APTERR

03

iWaran fthe Storvteller

bredo b y RK L a x m a n

hapfer Overview

around a junior
Summary
wsory
revolves Mahendra: A Junior Supervisor construction sites
various
firm. The firm offered
TIstuction s u p e r v i s o r ,

lswaran.
was a junior supervisor in a an
eye
On
cook
ohendra and hisof felling
Mahendra o n hire. His job w a s to keep
stories
dams, supervisors
including factories, bridges,
etc to
iaTan was
fond
he had to m o v e from
o n e place to anotne
the activities at the work site. Due to his job,
narrate
would
so he s o he could
Mohendra w e r e less,
life. His requirements
s50y every evening.
Mahendra was a bachelor who led a simple
were
intluenced by the adjust to all conditions.
s stories that he
Tamil thrillers
opular He get inspired by
andeveryday.
Iswaran, Mahendra's Cook
Mahendra. He
household works of
one
stories. His
ading these Mahendra had cook named Iswaran. Iswaran did all
9th sfory of a
female ghost, a
him with his stories. Iswaran
also had an amazing
surbed Mahendra the most
that
would cook, wash his clothes and entertain found anywhere.
decided to leave the place
the
to produce vegetables and cooking
ingredients which w e r e n o t
e capacity
red doy.
Iswaran's Daily Roufine
in the morning with s o m e food.
After Mahendra left
Mahendra would leave for work early take a bath while
the shed, wash the clothes and would
for work, Iswaran would clean thriller and then would go
to read popular Tamil
praying.After eating his lunch, he used
off to sleep.

Iswaran :A Great Storyteller

influence was
the Tamil thrillers that he had read. This
Iswaran was greatly influenced by the smallest incidents with
He would narrate even
visible in his methods of story telling. a n uprooted tree as a bushy beast (wild
and surprise. For example, he described
suspense and m o v e m e n t s . Iswaran's imaginative stories
animal) by using dramatic expressions him without any judgement.
would listen to
entertained Mahendra who
 and Literature Class 9th
354 Allznone English
Language

this factory
area was initially a
Mahendra that
Iswaran's Story of a Tusker He informed skulls and bones
himself had come acrOSS
burial ground. He He further
at night.
told
Iswaran narrate an incident about a mad tusker (elephant) and saw ghosts
on the path female ghost who would roam
to Mahendra. He narrate that one day a mad elephant about an ugly She would appear to
Mahendra full moon.

escaped from the timber yard in his home town and during
around at midnight
foetus in her
arms.

destroyed everything that came in his way. It tore up the carrying a

be a skeleton
creepers and broke the branches. Mahendra's Reaction
After sometime, the elephant reached the town. It came to
disturbed
Mahendra a lot. He
the main road and smashed the stalls selling fruits, mud Iswaran's ghost story and went to
the story imaginative
to be
Os and clothes. immediately called greatly affected Mahendra
the story had
Then, the elephant entered the school ground and sleep. However, look outside the window
Mahendra would
From that day,
destroyed everything in it. During this incident, all the boys to make
was n o movement
s u r e that
there
night the landscape
of school had locked themselves in their classrooms and the every
Mahendra used to admire
outside. Earlier, looking outside
teachers climbed to the terrace. but now he avoided
on full m o o n nights
Suddenly, Iswaran, boy of school, took a cane (stick)
a young
trom one of his teacher. He ran to the ground and hit the Mahendra Sees the Ghost
he heard a low
third toenail of the elephant and the elephant fell down. At One night, Mahendra woke up
when
this point, lswaran would leave the story untinished. window. At tirst, he decided
moan or sound close to his
sound became louder so,
he
look out but the
Iswaran's Concludes the Tusker Story not to
dark cloudy figure holding a bundle,
looked out. He saw a

After sometime, Iswaran conclude the story and told Mahendra Mahendra was terrified by seeing it. Later he thought that
that an animal doctor was called to examine the elephant. trick of his subconscious mind.
it might have been some

After two days, the elephant was taken to the jungle by his
mahout. When Mahendra asked Iswaran, how he had Mahendra's Decision to Leave the Place
Iswaran told that it either his office.
controlled the elephant, then was
The next morning, Mahendra was ready to go
to

Ju-jitsu or karate which paralysed his nervous system.

