NCERT Solutions Class 9, English, Moments(Supplementary Reader), Chapter- 1,The Lost Child.
THINK ABOUT IT
1. What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?
Solution:
The child saw many things on his way to the fair. He got fascinated by the toys in the shops. After that, he saw a flowering mustard-field. He then followed a group of butterflies and dragon-flies and tried to catch them. After that, he gets attracted by the little insects and worms along the footpath. Meanwhile, his parents keep calling him to hurry up. As he entered the grove, a shower of young flowers fell upon him. He stopped and tried to collect all of them. However, as soon as he heard the cooing of doves, he forgot about the flowers and ran towards his parents shouting, “The dove! The dove!” He was also fascinated by sweetmeats, flowers, balloons and the tricks of the snake charmer. As he entered the fair, he was both fascinated and repelled by the confusion. He kept lagging behind because he was fascinated by every other thing he saw on his way to the fair.
2. In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on without waiting for an answer?
Solution:
The child wanted many things at the fair. His eyes first set on the shop of a sweetmeat seller. His mouth watered for the burfi, which was his favourite sweet. He knew his plea would not be heeded because his parents would call him greedy. Therefore, he moved on. He then saw a flower-seller. He was irresistibly drawn towards the flowers and wanted a garland. However, he knew his parents would refuse saying that they were cheap. Hence, he moved further ahead. He was then carried away by the colours of the different balloons and had an overwhelming desire to possess them. He moved ahead without asking his parents as he knew they would say that he was too old to play with such toys. He next went towards a snake charmer. However, knowing that his parents had forbidden him from hearing such coarse music as the snake charmer played, he carried on. The boy moved on without waiting for an answer because he knew that his request would be denied at each step .
3. When does he realise that he has lost his way? How have his anxiety and insecurity been described?
Solution:
The child sees a roundabout in the fair and gets attracted to it. He 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?
Solution:
The lost child loses interest in the things he had wanted earlier because he got lost in the fair. He is panic-stricken for being lost. Now he frist wants his parents. He is afraid and feels unsafe.
5. What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents?
Solution:
In the end the parents, who continuously kept checking to see that he was with them right from the beginning of their journey may have suddenly realized that he was missing and come looking for the lost child. The kind and understanding man who tried to console the little boy by offering him various things at the fair may have also asked him for some description of his parents and helped him to be reunited with them.
TALK ABOUT IT
How to ensure not to get lost.
Solution:
It is very common that children get lost in fairs and crowds. Hardly a day passes when no child gets lost. It is the duty of both the parents and the children to ensure not to get lost. The parents need to be vigilant and more careful at crowded places. Before entering a crowded place the parents should fix a point where the child should wait in case of getting lost. They should make the child memorise home address and telephone numbers. They should put or pin up a note on the pocket of the child with full details. They should attend to the need of the child and never leave him behind, in case he happens to stand at some shop.
On the other hand the child should hold the hands of his parents at a crowded place. He should keep an eye on his parents so as not to lose sight of them. In case of any emergency the help of police, help centres and media can be taken.
