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
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.
