- "The Lost Child" narrates the tale of a child who gets separated from his parents at a fair. Despite being enticed by various attractions like sweets and toys, his primary desire is to be reunited with his parents. He experiences fear and desperation upon realizing he's lost.
- A compassionate stranger offers him treats and distractions, but the child's only wish is to find his family. This story reflects the innocence and dependency of children on their parents for security and happiness.
- Mulk Raj Anand's
narrative underscores the profound bond between children and their
caregivers. Through the child's unwavering longing for his parents, the
story emphasizes the emotional connection that supersedes material
desires.
Detailed Summary
In the story, it was springtime, and a child went with his parents to a fair. He was really happy and excited about it. Along the way, he saw toys in the shops and wanted one. His father looked sternly at him, but his mother distracted him by pointing out a beautiful mustard field. The child went into the field to catch dragonflies. When his mother called him, he returned to his parents briefly but soon got distracted by insects on the path.
As they walked, they reached a place where a sweetmeat-seller was selling treats, and the child wanted a 'burfi', but he knew his parents wouldn't buy it. He also saw a flower-seller and colorful balloons, but he knew his parents wouldn't get them for him. There was a snake-charmer playing a flute, but his parents had forbidden him from listening to such music. Later, he spotted a roundabout and asked his parents if he could ride it, but they were gone.
Panicked, he cried and ran around, not knowing where to go. He went to a temple crying for his parents, and a man in the crowd heard him and picked him up. The man tried to cheer him up by taking him to the roundabout, the snake-charmer, the balloon-seller, the flower-seller, and the sweet-shop, offering him things, but the child only wanted his parents.
He lost interest in everything he had wanted before and just wanted to be with his parents. The story teaches us that a child can't be happy without their parents.
Theme/Message
Theme
- The story explores what happens when a lost child yearns for his parents, realizing their true importance as he searches desperately for them. Initially, the child is fascinated by many things in the world and desires to have them all.
- However, parents often can't fulfill these wishes due to financial constraints or concerns for the child's well-being. This might upset the child.
- But when separated from his parents, the child comprehends their value and feels a deep longing for them, crying out for their presence above all else.
Message
- The story emphasizes how children love their parents unconditionally, as seen when a lost child is satisfied with his father's actions, understanding that his dad won't give in to his every desire. However, he regrets his decision to stray when he becomes scared and longs for his parents, forgetting about the attractions at the fair. This highlights the importance of parents in our lives.
- In childhood, we desire many things we encounter daily, but often fail to appreciate the true value of our parents, taking them for granted. It's only when they're absent that we realize their significance and yearn for their presence. This realization dawns on the child when he gets lost at the fair. Despite being tempted by various things, he only desires his parents' company, showing the depth of parental love.
