DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, RUDRAPUR

LOST SPRING

Chapter Based Quotes

“The childhood of the poor is like a spring that never blossoms—it is stolen by hunger,
work, and hopelessness.”

“In the lanes of poverty, childhood walks barefoot, carrying the weight of a world it didn’t
create.”

“A lost spring is not just the loss of a season, but the fading of hope in young eyes.”

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its
children.”

“Poverty is the worst form of violence.”

THEME OF LOST SPRING

The chapter *"Lost Spring"* by Anees Jung deals with the grim realities of child labor and the
perpetual poverty that strips children of their childhood and dreams. The central theme revolves
around the loss of innocence and opportunities due to socio-economic hardships, and how
spring—the season of youth, joy, and growth—is metaphorically lost for these underprivileged
children.

The narrative follows two children, Saheb and Mukesh, each representing different yet equally
harsh aspects of child labor in India. Saheb, a ragpicker from Seemapuri, is symbolic of
countless children who live in squalor and poverty. Despite his dreams of going to school and
playing tennis, his reality is one of survival—scavenging through garbage heaps for something
to sustain his life. The loss of his carefree childhood is stark; he is forced to exchange the
golden days of school and play for the burden of work. Even when he secures a job at a tea
stall, the job strips him of his independence, symbolized by the weight of the steel canister he
carries. His spring is not just lost but replaced with the burden of adult responsibilities far too
soon.

Mukesh, on the other hand, belongs to a family of bangle makers in Firozabad. Trapped in the
shackles of tradition and poverty, Mukesh’s story explores another facet of lost spring—how
generations are bound by a vicious cycle from which escape seems almost impossible. These
children are born into a profession that offers no hope for education or development. The toxic
environment they work in, without any protective measures, damages their health and
extinguishes their childhood. The harsh truth that generations have been condemned to the
same fate reveals how deeply rooted the issue of child labor is in societal and cultural norms.

Through these two stories, Jung highlights the indifference of society, the failure of the system,
and the helplessness of the children and their families. Ultimately, *Lost Spring* is a powerful
commentary on the socio-economic conditions that deprive children of their fundamental rights,
replacing joy with struggle, and dreams with duties.

TITLE JUSTIFICATION

The title "Lost Spring" by Anees Jung is deeply symbolic and thought-provoking. It captures the
essence of the chapter, which deals with the tragic loss of childhood and innocence among
underprivileged children due to poverty and societal neglect.

The word "lost" in the title emphasizes the irreversible nature of this deprivation. The children’s
potential, happiness, and aspirations are lost to the harsh realities of poverty, child labor, and
societal [Link] word "Spring" in the title is universally associated with youth, new
beginnings, growth, joy, and hope. It is the season when flowers bloom and life
flourishes—much like childhood, which is meant to be a time of dreams, play, education, and
freedom.

Thus, the title "Lost Spring" is a powerful metaphor that perfectly encapsulates the central
theme of the chapter—the loss of childhood and the denial of a bright future to millions of
children trapped in poverty. It serves as a reminder of the urgency to address these social
issues and restore the lost spring to these young lives.

Answer the given questions in brief :

Q 1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come
from?

Answer:Saheb is looking for something valuable like coins, toys, or anything useful in the
garbage dumps. He is in Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi, and has come from
Dhaka, Bangladesh. His family left their homeland in search of a better life and livelihood.

Q 2. What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?**

Answer:The author mentions that going barefoot has become a tradition for many children,
though it's often a result of poverty. Some children even explain that they don’t wear shoes by
choice, not due to lack of money. However, the reality is that most of them cannot afford proper
footwear.

Q 3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? Explain.

Q 4. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?

Answer:Firozabad is famous for its glass-blowing industry, especially for making bangles. It has
been the center of India’s glass-blowing industry for generations.

Q 5. Mention the hazards of working in the glass-blowing industry.

Answer :The workers, including children, often work in dark, dingy cells with no ventilation and
are exposed to high temperatures and harmful fumes. These conditions cause serious health
problems, such as losing eyesight at a young age and respiratory issues.

Q 6. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?

Answer:Mukesh dares to dream. While his family has accepted the bangle-making profession
as their destiny, Mukesh wants to become a motor mechanic. He is determined to break free
from the cycle of poverty and tradition.

Q 7. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realize his dream?

Answer:Mukesh can realize his dream through education, determination, and external support.
If he continues to pursue his goal of becoming a motor mechanic, seeks training, and finds
mentors or organizations to support his efforts, he may be able to break away from the
traditional occupation and achieve a better life.

Answer the given questions in detail:

Q [Link] social and economic issues does Anees Jung highlight through the lives of Saheb and
the ragpickers of Seemapuri in "Lost Spring"?*

Answer:In Lost Spring, Anees Jung paints a poignant picture of child poverty and systemic
inequality through Saheb and the ragpickers of Seemapuri. She highlights how economic
compulsion robs children of their childhood and dreams.

Saheb, a refugee from Dhaka, lives a life of survival, working as a ragpicker amidst garbage
heaps. Despite having ambitions like going to school, poverty denies him basic rights. His
family, like many others, has migrated in search of a better life but finds themselves stuck in a
cycle of poverty. The lack of identity documents, proper housing, or employment opportunities
keeps them marginalized.

Anees uses Saheb’s story to emphasize how these children are forced into labour due to
socio-economic constraints, illustrating the failure of the system to protect and nurture its most
vulnerable. The narrative evokes empathy while urging readers to question the injustices that
perpetuate poverty and child labour in modern society.

Q [Link] does the contrast between dreams and reality shape the theme of the second part of
"Lost Spring" about the bangle makers of Firozabad?*

Answer : In the second part of *Lost Spring*, Anees Jung focuses on the bangle makers of
Firozabad, using the theme of dreams versus reality to expose generations of suppressed
aspirations. The children here inherit the occupation of bangle making, trapped in a hazardous,
underpaid job that stunts growth and spirit. Though they live surrounded by bangles—symbols
of Indian tradition and beauty—the irony is stark: their own lives lack colour, joy, or freedom.

Jung introduces us to young boys like Mukesh, who dares to dream of becoming a motor
mechanic. This dream stands out in a community resigned to its fate, afraid to break free from
traditions. The glass-blowing industry, deeply rooted in caste and family, becomes a metaphor
for bondage.

Through inference, one understands how systemic oppression, fear of the unfamiliar, and lack
of education rob these children of choices. The story becomes a plea for change, hope, and
empowerment through awareness and action.