Gafur Gulom’s Contribution to the Development of the Child Character in Uzbek Prose

In Uzbek literature, the image of the child has always held a special artistic and aesthetic significance. Through the depiction of the child, writers have sought to reveal the national character, shed light on social problems, and promote human values. For this reason, the child image appears across many stages of Uzbek prose, serving as an important artistic device that reflects the spirit of the people. This article analyzes the features of creating the child image in Gafur Gulom’s work “Shum bola” (The Naughty Boy). In the narrative, the child is portrayed as a symbol of playfulness, ingenuity, and cheerfulness, expressing the endurance of the people and their positive outlook on life.