Brahm Dutt Blue Bells Public School

Session 2023-24
Class IX
English Language and Literature (184)
Handout& Assignment –Iswaran the Story Teller by R.K. Narayan

Introduction
Story telling is an art. It can be made interesting by adding an element of surprise and adventure. “ Iswaran the
Storyteller” is a story about a person who was a master storyteller. He was so good at his craft that the listener
would end up believing the story to be true.

Theme
The theme of the story is ‘the art of storytelling’. A good story becomes interesting only when the narrator
twists and turns the action to make the narrative surprising yet plausible. Iswaran, a master of this art told
gripping stories in a graphic and dramatic manner such that his listeners listened to him in rapt attention and
bewilderment. Once the story of a female ghost that he recounted so terrified his master that he quit his job and
left the haunted place.
Another theme is that, one must not let oneself be influenced by superstitions like ghosts or spirits. Mahendra
believed that he had seen the female ghost because his subconscious seemed to have already accepted the
presence of ghosts and spirits.

Message
The story gives the message that the unnatural world of ghosts and spirits is merely a figment of our
imagination. If we allow our hidden fears to take concrete shape and start believing in ghosts and spirits, our life
would get disturbed. Mahendra was good at his job as a supervisor but had to quit because he allowed his fears
to overpower his rational self.

Title of the Story

“Iswaran the Storyteller” is a perfectly suitable title for a story that deals with the character ‘Iswaran’ and his
mastery of the art of storytelling. The whole story deals with the dramatic manner in which Iswaran made-up
and recounted stories, which were admirable more for the style in which elements of suspense, horror, and
adventure were added to them than for their contents. Hence, this title stands justified.

CHARACTER SKETCH

Iswaran- Iswaran was Mahendra’s cook and was like an asset to him. He was dedicated to his master and
followed him uncomplainingly to all his postings. He would cook for him, wash his clothes, and also chat with
him at night. He had the ability to improvise cooking material even at the remotest place and cooked delicious
dishes in a very brief time.
Iswaran was fond of reading popular Tamil thrillers. Their imaginative descriptions and narrating styles would
fascinate him. He became a master storyteller by adopting the art of storytelling from these novels. He would
always add suspense and surprise even to the smallest incident and could make up innumerable stories on
different subjects. While describing, he would get so involved that he would jump about on the floor. He would
narrate the story in installments and would purposely leave it unfinished midway. On returning, he would not
pick it up right away till Mahendra reminded him to. In this manner he would involve his listener too.
Every day, Iswaran would recount a new story filled with adventure, horror and suspense. Mahendra loved his
stories and listened with rapt attention even if they were unbelievable. Iswaran thus entertained Mahendra just
as TV does.
 Iswaran enjoyed his job and would not sit idle when Mahendra was at work. He would use that time to tidy up
the shed and wash clothes. He was also religious because he would mutter a prayer throughout his bath ritual.
This character displays a shade of comedy as well when he teasingly asks Mahendra about his reaction at
having seen the female ghost.

Mahendra used to work as a junior supervisor in a firm which offered on hire supervisors at construction sites.
His work involved moving from one site to another. He was unmarried and a simple man. He was quite
accommodating and adjusted well to odd conditions that he faced at different places. He was a disciplined man
and would get up early in the morning. He would leave for work after breakfast and carry lunch with him.
Mahendra was very fond of his cook Iswaran whom he considered to be an asset. He relished the food cooked
by him and enjoyed listening to his stories. He was a good listener and never interrupted Iswaran even when he
exaggerated. He was very patient and would wait for Iswaran to return and complete the unfinished story. He
was also curious as he would insist on knowing all the details.
Mahendra was a rational man and did not believe in ghosts or spirits but could not help getting influenced by
what Iswaran told him about the female ghost. He tried to ignore the strange sounds at night but got scared
when he saw the apparition. However, his rationality made him forget the previous night’s experience.
Mahendra’s faith in Iswaran was very strong. He was convinced about the presence of a female ghost when
Iswaran told him that he had heard sounds at night.
This character appeals to the reader for his qualities as a devoted worker, a kind-hearted master and a trusting
man.

