The Lost Spring

Introduction to the Lost Spring Summary

The story, “Lost Spring” deals with the deplorable condition of poor children who get forced to miss the
simple joyful moments of childhood because of their socio-economic conditions. These children are not
given the opportunity of schooling and are compelled to start working early in life. The author Anees Jung
strives hard to eliminate child labour through her book. She propagates the education of children and
enforcement of strict laws against child labour by the government. The message is to put an end to child
exploitation and let all children enjoy their days of the spring and joy.

Characters of the Lost Spring Summary

 Saheb-e-Alam: A rag picker
 Mukesh: Son of a bangle maker

The Lost Spring Summary

I – Sometimes I find a rupee in the garbage.

The first part talks about the writer’s impressions about the life of the unfortunate rag pickers. The rag
pickers migrate from Dhaka and find a settlement in Seemapuri. They end up losing their fields and homes
due to storms. They then come to the big city to find a living, but are poor. The author then watches Saheb,
the rag picker, every morning who is always scrounging for “gold” in her neighborhood. Garbage is actually
the means of survival for the elders and it is something wrapped in wonder for the children. Sometimes,
the children find a coin or two from it. Even these kids have desires and ambitions, but they have no clue
about how to achieve them. There are many things that are unreachable to them, for instance, shoes,
tennis and similar stuff. Later on, Saheb starts working at a tea stall where he earns 800 Rupees and also
gets to eat all the meals. But the job takes away his freedom.

II – I want to drive a car.

The second part is about the life of Mukesh, who comes from the family of bangle-makers. Firozabad is
quite popular for its glass-blowing industry. A staggering 20,000 children are a part of this business and
any law that forbids child labour is brutally ignored here. Also, the working environment and the living
conditions are pathetic. Children live in dingy cells and work around hot furnaces that make them blind
when they enter adulthood. Since they are weighed down by debt, they cannot think or find any way to
escape this trap. The politicians, policemen, middlemen and bureaucrats obstruct their way of progress.
Most women in such families think that this is their fate and just follow the tradition. But Mukesh is very
different from the rest of the folks there. He has dreams of becoming a motor mechanic. The garage is
quite far from his house but he shall walk.
 Gist of the Lessons
Sometimes I find a rupee in garbage

 The author here is analyzing the poor conditions and traditions that push children to live a life of
exploitation. They are also denied education and face hardships quite early in their lives.
 The writer comes across Saheb – a rag picker whose parents have left Dhaka and their life of poverty to
earn a living in Delhi.
 Just like many other families, even his family lives in Seemapuri. They don’t own any other identification
other than a ration card.
 These children can’t afford to go to school but get excited when they find a coin or even a ten rupee note
while rummaging in the garbage.
 This is their only way of earning.
 The writer feels awful to see Saheb, a rag picker whose name also means the ruler of earth. But the poor
child has lost his childhood and roams barefooted with his friends.
 Right from morning to afternoon, the author comes across him in a tea stall. Saheb becomes sad as he
realizes that he is no longer the master of his own destiny and the loss of identity weighs heavily on his
tender shoulders.

I want to drive a car

 The author sheds light on another victim of child labour, Mukesh who dreams of becoming a motor
mechanic.
 But the child has always worked in the glass making industry.
 They get exposed to many health hazards such as losing their eyesight as they work in appalling
conditions, in dark and dingy cells.
 Mukesh’s father is blind and evens his father and grandfathers were blind.
 So, the bangle makers of Firozabad are so burdened that they have stopped dreaming unlike Mukesh who
wants to drive a car.
So, this was all about the Lost Spring Summary of Class 12 English. It is extremely crucial to understand
the hidden meanings of the writer’s story to score well in this topic.

