Short and Long Answer Ques - The Lost Child | English Class 9 PDF Download

Q1. How did the child react when there was no sign of his parents ?

Ans: The child reacted with innocence and confusion when he couldn't find his parents. He became panic-stricken and felt profoundly lonely in the crowd. Despite a man's attempts to console him, the child remained inconsolable, expressing that he only wanted his parents, not any material comforts.

Q2. Where did the child go with his parents ? What did he want there ?

Ans: The child went to a fair with his parents. He wanted garlands, balloons, and sweets there. Additionally, he wished to see the snake and take a ride on the swing.

Q3. Why did the lost child refuse to take his favourite things in the fair after losing his parents ?

Ans: The child refused to take his favourite things at the fair after losing his parents because he missed them deeply. His desire to reunite with them overshadowed any interest he had in the toys and sweets around him.

Q4. How did the mother distract the child’s mind from the toy seller ?

Ans: The mother distracted the child from the toy seller by pointing to a flowering mustard field. The child became captivated by the colourful dragonflies and began to chase after them.

Q5. How was the child separated from his parents ?

Ans: The boy was drawn to the toys, balloons, and sweets at the fair. He became captivated by the music of the snake charmer's flute. While watching the roundabout, he lost sight of his parents and became separated from them.

Q6. What happened when the lost child reached the temple door ?

Ans: When the child reached the temple door, men were jostling each other. The poor child struggled to push his way through but was knocked about. He might have been trampled if he had not shouted at the top of his lungs.

His yellow turban came undone and his clothes became muddy. After running around in a panic, he stood defeated, his cries turning into sobs. Through his tear-filled eyes, he saw men and women chatting nearby, but he could not find his parents among the crowd.

Desperate, he ran towards a shrine where people were gathering. The crowd was thick near the temple entrance, with heavy men pushing against each other. The child tried to squeeze between their legs, but their movements knocked him around. He cried out for his parents, feeling lost and scared.

Q7. What happened when the “lost child” entered the grove? How did he enjoy it there?

Ans: When the lost child entered the grove, a shower of young flowers fell upon him. He joyfully gathered the petals as they rained down. The soothing cooing of doves caught his attention, prompting him to run towards his parents, excitedly shouting about the doves. He had a delightful time in the grove, filled with laughter and wonder.

Q8. Parents were in a hurry to reach the fair but the child was delaying them. How ?

Ans: The boy was distracted by various things on the way to the fair. He wanted to buy toys, catch butterflies and dragonflies, and gather flowers. His innocent curiosity caused him to delay his parents, making them wait as he explored his surroundings.

Q9. What was the first reaction of the child when he realized that he had lost his parents?

Ans: The child felt a wave of panic when he realised he had lost his parents. Confused and angry, he cried out for them, running in all directions in a desperate search. His tears flowed as he shouted, “Mother, Father!” His clothes became dirty, and he was overwhelmed by fear.

Q10. Why didn’t the boy wait for an answer after he had pleaded for sweets?

Ans: The boy didn’t wait for an answer after pleading for sweets because he anticipated that his parents would call him greedy and refuse to buy them. Understanding their likely response, he moved on without waiting.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q12. What changes do you notice in the behaviour of the child, once he is separated from his parents in the story “The Lost Child” ?

Ans: A child went to a fair with his parents, feeling excited and happy about the toys and sweets. However, when he became separated from them, his behaviour changed drastically. He started to cry and ran around in search of his parents, feeling scared in the crowded place. Despite the offers of sweets and toys from a kind man, he refused them all. The child, who had once wanted everything at the fair, now only longed to be with his parents, highlighting how his priorities shifted from material desires to a deep need for his family.

Q13. Compare the attitude of the child before and after his separation from his parents.

Ans: Before the separation, the child was very happy and excited at the fair. He was captivated by the various items displayed at the stalls, longing for his favourite toys, sweets, and flowers. He also wanted to enjoy the rides. However, after separating from his parents, the child's attitude changed drastically. He no longer cared about the things he had previously desired; all he wanted was to be with his parents. Without them, the attractions of the fair lost their appeal, and he found no satisfaction in the things he once craved.

Q14. How did the man who found the little boy in the fair, try to soothe him?

Ans: The man who found the little boy at the fair tried various ways to soothe him. He first took him to a roundabout swing and then offered him a horse ride. He attempted to engage the boy with the snake charmer's music and even presented him with a balloon, hoping to distract him. However, none of these efforts worked. The man also offered flowers and sweets, but the child continued to cry, longing for his parents. The boy was not interested in anything at the fair, as his heart was set on being with his mother and father.

Q15. How do you know that the lost child was a nature – lover ?

Ans: The child displayed a strong affinity for nature, reflecting his innocence and curiosity. When his mother pointed out the mustard field, he was captivated by the flowers, which appeared pale like melting gold. He noticed a group of dragonflies with their vibrant purple wings, darting around as they chased a lone black bee or butterfly seeking nectar. The child eagerly tried to catch the dragonflies, but they eluded him, fluttering away.

His fascination extended to the small insects and worms emerging from their hiding spots to bask in the sunshine. As he entered the fair, a shower of young flowers fell upon him, and he forgot about his parents, engrossed in gathering the petals. The sound of doves cooing drew him back, and he excitedly ran towards his parents, exclaiming about the doves.

Q16. What all things did the child get attracted to, once entered the fair ? Was he able to get all the things he desired ? What happened when he made a bold request to his parents ?

Ans: The child was captivated by the sight of burfi, his favourite sweet, and longed for it. However, he hesitated to ask his parents, knowing they would likely refuse, thinking he was being greedy. He then noticed a vendor selling a garland of gulmohur and felt drawn to it, but he also realised his parents would dismiss it as too cheap. Moving on, he was enchanted by the vibrant balloons but knew his parents would say he was too old for such toys.

As he wandered, he came across a snake-charmer playing a flute, but he remembered his parents forbidding him from listening to such music. Finally, he spotted a roundabout filled with laughter and excitement. Gathering his courage, he boldly asked, “I want to go on the roundabout, please, Father, Mother.” However, when he turned to look for them, he realised they were no longer behind him.