The Lost Child: Why did the lost child refuse to take his favorites in the fair after losing his parents?

The lost child, a short story by Mulk Raj Anand, revolves around a young boy who gets separated from his parents in a fair and experiences a series of emotions and realizations during his search for them. As the child wanders through the bustling fair, he comes across various enticing attractions, but ultimately refuses to indulge in his favorites.

1. Emotional Turmoil:
The loss of his parents creates a sense of fear, anxiety, and emotional turmoil within the child. He becomes overwhelmed with the idea of being alone and losing the security and love provided by his parents. This emotional state influences his decision-making process and his reluctance to take his favorites.

2. Prioritizing Reunion:
The lost child's primary focus is on finding his parents rather than seeking pleasure or materialistic attractions. His deep yearning to reunite with his parents surpasses his desire for any transient joy or distraction. This intense longing makes him prioritize his goal over immediate gratification.

3. Sense of Responsibility:
The child feels a sense of responsibility towards his parents, particularly in their absence. He understands that his parents would worry about him, and taking his favorites in the fair might divert his attention from the main task of finding them. By refusing to indulge in his favorites, he demonstrates maturity and a sense of duty.

4. Financial Constraints:
The lost child comes from a humble background, and the fair represents a world of opulence and extravagance. He realizes that indulging in his favorites would require money, which he might not have access to. Therefore, he refrains from taking his favorites, knowing that it would lead to disappointment and frustration due to financial constraints.

5. Moral Lesson:
The story of the lost child provides a moral lesson about the transitory nature of materialistic desires. The child's refusal to take his favorites symbolizes the value of emotional connections and relationships over material possessions. By prioritizing love and family, the lost child teaches us the importance of human connections and the emptiness of materialistic pursuits.

In conclusion, the lost child refuses to take his favorites in the fair after losing his parents due to emotional turmoil, prioritizing reunion, a sense of responsibility, financial constraints, and the underlying moral lesson of the story.