03. Iswaran The Storyteller

 SUMMARY

The story revolves around a junior construction supervisor, Mahendra and his cook Iswaran. Iswaran was fond of telling stories to Mahendra so he would narrate a story every evening. His stories were influenced by t popular Tamil thrillers that he read everyday. He get inspired by reading these stories. His one such story of a female ghost, disturbed Mahendra the most that he decided to leave the place the next day.

Think About It

Q1. In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?
Ans – We can say that Iswaran was Mahendra's asset because of his complete dedication towards his master. He cooks for him, washes his clothes and chats with him at night. He was also a great storyteller and entertained Mahendra with his stories.

Q2. How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create in his listeners?
Ans – Iswaran describes the uprooted tree on the highway in a dramatic way. He begin by saying that the road was empty and he was all alone on the road. Suddenly, he spotted something that looked like a large bushy beast lying across the road.
He wanted to create a long-lasting effect on   listener. He used suspense and a surprise ending to narrate every small incident to make it effective.

Q3. How does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be plausible?
Ans – One day Iswaran narrate the story of a mad elephant or tusker to Mahendra. Once a mad elephant escaped the timber yard and had entered the town. It was destroying every thing that came in its path. The elephant then entered the school ground and started destroying everything. Seeing the wild elephant, the boys of the school locked themselves in classroom and the teachers ran to the terrace.
Iswaran informed Mahendra that he was in junior class at that time. He took a cane from one of his teacher and ran to the ground. Then he hit the elephant on his third toenail. As a result, the elephant fell onto the ground.
This incident does not appear to be sensable as it is difficult to believe that a child could control a wild-mad elephant.

Q4. Why does the author say that Iswaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a TV in Mahendra’s living quarters?
Ans – The author says so because Iswaran provided a great company to Mahendra. He would chat with Mahendra at night when he returned from his work. Iswaran would also entertain Mahendra by telling stones. Thus, with Iswaran around Mahendra never felt bored and never felt the necessity of having a TV for entertainment.

Q5. Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full-moon night?
Ans – Mahendra calls ghosts and spirits a figment when Iswaran told him that the place at which they are living was a burial ground and he had seen ghosts at night. However, Mahendra was frightened and disturbed when he encountered the ghost himself.
On one full moon night, Mahendra woke up when he heard a low moan close to his window but he did not look outside.

When the sound became louder he looked out. He saw a dark cloudy figure holding a bundle. This sight terrified him. He broke into cold sweat and fell back on the pillow.

Q6. Can you think of some other ending for the story?
Ans – The story could have ended on a more positive note. Instead of leaving the place, Mahendra could have been shown as a courageous man and proving the ghost theory wrong.
Another ending can be of both Mahendra and Iswaran leaving the place together and in turn continuing their hand as depicted earlier in the story.

Talk About It 

Q. Is Iswaran a fascinating storyteller? Discuss with your friends the qualities of a good storyteller. Try to use these qualities and tell a story.

Ans – It is an actively work so should do it by yourself.