About the Author
R.K. Laxman was a super famous Indian cartoonist and writer. He was born on 24 October 1921 in Mysore city. He is best known for his funny cartoons in newspapers, especially the "Common Man" – a simple guy who shows everyday Indian life. He was the brother of famous writer R.K. Narayan. Laxman worked for The Times of India for many years and made people laugh with his sharp wit. He also wrote funny stories. He passed away on 26 January 2015. "Iswaran the Storyteller" is one of his fun tales about imagination and stories.
What’s the Story About?
This is a super funny story about a cook who tells such awesome tales that they feel real – and scare his boss! It's like watching a thriller movie, but with twists that make you laugh and shiver.
Starting Part:
Mahendra is a junior supervisor in a company that builds factories, bridges, and dams. He keeps moving from one work site to another because of his job. He lives alone in a temporary house like a tent or small room. But he has a great helper – his cook Iswaran! Iswaran goes with him everywhere. He cooks tasty food, washes clothes, cleans the house – does everything! While Mahendra works, Iswaran reads Tamil thriller books (full of action and suspense) and takes a nap. In the evening, after dinner, Iswaran tells amazing stories to Mahendra. No TV needed – his stories are better!
Elephant Story (Middle Fun Part):
Iswaran tells a story from his village, famous for timber yards (places cutting wood). One day, a big wild elephant (tusker) went mad! It broke free, ran through streets, smashed shops, entered a school, and scared kids and teachers. Everyone ran helter-skelter (here and there in panic). Young Iswaran was on the school roof. He grabbed a stick, jumped down, and whacked the elephant's third toenail super hard! The elephant shook, fell down, and slept like paralyzed. A vet doctor came later and woke it up. Mahendra laughs and says, "Impossible! How can a boy stop an elephant?" Iswaran smiles and says it's a secret karate trick – hits a nerve and stops the body.
Ghost Story and Scary End:
One evening, it's a special day to feed ancestors' spirits. Iswaran cooks yummy dishes. Mahendra loves it. Then Iswaran says, "Sir, this place was a burial ground long ago!" He tells about a scary female ghost – thin and wrinkled, with messy hair. She lost her baby and comes on full moon nights at midnight, crying loud, holding a tiny foetus (unborn baby). Mahendra gets angry, "Ghosts are fake! It's your imagination!" But that night, he can't sleep.
Climax (Big Twist):
Few nights later, on a full moon, Mahendra wakes up to a strange moaning sound like "Ohoo...". He peeks out – sees a dark shadow like the ghost with a bundle! He sweats, heart beats fast, and faints. Next morning, Iswaran asks, "Sir, did you see the ghost? I heard your shout!" Mahendra is shocked. He packs up, resigns from job, and runs away from that place forever!
In simple words: Stories can be so powerful that they mix with real life and create big scares or fun!
Who’s Who in the Story
- Mahendra: The main man and boss. Junior supervisor who moves a lot for work. Loves Iswaran's food and stories, but gets super scared by the ghost one.
- Iswaran: The star cook and master storyteller! Loyal helper who does all house jobs. Tells tales with actions, voices, and suspense – like a one-man show. Brave and clever.
*(The story is told by Mahendra to his friend Ganesh, but they are not main!)*
Themes and Moral
Main Themes (Big Ideas):
- Magic of Stories: Good tales can make you laugh, forget boredom, and even feel real fear or excitement.
- Imagination Beats Reality: What we hear can seem truer than what we see – like Iswaran's fake stories fooling Mahendra.
- Loyal Friends Help: In lonely places, a fun companion like Iswaran makes life happy and easy.
- Fear from Unknown: Ghosts and wild animals scare us because our mind plays tricks.
Moral (Lesson to Learn):
Don't believe everything you hear – check with your own eyes! Stories are fun, but too much imagination can cause real trouble. Enjoy tales, but stay smart and brave like Iswaran. Next time someone scares you with a ghost story, smile and say, "Nice try!"
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are key words from the story explained in super simple words (like chatting with friends):
- Junior supervisor – Low-level boss who checks workers.
Example: Mahendra’s job at work sites. - Bachelor – Unmarried man living alone.
Example: Mahendra has no family with him. - Makeshift – Temporary or quick fix.
Example: Their tent-house with a zinc roof. - Accompany – Go together or stay with.
Example: Iswaran goes everywhere with Mahendra. - Thriller – Exciting story full of danger.
Example: The books Iswaran loves to read. - Suspense – Feeling of waiting, “What will happen next?”.
Example: Iswaran builds suspense in his tales. - Tusker – Big male elephant with tusks.
Example: The mad tusker in Iswaran’s story. - Rampaging – Running wild and breaking things.
Example: The elephant smashes the school wall. - Helter-skelter – Running everywhere in panic.
Example: The kids and teachers escape helter-skelter. - Whacked – Hit very hard.
Example: Iswaran whacked the elephant’s toe. - Paralysed – Body stops moving.
Example: The elephant became paralysed after the hit. - Auspicious – Lucky or special day.
Example: The day to feed ancestors. - Delicacies – Super tasty, special food.
Example: Iswaran’s delicious dinner that night. - Burial ground – Old graveyard.
Example: Their house was built near a burial ground. - Foetus – Tiny unborn baby.
Example: The ghost holds a foetus and cries. - Moaning – Low, sad crying sound.
Example: The ghost makes a moaning “Ohoo” noise. - Guttural – Deep, rough sound from the throat.
Example: The scary wailing had a guttural tone. - Auto-suggestion – When your mind tricks you into believing something.
Example: Mahendra thinks the ghost is real due to auto-suggestion. - Resigned – Quit the job.
Example: Mahendra resigned and left, scared by the ghost.
Happy Studying! 📖😂 This guide makes the chapter easy and hilarious. Tell your own story in class! 😊