Summary
Iswaran the Storyteller is an interesting story written by R. K. Narayan about Mahendra, a bachelor and junior
supervisor in a firm who stayed with his cook, Iswaran. Mahendra had a transferable job so he used to keep
moving from one place to another very often, as per the orders of his head office. However, Iswaran would
always accompany him wherever he went. He took great care of his master and shared interesting stories with
him.
Iswaran would buy fresh vegetables and used to cook delicious meals for Mahendra. While his master was away
to work, Iswaran would clean up the house, wash utensils and had a bath leisurely. He was very fond of reading
popular Tamil thrillers during his free time. As a result, he often invented his own thrillers and would tell those
stories to Mahendra when he returned from work. Mahendra too enjoyed listening to his cook’s stories as he
would listen to every story awestruck. Once Iswaran told him a story of a wild elephant and how he controlled
the menacing animal that had gone mad.
He told Mahendra that he was originally from a place that was famous for timber, where he had seen logs of
wood carried by elephants. These animals were fed a huge amount of food, but when they went wild, they went
beyond the control of even the most experienced mahout. One fine day, an elephant entered the school premises
where children were playing and broke through the brick wall. All the children and teachers were terrified of the
wild tusker and rushed to a safe place to save themselves. When the wild tusker saw Iswaran, it lifted its trunk
and rushed towards him menacingly. Mustering up all his force and courage, Iswaran quickly whacked its third
toenail and the elephant shivered head to foot and collapsed. Mahendra was astounded at his cook’s courage
after listening to his story.
On another occasion, Iswaran had prepared a special meal for dinner on an auspicious day. He told Mahendra
that he prepared several delicacies to feed the spirits of their ancestors. Mahendra enjoyed the meal and
complimented his cook on his culinary skills. As usual, Iswaran began with his story-telling. But this time, he
talked about supernatural elements. He said he was not afraid of ghosts as he was brave enough to deal with
them.
Iswaran told his master that the place they stayed in was once a burial ground and he had also seen ghosts
around. He particularly mentioned a gruesome ghost of a woman which appeared on and off at midnight during
a full moon night. She moaned in a shrill tone and carried a foetus in her arms. Hearing this, Mahendra was
scared and shivered at the description and rebuked Iswaran stating that ghosts don’t exist. Soon, he retired to
bed but could not sleep as the discussion about the ghost woman was hovering in his mind.
From that day onwards, Mahendra would go to sleep feeling uneasy thinking about the female ghost. One night
as Mahendra was sleeping, he suddenly woke up from his sleep by a low moaning sound coming from his
window. Out of curiosity, he looked out of the window and saw the night sky was filled with moonlight outside
and noticed a dark cloud-shaped structure that was clutching a bundle. Seeing this, Mahendra started sweating
profusely and fell on his pillow gasping. The next morning, Iswaran enquired his master about the female ghost
and moaning sound that was coming from his room. A chill ran down Mahendra’s spine and he decided to leave
the haunted place immediately forever.

ASSIGNMENT

A. Reference to Context
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow in one or two lines.
(1) He was a bachelor. His needs were simple and he was able to adjust himself to all kinds of odd conditions,
whether it was an ill-equipped circuit house or a makeshift canvas tent in the middle of a quarry. But one asset
he had was his cook, Iswaran. The cook was quite attached to Mahendra and followed him uncomplainingly
wherever he was posted. He cooked for Mahendra, washed his clothes and chatted away with his master at
night. He could weave out endless stories and anecdotes on varied subjects.
(a) Name ‘He’ here. List two characteristics of this person.
(b) The one word that describes the cook is- (amateur/ versatile/innocent/shrewd)
(c) Which type of places did he have to live in?
(d) Why did he have to live like this?

(2) “Well, a veterinary doctor was summoned to revive the animal,” Iswaran would shrug casually. “Two days
later it was led away by its mahout to the jungle.” “Well, how did you manage to do it, Iswaran — how did you
bring down the beast?” “It has something to do with a Japanese art, I think, sir. Karate or ju-jitsu it is called. I
had read about it somewhere. It temporarily paralyses the nervous system, you see.”
(a) What is the topic of discussion?
(b) What explanation does Iswaran offer about the efficacy of the Japanese art?
(c) Where did Iswaran learn that art?
(d) Which word in the above passage means the same as ‘disregard?’

B. Short Answer Type Questions ( 30-40 words)

a) What sets apart Iswaran from other domestic helps?
b) What influenced Iswaran’s style of storytelling? How?
d) Why did Mahendra resolve to leave the haunted place the very next day?
e) Do you think the ghost seen by Mahendra was only a trick played by his cook, Iswaran? Give reasons for
your answer.

C. Long Answer Type Questions

a) Iswaran was a master storyteller. Describe his amazing capacity of narrating stories and anecdotes.
 GRAMMAR
Attempt the following questions by choosing the correct option:
1.According to the NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong, the aliens a base on the Moon.
a) is having b) have c) has d) are having

2. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the conversation between Jim to Della.
you prepare a cup of tea for me, please?
a) Will b) Could c) Can d) Would

3. On my friend’s farm, they an alarm clock because the cockerel at five o’clock every morning
without fails.
a) don’t need / crows c) haven’t needed / was crowing
b) won’t need / is crowing d ) didn’t need / will crow

4. You eat to live, not live to eat.

a) Can b) might c) must d)should

5. I am leaving the city tomorrow,” the lecturer said. He said that leaving the
city________.
a) he is, tomorrow b) he was, the following day c) he was, that day d) I was, previous day

6. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the conversation between Jim to Della.
you prepare a cup of tea for me, please?
a) Will b) Could c) Can d) Would

7. Read the conversation between a doctor and his patient. Complete the sentence by reporting the patient’s reply
correctly.
Doctor: How do you feel now?
Patient: Slightly better.
The doctor, while trying to figure out his patient’s ailment, asked how he felt then, to which, the patient affirmed ____.

8. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line, from a news
report:
The roof and the backside of the bus was blown away by the blast that occurred on Thursday, but no one was injured.
Option Error Correction
no.
A was were
B away off
C occurred occur
D but yet

9. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of a letter:
Subject: Need for___________ (promote) Healthy Eating Routines Dear Madam
This is with reference to …….

10. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank with the correct option.
Had the police not reached there in time, the bandits ______ him.
(a) did have killed (b) will have killed (c) would kill (d) would have killed