Introduction: The Journey to the Fair
ଓଡ଼ିଆ: ଏହି ବିଭାଗରେ, ଆମେ ମେଳାକୁ ଯିବା ବାଟରେ ପିଲାଟି କ'ଣ ସବୁ ଦେଖିଲା ତାହା ଶିଖିବା। ସେ କିପରି ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଜିନିଷ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଆକର୍ଷିତ ହୋଇ ପଛରେ ପଡ଼ିଯାଉଥିଲା ତାହା ମଧ୍ୟ ଜାଣିବା।
The story "The Lost Child" begins with a child's visit to a village fair with his parents during the festival of spring [[1], [2]]. The journey itself is full of wonders for the child, who often lags behind, fascinated by the beautiful sights. These early attractions include:
- Flowering Mustard Field (ଫୁଲ ଫୁଟିଥିବା ସୋରିଷ କ୍ଷେତ୍ର): A vast field, pale like melting gold, captivated the child's gaze [[7]].
- Dragonflies (ଡ୍ରାଗନଫ୍ଲାଏ): A group of these insects, with bright purple wings, moved noisily. The child tried to catch one [[1], [7]].
- Little Insects and Worms (ଛୋଟ କୀଟ ଏବଂ କୀଟ): Along the footpath, these creatures coming out to enjoy the sunshine also caught his attention [[7]].
- Beautiful Grove (ସୁନ୍ଦର ବଣ): As he entered a grove, a shower of young flowers fell upon him, and he began to gather the petals, momentarily forgetting his parents [[1], [7]].
- Banyan Tree (ବରଗଛ): He also ran around a banyan tree, showing his playful spirit [[1], [7]].
- Toys in Shops (ଦୋକାନରେ ଖେଳନା): Even before reaching the main fair, shops lining the way with toys made him lag behind, desiring them [[2]].
His parents frequently called him, "Come, child, come!" to keep him moving forward [[2], [7]].
Attractions at the Fair
ଓଡ଼ିଆ: ମେଳାରେ ପିଲାଟି କେଉଁ କେଉଁ ଜିନିଷ ଦେଖିଲା ଏବଂ କିପରି ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ପାଇବାକୁ ଇଚ୍ଛା କଲା, ତାହା ଏହି ବିଭାଗରେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରାଯାଇଛି।
Upon arriving at the village square, the fair presented an array of new and exciting attractions, each sparking a strong desire in the child [[1], [3]].
- Sweetmeat Seller (ମିଠା ବିକାଳି): He saw a sweetmeat seller with various sweets, especially wanting a 'burfi' [[1], [3], [4]].
- Flower Seller (ଫୁଲ ବିକାଳି): A flower seller with garlands of gulmohur also caught his eye, and he wished for one [[1], [3]].
- Balloons (ବେଲୁନ୍): A man holding colourful balloons attracted him, but he knew his parents would not buy them, thinking he was too old [[3], [8]].
- Snake Charmer (ସାପୁଆ କେଳା): A snake charmer playing a flute to a coiled snake drew him closer. However, he knew his parents had forbidden him to listen to such 'coarse music' [[1], [3], [8]].
- Roundabout (ଘୂର୍ଣ୍ଣାୟମାନ ଖେଳନା): The most captivating attraction was a roundabout in full swing, with men, women, and children enjoying the whirling motion. He made a bold request to his parents, "I want to go on the roundabout, please, Father, Mother" [[1], [3], [8]].
The Child Gets Lost and Loses Interest
ଓଡ଼ିଆ: ପିଲାଟି କିପରି ହଜିଗଲା ଏବଂ ହଜିଯିବା ପରେ ତା'ର ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଇଚ୍ଛା କରୁଥିବା ଜିନିଷ ପ୍ରତି ଆଗ୍ରହ କିପରି କମିଗଲା, ତାହା ଏଠାରେ ବୁଝାଯାଇଛି।
It was near the roundabout that the child realized his parents were no longer with him [[4], [5]]. A deep cry of fear rose within him, and he ran frantically, shouting, "Mother, Father!" [[5]]. His clothes became muddy, and his cries turned to sobs. A kind man eventually lifted him up in the crowded temple gate [[5]].
The man tried to soothe the crying child by offering him the very things he had desired earlier: a ride on the roundabout, the snake charmer's music, rainbow-coloured balloons, and a garland of flowers [[6]]. However, the child had lost all interest (ଆଗ୍ରହ ହରାଇଲା) in these attractions. His only plea was, "I want my mother, I want my father!" [[3], [6]]. This shows a significant shift in his priorities, from material desires to the fundamental need for parental presence and security.
Flow of Child's Experience at the Fair
This diagram illustrates the sequence of the child's experiences, from initial fascination to the profound shift in his desires after getting lost.
Example:
Consider the child's desire for a toy. Initially, he pleaded, "I want that toy" [[2]]. But after getting lost, when the man offered him a balloon, he turned his eyes away and sobbed, "I want my mother, I want my father!" [[6]]. This shows that the value of material possessions () became zero when compared to the value of his parents (), i.e., when he was lost, even though initially.