class 9 English exams, this supplementary chapter usually carries around 5 to 10 marks. Common question types include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Short Answer Type Questions (SAQs) focusing on the child's reactions at the fair, and descriptive Long Answer Type Questions (LAQs) analyzing the psychological shift in the child's mind after getting lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the child lose interest in the toys and sweets after getting lost?
Once he was separated from his parents, panic and fear took over, and his primary need became finding them. Material things like toys and sweets lost all their charm without his parents' presence.
What message does Mulk Raj Anand convey through this story?
The author conveys that no amount of worldly wealth or material pleasure can replace the unconditional love, security, and comfort of one's parents.
Who tries to help the lost child at the end of the story?
A kind-hearted man lifts the crying child in his arms, tries to soothe him, and offers him various items like balloons, sweets, and garland to calm him down, but the child only wants his parents.
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