Debate Writing Solved questions

Below are a few samples for you to look at so that you get an idea as to how to write debates during
exam. Remember, the more you read and practice, the better it is. As per, CBSE guidelines, it should
not exceed the prescribed limit of 150-200 words.
Q1. You are Mukul / Mahima of Alps Public School. Your school has organized a debate on "Social
Media and It's Effects “A• and you will be participating from your school. Prepare your views against
or in favor of the motion. (150-200 words) (10)
(Source- CBSE Sample Question Paper 2018-19)
Answer:
SOCIAL MEDIA AND IT's EFFECTS
FOR THE MOTION:
"We are all now connected by the internet, like neurons in a giant brain"
Honorable judges, teachers and my worthy opponents, thank you for giving me the opportunity to join
this debate on the topic, "Social Media and It's Effects". I am Mukul/ Mahima and I would like to speak
in favor of the motion.
How many people do not have a smile on their faces on finding an old friend on face book? Well,
social media has removed all the barriers and boundaries to communication by bringing the globe on
a single platform. While business opportunities have widened, marketer's reach has broadened. It
keeps us updated about everything going on in every nook and corner of the world on a real-time
basis. From emergency alerts, announcements and declarations to knowing how our friends are
doing has all become so convenient. It provides freedom of speech and thus, enables everyone to
speak their mind. Not to forget the incalculable access it provides to the extensive information.
With so much advancement and innovation, it would be an unimaginable world without having social
media in it. Someone has rightly put it into words by saying,
"Social media is addictive precisely because it gives us something what the real world lacks: it gives
us immediacy, direction and a value as an individual."
Thank you.
AGAINST THE MOTION:
What a world it is, with everyone on their phones, all the time, faking their lives and keeping a count
of their likes?
Good Morning, ladies and gentlemen! I am Mukul/ Mahima and my topic for the day is, "Social media
and its effects". I would like to speak against the motion.
It has now become doubtful to trust the saying that goes like "Technology was developed to save
time and make our lives easier", because people have become addicted and unproductive. It takes a
lot of effort and discipline to stay away from social media. Results have shown that it has had adverse
effects on human minds and their functioning. Outdoor activities among children have also reduced
significantly.
No doubt it provides access to useful information, but, it is hard to ignore the quantum of fake news
that spreads like wildfire and the extent of impact it has on the society. In fact, fake whatsapp
forwards was a clear pattern that was observed behind the recent mob lynching or rather, "Death by
social media".
It is one of the reasons behind insecurities and depression among teenagers. It is right that
technology was introduced to save time, but we forgot to mention, "In the right amount A•. So,
remember, you leave the present moment every time you check the phone.
Thank you for your cooperation and patient hearing.
Q2. "Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career." Write a debate either for
or against the motion. (120 - 150 words)
 (Source- CBSE Question paper 2017-18, set-
1) (10)
Answer:

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS THE ONLY REQUIREMENT FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER FOR

THE MOTION:

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it from you."
Respected judges and my worthy opponents, I stand before you all to speak in favor of the motion:
"Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career"•.
Right to Education is the fundamental right of every child in the age group of six to fourteen years.
The education system in the primary years is designed so as to provide basic knowledge of each
subject and help the youth of today to choose their subject of interest for its deeper study that can
only be provided effectively through universities. It plays a key role in the development of society and
nation. Information cannot be converted into knowledge without education. Education makes us
capable of interpreting things, among other things.
It helps in raising future leaders by providing them clear understanding and developing decision
making abilities. It makes them resourceful and competent. Excellence in academics prepares
children for the competition ahead and teaches them to work hard as well.
Moreover, Excellency will ensure admission to the best universities for higher education that provide
exposure and a kick start to their career. To conclude, I would say that one who has it's academic
future choices sorted out, has it's career planned out.
"The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth."•
Thank you.
AGAINST THE MOTION:
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! My topic for the day is "Academic excellence is the only
requirement for a successful career"• and I choose to speak against the motion.
"The goal of education is to raise the leaders of tomorrow"•. But my question is, How is it that most of
the leaders of today happen to be college dropouts? This is because having degrees cannot ensure
success. It fails to impart the life skills and polish personality of an individual. They can surely give
you an overview of a subject but fail to provide an overview of how the world works. It does not
ensure skills and competencies. It tells people what to think instead of how to think and the end
results is that, the society now has just robots who have switched their minds off only to believe what
is being taught.
One's attitude towards life is what brings success. Undoubtedly, academic Excellencies can provide
you degrees or may even land you at a job, but, your success depends upon how you think, behave,
walk, talk and present yourself. It has been rightly said,
"Education produces great employees in the market, not employers"•.
Thank you.