Iswaran the Storyteller
About the Writer: R.K. Laxman
R.K. Laxman (1921–2015) was a renowned Indian cartoonist, illustrator, and writer. He is best known for creating the iconic character “The Common Man.” His writings are humorous, simple, and full of satire. His stories often reflect daily life, human behaviour, and social situations. “Iswaran the Storyteller” is one of his popular stories for students that highlights imagination, fear, and storytelling skills.
Story: Iswaran the Storyteller
The story is narrated to Ganesh by Mahendra, a junior supervisor who works at construction sites. Mahendra often moves from place to place depending on work. Despite the difficult lifestyle, he is comfortable because of his cook, Iswaran.
Iswaran is hardworking, loyal, and extremely talkative. He cooks, cleans, and entertains Mahendra with fascinating stories every night. His storytelling style is dramatic and full of suspense, surprise, and expressive body movements. He even makes ordinary incidents sound thrilling.
One of his stories was about a wild elephant that escaped from the timber yard and caused destruction in the town. According to him, he bravely stopped the elephant using a Japanese technique like karate, although the story seemed unbelievable.
Another time, he told Mahendra that their working site was built on an old burial ground. He claimed he had seen ghosts there, especially a woman with messy hair holding a ghost baby. Mahendra dismissed his stories, calling them imaginary and foolish.
However, one full moon night, Mahendra heard strange moaning outside his window. When he looked out, he saw a shadowy figure holding something like a baby. Terrified, he fell back onto his bed.
The next morning, Iswaran casually mentioned that Mahendra had seen the ghost he had talked about. This frightened Mahendra so much that he resigned from the job and decided to leave the place immediately.
The story ends with mystery — we never know whether the ghost was real or just Mahendra’s imagination.
Theme of the Story
- The power of imagination and storytelling
- Fear created by the mind
- The bond between master and servant
- Suspense, humour, and exaggeration
Word Meanings
- In thrall: Under influence or spell
- Depredations: Destructive actions
- Guttural sounds: Harsh sounds produced from the throat
- Feline: Related to cats
NCERT Question Answers
1. In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?
Iswaran was an asset because he cooked food, washed clothes, cleaned the living space, and entertained Mahendra with interesting stories. He also adapted to any condition without complaints.
2. How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create in listeners?
He describes it dramatically as a dangerous beast blocking the road. His use of suspense and gestures creates fear and curiosity, making the story exciting.
3. How does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be true?
He narrates it with excitement and exaggeration, even acting like the elephant. The story does not seem believable because it sounds exaggerated and unrealistic.
4. Why does the author say Iswaran made up for the absence of TV?
Because Iswaran’s entertaining and dramatic storytelling acted like a live show for Mahendra, so he never felt bored.
5. Mahendra calls ghosts a figment of imagination. What happens to him on the full moon night?
He hears a strange sound and sees a dark figure near his window, which frightens him badly. He becomes unsure whether ghosts are real or imagination.
6. Can you think of another ending for the story?
(Answer will vary. One possible ending:) Mahendra could gather courage, investigate the sound, and discover that the ghost was actually a prank by Iswaran, proving that fear is created by imagination.
Extra Questions for Exams
1. Describe Iswaran’s personality.
Iswaran was loyal, hardworking, disciplined, imaginative, dramatic, and an excellent storyteller.
2. How does suspense make the story interesting?
Suspense keeps the reader curious and eager to know what happens next, making even simple events feel thrilling.
3. What message does the story convey?
The story shows how imagination and storytelling can influence the mind, and how fear is often created by thoughts rather than reality.
Short Summary in 50 Words
Mahendra lives with his servant Iswaran, who entertains him with dramatic stories. Iswaran tells him about ghosts in the area, but Mahendra doesn’t believe in them. One night he sees a ghost-like figure and becomes scared. Frightened, he leaves the site, unsure if the ghost was real or imagined.
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