He had completely forgotten his experience.
But Iswaran
reminded him about the ghost. He told Mahendra that he
Story of a Female Ghost and
had heard the sound coming from Mahendra's room
One day, prepared a delicious dinner because it was
Iswaran
had come to see him. Mahendra was horrified at this
the auspicious day of feeding the spirits of the ancestors. reminder. He decided to leave the place next day and
While Mahendra had his dinner, Iswaran told Mahendra handed over his papers.
about the factory where they were staying.

WORD MEANINGS
The given page nos. corespond to the pages in the þrescribed textbook.

Word Meaning Word Meaning Word Meaning

PAGE 12 conjure uP make emulation imitation

keep an eye on look after dozing sleeping smash break something noisily
being constructed thriller novel with an exciting plot
coming up_ depredations destruction/damage
PAGE 13 running to consisting of menacingly
ill-equipped not having proper facilities holdin thrall captivate attention
frighteningly
red eyed
makeshift temporary sprawled lie, spread out angrily
quarry a place or deep pit from PAGE 14 trumpeted cried loudly (forelephant
which stones areextract hauled pull or drag with effort musternng to collect or gain

uncomplainingly without any protest mahout person who controls an whacked strike forcefully
anecdotes a real story about an elephant PAGE 15
incidentor person prologue introduction revive Dnngback to consciousness
desolate uninhabited or isolated tusker elephant with big tusks shrug casually raise shouiders uncaringy
 Storyteller (Section C)

Meanin
Word Word
Meaning
sound produced
Meaning

be from back of
sOnething
that can
figment made up
guttural

retired throat
went to sleep
b e l i e v e d

any risk
p i c a t

sulk be silent out of to avoid

with ease lest see o r o b s e r v e

ke
eplace
disappointment. behold
unease
anxiety crying
cooking ability
PAGE 17
Wailing l i k ea cat
detailed and showy breathing with short
feline
daydreaming vicinity the area near or surrounding
panting quick breaths
a particular place. causing horror or

seaof darkness total darkness ghastly

tangledin a thick mass fear
wrinkled and shrunken moan a low sound madebya of mind
which

part of
that c a n be person expressing subconscious
he was
u n a w a r e

something
invented or suffering
mape up,
prowlin8
e n t
o f

in a manner
move quiet
tginatton imagined

BY NCERT
TO VIEW COMPLETE CHAPTER PUBLISHED

Visit https://goo.gl/CAiEi1 OR Scan the Code

NCERT FOLDER
textbook along with their answers.
have covered questions given in the NCERT
we

