NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo: Chapter 2 — Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood
This chapter, 'Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood' by Anees Jung, delves into the harsh realities of poverty and exploitation faced by children in India. It introduces Saheb, a young ragpicker who searches for 'gold' in garbage dumps, having lost his home and fields to storms in Dhaka. His dream of attending school is met with broken promises. The narrative also highlights the tradition of staying barefoot, questioning if it's a choice or a consequence of perpetual poverty. Jung contrasts Saheb's plight with a story of a boy who prayed for shoes, emphasizing how circumstances and traditions trap children in a cycle of hardship, stealing their childhood and future. The chapter serves as a poignant commentary on societal issues affecting vulnerable children.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Flamingo |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 600 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the socio-economic conditions depicted in the chapter.
- Understand the concept of stolen childhood due to poverty and exploitation.
- Infer the meaning of contextual vocabulary related to poverty and hardship.
- Reflect on the societal issues of child labor and broken promises.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| scrounging | searching for something in a disorganized or untidy way |
| perpetual state of poverty | a continuous condition of lacking sufficient money or basic necessities |
| slog their daylight hours | to work hard and laboriously throughout the day |
| dark hutments | small, crudely built dwellings, often dark and poorly maintained |
| roof over his head | basic shelter or housing |
| imposed the baggage | forced the burden or responsibility onto someone |
| glibly | in a way that is smooth and fluent but insincere and shallow |
| bleak world | a depressing and unwelcoming environment |
| Saheb-e-Alam | lord of the universe |
| chappals | sandals or flip-flops |
| shuffles his feet | moves his feet from side to side without lifting them, often indicating nervousness or embarrassment |
| desolation | a state of complete emptiness or destruction |
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Practice questions
- Who is Saheb and what does he do? Answer: Saheb is a young ragpicker who searches for valuable items in garbage dumps.
- Why did Saheb and his family leave their home in Dhaka? Answer: They left because storms swept away their fields and homes.
- What is Saheb's dream, and what is the reality of the promises made to him? Answer: Saheb dreams of going to school, but the promises of building a school are often hollow and unfulfilled.
- What is the significance of Saheb's name, and does he know its meaning? Answer: Saheb's name means 'lord of the universe', but he is unaware of its meaning.
- What are the possible reasons given for children walking barefoot? Answer: One explanation is tradition, while the narrator questions if it's an excuse for perpetual poverty.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What does Saheb Saheb-e-Alam literally mean?
Explanation: Saheb-e-Alam means 'lord of the universe'. The irony is that he lives in poverty and is unaware of his name's grand meaning.
Q2. Where did Saheb and his family originally live?
Explanation: Saheb's home was originally in Dhaka, amidst green fields, which were destroyed by storms.
Q3. What does the narrator ask Saheb when she first encounters him?
Explanation: The narrator asks Saheb, 'Why do you do this?' referring to his act of scrounging in the garbage.
Q4. What is the narrator's initial reaction to suggesting Saheb go to school?
Explanation: The narrator immediately realizes that suggesting school is hollow advice given Saheb's circumstances and lack of a school nearby.
Q5. According to the text, what is one explanation for children walking barefoot?
Explanation: The text mentions that 'it is not lack of money but a tradition to stay barefoot' as one possible explanation.
Q6. Who is Anees Jung?
Explanation: Anees Jung is the author of the excerpt 'Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood'.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the chapter 'Lost Spring'?
The main theme is the exploitation of children due to poverty and societal traditions, leading to a 'stolen childhood'.
Who is Saheb-e-Alam?
Saheb-e-Alam is a young ragpicker introduced in the chapter, who lives in poverty and searches garbage dumps for valuables.
Why does Saheb not go to school?
Saheb does not go to school because there isn't one in his neighborhood, and the promises made to build one are often unfulfilled.
What does the author Anees Jung explore in this excerpt?
Anees Jung explores the grinding poverty and traditions that condemn children to a life of exploitation.
What is the significance of the title 'Lost Spring'?
The title 'Lost Spring' symbolizes the lost childhood and potential of children who are forced into labor and hardship instead of enjoying their youth.
What is the narrator's observation about children walking barefoot?
The narrator observes that children walk barefoot not always due to lack of money, but sometimes due to tradition, which she questions as a possible excuse for poverty.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 English — Flamingo — Chapter 2 — Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.