NCERT Solutions For Class 9 English Moments - Iswaran the Storyteller

1. In What Way is Iswaran an Asset to Mahendra?

Ans: Mahendra had a good domestic assistant in Iswaran. He was a fantastic performer for his master, in addition to cooking and completing home chores. He was good at resource management because he could seemingly gather vegetables out of nowhere and never complained while accompanying his master.

2. How Does Iswaran Describe the Uprooted Tree on the Highway? What Effect Does He Want To Create in His Listeners?

Ans: With raised eyebrows and outstretched palms, Iswaran recounts the uprooted tree on the highway in a dramatic manner. He'd start by claiming that the road was desolate and that he was alone. Suddenly, he noticed what appeared to be a large bushy beast sprawled over the road. He was on the verge of turning around and returning. But when he got closer, he realized it was a fallen tree with dried limbs strewn across the ground. Suspense and a surprise finish to every minor incident he tells his readers is the impression he aims to achieve.

3. How Does He Narrate the Story of the Tusker? Does It Appear To Be Plausible?

Ans: He began the elephant story with a prologue in which he described elephants as "large well-fed creatures." After escaping from the wood yard, the elephant began exploring the area, stamping on bushes and tearing up wild creepers, according to him. It then proceeded to the town's main route, destroying all of the fruit, mud pot, and clothing stalls. It then proceeded to a schoolyard where youngsters were having fun. It uprooted the plants, took out the football goalpost, tore down the volleyball net, flattened the water drum, and tore down the volleyball net. 

Teachers and children were so terrified that they ascended to the school's rooftop patio. He was in the junior class at the time, according to Iswaran. He snatched a cane from one of the teachers' hands and dashed into the open. The elephant grunted and stamped its feet again. It appeared to be terrifying. He did, however, approach it slowly. He stepped forward and struck the elephant's third toenail just as it was about to surge towards him. It appeared stunned before collapsing. This story appears to be implausible.

4. Why Does the Author Say That Iswaran Seemed to More Than Makeup for the Absence of a TV in Mahendra’s Living Quarters?

Ans: Iswaran was a fantastic companion for Mahendra, according to the author. When he got home from work at night, he would talk to Mahendra. Iswaran would often tell Mahendra stories to keep him entertained. As a result, Mahendra was never bored when Iswaran was around, and he never felt the need to watch TV for enjoyment.

5. Mahendra Calls Ghosts or Spirits a Figment of the Imagination. What Happens to Him on a Full-Moon Night?

Ans: As Iswaran had been informed by Mahendra that they were living in a burial place and constantly narrating his stories of numerous ghosts he had encountered, Mahendra dismisses ghosts or spirits as a fiction of his imagination.

Mahendra was awoken from his slumber by a quiet moan near his window on a full moon night. He initially assumed it was a cat on the lookout for mice. However, the sound was far too loud and guttural for a cat to handle. He resisted looking outside because he didn't want to see something that would make his heart stop. The crying, on the other hand, became louder and less covert. He was no longer able to resist the urge. He sank to the level of the ledge and gazed out at the moonlit white sheet outside. There was a dark hazy figure clutching a bundle not far away. He burst out in a cold sweat and knelt on his pillow, panting.

6. Can You Think of Some Other Ending for the Story?

Ans: I think the story could have finished on a happier note. Instead of retiring from his job, Mahendra could have been shown as a true hero, demonstrating the ghost notion to be false. Another option for a conclusion is for both Mahendra and Iswaran to leave the location together, thereby continuing their friendship established earlier in the novel. Mahendra has been told that Iswaran is a man for all seasons.

Short Description About the Story

Iswaran the Storyteller is written by Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Laxman. This story is about Mahendra, a junior supervisor in a firm, and Iswaran, his cook. Now and then, Mahendra has to visit many places as ordered by the head office. Iswaran is loyal to his master, a good caretaker, and a wonderful storyteller. Mahendra has an active job moving from the coal mining area to the railway bridge construction site. Iswaran follows Mahendra wherever he goes. This story surrounds Mahendra telling stories about his cook Iswaran to Ganesh. Iswaran was a person who could weave endless stories.

Iswaran was Mahendra’s cook who had an active imagination. He used to bring vegetables and cook for Mahendra. During the day, when Mahendra was at work, Iswaran used to read Tamil thrillers. This habit eventually made him a very good storyteller. He frequently narrated these stories to Mahendra in the evenings. Mahendra also enjoyed these stories a lot. 

One of the stories that Iswara had told him was about the tale of an elephant gone rogue. There were many elephants in his place, which were all used for transporting heavy logs of wood. These elephants were maintained by their mahouts. One day, one of these elephants went wild and behaved madly. The wrath of the elephant was scary and menacing. When the elephant came very close to Iswaran to land a blow on him, he struck its third toenail, and this instantly tamed the elephant.

Another story that Iswaran had told Mahendra was about a ghost. This story was narrated especially on a day where the ancestors were worshipped. Iswaran told him that he had seen ghosts multiple times as he previously stayed at a burial ground. He told about a particular ghost which was of a woman. The ghost had appeared at night and had an infant in her arms. She also made a shrill moaning noise. 

Mahendra was scared, but he told Iswaran that ghosts did not exist. Despite this, Mahendra was uneasy when he went to bed. One night, Mahendra could hear a low moan from his window. As he looked out, he noticed a cloudy shape-holding something. This instantly made Mahendra sweat, and he fell onto his pillow. The next day, Iswaran also spoke of the same sound, and this scared Mahendra immensely. He took the harsh decision of leaving the place immediately. 

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Solved Examples

1. Why was Iswaran an Asset to Mahendra?

Ans: Iswaran is loyal to his master, a good caretaker, and a wonderful storyteller. He accompanied his master to his workplace. Iswaran was also an expert at cooking and doing household chores and a great entertainer. He was good at managing resources in times of emergency.

2. Can you suggest a better ending for the story?

Ans: The story could have a cheerful ending. Mahendra resigned from his job, which proves cowardness. The conclusion could show Mahendra to be a courageous person to verify the ghost theory wrong.

The story could also end by keeping the bond between Iswran and Mahendra. They both could have left that place together. Since the beginning, we have witnessed that Iswaran was so loyal and generous to Mahendra, his master, that it was impossible to break their bond.

3. How Iswaran described the fallen tree on the road? What impact did he try to create in the listeners?

Ans: Iswaran described the fallen tree on the highway with arched eyebrows and hands, explaining the situation. He said that he was lonely on the deserted road. He suddenly noticed a giant bushy wild creature lying across the street. He had a mind to return, but he discovered an enormous tree when he came closer. The tree was lying on the road with its dry branches spread outwards. Iswaran wanted to create thrill and suspense in the mind of the listeners. He had this habit of saying a story in such a creative manner that will attract the listener's attention.

For more detailed answers to all the questions from the textbook, refer to Vedantu’s Solutions for Class 9 English. You can also download them for offline use by clicking on the Download PDF option on the top left corner of the page.  All the best!