it was a fallen tree,

As he c a m e closer he s a w that
18)
hiking Albout t (Page with its dry branches spread o u t .
He wanted to
used
to Mahendra? create a long-lasting
effect o n the listener. He
Iswaran an asset
1 In what way is and a surprise ending to
n a r r a t e every small
of lswaran which suspense
Or Mention any two qualities incident to make it effective
Mahendra.
made him an asset to
tusker?
Hrs. Iswaran called Mahendra's asset because of
was
his 3 How does he narrate the story of the
his master. He cooks Does it appear to be plausible?
complete dedication towards
chats with him at hero in the
for him, washes his clothes and Or How did Iswaran make himself the
and entertains
night. He was also a great storyteller elephant story?
Mahendra with his stories. Thus, he was a bring down the
Or How did Iswaran manage to
hard-working and loyal servant. mad elephant?
tree
How does Iswaran describe the uprooted Or According to lswaran how did he tackle the
on the highway? What effect does he want to
elephant in the school building?
reate in his listeners? Ans. One day Iswaran narrate the story of a mad elephan-
r How did Iswaran the storyteller describe the
or tusker to Mahendra. Once a mad elephant
uprooted tree? escaped the timber yard and had entered the town.
Ans. Swaran It was destroying every thing that came in its path.
describes the prooted tree on the highway
in a
dramatic way. He begin by saying that the road The elephant then entered the school ground and
as empty and he was all alone. Suddenly, he started destroying everything
spotted something that looked like a large bushy
ast
lying across the road.
356
Secing the wild elephant, the boys of the school
lockod themsclves 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
difficult to believe that a child could controla
wild-mad elephant.
4Why 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
company to Mahendra. He would chat with
Mahendra at night when he returned from his work.
Iswaran would also entertain Mahendra by telling
stories. Thus, with Iswaran around Mahendra never
felt bored and never felt the necessity of having a TV
for entertainment.
Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment ofthe
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
disrurbed 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
Allinone English Language and Literaiure Class 9th
terrified him. He broke into cold sweat and fell
back on the pillow.
6 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.
as it is
Another ending can be of both Mahendra and
Iswaran leaving the place together and in turn
continuing their bond as depicted earlier in the
story.
Is Iswaran a fascinating storyteller? Discuss
with your friends the qualities of a good
a
great storyteller. Try to use these qualities and tell a
story.
Ans. Yes, Iswaran is a fascinating storyteller. He knows
how to build up suspense in his stories. He uses
dramatic gestures to make his stories realistic.
A good storyteller should have the following qualities
) He should have good oratorical skills, acting out
what he is telling.
i) He should be able to vary the tone of his voice
according to the situation.
(in) He should be able to create and maintain the
interest of the listeners through the use of
suspense.
(v) He should have a vivid imagination to think up
interesting stories.
(D) He should have a sense of humour which he
should use effectively for making his stories
enjoyable.
Tell a story: Do it yourself
 Exam Practice
Extract Based Questions [5 Marks each]
hollowrng extract

carefully and answer the

a's job was to keep an eye on the
questions that follow.
/A/ahendra
t the work site He had to (a) supervising company
from place to place every now and keep (b) construction business
Ovng

as
ordered by his head office: from a coal
(c) event management company
(d) No of the above
hen
area
to a way bridge construction (v) The extract uses the phrase, 'coming up
om there
m i n i n g

ra few months to
to aa
which was
s Somewhere'. Which of the following
hemical plant coming up expressions is incorrect with respect
to the
S o m e w h e r e .

word 'invites' ?
the answer that lists the correct (b) Increasing
) Cho se (a) Event
tions about ahendra's job location as (c) Nearing (d) None of these
given b e l o w :
Ans. (1) (b)
(a) (i) (a) to supervise
in) (c) Mahendra was a young supervisor.
iv) (a) supervising company
(v) (d) None of these
2 "The road was deserted and I was all alone.
(b)
Suddenly I spotted something that looked
ike an enormous bushy beast lying sprawled
across the road. I was half inclined to turn
and go back. But I came closer I saw that it
was a fallen tree, with its dry branches spread
out.
1) Choose the answer that lists the correct
options about the description given above.
(a)

(d)

(b)

/ When the writer says 'to keep an eye on', he

means
(c)
a) to supervise (b) to guide
(c) to help (d) to modify
he statement that is TRUE about Mahendra,
according to the extract is
a) Mahendra is constructor.
Mahendra loved his work oftravelling. (d)
tc Mahendra was a young supervisOr.
(d) Mahendra lived all alone.
v) From
the iven extract, we an infer that
Mahendra worked for a
358 All none Engllsh Language and Lterature Class 9h

