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Why do some children never get to experience the joy of childhood? What forces them to work when they should be in school? Why does poverty seem like a never-ending cycle for certain families? These are some of the powerful questions raised in Chapter 2: Lost Spring, part of the CBSE Class 12 English syllabus.
Written by Anees Jung, Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood explores the harsh realities faced by poor children in India. The chapter paints a moving picture of how dreams are crushed under the weight of poverty and tradition. Through real-life stories, it sheds light on how children are denied basic rights like education, play, and freedom, and instead are pushed into the world of child labour from a very young age.
In this blog, we’ll break down the Important themes, characters, and messages from this important chapter, helping students understand not just the content but also the deeper meaning behind it. Whether you're preparing for your Class 12 board exams or simply want to understand the social issues highlighted in the story, this introduction will set the stage for a thoughtful reading of Lost Spring.
Get concise, exam-ready notes for Lost Spring by Anees Jung. Click below to download the free PDF and boost your Class 12 English preparation.
Lost Spring shares two real-life stories of children who are forced to work due to poverty. It highlights how these children lose their childhood to survival. The author meets Saheb, a ragpicker from Seemapuri, and children from Firozabad, who are trapped in the glass-blowing industry.
About the Author
Anees Jung is an Indian author, journalist, and columnist known for her writings on social issues, especially those affecting women and children. She was born in Hyderabad and studied in India and the United States. Her work often highlights the struggles of the underprivileged and aims to raise awareness about injustice in society. In Lost Spring, she uses simple yet powerful language to tell the real stories of children trapped in poverty and child labour.
Background of the Story
Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood is a thought-provoking piece that focuses on the harsh realities of poor children in India. The chapter is based on Anees Jung’s personal encounters with children like Saheb, a ragpicker in Seemapuri, and children working in the glass-blowing industry of Firozabad. These stories are not fictional but are drawn from real life, reflecting how poverty, tradition, and lack of education rob children of their childhood and dreams. The chapter serves as a powerful commentary on child labour and the urgent need for change.
Lost Spring by Anees Jung presents two real-life stories that reflect the harsh lives of poor children in India. The chapter is divided into two parts:
The first story is about Saheb, a young ragpicker who lives in Seemapuri, a slum on the outskirts of Delhi. He has come from Dhaka, Bangladesh, in search of a better life but ends up collecting garbage to survive. Saheb dreams of going to school and having a proper job, but poverty keeps him trapped. Even when he gets a job at a tea stall, he loses his freedom and happiness.
The second story is set in Firozabad, a town known for its glass-blowing industry. The author meets children who have been working in glass factories since childhood. They are born into a family trade and have no way out. Despite knowing the dangers, they continue the work due to a lack of education, money, and awareness. Their dreams are buried under tradition and poverty.
Main Message:
The chapter highlights the loss of childhood due to poverty, child labour, and social injustice. Anees Jung shows how children like Saheb are denied their basic rights—education, freedom, and happiness. Through these stories, the author urges society to act and help underprivileged children break free from poverty by providing education and opportunities.
The characters in Lost Spring are powerful voices of the unheard. They bring attention to deep-rooted issues like child labour, lack of education, and social inequality. Anees Jung uses these real-life stories to urge society to wake up and give children a fair chance at a better life.
Character Sketch:
Saheb is a young boy from Dhaka, now living in a slum in Seemapuri. He works as a ragpicker, collecting and selling garbage to support his family. He is full of dreams—he wants to go to school, play tennis, and live a better life. Despite his poverty, Saheb remains hopeful and curious. Later, he finds a job at a tea stall, but the author observes that he looks less happy, having lost his freedom.
Why Saheb Matters:
Saheb represents thousands of children in India who are denied education and a carefree childhood due to poverty. His story highlights how dreams are crushed when basic needs are not met. He reminds readers of the urgent need for social and educational reforms.
Character Sketch:
These children are born into families of glass-blowers. From a very young age, they work in hot, dark factories, often in dangerous conditions. They are unaware of any life beyond their narrow world. Most accept their fate because generations before them have done the same.
Why They Matter:
These children symbolise the cycle of poverty and tradition. Their lives show how lack of awareness, poor education, and exploitation keep entire communities trapped in hardship. They are not just characters, but real faces of child labour in India.
The Lost Spring by Anees Jung is included in the CBSE Class 12 English syllabus because it highlights important social issues that every student should be aware of. The chapter focuses on child labour, poverty, and the loss of childhood, showing how many children in India are forced to work instead of going to school.
Raises Awareness About Child Labour
The chapter highlights the harsh reality of children forced to work instead of going to school.
Shows the Impact of Poverty
It explains how poverty steals away dreams, education, and childhood from millions of children.
Encourages Social Responsibility
Students are encouraged to think about real-world problems and become more sensitive to the struggles of others.
Promotes Empathy and Understanding
The stories of Saheb and the glass-blowing children help students relate to those less fortunate.
Supports Value-Based Learning
The chapter teaches values like compassion, justice, and the importance of education.
Builds Critical Thinking
Students learn to analyse social issues and think about solutions to long-standing problems.
Connects Literature to Real Life
It shows how literature can reflect society and bring about change through storytelling.
