The Lost Child

Vocabulary:

wintry shades of narrow lanes and alleys: in the winter season, the narrow lanes were full of shade.

Emerged: came out

Brimming over: to be full of something

Lagged behind: was left behind

Fascinated by: attracted to

Lined the way: were set up along the way

Lingering: lasting for a long time

Receding: left behind as he walked ahead

Suppress: put an end to

Cold: without any feelings, emotions

Tyrant: a cruel and oppressive ruler

Melted: became tender and loving

Pale: dull, colorless

Gaudy: extremely bright and showy

Abreast: side by side and facing the same way

Teeming out: to pour or empty out

Grove: a small wood or group of trees

Capers: a playful skipping movement

Throngs: huge crowds

Converging: gathering

Heeded: paid attention to

Overwhelming: a very strong emotion

Forbidden: not allowed

Coarse: unpleasant

Hither and thither: here and there

Intently: carefully

Congested: full of

Hefty: large and heavy

Thrust: push

Knocked: hit

Brutal: harsh, rough

Trampled: crushed

Surging: powerful

Soothe: relax, comfort

Pleaded: requested

Double-pitched strain: usage of a lot of force

Bore: carried

Reiterated: repeated

Disconsolate: very unhappy and unable to be comforted

Charge: a person or thing entrusted to the care of someone

 Think about it (Answers to the questions given on Page 6)

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

On his way to the fair the child sees toys, balloons of different colours, garlands of gulmohur, a swing and a snake-charmer playing a flute. He gets attracted to all these things. So, he lags behind.

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

The child wants many things at the fair. He wants to have toys, different sweets, a garland, balloons of different colours. He also wants to enjoy a ride on the roundabout. He moves on without waiting for an answer because his parents cautioned him to move on.

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

The child sees a roundabout and wants to have a ride on it. He asks his parents for permission to enjoy it. Having no response on the part of his parents he realises that he has lost his way. He starts crying bitterly at once and runs here and there in search of them.

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

The lost child loses interest in the things he has wanted earlier because he got lost in the fair. He is panic-stricken for being lost. Now he all that he wants is his parents. He is afraid and feels unsafe.

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

Yes, I feel that the child finds his parents at last. The kind-hearted person must have tried his best to find his parents. On the other hand, the parents of the child must have searched very hard to find their child.