Lost Spring

Important 2-Mark Questions & Answers

1. Why is the story titled “Lost Spring”?
ANS- The title refers to the loss of childhood and dreams of poor children like Saheb and Mukesh, who are
forced into labour instead of enjoying a carefree spring-like childhood.
2. Who is Saheb-e-Alam and what does his name mean?
Saheb-e-Alam is a ragpicker boy from Seemapuri. His name means “lord of the universe,” but ironically, he lives
in poverty and collects garbage for survival.
3. Why did Saheb’s family migrate to Seemapuri?
Saheb’s family migrated from Dhaka due to storms and natural disasters that destroyed their fields, leaving
them without livelihood.
4. What does garbage mean to ragpickers like Saheb?
For ragpickers, garbage is a means of survival. It is often referred to as “gold” because it provides them with
daily income and hope.
5. What is the condition of Seemapuri?
Seemapuri is a slum on the outskirts of Delhi where people live in mud houses without basic amenities like
water, sanitation, or proper electricity.
6. Why does Saheb not go to school?
Saheb does not go to school because of poverty and lack of access. His family depends on his earnings from
ragpicking.
7. What job does Saheb take up later and how does he feel about it?
Saheb takes up a job at a tea stall. Although he earns a fixed wage, he loses his freedom and appears less happy
and carefree.
8. Who is Mukesh and what is his dream?
Mukesh is a boy from Firozabad who works in the bangle-making industry. His dream is to become a motor
mechanic.
9. Why can’t Mukesh pursue his dream easily?
Mukesh is bound by family tradition, poverty, and social constraints, which make it difficult for him to break
free and pursue his dream.
10. What dangers do bangle makers face in Firozabad?
Bangle makers work in hazardous conditions with high temperatures and poor lighting, which often damage
their eyesight and health.
11. What keeps the bangle makers in perpetual poverty?
A vicious cycle of middlemen, moneylenders, and lack of education traps them in continuous poverty and
exploitation.
12. What does the author mean by “vicious circle”?
It refers to the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and exploitation that prevents families from improving their socio-
economic conditions.
13. How is Mukesh different from others in his family?
Unlike others, Mukesh dares to dream of a different future and expresses his desire to become a motor
mechanic.
14. What does the author observe about Saheb’s slippers?
Saheb wears discarded tennis shoes without laces, symbolizing his poverty and the acceptance of such harsh
living conditions.
15. What message does the story convey?
The story highlights child labour, poverty, and lost childhoods, urging society to take responsibility for ensuring
education and better opportunities for children.

Long Answer Questions

1. How does the story highlight the theme of poverty and its impact on childhood?
Answer: Lost Spring by Anees Jung powerfully highlights the theme of poverty and its devastating impact on
childhood through the lives of Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh.
Saheb, a ragpicker in Seemapuri, spends his childhood collecting garbage to support his family. Instead of going
to school, he roams the streets searching for items of value. Garbage becomes his “gold,” reflecting how poverty
forces children to find hope in waste.
Similarly, Mukesh belongs to a family of bangle makers in Firozabad. He works in hazardous conditions, losing
the joys of childhood. Despite his dream of becoming a motor mechanic, poverty and family traditions restrict
his growth.
Through these two narratives, the author shows that poverty robs children of education, freedom, and dreams,
forcing them into adult responsibilities prematurely.
2. Discuss the theme of child labour as depicted in the story.
Answer: Lost Spring by Anees Jung presents child labour as a harsh reality that traps children in a cycle of
poverty and exploitation.
Saheb-e-Alam begins as a ragpicker and later works at a tea stall. Although he earns a fixed wage, he loses his
independence. His childhood is replaced by responsibility and labour.
Mukesh, on the other hand, works in the bangle industry under dangerous conditions. Children like him are
exposed to intense heat and toxic environments, which damage their health, especially their eyesight.
The story also reveals how systemic forces—middlemen, moneylenders, and societal norms—perpetuate child
labour. Thus, the author criticizes a system that denies children their basic rights to education and a carefree
childhood.
3. How does Anees Jung present the theme of dreams and aspirations in contrast to reality?
Answer: Lost Spring by Anees Jung explores the contrast between dreams and harsh reality through the
characters of Saheb and Mukesh.
Saheb’s dreams are limited by his circumstances. His initial carefree attitude while ragpicking reflects a small
sense of freedom. However, when he starts working at a tea stall, even that limited freedom disappears,
showing how reality suppresses his spirit.
Mukesh, however, dares to dream differently. He wants to become a motor mechanic and is determined to leave
the bangle-making profession. Unlike others in his family, he shows courage and hope.
The contrast lies in the fact that while dreams exist, social and economic barriers make them difficult to
achieve. The story suggests that only strong willpower, like Mukesh’s, can challenge such limitations.
4. Describe the role of social injustice and exploitation in the story.
Answer: Lost Spring by Anees Jung vividly portrays social injustice and exploitation as key factors that sustain
poverty. In Seemapuri, ragpickers live without basic amenities and are ignored by society. They survive by
collecting garbage, which reflects the neglect of marginalized communities.
In Firozabad, bangle makers are caught in a web of exploitation. Middlemen, moneylenders, and powerful
people exploit their labour and keep them in debt. Despite working hard, they remain poor and powerless.
The author highlights that this exploitation is not accidental but systemic. Lack of education, social inequality,
and economic dependency prevent people from escaping this trap.
Thus, the story exposes the harsh realities of social injustice and calls for awareness and change.
5. How does the story depict the “vicious cycle of poverty”?
Answer: Lost Spring by Anees Jung effectively illustrates the “vicious cycle of poverty” through the
interconnected lives of the characters.
Families like Saheb’s migrate due to natural disasters and end up in slums, where they lack education and
opportunities. Children begin working at a young age, which prevents them from going to school. This lack of
education ensures that they remain in low-paying jobs throughout their lives.
In Mukesh’s case, the bangle-making profession is passed down through generations. Debt, exploitation, and
lack of awareness keep families trapped in the same occupation.
Thus, poverty leads to illiteracy, which leads to exploitation, and the cycle continues. The story emphasizes that
breaking this cycle requires education and social reform.
6. Compare the lives of Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh. What do they represent?
Answer: Lost Spring by Anees Jung presents Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh as two contrasting yet representative
figures of child labour and poverty in India.
Saheb represents children who accept their fate without questioning it. His life as a ragpicker and later as a tea
stall worker shows a passive acceptance of circumstances. His loss of freedom symbolizes how poverty crushes
individuality.
Mukesh, on the other hand, represents hope and resistance. Despite belonging to a family of bangle makers, he
dreams of becoming a motor mechanic. His determination to break free from tradition highlights the possibility
of change.
Together, they represent two sides of the same reality—one of resignation and the other of aspiration—making
the story more impactful and meaningful.