Studying for your Class 12 board exams can be challenging, but having the right resources can make all the difference. Chapter-wise PDFs are an excellent way to organise your study materials and make revisions easier. Whether you're a visual learner or someone who likes to have notes on hand, these PDFs provide everything you need in one place.
Easy Access to Important Information
Downloading chapter-wise PDFs gives you quick and easy access to the most important points, summaries, and notes from each chapter. This helps save time during revisions and ensures you don’t miss any Important concepts.
Exam-Ready Notes
These PDFs are designed to provide concise, exam-friendly notes, helping you prepare effectively for your Class 12 board exams. They cover all essential topics and are tailored to the CBSE syllabus.
Convenient for On-the-Go Studying
With PDFs on your device, you can study anytime and anywhere, even without an internet connection. Whether you're on a bus or at a café, you can easily revise important concepts.
Well-Organised and Structured Content
Each chapter is organised with clear headings, bullet points, and summaries, making it easier for you to focus on the most important information without feeling overwhelmed.
Helps Strengthen Understanding
These PDFs break down complex ideas into simple, digestible pieces, making difficult chapters easier to understand. They are written in a clear, straightforward language for better comprehension.
Saves Paper and Reduces Clutter
By using digital PDFs, you can reduce the need for printed study material, keeping your workspace organised and clutter-free.
Printable for Offline Study
If you prefer studying from paper, you can easily print these PDFs and create your own study notes for offline use.
Preparing for board exams can be overwhelming, especially when there's so much to cover. Chapter-wise study material makes learning more focused and less stressful. It helps students stay organised, understand Important concepts, and prepare more effectively.
Simplifies Learning
Complex topics are explained in simple language, making it easier for students to grasp difficult concepts without confusion.
Saves Time
Well-organised notes help students revise faster. They no longer have to search through textbooks or classwork to find important points.
Improves Exam Preparation
These materials follow the CBSE syllabus closely and focus on exam-relevant content, helping students answer questions more confidently.
Builds Better Understanding
Chapter-wise breakdown allows students to study one topic at a time, improving concentration and retention.
Reduces Exam Stress
With everything structured clearly, students feel more in control of their studies, which boosts confidence and reduces anxiety.
Helpful for Last-Minute Revision
Quick summaries, Important points, and important questions make it ideal for revision just before the exams.
The Lost Spring is a powerful chapter that highlights real social issues like child labour and poverty. Preparing for this chapter doesn’t have to be difficult if you follow a smart and structured approach.
Read the Chapter Thoroughly
Start by reading the chapter slowly and carefully. Try to understand the real-life stories of Saheb and the children in Firozabad. Focus on the emotions, tone, and message of the writer.
Make Chapter-wise Notes
Write down short notes including the summary, Important characters, important points, and themes. This will help you revise quickly before exams.
Understand the Message
Know the main idea behind the chapter – how poverty and tradition steal childhood, and why social awareness is important. This will help you write better answers in exams.
Learn Character Sketches
Prepare detailed character sketches of Saheb and the glass-blowing children. Include who they are, what they do, and what they represent.
Practise Important Questions
Go through previous years’ questions and sample papers. Try writing answers in your own words using clear and simple language.
Highlight Important Quotes
Remember 2–3 strong quotes or lines from the chapter. These can make your answers stand out and show your deeper understanding.
Revise Regularly
Don’t wait till the last minute. Revise the chapter often using your notes and summaries to keep everything fresh in your memory.
Understanding the chapter The Lost Spring is not just about memorising facts—it's about interpreting emotions, messages, and social issues. However, students often make some common mistakes that can cost them marks in exams.
Ignoring the Deeper Message
Many students focus only on the storyline and forget to mention the central theme—the loss of childhood due to poverty and child labour.
Confusing the Two Stories
The chapter has two separate stories: one about Saheb, the ragpicker, and the other about the glass-blowing children in Firozabad. Students often mix up the characters or their backgrounds.
Forgetting Character Details
Writing vague or incorrect character sketches of Saheb or the other children is a common error. It’s important to explain who they are, what they represent, and how they reflect larger social problems.
Missing Out Key Terms or Phrases
Not using key terms like “child labour”, “poverty”, “lost childhood”, and “social injustice” can weaken your answers. These phrases are important for scoring well in value-based and analytical questions.
Writing Overly Long or Unclear Answers
Some students write too much without sticking to the point, which can confuse the examiner. Aim for clear, structured, and concise answers with proper paragraphing.
Neglecting Important Quotes
Ignoring meaningful lines or quotes from the chapter can make your answer less impactful. Learn 2–3 short quotes that you can include in your answers to strengthen them.
Not Linking to Real-Life Context
The chapter is based on real issues. Failing to relate the text to real-life problems like lack of education, bonded labour, or poor living conditions can result in shallow answers.
Tip for Students:
Focus on understanding the purpose behind the chapter, not just the events. Practice writing balanced answers that reflect both the story and its social meaning.
The Lost Spring is more than just a story—it’s a mirror reflecting the harsh realities faced by millions of children in our society. Through real-life examples, Anees Jung highlights how poverty, child labour, and lack of education rob children of their dreams and innocence. This chapter encourages us to not only understand these issues but also to think about solutions. As students, it teaches us the importance of empathy, awareness, and the power of education to bring about change. Understanding this chapter deeply can help you write thoughtful, impactful answers in your board exams—and also grow into a more socially aware individual.
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