(ii) The given lines are (c) The story about controlling a wild elephant
being said by
(a) Mahendra (d) None of the above
(b) Iswaran (v) The word 'hauled' means

c) Mahendra's triend (a) Abrupt change (b) a cart

(d) Mahendra's roommate (c) Push (d) Drag with force
(ii) The speaker of the given lines is Ans. () (b) Iswaran's village
(a) Reading a Tamil thriller i) (c) He was an amazing storyteller
(b) Talking to a friend introduction
(c) Telling a story (ii) (d) after giving an
(d Narrating an incident (iv) (b) The story of a wild elephant
(iv) Which of the following characteristic cannot (v) (d) Drag with force
be related to the
speaker of the given lines? 4 Mahendra who had been listening with rapt
(a) Imaginative (b) Quiet
(c) Humorous
attention would be left hanging. When he
(d) Courageous returned, Iswaran would not pick up the
(v) The word deserted does not mean
(a) Empty thread of the story right away. Mahendra
(b) Stranded
would have to remind him that the conclusion
(c) Populous (d) Neglected
was pending. "Well, a veterinary doctor was
Ans. (i) (a)
summoned to revive the animal."
(ii) (6) Iswaran (i) The animal referred to in the given extract is
ii) (d) Narrating an incident a) a wild elephant
(iv) (a) Imaginative b) a circus animal
)()Populous c) a mad dog
d) an unrecognisable beast
3 "There is a richly wooded forest all around.
(ii) Choose the options that lists the set of
The logs are hauled on to the lorries by
statements that are NOT TRUE according to
elephants. They are huge well-fed beasts. the given extract.
When they turn wild even the most 1. Iswaran was an amazing storyteller.
experienced mahout is not able to control 2. Mahendra loved listening to Iswaran
them." After this prologue Iswaran would stories.
launch into an elaborate anecdote involving 3. Iswaran was Mahendra's roommate.
an elephant. 4. Iswaran would
i) "There" as mentioned in the given lines refer
always complete the story
properly.
to
5. Mahendra would wait for Iswaran to
(a) the construction site
complete the story.
(b) Iswaran's village
(a) 1,2,3 (b) 3,4 (c) 1,3,5 (d) 2,4
(c) Mahendra's town
(iii) Where would he' retum from?
(d) can't say
(a) Washing the dishes
(ii) What can be said about Iswaran from the
(b) Warming up the dinner
given extract?
(c) Cleaning the kitchen
(a) He was an old man
(d) Both b and c
(b) He loved storytelling.
(iv) The phrase 'Thread of the story' means
(c) He was an amazing storyteller.
(d) He shared a great bond with Mahendra.
(a) Moral of the story
(b) Conclusion of the story
(ii) When the writer says, "after this prologue", he
means
(c) Introduction of a story
(a) after talking to Mahendra about his thriller
(d) Storyline
novels (v) The word 'summoned' does not mean
(b) after eating their food (a) ordered (b) called
(c) in their free time c) provoke (d) None of these
(d) after giving an introduction Ans. ) (a) a wild elephant
(iv) The anecdote here refers to (ii) (b) 3, 4
(a) The story of an elephant on a mysterious ii) (b) Warming up the dinner
night (iv) (d) Storyline
(b) The story of a wild elephant
(v) (d) None of these
 Storyteller (Sectlon C) 359

Short Answer (SA) Type Questions [2/3 Marks each)]

ad to
Mahendra hac keep movin cause in
from one did the elephant
place t o a n o t h e r ?
What destruction
/ Why
the town?
vas aa junior supervisor in a firm which
Mahendrawas destruction in the town
ervisors for various types of construction rs,The elephant caused majorand fences, smashing f r u i t
o v i d e ds u branches
b was to keep an eye on the activities at Dy breaking tree by
the school playground
His
As one site's W work
ork
was over, he moved stalls, and entering he destroyed
In the school,
the
worsite. T
Thus,
h u s . he had to keep moving from
site.
breaking a brick wall. down the volleyball
net and

football goal post,

tore
another

o
placeto place,
crushed the water drum.
Iswaran's duties in Mahendra's Iswaran's
Mahendra listen to
W h a t w e r eI s w a

