NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo: Chapter 9 — 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 symptom of perpetual poverty. Jung contrasts Saheb's life with a story of a boy who prayed for shoes, emphasizing the deep-rooted issues of deprivation. The chapter explores how traditions and circumstances condemn children to a life of hardship, analyzing the societal factors contributing to their stolen childhood and the cycle of exploitation.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Flamingo |
| Chapter | Chapter 9 — Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 598 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the impact of poverty and tradition on children's lives.
- Understand the theme of exploitation and lost childhood.
- Identify the author's perspective on societal issues.
- Infer the meaning of contextual vocabulary.
- Discuss the significance of dreams 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, poorly built dwellings, often dark and crowded |
| roof over his head | basic shelter or housing |
| imposed the baggage | forced the burden or responsibility onto someone |
| glibly | in a smooth, fluent, and slightly insincere way |
| 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 boy who works as a ragpicker, searching for valuable items in garbage dumps.
- Why did Saheb and his family leave Dhaka? Answer: They left Dhaka because storms swept away their fields and homes.
- What is Saheb's dream? Answer: Saheb dreams of going to school.
- What is the author's observation about children walking barefoot? Answer: The author observes that many children walk barefoot, and while some explain it as a tradition, she wonders if it's an excuse for perpetual poverty.
- What does Saheb's name mean, and does he know it? Answer: Saheb's name means 'lord of the universe,' but he is unaware of its meaning.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What does Saheb scrounge for in the garbage dumps?
Explanation: Saheb is looking for 'gold,' which refers to any valuable item he can find and sell.
Q2. Where was Saheb's home originally located?
Explanation: Saheb's home was originally amidst the green fields of Dhaka, but it was destroyed by storms.
Q3. What does the author offer Saheb, half-joking?
Explanation: The author asks Saheb if he would come to school if she started one, which she says half-joking.
Q4. What is the meaning of Saheb's name?
Explanation: Saheb-e-Alam, Saheb's full name, means 'lord of the universe'.
Q5. According to one explanation, why do children remain barefoot?
Explanation: One explanation given for children walking barefoot is that it is a tradition, though the author questions this.
Q6. Who is Anees Jung?
Explanation: Anees Jung is the author of the excerpt 'Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood'.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'Lost Spring: Stories of Stolen Childhood'?
The author is Anees Jung.
What is the main theme of the chapter 'Lost Spring'?
The main theme is the plight of children forced into labor due to poverty and societal traditions, leading to their stolen childhood.
Who is Saheb-e-Alam?
Saheb-e-Alam is a young ragpicker who searches for valuables in garbage dumps.
Why does Saheb not go to school?
Saheb does not go to school because there isn't one in his neighborhood, and his family cannot afford it.
What does the author observe about children walking barefoot?
The author observes that many children walk barefoot, and questions whether it's a tradition or a symptom of poverty.
What does Saheb's name mean?
Saheb's name, Saheb-e-Alam, means 'lord of the universe'.
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NCERT Class 12 English — Flamingo — Chapter 9 — Lost Spring Stories of Stolen Childhood. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.