Lesson 2
Lost Spring
Short Answer Type Questions
Q. 1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps ? Where is he and where has he come from?
Ans. Saheb is looking for gold ( rupee or coin) in the garbage dumps. He is in the neighbourhood of the author. Saheb has come from Bangladesh. His house was set amidst the green fields of Dhaka. He came with his mother in 1971 when storms swept away their fields and homes.
Q. 2. What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear ?
Ans. The explanation offered by the author is that it is a tradition to stay barefoot. It is not lack of money. She wonders if this is only an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of poverty. She also remembers the story of a poor boy who prayed to the goddess for a pair of shoes.
Q. 3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall ? Explain.
Ans. No, Saheb is not happy working at the tea-stall. He is no longer his own master. His face has lost the carefree look. The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so tightly over his shoulder. The bag was his. The canister belongs to the man who owns the tea-shop.
Q. 4. Where has Saheb come from ?
Ans. He has come from Dhaka in Bangladesh.
Q.5. What makes the city of Firozabad famous ?
Ans. The city of Firozabad is famous for its bangles. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles.
Q.6. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his dream ?
Ans. Mukesh has a strong will, he wants to be a motor mechanic, though he is a son of a poor bangle maker of Firozabad. Most of the people accepts this profession as their destiny, they do not take initiative but Mukesh is different. He has the ability to dream. He has the courage to change his occupation. He wants to be his own master. Yes, he can realise his dream of joining a garage. Though it is very far from his house but he believes in the old proverb, “where there is a will, there is a way.” He seems to be firm in This decision.
Patience, determination and hard work will help him realise his dream.
II. Long Answer Type Questions
Q. 1. How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family ?
Ans. Mukesh’s grandmother thinks that the god-given lineage can never be broken. Her son and grandsons are born in the caste of bangle makers. They have seen nothing but bangles. Mukesh’s father has taught them what he knows the art of making bangles. But Mukesh wants to be a motor mechanic. He will go to a garage and learn, though the garage is far away from his home.
Q. 2. What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?
Ans. There could be many factors that cause migration of people from villages to cities. The majority of them is in search of livelihood. Cities provide jobs, employment, and other means of getting food. Other reasons may be better civic, health and education facilities. Some people are forced to migrate when natural disasters like flood, drought, famine etc. destroy their houses.
Q. 3. Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
Ans. Government has passed the law to stop child labour. It is banned throughout the country, but no one is serious about it. Everywhere as domestic servants in dhabas, in bangles and crackers industries we see small children working. These children belong to poor families, they are forced to work to survive. Their childhood is stolen. Most of them are undernourished and uneducated. Child labour can be eliminated only through the joint efforts of NGO, government agencies and political leaders. Only passing of law does not help, laws should be enacted faithfully.
These children should be rehabilitated and given proper food, clothes and education. Their feelings and thoughts should be understood and respected. They should also enjoy their life.