Why did him:

house? stories without interrupting
What all he did for his stories without
Ans, Mahendra listened to Iswaran's
Iswaran?

interesting and
was
W h o

because of the
master? Interrupting him narrated.
stories w e r e
Mahendra's
I5waran was Ma cook who used to carry out Special way in which the of a
e n t e r t a i n m e n t value
for him. He cooked delicious the
Iswaran had replaced
works
domestic
him, also washed his clothes and kept his Because of
all TV in Mahendra's living quarters. of
Besides, he would entertain Mahendra stories, the absence of
a source
clean.
lswaran's
in the house.
entertainment w a s n e v e r felt
house
stories.
endless

with his
cook something
show his usefulness to the 8 Why did Iswaran want to
3How did Iswaran
aW did1
special for dinneT?
n a r r a t o r ?

for
showe his usefulness to the narrator by Ans. Iswaran wanted to makesomething special
to
lswaran
s mehow getting vegetables and cooking ingredients dinner because that day was a n auspicious
day
no shops were there
for miles around. He teed the spirits of the ancestors. So, special
even when delicacies were prepared by Iswaran.
most delicious dishes with fresh
could also prepare
to be
vegetables.
When did Mahendra expect Iswaran
Iswaran so imaginative and a bad-tempered? Did it really happen?
4 What made
good n a r r a t o r ? Ans. Mahendra expected Iswaran to be bad-tempered
in
is an outcome of deep thinking, sharp after Mahendra had scolded him for believing
Imagination
insight and extensive reading.
Iswaran loved to read. ghosts and spirits. However, next morning,talkative
Tamil Mahendra found Iswaran as cheerful and
In his free time, he would read popular
a

The as ever. Iswaran never minded the

rebukes of his
thriller that ran upto hundred of pages.
and its narratives
master and remained devoted to him.
imaginative descriptions,
influenced him much that he would use the same
female
so
10 What impact did Iswaran's story of a
methods in his storytelling. Mahendra?
ghost have on

Why did Mahendra become fond of Iswaran? Ans. Iswaran's story of a female ghost disturbed
Mahendra a lot. After hearing it, he would always
SMahendra became fond of Iswaran because Iswaran look outside through his window to make sure that
was not only his domestic helper but also was a good
there was no movement. Before to hearing the
Oryteller. Iswaran's style of storytelling entertained
Mahendra. He would add elements of suspense, story, Mahendra loved to look at the landscape on full
moon nights. Now he completely avoided looking
r, horror and adventure which replaced absence
ot a outside.
television in his quarters.
360
All none English Language and Literature Class o

Do you think the ghost Mahendra saw on the could now say that Mahendra had seen a ghost at

night of the full moon was a real ghost? night.

Ans. No, the decide after he had
ghost that Mahendra saw on the night of 12 What did Mahendra seon
the full nmoon was not a real the ghost? Why?
ghost. It was a creation
of his attected mind. Iswaran had affected Aus. After Mahendra saw a dark cloudy figure outside hi
Mahendra's thinking by telling him the ghost story. window, he became very terrified. He was scared ar
When Mahendra rebuked him for believing in the thought of the presence of ghosts in the location
ghosts, he felt oftended. To prove that he was right, So, Mahendra decided to leave the place the next
he probably posed as a ghost. That was how he
day.

(S Marks each]
Long Answer (LA) Type Questions
Iswaran was a fascinating storyteller How was (ii) He uses dramatic language and gestures to
describe any situation.
he an asset to Mahendra? What skills he had?
changes a simple event into story full of
a
(ii) He
or "Iswaran was a good cook as well as story
suspense.
teller". Elaborate with the help of examples.
iv) He creates surprising endings unexpected
or
Ans. Iswaran was Mahendra's asset. He would follow his twists and turns in his narration.
master wherever he went without any complaints. have some elements of adventure,
(v) All his stories
Not only did he cook delicious food for Mahendra horror and suspense in them.
but would also clean his house and wash his clothes.
Iswaran's resourcefulness as a person did not end 3 What did Iswaran tell Mahendra about a
with him being a domestic help. He was also a great ghost? Describe Mahendra's horrible
experience one night.
storyteller and entertainer. Due to this love for
reading popular Tamil thrillers he had all those Ans. One day, Iswaran told Mahendra that the place
story telling. Even where they were staying was initially a burial
qualities that are required for
while narrating the smallest of incidents, he would ground. He told his master that he often come
add suspense and surprise to make the story across skulls and bones on the way and had seen

