About the Author
Mulk Raj Anand was a well-known Indian writer who wrote in English. He was born on December 12, 1905, in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) and lived until September 28, 2004. Anand came from a simple family and saw a lot of hardship in life, which made him write about poor people and social problems in India. He studied in India and England and became famous for his books that show the struggles of everyday folks, like workers and low-caste people. Some of his big novels are Untouchable and Coolie. Anand wanted his stories to make people think and feel for others. "The Lost Child" is one of his short tales from the 1930s, full of warmth and real-life feelings, perfect for young readers.
What’s the Story About?
This heart-touching story happens during a lively village fair on a bright spring day. A little boy, about five or six years old, walks hand-in-hand with his parents through mustard fields buzzing with golden flowers and dragonflies. He's super excited, pointing at everything—the tall fields waving like a yellow sea, shiny insects, and even a snake in the grass. But his parents keep walking ahead, a bit lost in their chat.
At the fair, it's a burst of colors and sounds: flower sellers with bright blooms, sweet shops with jalebis and gulab jamuns, a toy seller with rattles and flutes, and even a snake-charmer playing his been. The boy wants it all—a garland of roses, sweets, a toy, the snake-charmer's show—but his parents say no gently, saying he'll get hurt or it's too much. He feels a tiny pinch of sadness but pushes it away to stay happy with them.
Then, disaster strikes. The boy lets go of his parents' hands for just a second to look at a sweet shop, and when he turns back, they're gone, swallowed by the huge crowd. Panic hits him like a wave. He calls out "Mother! Father!" but his voice gets lost in the noise of drums and shouts. Tears roll down his cheeks as he runs here and there, bumping into legs, looking under stalls, even past the sweet seller who offers him burfi—but nothing matters without his parents. He cries louder, his little body shaking with fear.
Suddenly, a kind stranger—a soft-hearted man with a flowing beard—hears him and picks him up. The man comforts the boy, wiping his tears, and carries him high above the crowd to search. They go through the whole fair: the boy spots the flower sellers and wants flowers, but shakes his head—no, only parents. He sees the sweet shop and thinks of jalebis, but cries harder. The man offers rides on horses, a round on the merry-go-round, even mustard fields to play in—but the boy just wails for his mom and dad. Finally, near a temple, the man hears a familiar cry and there they are! The parents rush over, hugging their lost son tight. The boy buries his face in his mother's sari, safe at last. The kind man smiles and walks away, happy to have helped.
The story shows how a child's world is all about family, and how one moment of carelessness can turn joy into terror—but kindness brings it back.
Who’s Who in the Story
- The Little Boy: The main character, a young child full of wonder and love for his parents. He's innocent, easily excited by fair sights, but turns into a scared, sobbing kid when lost. He's like any small brother or sister who clings tight in crowds.
- The Father: A calm, practical man who leads the way to the fair. He says no to the boy's wants to keep him safe, but his heart breaks when the boy is lost. He's the strong protector in the family.
- The Mother: Loving and gentle, she holds the boy's hand and soothes his small hurts. When he goes missing, she joins the search, her worry showing in every call. She's the warm hug that makes everything better.
- The Kind Man (Stranger): A gentle giant with a big heart and beard. He spots the crying boy, lifts him up, and tries everything to cheer him while searching. He's like a helpful uncle from the village, showing stranger kindness.
The fair crowd and sellers are like background friends—colorful but busy—while nature (fields, insects) adds magic to the boy's adventure.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Big Ideas in the Story):
- A Child's Love for Parents: The boy forgets every fun thing at the fair when he's lost—sweets, toys, rides—because nothing beats being with mom and dad. It shows how family is a kid's whole safe world.
- Innocence and Wonder: The boy's eyes light up at simple joys like flowers or dragonflies, reminding us how kids see magic in everyday stuff before worries take over.
- Human Kindness: Even in a big, noisy crowd, one person's care can save the day. The stranger's help proves strangers can be heroes too.
- Fear of Being Lost: Getting separated highlights how scary the world feels without loved ones, but it also brings families closer.
Moral (Lesson to Learn):
Hold tight to your family in busy places, and always be ready to help a crying child—you might be their hero. Like the boy, true happiness is in the people we love, not in shiny things. Kindness costs nothing but means everything.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are some key words and phrases from the story, explained with easy examples from home or school life. I've picked ones that add color to the tale, so they're fun to learn.
- Emerged (start of the story): Came out into view. Like when you step out of a dark room into sunlight— the fair comes alive this way.
- Brimming over (about the boy's eyes): Overflowing with feeling, like a cup full of water spilling a bit. The boy's eyes are full of joy from the pretty fields.
- Lagged behind (when walking): Fell back or slowed down. Like trailing your friends on the way to school because you're busy looking at birds.
- Suppress (his desire): Hold back or push down. The boy hides his wish for sweets to keep smiling with his parents.
- Gaily (the flower sellers): In a happy, cheerful way. Like kids laughing and running during games— the sellers call out with bright smiles.
- Clad (the women): Dressed or covered. Imagine aunties in colorful saris at a wedding—that's how the flower ladies look.
- Garish (the sweet stall lights): Too bright and flashy, like neon signs that hurt your eyes a little. The fair lights shine loud and bold.
- Panic-stricken (the boy's face): Full of sudden fear, like freezing when you can't find your lunchbox. The boy looks this way when parents vanish.
- Hither and thither (running around): This way and that, all over the place. Like chasing a ball that bounces everywhere in the playground.
- Wailed (his cry): Cried very loudly and sadly. Not a quiet sob, but a big, heartbreaking shout for help, like after a fall.
These words make the story feel alive, so try saying them while picturing the fair—it'll stick better than rote learning!