Iswaran the Storyteller Class 9 Notes, Summary & Question Answers | NCERT

1. Chapter Introduction

Hello students! Welcome to the notes for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 3: “Iswaran the Storyteller” written by R.K. Laxman. This is a fascinating tale about a master storyteller named Iswaran and his master, Mahendra. Iswaran has a unique talent for weaving thrilling and terrifying stories out of nowhere. The chapter blurs the line between imagination and reality, showing how a convincingly told story can play tricks on the human mind, turning even a brave, rational person into a frightened believer of ghosts.

2. Characters Detail

• Mahendra: A junior supervisor in a firm who is a bachelor and lives a simple life. He frequently moves from one construction site to another. He is practical and rational but eventually falls victim to Iswaran’s storytelling.
• Iswaran: Mahendra’s cook and a highly devoted servant. He is an amazing cook and an even better storyteller. He reads Tamil thrillers, which heavily influence his dramatic and suspenseful style of narrating everyday events.

3. Full Summary: Iswaran the Storyteller Class 9

Mahendra and His Asset, Iswaran

Mahendra worked as a junior supervisor at various construction sites. Since he was unmarried, he easily adjusted to all kinds of rough living conditions. However, he had one great asset: his cook, Iswaran. Iswaran would follow Mahendra uncomplainingly wherever he was posted. He would cook delicious meals, wash clothes, and chat with Mahendra at night. Iswaran was like a television for Mahendra, providing endless entertainment.

Iswaran’s Storytelling Style

Iswaran was heavily influenced by popular Tamil thrillers. Even when describing a simple incident, like a fallen tree on the highway, he would build immense suspense. He would describe it with raised eyebrows and dramatic hand gestures, making an uprooted tree sound like an enormous, sprawling beast. Mahendra would sit back on his canvas chair and listen to these tales uncritically.

The Tale of the Mad Elephant

One day, Iswaran told Mahendra a story about a wild elephant (tusker) that had escaped from a timber yard and gone mad. It destroyed everything in its path and eventually entered a school ground where children were playing. Everyone ran in panic. Iswaran claimed that he, as a junior student at the time, grabbed a cane from a teacher, approached the angry beast, and whacked its third toenail hard. The elephant supposedly collapsed, paralyzed. When Mahendra asked how he managed to bring down such a huge beast, Iswaran vaguely mentioned it was due to some Japanese martial art like jujitsu or karate.

The Ghost of the Factory Site

On an auspicious day, Iswaran prepared a special dinner. After the meal, he suddenly shifted to a horrifying topic. He told Mahendra that the factory area they were living in was once a burial ground. He claimed to have seen human skulls and bones lying around. Furthermore, he said he often saw a female ghost on full moon nights. He described her as an ugly creature with matted hair and a shriveled face, holding a foetus in its arms.

Mahendra’s Fear and Departure

Mahendra was terrified but tried to act brave. He scolded Iswaran, calling it nonsense and a figment of his imagination, and told him to get his digestive system checked. However, from that night on, Mahendra became extremely nervous. He started sleeping with the lights on and looking out the window for ghosts. One night, he was woken up by a low moan near his window. When he looked out, he saw a dark, cloudy form holding a bundle. Mahendra broke into a cold sweat and fell back on his pillow. The next morning, Iswaran cheekily asked Mahendra about the ghost he saw the previous night. Completely terrified, Mahendra handed in his resignation papers and decided to leave the haunted place immediately.

4. Multiple Choice Questions (10 MCQs)

5. Short Answer Questions (30-40 Words)

6. Long Answer Questions (60-80 Words)