thrilling. He would use his voice and body ghosts at night. He intormed Mahendra that there
was an ugly female ghost who would appear at
m o v e m e n t s to capture
attention of his listeners.
interested that
midnight on full moon nights. He often see her,
His style of storytelling was so carrying a foetus. The story told by Iswaran greatly
listen to disturbed Mahendra even though he did not believe
Mahendra would sit every evening to
Iswaran's stories. it.
Iswaran's presence, thus, made up for the absence of One night, Mahendra woke up from his sleep
a television or source of entertainment in because of a sound coming from his window. As the
Mahendra's house. sound grew louder, he gathered courage to look
outside. He saw a dark cloudy figure holding a
make him a
2 What qualities of Iswaran foetus. Mahendra got terrified and began to sweat
fascinating storyteller? with fear. However, he soon calmed down afer
qualities of Iswaran that
make him fascina mind.
thinking that it must be a trick played by his
a
Ans, The
storyteller are as follows
of events.
(i) He gives an imaginative descriptions
 Self Assessment
Extract Based Question
pead the following extract
carefully and answer the questions that folloW
1Mahendra was jerked out of the pleasant reverie he had drifted into after
*

Eve now

across a number ofskulle enI saw a human skull lying on the path.
(i) Why did Mahendra jerked out of
his pleasant reverie?
(a) Because of the new about his
(b) Because of the presence of a family
dangerous beast.
(c) Because of the information that
and.
the place they were stayingE a
(d) Because of the news of the
presence of a female ghost.
(ii) ChoOse the options that lists the set of statements that are NOT
extract, TRO a
1. Mahendra
already knew about the place being a burial grouna.
2. Mahendra did not believe in Iswaran.
3. Iswaran was
pranking Mahendra.
4. Mahendra does not like what Iswaran had told him.
(a) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 4
(b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 andd 4
(ii) How did Iswaran get to know that the place was a burial ground?
bones
He was told of skulls and
(a) by
the nearby villagers (b) Due to the p r e s e n c e
(c) He had seen a ghost (d) Both (b) and (c)
(iv) The phrase jerked out' means
(a) Pulled out (b) Shocked

(c) Frightened (d) Lifting something abruptly

(v) The word 'reverie' means
(d) attention
(a) sleep (b) daydream (c) vision

Short Answer (SA) Type Questions

2 Describe Iswaran's daily routine.
3 How does Iswaran's description of the uprooted tree on the highway affect his listeners?

How did Iswaran control the wild elephant?

4
by Mahendra only a trick played by his cook Iswaran? Elaborate.
5 Do you think the ghost seen was

Why did expect that Iswaran will sulk?

Mahendra

How did Iswaran's reading of Tamil

thrillers affect his behaviour?
7
wild elephant real? Why why not?
Was Iswaran's story of how he tackled the
or
8
Mahendra's behaviour?
9 How did Iswaran's story of the female ghost affect
words.
Describe Mahendra's character in your
own
10
11 Why did Mahendra resign his post?

Long Answer (LA) Type Questions

which entertained his listeners.
12 Describe Iswaran's style of telling stories
well as a good entertainer? Justify with examples
was a great cook as
13 Do you agree that Iswaran

14 How can you explain the female

ghost that Mahendra thought he saw? Suggest two alternatives
Mahendra thought that he 'saw' a female ghost? Give
15 Could the story have ended differently after
have ended the story.
details of how you would