1.

The Lost Child

Date: ___________
Pre-Assessment:
Write a descriptive paragraph about a time you felt lost or alone. Make it as vivid as possible
by using sensory details.
Author Bio: Mulk Raj Anand
 Prominent Indian author of novels, short stories, and critical essays.
 Known for his realistic and sympathetic portrayal of the poor in India.
 Considered a founder of the English-language Indian novel.
Big Ideas:
* The conflict between freedom and security.
* The struggle to live within his family's ambit while trying to discover one’s own world
outside.
New Vocabulary:
 wintry (adjective): characteristic of winter, especially in feeling or looking very cold
and bleak.
 gaily (adverb): with a bright or attractive appearance.
My Reading Response:
 The child is taken by the parents to a fair during spring season. He is filled with joy
on seeing the fun and grandeur around him. He wants to stop at every shop and every
stall to enjoy the colourful scenes. At the roundabout, the child is determined to have
his share of joy, stubbornly asks his father to allow him a ride on the horse. He
realises that his parents are nowhere near. His desire for fun is replaced by the
yearning to be with his dear parents.
 The beauty of childhood innocence is highlighted in the story. It also shows the
importance of clear communication between parents and children.

Challenge Questions:

1. Why does the child move forward without waiting for an answer regarding his
desires?
Discussion points: The little boy murmured softly – all his desires (Give one or two
examples) - because - parents always- find an excuse (Give any one example of a possible
excuse)

2. What did the child do when he realised that he had got separated from his parents?
Discussion points: Panic stricken - Tears rolled down from his eyes – Ran in all
directions, not knowing where to go - yellow turban came untied and his clothes became
muddy.
Ultimately – ran to the shrine – sobbing: “Mother, Father!” - crowd became very thick -
might have been trampled underfoot - A man lifted him up.
Lost interest in all his previous desires.
3. Do you consider the child's behaviour as depicted in the story normal? Give reasons
for your answer.
Discussion points: Yes, the child's behaviour – normal. Child - attracted by everything he
sees around him - toys and sweets - but also fascinated by the nature - dragonflies, pigeons,
flowers and snakes. Child's fascination with the natural world – a universal phenomenon
The author – depicts child psychology in a sensitive way. Also - struggle to live within his
family's ambit while trying to discover one’s own world outside.
the child is both 'repelled and fascinated' – by the world. Big crowd, noise – repel the child.
Natural beauty – attracts his attention.
_________________________________________________________________________
4. What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents? Write an ending to
the story aligned to the themes.
Discussion points: The child - might have been trampled underfoot - A man lifted him up –
appears like a good Samaritan - offers him toys, sweets, flowers, and balloons.
This character – contrasted with the crowd that lacks empathy – so, a happy ending. Effort
from the part of this man and the parents – lead to happy ending.
(Write the ending briefly in one or two paragraphs.)
OR
4. Prepare a concept map for the short story “The Lost Child”.

HOTS Question
Imagine yourself as the mother of the lost child. Write in your diary about how you felt on
losing your child after you reach back home from the fair.
Discussion points: (Give your own positive ending to the story and write accordingly.)
Reflections:
Text connections
Text to self: Childhood dreams and desires, Experience of getting lost
Text to text (Cross-curricular link - CCL): The Coolie by Mulk Raj Anand, ‘Kabuliwallah’
by Rabindranath Tagore
Text to world (Real life link - RL): Parent-Child Relationship, Human Psychology, Indian
Culture and Traditions

Exit Ticket/Self-Assessment:

1. Had the child not shrieked and lifted up by a man, what would have happened to him?

Answer: The child might have been trampled underfoot…