Class : 9 – Lession (20) Iswaran the Storyteller

EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY

“Ishwaran the Storyteller” is a humorous and suspenseful short story written by R.K. Laxman. The story revolves around two main characters: Mahendra, a junior supervisor, and his cook and caretaker, Ishwaran, who is known for his remarkable storytelling skills. The narrative is framed through a conversation between the author and Mahendra, who recounts his experiences with Ishwaran.

Mahendra had a transferable job that required him to move from one remote construction site to another. Ishwaran accompanied him everywhere and took complete care of his daily needs. He cooked, washed, cleaned, and even entertained Mahendra with fascinating and sometimes bizarre stories, often drawn from local myths or folklore.

Ishwaran was a master storyteller. His stories were not just spoken — they were performed. He used voice modulation, facial expressions, hand gestures, and dramatic pauses to grip his listener’s attention. What made his tales even more intriguing was his ability to narrate the most fantastic events in a completely believable tone. He would casually slip in supernatural elements or wild exaggerations, which added to the humor and suspense of the story.

One day, Ishwaran narrated a particularly eerie story that left a lasting impression on Mahendra. He spoke of a haunted site where they were currently living. According to Ishwaran, the place was once a burial ground. He described how, on some nights, he had seen a ghost-like woman with a shriveled face and matted hair, holding a foetus in her arms, appearing at midnight and vanishing into the darkness.

At first, Mahendra laughed off the story. But over time, he began feeling uneasy, especially at night. His rational mind tried to dismiss the story, but fear started creeping in. One night, he woke up to the sound of a moaning noise outside his window. When he peeped out, he thought he saw a dark figure in the moonlight — just as Ishwaran had described. Terrified, he couldn’t sleep the rest of the night.

The next morning, Mahendra scolded Ishwaran for filling his mind with such ghost stories. Ishwaran seemed amused and asked if Mahendra had seen the ghost. Though Mahendra didn’t admit it, his shaken condition was evident. Soon after, Mahendra decided to request a transfer from the haunted location.

Through Mahendra’s experiences, the story captures how powerful storytelling can be. Ishwaran, though just a domestic help, had the ability to influence and unsettle an educated man like Mahendra purely through his imagination and narration. The story also reflects how even a rational person can fall prey to fear and superstition when imagination takes control.

✅ Conclusion
“Ishwaran the Storyteller” is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It highlights the power of imagination, the art of narration, and the human tendency to be influenced by stories, no matter how logical or educated one might be. R.K. Laxman masterfully blends humor with suspense, leaving readers amused and slightly spooked, just like Mahendra. The story reminds us that words have power — enough to entertain, enchant, and even disturb.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PASSAGE

📜 Passage from “Ishwaran the Storyteller”
One day, after lunch, Ishwaran started narrating a story. “This entire factory area was once a burial ground,” he began dramatically. “I have seen ghosts here! At midnight, a woman appears—her face shriveled, hair matted, and she holds something like a foetus in her arms.” Mahendra interrupted, but Ishwaran continued confidently, unfazed. “You may laugh, sir, but I’ve truly seen her with my own eyes!”

Questions and Answers

✅ Q1. Fill in the blank (1 mark)
Ishwaran described the ghost’s face as __, giving it a horrific and aged appearance.
Answer: shriveled

✅ Q2. Multiple Choice Question (1 mark)
Choose the correct synonym of the word “unfazed” used in the passage:
A) worried
B) disturbed
C) unaffected
D) confused
Answer: unaffected

✅ Q3. Answer in 15 words (1 mark)
How did Ishwaran describe the ghost he claimed to have seen?
Answer:
A shriveled-faced woman with matted hair, appearing at midnight, carrying a foetus-like object.

✅ Q4. Answer in 40 words (2 marks)
What does Ishwaran’s storytelling style reveal about his personality?
Answer:
Ishwaran’s dramatic and confident storytelling reflects his creativity, imagination, and love for suspense. He speaks vividly and fearlessly, captivating his listener. Even when interrupted or doubted, he continues with flair, showing his deep belief in the power of narration.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
✅ Q1. Describe Ishwaran’s role in Mahendra’s life and why he was important to him. (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Ishwaran served as Mahendra’s cook, caretaker, and companion. He managed daily chores like cooking, cleaning, and laundry, and accompanied Mahendra to every posting. Beyond that, Ishwaran entertained him with vivid, dramatic stories, making life less lonely. His presence provided both comfort and amusement in Mahendra’s isolated and frequently changing life.

✅ Q2. What storytelling techniques did Ishwaran use to engage Mahendra? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Ishwaran used expressive gestures, dramatic pauses, exaggerated details, and vivid descriptions to bring his stories to life. He modulated his voice, acted out scenes, and even built suspense like a professional narrator. These techniques made his tales deeply engaging and believable, drawing Mahendra into the world of supernatural and mythical events.

✅ Q3. How did Mahendra react to Ishwaran’s ghost story, and what impact did it have on him? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Initially, Mahendra dismissed Ishwaran’s ghost story with amusement. However, the eerie description lingered in his mind. One night, he believed he saw the very ghost Ishwaran had described. This experience unnerved him and made him uneasy, showing how powerful storytelling can influence even a rational, educated mind.

✅ Q4. How does the story reflect the contrast between logic and imagination? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Mahendra represents logic and realism, while Ishwaran embodies imagination and folklore. Although Mahendra is rational, he is gradually affected by Ishwaran’s imaginative storytelling. The story reveals how imagination can overpower logic, even in skeptical minds, highlighting the psychological influence of vivid narration on human perception and belief.

✅ Q5. Do you think Ishwaran truly believed in the supernatural, or was he simply entertaining? Justify your answer. (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
Ishwaran likely blended belief with performance. He may not have truly believed in ghosts, but he certainly believed in the effect of storytelling. His detailed, animated narration and emotional involvement suggest he enjoyed creating suspense. He never showed fear or hesitation while telling the ghost story, indicating a sense of control rather than genuine dread. Ishwaran thrived on entertaining Mahendra and likely exaggerated or invented tales to break the monotony of their remote postings. His storytelling gave meaning and color to their dull routines. Therefore, while he might have been influenced by local myths, Ishwaran used them more as a tool of entertainment than as expressions of actual belief in the supernatural.

✅ Q6. Imagine you are Mahendra. Write a letter to a friend explaining why you requested a transfer after Ishwaran’s ghost story. (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
Dear Ramesh,
I hope you’re doing well. Something strange happened recently. My cook, Ishwaran, narrated a ghost story about a woman appearing at midnight in our area. I laughed it off initially, but a few nights later, I actually saw a dark figure outside my window—exactly as he described! Whether it was real or my imagination, I can’t say. But it shook me up badly. Since then, I haven’t slept peacefully. The eerie atmosphere, combined with Ishwaran’s gripping tale, got the better of me. I’ve applied for a transfer to a less isolated location. You know I’m not superstitious, but something about this place doesn’t feel right. I’ll tell you more when we meet.
Warm regards,
Mahendra