THE LOST CHILD (Moments)

by Mulk Raj Anand

Mulk Raj Anand (12 December 1905 – 28 September 2004) was an Indian writer in English, notable for his depiction of the lives of the poorer castes in traditional Indian society. One of the pioneers of Indo-Anglian fiction, he, together with R. K. Narayan, Ahmad Ali and Raja Rao, was one of the first India-based writers in English to gain an International readership

1. What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?

The little boy ran between his father’s legs brimming with joy and laughter. The boy first saw toy shops, then he saw a sweetmeat seller selling burfis the boy was fond of. He then saw a balloon man selling rainbow coloured balloons and then a flower seller selling a garland of Gulmohar, he also saw a snake charmer playing a flute. Finally he saw a roundabout swing in which many children, men and women were in a whirling motion he was fascinated by all these attractions that lined the way, so he lagged behind. 

2. In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on without waiting for an answer?

First the boy asked for a toy but his father refused to buy one. So when the boy sees different sellers in the fair like sweet seller, flower seller, balloon seller and snake charmer he wants to buy the burfi, garland of Gulmohur, rainbow coloured balloon and listen to the snake charmers flute but he keeps quiet and moves on because he thinks his parents will refuse as they refused earlier. Finally when he sees the roundabout swing where children, men and women are in whirling motion he makee a bold request to his father and mother that he wants to go around in the roundabout. 

3. When does he realise that he has lost his way? How have his anxiety and insecurity been described?

There was a roundabout in full swing. Fascinated by that he asked his father and mother that he wanted to go on the roundabout but there was no reply. He turned and looked around for his parents who were not there. A full, deep cry rose within his dry throat and with a sudden jerk of his body he ran from where he stood, crying in real fear, “Mother, Father.” Tears rolled down from his eyes, hot and fierce; his flushed face was convulsed with fear. Panic-stricken, he ran to one side first, then to the other, hither and thither in all directions, knowing not where to go. “Mother, Father he cried his yellow turban was untied and his clothes became muddy”. 

4. Why does the lost child lose interest in the things that he had wanted earlier?

The boys lost interest in the things that he wanted earlier because he was panic stricken on being separated from his parents. All he wanted was to be united with them. All the things that attracted him in the fair was no longer appealing to him as now the only thing that mattered was finding his parents. 

5. What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents?

The man who came to rescue the child seems to be very kind. I think the child would have eventually found his parents with the help of the man. The man tried to soothe the boy in all possible ways, eventually the man would have been successful in calming the child and with the help of police he would have taken the child to his parents.

6. Compare the attitude of the child before and after his seperation from the parents.

In the begining the child was with his parents. He was happy and excited. He wanted to buy many things. But he know his parents would refuse to buy burfi, toys, garland balloons etc. But he saw a snake charmer and liked the music of his flute. he wanted to enjoy the ride of the merry-go-round, he was so absorbed in watching the merry-go-round that he got seperated from his parents.

Now his mood changed completely. The sorrow of loosing his parents took over all other feelings. he rushed towards a crowded temple. he tried to enter the shrine but go struck at the gate. A kind-hearted person picked him up. he offered many things but the child lost interest in all of them. the child's only need was his parents.