Lost Spring – Class 12 English | Questions and Answers

Introduction to "Lost Spring"

"Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood" is an excerpt from Anees Jung’s book. The story highlights the poverty, child labor, and social injustice that deprive poor children of education and a better future. It focuses on two case studies: Saheb, a ragpicker from Seema Puri, and Mukesh, a child laborer in the glass-blowing industry of Firozabad.

Summary of "Lost Spring"

The story is divided into two parts:

1. "Sometimes I find a rupee in the garbage"

The author meets Saheb, a young boy from Seema Puri, who survives by rag picking.
His family migrated from Bangladesh to India in search of a better life but continues to live in poverty.
Saheb and other children look for gold (valuable things) in the garbage dumps.
Eventually, Saheb starts working at a tea stall, but he loses his freedom and innocence.

2. "I want to drive a car"

The author meets Mukesh, a child worker in Firozabad's glass-blowing industry.
Children in Firozabad are trapped in a cycle of poverty, working in hazardous conditions to support their families.
The bangle-making industry follows a strict tradition, making it difficult for children to escape this fate.
Unlike Saheb, Mukesh dares to dream of breaking free and becoming a car mechanic.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Why do children like Saheb look for gold in garbage?

Ans: Children like Saheb search for gold (valuable things) in garbage because it sometimes contains money, food, or reusable materials. Since they belong to poor families, rag picking is their only means of survival.

2. Where did Saheb and his family come from? Why did they migrate?

Ans: Saheb and his family came from Dhaka, Bangladesh. They migrated to Seema Puri, India, due to natural disasters (floods) and extreme poverty, in search of a better life.

3. What job did Saheb take up later? Was he happy?

Ans: Saheb later took up a job at a tea stall, but he was not happy. He lost his freedom and independence, as he now had to work under someone else’s orders.

4. What is Firozabad famous for?

Ans: Firozabad is famous for its bangle-making industry. Most families in Firozabad have been engaged in this traditional occupation for generations.

5. What was Mukesh’s dream? How was it different from others in his family?

Ans: Mukesh dreamed of becoming a car mechanic instead of following the family tradition of bangle-making. His dream was different because most children in Firozabad accept their fate and do not think of breaking free from child labor.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Explain the significance of the title "Lost Spring".

Ans: The title "Lost Spring" symbolizes the childhood that is lost due to poverty and child labor. Spring represents youth, happiness, and hope, but children like Saheb and Mukesh are deprived of it. Their childhood is stolen by the harsh realities of life, forcing them into labor instead of education and play.

2. Describe the condition of ragpickers in Seema Puri.

Ans: The ragpickers in Seema Puri live in extreme poverty and unhygienic conditions. They have no identity cards, basic facilities, or education. They depend entirely on garbage collection for survival. Despite their hardships, they find hope and excitement in rag picking, as they sometimes discover something valuable.

3. Why do the children in Firozabad continue working in the glass industry?

Ans: The children in Firozabad continue working in the glass-blowing industry because:

It is a family tradition, and they are expected to follow it.
They are trapped in poverty, leaving them with no other choice.
The industry is controlled by powerful moneylenders and middlemen, making it difficult for them to break free.
Lack of education and awareness prevents them from seeking better opportunities.

4. Compare and contrast Saheb and Mukesh.

Ans:

Saheb	Mukesh
A ragpicker in Seema Puri.	A child laborer in the bangle-making industry.
Migrated from Bangladesh.	Lives in Firozabad.
Searches for gold in garbage.	Works in hazardous glass-blowing factories.
Eventually works in a tea stall but is unhappy.	Dreams of becoming a car mechanic.
Does not dare to dream of a better future.	Shows determination to change his destiny.

Extract-Based Questions

1. Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"Garbage to them is gold. It is their daily bread, a roof over their heads, even if it is a leaking roof."

(a) Who does 'them' refer to?
Ans: 'Them' refers to the ragpicker children of Seema Puri, including Saheb and his friends.

(b) Why is garbage considered gold?
Ans: Garbage is considered gold because it provides them with food, money, and a way to survive despite their extreme poverty.

(c) What does 'leaking roof' symbolize?
Ans: 'Leaking roof' symbolizes the poor living conditions of ragpickers, who live in broken huts with barely any shelter.

2. Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"He has taken up a job at a tea stall, where he is paid 800 rupees and all his meals. But the carefree look that once lit his face has now disappeared."

(a) Who is 'he' in the passage?
Ans: 'He' refers to Saheb, the young ragpicker.

(b) Why has the 'carefree look' disappeared?
Ans: The carefree look has disappeared because Saheb now works under someone else, losing his freedom and independence.

(c) What does this extract show about child labor?
Ans: It shows that child labor kills innocence and joy, forcing children into hardship at an early age.

Conclusion

"Lost Spring" is a heart-touching story that highlights the cruelty of child labor and poverty. Through Saheb and Mukesh, Anees Jung exposes the harsh realities of children forced to work instead of enjoying their childhood. The story urges society to take action against child labor and provide education and opportunities for a better future.

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